Extracts from various prose and poetical works, written in the hand of Lady Elizabeth Bridgeman, including:

• Sir Charles Grandison by Richardson
• The works of Alexander Pope
• Remarks on the Oglethorpe family
• Passage on the duties of a wife
• Passage on the death of Eliza
• Various pieces to be read aloud or acted, possibly in the theatre at Weston, including one mentioning acting and marked ‘spoke by Mr B’ and another mentioning Lady Bridgeman
• Note on Voltaire’s writing of Candide in 2 days.

One (1849) comments on Dean Swift and Voltaire; another (1852) mentions a summer festival in his gardens with 400 guests.

Thomas Seward begins by defending the clergy of the Church of England and the doctrine of baptism against criticisms by the Quakers, before attacking Voltaire for using his ingenuity to undermine religion. He goes on to express concern that Nancy is giving credence to such ideas, admitting that he has not always set the best example but urging her to adhere to the principles in which she has been brought up.

Voltaire writes to Admiral Byng stating that though he is unknown to the recipient, he finds it to be his duty to send him a copy of the letter he has received from the Marshall Duke of Richelieu. He adds that he hopes such a noble and unexpected testimony from one of the most candid and generous men in France will encourage the Judges to act with the same sense of justice.

Maréchal Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd duc de Richelieu writes to Voltaire that Admiral Byng’s fate causes him great pity. He notes that all he had known of Byng was positive and that all of his actions had been admirable. He then writes that it is the opionion of all our sailors that the forces were equal as the English had 13 ships and the French 12 with more numerous and fresher crews, and that chance was on the French side, forcing Byng to retreat as persistence would have resulted in the loss of the English fleet. He concludes by noting that there has never been a more flagrant injustic than that of Admiral Byng, remarking that every man of honour (and particularly every soldier) should take an interest in the case.