DELACROIX Eugène (1798-1863).

L.A.S. "E. Delacroix", Saint-Cyr 15 October 1821, to Achille PIRON, "employé à la Poste, Hôtel des Postes" in Paris; 2 pages small in-4, address. Curious letter with an amusing poem. He is in Saint-Cyr: "The weather which is fine solicits me to stay there for a few days which I do not think useless to my health after the work I have done [for Dante's Boat]. This is one of the reasons which confirms me, though to my great regret, in the impossibility of sharing your good riding party on Wednesday, which I had promised myself would be a great pleasure. There is yet another reason which is not without influence on my determination. My right buttock is mortgaged by a thick, black, protruding crust which makes it very difficult for me to sit down; especially on Mr. Dominique's saddles. I hope that the year will not have lost all its beautiful days and my scab will not last forever. It is enough to tell you that it is a postponed game that I will take up again with warmth at the first opportunity of good weather, good health, and money that presents itself. There follows a poem of twelve lines: "Invoke all the Gods so that a cloudless sky Embellishes each day of my journey [... How I pity the steeds that in my legs will lead a master as spirited as he is skilful to turn at the merry-go-round, to gallop in town; I also pity the thigh of this firm squire: But of these vile secrets that his breeches enclose Nothing on his male forehead will be noticed"... Lettres intimes (XXVII, p. 134).