Jules Dumont d'Urville. L.A.S. to Louise... - Lot 235 - Conan Belleville Hôtel d'Ainay

Jules Dumont d'Urville. L.A.S. to Louise de Croisilles. With a dense writing. Le Havre, aboard the frigate Amazon, March 21, 1809. 3 pp. in-4. Address on the back. Beautiful letter from the young Dumont d'Urville, which testifies to his character, his loves and his ambitions. He comments with irony the fact that his friend Benerais is embarked on the same frigate as him. "I think he is incapable of feeling a sincere attachment and a lively and sustained interest in anything other than his dog". He hopes to get a summer leave to find his cousin, for whom he has a great passion. He recalls their games of trictrac and his uncle the abbot of Croisilles [who raised him after the death of his father]. "But it is more than doubtful that I can have this sweet satisfaction. Our frigate at this time will be fully armed; my service will be more extensive and rigorous, and it is unlikely that I will be granted leave of absence. Thus, on my return from my campaign, in 3 or 4 years, I shall have completely forgotten about trictrac and Ladies and you will have the pleasure of beating me completely at both games". He talks about his daily occupations. "The continuous study of dead and living languages and mathematics; weapons, dancing and walking go with my service to fill all my moments and make me pass the time, if not pleasantly, at least usefully and without boredom. You are no doubt astonished to see me put dance among the arts that I want to acquire, you will be surprised that a man as little made for society as I am, wants to learn to dance ; I confess that for my particular taste I would hardly have thought of it, but you do think that when I have become a rear admiral, as I always hope to be, unless some ill-intentioned ball and chain stops me in my illustrious career, to maintain the splendour of my rank, I shall be obliged to dance sometimes, to strip even sometimes my rudeness...