Jean de TINAN. Autograph manuscript signed, À la vie ! À la mort !, [1897]; 2 pages and a half in-8, mounted on tabs on strong paper. Theatrical criticism, published in the Mercure de France in April 1897. Tinan reports, with his particular humor, on Pierre Denis' drama in 5 acts, À la vie ! À la mort! performed at the Nouveau Théâtre, and inspired by the sentimental life of General Boulanger. "It was not very good - and I regret it. I would be quite happy to see some beautiful popular and modern legends being formed", like that of "Georges et Marguerite": "we tried... but it's not there yet [...] Another bad novel and a badly done drama, and poor General Boulanger will be robbed of a glory of imagery in which he believes - we'll be afraid of being a bit ridiculous by carrying bouquets on the tomb of Ixelles - and "Literature" will have frustrated two lovers of their poor little ideal eternity... oh! this Literature! " The play is "all in old clichés", and Boulangisme "was one of those things that disappear completely under one avatar to reappear exactly under another"... Etc.