The manuscript is an autograph letter starting with a poem comprised of two stanzas. The main body of the letter reflects on the writer’s stay at the château de Maulevrier and their engagement with Voltaire’s literary works, notably Tancrede and La Henriade. The author also mentions Le sujet de poësie proposed by L’académie française and his unsuccessful efforts in acquiring the dictionaire enciclopédique.

The manuscript is a lettre en vers in the hand of Charles Bordes, featuring a laudatory poem in praise of Voltaire. Additionally, the author discusses his relations with Madame Denis and monsieur de Lécluse.

After Voltaire’s death, Longchamp recalls the time he spent in the writer’s service, which coincided with the Cirey period, including trips to Fontainebleau, Sceaux and Lunéville. The document was edited by Decroix for publication.

The notebook includes a description of the King of Prussia’s person, his manner of life, and court; a letter from Voltaire to Mme Denis, 9 July 1753, and a poem by Voltaire

Voltaire, describing himself as the sick man of Ferney, writes that he believes from a letter sent by the trio that the Count de Rochefort and the old woman ‘Madame dix neuf ans’ will soon be in either Paris or Vandoeuvre as the letter was sent to him from Macon. He writes that he told the travellers that they would not see ‘The Laws of Minos’ because they will be in their quarters when it will be presented. He begs them not to show the ‘Laws’ to anyone other than D’Alembert because, he notes, one must always expect the worst from frivolous, troubled, and mean spirits. He further notes that the copy they have is very incorrect and it will be necessary to redo two pages and, as there are those that seek only to do harm, he asks that they keep the ‘Laws’ private. He concludes by saying that Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] respectfully thanks Madame dix neuf ans/

Voltaire explains that the delay in his response was caused by his Niece’s illness as she was the one transmitting his letter. He discusses the misfortune shared by disloyal people, noting that ‘misfortune lyes on those who violate the laws of mankind.’ He informs Rolt that he can count him in the rank of subscribers as well as in the rank of his friends because he likes his works and way of thinking, and adds that if his health was better he would come to ‘breath the air of liberty in england.’ Voltaire concludes by saying that he his happier in the French countryside than at court and states that he is less proud of his title as a gentleman of the King’s chamber than he is the status of being Rolt’s friend.

Voltaire writes that he is touched by de Laurencin’s letter. He notes that he has been in the Pays de Gex for thirteen years and, whilst he has his fortune, his age, the snow that surrounds him eight months a year, the disturbances of Geneva, and the interruption of trade has made him think of acquiring somewhere in a milder climate. He adds that he was offered twenty houses near Lyon. Voltaire then notes that he would like to live with de Laurencin but there are too many people that depend on him for him to leave Ferney. He notes that he gave his niece the land he lives on, and married a descendant of Corneille to a gentleman from the neighbourhood, with the couple and their children staying in his château. He adds that he also has to attend to two other households, an impotent parent, a chaplain that was previously a Jesuit, a young man whom Richelieu entrusted to him, and numerous servants, and that he must govern the Pays de Gex because the cessation of trade with Geneva prevents farmers from being found. He concludes that he must stay at Ferney, whatever the weather, and adds that his disadvantages are compensated for because he pays nothing to the King and is perfectly free except in the jurisdiction of justice. He thanks de Laurencin again and notes that he would like to send him some books, beginning with a small writing that he has given to Mr. Tabarau to give to him as it is difficult to pass books from Geneva to Lyon.

Voltaire writes that only his old age and languid state could have prevented him from coming to pay court to de Sauvigny and Madame de Sauvigny. He invites them to dine with himself and Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] at their ‘hovel’ at Ferney. He adds that his is distressed to hear of Madame de Sauvigny’s indisposition and hopes that it will not have consequences serious enough to deprive him of their company for dinner. Voltaire ends by saying that he expects them tomorrow at two o’clock.