Letter from Voltaire to Berger, written from Ferney and dated 25 February 1765 [D12413]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36716
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.84), ‘A M. Berger, du 25 février 1765 [V] ‘aux Délices’ (M. 5923)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Berger, written from Ferney and dated 25 February 1765 [D12413]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
J’ai été touché, Monsieur, de vôtre Lettre du 12e fév: On m’a dit que vous êtes dévot, cependant je vs vois de la sensibilité et de l’honnètêté.
Incipit Modernised:
J’ai été touché, Monsieur, de votre Lettre du 12e févr: On m’a dit que vous êtes dévot, cependant je vous vois de la sensibilité et de l’honnêteté.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Berger, written from château de Ferney and dated 25 February 1765.
Detailed Summary:
In his letter, the writer expresses gratitude for the correspondent’s message, noting his admiration for their sensitivity and honesty despite their past health issues. He critiques the use of his letters from over thirty years ago, stating they have been falsified and misused, and expresses discontent with their misrepresentation. The writer reassures that despite his age and ailments, he remains cared for and content, and he advises against using falsified copies of his work while continuing to extend forgiveness for past grievances.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Additions:
MS1 carries a few corrections in Voltaire’s hand.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
25 February 1765
Ownership:
After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)
OCV Reference:
112, p. 406–407
OCV Manuscript Reference:
112, ‘MS1’, p. 407
Record created by:
Record created on: