SAVARY

[Love correspondence] Very important correspondence between Marie René Napoléon Savary, 2nd Duc de Rovigo (1813-1872), military officer and later literary and political journalist, notably for Le Figaro, and two of his mistresses Stéphanie de Nicolaÿ, Comtesse da Porto (1815-1886), and Marie Pauline de Meneval (1810-1889), daughter of Baron d'Empire Meneval, collaborator of Napoleon I, married to Gaetan Murat (son of King Murat's brother). This correspondence spans the years 1846 to 1850, and includes over 450 letters, some with the letter-writers' crowned numerals, some folded with wax-sealed envelopes, and some, for lack of space, with writing superimposed in a grid pattern. The first correspondence with Stéphanie de Nicolaÿ (who never signed her letters) comprises 117 autograph letters from her and 137 autograph letters, most of them signed, from René de Savary. It shows the latter's attachment to the woman he often referred to as "chère aimée petite femme" ("dear beloved little woman"). These are letters of despair, sometimes bordering on suicide, in which he laments his exile, the lack of response, and his jealousy. Stéphanie de Nicolaÿ is married and very cautious in her writing, using many subterfuges to correspond, involving various people. Together they had an illegitimate son, "Petit René". There are also two autograph letters signed by Savary, one of which is dated April 1847, veritable declarations of marriage. This almost daily correspondence shows the evolving relationship between the lovers, and their interest in their child. The second part consists mainly of 195 autograph letters, rarely signed, from Marie de Meneval to her lover René de Savary, between 1848 and 1850. They reveal her very jealous, impetuous, demanding and direct character. She complains about René's short letters, his numerous unkept appointments, etc. We learn of Savary's duel with Emile de Girardin, a dueling businessman, over an article, and of her quarrels with her brother Napoléon. There are also some twenty autographed documents signed by members of the respective families. This impressive correspondence bears witness to René de Savary's tumultuous life and contemporary political events.