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 notes were produced by an unknown transcriber and are undated.

The receuil contains letters to and/or from the following individuals:

• Catherine II of Russia
• Claire-Joseph-Hippolyte Legris de Latude, Mlle. Clairon
• Frederick II of Prussia
• Marie-Thérèse Geoffrin
• Frédéric-Melchior, baron de Grimm
• Adrienne Couvreur
• Voltaire.

The text notes that Quintus Curtius made Alexander the Great write a letter to Darius. In the letter, it was remarked that the world cannot endure two suns or two masters and Voltaire questions whether this was actually written by Alexander or not. He quotes Don Japhet of Armenia, the fool of Charles V, before questioning Titus Livius’ habit of attributing speeches to his heroes. Voltaire adds that he would harangue Livius and tell him that if he wants to write history he should tell only the truth. In the conclusion of the passage, Voltaire discusses Thalestris, queen of the Amazons who met with Alexander on the banks of the Tanais and asked him to give her a child.

The variants in this draft were introduced in the Kehl edition.

The writer expresses both regret and gratitude for the letter and instructions received, acknowledging that earlier access to these documents would have allowed for a more timely recognition of the recipient’s achievements. They reflect on the complexities of historical events, particularly the issues surrounding the siege of Pondicherry and the subsequent trial of General Lally, and express a belief that earlier intervention in the Brazilian campaign might have yielded better results for France. Despite their own age and health limitations, the writer pledges to diligently use any future opportunities to address the issues raised, and requests the recipient’s opinion on the trial and the conduct during the siege.

The author of the billet asks rhetorically what can be said of the author of the Epitre d’Uranie. They note that he is aa poet, historian, critic, and on all subjects can showcase his genius.

Knebel reflects on troubled times and concludes that he thinks he will be spared from the wild hoards for a while. He notes that he usually only reads serious history now, before turning to the politics of Jena and Bavaria. Knebel then turns to an engraved imprint of some strange manuscripts which appeared in the MBI (No. 44) as a supplement to the display of E. Hocquart titled, ‘L’art de juger du caractère des hommes sur les écriture’. Amongst these strange writings were manuscripts by Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Elizabeth I of England. A copy of the work mentioned, along with reproductions of the “strange” manuscripts may be found here: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k58163641

The notes concern European vital statistics and are followed by anecdotes about individuals including Cardinal Mazarin and the Duke of Buckingham.

Voltaire begins by noting that he is sending back the article ‘Histoire’ for the Encyclopédie (as he promised to do in D7093). He states that he is afraid it is too long as it is a subject upon which it is difficult not to write a book. He then asks if d’ Alembert has an ‘idole’ and ‘idolâtre’, noting that this is a subject they have not yet discussed, noting his dislike for idols and discussing the ways in which people have treated wood and stone as if they were saints. He concludes that the subject is delicate but contains many good truths. Voltaire ends by asking how d’ Alembert has time to read his letter when the dictionary of the universe rests in his arms, sending him best wishes for the new year from himself and Marie-Louise Denis.