| Author |
Voltaire, 1694-1778 |
| Editor |
Morley, Henry, 1822-1894 |
| Uniform Title |
Lettres sur les Anglais. English
|
| Title |
Letters on England
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 60.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
|
| Credits |
Transcribed from the 1894 Cassell & Co. edition by David Price
|
| Summary |
"Letters on England" by Voltaire is a collection of reflective essays written during the early 18th century, specifically in the context of Voltaire's experience during his time in England. The work serves as an exploration of English society, politics, and religion, examining the customs and philosophy of the English people through Voltaire’s keenly ironic and critical lens. At the start of the text, Voltaire introduces himself and his conversations with a Quaker, showcasing the stark contrasts between English religious practices and those of the Quakers. He describes a visit to a Quaker elder, presenting their unusual beliefs about baptism and communion, which challenge conventional Christian practices. Through a dialogue full of wit and curiosity, Voltaire captures the Quaker's perspectives on spirituality, social customs, and their views on human conduct—reflecting on themes of piety, simplicity, and the complexities of religious beliefs. The opening sets the tone for a broader discussion on various religious and sectarian practices within England, promising a rich tapestry of cultural critique that follows in the subsequent letters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
|
| Subject |
English literature -- 18th century -- History and criticism
|
| Subject |
Great Britain -- Civilization -- 18th century
|
| Subject |
Great Britain -- Religion
|
| Subject |
Imaginary letters
|
| Subject |
Great Britain -- Intellectual life -- 18th century
|
| Subject |
Philosophy, Modern -- 18th century
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2445 |
| Release Date |
Dec 1, 2000 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 1, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
1234 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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