Paul VALÉRY (1871-1945). L.A.S., [Montpellier, June 21, 1891], to Pierre Louÿs; 2pages in-8, envelope. The young Valéry is about to take a very important exam in July: "The insertion in the Cigale d'Or [La Cigalo d'or] is a simple Carthaginian maneuver for this exam - because of one of my judges - félibre! There's no point in placing this sonnet [La Belle au bois dormant] in the Conque for the time being if its translation isn't excellent. It is done by a very young man who is just starting out..." He asks Louÿs for "a simple reply card", and asks him "if you intend to take up a profession other than that of Poet? For me, the leather ring is the goal of my wishes, by force. And then isn't it necessary to have a latent and continuous ennui that gives Art its extranatural value and Le luxe?" He sends some "very unspecified verses" [La Fileuse] and, in a postscript, asks for the address of Entretiens [politiques et littéraires] "if, however, Viélé-Griffin's article has appeared". Correspondances à trois voix, no. 283.