Details
PROUST, Marcel. Unpublished autograph letter signed ('votre Marcel') to Lucien Daudet ('Cher Lucien'), n.p. [Paris], n.d. [1902?], writing in mock anger, ' "Allez coucher avec Basile j'ai la fièvre". Et dans q.q. jours je me lèverai et si j'ai la chance que vous soyez libre ... Maintenant cependant si ma chambre pestilentielle ne vous dégoute pas et si vous pouvez vous déshoubiganter et vous délilasser completement, VENEZ a l'heure que vous voudriez'; asking to be informed in advance, and finally deciding it would be better to wait a few days, with a postscript at the head observing that he has used four leaves, 'Pardon et lisez tout', 3 pages, 8vo (on 2 bifolia).
His correspondent had evidently taken exception to the acrid fumes from the 'poudre Legras', the patent remedy for asthma which Proust burned or smoked in cigarette form in his room. Proust meanwhile claimed to be allergic to any form of perfume, hence his instructions to Lucien. Houbigant was a well known maker of perfume for both ladies and gentlemen, hence 'deshoubigantiser', and 'délilasser' perhaps refers to Delila's cutting of Samson's locks.
In a note on a published letter to Lucien Daudet of 28 March 1902, Kolb explains Proust's adaptation of the popular expression 'Va te coucher Basile', from the Barber of Seville (Kolb, III, 39).
His correspondent had evidently taken exception to the acrid fumes from the 'poudre Legras', the patent remedy for asthma which Proust burned or smoked in cigarette form in his room. Proust meanwhile claimed to be allergic to any form of perfume, hence his instructions to Lucien. Houbigant was a well known maker of perfume for both ladies and gentlemen, hence 'deshoubigantiser', and 'délilasser' perhaps refers to Delila's cutting of Samson's locks.
In a note on a published letter to Lucien Daudet of 28 March 1902, Kolb explains Proust's adaptation of the popular expression 'Va te coucher Basile', from the Barber of Seville (Kolb, III, 39).