The notes were produced by an unknown transcriber and are undated.

The copy was made from the 1752 English edition of the work, published in London for J. Nourse under the title: An essay on universal history, the manners, and spirit of nations: From the reign of Charlemagne to the age of Louis XIV. The copy is undated.

The collection includes correspondence with Voltaire (Box 24) and manuscripts/documents associated with Voltaire (Box 30).

The copy consists of ten cantos and is based on the edition of the work published in London in 1728. The copyist is unknown, and the copy is undated.

Included in the collection, in Box 53 are two documents relating to Voltaire:

• Autograph copy of ‘Anecdotes sur l’arrivée du corps de Voltaire á Scelliers par Etienne Faireau’ c.1778. This manuscript was previously part of the library of John L. Gerig.
• Photostat of an autograph letter signed from Voltaire to M. Le President [Ami Camp] dated February 1762. The original copy of this letter is in New York Public Library. The photostat was gifted to Columbia University Libraries by H.M. Judson.

The collection includes miscellaneous letters regarding Voltaire (letter from Jacques Barzun re “Je me tiens”) in Box 82, folder 5-6.