The copy begins at l.244 of the text and runs to l.276.

A leaf containing notes about Madame de Boufflers, attributed to Saint-Lambert, has been inserted between p.76 and p.77.

The MS was composed, according to a notes in Voltaire’s hand on f.79v, f.81r, f.95v, and f.98r, between 6 November 1759 and 12 February 1760. The notes states that the MS was composed at Les Délices. F.1-80 are written primarily in Wagnière’s hand with corrections by Voltaire. F.81-99 are written primarily in Voltaire’s hand. The first half seems to be a clean copy of the text. The second half appears to be a working document.

The text is largely written in the secretarial hand of Samuel Villaume. Voltaire has added corrections throughout.

The letter contains a verse section known as ‘À Monsieur de C…, sur son ballet de ‘Misis”.

The letter contains a poem known as ‘À Madame Du Bocage’.

The letter contains a poem known as ‘A Monsieur D[es] M[ahis]’.