The manuscript is an autograph letter featuring a décima written in honour of the priest Jeannot. Praising Voltaire’s literary prowess throughout the letter, Kansquer mentions his travels in Europe and Vernay and expresses his hope to have the good fortune of eventually seeing Voltaire in person. The author includes a poetic portrait of a good parish priest Jeannot who had recently passed away, procuring a funeral oration from Cambry de Kansquer.

The manuscript is signed original in Marie François L’Huillier d’Orville de Marigny’s hand. According to T. D. N. Besterman, the folios are numbered 402-403. In the letter, the author politely expresses his discontent and upset over Voltaire’s lack of communication, opting to blame the inefficient postal service of the day rather than Voltaire’s intentional disinterest. Throughout the letter, the correspondent recounts his travels, the times of ill health, and the war of 1744, incessantly praising the virtues of friendship. Marigny ends the letter expressing his gratitude for the portrait gifted to him by Voltaire in 1751, bearing an inscription ‘Amico De Marigny, amicus of Voltaire’. Additionally, the author adds his ode to the portrait – the 8-line verse, with the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD.

The diary includes a short account of a visit to Voltaire.

Voltaire writes that he received Rolt’s letter yesterday, despite it being dated December, detailing two mistakes which meant that the book that accompanied the letter had not reached Voltaire for some time. He adds that he had read Rolt’s ‘curious history’ with great pleasure, noting that he is a good patriot and a faithful historian. He ends by saying that he hopes Rolt has received due praise in England for the work.

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.

Describes his visit to London and the places he visits including numerous museums, exhibitions, theatres and parks, where he has seen famous people including the Duke of Wellington, Duke of Cambridge, Lord Melbourne and Lord Palmerstone. Details his trip to Paris and includes visits to the Louvre, theatres, churches and exhibitions. Describes his visit to Geneva, Milan, Genoa, Leghorn, Florence and Rome with reference to Voltaire, La Scala, Pisa (the Leaning Tower), Tome, St Peter’s, the Colosseum, a climb up Mont Blanc, and Florence.

Richard Owen Cambridge notes that Lord North expects to become Chancellor, before commenting on Frederick Calvert, Lord Baltimore’s travel book. He ends with a comment on Voltaire’s L’Ingénu.

Voltaire writes that he is currently hosting the recipient’s son at Ferney and that he would be failing his duty if he did not write to de Plessis to tell him how much his son seemed to be imbued with a respectful tenderness that he owes to his father, the recipient. Voltaire adds that he was charmed to find all the honest feelings in his heart with the merit and graces of his mind, but that he may have abused the privilege of old age by informing the son of a fault he may have committed, assuring de Plessis that the more the son feels his mistake, the less de Plessis should feel it. He continues by saying that the son tells himself enough that de Plessis’ kindness to him, his place, and his adventure demand of him the wisest conduct, and assures de Plessis that it is sometimes a ‘great happiness’ to make a few mistakes in one’s youth.

Topics include modern theology and philosophy; natural history; antiquarian discoveries and definitions, local history and folklore; travels and voyages; medicine; and music. There are many lengthy musical entries, including a detailed description of the 1783 Grand Jubilee Handel concert and a discussion of early musical notation systems. Identified authors quoted include Bishop Tillotson; Voltaire; Rousseau; Linnaeus; Bougainville; William Stukeley; and William Godwin.