GÉRICAULT Théodore (1791-1824).

L.A., "Samedy soir" [ July ? 1822], to Mme TROUILLARD, rue Chantereine n° 10 à Paris; 2 pages and a half in-8, address (small tear by breaking of the seal without affecting the text, and a corner missing at the bottom of the address sheet without affecting the text). Beautiful and rare love letter to his mistress. "It is after many embarrassments of all kinds that I am finally allowed to come and prostrate myself at your feet, for truly you are a divine creature, and in conscience I can do no less. How can I properly show my gratitude for the two charming proposals you are making to me, both of which are intended to give me a pleasant view of you? However, I hesitate, not to choose, that is easy: if it were possible for you to put yourself in the place of a puny mortal, to go down to him, then... Let us suppose for a moment that Venus herself, feigning a sincere attachment, made me ask to receive her, judge for myself what an embarrassment, or let me choose to visit her at her home. I have never been up there, I confess, and I do not know what kind of a face you have; but to receive her at my house is more frightening if it is possible, but it is the wisest thing to do: so I made her answer that I would have the honour of waiting for her. From this moment on there is no rest, and this is easily understood. I wait, I hope, I desire and dread the sight of her, what anxiety, at last she arrives, my trouble increases, I become agitated and move without planning. All panting I offer a seat but not soft enough for her. Beautiful and laughing goddess, for it is necessary to say something at last, lovable mother of loves, consolation of the pale humans to what can I attribute such a great favour, I have nothing you know it, I am not. Silly," she said at once, turning so that I could not hear, "but I have heard it, or rather I have really guessed it; all disconcerted I try to continue, for I know the respect that one owes to all that inhabits Olympus. Illustrious mother of Anchises, tender lover of Aeneas, (here I am losing my head completely), faithful wife of Jupiter, deign to have for me the touching care that you lavished on Adonis, your dearest delights, or else on... - Thrice a fool, rascal! At this hail of insults or only unflattering epithets, ad libitum, which I did not expect since I was doing my best, I fell to the ground, shattered... The thought alone makes you shudder: don't you shudder? By the way, what are you going to do at sea, is it for health reasons that you are going there or are you only going for pleasure? Trips of this kind last six weeks or two months at the most. What if we waited for your return? Will you take the little portrait to Le Havre, will Cecile accompany you, if I dared to ask anything?