Voltaire thanks Panckoucke for a translation of his poem titled ‘Lucretia’, and for a delivery of books which included a five-volume set of works by Buffon. Voltaire remarks upon the difficulties of transporting items to Geneva from Lyon, and reminisces about a previous visit Panckoucke paid to Ferney.

Voltaire writes that George Keate had informed him that he might have the honour of seeing a very famous lady-captain before his death [D20765]. He adds that he longs after that pleasure and presents his respects to the said lady-captain. This lady-captain refers to the recipient, the chevalier d’Éon who often dressed as a woman when serving as a secret agent and, for a short while in 1760, was captain of dragoons.

Du Châtelet comments that Panpan is taking precedence over her today before offering to pay the marquis de Saint-Lambert a visit. She enquires as to whether or not Voltaire had visited him, and concludes by noting that she has only just received his letter.

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.

Includes letters from: Thomas Payler, Lincoln’s Inn Fields; R Grimston, Cambridge, London and York (5 pieces); John Grimston to Robert Haslefoot; F Best, London and Dalton (3 pieces); R Haselfoot, Boreham; Robert Hildyard, Winestead and Ledbury (4 pieces); Nathaniel Maister, Hull (4 pieces); Simon Kelsey; W Stables, York (7 pieces); Francis Legard, York. Thomas Bridge, Dunmow, Essex (2 pieces); William Leake, Beverley (2 pieces); Joshua Pindar, Grimston Garth; J Bagnall, Donnington (3 pieces); T Hassell, Thop; Thomas Maltby, Hutton Bonville (2 pieces); R Longworth, Chancery Lane; S Harding, Pickering; Robert Bogg, Doctors Commons; Beachcroft, Seward and West, London (2 pieces); John Graves, York; John Grimston to T Worseley, London; Henry Digby, Hutton Bushell; Thomas B Grimston, Cheam (e); Mathew How, Kilnwick; JB Dorado, Besancon; D Legard, Ganton; Henry Maister, Hull (2); Thomas Wentworth, Bretton; James Ryder, Mile End (5); Gregory Cooper, London; Micl Ake, Garton; P Panton, Plas Gwyn; S Hewett, Hull; William Denison, Beverley; S Mills, Norbury; S Butterwick, Thirsk; Jane Grimston, York; HW Osbaldeston, Hunmanby. Concerning: estate (Lund; Beverley; Smeaton; Deighton (right of way for tenant of windmill); Argam; Garton). social and financial affairs (Walter Hardwick); certificate of jury of wold Newton and Fordon relating to condition of water runnel through premises of John Appleby, leading from the town’s Mar, to premises of Robert Whiton; resignation of postmaster of Beverley and recommendation that Samuel Bland should succeed him; price of having gun made; Thomas Grimston at Cheam School; Robert Grimston (ward of John Grimston) at Cambridge University; description of journey to Paris and of famous building there (French); requests for financial assistance to James Ryder Sea bathing; John Grimston to make drawings of fossils and semi-precious stones, for inclusion in a book on Scotland to be published by Paul Panton; Sword of Gustavus Adolphus, together with other curiosities, brought from Germany by Mr Pennant; Militia; Death of Duke of Cumberland; English people in Geneva ‘live all together and seldom speak a word of French’; ‘My son….passed a day with Voltaire…..’-his (Voltaire’s) opinions of English authors. (10 Nov 1765) drainage of Wilfholme; Robert Grimston to travel abroad.

Spencer describes a visit to Voltaire in October 1763 on f.119-121.

Voltaire writes that his distempers and bad eyes do not permit him to answer in the level of detail he had hoped. He writes that he knows nothing of the soul, adding that knowledge of it is the domain of young scholars and priests. He ends by saying that he has great regard for Boswell and would be delighted to show him his respect and obsequiousness (if he is still alive) the next time Boswell comes to Ferney.

Voltaire writes that his distempers and bad eyes do not permit him to answer in the level of detail he had hoped. He writes that he knows nothing of the soul, adding that knowledge of it is the domain of young scholars and priests. He ends by saying that he has great regard for Boswell and would be delighted to show him his respect and obsequiousness (if he is still alive) the next time Boswell comes to Ferney.

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

Voltaire says that Boswell will do them much honour and pleasure, adding that they have few beds but that he will not be made to sleep on two chairs. The letter continues as if written by Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot], with it being stated that ‘My uncle, tho very sick, hath guess’d at yr merit.’