‘Brevet de calotte au public’ is a satirical poem by Alexis Piron that critiques the public’s poor taste in art and literature. The poem presents the public as a foolish and inconsistent judge of artistic merit, favouring trivial and mediocre works while neglecting the classics and mocks the public’s ability to be swayed by superficial trends.

This manuscript is an inaccurate copy of Alexis Piron’s epitaph for Desfontaines in Voltaire’s hand. Instead of reading ‘Sous ce tombeau gît un auteur’, Voltaire’s version reads ‘Ci-dessous gît un orateur’. The original epitaph is Piron’s addition to Bret’s epigram dedicated to Desfontaines.

Karl August admits that he may have recommended a bad donkey to Goethe in the form of Kotzebue’s Des Esels Schatten. He says that Goether may remove the play from the repertoire of the local theatre, and makes reference to Voltaire and Piron.

Wagnière begins by saying that Voltaire is too ill to write to Prault himself, but begs Prault to send him Receuils A, B, and C, the works of Pirron, and whatever Prault will print. He adds that the expenses will be paid at Mr de Laleau’s place very exactly. Wagnière asks that anything sent to Voltaire should be directed to Mr. Bouret who sends parcels on to Voltaire. The letter concludes with Wagnière passing on Voltaire’s best wishes to Prault and his father.