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 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.

The writer apologises for their delayed response, attributing it to prolonged illness. They express admiration for the recipient’s poem on agriculture, acknowledging its blend of usefulness and pleasure but critique the adoption of certain agricultural methods discussed in the poem. They also address misconceptions about their previous statements on French Georgics and defend the value of poetry, while praising both the recipient’s and Mr De St Lambert’s contributions to literature. The writer asserts that literature should celebrate different forms of excellence and concludes with deep respect.

The writer expresses deep admiration for the recipient’s poetic work, praising its elegance and flexibility, which surpasses the limitations of the French language compared to Italian. Despite the difficulties posed by the French language, the recipient’s poem achieves a level of grace and artistry reminiscent of Ariosto and Tasso. The writer regrets that their own work, constrained by the seriousness of its subject, cannot match this fluidity but appreciates being enhanced by the recipient’s superior craftsmanship. They express a hope to meet the recipient in their retreat, finding solace in their achievement of elevating a French poem into Italian verse.

The writer informs a cardinal that he has heard an Englishman named Mr Muller claimed in Rome he would bring back the Grand Inquisitor’s ears to Voltaire as a gift. The Pope, in jest, reportedly replied that the Inquisitor no longer had eyes or ears. Voltaire denies having made such a request and clarifies he bears no ill will, not even toward his critics. If the exchange did happen, he includes a light-hearted reply for the cardinal’s amusement, a witty poem addressing the Grand Inquisitor, expressing his own reflections on age and fame. He closes by expressing affection and respect, noting his age and frailty but reaffirming his sincere sentiments.

The writer acknowledges previous correspondence with the recipient and expresses regret that his replies have been limited by poor health and impaired vision. He recalls sending mediocre verses in 1762 in response to the recipient’s superior poetry. He then enquires about the whereabouts of Mr Robinet, a man of letters residing in Holland at the time of writing, and asks after a work by Racine, which he hopes to see before his death. The letter concludes with the writer’s respectful and humble regards.

The verse is against Voltaire and discusses his age, anger, and fears. The author, said to be Dorat, concludes that they pity Voltaire. The verse was quoted in a letter from Marie Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand [née de Vichy] to Horace Walpole dated 15 December 1768.

The author of the billet asks rhetorically what can be said of the author of the Epitre d’Uranie. They note that he is aa poet, historian, critic, and on all subjects can showcase his genius.

The works noted largely pertain to Voltaire’s Siècle de Louis XIV and Siècle de Louis XV.