[François Guizot, Prime Minister of France, in exile in London following the Revolution of 1848.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Guizot'), in French, to Lady Cullum, explaining his reasons for declining an invitation to visit Hardwick House.

The recipient is Lady Ann Cullum (1807-1875), widow of Sir Thomas Gery Cullum (1777-1855) of Hardwick House, Bury St Edmunds. 1p, 12mo. On grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. The salutation of the letter ('My dear Lady Cullum') is in English, the rest in French. Written at a turbulent period in Guizot's life, following the Revolution in 1848, with the overthrow of the monarchy and its ministry of which he himself was head. That February, with the mob still in control of Paris, Guizot had been forced by Louis Philippe to resign as Prime Minister, and had fled to London, where he had taken up residence in Pelham Crescent, Brompton. He is 'bien heureux de profiter de votre aimable invitation', and his daughters are highly pleased by 'l'honneur de vous être présentées et des plaisirs de votre foire de Bury'. But after having passed 'un mois dans le bord de la mer dans le Suffolk', they have returned to Brompton. 'Quelques uns de mes amis sont venus de France pour me voir. Je ne puis les quitter. J'ai repris des travaux que je ne voudrois pas interrompre.' He ends with the usual extended French valediction.