Jean de TINAN. Autograph manuscript signed, À la vie! À la mort!", [1897]; 2 1/2 pages in-8, mounted on strong paper. Theatrical criticism, published in the Mercure de France in April 1897. Tinan reviews, with his trademark humor, Pierre Denis's 5-act drama À la vie! À la mort! performed at the Nouveau Théâtre, and inspired by the sentimental life of General Boulanger. "It wasn't very good - and I regret that. I'd be quite happy to see some fine popular and modern legends", like that of "Georges et Marguerite": "we tried... but it's not there yet [...] One more bad novel and a badly done drama, and poor General Boulanger will be robbed of a glory of imagery he believes in - we'll be afraid of being a bit ridiculous carrying bouquets to the tomb in Ixelles - and "Literature" will have frustrated two lovers of their poor little ideal eternity... oh! that Literature! The play is "all old clichés", and Boulangisme "was one of those things that disappears completely under one avatar only to reappear exactly under another"... Etc.