DUMAS fils, Alexandre. Autograph letter signed, n.p.n.d.
1 page in-8 (210 × 130 mm).

A concise and vivid note in which Dumas fils requests a recommendation for a young woman, hoping she might be engaged by the newspaper Le Parisien. He thanks his correspondent, promises to see M. Rabin, and adds that all this “will be useful”. He then asks for a brief word to be sent to the director of the newspaper on behalf of Mlle Hermance Javel, whom he describes as “very intelligent and very honest”, taking care to clarify that he means honest “in the sense of probity”, and adding with characteristic irony that “the rest is a matter of luck”.

The playful end of the letter, invoking the proverb about Mahomet and the mountain, underscores both the urgency and the lightness with which Dumas frames his request. A charming example of his wit, spontaneity and social dexterity.

"merci - cher ami - je verrai m. rabin. Tout ca me servira. 
Autre service - 
vous connaissez le directeur du [?] Parisien.
Une halte prompte [?] pour lui recommander mademoiselle Hermance Javel. Très intelligente et très honnête fille - dans le sens de probité - bien entendu - de reste - au petit bonheur.
Si vous ne recevez pas à Paris, j'ai peut-être à [?] - Peut que la montagne ne veut pas - Mahomet - etc - etc -
A vous en hâte
A Dumas"

Some small spots not affecting the text.