Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, written from Ferney and dated 4 September 1773 [D18538]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36689
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.43-5), ‘Au roi de Prusse, à Ferney, 4 septembre 1773 (M. 8922)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, written from Ferney and dated 4 September 1773 [D18538]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Sire, Si vôtre vieux baron a bien dansé à l’âge de quatrevingt six ans, je me flatte bien que vous danserez mieux que lui à cent ans révolus.
Incipit Modernised:
Seigneur, Si votre vieux baron a bien dansé à l’âge de quatre-vingt-six ans, je me flatte bien que vous danserez mieux que lui à cent ans révolus.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, written from château de Ferney and dated 4 September 1773.
Detailed Summary:
The letter is a satirical and formal address to a sovereign, praising their longevity and comparing them favorably to historical figures who died young. The author criticises the French judicial system for its cruelty and advocates for the promotion of a young man, Talonde, who was unjustly persecuted. Additionally, the letter critiques the posthumous work of Helvétius as largely trivial, despite containing some valuable insights. The author concludes by reflecting on the political situation in Europe and returning to a simple, contemplative life.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
Status:
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
3 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Additions:
The MS is a copy of original document: transcription, with a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
4 September 1773
Ownership:
After Voltaire’s death, the MS passed into the ownership of Catherine II and remained in the imperial and then national collection thereafter.
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
This MS was probably taken to St Petersburg by Wagnière in the summer of 1779 along with the rest of Voltaire’s library.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
Fernand Caussy, Inventaire des manuscrits de la bibliothèque de Voltaire conservée à la bibliothèque impériale publique de Saint-Pétersbourg (Geneva, Slatkine reprints, 1970)
OCV Reference:
124, p. 110–112
OCV Manuscript Reference:
124, p. 112
Record created by:
Record created on: