COWLEY (Henry, Charles Wellesley, Earl, Lord) - Lot 82

COWLEY (Henry, Charles Wellesley, Earl, Lord) Born in London, 1804—died in 1884. British diplomat, British ambassador to Paris from 1852 to 1867; the title “Earl Cowley” was created for him in 1857 in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Autograph letter signed “Cowley,” in French. Chantilly, December 7 [undated]. 1 page 1/3 in-8. A charming invitation to a hunting party in the Forest of Halatte, near Chantilly and Apremont: “Would you like to come with your rifle tomorrow? I dare not say ‘to hunt’ because I cannot assure you there will be game…”. He sets the meeting time “at the Salle au Vau d’Apremont at half past eleven.” This note, written in a tone that is both courteous and slightly ironic, illustrates the social customs and aristocratic pastimes of the Second Empire, while also demonstrating the use of French as a language of diplomacy and social interaction in international circles.