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 comedy written very quickly – in a fortnight, if Voltaire is to be believed (D8933, D8959). Its style and theme echo those of Voltaire’s earlier sentimental comedies, such as Nanine (1749) with which it also has in common the deca-syllabic verse form.

Documents include many on the administration of the Département du Nord and the departments of the Gironde and Isère in the 1790’s, including certificates of baptism and other documents on questions of residence, and documents on the identification and arrest of emigrés from France. Also included are many legal documents ranging from 1629-1810, including opinions and verdicts in civil lawsuits; documents on issues of inheritance and succession; 18th-century marriage contracts and divorce papers; deeds to houses and land titles; and powers of attorney. Other documents include a military discharge dated 1582, military service and pension records, and other documents concerning the French army from 1710-1815.

Also included are census data for Albania and Dalmatia for 1781; correspondence of various French government officials, from the 1870’s and early 20th century; detailed work contracts for repairs and rebuilding of a chateau in 1803, signed by carpenter Jean Baptiste Echeuvin and by Jean Pierre Fluchaire; the autograph text of an address to the king by Monseigneur Leveque on behalf of France’s bishops in 1735; a chapbook quoting extensively from Voltaire, especially on the subject of women and on Christianity; a book-length manuscript on the Jesuits, written after 1810; manuscript essays on the relationship of church and state, apparently dating from the 18th century; a genealogy of the family Le Brun de Rabot, dated 1826; letters of recommendation for students seeking admission to a school, by Marc-Antoine Jullien; an essay criticizing the Gazette de France and the French government for not upholding freedom of the press, apparently 18th century; and correspondence by various 19th-century journalists on editing, publishing and social matters.

Photographs, apparently of the 19th century, show views of Venice and Avignon. Engravings include views of Amiens in the early 19th century and portraits of French authors René Charles de Maupeou, Paul Deroulède, Victorien Sardou, Ludovic Halévy, Mme. Eugènie Foa, and Othenin, comte d’Haussonville.

Correspondents include Louis Barthou; Henri Rochefort; René-Richard Castel; Barthelemy St. Hilaire; Augustin Louis, marquis de Ximenès; Louis-Joseph de Bourbon, prince of Conti; comte Arthur O’Mahony; Artaud de Montor; Alexis Nicolas Pérignon; Auguste Maguet; Jules Ferry; Miguet, secretary of the Institut impérial de France, later the Institut de France; Jules Michelet; A. Augustin-Louis Laya; Jules Lecomte; Othenin, comte d’Haussonville; Calmann Lévy; Adèle Esquiros; Gabriel, comte d’Haussonville; Etienne Vigée; and Auguste Guinard.

The collection includes: Discourse on the conduct of the Courts of Vienna and Saxony and their pernicious designs against the King of Prussia. Berlin, 1756 (pp. 1-24). Papers referring to the government of Spain during Ferdinand VI’s illness and after his death, 1759 (pp. 25-32). Response of the King to the letter that the Pope wrote to him, asking him for his mediation for the composition of things in Parma. San Idelphonso on August 9, 1768 (pp. 33-34). Consultation of the Extraordinary Council, on the Brief of the Pope about the estrangement of the Jesuits. Madrid and April 30, 1767 (pp. 35-47). Consultation on the populations of Sierra Morena, 1770 (pp. 48-179). Letter from Voltaire to his correspondent in Madrid (pp. 180-183). The present state of the English colonies and thoughts of them. San Lorenzo on October 16, 1772 (pp. 184-245). Royal orders of S.M., on the license for the marriage of the Lord Infante Don Luis and gifts made by the Infante to the bride, 1776 (pp. 247-252). Letter written to a poet by a friend of his living in Madrid praising Carlos III (pp. 253-260). News from Portugal, with quatrains dedicated to the Marquis of Pombal, 1777 (pp. 261-307)
Sanchez Alonso T. II, p. 443, no. 8354.

The commonplace book contains philisophical writings by Voltaire, Sterne, and other on marriage, avarice, revenge, humility.

Extracts from various prose and poetical works, written in the hand of Lady Elizabeth Bridgeman, including:

• Sir Charles Grandison by Richardson
• The works of Alexander Pope
• Remarks on the Oglethorpe family
• Passage on the duties of a wife
• Passage on the death of Eliza
• Various pieces to be read aloud or acted, possibly in the theatre at Weston, including one mentioning acting and marked ‘spoke by Mr B’ and another mentioning Lady Bridgeman
• Note on Voltaire’s writing of Candide in 2 days.

P. Grandey thanks Achard for the parcel and discusses Achard’s view on both a poem attributed to Voltaire and political news from at home and abroad. He enquires after Achard’s health in view of his recent cold and the time of year, and notes that Sir George [Savile, 8th Baronet] is talking of going to London after Christmas, but the newlyweds [Mr and Mrs John Thornhagh] have all they need for happiness at Shireoakes. Grandey reports that the Duchess of Norfolk arrived ‘at the Mannor’ on Friday, and that he is amusing himself by reading letters from Mr Locke to Mr Molineux and ‘Limborch’ and his posthumous works. He asks Achard’s opinion on a poem in Latin called ‘On Molly B– wedding night’, beginning ‘Hic Jacet…’, and remarks that he is worried about his brother’s and sister’s silence. He concludes by writing that it froze hard but did not last, and that Rev. Sutton lent them a French book called ‘les Memoires Tures.’

George Woodward begins by recommending the history of Pampadour by Voltaire. He then turns to Jack’s marriage, which he notes may cause expense to his relatives, and references Mr. Croft’s determined to maintain numbers. He concludes by saying that George has gone back to school, the disorder at Abingdon being over.