Letter from Voltaire to Théodore Sudre, written from Ferney and dated 20 April 1770 [D16305]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36768
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.174), ‘A M. de Sudre, avocat à Toulouse, 20 avril 1770 M. 7860)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Théodore Sudre, written from Ferney and dated 20 April 1770 [D16305]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
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Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Monsieur, Quarante lieues de neige qui m’entourent; soixante et seize ans sur ma tête; ma vue prèsque entièrement perdue; trois mois de suite passés dans mon lit, m’ont privé de l’honneur de vous répondre plutôt.
Incipit Modernised:
Monsieur, Quarante lieues de neige qui m’entourent; soixante et seize ans sur ma tête; ma vue presque entièrement perdue; trois mois de suite passés dans mon lit, m’ont privé de l’honneur de vous répondre plutôt.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Théodore Sudre, written from château de Ferney to Toulouse and dated 20 April 1770.
Detailed Summary:
The writer, despite their advanced age, poor health, and extended confinement, addresses the insignificance of whether lawyers form a formal body or order. They argue that the true issue is ensuring justice and preventing innocent people from being wrongly punished by the legal system. The writer criticises the current state of jurisprudence in France, noting its historical roots in barbarism and expressing hope that any new legal body or order might address these flaws. They conclude by reiterating their respect and humility.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
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History
Date:
20 April 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. 165–166
OCV Manuscript Reference:
120, ‘MS2’, p. 166
Record created by:
Record created on: