Jeanne Julie Éléonore de Lespinasse opens by stating that she encloses a letter from Rousseau that had been recently published, adding that she approves of him having written the letter as it was necessary for his peace of mind and for disdaining the approval and blame of fools or jealous people. She notes that Turgot has surely read his Contract social, adding that it would be imprudent to send a copy but that she saw a copy for sale in the antechamber of M. le Dauphin the other day. She then goes on to discuss her concerns over the fragility of peace before going on to discuss Madame Du Deffand’s opinion of Antoine-Léonard Thomas. She adds that she encloses an epistle from Frederick II of Prussia. Throughout the letter, she quotes heavily from D’Alembert, Frederick II of Prussia, Madame Du Deffand, and Voltaire.

Voltaire thanks Guazzesi for sending him a book [Guazzesi’s translation of Alzire, published together with Racine’s Iphigenie in 1762], adding that he is too ill to thank him in his own hand, the letter instead being written by his secretary. Voltaire goes on to say that Iphigenie was worthy of being translated by Guazzesi, but that the translator does others [Voltaire] too much honour. He then turns to Guazzesi’s poetry, remarking that his compositions are instructive and agreeable, before speaking of the ancient Romans, noting that they had an unrefined sense of humour. He adds that he can see the mountains that were crossed by Hannibal through his windows.

Price discusses various literary works, stating that the recipient had been unfair in comparing an ode titled Europe Rediviva to a work which had inspired the likes of Wordsworth and Coleridge. He goes on to discuss the nature of literary fame and how this can influence contemporary readers of anonymously published words, recounting an anecdote about Voltaire. He reveals that the author of Europe Rediviva is Henry Gally Knight and asks if this changes her perception of the poem. He concludes with a discussion of his ill health and the ineffectiveness of various diets that he has attempted.

Dunlop begins by discussing the snow storm which had prevented Burns from coming to see her, before imploring him not to edit ‘the New Year’s Day piece’ that he had written for her because addresses to friends should be spontaneous and uncorrected. She adds that her time will be occupied by sewing shirts for her son, so she will not write to him for a while, before stating that she had hoped to get Burns a copy of Voltaire’s La Pucelle d’Orleans but had heard such terrible reports of its character that she feared it should neither pass through her own or his hands. She concludes by noting that she met his favourit, James Adair.

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.

Dunlop begins by explaining why Burns’ last letter offended her, noting that some of his poems were unfair to women and left her feeling mortified and degraded. She adds that in writing in this manner, he has destroyed a scheme she had for his advancement because this scheme involved a number of respectable ladies. Dunlop then remarks that she had been told that Voltaire read all of his manuscripts to an elderly woman, and only printed that which she approved off, adding that she wished Burns had cast her in this role. She concludes by asking if there are still books for sale from the last print run, and quotes Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Schiller begins by saying that Körner will not come to Lauchstädt and that he will not travel their either because of his poor health. He then addresses Goethe’s translation of Voltaire’s Tancrède, stating that the freedom Goethe has demonstrated suggests that he will go a step further than he did with Mahomet. He notes that Goethe’s intention to use choirs in the theatre will be an important experiment, and adds that he hopes to present his finished version of La Pucelle d’Orleans upon Goethe’s return. He concludes by discussing his collection of poems and suggests that Goethe could get finished printed sheets of them.

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 compilation is a collection of 122 épîtres, épigrammes, épitaphes, chansons, discours, répliques, and contes by a variety of authors. The works of Voltaire are especially prominent. The collection also includes a letter from Voltaire to Jean André Deluc, dating to February 1767 [D13961]. The texts range in date from 1747 to 1785, and some of the chants have staves of music drawn in to accompany them.

The majority of the letter is a copy of Voltaire’s Epitre. LXXXI A Monsieur le Cardinal Quirini which the author of the letter notes is written by an author that Longchamps has tender respects for.