MÉRIMÉE PROSPER: (1803-1870)

MÉRIMÉE PROSPER: (1803-1870)
MÉRIMÉE PROSPER: (1803-1870) French Dramatist, Historian and short story Writer. Best known for his novella Carmen which became the basis of Bizet´s opera with same name. A good A.L.S., Pr. Mérimée, two pages, 8vo, n.p., [Paris], Sunday 3^rd of March, to the President of the French Academy, in French. The letter bears a Bath blind embossed seal to the upper left corner. Mérimée refers to his candidacy to the French Academy, and although he mentions not wanting to visit his correspondent not to bother him, he explains the unexpected blow he has received, stating in part `M. Patin sur qui je fondais grand espoir votera me dit-on pour M. Casimir Bonjour. On ajoute que si quelqu'un peut changer sa détermination, c'est vous… Vous saurez encore qu´on dit, c´est à dire que quelques académiciens disent que Ste-Beuve et moi nous avons prêté serment de ne voter jamais que pour des hommes politiques, et tout d'abord pour le Duc de Broglie et pour M. Decazes, au grand préjudice des hommes littéraires… ´ (Translation: “Mr. Patin, on whom I had great hopes, I am told will vote for Mr. Casimir Bonjour. People add that if anyone can change his decision, it's you...You will also know that it is said that some ambitious academicians say that Ste-Beuve and I have taken an oath never to vote except for politicians, and first of all for the Duc de Broglie and for M. Decazes, to the great prejudice of literary men…”) Mérimée denies the truth of such information and insinuates where the rumour may originate. Bearing to the heading a blue ink stamp collection. G to VG