Memoirs of Hyppolite Clairon/Volume 1/Letter to the Editor

by Hyppolite Clairon

TO THE

EDITOR OF THE PUBLICISTE^[1].

Issy, near Paris, 25th Thermidor.

CITIZEN,

I read in your journal of the 25th instant, an article which announces an edition of my Memoirs, published in Germany, and in the German language. I did entrust the manuscript of my Reflections upon the Dramatic Art, and my own Memoirs, to a foreigner, and a man of letters, whom I greatly love and esteem. The intimate knowledge I possess of his principles and morality induces me to reject the idea of his having deceived me by such a publication. If I was to name my friend, all who are acquainted with him would do him the same justice. The edition cannot but be a surreptitious one.

My intention was, that this work should not have appeared till ten years after my death; but this accident, and the fear of being thought deficient in gratitude to the public and my country, have determined me to publish it. I declare then, that the only edition I can avow is, the one printed in French, under my own inspection, and which shall be published as soon as possible.

I conjure you, citizen, to rest assured I shall ever retain a grateful remembrance of the very handsome manner in which your correspondent has been pleased to speak of me.

(Signed)

CLAIRON.

1. This letter was printed in this journal on the 28th Thermidor, 6th year.