Voltaire begins by discussing the succession of Catherine the Great, before going on to ask Cramer for ‘une pucelle’ [La Pucelle d’Orléans], noting that he has given out four or five on occasion. He goes on to note that he has not corrected the sheets he saw at Les Délices.

The diary entry reads: ‘Monday 4 November 1816. “History of the War in Spain and Portugal from 1807 to 1814. By General Sarrazin, one of the commanders of the Legion of Honour; and formerly chief of the Staff in the Corps of the Price Royal of Sweded. Illustrated with a map of Spain and Portugal exhibiting the routes of the various armies. A victorious general has committed no fault in the eyes of the public; while he that is defeated, always becomes an object of censure, however wise his conduct may have been.” Voltaire’s General History Chapter 182. London Printed for Henry Colburn, Public Library, Conduit Street, Hanover Square, and sold by Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh, and John Cummin, Dublin. 1815. I Volume 8 vo. Page 375.’