A Ball at the request of the Emperor DAVOUT... - Lot 85 - FW Auction

Lot 85
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250 - 300 EUR
A Ball at the request of the Emperor DAVOUT... - Lot 85 - FW Auction
A Ball at the request of the Emperor DAVOUT (Aimée). 1782-1868. Sister of General Leclerc (†1802, Napoleon's brother-in-law), wife of the marshal. Aut. letter signed to her husband, Marshal Davout. (Paris), January 28, 1812. 4 pp. two-sheet in-4. Beautiful and long letter from Marshal Davout to her husband, then posted in Hamburg as governor of the city, marking her embarrassment at the marking her embarrassment at the Emperor's request to organize a ball; she reports a conversation she had with Duroc, grand marshal of the Palace on this subject and with the Emperor himself. I was most disturbed, my Louis, to hear disturbed, my Louis, by the proposal made to me by the Duke of Friuli (...). The latter having noticed it, he made the observation to the the Emperor, who replied: "It will be arranged"! Then I entered with enough awkwardness, I think, in several of the reasons into many of the reasons which make the execution of the Emperor's will most difficult. Then I said to him I said to him, there is no one in Paris less disposed than I am to dance - there is nothing but talk of war at the moment. - He said to me that is true, news from Russia is expected any moment, all hope of peace is not destroyed. - I am still I still have the pain of being separated from M al and I have only him in this world, having little family. And finding myself separated from him, my misfortunes have kept me away from society, and the little liking which M al had for instructing me in this too natural disposition, I think he would not like me to give a big ball (...). Finally, (...) I am not accustomed to these kinds of meetings (...). The Emperor believes the opposite (...) By [designating me], he said "that will please Davout". (…). She asks him to write to Duroc to explain to him the difficulties she is experiencing in giving a party in a house which is not set up for that purpose and which She adds that her health does not allow her to experience great fatigue, etc. I am going this evening to the Tuileries this evening. If the Emperor speaks of a ball, would it be wrong to ask that she allow you to come and open your house and do the honours jointly with with me, fearing that I would be doing it on my own? (...) The Emperor has not spoken to me at all spoke to me about the ball. He asked me kindly about me, and told me that it was obvious that I had suffered after the show. I did the the Empress's part; she asked me about you (...). She adds further on: I will do everything in my power to free myself from this obligation. I think that the princesses who wish to see my hotel insisted very much when the Emperor appointed me to give one of the Shrovetide parties (...). The same request was made to the Duke of Elchingen and the Duke of Treviso. Your poor Aimée must always be tormented. Pity me (...). She ends by giving news of her children, especially Louis, who is teething...
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