Reinhard begins by discussing the carnival at the Kessel court, before discussing Goethe’s chande to his coat of arms, remarking that he only owns the knight’s patent and not the baron title. He goes on to discuss his appointment as an honorary member of the Athéné de la Langue Française in Paris, and speaks of his answer with an allusion to Voltaire’s Candide.

In the mémoire, Voltaire claims that his Histoire Universelle has been disfigured by Jean Néaulme in Berlin and Duchesne in Paris. He notes that it is not his fault if there have been unworthy popes, bad princes, and bad bishops, and neither is it his fault that people at court are ignorant. He asks the recipient to get rid of the existing copies of the work if possible, and asks to make public the purity of his conduct before the King, adding that he is threatened with an outburst from the Archibishop of Paris.

The manuscript is written as if a letter replying to a request for a critique. It analyses in depth a series of points about Voltaire’s Histoire de Charles XII, roi de Suède, which the critic believes are ‘deficient, redundant, or mistaken’, and provides references to particular pages in the left-hand margins.

The book opens with a preface entitled “avertissement”, that can be translated as follows: “this collection volume contains the elite of the best anecdotical songs from the ministry of the Cardinal de Richelieu until now: attention was paid to the accuracy of the names; to the order and faithfulness of periods, and of interesting facts; to the correctness of the marginalia […].” The collection covers mostly the reign of Louis XIV of France and the beginning of the reign of Louis XV of France. The songs seem to mock a wide range of subjects, but focus predominantly on the aristocracy, the court, the government, and the clergy, and refer to many current scandals, military events, and political affairs. Many songs are quite bawdy, especially the songs relating to ladies of the court – the three mistresses of Louis XIV (Louise de La Vallière, Madame de Montespan, and Madame de Maintenon) are well represented there. At pp. 510-515 there is also a song entitled “Autres Mirlitons” on the subject of homosexuality, with marginal notes explaining that it is “about the young lords of the court”. Some other noteworthy songs include:
– songs about John Law (1671-1729), the Scottish economist who was a minister under Louis XV; the annotator notes how he was apparently hanged in effigy in London after he was condemned for murder.
– a song at pp. 525-531 that has a reference to Mississipi, and one at pp. 381-388 to the Goa Inquisition (the Portuguese Inquisition in India).
– a song at pp. 553-554 about the philosopher Voltaire relating to his altercation with the Chevalier de Rohan in 1726.
– songs about Jansenism, and (at pp. 557-559, 565-567, 579-582) on the recent Cadière affair (1730-31), the scandalous case of a Jesuit confessor who was accused of sexually abusing a young female penitent, whom he in retaliation accused of witchcraft.

Voltaire writes that a long illness has prevented him from replying to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand for some time. He adds that his illness was caused by too much work, but notes that he seeks her approval as it consoles him for all of the critics at court. He discusses two characters in his Alzire (Gusman and Grandval), before mentioning Alexander Pope and Anthony Ashley Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbur, and discussing their views on religion.

This is a libellous account of life at the Prussian court that insults Frederick II of Prussia. It was variably attributed to La Beaumelle and Voltaire.

In the letter, Voltaire writes that it has been three or four years since he last cried and he had hoped his old eyes no longer knew the weakness but, after Marie Louise Denis left him last, he wept as he was mourning her departure and her stay. Voltaire adds that the atrocity of what Denis has suffered is what upsets him, and questions whether a Lady of Paris (Denis), travelling with a passport of Frederick II, King of Prussia, could really have been dragged into the streets of Frankfurt by soldiers, and taken to prison without any trial, maid, or servants when her only crime was to travel two hundred leagues to convey a dying uncle to the Eaux de Plombières. He notes that is is sad for Frederick II to have not yet repaired the indignity committed in his name. Voltaire then turns to his own misfortune, saying that he had been arrested by Frederick II in order for him to get back his book of poems that he had left to Voltaire as a pledge of his goodness and a reward for Voltaire’s care. He notes that he would have returned the volume if he had been asked and that it was not worth having an old man imprisoned for. He bemoans Frederick II’s actions, writing of the many years of cordiality and friendship they had shared, and wondering how Frederick II can repair the damage done to Denis. Voltaire writes that he has sent back letters here for Madame Denis, noting that one from Madame de Fontaine was not consoling as it referred to Voltaire as Prussian, a claim he adamantly denies. He then acknowledges that some letters written against him have been erroneously circulated under Frederick II’s name, adding that Frederick II would not have written such letters as he is too aware of how to write properly given that he is King. He ends the letter by stating his wish to die in Denis’ arms, ignored by men and especially kings.

A series of thoughts and anecdotes in the hand of Voltaire describing court events and gossip.

Voltaire discusses an invitation he received from the Prussian envoy Ammon to travel, adding that he has promised to stay with him briefly until September. He speaks highly of Frederick II of Prussia, noting that he has never seen such a hard-working man. Voltaire then turns to some publications of his works, adding that one should only write about kings what is worthy of posterity, and that he thinks the Paris edition is better than that of Rouen. Voltaire notes that he continues work on the Siècle de Louis XIV. He ends by advising du Deffand not to eat too much and not to be disgusted with life.

James Harris Jr. writes that he has been in contact with George Pitt, the new ambassador to Spain, Mr Munro, and Mme Very. He then discusses Voltaire’s Siècle de Louis XV and concludes by addressing court movements.