A Letter to Bastion Anton De'Ath

[Jacques Bougiedure]

Bastion Anton De’Ath
Chevalier de Brittany
King’s Executioner

Sieur Bastion,

I received your application for the office of Director of the Lottery and am seriously considering you for the position. I remember your past diligence as city health inspector under my tenure as the Governor of Paris especially as regarded the containment of communicable diseases at the Lady’s Slipper. You are certainly adept in wielding a blade as both your talent as a docteur and service to the King as executioner demonstrate but the Director must possess a financial acumen and administrative skill than I have not experienced from you. Can you provide any details on your experiences in these areas?

Respectfully,
Jacques Bougiedure
Grand Duc de Chevreuse
Viscomte de Guyenne
Baron de Montbeck
Controller General of Finances to His Majesty, Louis XIII, King of France and Navarre

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

My Lord, Grand Duc, Viscomte, Baron etc etc

I cannot express my delight at your taking the time to give serious consideration to my application for the post, and to the fact you recall my past service in a number of other roles.

Experience you see, that is the De'Ath way, as well as dedication and satisfaction in a job well done, whatever the job may be!

Now, I fully understand your enquiry as to my skills in the fields of finance and administration, most sensible to check before appointing a new Director. Happily I am able to reassure you on both points and I think it is well known that an individual entering the medical profession, one worth half his salts, should have very sound administrative capabilities as these, in turn, contribute to his overall medical proficiency. When I was awarded my Docteurate it was noted that I was in the top 5 students at the college. Financially I came to Paris with most meagre funds, my parents being somewhat stingy in their responsibilities to me, and I have had to build all that I have from relative scratch, as they say.

Look at me today....a thriving medical practice, a fancy apartment, nice carriage, a heap of monies in the bank, lavish parties and gifts to ladies, paying for their education (then being dumped!!)....all this clearly shows I am man who can generate monies and make profits. I ought to add I've also a nice estate in Brittany, a good one as Chevalier's estates go and it's bringing in it's share of livres, plus look at my clothes, top quality, none of the cheap stuff and all demonstrates how I have built up through wise investments and wealth accumulation.

I hope the above adds weight to my application, gives you confidence and answers your questions.

Sincere regards, your most loyal friend and servant

Bastian