Letter from Voltaire to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duke of Richelieu, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1772 [D18098]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36760
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.162-3), ‘Au maréchal de Richelieu, à Ferney, 21 décembre 1772 (M. 8713)’e
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duke of Richelieu, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1772 [D18098]
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:
Quoi, toujours la cruelle envie
Incipit Modernised:
Quoi, toujours la cruelle envie
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, 3rd Duke of Richelieu, written from château de Ferney and dated 21 December 1772.
Detailed Summary:
The writer laments the persistent envy tarnishing their reputation, responding to a false rumour about their final illness and a supposed romantic encounter. They recount a recent experience of illness, where a beautiful young woman offered them comfort, though they were too fearful to enjoy it. The writer expresses their reverence and admiration for the recipient, mentioning their intention to send a revised version of Sophonisbe and seeking guidance on how to send it. Despite their declining health and concerns about their work’s reception, they remain devoted and respectful towards the recipient.
Keyword(s):
Status:
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.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
21 December 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:
123, p. 212–214
OCV Manuscript Reference:
123, ‘MS1’, p. 214
Record created by:
Record created on: