PERRAUD, Adolphe - Lot 165

PERRAUD, Adolphe Adolphe Perraud L.A.S., "Beauvoir (Saône-et-Loire), on pastoral visit", May 2, 1896, 3 pages in-8 on graph paper. Beautiful pastoral letter written shortly after Perraud's elevation to the cardinalate, in which the prelate mixes memories of Rome, diocesan concerns and intellectual considerations. Perraud thanks his correspondent for writing to him "after your return to France", and evokes with emotion his own Roman pilgrimage: "memories of great pilgrimages to the capital of the Christian world". He announces that he will return to Rome "in mid-June" for the consistory "where I will receive the hat from the hands of the Holy Father", a direct allusion to his recent creation as a cardinal. The letter is also valuable for the information it provides on his intellectual activity and ecclesiastical relations. He mentions "M. l'abbé Devoucoux" and a work on moral theology which he recommends reading, underlining "the value of his work". The tone then becomes more intimate and cordial. Perraud recalls his attachment to his correspondent: "every year at this time, I go to Ste Marie for him", before concluding with a warm formula: "Croyez, mon cher ami, à tous mes affectueux et bien dévoués sentiments". An interesting account of the life of a great French prelate at the end of the 19th century, between pastoral missions, Roman journeys and theological works. Beautifully preserved, despite some minor old restorations in the margins.