Voltaire updates his “dear old friend” on his condition and what he is doing with his life. He begins by saying “We have both begun to be up in age, where it must be carefully addressed to save the rest of the machine.” He then jokes that “I bet that you are drinking wine and champagne while I am drinking milk.” For the remainder of the letter Voltaire talks about how he is translating a Spanish work, he talks of his commentaries on certain works, and he shares some gossip about mutual friends. Voltaire concludes by asking for forgiveness for not writing in his hand, adding that he is extremely weak.