Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 1 June 1770 [D16372]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36741
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.132), ‘Mme du Deffand, 1er juin 1770 (M. 7902)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 1 June 1770 [D16372]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Digital Resource:
Link to Archive Catalogue:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva, photocopy
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Vous avez dû voir madame que je consume ma pauvre vie dans mes déserts de neige pour vous récréer un demi quart d’heure vous, et votre grand maman.
Incipit Modernised:
Vous avez dû voir madame que je consomme ma pauvre vie dans mes déserts de neige pour vous récréer un demi quart d’heure vous, et votre grand-maman.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 1 June 1770.
Detailed Summary:
The writer reflects on the futility and effort of their work, comparing it to insects that live briefly after long preparation, and urges the recipient to consider their article on ‘Ancients and Moderns’ as a matter of taste. They discuss the value of scientific knowledge despite its complexity and highlight their own role in supporting a colony established with the aid of Madame la Duchesse de Choiseul. Additionally, they mention sending a legal memorandum related to Franche-Comté, expressing frustration with ecclesiastical and feudal systems, and reaffirm their resignation to the world’s fate while cherishing the friendship of the recipient.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
Hands:
1
Watermark:
Countermark:
Binding:
The manuscript is bound with other documents in contemporary red morocco.
Additional Comments:
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History
Date:
1 June 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 letter and its enclosure was sent to Mme de Choiseul, who forwarded it on the 7th. Later, the 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:
120, p. 223–224
OCV Manuscript Reference:
120, ‘MS2’, p. 224
Record created by:
Record created on: