Ferdinand de LESSEPS (1805-1894) engineer and diplomat, built the Suez Canal. L.A.S., Compiègne November 15, 1865, [to the Countess de Beaulaincourt]; 3pages in-8. He thanks her for her flower basket. The Empress regrets the misunderstanding of the invitation and expects the Countess on the 29th: "I went from Paris to the château with the Turkish ambassador, and fraternized with him. He told me after dinner that the Empress, with whom he was sitting at table, had told him that the success of our canal was her fixed idea, and that she was counting on Turkey not making any more difficulties for us. To which the Turk replied that it was all over now"...