British novelist, diarist, and playwright (1752–1840) whose writing is known for its satire, feminist slant, and sympathy toward social justice and equality. Lengthy ALS to the Marquis of Lally-Tollendal (1751-1830) a French politician who played an important role in the French Revolution, signed “F. d’Arblay—nee Burney,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9, no date. Letter to a friend. In part: “Your protege…M. Sevastopulo…I received him immediately…The history he detailed of his sufferings & his injuries must have made a friend of his Hearer…at a period of so much general, as well as potential distress…I join in your opinion that this is a cause for unanimity of Christian suffrage, & Christian charity & I see, with great pleasure, an undoubtedly reciprocal feeling in this point in the well turned & acknowledged ‘measured words’ of Mr. Canning; who, in his highly responsible station, could not go further, either in phrase or in parse, without an apparent menace of public hostility which no Minister can wish…The same can be said of the Sovereign, who, in this case, cannot act from private benevolence, because, though the injured individual has nothing to do with politics—with which he has assured me he had never meddled,—the story of wrongs which constitute his claims, involves a National accusation against the whole Empire of his abominable oppressors. I am well aware you told that the consequence, i. e. War against the Irish, is but just & desirable. Sincerely I think so too…There are only two English Bishops who positively favored the cause of Catholic Emancipation, Norwich & Rochester, but not to such alone is confined the welfare of your protege, since amongst his subscribers stands the Duke of York himself!” The letter goes on to mention Kings Louis XVI and and XVIII, who both played an important role in her correspondent Lally-Tolledal’s life. In fine condition. Letters of Burney are rare and sought-after and this is the first we have offered. RR Auction COA.
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