The poem was written to celebrate the marriage of Élisabeth Sophie de Lorraine to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duc de Richelieu.

The poem was written to celebrate the marriage of Élisabeth Sophie de Lorraine to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duc de Richelieu.

The manuscript is a copy of a letter in Wagnière’s hand. The author articulates unwavering loyalty to the addressee’s brother, Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, and contemplates the prospect of a promising diplomatic encounter between Frederick the Great and Marshal Richelieu to negotiate matters of peace. Whilst MS3 is dated ‘fin de 7bre 1757’, all the editions place the letter in August; this is because it has always been assumed that Frederick’s letter of 6 September to Richelieu (see Best.app.D158) was written in response to Voltaire’s suggestion, but this turns out not to have been the case; MS2 of D7400 is a sheet of paper folded once, thus forming four pages; D7400 occupies the first two pages and the top third of the third page; the draft of the present letter to Wilhelmina follows, Wagnière having inserted a heading at a later date; it is therefore certain that the present letter was written after, probably immediately after that to Frederick. Additionally, according to T. D. N. Besterman, the foliation is 9 (1 f).

Voltaire discusses his dismay at Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] having compromised herself with a gambling den. He writes that he has sent letters to de Richelieu making his feelings about the gambling den clear and places the matter in the hands of God, adding that he did in Zulime as much as Louis XIV and Louis XV would allow him to do. He ends by asking the recipient to put him ‘at the feet of Madame la Duchesse du Maine’, writing that she is a ‘predestined soul’ who will love comedy until her last moment. He advises the recipient to administer her a beautiful play rather than an extreme unction if she falls ill and concludes that ‘one dies as one has lived.’

Voltaire opens by addressing the news that Madame de St Julien is coming to Geneva, stating that he is astonished by and happy about it. He then asks if d’Argental has read two volumes of a work by a ‘misérable’ who argues that Shakespeare is the only good model of tragedy, noting that the author sacrifices the French to his idol as pigs were once sacrificed to Ceres. He expresses particular woe at the author omitting to mention Corneille and Racine. Voltaire bemoans that this author had gotten the royal family to subscribe to his work, asking if d’Argental had read his abominable grimoire of which there were still five volumes outstanding, before stating that they should not suffer this affront. Voltaire then states that what makes matters worse is that he was the first to speak of Shakespeare and show the French some pearls within his collective works (dubbed by Voltaire as manure), adding that he never thought his introduction of the French to Shakespeare would lead to the trampling of the crowns of Racine and Corneille He asks d’Argental to be as angry as he is. In the conclusion of the letter, he discusses plays to be performed in Geneva.

Voltaire opens by addressing the news that Madame de St Julien is coming to Geneva, stating that he is astonished by and happy about it. He then asks if d’Argental has read two volumes of a work by a ‘misérable’ who argues that Shakespeare is the only good model of tragedy, noting that the author sacrifices the French to his idol as pigs were once sacrificed to Ceres. He expresses particular woe at the author omitting to mention Corneille and Racine. Voltaire bemoans that this author had gotten the royal family to subscribe to his work, asking if d’Argental had read his abominable grimoire of which there were still five volumes outstanding, before stating that they should not suffer this affront. Voltaire then states that what makes matters worse is that he was the first to speak of Shakespeare and show the French some pearls within his collective works (dubbed by Voltaire as manure), adding that he never thought his introduction of the French to Shakespeare would lead to the trampling of the crowns of Racine and Corneille He asks d’Argental to be as angry as he is. In the conclusion of the letter, he discusses plays to be performed in Geneva.

Voltaire opens by addressing the news that Madame de St Julien is coming to Geneva, stating that he is astonished by and happy about it. He then asks if d’Argental has read two volumes of a work by a ‘misérable’ who argues that Shakespeare is the only good model of tragedy, noting that the author sacrifices the French to his idol as pigs were once sacrificed to Ceres. He expresses particular woe at the author omitting to mention Corneille and Racine. Voltaire bemoans that this author had gotten the royal family to subscribe to his work, asking if d’Argental had read his abominable grimoire of which there were still five volumes outstanding, before stating that they should not suffer this affront. Voltaire then states that what makes matters worse is that he was the first to speak of Shakespeare and show the French some pearls within his collective works (dubbed by Voltaire as manure), adding that he never thought his introduction of the French to Shakespeare would lead to the trampling of the crowns of Racine and Corneille He asks d’Argental to be as angry as he is. In the conclusion of the letter, he discusses plays to be performed in Geneva.

Voltaire opens by addressing the news that Madame de St Julien is coming to Geneva, stating that he is astonished by and happy about it. He then asks if d’Argental has read two volumes of a work by a ‘misérable’ who argues that Shakespeare is the only good model of tragedy, noting that the author sacrifices the French to his idol as pigs were once sacrificed to Ceres. He expresses particular woe at the author omitting to mention Corneille and Racine. Voltaire bemoans that this author had gotten the royal family to subscribe to his work, asking if d’Argental had read his abominable grimoire of which there were still five volumes outstanding, before stating that they should not suffer this affront. Voltaire then states that what makes matters worse is that he was the first to speak of Shakespeare and show the French some pearls within his collective works (dubbed by Voltaire as manure), adding that he never thought his introduction of the French to Shakespeare would lead to the trampling of the crowns of Racine and Corneille He asks d’Argental to be as angry as he is. In the conclusion of the letter, he discusses plays to be performed in Geneva.

Voltaire writes that although he is almost unknown to Byng, he felt it his duty to send him a copy of a letter that he had just received from Richelieu in the hopes that the judges will do him justice.

Voltaire opens the letter by saying that he is writing to Richelieu on behalf of Louis-Antoine de La Porte, noting that he hopes to see de La Porte soon in Berlin so that he may be shown around the beautiful cellars. He adds that he is very happy to see a Frenchman rule the domains of the King of Prussia and that he is especially delighted that it is de La Porte. Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] then writes that she always sends him her letters to Mr. Cartier and asks that he give her news as much as he can. She notes that herself and Voltaire lead a ‘very sweet’ life in their ‘lovely retreat’ and that they wish him all kinds of prosperity. She adds that she hopes they will meet in Paris as she relies on his friendship.