Buffon opens by stating that he has only just found Ruffey’s previous letter which should have been forward to the recipient sooner. He mentions several acquaintances including M. de la Bastide, M. Lebault, and Charles de Brosses before offering to run errands for Ruffey whilst he is in Paris. He asks if Ruffey will visit Paris, and mentions the theatre, discussing Voltaire’s Zaïre and the Mercure de France. He concludes by noting that he is sending a catalogue of books for Jean Bouhier.