# - Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Felix.

to Salvador Morhange in Brussels, announcing the birth of his son Paul on the 18th of January, explaining that he has not been able to respond to Morhange's letter as the house has been in uproar, but that both mother and baby are in good health, informing him that he has approached the Leipzig newspaper editor Heinrich Brockhaus on his behalf, who, although he already has a correspondent in Brussels, is always happy to add an interesting new writer to his paper and looks forward to receiving both a report which he could publish and a private communication from him; Mendelssohn also apologizes at length for an incident where he had been tactless and presumptuous during a discussion of a religious controversy, which Morhange alluded to in his letter, and thanks him for not letting it spoil their friendship



3 pages, tall 8vo (21.5 x 13.5cms), integral autograph address-panel, postmarked, Leipzig, 29 January 1841, seal tear affecting the top margin of all 4 pages, apparently without loss, some light browning, remains of guard

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

...Ich habe mir oft die indiscrete Frage vorgeworfen, die ich in halber Gedankenlosigkeit an Sie über die Religionssache, die wir verhandelten, damals that, u. auf die Sie ausweichend antworten mußten. Den Grund dieses Ausweichens habe ich mir gleich selbst gedacht, wie Sie ihn in Ihrem Briefe angeben, und mich über mich selbst geärgert, daß ich ganz gegen meine sonstige Gewohnheit u. festen Vorsätze, eine Frage that, die nur bei genauerer längerer Bekanntschaft erlaubt gewesen wäre...

Unpublished. Heinrich Brockhaus (1804-1874) was the editor and publisher of the Leipziger Allgemeine Zeitung and in 1840 had approached Mendelssohn about publishing a complete edition of the works of his grandfather, the philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. Salvador Morhange was a consular official in Brussels.