BABEUF, Gracchus (1760-1797)

Autograph letter signed “Babeuf” to his son, Robert Emile Babeuf
Pluviôse [probably handwritten between January 20th and February 8th 1797]

“It is by practising to suffer that one is able to receive with force all the pains of life”

EUR 2.300,-
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BABEUF, Gracchus (1760-1797)

Autograph letter signed “Babeuf” to his son, Robert Emile Babeuf
Pluviôse [probably handwritten between January 20th and February 8th 1797]
2 pages small in-12 (10x8cm) on doublesheet, address on verso.
Tiny stains and fold mark

Scarce and moving autograph letter signed from Gracchus Babeuf


“Je n’ai eu garde de rien dire à ta maman [Anne-Victoire Lenglet], mon ami. C’est la chose essentielle que d’avoir soin de toi. Je t’engage à supporter ton mal avec courage. C’est en s’exerçant à souffrir qu’on se rend capable de recevoir avec force toutes les peines de la vie. Il faut d’ailleurs espérer que tu n’a plus que pendant quelques jours à endurer de grandes douleurs.
Lorsque les grains seront bien murs, ta maman les coupera et tu sera soulagé. Dis-moi demain comment tu te porteras.
Bonjour, mon ami.
Babeuf”


This rare letter from Babeuf was most certainly written in the winter of 1797, the year of his death following the Conjuration des Egaux which he led in order to overthrow the Directoire. Anne-Victoire Lenglet (1756-1840) was the wife of Gracchus Babeuf and was at the time under the protection of her husband’s friends, notably Félix Lepelletier, with her eldest son (Robert Emile Babeuf).