Autograph letter from Voltaire to Nicolas-Claude Thiériot, dated 15 [January 1739] [D1780]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV35890
Repository:
Shelfmark:
Français 12936 (p.23-24)
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Nicolas-Claude Thiériot, dated 15 [January 1739] [D1780]
Collection(s):
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Bibliothèque nationale de France, MF 23570
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
je fais un effort, et je derobe un instant aux douleurs d’une espece de nephretique dont je suis encor tourmenté pour vous dire que ma plus grande douleur est de ne point recevoir de vos nouvelles.
Incipit Modernised:
Je fais un effort, et je dérobe un instant aux douleurs d’une espèce de néphrétique dont je suis encor tourmenté pour vous dire que ma plus grande douleur est de ne point recevoir de vos nouvelles.
Language(s):
In Own Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Nicolas-Claude Thiériot, dated 15 [January 1739].
Detailed Summary:
Voltaire begins by saying that his greatest pain is to receive no news from Thiériot, adding that several of his friends are talking to the Chancellor and everyone serves him [Voltaire] except for Thiériot. Voltaire adds that he does not even know whether or not Thiériot sent a copy of the libel, which Voltaire claims is more against Thiériot than himself, to the prince.
Voltaire notes that he does not know why Mr. Marquis du Châtelet wanted to write to Thiériot (a reference to D1762) and Mr. de la Popliniere. He adds that such a letter was not necessary, but Monsieur and Madame du Châtelet are such lively and respectable friends, that they prefer to do too much than too little. He also makes reference to a letter from Madame de Berniere (D1759), noting that everyone did their duty. He argues that his friendship with Thiériot assures him that Thiériot’s letter will supersede all of the aforementioned correspondence, but concedes that it is 15 January and he is yet to hear from him.
Voltaire then provides Thiériot with the opening lines of a letter he received from Charles Porée on 4 January 1739 [D1741]. In these lines, Porée remarks that he would not forgive himself if he had been cowardly enough and treacherous enough to ever betray in public or in particular the feelings of respect, esteem and friendship that he has for Voltaire.
Voltaire ends the letter by saying that this is how friends behave, adding that he is sure Thiériot’s heart does not need an example and that he looks forward to hearing from him.
Genre(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The MS is bound with other letters in the collection.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
Additions:
A second hand has endorsed the MS as ‘No.*9’ in the upper left-hand corner of p.23 The same hand has also added a bibliographical reference to the bottom of p.23 on the frame in which the MS is held, and a footnote at the bottom of the same page identifying a text mentioned in the letter. This note is linked to the main text through the use of a corresponding symbol. There is are two minor corrections to the first word of the antepenultimate line of p.23 and the final word of l.3 on p.24 in the form of corrected text being written over the top of incorrect text. Much of the excerpt of the letter from Porée to Voltaire has been underlined.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
15 [January 1739]
Ownership:
Owned by Louis-Nicholas-Jean-Joachim de Cayrol.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
Bibliography
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OCV Manuscript Reference: