Lord Drumlanrig writes to his uncle of personal news and public affairs, including the Battle of Casteldelfino and his meeting with Voltaire.

Voltaire begins by saying that Keate’s friend is about to set out on his journey to England. He adds that he regrets the company of the friend, and that he will regret Keate all his life, before noting that they are in the middle of acting a tragedy [Sémiramis] in which he plays a ghost [Ninus]. Voltaire concludes by saying that he will act very well for he is but a shadow.

The writer describes his current life and medical condition with a blend of humour and resignation. He expresses frustration with local medical practitioners and bureaucratic obstacles, while making light of his own ailments and the often absurd nature of his treatment. He also offers cultural observations, including remarks on popular culinary fashions and contemporary literature, and expresses regret at being unable to visit certain places.

Despite these difficulties, he values his continued friendship with the recipient and concludes with a philosophical reflection on the nature of existence and the importance of friendship.

The writer discusses his varied experiences, including hosting numerous guests and undertaking ambitious projects, which have ultimately led to a sense of disillusionment and a return to a simpler, more reflective way of life. Despite earlier grandeur and considerable expenditure, he now finds solace in philosophical contemplation and values his enduring friendship with the recipient.

He notes the difficulties brought by age, illness, and a harsh environment, contrasting his own situation with the recipient’s need for the vibrancy of Paris. He concludes by expressing deep gratitude and affection for the recipient, set against a backdrop of personal and financial strain.

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.

Voltaire thanks Villette for publically acknowledging their friendship. He then praises Jean-François de La Harpe and his wife who are living with him at Ferney, noting that they are talented individuals.

The manuscript is an autograph letter that attests to a more frequent future correspondence with Voltaire after his loss of two good friends, presumably mme de Feriol, who died on the 2nd, and Maisons, to whose death Voltaire refers in D1006. The letter carries the references to Chubb and Voltaire’s Métaphysique (Questions sur l’Encyclopédie). According to T. D. N. Besterman, Caussy was in the wrong when he suggested that the manuscript carries the phrase ‘On the back of MS1 is a copy of some verses by Bernard’.

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).

The manuscript is signed original in Marie François L’Huillier d’Orville de Marigny’s hand. According to T. D. N. Besterman, the folios are numbered 402-403. In the letter, the author politely expresses his discontent and upset over Voltaire’s lack of communication, opting to blame the inefficient postal service of the day rather than Voltaire’s intentional disinterest. Throughout the letter, the correspondent recounts his travels, the times of ill health, and the war of 1744, incessantly praising the virtues of friendship. Marigny ends the letter expressing his gratitude for the portrait gifted to him by Voltaire in 1751, bearing an inscription ‘Amico De Marigny, amicus of Voltaire’. Additionally, the author adds his ode to the portrait – the 8-line verse, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD.