The Mercure de France issue contains a chapter, "Spectacles – Concert Spirituel" (pp. 38-42), in which the first Parisian appearance of violinist "M. Bridge-Tower", who is described as "not even ten years old," is reviewed favorably. Bridgetower aroused interest not only because of his skill as a violinist but also because he had an African father. He is here described as "jeune Nègre des Colonies." In 1803, he became the original dedicatee of Beethoven's "Kreutzer" sonata, which he premiered together with the composer. Beethoven later re-dedicated the sonata to Rodolphe Kreutzer.

The French gazette and literary journal was first published from 1672 to 1724 (with an interruption in 1674–1677) under the title Mercure galant (sometimes spelled Mercure gallant; 1672–1674) and Nouveau Mercure galant (1677–1724). The title was changed to Mercure de France in 1724. The Mercure de France became the uncontested arbiter of French arts and humanities, and it has been called the most important literary journal in prerevolutionary France.