'Letters on England' Summary

Voltaire, following his imprisonment in the Bastille for his satirical writings, fled to England in his early thirties. During his exile, he became deeply impressed by the intellectual and social freedoms he witnessed in England, starkly contrasting with the rigid social structures and religious intolerance he experienced in France. In *Letters on England*, Voltaire penned a series of essays reflecting on his observations. He praises English religious tolerance, exemplified by the absence of religious persecution and the acceptance of diverse faiths. He admires the political freedom enjoyed by Englishmen, particularly their right to criticize the government without fear of retribution. He is also captivated by the flourishing of scientific advancements in England, highlighting the contributions of Isaac Newton and the Royal Society. Throughout the *Letters*, Voltaire contrasts these aspects of English life with the oppressive social and religious climate in France, where religious dissent was suppressed and intellectual freedom was severely restricted. He critiques the rigid feudal system, the influence of the Church, and the lack of freedom of thought. The *Letters on England* became a controversial text, lauded in England as a celebration of its liberties but denounced in France as a scandalous and heretical work. It is considered a significant document of the Enlightenment, advocating for reason, tolerance, and the importance of individual freedom in shaping a just and prosperous society.