St. James's square, September 4, 1761

The pressure of business is but a feeble reason for having deferred answering the honour of a letter from M. de Voltaire, and on so interesting a subject.
For who so insensible to the true spirit of poetry, as not to admire the works and respect the posterity of the great Corneille? or what more flattering than to second, in any manner, those pious cares, offered to the manes of the founder of French tragedy by the genius who was reserved to perfect it?

I feel the high value of the favourable sentiments you are so good as to express on my subject, and am happy in this occasion of assuring you of the distinguished consideration with which

I have the honour to be, &c.

W. Pitt