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 several subjects, including the harsh treatment of Comtois slaves by monks and his reflections on religious and philosophical issues. With warmth and humor, he enlists 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. He closes with a humble and reflective farewell, hinting at his readiness to part with the world.
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: