I believe, my dear papa, as I had the honor to say to you yesterday, that your recommendation to those members of the Academy whom you know will have the greatest effect on behalf of Mr. Le Veillard. The first election will be held tomorrow, on Wednesday, and if he is not named, it will be of the utmost importance for him to obtain the members’ second votes, which would assure him first place in the next election. There are two vacant places; it is a question, my dear papa, of troubling you to write today to the members of the Academy whom you know, telling them that you take a lively interest in Mr. Le Veillard, and that you wish him to become part of the Academy. There is not an instant to lose, as the election takes place tomorrow.

I know how many occupations you have, and I respect the demands on your time; but I believe that you always find time to do someone a service, for your soul was made for precisely that kind of delight. Mr. Le Veillard is in every respect worthy of being put forward by you; both my friendship for him, and my confidence in you, have emboldened me to ask you this favor. If I obtain it, I will believe that you love me very much, and that will make me happy. Farewell, my dear papa: believe, and believe forever, that my respect and friendship for you could not possibly increase. I have the honor to be your very humble and very obedient servant