Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 21 June 1775 [D19520]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36701
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.63-4), ’21 juin 1775 (M. 9412)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 21 June 1775 [D19520]
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Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Sire,Tandis que votre majesté fait probablement manœuvrer trente ou quarante mille guerriers, je crois ne pouvoir mieux prendre mon temps pour lui présenter la bataille de Rosbac dessinée par d’Etalonde.
Incipit Modernised:
Seigneur, Tandis que votre majesté fait probablement manœuvrer trente ou quarante mille guerriers, je crois ne pouvoir mieux prendre mon temps pour lui présenter la bataille de Rosbac dessinée par d’Etalonde.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Frederick II of Prussia, dated 21 June 1775.
Detailed Summary:
The author presents a drawing of the Battle of Rosbac by d’Etalonde to the King, highlighting the profound admiration and dedication of an officer eager to serve in such battles. He expresses gratitude for the King’s support and the impact it has had on the officer’s loyalty, who is more focused on serving under the King than seeking any grace in France. The author commends the King’s ability to balance significant matters with personal attentiveness and reflects on the recent less impressive French coronation compared to the King’s impressive multifaceted leadership. He concludes with a declaration of lifelong loyalty and devotion to the King.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
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Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
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History
Date:
21 June 1775
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:
126, p. 68–69
OCV Manuscript Reference:
126, p. 69
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