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

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.