Mallet du Pan writes that Mr. Chirol has informed him about Thoruneysen’s Voltaire prospectus, something he strongly encourages. He adds that such an edition would be do the Swiss press a great honour and that he is delighted that it has ended the ‘villainy’ of those from Lausanne. Mallet du Pan offers his services wherever he might be useful, adding that he spoke to Wagnière a few months ago, and that Wagnière was in possession of several short works that were not included in the Beaumarchais edition. He recommends Thoruneysen contacts Wagnière about his edition, as well as Gabriel Cramer whom he claims also has ‘valuable pieces’.

The variant appears in marginal notes on p.85 of a 1742 edition of the Œuvres melées published by Bousquet. The variant concerns verse 91.

Also included with the MS is a copy of ‘Le plaisier et l’Ennui, fable par m. Drobacq.’

This MS appears to be an early copy of the poem, later revised by a second hand to align with the Louvain edition. More than 120 changes have been made to the text throughout.

This MS contains copies of three Italian sonetti: one from Giovanni Lami (1697-1770) who writes against Voltaire, one titled ‘Al re di prussia’, and one by Pietro Metastasio (1698-1792).

The poem commences on the front pastedown, continues on the verso of the title page, and concludes on the back pastedown. The copy is incomplete and features several variants. The lines are divided as follows:

• Front pastedown: l.1-12
• Verso of title page: l.38-58
• Back pastedown: l.115-132