The collections includes: ‘Vers de Mr Fred. Hervey, et reponse de Mr. de Voltaire’, 1764, beg. ‘Dix mois Apollon’ and ‘Le soleil des Anglois’ (f.123); ‘La Tactique, par Voltaire’, beg. ‘J’etais Lundy passé’ (f.126).

Voltaire writes that though he is unknown to the recipient, the name of Harley has been glorious among the French for many centuries, noting that a branch of the Harley family settled in France. He adds that he has written and printed a book called the Henriade in which a Harley acts the most noble part, arguing that Sir Robert Harley should be acquainted with him. Voltaire concludes by claiming to have been educated in the house of Achilles de Harley and notes that it is his duty to wait upon Sir Robert Harley, asking that he might wait on him before his book comes out.