Letters on England

by Voltaire

"Letters on England" by Voltaire is a series of essays published in 1733, based on his experiences living in Britain between 1726 and 1729. Through twenty-four letters, Voltaire examines English religion, politics, commerce, medicine, and intellectual life, often comparing them favorably to their French counterparts. His observations on Quakers, Parliament, trade, and thinkers like Newton and Locke present England as a model of tolerance and liberty. The book was suppressed in France for its implicit criticism of the French system.