Origin: Rome, Italy

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Cardinal Lazzaro Opizio Pallavicini writes that Voltaire died ‘unhappily’ and that his corpse wil be transported to the place of his retirement where, for many years, he ‘let himself be carried away by the license of his unhealthy whim and do great damage to Religion’. He adds that Voltaire also did great harm to his admirers.

Repository: Private Collection
Date: 20 June 1778
CMV: cmv33392

Boswell writes that he was happy to have received a letter from Voltaire, adding that to him receiving a letter from Voltaire was like receiving one from Abraham or Julius Cæsar. He then turns to the soul, noting that Voltaire should speak of it with reverence because the soul is all. Boswell then remarks that he has been in Rome for some time and has become an antiquities and fine arts enthusiast. He adds, however, that he will not comment on Rome so as to avoid telling Voltaire what he already knows. Boswell discusses having spent some time in Naples with Mr Wilkes, and recounts an anecdote Wilkes told him about a lady in Paris who inveighed against the English for their cruelt of disposition in executing Charles I and cutting the tails of their horses.

Repository: Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscripts Library, Yale University, Connecticut, US
Date: 4 April 1765
CMV: cmv33559