The manuscript is an autograph letter discussing erudition, Enlightenment, and religion. It refrences Le philosophe ignorant, Voltaire’s Henriade, Excellent Commentaire sur Les délits et peines, and les Scithes.

Voltaire begins by saying that he is staying at Condrieux. He flatters Servan and asks after his health, before going on to complain about his exile from Paris. Voltaire then asks Servan for advice on which books to read to gain an understanding of the laws of modern governments such as Denmark and Sweden, rather than those of past governments such as Rome and Sparta.

The journal details Morgan’s tour from Rome to London in 1764 and provides details of the imporant persons he met during this time, including Voltaire. He also writes about universities and academies, palaces, cities, travel, and social life in eighteenth-century Europe. The copy of the 1764 journal is accompanied by his daybook of 1781-1788 which contains accounts of his professional activities such as the medical supplies he sold to his patients and the services he rendered.

Rex Whilstler berates Edith Olivier for not writing to him from Rome as she had promised to do, and for not writing to tell him that she had returned ill, despite her not being unwell. He admits his own faults in not thanking her for a wonderful weekend in Wilton and the Christmas present of a set of Voltaire’s works that she gave him. He concludes by speaking of his regret at not giving her a gift or coming to say goodbye to her before her trip.

Letter from Voltaire to Cardinal Domenico Passionei, written from Fontainebleau and dated 12 October 1745.

In 1745, Voltaire attempted to attract the good graces of Pope Benedict XIV through the people close to him, such as Cardinal Passionei. In this letter, Voltaire writes that he received a letter in French from Rome dated 15 September [D3211] that was so elegantly written that he believed it be from one of the best writers in France but from the sentiments he recognised the author as Cardinal Passionei. He adds that a mind such as Passionei’s comes from all countries and must be eloquent in all languages. Voltaire writes that Passionei’s letter redoubles the grief he has had for a long time at not having seen Rome because it seems to him that all French people who cultivate letters should make this trip just as the Greeks went to visit the Egyptians. He adds that he is consoled by the book by the Marquis Orsi that Passionei sent him as it will strengthn his extreme taste for, and little knowledge of, the Italian language. He then turns to literary criticism, noting that he has known for a long time of Father Bouhour’s mistakes and of Despreaux’s unjust severity towards Aristotle and Tasso, claiming that both men only superficially knew what they were criticising and concluding that Despreaux felt Tasso’s small faults too much and did not pay enough attention to his great feats. He then turns to the writings of Passionei, remarking that he sees with extreme pleasure that Passionei is in the midst of cultivating beautiful letters.

Voltaire writes that Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand’s memory and kindness give him many regrets, adding that he is like an enchanted knight reminded of their country in the Palace of Alcine. Voltaire then discusses his leaving Paris, noting that his life now is happy as he free to think, write, and say what he pleases in Potsdam. He adds that he is fortunate to eat strawberries, peaches, grapes, and pineapples in January. Voltaire then notes that he misses du Deffand, d’Alembert, and President Henaut, and asks du Deffand not to show this letter to anyone but the two aforementioned men. He briefly discusses the opinions of the Sorbonne towards Buffon.

Boswell writes that the politeness with which he was received at Ferney has never faded from his memory, adding that he often recalls with pleasure the time he spent with Voltaire. He remarks that his travels since his last letter in Napels [D12525] have given him lits of idea to mull over. Boswell recalls his time spent in Corsica, noting that General Paoli is an extraordinary man, and the people brave for vindicating their liberty ‘with as much real spirit as was ever found in antiquity’. He adds that he is writing an account of Corsica with memoirs of General Paoli which will be published next winter, noting that David Hume has taken charge of this publication as he cannot be in London himself. He asks what Voltaire thinks of the Corsicans and asks why he does not write on them. Boswell concludes by stating that he is now to stay in Scotland for half a year as an Advocate, and the other half as a country gentleman, and sends his regards to Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] and Pére Adan. In a postscript, he adds (in French) that he dares not write to Voltaire in French because he feels it better to write in one’s own language, even when you know another, and even more so when you know very little.

Boswell writes that he was happy to have received a letter from Voltaire, adding that to him receiving a letter from Voltaire was like receiving one from Abraham or Julius Cæsar. He then turns to the soul, noting that Voltaire should speak of it with reverence because the soul is all. Boswell then remarks that he has been in Rome for some time and has become an antiquities and fine arts enthusiast. He adds, however, that he will not comment on Rome so as to avoid telling Voltaire what he already knows. Boswell discusses having spent some time in Naples with Mr Wilkes, and recounts an anecdote Wilkes told him about a lady in Paris who inveighed against the English for their cruelt of disposition in executing Charles I and cutting the tails of their horses.

Voltaire writes that the Duc de Choiseuil was kind enough to send him the documents he needed, adding that he hardly needs anything anymore as the whole military and political history of Louis XIV is printed and that all that remains in Jansenism and Quietism, two topics he notes as being deserving of ridicule. He continues by saying that he wrote to the Duc de Choiseuil to ask him for two or three letters from an Italian man named Giori written from Rome to M. de Torsi in January/February 1699 against the Cardinal de Bouillon, his benefactor.