'...the Russians are already wading in the Prussian
snows...'

VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778) François-Marie Arouet. French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher.

Rare A.L.S., with his initial `V´, one page, 8vo, Les Délices, 23rd November n.y. (1755-60 during which time Voltaire lived at Les Délices, his residence in Geneva), to an unidentified correspondent, evidently another writer, in French. Voltaire begins his letter by referring to his correspondent's novel ('vous aviez sans doute commencé le roman par la queue') and further writes `People say that the 24 thousand soldiers will march and that the Russians are already wading in the Prussian snows. If this is true, send a message…´. Voltaire concludes by asking his correspondent to forward his letter to some colleagues in their own country, and sends his regards ('Je vous embrasse de mon hermitage'). With blank integral leaf. Some light creasing and two extremely small holes in the left margin, not affecting the text or signature, VG

Voltaire's reference to the large number of soldiers is in relation to the Seven Years' War (1754-63) which was being fought at the time. It involved every European great power of the time except the Ottoman Empire, spanning five continents, and affected Europe, the Americas, West Africa, India, and the Philippines. The conflict split Europe into two coalitions, led by the Kingdom of Great Britain on one side and the Kingdom of France on the other. For the first time, aiming to curtail Britain and Prussia's ever-growing might, France formed a grand coalition of its own, which ended with failure as Great Britain rose as the world's predominant power, altering the European balance of power.


Voltaire, the French Enlightenment Writer, Historian and Philosopher was famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the separation of church and state. A versatile writer, he produced works in almost every literary form.