Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Jean-Antoine-Nicolas De Caritat (Marquis De) Condorcet, dated 18 July 1774 [D19028]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36726
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.100), ‘A M. le marquis de Condorcet, 18 juillet 1774 (M. 9136)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Jean-Antoine-Nicolas De Caritat (Marquis De) Condorcet, dated 18 July 1774 [D19028]
Collection(s):
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Je suis confus, Monsieur, et pénétré de reconnaissance.
Incipit Modernised:
Je suis confus, Monsieur, et pénétré de reconnaissance.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Jean-Antoine-Nicolas De Caritat (Marquis De) Condorcet, dated 18 July 1774.
Detailed Summary:
In this letter, the writer expresses profound gratitude and humility for the kind words received from Monsieur, emphasising the value of such sincere expressions of friendship. They also voice disdain for the contemporary literary scene and its lack of appreciation for true talent, lamenting that only superficial works seem to gain favour. Additionally, the writer reflects on the unfortunate circumstances of Mr de Laharpe and others in their time, while noting their relief at the dismissal of a deceitful legal case. The letter concludes with a request to retain Monsieur’s favour, which the writer finds deeply comforting.
Keyword(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
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. Furthermore, the envelope is marked with the address ‘A Monsieur Monsieur Le Marquis De Condorcet, etca’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
18 July 1774
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:
125, p. 57–58
OCV Manuscript Reference:
125, ‘MS2’, p. 58
Record created by:
Record created on: