Georges, baron HAUSSMANN (1809-1891) politician, prefect of the Seine. L.A.S., Paris September 5, 1860, to Lemoine-Montigny (1805-1880), director of the Théâtre du Gymnase; 4 1/2 pages in-8 on blue paper with his crowned cypher. Long letter about his mistress, the actress Francine Cellier (1841-1891), with whom he had a daughter, Eugénie, born in 1859. He thanks the director for his explanations. "Far from having to make much effort to persuade me, first, of your sincere desire to oblige me, then of your benevolent personal dispositions for my ward, you will succeed all the more easily since, from the outset of our relations, you have been perfectly courteous towards me, & that your favorable intentions for Melle Cellier date back even further". But he is worried and concerned: "Melle Cellier has courage; she has shown it. But, in a certain world, eyes are on her. Her attempt is a source of curiosity for some & malignity for others. Will she succeed in gaining acceptance in a long dress, or is she condemned without remission to short skirts? Will it all end up at the Comédie Française or on the stage of the Variétés? - In the absence of enmities to which her personal character does not lend itself, she arouses jealousies for many reasons, & all things considered, my interest creates perhaps as many obstacles as it smoothes before her steps. She doesn't let herself be blinded by her own merit (although she has faith in herself); but out of foolishness or calculation, she is constantly told nasty things, which tire in the long run. So he longs to undergo the decisive test of a role in one of those comedies that the beau monde comes to hear at the Gymnase & which rank their performers in the future if not in the present". So he insists, asking for "a secondary role in the new play to be rehearsed. If 5 or 6 women are to play in it with Mlle Victoria, it is possible that one of these episodic roles could provide an attentive & studious actress with an opportunity to show herself to advantage, aided by good advice"; and he counts on Lemoine-Montigny's zeal during the rehearsals... "He adds that Mlle Cellier "is not as ambitious as you may think. No doubt she needs to secure her place in comedy. But, once accepted as a serious artist & judged worthy of competing in the interpretation of valuable works (the dancer is definitively erased by the comedienne, after three years of conservatory, & one year on stage) she will play whatever you want, important or not, with or without verses. What she wants above all are opportunities to work usefully & a lot, to benefit from your precious directions & the indications of the enlightened public of the Gymnase"... Etc. And the director can count on him: "Never suspect me of an ulterior motive. I would be frank by skill if I were not by nature. I'm confident because I'm loyal"...