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):
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 addresses a recent claim made by an Englishman, Mr Muller, that he would bring the ears of the Grand Inquisitor to Rome. The Pope reportedly dismissed the claim, stating that the Grand Inquisitor is no longer in a position to have ears or eyes. The writer clarifies that he did not request such a gesture and uses this occasion to share a witty poem addressing the Grand Inquisitor, expressing his own reflections on age and fame. He concludes with sincere respects, acknowledging the limited impact of his letters due to his advanced age and poor health.
Keyword(s):
Status:
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:
Decorations:
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Marginalia 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:
122, p. 156–157
OCV Manuscript Reference:
122, ‘MS2’, p. 157
Record created by:
Record created on: