VIGNY Alfred de (1797-1863) [1845, 32e f]. L.A.S. "Alfred de Vigny", April 27, 1854, to Ernest LEGOUVÉ; 4 pages in-8. Beautiful letter about the French Academy. He declines Legouvé's invitation to come to an audition of his Médée [with a view to obtaining his vote at the Académie]: "The extra esteem you would give me for your talent could add nothing to the opinion I have of it and which has long been formed in my mind by your excellent works. [...] The more I have known the French Academy, the more I have seen that the only way to act loyally is to conform to the rules of our fathers of the time of Louis XIII, which formally forbid any promise of vote. [...] I have always voted for someone, always for a writer, a true man of letters with visible works, worthy of praise and duration"... [Shortly afterwards, Médée was published by Sandre and had a lasting success at the theater, while Legouvé entered the Academy the following year].