Autograph letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, written from château de Ferney and dated 26 May 1770 [D16364].

Identifiers

CMV:

CMV36740

Shelfmark:

5-240 (VII, f.130-1), ‘[V] ‘Me du Def. 25 may 1770’ (M. 7895)’

Title:

Autograph letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, written from château de Ferney and dated 26 May 1770 [D16364].

Related record(s):

No related manuscripts found.

Link to Archive Catalogue:

Link to Digital Resource:

OCLC Number:

Reproductions:

The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy

Content

Incipit Diplomatic:

Je soupçonne, Madame, que vous vous souciez peu de la métaphisique.

Incipit Modernised:

Je soupçonne, Madame, que vous vous souciez peu de la métaphysique.

Language(s):

In Voltaire’s Hand:

Yes

Brief Summary:

Autograph letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, written from château de Ferney and dated 26 May 1770 [D16364].

Detailed Summary:

The writer muses on the philosophical question of the existence of the soul, likening it to a Swiss captain’s prayer before battle, and observes that the recipient might be indifferent to such metaphysical inquiries. They express concern that their writing might no longer amuse the recipient due to her extensive knowledge. The writer also reflects on the character of the recipient’s grandmother, admiring her wisdom and preference for solitude over societal distractions. Finally, the writer mentions their own struggles with winter and their admiration for the recipient’s grandmother, along with a note on geopolitical changes and their own philosophical stance of enduring patience.

Genre(s):

Status:

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:

Decorations:

Additions:

Marginalia Keywords:

Inclusions:

History

Date:

26 May 1770

Ownership:

Origin (transcript):

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:

OCV Manuscript Reference:

Record created by:

Aušra Bukniute

Record created on:

29 August 2024