Liszt, Franz.

thanking him for his invitation to stay at with him in Brittany, which he has re-read twenty times and moved to tears, asking to be allowed to extend his visit further, and to bring with him his upright piano ("un de mes amis de bois et d'ivoire"), which he will send on ahead, apologizing for his forwardness, but confessing that he would like to perform some music for his "dear father", who has so wonderfully understood the art of music, as a unity bound up with religion and the sorrows of man; Liszt also expresses the hope of meeting Lamennais, when he comes to defend his book Les Paroles d'un Croyant  before all the mediocrities that have condemned it, as it is soon to be seized by the Church, 2 pages, 4to (22.5 x 17cms), integral autograph address leaf, remains red seal, rue de Provence 61 (Paris), 30 June 1834

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."

This letter documents a key episode in Liszt's life and spiritual development.  Liszt's first important compositions (notably the Harmonies poétiques et réligieuses) date from the summer he spent at Lamennais's house at La Chênaie in Brittany  (and his meeting with Marie d'Agoult).   Abbé Felicité de Lamennais (1782-1854) imbued Liszt with progressive views on society and religion and acted as a mentor in broadening the young composer's intellectual horizons.  In April 1834 Lamennais published his Les Paroles d'un Croyant, in which he advocated a more egalitarian form of Catholicism, and which caused a sensation and brought down the full weight of ecclesiastical censorship.  Liszt ardently sided with his mentor, who described him as "one of the most beautiful and noble souls that I have met on this earth" (A. Walker, Franz Liszt,  Volume 1: The Virtuoso Years (1983), i, 157).