Voltaire asks for the comte de Podewils’ pardon for sending him some “rags in sheets”, but notes that he has only just received the necessary boxes and does not have time to have them bound.

Marx opens by saying that he has enclosed a photograph for Mrs Beesly. He then goes on to say that the Christian name of Mr. Greenwood is Frederick, adding in French that this is not the Frederick the Great. He continues by remarking that when Voltaire was in his Swiss retreat, he was accompanied by a Jesuit named Adam whom he introduced by visitors by saying: ‘he is not the first of men’. Returning to writing in English, Marx concludes the letter by saying that Jenny von Westphalen will call on Mrs Beesly the following Wednesday at 1pm.