Fréron seeks to humiliate the critic Jean-Francois de La Harpe who had attacked his recently deceased father, Elie Fréron. He recounts a dinner at the house of Mr. Dorat during which his father was ridiculed, and speaks of his hopes that the recipient can offer a contradictory account. He notes that he has heard from Mr. de La Harpe that they were discussing Voltaire and the unworthy treatment he received from Fréron in the style of his writing. Louis-Marie questions if the recipient ever remembers seeing his father baffled by a philosophy schoolboy, and asks if it was in his father’s character to say: ‘ah, il écrira et Dieu nous verrons’.

The writer muses on the philosophical question of the existence of the soul, likening it to a Swiss captain’s prayer before battle, and observes that the recipient might be indifferent to such metaphysical inquiries. They express concern that their writing might no longer amuse the recipient due to her extensive knowledge. The writer also reflects on the character of the recipient’s grandmother, admiring her wisdom and preference for solitude over societal distractions. Finally, the writer mentions their own struggles with winter and their admiration for the recipient’s grandmother, along with a note on geopolitical changes and their own philosophical stance of enduring patience.

The manuscript is a copy of a letter in Wagnière’s hand. Voltaire reflects upon Epître, composed by Frederick II at Erfurt on 23 September. Addressed to Argens (Œuvres de Frédéric, xii.60), it distinctly portrays his contemplation of suicide; on the 28th the king sent a copy to Wilhelmina for Voltaire, having in the meanwhile sent him one direct (‘je vous l’envoie en vous suppliant d’en envoyer une copie à Voltaire, c’est ce que j’ai fait de même’); see Politische Correspondenz, xv.383; the hc sent to Voltaire passed at the R[ather]y sale, Charavay (Paris 30 novembre 1863), p.32, no.228; Voltaire had endorsed it ‘testament en vers du roi de Prusse, lorsqu’il voulait mourir, en 1757, quelques mois avant Rosbac, écrit de sa main’. Additionally, Voltaire remarks on his addresse’s interest in Antiquity that eclipses prevailing trends and ideas as well as stipulating the caveats of contemplating suicide.

The manuscript is a transcription of an original letter, where Voltaire dismisses accusations of slander against Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis and complains about the unfair treatment by Frederick II, regarding employment and royal pensions. The letter ends with the author fulminating against unsupported accusations about Voltaire’s alleged secularist influence over Frederick II, which spread in the court of Versailles and beyond. Additionally, MS2 may be a second draft, for MS1 is so heavily corrected that Voltaire may well have had Wagnière transcribe it before making a fair copy.

The first item is attributed to Nicolas Fréret, by some believe it to be the result of a joint enterprise between Paul Henri Thiry, baron d’Holbach, J.A. Naigeon, and N. Lagrange. The version included in the manuscript is similar to the edition printed in 1720. The second item is similar to the definition of ‘philosophe’ included in the Encyclopedia, ou, Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métier published in Geneva in 1778. The item is dated 1757. The third item isa letter from Bernard Le Bovier Fontenelle to Charles-Auguste, marquis de La Fare.

Price comments on and mocks the postal system before recommending that Beaumont read Charles James Fox’s speech on the Duke of Bedford. He goes on to quote lines from Voltaire on Greek philosophy and poetry, before returning to Fox’s speech.

In the section of the letter dated 23 February, Jacobi talks about his rejection of Schelling’s speech, quoting a line from Voltaire’s poetry: ‘Tous les goûts sont pour moi respectables’. He discusses the philosophies of Platonism and Spinozism, before discussing news of their mutual acquaintances.

The receuil contains: an anonymous engraving; M. Lavergne, “Les elémens,” from the Mercure de France, January 1754 with added engravings (printed with annotations); “Quelques ana, ou rêveries philosophiques et théologiques” (manuscript); “Lettre sur la création, Par l’auteur de l’idée de la métaphysique, & c” (manuscript); “Daneche-mend-kan, philosophe mogol. Par l’auteur de l’idée de la métaphysique. 1740” (manuscript); Extracts from Voltaire, Montaigne and others (manuscript); “Observations sur l’histoire naturelle” from the Mercure de France, September 1750 (printed text with annotations and added engravings); Alphonse Leroy, “Manière de terminer l’accouchement dans lequel le bras de l’enfant est sorti de la matrice” (printed text with annotations); Soumain, Relation de l’ouverture du corps d’une femme trouvé presque sans coeur (Paris: Nicholas Pepie, 1728; printed text with annotations); “Extrait des anecdotes de médecine” (manuscript); “La fameuse épître à Manon, vulgairement dite l’épître au cu de Manon : par M. d’Arnaud 1772” (manuscript); Le Bon Curé Jeannot et sa servante (Londres, 1784; printed text); Voltaire, Epître à Uranie (printed text with annotations and engraving added); Parapilla, poëme en cin chants (A Florence, 1776; printed text with annotations and engraving added); multiple printed engravings and A madame de … À qui l’on avoit donné le nom de Cu-pie (printed text with annotations); “Dialogue de la main, du pié et de la bouche : par Mlle Des Roches. 1579. Avec un Mussof sur la main. 1777.” (manuscript).

The author expresses deep gratitude upon receiving a porcelain bust from the King, praising it as a nobler gift than any given by other monarchs. He mentions a new edition detailing the life of a celebrated figure who shared the King’s achievements, and suggests that Détalonde Morival could adeptly illustrate the King’s military campaigns due to his remarkable skill in drawing. He requests an extension of Morival’s leave, emphasizing Morival’s dedication and the impact of the King’s support. The author concludes with a reflection on the King’s dual roles as a hero in both war and philosophy, expressing lifelong appreciation.