Du Châtelet begins telling d’Argental of a letter in which it was stated that Voltaire would have been arrested a long time ago had it not been for her family’s good reputation. She notes that her protection of him is not infallible and discusses her concerns that it was a member of her family who informed the ministry, likely the Marquis de Breteuil. She questions whether or not she should move to Paris, and asks for d’Argental’s advice.

The letter relates to family affairs. Nathaniel tells his mother that his sister Louisa is content and pleased to attend a dance school, and that he has learned to swim. He mentions his uncles, and notes that he wishes his older sister, Elizabeth, would write to him. A list of Voltaire’s works has been added to the verso of the letter, presumably in his mother’s hand.

Jacobi says that Goethe, like Voltaire and Sophocles, writes his best works between the seventieth and eightieth years. He adds that he borrowed Goethe’s biography from a passing traveler, as the Munich booksellers could not yet get it. He then provides a report on friends and family before going on to discuss Goethe’s writings.