Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893) L.A.S., January 23, 1875, to Richard Peyton; 4 pages in-8; in English. Interesting letter about his manuscripts sequestered by Georgina Weldon. The letter is addressed to Richard Peyton (1825-1910), music lover and patron, organizer of the Birmingham Musical Festival. He regrets not being able to come to the next Birmingham Festival, due to his current commitments and work. He explains that he was the blind victim of all the unfortunate events in his life during the three years he spent in England. Now, by Gods grace, I am, at last, out of this dark Hell, and again in my own country, in my family, with my dear children, among my true and sincere friends. But alas! a considerable body of work and manuscripts remained there ( in the hands of a friend not of mine but of oneself ), including the score of L'Annonciation dedicated to the Queen, and the libretto of Rédemption, with Polyeucte and George Dandin (both half-composed), as well as the scores of his Requiem, his Messe Angeli Custodes, the first pieces of a Messe Symphonique, the Marche funèbre d'une marionnette, etc.., as well as correspondence, articles, clothes, etc., which his former hostess stubbornly refused to return to him... But no matter, she took neither his soul nor his brain... Enclosed is another L.A.S. in English, June 19, 1879, to Mrs. Field (3 p. in-8 in her initials), thanking her for her wishes; despite his failing health, life will be acceptable, as long as he is able to work, think, describe...