The letter relates to family affairs. Nathaniel tells his mother that his sister Louisa is content and pleased to attend a dance school, and that he has learned to swim. He mentions his uncles, and notes that he wishes his older sister, Elizabeth, would write to him. A list of Voltaire’s works has been added to the verso of the letter, presumably in his mother’s hand.

The list begins with ‘Epître a Mr le dauphin fils unique de Louis XIV pour un officier invalide, tome 13’ (1706), and concludes with ‘Agathocle, trag’ in 1778. The MS concludes with a brief discussion of Voltaire’s proposals for a new edition of the dictionary.

A copy of Voltaire’s Tancrède produced by one Liégeois who belonged to the 25th demi-brigade of light infantry during the second Italian campaign. He produced the copy after having seen the play performed in Mainz whilst in garrison there. Alongside the copy of the play are also included a leaf with a list of roles, a final sheet with ex-libris and indications on the conditions of writing, and a letter in the form of a fold-out sheet dated 16 August 1838 giving details of the binding that was to be added to the manuscript.

At the back are notes on English drama and copies of Voltaire’s Merope and Alzire, adapted by Aaron Hill.

Celebration of the 192nd aniversary of the birth of Voltaire, the champion of freedom and free thought and one of the most brilliant ornaments of literature. Subscription list to provide a display of fireworks at the summit of Mount Eden on February 20th, the Anniversary Day

The ‘Liste’ has been annotated by Voltaire.