READ Henri-Charles (1857-1876). Poésies posthumes. Paris, Alphonse Lemerre, 1886; in-16, havana half-maroquin, gilt head, cover (Patrice Goy). Published in memory of a young poet who died at the age of 19, revised, corrected and prefaced by François Coppée. "Who among men was gifted with a more acute and subtle feeling than this child? Who better than he has glimpsed perfection? (...) What distinguishes his verses is the Virgilian nuance of the adjectives. Perhaps no one among the most skilful has equalled him in the ancient art of choosing epithets. He knows how to render, with exquisite Latin words and turns, his very modern melancholy and his very personal thought" (Lemerre, Anthologie des poètes français du XIXe siècle). ☞ Enclosed letter from his sister Louise Read, Barbey d'Aurevilly's muse and universal legatee, dated 27 July 1921, addressed to Gaston Picard. Interesting account of her brother, François Coppée and Barbey d'Aurevilly.