*Hector BERLIOZ (1803-1869). L.A.S. "H. B.", [Paris ca. October 10-15, 1849], to his sister Nanci PAL; 2pages in-8. Pathetic letter about a new attack by his wife. He worries about his "dear sister's" silence. Is she ill again? He has long since sent back "an authorization to sell I don't know what"... Then he talks about his son Louis, and a new attack on his wife (actress Harriet Smithson): "I've just driven Louis back to Rouen, after a new allarme, caused by a fifth apoplectic attack on Henriette. The timely bloodletting saved her once again, but it has left her more speech-impaired than ever. It's almost impossible to understand her anymore. On this occasion, Louis and I spent two terrible hours running anxiously through all the streets of the nearby Montmartre district, unable to find a doctor. The poor woman was unconscious and more like a dead woman than a living person. Finally, at last, her doctor came back and the bloodletting was able to take effect. Henriette must have an iron constitution to have withstood such assaults"... Correspondance générale, t.III, n° 1283. Provenance: former Richard MACNUTT collection.