To Mr. Baptiste Prieur, student of Medicine, rue Mazarine, in Paris

August 27, 1818 [1]

Dear Sir,

I recently had the pleasure of seeing you, and asked that you give me the address of your brother, Etienne Prieur. You did not know it then, but promised to get it and send it to me in a letter, though first you wanted to see your older brother and consult with him on the subject. And now, it’s the 27th of the month, and I have no news from you. And so I want to remind you of the promises you made me during our conversation. Etienne’s silence also surprises me, he wrote to me from the Amiens seminary on July 7, saying he would be here at the end of the month, specifically to rid me of the nuisances of the physicists who make up this infernal society. 

Why the delay? Why does he break his word, and not come to see me? Does he want me to be constantly tormented, night and day? He knows I never have a moment of rest, and still, he doesn’t want to set me free? 

This is very unfortunate for me. What have I gained from knowing your brother? Far from bringing any relief to my suffering, he only makes it worse.

You told me, sir, that this young man had given me up to Papon Lomini, your cousin, and other people who lived with him; you, yourself, agreed that this was an injustice. Could you just check to see if there is anyone that is unhappy as I am? I await your reply.

Humbly,

M.B. 

[1] In v3p364 this letter is clearly dated 10/1/1818, but evidence suggests that  it was sent 8/27/18. This letter occurs in v1ch55