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Jeanne Julie Éléonore de Lespinasse opens by stating that she encloses a letter from Rousseau that had been recently published, adding that she approves of him having written the letter as it was necessary for his peace of mind and for disdaining the approval and blame of fools or jealous people. She notes that Turgot has surely read his Contract social, adding that it would be imprudent to send a copy but that she saw a copy for sale in the antechamber of M. le Dauphin the other day. She then goes on to discuss her concerns over the fragility of peace before going on to discuss Madame Du Deffand’s opinion of Antoine-Léonard Thomas. She adds that she encloses an epistle from Frederick II of Prussia. Throughout the letter, she quotes heavily from D’Alembert, Frederick II of Prussia, Madame Du Deffand, and Voltaire.
The collection was compiled between 1730 and 1780, though the majority of the collection was formed by 1740.
Lord Drumlanrig writes to his uncle of personal news and public affairs, including the Battle of Casteldelfino and his meeting with Voltaire.
Jeanne Julie Éléonore de Lespinasse begins by discussing the upcoming coronation of Louis XVI, stating that she suspects Turgot will remain in Paris for it. She mocks the people flocking to Turgot’s house from the countryside in order to secure his friendship. She then goes on to discuss two works that she has been reading: Le Monopole and Voltaire’s Diatribe à l’auteur des Ephémérides. Though she calls Voltaire the ‘viellard de Ferney’, she nevertheless adds that he has the vigour, gaiety, and frivolity of a twenty-year-old. She goes on to note that there are some good things and excellent traits in the work, concluding that what Voltaire says about Turgot’s work is ‘vraiment touchant’.
Catherine notes that she has learned that Marie-Louise is going to give her her uncle’s library. She adds that sensitive souls will never see Voltaire’s library without remembering that he knew how to inspire in people a universal benevolence that also comes across strongly in his writings. Voltaire’s library would be sold to Catherine II a month later, with Marie-Louise receiving a payment of 135,000 lt in return in December.
The letter is accompanied by a draft of Marie-Louise Dénis’ reply, and a concerned letter from Alexandre d’Hornoy who writes to the Chevalier de Florian to express his dismay at Marie’s actions, asking de Florian to intercede on his behalf and make Catherine aware of the deep family divisions that the sale of Voltaire’s library has caused. d’Hornoy’s letter was written from Paris and is dated 9 August 1778.
The collection contains poetry by:
The collection includes poems by: