Letters on the English

Letters on the English

Letters on the English is a series of essays written by Voltaire based on his experiences living in Great Britain between 1726 and 1729. It was published first in English in 1733 and then in French in 1734. In France the book was banned, whereas it became a best seller in England. He uses the example of England to show the interconnection of religious tolerance, political freedom and international trade. The work covers a wide range of themes, from religion and politics to literature, philosophy and science, all made easily and humorously accessible with Voltaire’s trademark irony.