This copy of the poem is found in a letter from Graffigny to Devaux dated 11 November 1743.

This copy of the poem is found in an autograph letter from Graffigny to Devaux dated 23 January [1743] where it is titled ‘Par Md. la duchesse de Bouflers a Md. du Chatelet’.

Voltaire writes that his distempers and bad eyes do not permit him to answer in the level of detail he had hoped. He writes that he knows nothing of the soul, adding that knowledge of it is the domain of young scholars and priests. He ends by saying that he has great regard for Boswell and would be delighted to show him his respect and obsequiousness (if he is still alive) the next time Boswell comes to Ferney.

A poem written by Voltaire to Henry IV on the occasion of the death of his son, the Dauphin.

The verse is taken from the last four lines of ‘Stances irrégulières. A F.A.A.R. la princesse de Suède, Ulrique de Prusse’ dated January 1747.

Voltaire says that Boswell will do them much honour and pleasure, adding that they have few beds but that he will not be made to sleep on two chairs. The letter continues as if written by Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot], with it being stated that ‘My uncle, tho very sick, hath guess’d at yr merit.’

Marmontel mentions various new works and the Jesuits of the faubourg Saint-Antoine. He writes that he wants to see a theatrical production called ‘l’Ecossaise’.

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.

Boswell writes that the politeness with which he was received at Ferney has never faded from his memory, adding that he often recalls with pleasure the time he spent with Voltaire. He remarks that his travels since his last letter in Napels [D12525] have given him lits of idea to mull over. Boswell recalls his time spent in Corsica, noting that General Paoli is an extraordinary man, and the people brave for vindicating their liberty ‘with as much real spirit as was ever found in antiquity’. He adds that he is writing an account of Corsica with memoirs of General Paoli which will be published next winter, noting that David Hume has taken charge of this publication as he cannot be in London himself. He asks what Voltaire thinks of the Corsicans and asks why he does not write on them. Boswell concludes by stating that he is now to stay in Scotland for half a year as an Advocate, and the other half as a country gentleman, and sends his regards to Marie-Louis Denis [née Mignot] [née Mignot] and Pére Adan. In a postscript, he adds (in French) that he dares not write to Voltaire in French because he feels it better to write in one’s own language, even when you know another, and even more so when you know very little.