PÉTAIN Philippe (1856-1951). L. A. S., Chantilly 25 July 1929, to Charles de Gaulle; 2 1/2 pages in-8 on letterhead Musée Condé, Chantilly (split fold). On the preparation of his acceptance speech at the Académie. 25 July 1929. He spoke with General du Granrut about affairs in Syria: "He is delighted with the policy followed by the High Commissioner and the credits he has been granted for the upkeep of the army; this will enable him to carry out important reforms. The General appreciates you and is counting on your collaboration"; Pétain also gave up trying to get de Gaulle to give up his post: "To climb the various rungs of the hierarchy in peacetime, it is necessary to distinguish yourself by exceptional service. An opportunity is offered to you, do not neglect it. That is my advice to you, and it is very disinterested. As for the academic speech, it is of only relative importance. I'm going to start writing again, I wasn't too bad at it before. As it's Paul Valéry who will be answering me, I wouldn't mind contrasting my style, stripped to the bare essentials, with his where the thought disappears under the pile of embellishments (see his speech on Anatole France)"...