The marbled decorative borders of this manuscript are unusual. The only other known manuscript to include similar borders is a translation of Tarikh’i Iskandar (The History of Alexander the Great) that was copied by Ibn Muhammad Khan Safdar ‘Ali in Kabul on Monday 8th Rabi’ II 1291 AH (25th May 1874 AD). A reference to the Voltaire translation is given in the preface to the Tarikh’i Iskandar: ‘Ibn Muhammad Khan Safdar ‘Ali is to produce this text as well as the History of Peter the Great’, confirming that the two volumes were made in this style at the bequest of the same patron. The Tarikh’i Iskandar was produced in Kabul, Afghanistan while this manuscript was produced in Iran, suggesting that their shared patron was a Qajar figure significant enough to travel with a large enough retinue to include a calligrapher.

Voltaire acknowledges that he received from Monsieur Le Marquis De St. Tropez, via Monsieur Audibert, four hundred and eighty-one pounds and twelve sous, for one year of his annuity, due on the first of May 1775.

Voltaire writes that he has always disapproved of Le Préservatif (1738), a pamphlet he had written in response to Desfontaine’s criticism of his Éléments de la philosophie de Newton, denying any part in the writing of the work and the little pieces contained within it, many of which, he claims, were never intended to be made public.

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.