Jeanne Julie Éléonore de Lespinasse begins by discussing the upcoming coronation of Louis XVI, stating that she suspects Turgot will remain in Paris for it. She mocks the people flocking to Turgot’s house from the countryside in order to secure his friendship. She then goes on to discuss two works that she has been reading: Le Monopole and Voltaire’s Diatribe à l’auteur des Ephémérides. Though she calls Voltaire the ‘viellard de Ferney’, she nevertheless adds that he has the vigour, gaiety, and frivolity of a twenty-year-old. She goes on to note that there are some good things and excellent traits in the work, concluding that what Voltaire says about Turgot’s work is ‘vraiment touchant’.

This MS copy represents the final entry in a bound volume, falling after Samson and Eriphyle. The volume is collectively titled ‘Supplément aux œuvres de theatre de M. De Voltaire’ and forms part of the d’Argenson collection. The MS appears to be related to those sent by Lacombe to Voltaire in 1775, and may be their source.

The commonplace book contains entries on literary gossip, many of which are in verse satirising famous writers dating from 9 February 1762-18 December 1778. Voltaire is quoted numerous times.

The collection features authors such as: Voltaire; Claude Joseph Dorat; Jean-François Marmontel; and Denis Diderot.