Letter from Marco to Cesar - 23 August 1860 Archive No 835
Ostend
My dear boy,
You are right, it was only a misunderstanding; and I at the outset committed an enormous blunder since I confused the word academy with the word concert. But what can one do? It was the Italian which surprised me for, as you know, in that language one describes as academia what the French and others call concert. So you were right to point out my mistake. In any case you say that concerts are just like weeds in Liverpool, and since you are on the spot I must obviously believe you. None the less, you will appreciate that my idea of a concert for the poor – a concert which, by its title, could be given for our benefit as much as and more than for anyones else’s – you will appreciate, I repeat, that this idea amuses you, that it is to your taste since in fact it would be the best possible advertising for any subsequent operation. To return to our famous academy, you know that in Paris also there are strings of this sort. When we meet in secret Consistory in that city we will discuss whether it is more worthwhile to pull them – I speak of the said strings – in Liverpool or Paris, especially since you tell me that you have entered into no agreement with the first of these cities. So far as Lectures are concerned, whether followed by music or not, there is no doubt at all that they would produce twice the effect in England than in France for the very simple reason that the English having never done us and good or harm, have a great regard for the Italians, which is certainly not the case with the French; and there is a very good reason. Consequently we shall balance the pros and cons of each side and having done so, we shall take a heroic resolution. As for your marriage, if it takes place, that is fine; if it does not take place, I think I have spoken to you plainly enough for you to know what to believe. The weather continues to be atrocious in Ostend and if in Liverpool you see nothing but winter clothes I beg you to realise that here one hardly sees any summer clothes, except on various lunatics who, later on, will pay for it by getting rheumatism and who imagine that it obviates them having to pay their tailors. And since we are talking about Ostend, I can tell you that friend Wicart is here and that yesterday he gave rather a dreary concert, as a punishment no doubt for having played me a dirty trick: as the tale is a bit long to tell, I am keeping it for the Congress of Paris. None the less, to give you a general idea, if Wicart goes around saying to anyone who wishes to hear that it was I who discovered him, that without me he would probably be a dreadful little clerk, he treats me exactly as America treated Columbus, that is to say not particularly well: but I do hold it against him for I know singers – a conceited, ungrateful and stupid race if ever there was one – he paid for it, I repeat, for he didn’t make 200 francs and for him that is the cruellest punishment. Coralie and Georges return the love that you asked me to give them in your letter and which, incidentally, I forgot to give them. Since you say that letters are your sole consolation you will see that I am not niggardly. If they bore you blame yourself. Very best wishes to my future lady collaborator in the Academy and my love to you also
Your Affectionate father
Marco
My dear boy,
You are right, it was only a misunderstanding; and I at the outset committed an enormous blunder since I confused the word academy with the word concert. But what can one do? It was the Italian which surprised me for, as you know, in that language one describes as academia what the French and others call concert. So you were right to point out my mistake. In any case you say that concerts are just like weeds in Liverpool, and since you are on the spot I must obviously believe you. None the less, you will appreciate that my idea of a concert for the poor – a concert which, by its title, could be given for our benefit as much as and more than for anyones else’s – you will appreciate, I repeat, that this idea amuses you, that it is to your taste since in fact it would be the best possible advertising for any subsequent operation. To return to our famous academy, you know that in Paris also there are strings of this sort. When we meet in secret Consistory in that city we will discuss whether it is more worthwhile to pull them – I speak of the said strings – in Liverpool or Paris, especially since you tell me that you have entered into no agreement with the first of these cities. So far as Lectures are concerned, whether followed by music or not, there is no doubt at all that they would produce twice the effect in England than in France for the very simple reason that the English having never done us and good or harm, have a great regard for the Italians, which is certainly not the case with the French; and there is a very good reason. Consequently we shall balance the pros and cons of each side and having done so, we shall take a heroic resolution. As for your marriage, if it takes place, that is fine; if it does not take place, I think I have spoken to you plainly enough for you to know what to believe. The weather continues to be atrocious in Ostend and if in Liverpool you see nothing but winter clothes I beg you to realise that here one hardly sees any summer clothes, except on various lunatics who, later on, will pay for it by getting rheumatism and who imagine that it obviates them having to pay their tailors. And since we are talking about Ostend, I can tell you that friend Wicart is here and that yesterday he gave rather a dreary concert, as a punishment no doubt for having played me a dirty trick: as the tale is a bit long to tell, I am keeping it for the Congress of Paris. None the less, to give you a general idea, if Wicart goes around saying to anyone who wishes to hear that it was I who discovered him, that without me he would probably be a dreadful little clerk, he treats me exactly as America treated Columbus, that is to say not particularly well: but I do hold it against him for I know singers – a conceited, ungrateful and stupid race if ever there was one – he paid for it, I repeat, for he didn’t make 200 francs and for him that is the cruellest punishment. Coralie and Georges return the love that you asked me to give them in your letter and which, incidentally, I forgot to give them. Since you say that letters are your sole consolation you will see that I am not niggardly. If they bore you blame yourself. Very best wishes to my future lady collaborator in the Academy and my love to you also
Your Affectionate father
Marco