VOLTAIRE (1694-1778). 5 letters dictated to his secretary Jean-Louis Wagnière, 1760-1765, addressed to his friend François de Chennevières; 6pages in-8 and 1page in-4 with address. Beautiful literary, political and friendly correspondence. From 1754 to 1778, Jean-Louis Wagnière was Voltaire's last secretary and became his friend. François de Chennevières (1699-1779) had a career in military administration: first commissaire des guerres, then commis and premier commis at the Ministry of War for sixteen years, he was also intendant of the army. A poet in his spare time, he frequented the literary circles of his day, and made friends with Voltaire. Several of the letters evoke Marie-Louise Mignot, known as Madame Denis, Voltaire's niece and mistress, and the Duchesse d'Aiguillon, nicknamed by Voltaire "la sœur du pot des philosophes" (the philosophers' sister of charity). [Les Délices] July 11 [1760]. "Since the victory of Landshut [June 23], we know nothing new, yet two or three small affairs like this and we will have peace, and we will have it as victors, and this is how we must have it"... - Ferney August 31, 1761, on his edition of Corneille's Theater: "the copy will cost only two louis, either if it is printed in twelve or thirteen volumes in 8°or if it is given in eight or nine volumes in 4° I know well that there would be loss at this price without the help of the king, the princes, and the first of the kingdom. As I am not a great lord, but I am deeply interested in this enterprise, I subscribe for the value of one hundred copies. I have already commented on Le Cid, Horace, Cinna, Pompée, Rodogune, Polieucte, Théodore, le Menteur, Héraclius. I send my observations to the Academy as I make them. I benefit from the insights of my colleagues, and with this precaution, I hope that this work will serve to fix the language among foreigners; it is a monument that I am raising to the glory of Corneille and my nation"... - aux Délices April 23, 1764. On the death of the Marquise de Pompadour: "We are certainly not, in our foreign land, among the citizens who rejoice at the death of Made de Pompadour. Her death will deprive you of the pleasure, or boredom, you would have had to see Olimpie performed at Versailles; she intended to have it performed after Easter. This loss will probably have disrupted greater projects"... - March 29, 1765, about the doctor "Esculape Tronchin", to whom Chevalier d'Herbain should send "a louis or two" with a note of thanks: "It is an established custom, in return for which he will be able to consult him on the effect of his remedies, and he will receive satisfactory answers in good faith. Have you read the Siege of Calais? Did your eyes enjoy it as much as your ears? Made Denis says very tender things to you as well as to the sister of the pot". - September 22, 1765, recommending M. Bernardi: "He told me that you had sent me this excellent work by Mr Thomas, which had remained among the Montpéroux papers. I have just received it, read it and admired it"... Enclosed: - a contemporary copy of a letter from Voltaire (Ferney August 18, 1763): "Les Enfers ne rendent rien, Monsieur, et je n'ai plus de commerce avec les Enfers même que le Diable m'ait adressé plusieurs epîtres"... (1p. in-4); - a L.A. (beginning missing), partly in verse, from Baculard d'Arnaud to Madame Denis (3p. in-4, adr.); - a L.A.S. from Abbé Desfontaines to Jean-Baptiste Rousseau, December 27, 1739, concerning Voltaire (3p. in-4, adr. with red wax seal of arms).