Letter from Voltaire to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duke of Richelieu, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1772 [D18098]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36760
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.162-3), ‘Au maréchal de Richelieu, à Ferney, 21 décembre 1772 (M. 8713)’e
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duke of Richelieu, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1772 [D18098]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Quoi, toujours la cruelle envie
Incipit Modernised:
Quoi, toujours la cruelle envie
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duke of Richelieu, written from château de Ferney and dated 21 December 1772.
Detailed Summary:
The writer laments the persistent envy tarnishing their reputation, responding to a false rumour about their final illness and a supposed romantic encounter. He recounts a recent experience of illness, where a beautiful young woman offered him comfort, though they were too fearful to enjoy it. The writer expresses their reverence and admiration for the recipient, mentioning their intention to send a revised version of Sophonisbe and seeking guidance on how to send it.
Keyword(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:
The manuscript carries a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
21 December 1772
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.123, p.212–214
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.123, ‘MS1’, p.213
Record created by:
Record created on: