The book opens with a preface entitled “avertissement”, that can be translated as follows: “this collection volume contains the elite of the best anecdotical songs from the ministry of the Cardinal de Richelieu until now: attention was paid to the accuracy of the names; to the order and faithfulness of periods, and of interesting facts; to the correctness of the marginalia […].” The collection covers mostly the reign of Louis XIV of France and the beginning of the reign of Louis XV of France. The songs seem to mock a wide range of subjects, but focus predominantly on the aristocracy, the court, the government, and the clergy, and refer to many current scandals, military events, and political affairs. Many songs are quite bawdy, especially the songs relating to ladies of the court – the three mistresses of Louis XIV (Louise de La Vallière, Madame de Montespan, and Madame de Maintenon) are well represented there. At pp. 510-515 there is also a song entitled “Autres Mirlitons” on the subject of homosexuality, with marginal notes explaining that it is “about the young lords of the court”. Some other noteworthy songs include:
– songs about John Law (1671-1729), the Scottish economist who was a minister under Louis XV; the annotator notes how he was apparently hanged in effigy in London after he was condemned for murder.
– a song at pp. 525-531 that has a reference to Mississipi, and one at pp. 381-388 to the Goa Inquisition (the Portuguese Inquisition in India).
– a song at pp. 553-554 about the philosopher Voltaire relating to his altercation with the Chevalier de Rohan in 1726.
– songs about Jansenism, and (at pp. 557-559, 565-567, 579-582) on the recent Cadière affair (1730-31), the scandalous case of a Jesuit confessor who was accused of sexually abusing a young female penitent, whom he in retaliation accused of witchcraft.

Voltaire begins by saying that he is staying at Condrieux. He flatters Servan and asks after his health, before going on to complain about his exile from Paris. Voltaire then asks Servan for advice on which books to read to gain an understanding of the laws of modern governments such as Denmark and Sweden, rather than those of past governments such as Rome and Sparta.

Reichardt begins by raising his objections to Goethe’s last note concerning the representation of Voltaire in Rameaus Neffen, a text after Diderot. He objects to the selection, sequence, and formulation of the characteristics and then questions whether Louis XIV represented the French royal character more that Henry IV. He concludes by mentioning the very active ministerial governments under Mazarin and Richelieu.

Marie-Louise Denis nominates Joseph-Marie Balledier as the Prosecutor of Ferney for an annual wage of 100₶. This is followed by the dismissal of Balleydier on 29 December 1773. Here it is noted that Balleydier was offered 56₶ 16c for the month of August 1773 which he refused to accept. This money, along with an additional 200₶, was deposited with Jean-Louis Raynaud until the affairs were settled. As Balleydier neglected the affairs and wrote insulting letter, Marie-Louise Denis dismisses him, adding that he will not be payed his wages for the past two years as he never presented himself in Ferney during that time except for at assizes for which he was paid additional sums. The remainder of the document concerns the settlement of the dispute between the two parties. The document is bound with a letter from Marie-Louise Denis to Marc Duval, written in the hand of Wagnière from Ferney and dating to c.16 January 1774.

The manifestion discusses Great Britain’s relationship with America, declarations of war, international relations, and piracy.

Voltaire opens by noting that the Marquise has not acknowledged receipt of packages that he sent to her. He states that she needs to become acquainted with the war between rats and frogs, noting that Jean-Jacques Le Franc de Pompignan wanted to succeed Charles-Jean-François Hénault in the office of superintendent to the Queen whilst also being tutor to the children of France, or to put his brother in this position. He suggests that the brothers planned to arm the government against all those they accuse of being philosophers, to have him excluded from the academy, and to have the Bishop of Pui elected in his place so as to purify the desecrated space. Voltaire remarks that he laughed at this and thanks God that he laughs at everything, adding that he only said one word from which sprung twenty pamphlets. He notes that at the same time, La comédia des philosophes was performed, and asks if the Marquise was involved in the piece, noting that he will absolve her if she confesses her guilt. He then turns to the Marquise’s reading habits, telling her to read Le pauvre diable and Le russe à Paris. Voltaire notes that she has been reading Élie Catherine Fréron’s works, which he claims is proof both that she loves reading and that she does not hate rat and frog fights. He concludes by answering the Marquise’s question of what she could do for fun, telling him to come to his house where new pieces are performed, they laugh at the absurdities of Paris, and Théodore Tronchin cures people who have eaten too much.

A text on the history and constitution of Geneva in the hand of Wagnière but not necessarily composed by Voltaire. The text describes the role and function of the Great Council and the relationship between Geneva and France.