Alfred de Musset (1810–1857).

A long and entertaining letter to his ‘godmother’. Musset recounts his return journey from the Château d’Augerville (where he stayed with Berryer in the company of Mme Jaubert) to Paris, including the abduction of a grisette, in the form of 31 numbered travel impressions. ‘1st travel impression. From Augerville to Malesherbes, a most pleasant chat with Pinson. A visit to Doctor Aublée that was no less flattering. I cannot find a place on the cart. 2nd impression. I set off for Fontainebleau after having displayed the greatest determination to secure half a cart at a premium price. The coachman steals grapes all the way. 3rd impression. I dine at the Aigle Noire. After dinner I go to the square with the firm intention of buying anything, as I had told you, from a grisette I had noticed on my way there. But I am sad to realise that the said grisette is a cloth merchant”… The account continues, with the carriage journey and exchanges with the other passengers, until we reach the Paris city gates and then Rue Dauphine. There, he offers to take a grisette away in a cab: 31st and final impression: “The grisette agreed. She took my hand to climb into the cab, and I can say that it was with the utmost decency, and the most honest innocence, that I carried this young and trusting person, who lives on Rue de la Cité, behind the Quai aux Fleurs, into my carriage.” And he concludes: “My journey ends there. I shall tell you the rest of the story of my life later. In the meantime, I respectfully kiss the tip of my godmother’s slipper.” And in a postscript, he adds that he saw BERRYER the day before, and instructs his godmother to tell Mme Berryer “that I am following her advice. I 75034 Do not correspond to the letter Ariba

an exemplary regimen, and if it does not restore me to health, it will at least prove my obedience to the most gracious of hostesses.”