GUEZ DE BALZAC Jean-Louis (1597- 1654) litterateur et epistolier, membre fondateur de l'Academie francaise. L.A.S. "Balzac", September 30, 1642, to Monseigneur [Cardinal de RICHELIEU ?] ; 4 pages in-fol. Very beautiful letter, superbly calligraphied, model of his majestic style. He asks for his kindness: "I do not represent to you the services rendered, I allege to you the graces received, in order to obtain a new one; and make you remember by history your first blessings, a place where they have been accustomed to go, and the habit you have had of doing good." He pleads today for his powerful protection for a close relative and friend, "an officer who has grown old in his office with a great reputation for intelligence and probity, I will assure you of nothing, which is not confirmed by the common voice of our province. I dare to promise myself, Monsignor, that you will make some foundation on my words; and that I will not be a useless witness or intercessor to you. And although when I think of approaching your person, the majesty of the State, which surrounds him with all its rays, should frighten me by dazzling me, because I am not accosted to so much light, your kindness, which is nevertheless the temperament of your power, and which I have so often tried, gives me courage to dare to go so far....