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Autograph letter from Léopold Desmarest and Françoise Paule Huguet de Graffigny [née d’Issembourg Du Buisson d’Happoncourt] to François Antoine Devaux, written from Provins and dated ‘ce jeudy’ [12 February 1739]

Happy Birthday Voltaire!

Voltaire was born in Paris on 21 November 1694, and so, in honour of his birthday, the manuscript of this month centres around a rather luxurious party. Whilst not held in celebration of his birthday, this party did feature good friends, singing, theatre, and lavish dining experiences.

In an autograph letter sent from Léopold Desmarest and Françoise Paule Huguet de Graffigny to François Antonie Devaux on 12 February 1739, the two authors recount their recent rowdy visit to Cirey. The account had been begun in another letter, and so here they picked up the tale. They state that they went to bed at 7am, and were made to rise just three hours later by Émilie du Châtelet to sing opera. They did this until 1pm, at which point they rehearsed their production of Voltaire’s Zaïre for another five hours. Desmarest and Graffigny remark that there were ‘constant snags’ until the play was eventually performed at 9:30pm. The party had a grandiose supper together at 12:30pm, failing to notice that they were violating the rights of Ash Wednesday in doing so. After performing 44 acts of various plays within a 48-hour period, the writers left Cirey at 8am exhausted.

The authors provide a cast list in the letter, offering a glimpse not only at who constituted the assembled party but also the roles they played in the entertainments. Émilie du Châtelet was Zaïre, La Grosse was styled with a Fantime veil, Voltaire was Orosmane, Mr. du Châtelet was Nerestan, his son was Corasmin, and Chatillon is noted as being simple ‘paper in hand.’ It seems that there were other actors involved in the performance, but the authors claim not to know who they were. Of all the cast members, it is Voltaire that is criticised most, with it being noted that he did not know his role, and could not perform two lines in a row. Émilie du Châtelet, meanwhile is said to have played everything so soullessly and monotonously that it was enough to make one ill, and her husband could not perform without stuttering.

Unpacking Voltaire’s performance further, they say that his inability to remember his part made him so cantankerous as to attack his valet who was acting as their prompter, and spit in the face of one of the party. Away from the pressures of the performance, however, the party enjoyed a good time together. Voltaire read from his new opera, Les Titans, and then some of Samson. He also read from his apology of Mondain in the bathing apartment of Émilie du Châtelet whilst she took a bath, an episode which also included a lavish meal being served at 2am in the bathing room by du Châtelet’s son. The authors note that the son was disguised as Love because of the carnival. It seems that this was, then, quite the party.

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