Voltaire writes that a long illness has prevented him from replying to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand for some time. He adds that his illness was caused by too much work, but notes that he seeks her approval as it consoles him for all of the critics at court. He discusses two characters in his Alzire (Gusman and Grandval), before mentioning Alexander Pope and Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbur, and discussing their views on religion.