Voltaire begins by saying that Keate’s friend is about to set out on his journey to England. He adds that he regrets the company of the friend, and that he will regret Keate all his life, before noting that they are in the middle of acting a tragedy [Sémiramis] in which he plays a ghost [Ninus]. Voltaire concludes by saying that he will act very well for he is but a shadow.

Voltaire writes that it is forbidden to pass in front of the house of Mr and Me Galatin along the small path leading to Geneva with either stone or wooden carts. He adds that the first time that this prohibition is contravened, the carts will be seized, and the offenders will be fined at the Château de Ferney.

In his sarcastic and humorous letter, Voltaire opens by saying that the bishops do not want to do good because the worldy people do it, adding that these are pleasant maxims. He asks if Chennevières will have a pension on the condition that he is unhappy, and adds that this is pleasant charity. Voltaire then expresses his wishes that 1760 will be a happy year, noting that God has given ample harvests, de Broglie will give ‘Te Deums’, and that there will be peace.