MALLET (Guillaume). 1747-1826. Baron de Chalmassy. Banker, R - Lot 157

MALLET (Guillaume). 1747-1826. Baron de Chalmassy. Banker, Regent of the Banque de France. Correspondence to his son James Mallet in London. August 1814-1815, 1817. 39 l.a.s. on bifeuillet in-4, address on verso ABUNDANT FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE UNDER THE RESTORATION PREMIERE, addressed to James Mallet, then sent to England by his uncle Jean-Jacques Mallet and the James CAZENOVE company, in charge of defending the Oberkampf family's interests while handling transactions with the Mallet bank. James Mallet's father reports on his son's efforts to secure a position in the Royal Guard or on the staff; several meetings with General Dessole; recommendations for the ambassador in London and to various acquaintances, including the Humbolts; opinion on the positions of Louis XVIII's government on freedom of the press; mention of several anecdotes: the Queen of Westphalia's jewels were found in the river; Wellington was treated with the utmost distinction by the King; on the National Guard's fête; on Chateaubriand's latest publication in defense of royalty; on the arrest of Lord Oxford, a few leagues from the capital; pardons granted by the King to the National Guard. In August 1814, concerns of the Mallet family regarding the King's festivities and St. Louis Day; Emilie [James Mallet's sister-in-law] is named among the twelve ladies to accompany the Duchesse d'Angoulême, solicitations of the Committee of Ceremonies, annoyances over the ladies' toilettes ; it is said that the King will award decorations, including to the Garde Nationale; lengthy announcement of the arrival of several delegations at the Tuileries, and the organization of festivities at the Hôtel de Ville; "the Duc de Berry arrived yesterday, he travels like lightning (...)"; referring to the festivities at the Hôtel de Ville, "the Duchesse de Angoulême is the first to arrive in Paris.)"; referring to Mde de l'Epine's festivities at the Château d'Issy; business is picking up, but the spinning mills at Jouy are still out of work. Guillaume announces that he will be awarded the Légion d'Honneur. Numerous mentions of the composer Paer, who is attached to the House of the Duc d'Orléans and whose music he likes "less dark than Bethoven's"! He sends the scores of two sonatas; regularly evoking the Capital's social diary (weddings, deaths, balls). On the opening of the Salon des Arts: "There don't seem to be any striking new works, but a great many croutes and family portraits; besides, we haven't had the time to mop up this mess yet, and all that's mentioned is a very fine portrait of the King by Gérard. David always gives a costume ball of his heroes that he is obliged to lock up in his studio (...)"; commission from Gérard for a painting for the (Duke of) Beckford; several transfers for the Cazenoves, concerning investments or bons à porter; request to send him samples of English goods not easily found on the continent (needles, silver boxes, embroidery braids, etc.). In November, they are still waiting for the end of the Congress and the peace talks; reception of the Mallets by the entire royal family at the Tuileries, etc. MENTION OF THE CHAMPLOUIS, FERAY, MATIGNON, FEZENSAC, PASTORET, PELET, FREMILLY, GRIMALDI, MORTEMART, FONTANES, DUCS DE LAVAL, DE ROHAN, DE MONTMORENCY AND DE MAILLE FAMILIES, ETC. ATTACHED a copy of correspondence between Jean-Jacques Mallet and his brother Guillaume under the Directoire (1795-1799).