Alphonse de LAMARTINE. Letter from the author, Florence, December 3, 1826, to the Marquise de Montcalm; 4 pages, in-4. A long letter discussing his diplomatic situation in Florence and his desire to travel to the East. He does not deserve the Marquise’s reproaches; he sends her a “small gift” and hopes she will come to Italy, where he will shower her with every possible care: “I know how to care for the sick and the unfortunate, because I have been both, and there is no hidden wound of the soul or the body that I do not understand”… He does not know if his minister [Lamaisonfort] will return to Florence: “I do not intend to stay after his return or after he is replaced; I will request a promotion or a leave of absence if I am still kept in the lower ranks; yet they seem pleased with me; I devote all my efforts to this, and I doubt that anyone here has a more agreeable demeanor—and I would almost say a more affectionate rapport—with the prince and the court; for my part, I’m working myself to the bone to properly entertain the immense number of foreigners who are crowding us and to act as minister in the hope of one day becoming one”... He would like to be appointed first secretary in Constantinople: “To further my poetic career, I need to travel for three years in the East; which would provide me with the means while also allowing me to serve my time to reach a minor ministry; whereas, if on the contrary, one is well-disposed and satisfied with my service, I would like—if Marcellus moves to Florence—to succeed him in Lucca, a sort of half-ministry commensurate with my own”… He is, however, happy in Florence and would “gladly remain there forever in the same position”…