Letter from Voltaire to Louise Honorine Crozat du Châtel Choiseul, written from Ferney and dated 8 October 1770 [D16691]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36724
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.96-7), ‘A Mme la duchesse de Choiseul, à Ferney, 8 octobre 1770 (M. 8042)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Honorine Crozat du Châtel Choiseul, written from Ferney and dated 8 October 1770 [D16691]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Madame, Je venais de vous écrire lorsque j’ai reçu le paquet dont vous m’honorez du 1er 8bre.
Incipit Modernised:
Madame, Je venais de vous écrire lorsque j’ai reçu le paquet dont vous m’honorez du 1er 8bre.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Honorine Crozat du Châtel Choiseul, written from château de Ferney and dated 8 October 1770.
Detailed Summary:
The writer expresses heartfelt thanks for Madame’s recent package and letter, praising her generosity and perceptiveness. He touches on a range of topics, including the harsh treatment of Comtois slaves by monks and his reflections on religious and philosophical issues. With warmth and humour, he seeks Madame’s help in a lighthearted plan to surprise his nephew. Throughout the letter, he conveys deep admiration and gratitude for her, noting that even religious sisters pray on her behalf.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 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 manuscript carries a few autograph additions.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
8 October 1770
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:
vol.121, p.21–22
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.121, ‘MS1’, p.22
Record created by:
Record created on: