11^e février 1765 au Château de Ferney par Genêve

My distempers and my bad eyes do not permit me to ansuver with that celerity and exactness that my duty and my heart require. You seem sollicitous about that pretty thing call'd soul. J do protest you j know nothing of it. Nor wether it is, nor what it is, nor what it shall be. Young scolars, and priests know all that perfectly. For my part j am but a very ignorant fellow.

Let it be what it will, j assure you my soul has a great regard for your own when you will make a turn into our deserts, you shall find me (if alive) ready to show you my respect and obsequiousness.

V.