Letter from Voltaire to Gregorio Mayans y Siscar, written from Les Délices to Oliva and dated 15 June 1762 [D10513]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36750
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.146-7), ‘A M. Mayens, aux Délices, 15 juin 1762 (M. 4931)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Gregorio Mayans y Siscar, written from Les Délices to Oliva and dated 15 June 1762 [D10513]
Collection(s):
Related record(s):
No related manuscripts found.
Link to Archive Catalogue:
Link to Digital Resource:
OCLC Number:
Reproductions:
The Besterman Collection, Geneva
Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
Monsieur, Je ne vous écris point en caldéen, parce que je ne le sais pas, ni en latin quoique je ne l’aie pas oublié, ni en espagnol, quoique je l’aie appris pour vous plaire; mais en français que vous entendez très bien, parce que je suis obligé de dicte
Incipit Modernised:
Monsieur, Je ne vous écris point en chaldéen, parce que je ne le sais pas, ni en latin quoique je ne l’aie pas oublié, ni en espagnol, quoique je l’aie appris pour vous plaire; mais en français que vous entendez très bien, parce que je suis obligé de dict
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Gregorio Mayans y Siscar, written from Les Délices to Oliva and dated 15 June 1762.
Detailed Summary:
The writer, constrained by illness and unable to write in languages other than French, thanks the recipient for their generosity in providing requested instructions. They express surprise at learning that Italian influences, particularly Calderón, have impacted French literature, notably Corneille’s works. Despite their admiration for Calderón, they note that the exact date of the play’s premiere remains unknown and discuss their own translation work of Calderón’s comedies. They conclude with gratitude and a request for further instruction.
Keyword(s):
Genre(s):
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
2 ff.
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 endorsed with ‘A Monsieur
Monsieur Don Gregorio
Magence
En Son Château d’Oliva
par Valence Esgne’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
15 June 1762
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:
109, p. 35–36
OCV Manuscript Reference:
109, ‘MS1’, p. 36
Record created by:
Record created on: