Alexander Leslie-Melville, 7th Earl of Leven, Lord Balgonie gives descriptions of persons and places he has encountered on his travels, including a visit to Voltaire in Geneva.

The collection includes a copy of a letter from Voltaire to Albrecht von Haller, baron Haller dated 13 February 1759. In the letter, Voltaire sends a certificate [wanting] to introduce Grasset who wishes for recipient’s protection. He then discusses a text printed at Lausanne which represents an abominable libel against the Moors, religion etc. He adds that he thinks recipient should refuse a protection to such a rascal, noting that the author of the libel is a man named Verlecke or Leveche, formerly teacher of M. Constant, and is minister of a village near Lausanne

The author notes that the Library of San Giorgio contains copy of a rare book on military architecture by [?] Franceri de Marché, published 1559. They make notes on the location and conditions of paintings, manuscripts and sculpture in Venice, mentioning efforts being made for preservation. They then comment on the Venetian government’s apparent intention to abolish every order of monks in the state and the new roads around Turin. The author describes a visit to Voltaire in Geneva, writing that Voltaire is ‘now employed about a Dictionnaire Encyclopedia. It has got to the letter B’. They conclude with a discussion of their return journey along Loire, noting the industries they encounter and describing a visit to Fontainbleau.

Papillon writes to the Duke of Roxburgh seeking employment.

James Adam writes about his journey to Paris and tells of the part he played in refuting a statement by Voltaire. He ends the letter by requesting news of Robert Adam’s affairs.