BURTON (Sir Richard Francis, 1821-1890, Traveller, Explorer and Linguist)

Fine Autograph Letter signed, in French with Translation to an unnamed correspondent saying that after his “return to Trieste (yesterday night) I have received the booklet ... to  M. L. L. S. of Sh.  I am waiting for a communication of his part before passing his volumes.  Please let me inform if there is a French (or Italian) translation of the book entitled: Priapeia; Sive Diversorum Poetarum in Priapum Lusus. I have just finished my... in English verse...”, 2 sides 8vo., Triest, 13th October no year

In Burton’s tiny somewhat illegible hand though largely deciphered. ‘Richard used always to say that a wee writing, as if done with a pin, betokened a big, strong man’ (Lady Burton, ‘Life’, ii. 268, with a good story of how she pacified the printers’ foreman).
The Priapeia is a collection of short Latin poems in the shape of jocose epigrams affixed to the statues of the god Priapus. It was translated by Burton and Leonard Smithers.
Transcription
Trieste 13 Octobre. Cher Monsieur, Après mon retour à Trieste (hier au soir) j’ai reçu le livret _____ M. L. L. S. de Sh. J’attends une communication de sa part avant de lui transmettre ses volumes. Veuillez bien m’informer si il y a une traduction française (ou italienne) du livre intitulé : priapeia ; sive diversorum poetarum in priapum lusus. Je viens de terminer ma ____ en vers anglais. Votre dévoué. R. F. Burton
Translation
Trieste 13th of October. Dear Sir, After my return to Trieste (yesterday night) I have received the booklet ... to  M. L. L. S. of Sh.  I am waiting for a communication of his part before passing his volumes.  Please let me inform if there is a French (or Italian) translation of the book entitled: priapeia; sive diversorum poetarum in priapum lusus. I have just finished my... in English verse. Your devoted. R. F. Burton

Item Date:  1886

Stock No:  42670      £1750

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