(P/B) LETTERS ON ENGLAND

Παρουσίαση

After his three-year exile to England (1726-9) following imprisonment in the Bastille for his satirical writings, Voltaire wrote a series of letters offering the French public a panoramic view of English culture. He was full of enthusiasm for the England he saw as a land of tolerance, enlightenment and freedom - as opposed to the tyrannical feudal society of his homeland. Letters on England discusses English religious sects, politics, scientists and writers with great admiration, yet the clever Voltaire also flattered his French readers with humorous references to the old-fashioned clothes and speech of the Quakers and to antics in the House of Commons. At first banned in France, this intriguing and often comic account of a culture viewed through foreign eyes was to prove highly influential in shaping French attitudes to England.
Leonard Tancock's translation brilliantly captures Voltaire's ironic tone, and is accompanied by an introduction discussing his depiction of England and the events that led to his exile. This edition also includes notes, new further reading and a chronology, and an appendix on Voltaire's verse translations of English works. (From the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

1. On the Quakers
2. On the Quakers
3. On the Quakers
4. On the Quakers
5. On the Anglican Religion
6. On the Presbyterians
7. On the Socinians, Arians or Anti-Trinitarians
8. On Parliament
9. On the Government
10. On Commerce
11. On Inoculation with Smallpox
12. On Chancellor Bacon
13. On Mr Locke
14. On Descartes and Newton
15. On the System of Gravitation
16. On the Optics of Newton
17. On Infinity and Chronology
18. On Tragedy
19. On Comedy
20. On Noble Lords who cultivate literature
21. On the Earl of Rochester and Mr Waller
22. On Mr Pope and some other famous poets
23. On the Consideration due to Men of Letters
24. On Academies
25. On the Pensees of Pascal
NOTES
APPENDIX
CHRONOLOGY OF VOLTAIRE'S LIFE AND TIMES
FURTHER READING