1857 Letter Sent from Aunt Eliza True in Toulon France to Robert Gilchrist Jr. In New Jersey by (French-American Correspondence - 19th Century - Robert Gilchrist Jr. - New Jersey) - 1857

Toulon, France: Not Published, 1857. Two letters, one dated 1857 and both addressing Robert, with his first & last name written in full across the text on one of the pages. Written in very formal English, as perhaps translated from a very formal French (reference to the use of a translator is made within the letters). Mostly with family news with interesting asides: cousin Eugene constructing a bridge in the Pyrenees "...where the rocks it appears are immensely high. Napoleon who was with him at the time, made a plan and had a mind to make this bridge as he said, after the American way but Eugene told him that a bridge of wood, would soon get destroyed. Napoleon then told him to make a plan which he did which has been sent to Paris and has been adopted by the Minister and company; the bridge will be made of hewn stones..." And "...The newspapers will relate you better than I can what is going on in Europe with China M. Jaurequiberry is now governor at Segon...Octave Noel left France not long ago for China, before he quit Toulon he passed an evening with us...I am getting a cask made to send some oil to my friends of which your sister Bacot I hope will partake. Madame la comtesse de Linnange the Queen of England's half-sister is again at Hyeres; I find a resemblance in her of your sister Sarah; she is a kind lady-like woman. She esteems Mr. Bruniquet very much... " This letter 1 1/2 sides, very finely written in ink in a small, almost printerly hand and very legible. The second letter, perhaps included with the first as a later missive (from internal evidence), comments that "...I am duly instructed that your reputation is one of the most flattering in the state of New Jersey, and proud am I, to think that such an honorable and much-esteemed gentleman is so near to me by the ties of blood..." And expressing some anti-Catholic clergy sentiment, including surprise that the American government doesn't pay more attention to the machinations of Catholic church leaders, dreading "…another Saint-Barthélemy massacre..." And agriculture news of Provence: "...we have had a fine crop of delicious melons...As for the grapes, at a certain distance around Toulon they again are attacked...which makes the grape leaves black and afterwords it withers...The peasants who labour very hard in this climate, as the ground is so compact, are in want of a little wine to keep up their strength as their diet is hardly nourishing. They generally live upon soup made with vegetables with a small quantity of oil in it - their bread is always of a good quality..." and other chatty news of neighbors, travelers and with affectionate regards to relations. This letter is three pages in length. The addressee, Robert Gilchrist Jr. (1825 - 1888) was the Attorney General of New Jersey from 1870 to 1875; evidently he had French cousins. (with) a 1915 dated envelope, addressed to F(redericka) B(eardsley) Gilchrist, whom he had married later in life. Letter page size approx. 5 1/4" x 8 1/4" size, written on very thin paper stock. With some spotting and discoloration, one page with long tear, no loss and all text visible; interesting commentary from mid-19th century France, in about good condition.. Manuscript. Paper. Good.