Theodore Besterman thanks James Mack, the librarian at Lehigh University, for sending him a photocopy of the Voltaire letter in the Lehigh collection [MS ALS Voltaire. 1756 Mar 21].

Yorke encloses two essays. One refers to the merchants trading in the East, and their decision to petition the King regarding the Turkish taxes, ‘avanias’, which have been imposed upon them. The second praises recent British naval operations. Also enclosed is a copy of his letter to Hockersan, in which he requests information regarding an adultery case, between a merchant and his wife. He asks the Academy’s impression of the inscription when they publish a new book of their memoirs, and if Hockersan has access to ‘any manuscripts of note’, particularly a copy of the essays of Voltaire.

The author notes that the Library of San Giorgio contains copy of a rare book on military architecture by [?] Franceri de Marché, published 1559. They make notes on the location and conditions of paintings, manuscripts and sculpture in Venice, mentioning efforts being made for preservation. They then comment on the Venetian government’s apparent intention to abolish every order of monks in the state and the new roads around Turin. The author describes a visit to Voltaire in Geneva, writing that Voltaire is ‘now employed about a Dictionnaire Encyclopedia. It has got to the letter B’. They conclude with a discussion of their return journey along Loire, noting the industries they encounter and describing a visit to Fontainbleau.