Letter from Voltaire to Andrei Petrovich Shuvalov, written from Ferney and dated 19 July 1771 [D17307]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36770
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.176), ‘A M. le comte de Schouvalof, 29 juillet 1771, à Ferney (M. 8335)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Andrei Petrovich Shuvalov, written from Ferney and dated 19 July 1771 [D17307]
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:
Oui j’aime Pallas l’intrépide
Incipit Modernised:
Oui j’aime Pallas l’intrépide
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Andrei Petrovich Shuvalov, written from château de Ferney and dated 19 July 1771.
Detailed Summary:
The writer praises Pallas Athena for both her military and legislative virtues, contrasting her influence with the outdated codes of the Levitical laws and the Qur’an. They express hope that northern regions will be illuminated by universal tolerance, as a reaction to past oppressive regimes. The writer laments that a misinformed censor in Paris prevented the entry of an important imperial instruction into France, blaming the error on the incompetence of lower officials rather than national fault. They conclude by wishing for a glorious peace and maintaining a respectful tone towards the recipient and their family.
Keyword(s):
Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
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:
19 July 1771
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:
122, p. 30–31
OCV Manuscript Reference:
122, ‘MS1’, p. 31
Record created by:
Record created on: