Voltaire thanks Guazzesi for sending him a book [Guazzesi’s translation of Alzire, published together with Racine’s Iphigenie in 1762], adding that he is too ill to thank him in his own hand, the letter instead being written by his secretary. Voltaire goes on to say that Iphigenie was worthy of being translated by Guazzesi, but that the translator does others [Voltaire] too much honour. He then turns to Guazzesi’s poetry, remarking that his compositions are instructive and agreeable, before speaking of the ancient Romans, noting that they had an unrefined sense of humour. He adds that he can see the mountains that were crossed by Hannibal through his windows.

The MS was originally catalogued with the shelfmark: Supplément français 5246.

The MS notes that it was compiled to identify variants between the 1736 edition of Alzire and the Beaumarchais edition of the same text. Examples from each edition are directly compared and contrasted throughout. The exemplars are taken from Acts 1-6.

Bürden sends Goethe some of his theatrical works, which he hopes might be of use for the Weimar Theater. He notes that he was requested by Iffland to make a translation of Voltaire’s Alzire, but that he was not happy with it when it was performed in Berlin. This, he suggests, is why Goethe is receiving a new reworking from him. He then references Rousseau’s “small piece of intrigue”, which he says deserves Germanisation.

Price discusses architectural matters before going on to discuss a visit he had recently received from Lord Tyrconnell. He then asks whether or not Beaumont followed his advice and read Montaigne’s Essays, remarking upon aspects of his writing that he believes would appeal to Beaumont and identifying passages in Voltaire’s Alzire and Rousseau’s Ode to Fortune which he believes were inspired by Montaigne. He then provides news on family and friends.

The commonplace book features a number of Voltaire’s plays, including: f.1r, Guébres; f.2v, Le Triumvirat; f.3v, Alzire; f.5r, Les Lois de Minos; f.8v, Les Scythes; f.11r, Irène; f.12r, Oedipe; f.14v, Mariamne; f.16v, Le Mort de César; f.17v, Oreste; and f.21v, Adelaide du Guesclin.

In the letter, the author comments on Prince Augustus Ferdinand of Prussia’s illness, suggesting methods to alleviate its severity and noting the availability of medical care from Dr. Théodore Tronchin. Voltaire then addresses and refutes accusations of unsolicited distribution of a copy of poems authored by Frederick II and addressed to Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick. According to T. D. N. Besterman, Caussy wrongly states that the draft is in Wagnière’s hand.

The manuscript is the lettre en vers, containing three poems interspersed with prose passages. In praising Voltaire’s literary prowess, Baron de Rouville highlights the publication of odes lavishly extolling Voltaire’s tragedy D’Alzire. The author underscores his steadfast loyalty to Voltaire, pledging to staunchly defend him against adversaries and prosecutors. Baron de Rouville concludes the letter by expressing keen interest in the latest publications of the philosopher Sans Souci.

The manuscript is an autograph letter containing a poem comprised of 28 lines. In the body of the letter, Voltaire bestows compliments upon Bernard and reflects on the public’s erroneous tendency to classify Montezume as one of his literary creations. In fact, the misunderstanding originates from the use of the same location (Peru) in Votaire’s Alzire. Additionally, These were the lines to which Voltaire replied in the same metre (see D998) — entitled “Le Hameau” and starting with ‘Rien n’est si beau / Que mon hameau, /Oh quelle image! / Quel paysage / Fait pour Vateau!’ (Œuvres complètes de M. Bernard, [Londres 1777], pp. 173–176).