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Auction archive: Lot number 550

ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778) Autograph letter signed t...

Estimate
£1,500 - £2,500
ca. US$3,050 - US$5,084
Price realised:
£7,200
ca. US$14,643
Auction archive: Lot number 550

ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778) Autograph letter signed t...

Estimate
£1,500 - £2,500
ca. US$3,050 - US$5,084
Price realised:
£7,200
ca. US$14,643
Beschreibung:

ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778). Autograph letter signed to Sidoine- Charles-François-Séguier de Saint-Brisson, Motiers, 22 July 1764, 3 pages, 4to , integral address panel (to Saint-Brisson in Paris), seal (browned, a few tiny holes in creases, 2nd leaf with slight wear in bottom edge touching several words, seal tear in outer edge, splits in folds, tape repairs on verso).
ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778). Autograph letter signed to Sidoine- Charles-François-Séguier de Saint-Brisson, Motiers, 22 July 1764, 3 pages, 4to , integral address panel (to Saint-Brisson in Paris), seal (browned, a few tiny holes in creases, 2nd leaf with slight wear in bottom edge touching several words, seal tear in outer edge, splits in folds, tape repairs on verso). FIRM ADVICE TO AN IMPORTUNATE YOUNG DISCIPLE: his correspondent, resolved to follow the principles of Emile and undeterred by Rousseau's abrasive reception of his manuscript, had written announcing his departure from the army and, throwing himself on Rousseau's mercy, proposing to take to the simple life. 'Vous voila seul sur la terre dans l'âge où l'homme doit tenir à tous; je vous plains, et c'est pour cela que je ne puis vous aprouver, puisque vous avez voulu vous isoler vous-même au moment où cela vous convenoit le moins. Si vous croyez avoir suivi mes principes, vous vous trompez; vous avez suivi l'impétuosité de vôtre âge; une démarche d'un tel éclat valoit assurément la peine d'être bien pesée avant d'en venir à l'exécution ... J'avois dans mes malheurs la consolation de croire que mes écrits ne pouvoient faire que du bien: voulez-vous m'ôter encore cette consolation? Je sais que s'ils font du mal ce n'est que faute d'être entendus', going on to reprouve Saint-Brisson for being at odds with his mother, and asserting that the moralities of Christianity and Philosophy are 'the same'. Sidoine de Séguier (1738-1773) had revolted against his mother's hopes of his becoming a monk and written to Rousseau: 'I am alone on earth', blaming his exile on the fact that his mother is a Parisian and 'completely given over to the priests'. The surprisingly conservative and Catholic morality of Rousseau's advice in the present letter persuaded him to return to his mother, turning to literature and publishing two very modest works. He continued to address long letters to his hero whom he finally met in 1765. Sidoine de Séguier is commemorated in the Confessions , XII, where Rousseau writes: 'Le seul Français qui parut me venir voir par goût fut un jeune officier du régiment de Limousin, appelé M. Séguier de Saint-Brisson'.

Auction archive: Lot number 550
Auction:
Datum:
3 Jul 2007
Auction house:
Christie's
3 July 2007, London, King Street
Beschreibung:

ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778). Autograph letter signed to Sidoine- Charles-François-Séguier de Saint-Brisson, Motiers, 22 July 1764, 3 pages, 4to , integral address panel (to Saint-Brisson in Paris), seal (browned, a few tiny holes in creases, 2nd leaf with slight wear in bottom edge touching several words, seal tear in outer edge, splits in folds, tape repairs on verso).
ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques (1712-1778). Autograph letter signed to Sidoine- Charles-François-Séguier de Saint-Brisson, Motiers, 22 July 1764, 3 pages, 4to , integral address panel (to Saint-Brisson in Paris), seal (browned, a few tiny holes in creases, 2nd leaf with slight wear in bottom edge touching several words, seal tear in outer edge, splits in folds, tape repairs on verso). FIRM ADVICE TO AN IMPORTUNATE YOUNG DISCIPLE: his correspondent, resolved to follow the principles of Emile and undeterred by Rousseau's abrasive reception of his manuscript, had written announcing his departure from the army and, throwing himself on Rousseau's mercy, proposing to take to the simple life. 'Vous voila seul sur la terre dans l'âge où l'homme doit tenir à tous; je vous plains, et c'est pour cela que je ne puis vous aprouver, puisque vous avez voulu vous isoler vous-même au moment où cela vous convenoit le moins. Si vous croyez avoir suivi mes principes, vous vous trompez; vous avez suivi l'impétuosité de vôtre âge; une démarche d'un tel éclat valoit assurément la peine d'être bien pesée avant d'en venir à l'exécution ... J'avois dans mes malheurs la consolation de croire que mes écrits ne pouvoient faire que du bien: voulez-vous m'ôter encore cette consolation? Je sais que s'ils font du mal ce n'est que faute d'être entendus', going on to reprouve Saint-Brisson for being at odds with his mother, and asserting that the moralities of Christianity and Philosophy are 'the same'. Sidoine de Séguier (1738-1773) had revolted against his mother's hopes of his becoming a monk and written to Rousseau: 'I am alone on earth', blaming his exile on the fact that his mother is a Parisian and 'completely given over to the priests'. The surprisingly conservative and Catholic morality of Rousseau's advice in the present letter persuaded him to return to his mother, turning to literature and publishing two very modest works. He continued to address long letters to his hero whom he finally met in 1765. Sidoine de Séguier is commemorated in the Confessions , XII, where Rousseau writes: 'Le seul Français qui parut me venir voir par goût fut un jeune officier du régiment de Limousin, appelé M. Séguier de Saint-Brisson'.

Auction archive: Lot number 550
Auction:
Datum:
3 Jul 2007
Auction house:
Christie's
3 July 2007, London, King Street
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