VI AVANT-PROPOS

Nous croyons être agréable aux futurs biographes et éditeurs de Voltaire en reproduisant ci-dessous ces deux lettres, que nous faisons suivre de leur traduction .

To John Brinsden, esq.1.

Durham's Yard, by Charing Cross.

(1728?) Sir,

I wish you good health, a quick sale of your Burgundy, much latin and greeke to one of your children, much law, much of Cooke and Littleton to the other, quiet and joy to mistress Brinsden, money to ail. When you'll drink your Burgundy with Mr. Furneze, pray tell him 1*11 never forget his favours.

But, dear John, be so kind as to let me know how does my lady Bollingbroke. As to my lord, I left him so well I dont doubt he is so still. But I am very uneasie about my lady; if she might hâve as much health as she has spirit and witt, sure she vvould be the strongest body in England. Pray, dear Sir,

1. Secrétaire intime de lord Bolingbroke. — L'éditeur de 1823 nous apprend qu'il publie cette lettre sur l'original autographe de Voltaire, lequel avait appartenu au Révérend Mr. Sim, l'éditeur des poèmes de Mickle.