Countess Panin on Anne Lister : “Her great modesty despite her profound knowledge”

In Moscow, Anne Lister and Ann Walker made the acquaintance of Countess Alexandrine Panin. When they left the city in January 1840, she gave them a letter of introduction to her cousin Madame Golovin in Tiflis (Georgia), where the two women planned to go. Here is the copy of this rather flattering French letter (as written by Anne at the end of her journal) and its English translation.

Anne Lister sent this letter to the wife of the General Golovin three months later, on the 13th of April, the day after their arrival in Tiflis. “Sent the letters at 8 ½ by George from Countess A[lexandrine] P[anin] à son excellence Madame Golovin à Tiflis.”

SH:7/ML/E/24/0181

Moscou, le 23 janvier 1840

“Faites moi l’amitié ma chère Lise de faire un acceuil bienveillant à Mad[ame] Lister & & M[ademois]elle Walker qui ont eu la curiosité de connoître par leurs propres yeux l’intérieure de votre pays. Je suis sure que Mad[ame] Lister vous captivera par la simplicité de ses récits & sa grande modestie malgré sa science profonde.”

“Do me the kindness my dear Lise to reserve a warm welcome to Mrs. Lister & Miss Walker who have had the curiosity to get to know the interior of your country with their own eyes. I am sure that Madame Lister will captivate you with the simplicity of her stories and her great modesty despite her profound knowledge.”

Je ne dois pas laisser échapper cette occasion de v[ou]s remercier enc[ore] une fois ma chère amie p[ou]r t[ou]t ce que v[ou]s faîtes à l’égard de mon cher Vladimir, qui en est t[ou]t pénétré ; je ne veux pas v[ou]s importuner plus l[on]g t[emp]s de mon griffonage, c’est p[ou]r cela qu’en v[ou]s embrassant trendreme[nt] je me dis p[ou]r la vie votre dévouée cousine Aline.”

I must not let this opportunity slip to thank you once again, my dear friend, for everything you do for my dear Vladimir, who is so impressed; I don’t want to bother you any longer with my scribbling, which is why, as I embrace you tenderly, I assure you that I am for life your devoted cousin Aline. »

Cop[ie]d & s[e]nt at Tiflis
Mon[day] 13 april 1840
A son excellence Madame de Golovin à Tiflis

And beneath is add[e]d the direct[io]n in Russ[ian]
13 april 1840 sent the letters at 8 ½ by George from
Countess A.P. à son excellence Madame Golovin à Tiflis