Included in the collection is a letter from Voltaire to Nicolas Claude Thieriot, dated 30 August 1765. In the letter, Voltaire discusses his health, before recounting two recent visits from the actress Mlle Clairon, and Damilaville whom he describes as a true “philosphe”, unlike Rousseau who has promised he would write against “Helvitius” to please the priest in his village. Voltaire then mentions the theological war in Geneva which he has avoided. He ends the letter by remarking on his uselessness to the world and the fact that he finds consolation in gardening.

Voltaire discusses his Tancrède, and says that it cannot be published as he is correcting it every day. He notes that there are more than a hundred verses in his manuscript that differ from the version that was performed, adding that the actors took it upon themselves to change the play as they pleased in his absence. Voltaire warns that if Prault prints the version that was performed then he would be printing a version of the play that is disfigured and which sins against language and poetry. He discusses the preface to the piece which is a dedication to the Marquise de Pompadour, and advises Prault to hire Mlle. Clairon.