[MUSEUM]. Gustave ROULAND (1806-1878), politician, Minister - Lot 140

Lot 140
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[MUSEUM]. Gustave ROULAND (1806-1878), politician, Minister - Lot 140
[MUSEUM]. Gustave ROULAND (1806-1878), politician, Minister of Public Instruction under the Second Empire. 5 autograph letters signed to Dr. Rayer. 8 pp. in-8, headed by the cabinet of the Minister of Public Instruction. Paris, January - February 1859. Three are marked "confidential". Important and very interesting correspondence on the background to the new decree for the organization of the Muséum. "I am working hard for the organization of the Museum, but the task is a heavy one [...] the preparation of my report, which is entirely my own work. But please allow me to repeat that absolute secrecy must be maintained. The question of people is immense in this irritable, conceited world of organized scientists! The bomb must explode suddenly, & everyone will bow their heads before public opinion applauding an act of necessity & common sense [...]. My museum decree is ready. I think it is essential that I discuss it with you & with M. le comte d'Escayrac de Lauture [who was also Rayer's son-in-law], so that he understands perfectly and in advance the mission that the Emperor will give him [...]". He sends him the minutes of the Museum commission. "This is all confidential and must not leave your office, as the Emperor will only have them in 2 or 3 days. But it is good in advance that M. de Lauture should see all the depths of scientific Babylon [...]. May God grant that all the intrigues of laziness and selfishness do not stand in the way of a noble and necessary reform. I am using my life to fight against the old prejudices and abuses that stand in the way of a scientific boom worthy of the Emperor's government. I am doing the work of an honest man, of an intelligent & devoted minister - I will persist in it with all my energy [...]. This morning I went to the Emperor's house to bring him the report and minutes of the commission, as well as the draft decree instituting a curator of the Natural History Museum to represent the State in this establishment. I read out this decree to His Majesty, pointing out to him the wisdom with which it is conceived, since it leaves the assembly deliberating on all matters - & each professor remains the scientific administrator of the collection. Everything is therefore limited to the essential creation of a senior official representing the Minister, and inspecting all departments on his behalf [...]. The Emperor seemed struck by this spirit of benevolence and prudence, but he asked me to leave the decree with him so that he could read it at his leisure. He also admitted to me that in a recent audience with several professors from the Museum, he had promised not to do anything without hearing them. This is simply a bit of a peek-a-boo [...]. However, I didn't want to rush into anything. But soon I will write to the Emperor that there is only one way out of this, and that is to authorize me to assemble the Museum myself, to tell them the decree clearly & to take note of their observations, which will be easy to refute [...]. It is well understood, moreover, that the decree does not contain the name of the future curator. I have a special decree for the appointment [...]".
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