Voltaire discusses the article ‘Mânne’ for the Encyclopédie. He notes that the article seems quite good to him, and that the philosophs and the curious can be happy with it. Voltaire notes, however, that a good apothecary would have said more and demonstrated the superiority of ‘mânne grasse’ over ‘mânne maigre’.

He then goes on to say that he is very happy to be in Lausanne when d’Alemberts theologian is in Geneva. He remarks upon d’Alembert’s saying that he might see the lake again this winter, noting that he should come and bring Diderot with him so that they may play his Les Fils naturel.

Voltaire ends by asking d’Alembert to tell Madame Du Deffand that he is thinking of her even though he does not write, and to pass on his compliments to President Henault.

Voltaire begins by noting that he is sending back the article ‘Histoire’ for the Encyclopédie (as he promised to do in D7093). He states that he is afraid it is too long as it is a subject upon which it is difficult not to write a book. He then asks if d’ Alembert has an ‘idole’ and ‘idolâtre’, noting that this is a subject they have not yet discussed, noting his dislike for idols and discussing the ways in which people have treated wood and stone as if they were saints. He concludes that the subject is delicate but contains many good truths. Voltaire ends by asking how d’ Alembert has time to read his letter when the dictionary of the universe rests in his arms, sending him best wishes for the new year from himself and Marie-Louise Denis.

Voltaire begins by saying that d’ Alembert has reassured him about the article for the Encyclopédie titled ‘Femme’. He then discusses the processes of creating such articles, questioning if there should be guidelines with regards length as d’ Alembert has complained of vague and methodless dissertations that several individuals have submitted to him. He asks why d’ Alembert did not issue authors with protocols regarding etymology, definitions, examples, reasons, clarity, and brevity stating that though he saw only a dozen articles, he could not find any of the above in them. Voltaire concludes, however, that such questioning wrongs d’ Alembert as there are bad soldiers in the army of a great general.

Voltaire then states that if he were in Paris, he would spend all his time in the king’s library so as to aid d’ Alembert in his Encyclopédie. He adds that he is interested in the work as it honours his homeland and is useful for the human race, but that he does not have access to any of the necessary books.

He then turns to the civil unrest in France and the civil wars of Germany, which he dubs sad and awful respectively. He notes that the next campaign will likely be a bloody one. Voltaire then mentions La Pucelle, noting that the ‘infamous’ edition afflicts him. He sends his and Madame Denis’ love, before concluding that the has received the entry for ‘Histoire’ and will return it in five days time.

The collection includes remarks on the preliminary discussion in l’encyclopédie, the 4 embarras by Voltaire, poetic arts (both tragedy and comedy), Epître à Eglé, Zéphyr et Flore, and Titus et Tibérinus.

Voltaire writes that Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand’s memory and kindness give him many regrets, adding that he is like an enchanted knight reminded of their country in the Palace of Alcine. Voltaire then discusses his leaving Paris, noting that his life now is happy as he free to think, write, and say what he pleases in Potsdam. He adds that he is fortunate to eat strawberries, peaches, grapes, and pineapples in January. Voltaire then notes that he misses du Deffand, d’Alembert, and President Henaut, and asks du Deffand not to show this letter to anyone but the two aforementioned men. He briefly discusses the opinions of the Sorbonne towards Buffon.