Voltaire states that Perronet gave him a great desire to take the coach to see the Neuilly bridge, adding that he would leave immediately if his age and continual illness did not prevent him from doing so. He notes that it is sad to die without having seen the monuments which make one’s homeland illustrious and thanks Perronet for having had the goodness to have had the drawing of the bridge shown to him. Voltaire goes on to say that he does not doubt that the King will use Perronet’s rare talents for new masterpieces which will immortalise his century and his reign. He ends by saying that he hopes Perronet will include him amongst his large number of admirers.

Voltaire writes that he has always disapproved of Le Préservatif (1738), a pamphlet he had written in response to Desfontaine’s criticism of his Éléments de la philosophie de Newton, denying any part in the writing of the work and the little pieces contained within it, many of which, he claims, were never intended to be made public.

Official approval of the MS has been recorded on p.107 in a note reading: ‘Lu et aprouvé les changemens. A Paris le 8 juin 1779. Suard. Vue l’aprobation, Permis de representer et d’imprimer ce 9 juin 1779. Lenoir.’

The MS consists of five fascicules bound together and was submitted to the censor, Crébillon by the comédiens in 1761. His official approval is noted on the verso of the final leaf: ‘Jay lu par ordre de Monsieur le Lieutenant Général de Police l’Ecueil du Sage et je crois que l’on peut en permettre la représentation. Ce 26 9bre 1761. Crébillon. Vû L’aprobation Permis de representer ce 28 9bre 1761. de Sartine.’