144 - LESZCZYNSKA (Marie), Queen of France, 1703–1768.

LESZCZYNSKA (Marie), Queen of France, 1703–1768. L.A., n.p., [to President Hénault], 1 p., in-4, traces of a red wax seal (tear with no loss of text). Marie Leszczyńska writes to President Hénault to express her disappointment at not seeing him and her regret at learning he has a cold: “’[…] I wish I had Madame de Maintenon’s wit to express to you how sorry I am about this. You will have to settle for the plain truth’”. She thanks him for sending the letters and confides that she is reading the first volume he sent her slowly. She asks that Madame de Sévigné and Madame de Maintenon not be compared, emphasizing their differences in intellect, character, and circumstances, and sees this diversity as the work of Providence. She concludes by wishing him a speedy recovery: “Absence and a cold—that’s too much.” Includes her former cultural property export certificate from the Ministry of Culture, referencing catalog 806 from the Charavay auction house, no. 43866/1. Enclosed is a letter from the same sender to the same recipient, ½ p. in-4, with a red wax seal (tear with no loss of text): “ [...] Must I tell you, my dear President, that I wish you a Happy New Year? That is rather trite for something so certain—friendship knows neither days nor years. There are two blue cords [insignia of the Knights of the Royal Order of the Holy Spirit] that give me great pleasure; I believe that Mr. de [?] came specifically to Madame de Luines’s home last night to compliment me on his.” Accompanied by its original cultural property export certificate from the Ministry of Culture, referencing catalog 806 of the Charavay auction house, No. 43866/2. Charles-Jean-François Hénault d’Armorezan, known as “President Hénault” (1685–1770) served between 1753 and 1768 as superintendent of the household of Queen Marie Leszczynska, who held him in particular esteem and helped guide him toward religion—a path to which a serious illness, contracted around 1735, had already drawn him closer to.