Voltaire tells Bordes to put the little book that he has the honour of sending him in his library, adding that it is by Mathieu. He then asks how he can send this lady everything that will be said, and tell her it is time to talk, before going on to say that he was very happy with Mr le comte de Cogni as their are few people of his sort and age that are so kind and educated. He ends by saying that he, the poor patient, only has time to tell Bordes how much he loves him.

Voltaire thanks d’Açarq for the first part of his grammar and apologises that it cost d’Açarq letter postage to know that Voltaire esteems him very much. Voltaire notes that there is much to be learned from d’Açarq’s grammar, and wishes that it were as easy to serve d’Açarq as it was to read his work. He ends the letter by sending his applause.

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 Much of the manuscript concerns the pieces he wrote, both published and unpublished, and those he published with the Strawberry Hill Press, as well as his reactions to the reviews he received.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.

Thomas Robinson notes that he received Fritz’s letters numbered 61, 69 and 72, adding that post is frequently delayed on its way to Lisbon. He then states that he is glad Fritz received his letter numbered 34 which they thought had been lost. He says that Pozzi’s book is a compilation of advice for the education of novices, almost all of which is stolen from the likes of Voltaire, Rousseau, and Bilfield. Robinson then notes that he was sorry to hear that Mr. Parker’s illness (‘gravel’: kidney stones) is so severe, adding that Waddilove, fearing a return of the complaint, drank tea and honey yesterday and took multiple baths, whilst Grantham will bring, when he can, some Uva Ursi. Robinson next discusses some plays that he has seen, and expresses his surprise at Fritz not having been to the ‘Westminster Play’. The letter concludes with a series of domestic concerns, including news of visiting acquaintances, the sending of a pattern for a satin gown, and financial concerns.

Voltaire opens by noting that the Marquise has not acknowledged receipt of packages that he sent to her. He states that she needs to become acquainted with the war between rats and frogs, noting that Jean-Jacques Le Franc de Pompignan wanted to succeed Charles-Jean-François Hénault in the office of superintendent to the Queen whilst also being tutor to the children of France, or to put his brother in this position. He suggests that the brothers planned to arm the government against all those they accuse of being philosophers, to have him excluded from the academy, and to have the Bishop of Pui elected in his place so as to purify the desecrated space. Voltaire remarks that he laughed at this and thanks God that he laughs at everything, adding that he only said one word from which sprung twenty pamphlets. He notes that at the same time, La comédia des philosophes was performed, and asks if the Marquise was involved in the piece, noting that he will absolve her if she confesses her guilt. He then turns to the Marquise’s reading habits, telling her to read Le pauvre diable and Le russe à Paris. Voltaire notes that she has been reading Élie Catherine Fréron’s works, which he claims is proof both that she loves reading and that she does not hate rat and frog fights. He concludes by answering the Marquise’s question of what she could do for fun, telling him to come to his house where new pieces are performed, they laugh at the absurdities of Paris, and Théodore Tronchin cures people who have eaten too much.

Comments about [Charles-Jean-François] Hénault’s history [Abrégé chronologique de l’histoire de France] and the works of Voltaire ‘which as far as I have seen are wrote with the grossest bias of any I ever read.’

What we wrote concerning your complaint related not so much to it as a present disease as it did to its being a symptom of your going into a morbid state of body[…] Upon the most slight appearance therefore of any return you must not fail to consult Mr. Tissot as I have already wrote[…] I hope you do not remit your application to your more important studies. The practice of analysing is a very proper method of teaching, and facilitates the habit of judging of composition, but I fear you may have begun it too soon.’ Discourse on the difference between composition and analysis. Writer saw Mr Worsley a few days ago; he had not heard from his son for a long time. The writer informed Worsley that Alexander had seen his son, though has few opportunities of seeing his countrymen. Asks if Alexander has ever seen Voltaire.