Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 10 April 1772 [D17688]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36742
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.133-5), ‘Mme la marquise du Deffand, Ferney, 10 avril 1772. (M. 8518.)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 10 April 1772 [D17688]
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:
Il est très certain, Madame, ou que vous m’avez trompé, ou que vous vous êtes trompée.
Incipit Modernised:
Il est très certain, Madame, ou que vous m’avez trompé, ou que vous vous êtes trompée.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
No
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Marie-Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, marquise Du Deffand, dated 10 April 1772.
Detailed Summary:
The writer expresses frustration over a lack of correspondence from the recipient, questioning whether they genuinely went to the countryside as previously claimed. They assert that their sentiments remain unchanged, particularly their disdain for certain types of people, and express disappointment in the recipient’s prolonged silence. The writer reflects on philosophical views, contrasting Epicurean materialism with more traditional beliefs, and suggests that reading certain philosophical and literary works might provide enjoyment. They conclude by noting that they think of and care for the recipient more than the recipient might realise.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
3 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:
10 April 1772
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:
122, p. 332–333
OCV Manuscript Reference:
122, ‘MS3’, p. 333
Record created by:
Record created on: