The manuscript is an autograph letter written in the hand of an anonymous author. The manuscript details Rousseau’s conclusion of his retreat in Switzerland (Geneva) in response to the conspiracy orchestrated by David Hume. The letter discusses Rousseau’s correspondence with the Chancellors, wherein he seeks guidance and protection, as well as his missive to Mr. Louvray from Dover, requesting permission to relocate to a free country. Additionally, MS1 is endorsed “Copie”, and this is what it appears to be; but as the conjugate address is present it must be assumed that the letter was addressed to another, and this copy was sent to Voltaire. In line 7 of MS1, there is a missing word ‘semaines’ (following the word ‘Quelques’).

Comprises notes on salient events in mainly English history from Ethelred to Queen Anne, extracted from a translation of Voltaire’s writings, with notes on China and Charlemagne’s time on f.1, followed on ff.16-17 by similar notes extracted from David Hume’s writings on some selected events from Richard III’s days to those of James II.

He begins with information about his childhood, including his godparents, the date of his innoculation against smallpox, and his education; and continues with biographical information about his college years; his first employment; his travels with Thomas Gray; and his Parliamentary activities. Much of the manuscript concerns the pieces he wrote, both published and unpublished, and those he published with the Strawberry Hill Press, as well as his reactions to the reviews he received. He also includes anecdotes concerning his attack by highwaymen in 1749; the family quarrel with his uncle Horace Walpole; and his disagreements with David Hume and Voltaire.

The collection includes: historical miscellanea on government, law, political philosophy, church hierarchy, and contemporary politicians. Notes on Carolingian, Confucian, Solomonic, Egyptian, Roman, Athenian, and Spartan laws; on slavery and legal status of mixed-race children in the West Indies; on the Spanish Inquisition and Protestant Reformation; on English kings and queens; against universal suffrage; on Catholic clergy in Ireland; on the House of Commons; axioms of Burgleigh [sic]; a few brief riddles and verse satires. Includes a brief excerpt from David Hume’s History of England, quotes from la Bruyere, Byron, Dryden, Voltaire, and others, and several excerpts in French, and a few in Latin. Entries dated 1821-1840.

Whether the essays were written to support the author’s theological studies, as material to be presented in convocations, or in response to the scientific revelations or debates of the time is unclear; however, a reader with initials “J.W.M” read, notated, and provided short comments on the contents. Cilley provided a few ink drawings, including a chart showing the geologic strata and time periods, as well as an image of the human heart. Many essays contain citations to theological writings of the period. Among the many philosophers and writers covered are Aristotle, Benedict Spinoza, Thomas Hobbes, d’Alembart, Diderot, Voltaire, Alexander Pope, David Hume, Hugh Miller, and Enoch Pond.

Hannah more begins by discussing Tom Paine’s pamphlet, noting that all the bold blasphemies of Voltaire, David Hume, d’Alembert, Bolingbroke, Helveticus etc. are brought together in it.

The letter is discusses a club, the Sun Down, in which Tart [sic] had been the first secretary and Grimké the last. Members chose topics to debate such as Voltaire, Linnaeus and David Hume’s History of England.

Porteus discusses Edward Gibbons’ The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (London, 1776-1789), noting that it would have deserved great praise if last two chapters were omitted or ‘rendered more comfortable to Truth’ with regards their representation of the progress of Christianity. He states that the chapters are ‘unfair & indecent & will do great harm’ because Gibbons ‘has adopted the grave Irony of Hume & Voltaire on such subjects and is not inferior to his masters’.

[…] Rejoices at his [Gray’s] judicious strictness on Hume, Voltaire, Shaftesbury etc. Does not agree with his opinion of Rousseau. Also differs on Herne’s[?] sermons etc… ‘where will you see more Imagination & warmth of Expression than in Barrow Tillotson, Atterbury, Sherlock?, etc’.

Boswell writes that the politeness with which he was received at Ferney has never faded from his memory, adding that he often recalls with pleasure the time he spent with Voltaire. He remarks that his travels since his last letter in Napels [D12525] have given him lits of idea to mull over. Boswell recalls his time spent in Corsica, noting that General Paoli is an extraordinary man, and the people brave for vindicating their liberty ‘with as much real spirit as was ever found in antiquity’. He adds that he is writing an account of Corsica with memoirs of General Paoli which will be published next winter, noting that David Hume has taken charge of this publication as he cannot be in London himself. He asks what Voltaire thinks of the Corsicans and asks why he does not write on them. Boswell concludes by stating that he is now to stay in Scotland for half a year as an Advocate, and the other half as a country gentleman, and sends his regards to Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] and Pére Adan. In a postscript, he adds (in French) that he dares not write to Voltaire in French because he feels it better to write in one’s own language, even when you know another, and even more so when you know very little.