252 - MAURRAS (Charles), 1868–1952.

MAURRAS (Charles), 1868–1952. Handwritten letter, undated, August 23, 1908, 3 pp., in-8 [to Paul Souday, according to the previously attached note]. Maurras first asks Paul Souday about the rumors circulating in the press: “Do you intend to leave the theaters of *L’Éclair* for those of *Le Figaro*?” It was Maurras who had brought Souday—already a literary critic at *Le Temps*—on board as a critic at *L’Éclair*. As the rumor was gaining traction, he felt it might be advisable to deny it, if necessary, to [name to be deciphered], “a deadly, suspicious, and besieged position.” He then returns to his correspondent’s articles: “Your article in *Le Gaulois* was so conservative that Criton didn’t make anything of it, but a few days ago, I had cut out the end of the article about the Swiss Jew from *Le Temps*. It appeared this morning, and I hope the coincidence will have no unfortunate consequences.” Finally, Maurras confides to Souday his concerns about his brother Joseph, a naval physician, who is experiencing “new setbacks”—namely, his impending inclusion on the list of those to be sent to the colonies despite his fragile health: “ [...] he is not capable of leaving at this time [...] This distinction, which is never refused, has just been denied to him. The list is published on September 1, and he is at the top of it [...] I am not writing these details to you with a view to any action, for I lack the essential element; I do not yet have the intermediaries to whom I can turn. Where do these refusals come from? From Paris? From Marseille? From Toulon?"" The solution, in his view, would be resignation. Maurras had met Paul Souday in 1890 and formed a very friendly relationship with him. These relations became strained with the founding of *Action française*; a “patching up,” in Maurras’s own words, took place in 1915, during the war, before their final breakup. Souday died in 1929. Also included, from the same author: - a handwritten letter to the same recipient (again, according to the accompanying note), 1 p. and ½ in-8. Maurras mentions the program for the next three evenings proposed by Paul Souday on the occasion of a cousin’s visit, including a performance at the Opéra-Comique “because of *La Cabrera*, which we are very keen to see” and *L’Arlésienne* at the Odéon. - a handwritten letter “Ch. Maurras,” Paris, February 27, 1935, 2 pp., in-8 on Action française letterhead, to a lady (probably Mrs. Guadry-Lorilleux, according to the old accompanying note). Maurras would be pleased if his correspondent would receive Pierre Varillon, who will be coming on his behalf: “[…] Mr. Pierre Varillon will explain to you, madam, under what circumstances I am expecting and hoping for a very great service from some of our most trusted friends. Please be so kind as to listen to him. He is qualified to provide you, madam, on our behalf, with any explanations you might desire […]” - an autograph letter signed “Ch. Maurras,” Paris, October 25, 1917, 1 p. in-4 on Action française letterhead, to a lady (a few small marginal tears): “In great haste. You must know that the person your ‘camelot du roi’ is speaking with is a wretched schemer, banished from the presence and entourage of the Head of the House of France, who is taking revenge with appalling baseness. It is a personal hatred masquerading as a political cause, and nothing more […]""