Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 24 April 1769 [D15605]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36736
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.122-3), ‘A Ferney, 24 avril 1769, à Mme la marquise du Deffand (M. 7536)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 24 April 1769 [D15605]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Eh bien, Madame, je suis plus honnête que vous; vous ne voulez pas me dire avec qui vous soupez, et moi je vous avoue avec qui je déjeune.
Incipit Modernised:
Eh bien, Madame, je suis plus honnête que vous; vous ne voulez pas me dire avec qui vous soupez, et moi je vous avoue avec qui je déjeune.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 24 April 1769.
Detailed Summary:
The writer describes his current life and medical condition with a blend of humour and resignation. He expresses frustration with local medical practitioners and bureaucratic obstacles, while making light of his own ailments and the often absurd nature of his treatment. He also offers cultural observations, including remarks on popular culinary fashions and contemporary literature, and expresses regret at being unable to visit certain places.
Despite these difficulties, he values his continued friendship with the recipient and concludes with a philosophical reflection on the nature of existence and the importance of friendship.
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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:
24 April 1769
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.118, p.419–421
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.118, ‘MS2’, p.421
Record created by:
Record created on: