William Hole opens the letter with a discussion on Mr Heath’s response to Harris’ views on Euripides’ Medea, before turning to Glover’s Medea. He then comments on a faulty translation of Voltaire, before discussing De Guignes’ essay in which he argues that China was an Egyptian colony. Hole then notes that an obelisk with old Coptic characters on it has recently been dug up in Turin, before discussing Floyer Sydenham’s works and health. The letter ends with an account of the fire at the Duke of Norfolk’s palace in Worksop and of the death of Lord Hardwicke’s wife, and a discussion of politics.

The author notes that the Library of San Giorgio contains copy of a rare book on military architecture by [?] Franceri de Marché, published 1559. They make notes on the location and conditions of paintings, manuscripts and sculpture in Venice, mentioning efforts being made for preservation. They then comment on the Venetian government’s apparent intention to abolish every order of monks in the state and the new roads around Turin. The author describes a visit to Voltaire in Geneva, writing that Voltaire is ‘now employed about a Dictionnaire Encyclopedia. It has got to the letter B’. They conclude with a discussion of their return journey along Loire, noting the industries they encounter and describing a visit to Fontainbleau.