Letter from Voltaire to Maria Anna Louisa de La Trémouille princesse de Talmont, written from Ferney and dated 23 September 1771 [D17379]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36771
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.177-9), ‘A la Princesse de Talmont, 23 septembre 1771, à Ferney (M. 8218 in fine)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Maria Anna Louisa de La Trémouille princesse de Talmont, written from Ferney and dated 23 September 1771 [D17379]
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:
Made, J’ai soixante et dixhuit ans, je suis né faible, je suis très malade et prèsque aveugle.
Incipit Modernised:
Madame, J’ai soixante-dix-huit ans, je suis né faible, je suis très malade et presque aveugle.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Maria Anna Louisa de La Trémouille princesse de Talmont, written from château de Ferney and dated 23 September 1771.
Detailed Summary:
The writer, who is 78 years old, in poor health, and nearly blind, expresses forgiveness for any inaccuracies reported about their condition, attributing them to the Prince de Salm’s misunderstanding. They declare an inability to support the Ottoman Empire, citing its destruction of Greece and cultural contributions as reasons for their disdain. The writer laments that Polish allies did not join the Russians in expelling the Ottomans from Europe but remains confident that the Polish nation will preserve its freedom. They conclude with a respectful acknowledgment of the recipient’s suffering and commend their noble spirit.
Keyword(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
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History
Date:
23 September 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. 87–88
OCV Manuscript Reference:
122, ‘MS1’, p. 88
Record created by:
Record created on: