Letter from Voltaire to Nicolas-Claude Thiériot, dating to c. 18 October 1758 [D7912]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36772
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.180), ‘Lettre à M. Thieriot (M. 3681)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Nicolas-Claude Thiériot, dating to c. 18 October 1758 [D7912]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Mr Helvetius m’a envoyé son Esprit, mon ancien ami; ainsi vous voilà délivré du soin de me le faire parvenir: je ne veux pas avoir double esprit comme Elizée.
Incipit Modernised:
Mr Helvétius m’a envoyé son Esprit, mon ancien ami; ainsi vous voilà délivré du soin de me le faire parvenir: je ne veux pas avoir double esprit comme Élisée.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Nicolas-Claude Thiériot, dated [c. 18 October 1758].
Detailed Summary:
The writer discusses receiving Helvétius’s book De l’Esprit, noting that they are now relieved of the task of forwarding it. They express confusion over the vehement opposition to Helvétius, whom they view as a philosopher promoting harmless truths, and suggest that hidden enemies may have incited the backlash. Despite differing views on some aspects of Helvétius’s work, the writer finds it generally commendable and inoffensive.
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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:
[c. 18 October 1758]
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:
103, p. 219–220
OCV Manuscript Reference:
103, ‘MS2’, p. 220
Record created by:
Record created on: