The manuscript is an exordium of Voltaire’s poem ‘La Religion naturelle’, comprised of four parts. It is a variant of the poem more commonly known as ‘Poème sur la loi naturelle’, with the incipit reading ‘Oh vous! Dont les exploits…’. In a letter of 22 March 1756 to the Duchess of Saxe-Gotha, Voltaire recalls that he completed his poem while staying at her château in Gotha in 1753. The poem explores the themes of happiness, morality, and natural laws. Most likely the poem is dedicated to the Duchess of Saxe-Gotha. The poem incurred the condemnation of the Parlement de Paris in early 1759, along with Helvétius’s De l’esprit and four other works (D8086, D8137, D8159). Voltaire’s reaction was bitter (D15618).

The manuscript is an autograph letter, written in the hand of Henri Jean Baptiste Fabry de Moncault. The letter expresses gratitude for Voltaire’s feedback on Le Pyrrhonien raisonnable, challenges the Judaic interpretations of The Bible, contests the myths surrounding Moses, and reflects on moral imperatives and religious maxims.

The certificate states that Voltaire follows and observes social and religious laws at the Château de Ferney.

Flaubert writes that he is better, but not fully recovered, adding that sometimes prostrations occur to him where it seems that he is going to die which leave him feeling destroyed. He then notes that he wrote six pages of his La Légende de Saint-Julien, and read a little of Saint-Simon, as well as rereading for the thousandth time the tales of Voltaire. Flaubert then engages in a brief study of morals and comments on the legal affairs of Quimper and the Breton weather.

A wide selection of classical and French authors is represented, including Voltaire and Rousseau. The first two volumes contain general lessons on virtues, moral philosophy, and manners; the third volume covers social classes and the responsilibities of their members, and proceeds to a discussion of political offices and functions. The final two volumes are addressed specifically to “princes,” and contain moral and political lessons appropriate to them, including “de l’importance de la religion pour un État;” “de la politesse,” and “de la consideration publique.”

Différentes notes et lettres sur Beaumarchais, 1773-1789 ;-Printed tract intitled, ” Observations grammaticales et morales sur Figaro, suivies de quelques réflexions sur les trente volumes des OEuvres de Voltaire livrés au public par M. De Beaumarchais,” 12mo, 1785 ;-“Lettres du Sr. De Beaurnarchais au Comte de D’Eon, et les pièces rélatives aux démêlés entre la dite Demoiselle Vergennes et à Madlle. D’Eon, avec les réponses imprimés de Madlle. et le Sr. De Beaumarchais,” 1778 ; with other papers on the same subject.

Notes on theological and moral principles, catechism, epistle to the Romans, comments on Deist writers and extracts from Voltaire. Includes a discussion of the Poor Bill and Cavalry Act.