PÉTAIN Philippe [Cauchy-à-la-Tour, 1856 - île d'Yeu, 1951], - Lot 121

PÉTAIN Philippe [Cauchy-à-la-Tour, 1856 - île d'Yeu, 1951], French marshal and statesman. Autograph letter signed [addressed to Léon Guignard]. July 5, 1919 ; 7 pages in-4°. "Women are definitely very interested in the choice of the Institute. One of them, as you know, wrote to Monsieur François de Curel, who is strong in spirit, to comment on his entry into the Académie Française. Myself, the day after the flattering election, by which you were kind enough, over my head, to honour the command, I received a letter from an ironic French woman, although indulgent, but appalled to see a sword placed on your work table, which said the following: - I am sorry if I appear to be lacking in deference, but I take the liberty of supposing, Mr. Marshal, that despite your recent election, your background in economics must not be considerable. asks to accept some books from a relative of mine, which you will read if you have the time and desire to do so. There was further mention of a "Turgot on horseback" that I could not fail to become after reading the recommended books. To this objection of a woman of spirit you responded ... by pointing out the habit of your illustrious company of calling upon it not only the scholars who study the moral sciences but also the men who are in a position to apply them in their work. Thus enlightened, perhaps my occasional correspondent would be willing to admit that a military leader could accept, without excess of ridicule, to take his place among you. The Great War, which we have just so fortunately ended, has indeed opened up a vast field of application to the moral sciences. Is not an army on a war footing not, at the present time, the immediate emanation of the society whose existence it has the mission of safeguarding? "»...