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.

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.