Voltaire is writing to Paradis de Moncrif about the music of his opera libretto, Pandore, for which Jean-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer was supposed to be composing the music. To the proposed title for the work, Voltaire adds in his own hand ‘dans l’absense de l’autheur’. The date line and signature (‘v’) are autograph. The second leaf is blank on both sides.

Voltaire is in Senones undertaking research in the library for his universal history (Essai sur les mœurs). Villaume writes a bibliographic reference at the top of the letter, to which Voltaire appends a quote in Latin, both of which are omitted from published versions of this letter. Voltaire is asking Dupont for information relating to this reference.

Incomplete copy of an article almost certainly written for the Encyclopédie, but which was never included in the published work.

Voltaire writes that Marin has informed him of the service the recipient is willing to render to President Hénaut, to himself, and above all to the truth, adding that for this they owe the recipient their foremost attention. He adds that the recipient is interested in this matter, and that he shall be the recipient’s agent.

Voltaire has added a postscript in his own hand.