The text describes the many wonders of Catalonia. Voltaire notes that it is one of the most fertile countries on earth and that it is very well located as it has many rivers, streams, and fountains. He proclaims that Barcelona is one of the beauties of Europe and that the country is designed to support the construction of ships. The mountains are filled with marble quarries, jasper ports, rock crystal, and many precious stones whilst the mines contain iron, tin, lead, alum, and vitriol. The eastern coast produces coral. Voltaire then turns to the people of Catalonia, claiming that they have not been made soft by abundance but rather have always been warriors. However, he notes, they have always been subjugated, having been conquered by the Romans, Goths, Vandals, and Saracens. Having shaken off the Saracens, Catalonia placed itself under the protection of Charlemagne. They then belonged to Aragon, and finally Austria under Philip IV. In 1640, they gave themselves to Louis XIII and retained their privileges but in 1652 returned to Austrian rule and sided with Archduke Charles against Philip V in the War of Succession.

The recueil largely consists of satirical political songs, most of which are accompanied by a musical score and date to 1600-1745. The subjects of these works include: courts and courtiers of Henry IV, Louis XIII, Louis XIV, and Louis XV; the Fronde; and other political events of the 17th-18th centuries. The last volume contains a collection of epigrams, 1758-1759 and undated, some attributed to Voltaire.