"j'assiste aujourd'hui à un dîner diplomatique de bons enfants qui veulent rire et boire, et comme je suis hébété de travail je n'ai pas le courage de me refuser cette débauche"

Signed, handwritten letter to Louis Desnoyers
Handwritten letter signed by Honoré de Balzac addressed to Louis Desnoyers written on a white piece of paper in black ink. “My dear Mr Desnoyers, extraordinarily, today I attend a diplomatic dinner of good-natured folk who want to laugh and drink, and as I am in a stupor at work I have not had the courage to refuse this debauchery; I will therefore not be at home. Come early Sunday morning. / Yours / de Balzac”.
Louis Desnoyers plays an important role in the foundation of the Société des gens de lettres, which aims to protect literary and artistic property and to create a solidarity fund. Balzac supported the creation of this Society, of which
Desnoyers was vice-president.
Amusing letter, testimony of Balzac's love of good food.