Émile ZOLA. L.A.S., Médan December 27, 1885, to Paul Alexis; 2pages in-12. After Paul Adam was sentenced to fifteen days in prison and fined one thousand francs for his novel Chair molle. "I'm of the opinion that Paul Adam should keep his affair quiet, if he wants to get off more lightly than poor Desprez. My intervention could only harm him, rest assured; and I'm happy for him that he thinks he can do without it. Revolutionary action, as you say, should only be taken when all means of conciliation have been exhausted. Otherwise, he will pay for those we dare not strike"... Attached is a L.A.S., Médan July 26, 1885 (1p. in-8), thanking you for sending me the Revue moderniste; "but you are asking me to do something impossible. I am overwhelmed with occupations, and very unwell: I cannot promise anything unpublished"...