Ivan Sergeyevich Turgenev (1818-1883)
'My inspiration is running out'. 1869
Autograph letter signed ('I. Tourguéneff') to [Valentine Delessert] ('Chère Madame'), Thiergartenstrasse 3, Baden-Baden, 13 October 1869.

In French. Two pages, 207 x 133mm, annotated in pencil 'répondu le 22'.

'My inspiration is running out': the shadow of writer's block. Turgenev begins with apologies for not writing, though he has regular news of Delessert from his daughter, and more recently from Prosper Mérimée. He plans on coming to Paris in early November, and will see her – but would be happy to hear from her sooner. 'My health has become good again; – I do believe that I have something not altogether normal with my heart – but it's not serious ... Otherwise I have not done much: I very much believe that my inspiration is running out [ma veine s'épuise et tarit]. – Although I completed a little microscopic story – which I shall probably offer to the Revue'. In a postscript, Turgenev gives news of his daughter: 'The business affairs of Paulinette and her husband are going very well, according to what she writes to me; I tell you this because I know that you are kind enough to take an interest in what happens to them. / P.S.S. What is the current name of your street?'.

Valentine Delessert (1806-1894) was a prominent salonist, formerly the mistress of Prosper Mérimée and Maxime du Camp. She had taken a close interest in Turgenev's illegitimate daughter, Paulinette, and was principally responsible for her (ultimately disastrous) marriage to Gaston Bruère.

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