Voltaire begins by discussing the succession of Catherine the Great, before going on to ask Cramer for ‘une pucelle’ [La Pucelle d’Orléans], noting that he has given out four or five on occasion. He goes on to note that he has not corrected the sheets he saw at Les Délices.

Pictet begins by saying that Voltaire will be surprised to receive a letter from him, but that the recent revolution has given rise to many reflections that he wished to discuss with him. He notes that anyone who knew Peter III of Russia, his behaviour, and his projects can only approve his being overthrown by his wife, Catherine the Great, whom he describes as ‘the most worthy and greatest Empress who has ever reigned in the Universe’. He assures Voltaire that it was not Catherine that sought the throne but that she was only following the general wish of the Nation, crediting the revolution to the difference in characters between Peter III and Catherine the Great.  He goes on to explore Peter’s faults in great depth before providing an account of the revolution and the movements of Peter III and Catherine the Great. Pictet concludes by discussing a proposal made by Catherine to D’Alembert.

Maria talks about a variety of topics including dance lessons, Pescia,the teaching methods of Richard Lovell Edgeworth, dinner with Madame de Roquefeuil. She talks about Madame de Villette and her house, as well as Voltaire.

Louis Benjamin Aunet discusses Voltaire’s connections to Russia, claiming that his talents would not suffice to worthily thank the Empress of Russia.