BALZAC Honoré de (1799-1850).

L.A.S. "from Balzac", [late October 1834], to Charles NODIER; 2 pages in-12 on fine wove paper. Nice invitation to the famous "dinner of the tigers". "My dear Nodier, would you do me the pleasure of coming to dine in my Cassinière on the first of November, we would believe we had all the Saints, if with ROSSINI, we had Nodier two princes of music - here is, on good account, the third attempt I am making to have the good fortune to possess you. But I do not regret these steps which prove to you the persistence of my affection"... [The dinner took place in Cassini street ("my Cassinière"). Balzac wrote to Madame Hanska, on October 26, 1834: "Next Saturday, I'm giving dinner to my tigers of the lodge, and I'm making sumptuousness without reason. I have Rossini and Olympe, his cara dona [...]. I have Nodier then the 5 tigers, Sandeau and a certain Bohain". And, on November 26: "My dinner! But it made rage. Rossini declared that he had never seen, eaten or drunk anything better at the sovereigns. This dinner was sparkling with spirit. [...] Lautour-Mézeray was the most witty man; he extinguished the crossfire of Rossini, Nodier and Malitourne with the artillery of an incredible verve. The master was the humble igniter who, in a firework display, will set fire to each sun"...]