Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 21 February 1770 [D16170]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36738
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.126-7), ‘‘A Madame du Deffand’ 21 février 1770 (M. 7792)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 21 February 1770 [D16170]
Collection(s):
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
J’ai reçu, Madame, le Charlequint anglais.
Incipit Modernised:
J’ai reçu, Madame, le Charles Quint anglais.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 21 February 1770.
Detailed Summary:
The writer acknowledges receipt of the English translation of Charlequint, though they have only managed to read a few pages due to their vision issues exacerbated by winter. They express frustration with their current isolation and the difficulties of relocating to a warmer climate. The writer also remarks on recent violent events in Geneva and criticises the reduction of their age by the recipient. Despite their newly acquired title of Capucin, they remain committed to their friendship and express their continuing devotion.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Additions:
MS2 lacks the postscript.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
21 February 1770
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:
120, p. 45–46
OCV Manuscript Reference:
120, ‘MS2’, p. 46
Record created by:
Record created on: