STENDHAL: (1783-1842) "I was given so much opium that I was devastated.. I spent the night reading this poor Byron."

STENDHAL: (1783-1842) "I was given so much opium that I was devastated.. I spent the night reading this poor Byron."

STENDHAL: (1783-1842) Marie-Henri Beyle. French writer considered one of the early and foremost practitioners of realism, whose works include Le Rouge et le Noir (1830). An excellent content letter with good association, referring to Lord Byron. A.L.S., `H. Beyle´, one page, large 4to, n.p., 19th February 1930, to Madame O´Reilly, in French. Stendhal feels wrecked after having being consumming opium, and states `Je suis rempli de reconnaissance, Madame. On m´a donné tant d´opium que j´en suis anéanti´ (Translation: "I am full of gratitude to you, Madam. I was given so much opium that I was devastated") Further Stendhal refers to Lord Byron´s work he was reading the night before, saying `Je n´avais pas de livre amusant. J´ai passé la nuit à lire ce pauvre Byron. Le Moore n´a aucun talent dans ce livre, il a même l´air un peu coquin´ (Translation: "I didn't have any funny book. I spent the night reading this poor Byron. Moore has no talent in this book, he even seems a little naughty") Further again Stendhal mentions having met Byron and comments that he pities him, stating `J´ai connu Lord Byron. Quel chagrin d´être livré après sa mort à un vil hypocrite comme ce Moore!...´ (Translation: "I knew Lord Byron. What a sadness it is to be delivered after his death to a vile hypocrite like this Moore...") Before concluding Stendhal refers to his works, and announces to his correspondent that `Demain je renverrai un ou deux volumes´ (Translation: "Tomorrow I will send again one or two volumes") With address leaf in Stendhal´s hand, bearing an attractive and curious red wax seal alongside a postmark to the verso. G to VG

Lord Byron (1788-1824) English Poet, one of the leading figures of the Romantic movement, and widely regarded as one of the greatest English poets. Byron died at the early age of 36.

Thomas Moore (1779-1852) Irish writer, poet, and lyricist celebrated for his Irish Melodies. Today Moore is remembered either for his Irish Melodies "The Minstrel Boy" or "The Last Rose of Summer" or, less generously, for the role he is thought to have played in the loss of the memoirs of his friend Lord Byron