Autograph letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, written from Les Délices and dated 22 May 1764 [D11883].
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36734
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.118-9), ‘A Mme du Deffand, 24 mai 1764 (M. 5655)’
Title:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, written from Les Délices and dated 22 May 1764 [D11883].
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Vous me faittes une peine extrème, Madame, car vos tristes idées ne sont pas seulement du raisonner, c’est de la sensation.
Incipit Modernised:
Vous me faites une peine extrême, Madame, car vos tristes idées ne sont pas seulement du raisonnement, c’est de la sensation.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Yes
Brief Summary:
Autograph letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, written from Les Délices and dated 22 May 1764.
Detailed Summary:
The writer conveys deep distress at the recipient’s melancholic reflections, acknowledging that although the idea of non-existence may appear preferable to life, the brief span of existence nonetheless carries meaning. He argues that human beings are subject to the same natural laws as the rest of the universe and finds solace in accepting these laws with both courage and reason.
Despite his own struggles and declining health, he takes comfort in their philosophical exchange and in his continued connection with the recipient, whose intellect and perspective he greatly values.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
Materiality Keywords:
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History
Date:
22 May 1764
Ownership:
Origin (transcript):
Origin:
Provenance:
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.111, p.386–388
OCV Manuscript Reference:
vol.111, ‘MS2’, p.388
Record created by:
Record created on: