Sales catalogue 506: Maggs Bros

Date:
1928
Reference:
WA/HMM/CM/Sal/13/64
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sales catalogue 506: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    865 866 SIMON (juxzs F. s. s., 1814-1896). | French Philosopher and Statesman. Autograph Prose Piece Signed. I page, 4to. £2 Ios _ A very interesting manuscript defining history, and asserting that ‘‘the true history of humanity is that of useful discoveries,’’ also defining true civilisation as knowing ‘‘ how to admire and disdain correctly.’’ (Trans.):—‘‘ When we write history, it is filled up with battles; the true history of humanity is that of useful discoveries. Why do we not know the name. of he who invented the plane or the saw, when all our poems ring with the name of Alexander, who invented nothing, not even an empire? We see that steam has. overcome space, that electric telegraphy has overcome time; and yet the fall of a petty king in the far distant parts of Europe is more talked about than the inven- tion of Morse telegraphy. There is not one of our generals in Africa or Crimea whose name is not more popular than that of Crampton. Will all our pretensions of being civilised creatures, we are still half savage. True civilisation consists. perhaps in knowing how to admire and disdain correctly.’’ UNPUBLISHED MS. SUE (gucENE, 1804-1857). French Novelist. Autograph Manuscript Signed of an appreciative article by him upon Bernard’s “‘ Dix Ans de Prison au Mont Saint Michel.” Comprising 4 pp., folio, signed at end and dated 3rd Sep- tember, 1854. Newly bound in half morocco lettered on back. £5 58: An interesting original MS. from the hand of this celebrated French novelist. It does not appear to have been published either in the original or a translation. Aristide Martin Bernard, best known under the name of Martin Bernard, was born at Montbrison 17 September, 1808, and died at Paris 22 October, 1883. He took part in various insurrections and was condemned by the Chamber of Peers, passing, several years of imprisonment at Mont St. Michael. Inserted is a note from the British Museum concerning the manuscript.
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