Letter from Voltaire to François-Joachim de Pierres Bernis, written from Ferney and dated 27 November 1771 [D17474]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36717
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.85-6), ‘Au cardinal de Bernis, à Ferney, 25 novembre 1771 (M. 8417)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to François-Joachim de Pierres Bernis, written from Ferney and dated 27 November 1771 [D17474]
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:
On me mande, Monseigneur, qu’un Anglais, très anglais, qui s’appelle Mr Muller, homme d’esprit, pensant et parlant librement, a répandu dans Rome qu’à son retour il m’aporterait les oreilles du grand inquisiteur dans un papier de musique; et que le Pape e
Incipit Modernised:
On me demande, Monseigneur, qu’un Anglais, très anglais, qui s’appelle Mr Muller, homme d’esprit, pensant et parlant librement, a répandu dans Rome qu’à son retour il m’apporterait les oreilles du grand inquisiteur dans un papier de musique; et que le Pap
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to François-Joachim de Pierres Bernis, written from château de Ferney and dated 27 November 1771.
Detailed Summary:
The writer informs a cardinal that he has heard an Englishman named Mr Muller claimed in Rome he would bring back the Grand Inquisitor’s ears to Voltaire as a gift. The Pope, in jest, reportedly replied that the Inquisitor no longer had eyes or ears. Voltaire denies having made such a request and clarifies he bears no ill will, not even toward his critics. If the exchange did happen, he includes a light-hearted reply for the cardinal’s amusement, a witty poem addressing the Grand Inquisitor, expressing his own reflections on age and fame. He closes by expressing affection and respect, noting his age and frailty but reaffirming his sincere sentiments.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
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History
Date:
27 November 1771
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:
vol.122, p.156–157
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.122, ‘MS2’, p.157
Record created by:
Record created on: