Since it is not possible for me to come to you at the present time, to appeal once again to your great kindness in favor of two of our students. The one whom you have already seen and even exempted in Rive-de-Gier (since he involuntarily missed the day of the call-up in St-Etienne). It appears that his name was never removed from the lists, since he was called up again for military service. Besides his lack of height, he also has a hernia.

The second is still a young man of our household, for whom we have been unable to take any precautions to keep him in teaching, because of a nervous malady which left him crippled for six months, and who since his exemption has developed a wen which has nearly cost him his sight in that eye. We would very much like to keep him in teaching. Even though he is still not very well trained, he can be very useful.

Mr. Prefect, please give this young man some consideration, and recommend him to the captain, and accept the assurance of the entire devotedness with which I have the honor to be, with respect, your most humble servant,

Ch.

Edition: Translation from: Lettres de Marcellin J. B. Champagnat (1789-1840) Fondateur de l?Institut des Frères Maristes, présentés par Frère Paul Sester,1985.

fonte: Daprès le brouillon autographe AFM 113.19