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.’

This MS contains copies of three Italian sonetti: one from Giovanni Lami (1697-1770) who writes against Voltaire, one titled ‘Al re di prussia’, and one by Pietro Metastasio (1698-1792).

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.