Philippe

1892 · Best.-Nr. 67998 — 1892. Paris 13.V.1802 2 Seiten auf 4° Doppelblatt. Philippe Petit-Radel 1749-1815 French surgeon and literary scholar brother of Louis Charles François Petit-Radel and Louis François Petit-Radel; editor of the two volumes devoted to Surgery by the Encyclopédie méthodique; in 1798 he was elected to the chair of surgical clinic at the Paris School of Medicine where he distinguished himself by his severity and his zeal to re-establish the ancient practice of speaking Latin. One of the rare letters written by him in Englsih: "Sir The circumstances of your being overcharged under the load of public and private affaires which disturb you from receiving every one who are addressed to you is more the cause that has impeded me to cultivate your kindness than the carelessness i should be faulty of towards such a respectable person as you are. Mr Banket a friend of mine having assured me of the remembrance you keep of the very little titles littler i can have to your estimation and on my part desirous of putting those in a more proper light i venture this letter to let you know the satisfaction i should have if your acquaintance that was formed under the auspicies of the officious M.r Graff would take its former force to be not afterwards disclaimed. After a great many works in physic i have published to make known to the learned men my ability in the theoretical and practical part of my profession i ventured to write in the elegiae linguages of Ovidium a train of sentiments that the pure heart of every one can avow/wow. drawn in the scientific style as i have exposed them. But notwithanding the lucubration was accepted with indulgence and i dare say with distinction by the judicious readers as it appears from the flattering account the news papers have given of it the antiquity of the language proving me happy to its fates i resolved to translate it into French; desirous as i was of saving the original from the claws of oblivion. The work i send you is this i am speaking of: i should require of your benevolence to read the preface in which every circumstances relating to my person are exposed in a shorter way than in the first work. If the matter and the marrow itself of the book can deserve your attention i will sure seek for a new admission to you for supplying to the brevity that imposes me this present letter. It is in the hope you will kindly answer to my wishes that i dare intrude me in your time; mean while i remain you the most respectful of yours. Your very humble and obedient servant Petit-Radet rüe Chirong/Chiroux 897 Paris 23 Prairial an 10" unknown