Writers featured in the volume include Erasmus and Voltaire.

Rex Whilstler berates Edith Olivier for not writing to him from Rome as she had promised to do, and for not writing to tell him that she had returned ill, despite her not being unwell. He admits his own faults in not thanking her for a wonderful weekend in Wilton and the Christmas present of a set of Voltaire’s works that she gave him. He concludes by speaking of his regret at not giving her a gift or coming to say goodbye to her before her trip.

George Woodward begins by mentioning the popular resentment of new style calendar and discusses Christmas. He notes that the neighbouring clergyman was weakly observing the old style and may be subject to bishop’s discipline. He then says that he has been reading Clarendon’s history and description of gardens at Pekin, before making mention of Voltaire’s banishment from the Prussian Court. He concludes by saying that at Christmas a cheat obtained 10s. by admitting visitors to his thorn tree, which resembled Glastonbury one.

The letter primarily concerns events between Praed and Edward Bulwer Lytton, however Edward Robert Lytton also states a query he has about a quotation that is either by Voltaire or Napoleon. He thanks Charles Kent for the gift of cards for his children and sends his good wishes for the festive season.

De Missy writes that he received two examples of Voltaire’s Anti-Machiavel six months ago, one by the post, and the other was left at his house for him when he was not there. He notes that he flatters himself to think that one of the copies came from Voltaire as he recognised his arms on the seal of the envelope and believes he is unworthy of this favour despite having taken a keen interest in Voltaire’s concerns. He goes on to add that two words written in Voltaire’s hand on the title page made it impossible for him to doubt that it was Voltaire who had sent him the copy. He acknowledges that it has taken him too long to reply with his thanks, noting that he is aware of how precious time is to Voltaire and regrets the time he will lose in reading his letter. De Missy then remarks on his desire to be a correspondent of Voltaire’s, though he acknowledges that he has little to offer him. The letter then turns to what De Missy has done with Voltaire’s gift. He claims that he planned to make an extract of it for the British Library. Having transcribed the extract in haste, he intended to publish it as a volume at Christmas (though the volume was delayed longer than this and he regrets the errors that slipped into the extract as a consequence of his initial speed). He notes that he hopes Voltaire will approve of the edition, if only for the zeal with which he produced it.