[Letter to] Chere en honorable Madame
Contributors: Chapman, Maria Weston, 1806-1885, recipient
Series: Maria Weston Chapman Correspondence (1835-1885)
Published: 1852
Place of publication: 3 Holler Place, Fulham Road, Brompton, [England]
Language: eng
Format: [manuscript]
Subjects: Correspondence; Women abolitionists; Antislavery movements; History
Notes: Holograph, signed.

This letter is written in French, except for the last three lines, which are in English.

This letter is concerned with Maria Weston Chapman's attitude toward Mme. D'Agoult. Mme. D'Agoult, which is also spelled Dagout, is probably Marie Catherine Sophie de Flavigny, contesse d'Agoult, who became the consort of Liszt and mother of Cosima Wagner. Mme. D'Agoult is also known by the pseudonym Daniel Stern.

Maria Weston Chapman wished to know women interested in the anti-slavery movement. Apparently Victor Schoelcher brought Maria W. Chapman into some connection with Mme. D'Agoult, "a distinguished writer, a historian." Because of moral scruples, it appears, however, that Maria W. Chapman did not wish to cooperate with Mme. D'Agoult. Victor Schoelcher thinks it wrong of Maria W. Chapman to take a censorious view of this lady, who preferred to leave her husband rather than deceive him. This may be a crime in the eyes of the world, but that it should appear so in the eyes of Maria W. Chapman astonishes him.

Includes an envelope with the delivery address: Mrs. Chapman, Place Vendome 21, Paris.