Letter from Voltaire to Louise Bernarde Berthier de Sauvigny, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1774 [D19247]
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36766
Repository:
Shelfmark:
5-240 (VII, f.171-2), ‘A Mme de Sauvigny, Ferney, 21 décembre 1774 (M. 9266)’
Title:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Bernarde Berthier de Sauvigny, written from Ferney and dated 21 December 1774 [D19247]
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:
Je commence, Madame, par vous dire que Monsieur De Sauvigny étant fait ministre d’état après avoir été fait premier président, sans avoir jamais solicité aucune de ces dignités, me parait comblé de gloire.
Incipit Modernised:
Je commence, Madame, par vous dire que Monsieur De Sauvigny étant fait ministre d’État après avoir été fait premier président, sans avoir jamais sollicité aucune de ces dignités, me parait comblé de gloire.
Language(s):
In Voltaire’s Hand:
Partly
Brief Summary:
Letter from Voltaire to Louise Bernarde Berthier de Sauvigny, written from château de Ferney and dated 21 December 1774.
Detailed Summary:
The writer begins by praising Monsieur De Sauvigny for his achievements, noting that his rise to minister of state was attained without solicitation. They express concern that the recipient’s peace may be disturbed by a letter from Mr Dugard Dessichens and the actions of her brother. They describe Mr Dugard as a former refugee with some influence but dubious character, who has made unfounded claims about the recipient’s family and has caused distress. The writer advises discretion in responding to Mr Dessichens and mentions their own limited ability to assist due to significant personal expenses, while also reflecting on the misfortunes and unreliable behaviour of Mr Durey, adding that Mr De Florian, despite his wife’s health issues, continues to offer support.
Keyword(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, while the letter’s envelope is endorsed with ‘à Monsieur Monsieur Diderot etca à Paris’.
Marginalia Keywords:
Inclusions:
History
Date:
21 December 1774
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:
125, p. 256–258
OCV Manuscript Reference:
125, ‘MS1’, p. 258
Record created by:
Record created on: