The MS forms part of a recueil created by Antoine-René d’Argenson, marquis de Paulmy in the eighteenth century. Also included in the volume are:

• De l’examen de la religion
• Réflexion sur l’existence de l’âme et sur l’existence de Dieu
• Traité de la liberté, divisé en quatre parties
• Réflexions sur l’argument de M. Pascal et de M. Locke, concernant la possibilité d’une autre vie à venir
• Sentiments des philosophes sur la nature de l’âme

Also included in the recueil are:

• Lettre du roi de Suède aux États généraux du royaume assemblés, 1756
• Lettre du roi de France à l’archevêque de Paris pour chanter le Te Deum à l’occasion de la prise du fort St-Philippe, undated
• Extrait du mandement de M. l’évêque de St-Malo, à l’occasion de la conquête de l’isle Minorque, 1756.

The copy forms part of a recueil of of copies of letters and fugitive pieces composed by, or written about, Voltaire. The pieces are a mix of poetry and prose.

The MS forms part of a recueil compiled by Charles-Marie Fevret de Fontette (1710-1772). In the recueil, the piece features in a section titled ‘Psaphon, par Voltaire. – Le règne de Louis 14. – Apologie de Louis 14. – La Crespinade, ou le portrait de Roy, par Voltaire. – Réconciliation de Rousseau’.

A second hand has added a list of characters to the MS.

This MS copy represents the final entry in a bound volume, falling after Samson and Eriphyle. The volume is collectively titled ‘Supplément aux œuvres de theatre de M. De Voltaire’ and forms part of the d’Argenson collection. The MS appears to be related to those sent by Lacombe to Voltaire in 1775, and may be their source.

This copy is lacking the commentaries on the plays, ending at l.346. It includes variants not found in other manuscript copies or the 1739 editions of the text at ll.73-75, 98, 115-116, 166-167, 170-172, 210-211, 243-245, 251-257, 278-279, 287, 307-308, and 312-319.

The MS forms part of a recueil of fugitive poetry and letters composed by, or concerning, Voltaire. The collection is written in a variety of hands.

The copy is found in a recueil of diverse theatre parts taken from a number of plays. The plays all seem to have been performed at the Château de Berny, home of the comte de Clermont.