Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 11 February [March] 1775 [D19369].
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36695
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.53), ‘Au roi de Prusse, 1er février 1775 (M. 9323)’
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 11 February [March] 1775 [D19369].
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Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Sire, Vous m’accablez des bienfaits les plus flatteurs.
Incipit Modernised:
Seigneur, Vous m’accablez des bienfaits les plus flatteurs.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 11 February [March] 1775.
Detailed Summary:
The author expresses profound gratitude for the king’s generous favours, which have brought joy to his final days. He admires the king’s literary talent and his protection of the oppressed Morival, while expressing disapproval of Morival’s pursuit of a pardon, deeming it demeaning. Instead, he emphasises Morival’s talents and loyalty as worthy of royal service. The author also reflects on his own commitment to remain in the Alps rather than returning to Versailles, expressing deep respect and regret at not having spent his final years in closer proximity to the king, whom he greatly admires. Furthermore, the day and month are in Voltaire’s hand, the year in Wagnière’s. According to T. D. N. Besterman, the letter is written in March 1775.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
2
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Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
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History
Date:
11 February [March] 1775
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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:
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