The manuscript is an autograph letter written in response to D16563. Dorat reflects on the badly intentioned individuals adamant to antagonise Dorat and Voltaire, with their efforts proving fruitless. The manuscript is accompanied by Dorat’s epistle dedicated to Diderot. On the 19th mme Gallatin wrote to Frederick of Hesse-Cassel ‘Nôtre ami [Voltaire] se porte bien, il m’envoya tout de suitte des plantes de Légumes pour rétablir mon jardin [after its destruction by the storm]. Pour des fruits malgré L’envie que j’aurois d’en manger il faut m’en passer, il n’en reste nulle part.’ Nôtre ami m’a chargé de vous présenter son profond respect. Mon marie et mes filles prie Vôtre Altesse Sérénissime de recevoir les leurs. Vous recevrez incessamment les deux premiers Tomes de L’anciclopédie, vous les aurez 15 jours avant personnes au monde (h*, Marburt). Enclosed with the first volume, received 9 January 1771, was the following note ‘Son Altesse Sérénissime est priée instamment que ce Livre ne sorte pas de ses mains pendant 3 semaines ou un mois. Je n’ay pas pûs L’avoir sans cette condition, La chose étant de la plus grande importance pour notre ami. Je ferois partir les 2 autres volumes successivement dans peu de jours. Mille respects’ (h*, Marburg).

Authors featured in the collection include Voltaire, S.H. Vernede, d’Alibrac, J. Cats, Rhijnvis Feith, P. Boddaert, and H. Poot.

The recueil largely consists of satirical political songs, most of which are accompanied by a musical score and date to 1600-1745. The subjects of these works include: courts and courtiers of Henry IV, Louis XIII, Louis XIV, and Louis XV; the Fronde; and other political events of the 17th-18th centuries. The last volume contains a collection of epigrams, 1758-1759 and undated, some attributed to Voltaire.

The letters concern Voltaire and other historic characters, with transcripts of letters and verses by Voltaire, as well as several epigrams and dramatic literature.

The text is hostile towards Prussia. At the end of the text, there is an epigram attributed to Voltaire.

The commonplace book contains handwritten selections of verse, including some by Voltaire, maxims, and epigrams. There are also fourteen small engravings of Mademoiselle Clermont, grande route, Henry IV et le paysan, un femme arretée par des voleurs, Henri IV et ses enfans, and others.

The collection includes:
1) Satires, epigrams, sonnets, and other pieces in verse composed by an admirer of Voltaire.
2) Copy of Phillippiques against the Duke of Orleans by Lagrange-Chancel
3) Pieces from the beginning of the 17th century. I) Letter from Marie de Médicis on the trial of the Maréchal de Marillac. II) Some pieces against Mazarin such as “Le Hardy frondeur à Mr le Duc de Beaufort”, and “Sur la retraite des Mazarinettes au Val de Grâce”, or “Verses against Mr le Prince de Condé”.
4) Several pieces in a very free vein, such as “sonnet” and a “madrigal”
5) Several pieces on the Régiment de la Calotte, a facetious and satirical company created in 1702
6) Satires on the Court of Louis XIV and attacks on noble characters of the time of the Fronde. I) “le Roy à mesdames de la Vallière et de Montespan”. II) “Les chambres de la Cour et de la Ville”. III) “Logemens des Dames avec leurs proverbes”
7) “Idée de la personne, de la cour de la manière de vivre du roy de Prusse, 1753”

Included in the collection is: No. 1397, St. George Tucker to John Page, 1791 July 30, 2 pp. Friendly letter; thanks him for Page’s translation of “Voltaire’s gallant Epigram” and discusses same.