Letter from Voltaire to Louise Bernarde Berthier de Sauvigny, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1774 [D19247]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36766
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.171-2), ‘A Mme de Sauvigny, Ferney, 21 décembre 1774 (M. 9266)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Bernarde Berthier de Sauvigny, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1774 [D19247]
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:
Je commence, Madame, par vous dire que Monsieur De Sauvigny étant fait ministre d’état après avoir été fait premier président, sans avoir jamais solicité aucune de ces dignités, me parait comblé de gloire.
Incipit Modernised:
Je commence, Madame, par vous dire que Monsieur De Sauvigny étant fait ministre d’État après avoir été fait premier président, sans avoir jamais sollicité aucune de ces dignités, me parait comblé de gloire.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Bernarde Berthier de Sauvigny, written from château de Ferney and dated 21 December 1774.
Detailed Summary:
The writer begins by praising Monsieur de Sauvigny for his achievements, noting that his rise to the position of minister of state was attained without solicitation. He expresses concern that the recipient’s peace may be disturbed by a letter from Mr Dugard Dessichens – a former refugee of some influence but questionable character, who has made unfounded claims about the recipient’s family and caused considerable distress. The writer advises discretion in responding to Mr Dessichens, while noting his own limited capacity to assist due to significant personal expenses.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
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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, while the letter’s envelope is endorsed with ‘à Monsieur Monsieur Diderot etca à Paris’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
21 December 1774
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.125, p.256–258
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.125, ‘MS1’, p.258
Record created by:
Record created on: