MANZONI ALESSANDRO: (1785-1873)

MANZONI ALESSANDRO: (1785-1873)
MANZONI ALESSANDRO: (1785-1873) Italian poet, novelist and philosopher. A fine A.L.S., Alessandro Manzoni, one page, large 4to, n.p. (Milan), 25th June 1845, to [Count Camillo Laderchi] (‘Pregiatissimo Signore’), in Italian. Manzoni writes a humble letter to his correspondent, returning the proofs of a translation of an article by Sainte-Beuve, ‘che chiamerei bellissimo, se l'indulgenza con cui ci son trattato non potesse dare a ogni mia lode l'apparenza d'un vanto’ (Translation: ‘which I would call beautiful, if the indulgence with which I treated it could not give the appearance of boasting to all my praise’) and further writing ‘Non occorre ch'io Le dica quanto questa ragion medesima renda per me imbarazzante l'esprimere un sentimento intorno alla ristampa dell'articolo. Dovro io cooperare, non in apparenza, ma col fatto, alla diffusione d'elogi che so di non meritare? O dovro essere a Lei un ostacolo, e sottrarre insieme alla cognizione di molti lettori le lodi giustissime d'un amico sempre caro e sempre pianto? Non trovo altra uscita, che di chiederle il permesso di non acconsentire, dichiarando, nello stesso tempo, che non ho alcuna intenzione d'oppormi. Che se questo puo parere un sotterfugio, non so dir altro, se non che e l'unico mezzo ch'io veda d'avvicinarmi, per quanto e possibile, al non far niente, che e l'unico buon partito’ (Translation: ‘I don’t need to tell you how embarrassing this very reason makes it for me to express a feeling about the reprinting of the article. Should I cooperate, not in appearance, but in fact, in spreading praise that I know I don’t deserve? Or should I be an obstacle to you, and at the same time remove from the knowledge of many readers the very just praises of a friend who is always dear and always mourned? I find no other way out than to ask your permission not to consent, declaring, at the same time, that I have no intention of opposing. And if this may seem like a subterfuge, I can’t say anything other than that it is the only way I can see to get as close as possible to doing nothing, which is the only good option’). With blank integral leaf. A beautifully crafted letter. Some very light, minor staining, a few spots of foxing, and with a couple of small, neat splits to the edges of folds, otherwise VG
Count Camillo Laderchi (1800-1867) Italian biographer.
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve (1804-1869) French literary critic.
Sainte-Beuve’s article referred to in the present letter was published under the title Alessandro Manzoni: Biographical fragment of Mr. Sainte-Beuve, translation with preface and notes by Count Camillo Laderchi in 1846.