VOLTAIRE (1694-1778) - Lot 122

Lot 122
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Estimation :
6000 - 8000 EUR
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Result : 7 150EUR
VOLTAIRE (1694-1778) - Lot 122
VOLTAIRE (1694-1778) L.A.S. "frere Voltaire", Potsdam 28 May [1751], to WILHELMINE of Prussia, Margrave of BAYREUTH; 4 pages in-4. Beautiful and amusing letter to the sister of Frederick II, during the first year of Voltaire's stay at the court of the King of Prussia. [The Marquis d'ADHÉMAR, a gentleman from Lorraine, was introduced by Voltaire to the Margrave, for whom he wrote, at her death in 1758, the historical Eloge de Wilhelmine de Bayreuth]. "Your Royal Highness expected Adhemares, and she has Codenius [Cothenius, private physician to Frederick II]. Instead of the pleasures that should be in abundance around her, will she have to be born with nothing but pills? Will she always have to fear for her health? If the lively interest that everyone is taking in this health could be of some help to your royal highness, you would soon be cured. The convent of Potsdam is redoubling its devout prayers for you, Madame; and as an unworthy brother of this monastery, I am not the one whose vows are the least fervent, your royal highness knows what feelings I have for her; she knows the empire she has over hearts. I am equally attached to the sister and the brother. I would like to sing my matins in Potsdam and my vespers in Bareuth. If I were sure, madame, that this letter would reach you at a time when your health would be better, I would tell you about the Marquis d'Adhemar who has not yet been able to resolve to leave Paris, I would tell you about a gentleman from Lorraine named Liebaud [Nicolas Liébault] who is an officer, a man of letters, wise, learned, and for whom we are responsible. But I can only speak of the health of your royal highness, of our worries and our pain. What can I not accompany Mr. Codenius! What can I not come to put myself at your feet and at those of Monseigneur ". Frederick II leaves for Cleves, "I remain to grifoner in my cell. The diseases which overwhelm me make me sedentary. But Madam I forget my ills to think only of yours. I am indignant against nature that I am not the only one who suffers. Why should a soul as firm as yours be housed in such a delicate body. We have ten thousand big boys who do not think and who are currently firing ten thousand rifle shots at the gates of Potsdam. They are doing wonderfully well. And madame the grave mark of Bareuth sulphur! and providence? where is she then? I will not be his servant if you have no health. And I want to sing a tedeum at the return of Codenius ". He adds at the head of the last page: "Mr de montparni is not the most tireless writer of the century". Correspondence (Pléiade), t. III, p. 412. PROVENANCE Collection Yemeniz (May 12, 1868, n° 80).
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