This copy was produced for the Beaumarchais-Kehl edition.

This version of the poem carries the title ‘Sur le poète Roi’.

The letter opens with nineteen lines of verse known as ‘Épître à Monsieur le Président Hénault’. The final seven words of the letter have been added in Voltaire’s hand.

The letter opens with nineteen lines of verse known as ‘Épître à Monsieur le Président Hénault’.

A note at the end of the MS suggests that the text was ‘copié sur l’imprimé de 15 pages in 12.’ An octavo edition of the text is not known, but it is possible that the copyist was referring to a small octavo version. This MS features several variants.

There are no significant variants in this copy of the text, except for the fact that it ends at ‘natif de Montauban.’

Official approval of the MS has been recorded on p.107 in a note reading: ‘Lu et aprouvé les changemens. A Paris le 8 juin 1779. Suard. Vue l’aprobation, Permis de representer et d’imprimer ce 9 juin 1779. Lenoir.’

The MS consists of five fascicules bound together and was submitted to the censor, Crébillon by the comédiens in 1761. His official approval is noted on the verso of the final leaf: ‘Jay lu par ordre de Monsieur le Lieutenant Général de Police l’Ecueil du Sage et je crois que l’on peut en permettre la représentation. Ce 26 9bre 1761. Crébillon. Vû L’aprobation Permis de representer ce 28 9bre 1761. de Sartine.’

There is no cast list given in this MS copy. The play premiered on 3 September 1760 and was performed at the Comédie Française 383 times between 1760 and 1855.