« Extrait d'une lettre inédite de DescartesThe philosopher wrote the letter on May 27, 1641 at Endegeest castle, close to Leiden, the Netherlands. It is part of an intensive exchange between Descartes and his friend Marin Mersenne concerning the publication of Descartes’ Meditations on Metaphysics, which, together with a series of Objections and Replies by other philosophers and theologians, would be published in Paris later that year, August 1641.

The letter provides insight into the manner in which that work was printed and sheds light on certain key elements of Descartes’ philosophy. It also shows that in their original form the Meditations were organized differently. The letter consists of four pages of fine laid paper densely written in iron gall ink. The signature and the handwriting are unmistakably those of Descartes. »

“Missing” Descartes Letter Discovered in Haverford Archives, Will Be Returned To French Owner

(via Leiter Reports)