Lot n° 171
Estimation :
10 - 10
EUR
JOURNAL "L'AUTOGRAPHE" n°15 published Friday July 1, 1864 so - Lot 171
JOURNAL "L'AUTOGRAPHE" n°15 published Friday July 1, 1864 sold for 60 centimes
This document publishes numerous manuscripts, including a copy of the last, particularly moving letter Marie Antoinette wrote to her sister Mme Elisabeth on October 16 at 4:1/2 a.m., just before her departure for the scaffold.
Transcription of Marie Antoinette's letter to her sister-in-law Mme Elisabeth
October 16, 1793, 4:1/2 a.m.
I am writing to you for the last time. I have just been condemned, not to a shameful death, it is shameful only for criminals, but to go and join your brother, like him, innocent, I hope to show the same firmness as him in these last moments. I am calm, as one is when one's conscience does not reproach. I deeply regret abandoning my poor children. You know that I existed only for them. And you, my good and tender sister, you who, through your friendship, sacrificed everything to be with us. What a position I leave you in! I learned from the very plea of the lawsuit that my daughter was separated from you. Alas, the poor child, I dare not write to her, she would not receive my letter, I do not even know if it will reach you, receive for them my blessing. I hope that one day, when they are older, they will be able to reunite with you and enjoy your tender care. May they both think of what I have always inspired in them: that principles and the exact execution of their duties are the first foundation of life; that their friendship and mutual trust will make them happy; that my daughter will feel that, at her age, she must always help her brother with the advice that her experience and friendship can inspire in her; Let my son in turn give his sister all the care and service that friendship can inspire; let them both feel that in whatever position they may find themselves, they will only be truly happy through their union, and let them take our example. How much consolation our friendship has given us in our misfortunes, and how much happiness we enjoy doubly when we can share it with a friend, and where could we find someone more tender, more dear than in our own family? May my son never forget his father's last words, which I repeat to him expressly: may he never seek to avenge our death. I have to talk to you about something very painful to my heart. I know how much this child must have pained you. Forgive him my dear sister, think of how old he is and how easy it is to make a child say what you want and even what he doesn't understand, a day will come, I hope, when he will only understand better, all the price of your kindness and tenderness. For both of you, and only to confide my last thoughts to you. I would have liked to write them as soon as the trial began, but in addition to not being allowed to write, the process was so rapid that I really wouldn't have had the time. I die in the Catholic, Apostolic and Roman religion, in that of my fathers, in that in which I was brought up and which I have always professed, having no spiritual consolation to expect, not knowing that priests of this religion still exist here, and even the place where I am would expose them too much, if they were to enter it once. I sincerely ask God's forgiveness for any faults I may have committed since I came into existence. I hope that in his goodness he will accept my last wishes and what I have been doing for a long time, so that he may receive my soul into his mercy and goodness. I ask forgiveness of all those I know, and you, my sister in particular, for any pain I may have unintentionally caused you; I forgive all my enemies for the harm they have done me. I bid farewell to my aunts and all my brothers and sisters. I had friends, the idea of being separated from them forever, and their sorrows are one of the greatest regrets I carry with me as I die, may they know, at least, that until my last moment, I thought of them. Farewell my good and tender sister, may this letter reach you! Think of me always; I embrace you and these poor, dear children with all my heart: My God! how heartbreaking it is to leave them forever. Adieu, adieu! I'm going to devote myself exclusively to my spiritual duties. As I am not free in my actions. Perhaps a priest will be brought in. But I hereby protest that I will not say a word to him and that I will treat him as an absolute stranger. Marie Antoinette
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