Voltaire notes that his strongest desire was to be naturalised in England, and that the Royal Society, prompted by Folkes, have given him that great honour. He lists the English writes who have influenced him: Shakespeare, Addison, Dryden, and Pope, and adds that he also entered into the ‘temple of philosophy’ where he admired the ‘altar of Newton’. Voltaire states that he was so bold as to introduce Newton into France, but that in doing so he became not only a confessor to his faith but a martyr also. He then turns to press, bemoaning and satirising its restrictions, and noting that the Royal Society has rewarded him for his sufferings. He ends by paying his respect to the brethren of the Royal Society and stating his desire to cross the sea in order to give them his ‘hearty thanks’.

The Royal Society dates the letter to 29 March 1743, however Besterman instead gives the date as 25 November 1743. As Voltaire was elected on 3 November 1743, we have followed Besterman’s dating here.

Voltaire writes that it will be three months before the Crammers are able to provide copies of the Histoire Universelle, adding that he is working on the text as much as his poor health allows, and that as soon as the work is ready for publication he will try his best to fulfil the wishes of the recipient. He concludes by saying that he wishes he could provide the recipient with more solid proof of the true esteem and feelings he has for them.

In the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s catalogue entry, the recipient of this letter is given as Jean-Baptiste Rousseau. However, in the textual notes of both D8975 and D6577, Besterman instead suggests that the recipient was M. Durand.

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.

Voltaire begins by saying that he is sending Cramer a new Russian chapter. He adds that they should leave Andromeda and run quickly to the Tsar and the histoire genérale, noting that the advent of Catherine and the coming peace are pressing Cramer. Voltaire then notes that he asked Cramer for a copy of La Pucelle, questioning whether or not he has any relics. He adds that he likes to give out copies every now and again and currently has a desire to give out four or five.