RUSSIA. 4 manuscripts with autograph corrections (unidentifi - Lot 196

RUSSIA. 4 manuscripts with autograph corrections (unidentified). Early 19th century (circa 1800-1815). bound in 4 in-4 quires, accompanied by the rough draft of the beginning of the text, very worked, partly crossed out. 6 + 4 + 12 + 5 pp. in-4 and 1 p. in-4. A very interesting account of the main figures of the Catherine II and Paul I reigns, by a high-ranking person who rubbed shoulders with them during a stay in Russia. "Souvenirs et portraits de Paul 1er empereur de Russie" (6 pp.), "Souvenirs et portraits - Le prince Potemkin favori de l'impératrice de Russie" (4 pp.), "Le général Jorritz l'un des favoris de Catherine II" (12 pp.) and "Le Prince de Ligne" (5 pp.). The draft corresponds to the beginning of the text on Paul I. " Before going to Russia, I had seen the Emperor Paul I in Paris and Versailles; he was traveling under the rather peculiar name of Comte du Nord [...]. Paul's height was below mediocre; his chaffed face and uncommon ugliness were compensated only by an air of vivacity that served as a sort of physiognomy; his manners were affable and not lacking in nobility; he had wit, knowledge, a laudable desire to please, and he neglected no opportunity to learn [...]". He recounts his meeting with Potemkin, who invited him to his home. "[...] Potemkin's talent for business was matched by his wit for conversation, and he particularly enjoyed the company of foreigners of distinction, but spoiled by fortune and even more so by the servility of courtiers, his manners were often haughty and contemptuous, especially with those who showed him marked eagerness. I had been warned; consequently, when I met him in this world, as often happened to me, I kept a proper reserve, showing him the respect due to his high rank, but not asking to be introduced to him. One evening, while he was watching me play chess against the Georgian ambassador at the home of Grand Squire Nurischkin, with whom he was very close, he told me that he knew I was spending my time seeing everything of interest in the capital, and that he was astonished that I had not yet had the curiosity to hear his music, which, he added, was unique in the world. I replied that I had heard a lot about it, but that not having the honor of going to his house, I feared committing an indiscretion by asking for this favor. He replied that he would be delighted to show me his music himself, if I wished to do so the next day. I accepted [...]". "I had been in Petersburg for a few weeks when I received my father's order to return to France; however, I did not want to leave Russia without having seen the real capital of this great empire, Petersburg being more of a residence than a metropolis. I therefore left for Moskou with the intention of returning directly to Paris via White Russia, Lithuania and Poland. The season was bad, it was the middle of December, the country was still wild, I was warned of terrible roads and almost insurmountable difficulties, but I was young, adventurous, I had a passion for travel, I feared neither fatigue nor cold, or rather I doubted nothing, so I set off [...]".