Letters on England
Letters on England is the English version of the letters Voltaire wrote after his stay in England in the late 1720s, published in 1733 and better known in French as the Lettres philosophiques, here in an edition introduced by Henry Morley. Writing for French readers, Voltaire uses England as a mirror for France. He describes the Quakers and the other religious sects living side by side, Parliament and the limits on royal power, the honor paid to trade, and inoculation against smallpox, then turns to Bacon, Locke and Newton, whose physics he explains in some detail, and to English tragedy, comedy and poets such as Rochester, Waller and Pope. The book was condemned and burned in France. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first letters are free.
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Frequently asked questions about Letters on England
Letters on England by Voltaire can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Letters on England online?
Yes. Letters on England opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Letters on England free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Letters on England is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Letters on England in the public domain?
Yes. Letters on England by Voltaire is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Letters on England?
About 2 h 32 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Letters on England?
Letters on England by Voltaire is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
