This manuscript is part of a collection of poems with titles owned by David Garrick. It is possibly in the hand of Elizabeth Montagu.

The extracts are gathered under such headings as Comedy, Humour, Wit, Farce, Ridicule, Raillery, and Causes of Laughter. The object of the collection appears to be the formulation of definitions and critical principles. Shakespeare figures prominently

The letters to Astle (1-12) refer to Percy’s collection of all kinds of popular literature. Accompanying (2) is a list [in Richard Farmer’s hand] of songs from Shakespeare. On the back of (5) is a deleted poem beginning, Be it ryght or wrong. In (6) and (8) he refers to Garrick’s collection of old plays. In (11-12) he discusses Mr. Rowley, i.e. Thomas Chatterton. In (13) he mentions the edition of Shakespeare that Malone is preparing. Also, copy of a letter from R. Rolt to Voltaire, August 7, 1750, and Flavia, an elegiac poem, beginning Beneath the shelter of an aged Oak, in Percy’s hand. Poems listed in the Folger card index of first lines.

Mrs. Pye seems to have been one of Mrs. Garrick’s consultants on Paris fashions. In her letter to Garrick, no. 34, November 21, 1774, she also comments on the French theatre and opera, Préville and Mlle. Rocourt, her visit to Voltaire who spoke with approval of Garrick’s alteration of Hamlet; she had seen Foote and heard a rumour that Bickerstaffe had brought out a comic opera at Marseilles. In no. 33, September 17, [1776], she writes of having called on Mrs. Montagu. In no. 35, February 8, 1779, she writes on the death of Garrick.

The letter discusses Shakespeare. Corrections, which may be in Voltaire’s hand, were in part adopted in the print edition of the text.

Pyat suggests parallels between art and politics, and he references several of his own works (Une révolution d’autrefois, Ango, Le brigand et le philosophe, Les deux serruriers, Mathilde, Diogène, Le chiffonnier de Paris). Mentions the 1848 revolution and the Paris Commune. Includes references to Goethe, Shakespeare, Molière, Voltaire, and others. Harshly criticizes the vicomte de Chateaubriand and Victor Hugo.

Giuseppe Marc’Antonio Baretti discusses Voltaire’s language abilities.

The letter is addressed “Madame.” Le Tourneur declares that “The war is open between Shakespeare & Voltaire … Shakespeare is good for defending himself.”.

Hannah Norsa writes that she cannot scold in French and asks why Macklin has not answered her last two letters. She adds that she is disappointed to hear that Macklin was flirting at the Jubilee, and mentions seeing Voltaire. Norsa concludes by saying that it is “agreable [sic] going out hunting with the King and Dutchess de Savoye and dining with embassadors [sic].”

Giovanni Valentino Mattia Fabbroni mentions the recent death of Voltaire and a letter he received from Joseph Priestley.