Pierre-Joseph PROUDHON (1809-1865). L.A.S., Paris July 20, 1854, to a poet; 1page in-8. Beautiful letter to a poet. ..... "Although not much of a lover of verse, and even less of a connoisseur, I nevertheless enjoy it enough to be fussy about it, I should surely say picky"; he thus notes "an unsightly caesura" in two lines of the sonnet. He congratulates the poet, however, "for having rid yourself, as you say, of the jumble of prejudices that weighed on your conscience. I like to think that the laws of justice and morality will only appear more beautiful, more sublime and more sacred to you. It is the first fruit of freedom of conscience, to make us immediately better, more honest, more worthy, and above all more sure of our own virtue". He adds: "I work [...] and live as long as I am solitary. However, if you wish to see me, which will hardly advance you, and can only make me lose my place in your mind, you will usually find me at home after seven o'clock in the evening"... This beautiful letter was reproduced by L'Autographe in 1864.