Abstract

Merimee's Correspondence with Panizzi

It is informed that the second volume of Prosper Mérimée's letters to Sir Anthony Panizzi begins with the year 1864. The letters not only show how completely blind, how prejudiced and how unjust was Mérimée was himself; they show also in what style people could write in 1865 on American affairs to a person who, like Panizzi, moved in the best London society. From the letters, one gets the impression that Mérimée's health was failing and his ill-health was visible in all his letters: he finds fault with everybody, he is in ill-humor with the Clericals and with the Revolutionists, with the cardinals, with the English Reform Bill, with the Englishmen who make visits to the imperial court, with Europe, with the U.S., with everybody. His prophecies were not cheerful.