&w=3840&q=75)
&w=3840&q=75)
&w=3840&q=75)
&w=3840&q=75)
&w=3840&q=75)
&w=3840&q=75)
125
VOLTAIRE (1694-1778)
The item was sold for 7 800 €
Fees include commission and taxes.
VOLTAIRE (1694-1778)
L.A.S. "Voltaire gentilh ord de la chambre du Roy", château de Ferney by Geneva June 24, 1767, to Jean-Bapstiste-Espérance, comte de LAURENCIN| 4 pages in-4.
Voltaire explains why he cannot leave Ferney, and sends his writing on the Calas affair. [The Count of LAURENCIN (1740-1812), an officer and literary man, believing that Voltaire wanted to settle near Lyon, had offered him his castle]. Voltaire was touched by the Count's letter. "I withdrew about thirteen years ago to the country of Gex near Franche Comté where I have the greatest part of my fortune. But my age, my poor health, the snow that surrounds me for eight months of the year in a country that is otherwise very pleasant, and especially the troubles in Geneva and the interruption of all trade with that city, made me think about making an acquisition in a milder climate. I was offered twenty houses in the vicinity of Lyon. All that you want to disregard and your way of thinking which charms me, would determine me to prefer your catau as long as you do not leave it. But I have so many people with me from whom I cannot separate, that my transmigration is becoming very difficult. For besides one of my nices to whom I have given the land I live on, I have married a descendant of the great Cornelius to a gentleman from the neighborhood. They live in the house with their children. I still have two other households that I take care of, an impotent relative who cannot be moved, a chaplain who used to be a Jesuit, a young man that the Maréchal de Richelieu entrusted to me, a servant who is too numerous, and finally I am obliged to govern this land because the cessation of trade with Geneva prevents us from finding farmers. All these reasons force me to stay where I am, no matter how harsh the climate is and no matter how much trouble the troubles in Geneva may cause me. Monsieur le Duc de Choiseuil has kindly agreed to soften the inconvenience of my situation with every possible facility. Moreover, my land, and another which I enjoy at the gates of Geneva, have a privilege which is almost unique in the Kingdom, that of paying nothing to the King and of being perfectly free except in the jurisdiction of the courts. Thus you see sir that everything is compensated, and that I must support the inconveniences while enjoying the advantages". He thanks the count for his offers with "much gratitude. Your feelings show even more flattered. I see how much you have cultivated your reason. You have a generous heart and a just mind. I would like to send you some books that could occupy your leisure time. I will begin by sending you a little piece of writing which has appeared on the cruel adventure of the Calas and Sirven families. [...] It is very difficult to get books from Geneva to Lyon. It is sad that these resources of the soul, and the consolations of retirement are forbidden. ....
Correspondence (Pléiade), t. VIII, p. 1175.
L.A.S. "Voltaire gentilh ord de la chambre du Roy", château de Ferney by Geneva June 24, 1767, to Jean-Bapstiste-Espérance, comte de LAURENCIN| 4 pages in-4.
Voltaire explains why he cannot leave Ferney, and sends his writing on the Calas affair. [The Count of LAURENCIN (1740-1812), an officer and literary man, believing that Voltaire wanted to settle near Lyon, had offered him his castle]. Voltaire was touched by the Count's letter. "I withdrew about thirteen years ago to the country of Gex near Franche Comté where I have the greatest part of my fortune. But my age, my poor health, the snow that surrounds me for eight months of the year in a country that is otherwise very pleasant, and especially the troubles in Geneva and the interruption of all trade with that city, made me think about making an acquisition in a milder climate. I was offered twenty houses in the vicinity of Lyon. All that you want to disregard and your way of thinking which charms me, would determine me to prefer your catau as long as you do not leave it. But I have so many people with me from whom I cannot separate, that my transmigration is becoming very difficult. For besides one of my nices to whom I have given the land I live on, I have married a descendant of the great Cornelius to a gentleman from the neighborhood. They live in the house with their children. I still have two other households that I take care of, an impotent relative who cannot be moved, a chaplain who used to be a Jesuit, a young man that the Maréchal de Richelieu entrusted to me, a servant who is too numerous, and finally I am obliged to govern this land because the cessation of trade with Geneva prevents us from finding farmers. All these reasons force me to stay where I am, no matter how harsh the climate is and no matter how much trouble the troubles in Geneva may cause me. Monsieur le Duc de Choiseuil has kindly agreed to soften the inconvenience of my situation with every possible facility. Moreover, my land, and another which I enjoy at the gates of Geneva, have a privilege which is almost unique in the Kingdom, that of paying nothing to the King and of being perfectly free except in the jurisdiction of the courts. Thus you see sir that everything is compensated, and that I must support the inconveniences while enjoying the advantages". He thanks the count for his offers with "much gratitude. Your feelings show even more flattered. I see how much you have cultivated your reason. You have a generous heart and a just mind. I would like to send you some books that could occupy your leisure time. I will begin by sending you a little piece of writing which has appeared on the cruel adventure of the Calas and Sirven families. [...] It is very difficult to get books from Geneva to Lyon. It is sad that these resources of the soul, and the consolations of retirement are forbidden. ....
Correspondence (Pléiade), t. VIII, p. 1175.