Voltaire writes that he has been ill and could not have the honour of thanking Jacob Bouthillier de Beaumont for the offers he made. He asks him to give Gabriel Cramer the money for his bills of exchange, adding that it should arrive from Basel by courier. He asks de Beaumont to have it collected from Mr. Astruc, the directeur du coche in Switzerland.

Voltaire begins by saying that he is very sensitive to the kindess of Jacob Bouthillier de Beaumont, but that he does not want to abuse it, saying that he will only claim to receive his 6500 livre tournois when it has been paid. He adds that time is short and he will gladly wait. Voltaire concludes by asking to be notified when the bills of exchange have been paid, and apologises for the sheet of paper on which he is writing being cut.

Voltaire writes that he is sending five bills of exchange on Paris and Lyon for the sum of 6500 livre tournois.

Voltaire writes that he and Madame de Fontaine have been discussing what becomes of the soul after death, but hopes to remain in ignorance for some time yet. He asks d’Alembert to send him the articles from the encyclopedia, if he has them, a little in advance because ‘a patient is not always the master of his moments’. Voltaire notes that he is very unhappy with the ‘story article’ because he wanted to show the different literary styles appropriate for a variety of different writings. He states, however, that he was in a hurry, ill, and overwhelmed by ‘this accursed general story that you know.’ Voltaire goes on to say that he does not know the dictionary [of which, presumably, d’Alembert had spoke] because he did not subscribe to it. Instead, he says that he will buy it when it is finished but quickly adds that he will probably be dead by the time it is done and so asks d’Alembert to suggest that Briasson sends him the printed volumes and Voltaire will give him a bill of exchange on his notary. Voltaire then discusses the articles on theology and metaphysics, saying that they pain his heart and that it is very cruel to print the opposite of what one thinks. He notes that he is angry that people still write dissertations and give particular opinions on recognised truths as he would prefer to know the definition and origin of words with examples. Voltaire concludes by apologising, claiming to be ‘a talker who says what he should have done and didn’t do anything worthwhile’, and ends by saying that if d’Alembert was featured in a dictionary he would be defined as ‘the most amiable of men.’