PERRAUD (Adolphe Louis Albert) - Lot 132

PERRAUD (Adolphe Louis Albert) Lyon, February 7, 1828 - Autun, February 10, 1906. Oratorian, bishop of Autun, cardinal, ecclesiastical historian and member of the Académie française. L.A.S. "† Adolphe Louis, évêque d'Autun", Autun, August 21, 1876; 3 pages in-8 on embossed paper with his coat of arms. Beautiful, friendly and witty letter addressed to a "dear Councillor", mixing personal considerations, travel memories, health and the art of public speaking. Perraud first discusses his correspondent's sufferings, which he humorously attributes to the "waters of Royat", while himself describing the benefits of his cure: "the final result of the treatment will be favorable [...] my stay in Royat [...] has fortified me". The letter provides an interesting insight into nineteenth-century spa practices and the life of a much-in-demand prelate. He confides that he had to return to public speaking with caution: "I still refrain, out of prudence, from preaching at fixed and close times". A very fine development on the art of oratory and the brevity of speech: "what is precious to my listeners is not to tire them with useless developments". He adds with wit: "my little speech [...] lasted 6 to 8 minutes - that's still too long to talk nonsense, but long enough to give good advice". Finally, Perraud pays his respects to Madame Lair and speaks fondly of his children Paul and Maurice, to whom he hopes to leave the memory "of the story I told them". Warm address and beautiful autograph conclusion: "† Adolphe Louis, évêque d'Autun". A charming account of ecclesiastical and social sociability under the nascent Third Republic, in which the humor, elegance and pastoral benevolence of one of the great Catholic prelates of the 19th century shine through. Very good condition.