BABINET JACQUES: (1794-1872) French physicist, mathematician and astronomer, known for his contributions to optics. A.L.S., Babinet, one page, 4to, Paris, 8^th July 1836, to Monsieur Lefebvre, in French. Babient states that his correspondent can come next Sunday, either alone or in company, 'Toute personne que viendra avec vous sera par la meme recue non seulement avec plaisir mais avec reconnaissance' (Translation: 'Anyone who comes with you will be received in the same way, not only with pleasure but with gratitude') and continues to inform Lefebvre 'Je crains que la planete Cornue ne soit invisible si l'horizon du couchant n'est pas tres clair, comme cela a souvent lieu. Il faut venir avant 8 heures pour voir Venus. Nous aurons ensuite Saturne et son anneau, la scintillation du scorpion, la double des chiens et du bec du cygne. Voila tout ce qu'il ya au ciel pour le moment, mais on vous promet la nouvelle lune di'ci a 8 ou 10 jours' (Translation: 'I fear that the planet Cornue will be invisible if the sunset horizon is not very clear, as often happens. You have to come before 8 am to see Venus. We will then have Saturn and its ring, the scintillation of the scorpion, the double of the dogs and the beak of the swan. That's all there is in the sky for the moment, but we promise you the new moon in 8 or 10 days' ). With integral address leaf. One tear to the foot of the letter only very slightly affects the text, but not the signature. Some light staining and age wear, G