Jean-Baptiste SAY (1767–1832). Autograph letter, Paris, June - Lot 120

Lot n° 120
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Résultat : 791EUR
Jean-Baptiste SAY (1767–1832). Autograph letter, Paris, June - Lot 120
Jean-Baptiste SAY (1767–1832). Autograph letter, Paris, June 13, 1828, to Alexandre Duval of the Académie française; 3 pages, small in-4 format, with address. A fine literary letter concerning his refusal to stand for election to the Académie Française. He had read Duval’s preface: “You are absolutely right, and I am sorry that you did not quote Voltaire, who, in response to the objection: ‘How can one recognize the nation that possesses common sense and good taste?’ replied: ‘It is the one whose works can be translated and performed anywhere, without any changes being made to them’”… The staging of foreign plays in France reinforces their argument: “Any person of good faith, upon seeing them, will think that there is far more interest in our plays, and better jokes, than in those for which people profess such foolish enthusiasm; and that, consequently, one is better entertained by them. We have treated the Romantics as one treats little dogs to discipline them; we have made them sniff their own filth, and several of them have already been disciplined, or at least have noticeably toned down their rhetoric. To make up for it, they’re going to admit Mr. de Barante to the Academy, after which they’ll form a doctrinal league that will draw in many people I could name, including Cousin. Consequently, I’m withdrawing for now and for the foreseeable future […]. The opposition is too strong for me. I am hailed throughout Europe as the second founder of political economy; my works have been translated into every language; yet I must bow out before Mr. Guiraud and other “immortals” who are known no further than the Pantin barrier. “The Academy will not prevent me from exerting a powerful influence after my death; but it will be entirely innocent of this, and does not even know what the matter is”…
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