SADE MARQUIS DE: (1740-1814)

SADE MARQUIS DE: (1740-1814) Donatien Alphonse François de Sade. French Writer, Nobleman and Revolutionary Politician. Best-known for his erotic works and sexual fantasies with violence and lack of morality. Author of The 120 Days of Sodom. Sade spent thirty-two years of his life imprisoned and most of his works were written while incarcerated. The word sadism was coined from his name. Rare and lengthy A.L.S., `Sade´, two pages, small 4to, n.p., n.d. [1800], to citizen Dumurier, a Lawyer, in French. Sade sends an interesting content letter, furious for the unfavourable court sentence received in a trial against his bricklayer, whom he calls rascal and thief, and in his usual fine writing, states in part ` Je savais bien, Monsieur, que ce maçon favorisé de tout le monde gagnerait son procès. C´est une ligue dont il faut que je sois la victime... Allons Monsieur, je me soumettrai puisqu´il faut. L´homme attaqué dans une forêt doit plier les épaules et donner sa bourse, je la donne, mais prends en même temps un vigoureux parti pour que pareille chose ne m´arrive. Et comme vous n´êtes pas, Monsieur, de la bande de ceux qui m´attaquent dans la forêt mais qu´au contraire j´ai droit et lieu de vous regarder comme mon défenseur (que par unique délicatesse je ne voulais pas employer cette fois.ci) je vous prie seulement et uniquement, Monsieur, d´obtenir de Cartouche maçon, de ce coquin dont je me souviendrai longtemps, ainsi que de son notaire, je vous pri, dis-je, d´obtenir de lui de n´être payé que dans un terme, moitié en 1801 et moitié en 1802´ (Translation: " I knew well, Sir, that this bricklayer favored by everyone would win his case. It's a league in which I must be the victim... Come on Sir, I will submit since I have to. The man attacked in a forest must bend his shoulders and give his purse, I give it, but at the same time take a strong stand so that such a thing does not happen to me. And as you are not, Sir, from the group of those who attack me in the forest but on the contrary I have the right and reason to consider you as my defender (that only for delicacy I did not want to use this time) I beg you only, Sir, to obtain from Highwayman mason, from this rascal who I will remember for a long time, as well as from his notary, I beg you, I say, to obtain from him to be paid only in one term, half in 1801 and half in 1802") Sade was re-arrested in 1801 for his pornographic novels and was eventually incarcerated in the Charenton insane asylum where he died in 1814. With blank address leaf. G to VG