Beman opens with a list of twenty books that he sent via Captain John Haslope of the ‘Charming Sally’ to Mr Dally at the Customs House in Dublin. He adds that the total value of the books was £509 5s. Featured amongst these books is a volume of Voltaire’s works for Lord Charlemont.

Dickens opens the letter by discussing his payment of Income Tax before offering several pieces of news: he reports on the weather, discusses the progress of his Christmas book, outlines his plans to move to the Palazzo Peschiere in October, and details his upcoming travel plans. He notes that the box of book has now arrived in Italy, but that they are stuck at the Customs House where they are examined by priests. He writes: ‘As some Volumes of a French author, Voltaire, are among them, who always wrote against Priests, I fully expect them to be stopped. Though I am not likely to read them to the Genevese, and woo them to their damnation, I am sure.’ He concludes by mentioning the titles of further books he wishes to have sent to Italy and relays several family anecdotes. In a postscript, Dickens returns to Voltaire, writing: ‘They never pass Voltaire; but with great politeness, passed it for me.’

David Garrick thanks Favart for his flattering verse, and gives him the plot of Rule a Wife and Have a Wife. He notes that he is glad to have Voltaire’s verses, amd that he is doubtful that he can send Monnet the things he asked for because of the Customs.