Armand-Jean Le Bouthillier de RANCÉ (1626-1700). L.S., from La Trappe June 28, 1690, to a religious; 4 pages in-8. After assuring his correspondent of his full consideration, Rancé mentions a supposed religious of La Trappe who "has never been one, he may have worn the habit of a novice, that is enough to know, and to say particularities; He is running around the world at the moment, going from country to country, making the same speeches he made to you; good people who don't know me, touched by piety, write to me on his behalf, and I take the trouble to answer them to disabuse them". He suffers from rheumatism and gives news of the religious: Don Marciez; Brother Joseph, "a very innocent and deeply touched soul"; Brother Paphnuce, "a converso of admirable fidelity and exactitude". As for the community, "many Religious have died since you were born here, but others have taken their place, and by the grace of God there is no weakening, either in numbers or in observance. Everything remains the same. He concludes with encouragement and advice: "You are in the state God wants you to be in, you know perfectly well what your duties are, and I am assured that nothing occupies you more than the care of fulfilling them, this fear you have of not being as faithful as you should be, is the guardian and preserver of your piety and virtue. J.C. does not fail to protect his ministers when they have as much zeal as you have for his glory and his service. We will not fail to offer him our prayers so that he may always be your guide and your light"...