MARIE-THÉRÈSE, Princess of France, Madame Royale (1778-1851) Verses composed and handwritten by the young princess during her captivity in the Temple prison, addressed to Madame Renée Elisabeth Hilaire de Chanterenne, née de la Rochette (1762-1838), in the summer of 1795, 1 page, in-8. Traces of moisture and folds. "In this sad stay of horror, the virtue that pleases my heart always seemed banished; heaven held back my life too often ready to exhale through the tears it saw flowing; it ends to be inexorable, to this sweet lovable virtue it is necessary (that finally it can) to see it triumphing of a sad duty it calms and calms my soul it warms it of its soft flame and consoles me in this stay by the clearness of a new day it fled far from my sight, this moment returned it to me the sky makes me enjoy it now all here made me feel it each thing reminds me of it I do not see any more a rebellious heart finally it lives close to me all receives its soft law, shall I name this virtue that adorns man, that consoles the unfortunate that changes the horror of these places, that returns to this land, to be adored forever that near me in these moments returns to ease my torments she lives in the tower of the temple all to envy follows my example, sensibility is her name she reigns in my prison of my heart she makes the charm, it no longer fears any tears since it sees me near him only sensitive souls for support." History: Madame de Chanterenne was appointed governess to Madame Royale three days after the death of the young Louis XVII, in accordance with the decree of 25 Prairial An II (June 13, 1795). She took up her post on June 15, 1795, and the relationship between the two women was excellent. Madame de Chanterenne brought much-needed comfort to the orphan in her isolation. This lasted until December 18, 1795. The princess called Madame de Chanterenne "my dear Renète". Provenance: Collection of Jean-Baptiste Gomin (1757-1841), given on his death by his widow on June 2, 1841, to Vicomte Alcide-Hyacinthe du Bois de Beauchesne. As the accompanying letter states: "Knowing how much affection Mr. Gomin had for you, I am sure I am paying tribute to his memory and fulfilling his intentions in a way, by bequeathing to you in his name the enclosed papers to which he attached such great and legitimate value: - 1°) a letter from Madame Royale indicating the post office from Paris to Huningue; 2°) the report of the trip made by H.R.H. and also written in his hand. 3°) Two pieces of verse composed by Madame in the Tour du Temple and written in S.A.R.'s hand. 4°) A note of audience for M. Gomin in Madame's hand. 5°) Hair of the King, the Queen, Madame Royale, and Louis XVII. Please receive, Monsieur, and keep this bequest as a memento and keep this bequest as a memento of my excellent husband, and as a token of the high esteem with which I have the honor to be, your most humble and most affectionate servant, Pontoise, June 2, 1841". On the back the Viscount has noted biographical information about Mr. Gomin. Kept by the Viscount's descendants before being offered for sale on March 3, 2015, under no. 189 by the Coutau-Bégarie firm, then today by the purchaser at the time.