The receuil contains letters to and/or from the following individuals:

• Catherine II of Russia
• Claire-Joseph-Hippolyte Legris de Latude, Mlle. Clairon
• Frederick II of Prussia
• Marie-Thérèse Geoffrin
• Frédéric-Melchior, baron de Grimm
• Adrienne Couvreur
• Voltaire.

A biographical account of Voltaire, detailing his appearance and his devotion to his works.

Reinhard apologies for his delayed response and thanks Goethe for sending some of his writings. He praises Goethe’s biography and talks of having devoured it, before reflecting on the past. He suggests that today’s youth have it harder in the face of the destroyed values, if they want to settle at home on the barrier-free realm full of rubble, on desecrated ground. Reinhard goes on to speak of his literary studies in youth, noting that he read Voltaire’s writings as well as the excerpt from the general world history; his mother forbade him to read novels and other “bad” books. He then turns to German readers, who for some time, he remarks, have become such a shasty, grumpy, attitudeless and shapeless monster. He goes on to discuss literary and political matters, and especially about the growing tensions between England and France.

Prince August apologises for the late return of his family book on the part of himself an the undersigned (W. Schlick, M.A. von Thümmel, Frackenbergs, and S.), making especial note of an entry by one ‘S.S.’ dated 8th April. He notes that he recruited a well-known prosaic and poetic writer, Voltaire, whom he highly values for the performance, quoting from Voltaire’s Stances Irregulières. He then turns to politics, mentioning Napoleon, before returning to the family book, noting that nobody understood the deep meaning of S.S.’s entry for they could not recognise the forest for the trees. He ends with references to the witch’s meal in Faust.

Reichardt opens by noting that he has sent Goethe copies of various works including Winkelman’s letters and J.E. Biester’s letter. He goes on to discuss the judgements of Duke Friedrich von Braunschweig-Oels about the princess who, he notes, is like Frederick II of Prussia, Voltaire, and Maupertuis in that she is now the subject of conversation. He suggests staging Claudine von Villabella for her birthday on the 15th. He then goes on to give an account of the current political situation, discussing various political figures including Napoleon and the Prussian king, as well as the kidnapping of an English businessman, Sir G. B. Rumbold.

Frederick begins by saying that he hopes the marquis has a peaceful summer, before moving on to political matters. He discusses the negotiations between the French and the English, and criticises Voltaire for his desire to become rich.

In the letter, Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian discusses gossip concerning his aunt, and Voltaire’s niece, Marie-Louise Denis, and speaks of postponing the publication of Estelle because of the tense political situation. He concludes by discussing the difficulties he has faced with book shops.

Voltaire opens by saying that the recipient makes his heart bleed with the news that the Duc de Bourgogne is near death, and that the Duc de Berry is afflicted with the same illness. He adds that he does not want to believe it because the news is too distressing. Voltaire then turns to political concerns, discussing the Congress of Breda and negotiations of peace with England. He ends by saying that he has read Spartacus, leant to him by Mr. Saurin, writing that it is not touching but contains some beautiful moments.

~With thanks to Rumi Kitahara for her assistance in identifying this manuscript.

The book opens with a preface entitled “avertissement”, that can be translated as follows: “this collection volume contains the elite of the best anecdotical songs from the ministry of the Cardinal de Richelieu until now: attention was paid to the accuracy of the names; to the order and faithfulness of periods, and of interesting facts; to the correctness of the marginalia […].” The collection covers mostly the reign of Louis XIV of France and the beginning of the reign of Louis XV of France. The songs seem to mock a wide range of subjects, but focus predominantly on the aristocracy, the court, the government, and the clergy, and refer to many current scandals, military events, and political affairs. Many songs are quite bawdy, especially the songs relating to ladies of the court – the three mistresses of Louis XIV (Louise de La Vallière, Madame de Montespan, and Madame de Maintenon) are well represented there. At pp. 510-515 there is also a song entitled “Autres Mirlitons” on the subject of homosexuality, with marginal notes explaining that it is “about the young lords of the court”. Some other noteworthy songs include:
– songs about John Law (1671-1729), the Scottish economist who was a minister under Louis XV; the annotator notes how he was apparently hanged in effigy in London after he was condemned for murder.
– a song at pp. 525-531 that has a reference to Mississipi, and one at pp. 381-388 to the Goa Inquisition (the Portuguese Inquisition in India).
– a song at pp. 553-554 about the philosopher Voltaire relating to his altercation with the Chevalier de Rohan in 1726.
– songs about Jansenism, and (at pp. 557-559, 565-567, 579-582) on the recent Cadière affair (1730-31), the scandalous case of a Jesuit confessor who was accused of sexually abusing a young female penitent, whom he in retaliation accused of witchcraft.

This letter was written the day after Damien’s attack against Louis XV. Racine begins by noting that he has received the verses that the recipient attached to their last letter, but is still awaiting the beinning of the work from one of the recipient’s friends. He then responds the the article on Roussea that was recently published in Bayle’s supplement, describing it as ‘impertinent’. He adds that he has contributed a letter to Trévoux’s second memoir of the month which argues that the slanders against Roussea insighted by hatred deserve only contempt. He then discusses recent disturbances and the emergence of horrible posters, before stating that he hopes for a peace that he fears is very far away. Racine then turns to the attack of Damiens which took place the day before, noting the king’s words: ‘If the blow comes from abroad, it is only a scratch. If it comes from my people, it is a deep wound.’ Finally, Racine discusses the seventh volume of Voltaire’s l’Histoire universelle. He remarks on the boldness of Voltaire’s reflections and the liveliness of his style which combined make his writings readable, adding that he imposes on the great number of ignorant people but will never impose on the learned who will not seek the truth of history from him.