"Yes，butIdon’tbelieveit。"
"Doyouthinkitpossible？"
"Ihavebeenworkingforthelastthirtyyearstoconvincemyselfofitsimpossibility；Ihavenotyetdoneso，butIamsurethatnoonewhodoesnotbelieveinthepossibilityofthegreatworkcanbeagoodchemist。"
WhenIlefthimhebeggedmetowriteandtellhimwhatIthoughtofthegreatVoltaire，andin，thiswayourFrenchcorrespondencebegan。
Ipossesstwenty—twolettersfromthisjustlycelebratedman；andthelastwordwrittensixmonthsbefore，histoo，earlydeath。ThelongerIlivethemoreinterestItakeinmypapers。Theyarethetreasurewhichattachesmetolifeandmakesdeathmorehatefulstill。
IhadbeenreadingatBerneRousseau’s"Heloise，"andIaskedM。
Haller’sopinionofit。Hetoldmethathehadoncereadpartofittoobligeafriend，andfromthisparthecouldjudgeofthewhole。
"Itistheworstofallromances，becauseitisthemosteloquentlyexpressed。YouwillseethecountryofVaud，butdon’texpecttoseetheoriginalsofthebrilliantportraitswhichJeanJacquespainted。
Heseemstohavethoughtthatlyingwasallowableinaromance，buthehasabusedtheprivilege。Petrarch，wasalearnedman，andtoldnoliesinspeakingofhisloveforLaura，whomhelovedaseverymanlovesthewomanwithwhomheistaken；andifLaurahadnotcontentedherillustriouslover，hewouldnothavecelebratedher。"
ThusHallerspoketomeofPetrarch，mentioningRousseauwithaversion。Hedislikedhisveryeloquence，ashesaiditowedallitsmeritstoantithesisandparadox。Hallerwasalearnedmanofthefirstclass，buthisknowledgewasnotemployedforthepurposeofostentation，norinprivatelife，norwhenhewasinthecompanyofpeoplewhodidnotcareforscience。Nooneknewbetterthanhehowtoaccommodatehimselftohiscompanyhewasfriendlywitheveryone，andnevergaveoffence。Butwhatwerehisqualifications？Itwouldbemucheasiertosaywhathehadnotthanwhathehad。Hehadnopride，self—sufficiency，nortoneofsuperiority——infact，noneofthosedefectswhichareoftenthereproachofthelearnedandthewitty。
Hewasamanofausterevirtue，buthetookcaretohidetheausterityunderaveilofarealanduniversalkindness。Undoubtedlyhethoughtlittleoftheignorant，whotalkabouteverythingrightorwrong，insteadofremainingsilent，andhaveatbottomonlycontemptforthelearned；butheonlyshewedhiscontemptbysayingnothing。
Heknewthatadespisedignoramusbecomesanenemy，andHallerwishedtobeloved。Heneitherboastedofnorconcealedhisknowledge，butletitrunlikealimpidstreamflowingthroughthemeadows。Hetalkedwell，butneverabsorbedtheconversation。Heneverspokeofhisworks；whensomeonementionedthemhewouldturntheconversationassoonasheconvenientlycould。Hewassorrytobeobligedtocontradictanyonewhoconversedwithhim。
WhenIreachedLausanneIfoundmyselfenabledtoretainmyincognitoforadayatanyrate。Inaturallygavethefirstplacetomyaffections。Iwentstraighttomysweetheartwithoutneedingtoaskmyway，sowellhadsheindicatedthestreetsthroughwhichIhadtopass。Ifoundherwithhermother，butIwasnotalittleastonishedtoseeLebeltherealso。However，mysurprisemusthavepassedunnoticed，formyhousekeeper，risingfromherseatwithacryofjoy，threwherarmsaboutmyneck，andafterhavingkissedmeaffectionatelypresentedmetoherworthymother，whowelcomedmeinthefriendliestmanner。IaskedLebelaftertheambassador，andhowlonghehadbeenatLausanne。
Hereplied，withapoliteandrespectfulair，thathismasterwasquitewell，andthathehadcometoLausanneonbusiness，andhadonlybeenthereafewhours；andthat，wishingtopayhisregardstoMadameDubois’smother，hehadbeenpleasantlysurprisedtoseethedaughterthereaswell。
"Youknow，"headded，"whatmyintentionsare。Ihavetogobackto—
morrow，andwhenyouhavemadeupyourminds，writetomeandIwillcomeandtakehertoSoleure，whereIwillmarryher。"
Hecouldnothavespokenmoreplainlyorhonourably。IsaidthatI
wouldneveropposethewillofmysweetheart，andmyDubois，interruptingme，saidinherturnthatshewouldneverleavemeuntilIsentheraway。
Lebelfoundtheserepliestoovague，andtoldmewithnoblefreedomthatwemustgivehimadefinitereply，sinceinsuchcasesuncertaintyspoilsall。AtthatmomentIfeltasifIcouldneveragreetohiswishes，andItoldhimthatintendaysIwouldlethimknowofourresolution，whateveritwas。Atthathewassatisfied，andleftus。
Afterhisdeparturemysweetheart’smother，whosegoodsensestoodherinsteadofwit，talkedtousinamannerthatansweredourinclinations，for，amorousaswewere，wecouldnotbeartheideaofparting。Iagreedthatmyhousekeepershouldwaitupformetillmidnight，andthatwecouldtalkoverourreplywithourheadsonthepillow。
MyDuboishadaseparateroomwithagoodbedandexcellentfurniture。Shegavemeaverygoodsupper，andwespentadeliciousnight。Inthemorningwefeltmoreinlovethanever，andwerenotatalldisposedtocomplywithLebel’swishes。Nevertheless，wehadaseriousconversation。
Thereaderwillrememberthatmymistresshadpromisedtopardonmyinfidelities，providedthatIconfessedthem。Ihadnonetoconfess，butinthecourseofconversationItoldheraboutRaton。
"Weoughttothinkourselvesveryfortunate，"saidshe，"forifithadnotbeenforchance，weshouldhavebeeninafinestatenow。"
"Yes，andIshouldbeindespair。"
"Idon’tdoubtit，andyouwouldbeallthemorewretchedasIshouldnevercomplaintoyou。"
"Ionlyseeonewayofprovidingagainstsuchamisfortune。WhenI
havebeenunfaithfultoyouIwillpunishmyselfbydeprivingmyselfofthepleasureofgivingyouproofsofmyaffectiontillIamcertainthatIcandosowithoutdanger。"
"Ah！youwouldpunishmeforyourfaults，wouldyou？IfyoulovemeasIloveyou，believemeyouwouldfindabetterremedythanthat。"
"Whatisthat？"
"Youwouldneverbeunfaithfultome。"
"Youareright。IamsorryIwasnotthefirsttothinkofthisplan，whichIpromisetofollowforthefuture。"
"Don’tmakeanypromises，"saidshe，withasigh，"itmightprovetoodifficulttokeepthem。"
Itisonlylovewhichcaninspiresuchconversations，butunfortunatelyitgainsnothingbythem。
Nextmorning，justasIwasgoingouttotakemyletters，theBarondeBercei，uncleofmyfriendBavois，entered。
"Iknow，"saidhe，"thatmynephewoweshisfortunetoyou；heisjustgoingtobemadegeneral，andIandallthefamilywillbeenchantedtomakeyouracquaintance。Ihavecometooffermyservices，andtobegthatyouwilldinewithmeto—day，andonanyotherdayyoupleasewhenyouhavenothingbettertodo，andIhopeyouwillalwaysconsideryourselfofthefamily。
"AtthesametimeIbegofyounottotellanybodythatmynephewhasbecomeaCatholic，asaccordingtotheprejudicesofthecountryitwouldbeadishonourwhichwouldreflectonthewholefamily。"
Iacceptedhisinvitation，andpromisedtosaynothingaboutthecircumstancehehadmentioned。
Ileftmylettersofintroduction，andIreceivedeverywhereawelcomeofthemostdistinguishedkind。MadamedeGentil—LangalerieappearedthemostamiableofalltheladiesIcalledon，butIhadnottimetopaymycourttoonemorethananother。Everydaypolitenesscalledmetosomedinner，supper，ball，orassembly。I
wasboredbeyondmeasure，andIfeltinclinedtosayhowtroublesomeitistohavesuchawelcome。Ispentafortnightinthelittletown，whereeveryoneprideshimselfonhisliberty，andinallmylifeIhaveneverexperiencedsuchaslavery，forIhadnotamomenttomyself。Iwasonlyabletopassonenightwithmysweetheart，andIlongedtosetoffwithherforGeneva。EverybodywouldgivemelettersofintroductionforM。deVoltaire，andbytheireagernessonewouldhavethoughtthegreatmanbeloved，whereasalldetestedhimonaccountofhissarcastichumour。
"What，ladies！"saidI，"isnotM。deVoltairegood—natured，polite，andaffabletoyouwhohavebeenkindenoughtoactinhisplayswithhim？"
"Notintheleast。Whenhehearsusrehearsehegrumblesallthetime。Weneversayathingtopleasehim:hereitisabadpronunciation，thereatonenotsufficientlypassionate，sometimesonespeakstoosoftly，sometimestooloudly；andit’sworsewhenweareacting。Whatahubbubthereisifoneaddasyllable，orifsomecarelessnessspoiloneofhisverses。Hefrightensus。Soandsolaughedbadly；soandsoinAlzirehadonlypretendedtoweep。"
"Doeshewantyoutoweepreally？"
"Certainly。Hewillhaverealtears。Hesaysthatifanactorwantstodrawtearshemustshedthemhimself。"
"Ithinkheisrightthere；butheshouldnotbesoseverewithamateurs，aboveallwithcharmingactresseslikeyou。Suchperfectionisonlytobelookedforfromprofessionals，butallauthorsarethesame。Theyneverthinkthattheactorhaspronouncedthewordswiththeforcewhichthesense，astheyseeit，requires。"
"Itoldhim，oneday，thatitwasnotmyfaultifhislineshadnottheproperforce。"
"Iamsurehelaughed。"
"Laughed？No，sneered，forheisarudeandimpertinentman。"
"ButIsupposeyouoverlookallthesefailings？"
"Notatall；wehavesenthimabouthisbusiness。"
"Senthimabouthisbusiness？"
"Yes。Heleftthehousehehadrentedhere，atshortnotice，andretiredtowhereyouwillfindhimnow。Henevercomestoseeusnow，evenifweaskhim。"
"Oh，youdoaskhim，thoughyousenthimabouthisbusiness？"
"Wecannotdepriveourselvesofthepleasureofadmiringhistalents，andifwehaveteasedhim，thatwasonlyfromrevenge，andtoteachhimsomethingofthemannersofgoodsociety。"
"Youhavegivenalessontoagreatmaster。"
"Yes；butwhenyouseehimmentionLausanne，andseewhathewillsayofus。Buthewillsayitlaughingly，that’shisway。"
DuringmystayIoftensawLordRosebury，whohadvainlycourtedmycharmingDubois。Ihaveneverknownayoungmanmoredisposedtosilence。Ihavebeentoldthathehadwit，thathewaswelleducated，andeveninhighspiritsattimes，buthecouldnotgetoverhisshyness，whichgavehimanalmostindefinableairofstupidity。Atballs，assemblies——infact，everywhere，hismannersconsistedofinnumerablebows。Whenonespoketohim，herepliedingoodFrenchbutwiththefewestpossiblewords，andhisshymannershewedthateveryquestionwasatroubletohim。OnedaywhenIwasdiningwithhim，Iaskedhimsomequestionabouthiscountry，whichrequiredfiveorsixsmallphrasesbywayofanswer。Hegavemeanexcellentreply，butblushedallthetimelikeayounggirlwhenshecomesout。ThecelebratedFoxwhowasthentwenty，andwasatthesamedinner，succeededinmakinghimlaugh，butitwasbysayingsomethinginEnglish，whichIdidnotunderstandintheleast。EightmonthsafterIsawhimagainatTurin，hewasthenamorousofabanker’swife，whowasabletountiehistongue。
AtLausanneIsawayounggirlofelevenortwelvebywhosebeautyI
wasexceedinglystruck。ShewasthedaughterofMadamedeSaconai，whomIhadknownatBerne。Idonotknowherafterhistory，buttheimpressionshemadeonmehasneverbeeneffaced。Nothinginnaturehaseverexercisedsuchapowerfulinfluenceovermeasaprettyface，evenifitbeachild’s。
TheBeautiful，asIhavebeentold，isendowedwiththispowerofattraction；andIwouldfainbelieveit，sincethatwhichattractsmeisnecessarilybeautifulinmyeyes，butisitsoinreality？I
doubtit，asthatwhichhasinfluencedmehasnotinfluencedothers。
Theuniversalorperfectbeautydoesnotexist，oritdoesnotpossessthispower。Allwhohavediscussedthesubjecthavehesitatedtopronounceuponit，whichtheywouldnothavedoneiftheyhadkepttotheideaofform。Accordingtomyideas，beautyisonlyform，forthatwhichisnotbeautifulisthatwhichhasnoform，andthedeformedistheoppositeofthe’pulchrum’and’formosum’。
Wearerighttoseekforthedefinitionsofthings，butwhenwehavethemtohandinthewords；whyshouldwegofarther？Iftheword’forma’isLatin，weshouldseekfortheLatinmeaningandnottheFrench，which，however，oftenuses’deforme’or’difforme’insteadof’laid’，ugly，withoutpeople’snoticingthatitsoppositeshouldbeawordwhichimpliestheexistenceofform；andthiscanonlybebeauty。Weshouldnotethat’informe’inFrenchaswellasinLatinmeansshapeless，abodywithoutanydefiniteappearance。
Wewillconclude，then，thatitisthebeautyofwomanwhichhasalwaysexercisedanirresistibleswayoverme，andmoreespeciallythatbeautywhichresidesintheface。Itistherethepowerlies，andsotrueisthat，thatthesphinxesofRomeandVersaillesalmostmakemefallinlovewiththem。though，thefaceexcepted，theyaredeformedineverysenseoftheword。Inlookingatthefineproportionsoftheirfacesoneforgetstheirdeformedbodies。What，then，isbeauty？Weknownot；andwhenweattempttodefineitortoenumerateitsqualitieswebecomelikeSocrates，wehesitate。Theonlythingthatourmindscanseizeistheeffectproducedbyit，andthatwhichcharms，ravishes，andmakesmeinlove，Icallbeauty。Itissomethingthatcanbeseenwiththeeyes，andformyeyesIspeak。
IftheyhadavoicetheywouldspeakbetterthanI，butprobablyinthesamesense。
NopainterhassurpassedRaphaelinthebeautyofthefigureswhichhisdivinepencilproduced；butifthisgreatpainterhadbeenaskedwhatbeautywas，hewouldprobablyhaverepliedthathecouldnotsay，thatheknewitbyheart，andthathethoughthehadreproduceditwheneverhehadseenit，butthathedidnotknowinwhatitconsisted。
"Thatfacepleasesme，"hewouldsay，"itisthereforebeautiful！"
HeoughttohavethankedGodforhavinggivenhimsuchanexquisiteeyeforthebeautiful；but’omnepulchrumdifficile’。
Thepaintersofhighrenown，allthosewhoseworksproclaimgenius，haveexcelledinthedelineationofthebeautiful；buthowsmallistheirnumbercomparedtothevastcravedwhohavestrainedeverynervetodepictbeautyandhaveonlyleftusmediocrity！
Ifapaintercouldbedispensedfrommakinghisworksbeautiful，everymanmightbeanartist；fornothingiseasierthantofashionugliness，andbrushandcanvaswouldbeaseasytohandleasmortarandtrowel。
Althoughportrait—paintingisthemostimportantbranchoftheart，itistobenotedthatthosewhohavesucceededinthislineareveryfew。Therearethreekindsofportraits:uglylikenesses，perfectlikenesses，andthosewhichtoaperfectlikenessaddanalmostimperceptiblecharacterofbeauty。Thefirstclassisworthyonlyofcontemptandtheirauthorsofstoning，fortowantoftasteandtalenttheyaddimpertinence，andyetneverseemtoseetheirfailings。Thesecondclasscannotbedeniedtopossessrealmerit；
butthepalmbelongstothethird，which，unfortunately，areseldomfound，andwhoseauthorsdeservethelargefortunestheyamass。SuchwasthefamousNotier，whomIknewinParisintheyear1750。Thisgreatartistwastheneighty，andinspiteofhisgreatagehistalentsseemedinalltheirfreshness。Hepaintedaplainwoman；itwasaspeakinglikeness，andinspiteofthatthosewhoonlysawtheportraitpronouncedhertobeahandsomewoman。Nevertheless，themostminuteexaminationwouldnothaverevealedanyfaithlessnesstotheoriginal，butsomeimperceptibletouchesgavearealbutindefiniteairofbeautytothewhole。Whencedoesthatmagicarttakeitssource？Oneday，whenhehadbeenpaintingtheplain—
looking"MesdamesdeFrance，"whoonthecanvaslookedliketwoAspasias，Iaskedhimtheabovequestion。Heanswered:——
"Itisamagicwhichthegodoftastedistilsfrommybrainsthroughmybrushes。ItisthedivinityofBeautywhomalltheworldadores，andwhichnoonecandefine，sincenooneknowsofwhatitconsists。
Thatcanvasshewsyouwhatadelicateshadethereisbetweenbeautyandugliness；andneverthelessthisshadeseemsanenormousdifferencetothoseunacquaintedwithart。"
TheGreekpaintersmadeVenus，thegoddessofbeauty，squint—eyed，andthisoddideahasbeenpraisedbysome；butthesepainterswerecertainlyinthewrong。
Twosquintingeyesmightbebeautiful，butcertainlynotsobeautifulasiftheydidnotsquint，forwhateverbeautytheyhadcouldnotproceedfromtheirdeformity。
Afterthislongdigression，withwhichthereadermaynotbeverywellpleased，itistimeformetoreturntomysweetheart。ThetenthdayofmyvisittoLausanne，Iwenttosupandsleepwithmymistress，andthatnightwasthehappiestIremember。Inthemorning，whileweweretakingcoffeewithhermother，Iobservedthatweseemedinnohurrytopart。Atthis，themother，awomanoffewwords，tookupthediscourseinapoliteanddignifiedmanner，andtoldmeitwasmydutytoundeceiveLebelbeforeIleft；andatthesametimeshegavemealettershehadhadfromhimtheeveningbefore。TheworthymanbeggedhertoremindmethatifIcouldnotmakeupmymindtoseparatefromherdaughterbeforeIleftLausanne，itwouldbemuchmoredifficultformetodosowhenIwasfartheroff；aboveall，if，aswouldprobablybethecase，shegavemealivingpledgeofherlove。Hesaidthathehadnothoughtsofdrawingbackfromhisword，butheshouldwishtobeabletosaythathehadtakenhiswifefromhermother’shands。
WhenIhadreadtheletteraloud，theworthymotherwept，andleftusalone。Amoment’ssilenceensued，andwithasighthatshewedwhatitcosther，mydearDuboishadthecouragetotellmethatImustinstantlywritetoLebeltogiveupallpretensionstoher，ortocomeandtakeheratonce。
"IfIwriteandtellhimtothinknomoreofyou，Imustmarryyoumyself。"
"No。"
Withthisnoshearoseandleftme。Ithoughtitoverforaquarterofanhour，Iweighedtheprosandconsandstillmyloveshrankfromthesacrifice。Atlast，onconsiderationthatmyhousekeeperwouldneverhavesuchachanceagain，thatIwasnotsurethatIcouldalwaysmakeherhappy，Iresolvedtobegenerous，anddeterminedtowritetoLebelthatMadameDuboishaddecidedofherownfreewilltobecomehiswife，thatIhadnorighttoopposeherresolution，andthatIwouldgosofarastocongratulatehimonahappinessIenviedhim。IbeggedhimtoleaveSoleureatonceandcomeandreceiveherinmypresencefromthehandsofherworthymother。
Isignedtheletterandtookittomyhousekeeper，whowasinhermother’sroom。"Takethisletter，dearest，andreadit，andifyouapproveitscontentsputyoursignaturebesidemine。"Shereaditseveraltimes，whilehergoodmotherwept，andthen，withanaffectionateandsorrowfulair，shetookthepenandsigned。I
beggedhermothertofindsomebodytotakethelettertoSoleureimmediately，beforemyresolutionwasweakenedbyrepentance。
Themessengercame，andassoonashehadgone，"Farewell，"saidI，embracingher，withmyeyeswetwithtears，"farewell，weshallseeeachotheragainassoonasLebelcomes。"
Iwenttomyinn，apreytothedeepestgrief。Thissacrificehadgivenanewimpetustomyloveforthischarmingwoman，andIfeltasortofspasm，whichmademeafraidIshouldgetill。Ishutmyselfupinmyroom，andIorderedtheservantstosayIwasunwellandcouldseenoone。
Intheeveningofthefourthdayafter，Lebe1wasannounced。Heembracedme，sayinghishappinesswouldbeduetome。Hethenleftme，tellingmehewouldexpectmeatthehouseofhisfuturebride。
"Excusemeto—day，mydearfellow，"saidI，"butIwilldinewithyouthereto—morrow。"
Whenhehadleftme，ItoldLeDuctomakeallpreparationsforourleavingthenextdayafterdinner。
Iwentoutearlyonthefollowingdaytotakeleaveofeverybody，andatnoonLebelcametotakemetothatsadrepast，atwhich，however，IwasnotsosadasIhadfeared。
AsIwasleavingIbeggedthefutureMadameLebeltoreturnmetheringIhadgivenher，andaswehadagreed，IpresentedherwitharollofahundredLouis，whichshetookwithamelancholyair。
"Ishouldneverhavesoldit，"shesaid，"forIhavenoneedofmoney。"
"InthatcaseIwillgiveitbacktoyou，butpromisemenevertopartwithit，andkeepthehundredLouisassomesmallrewardoftheservicesyouhaverenderedme。"
Sheshookmyhandaffectionately，putonmyfingerherweddingring，andleftmetohidehergrief。Iwipedmytearsaway，andsaidtoLebel，"YouareabouttopossessyourselfofatreasurewhichIcannotcommendtoohighly。Youareamanofhonour；youwillappreciateherexcellentqualities，andyouwillknowhowtomakeherhappy。Shewillloveyouonly，takecareofyourhousehold，andkeepnosecretsfromyou。Sheisfullofwitandspirits，andwilleasilydispersetheslightestshadowofillhumourwhichmayfallonyou。"
Iwentinwithhimtothemother’sroomtotakeleaveofher，andMadameDuboisbeggedmetodelaymydepartureandsuponcemorewithher。Itoldherthatmyhorseswereputinandthecarriagewaitingatmydoor，andthatsuchadelaywouldsettonguestalking；butthatifsheliked，she，herfuturehusbandandhermother，couldcomeandseemeataninntwoleaguesoffontheGenevaroad，wherewecouldstayaslongasweliked。Lebelapprovedoftheplan，andmypropositionwasaccepted。
WhenIgotbacktomyinnIfoundmycarriageready，andIgotinanddrovetothemeeting—place，andorderedagoodsupperforfour，andanhourlatermyguestsarrived。
Thegayandevenhappyairofthenewlybetrothedsurprisedme，butwhatastonishedmemorewastheeasywaywithwhichshethrewherselfintomyarmsassoonasshesawme。Itputmequiteoutofcountenance，butshehadmorewitthanI。However，Imusteredupsufficientstrengthtofollowhercue，butIcouldnothelpthinkingthatifshehadreallylovedmeshewouldnothavefounditpossibletopassthusfromlovetomerefriendship。However，Iimitatedher，andmadenoobjectionstothosemarksofaffectionallowedtofriendship，whicharesupposedtohavenotinctureofloveinthem。
AtsupperIthoughtIsawthatLebelwasmoredelightedathavingsuchawifethanattheprospectofenjoyingherandsatisfyingastrongpassion。Thatcalmedme；Icouldnotbejealousofamanlikethat。Iperceived，too，thatmysweetheart’shighspiritsweremorefeignedthanreal；shewishedtomakemesharethemsoastorenderourseparationlessbitter，andtotranquilliseherfuturehusbandastothenatureofourfeelingsforoneanother。Andwhenreasonandtimehadquietedthetempestinmyheart，Icouldnothelpthinkingitverynaturalthatsheshouldbepleasedattheprospectofbeingindependent，andofenjoyingafortune。
Wemadeanexcellentsupper，whichwewasheddownsowellthatatlastthegaietywhichhadbeensimulatedendedbybeingreal。I
lookedatthecharmingDuboiswithpleasure；Iregardedherasatreasurewhichhadbelongedtome，andwhichaftermakingmehappywaswithmyfullconsentabouttoensurethehappinessofanother。
ItseemedtomethatIhadbeenmagnanimousenoughtogivehertherewardshedeserved，likeagoodMussulmanwhogivesafavouriteslavehisfreedominreturnforhisfidelity。HersalliesmademelaughandrecalledthehappymomentsIhadpassedwithher，buttheideaofherhappinesspreventedmyregrettinghavingyieldedmyrightstoanother。
AsLebelwasobligedtoreturntoLausanneinordertogetbacktoSoleureintwodays，wehadtopart。Iembracedhimandaskedhimtocontinuehisfriendshiptowardsme，andhepromisedwithgreateffusiontobemyfriendtilldeath。Asweweregoingdownthestair，mycharmingfriendsaid，withgreatcandour，"Iamnotreallygay，butIobligemyselftoappearso。Ishallnotbehappytillthescaronmyhearthashealed。Lebelcanonlyclaimmyesteem，butIshallbehisalonethoughmylovebeallforyou。
Whenweseeeachotheragain，asfromwhatyousayIhopeweshall，weshallbeabletomeetastruefriends，andperhapsweshallcongratulateeachotheronthewisepartwehavetaken。Asforyou，thoughIdonotthinkyouwillforgetme，Iamsurethatbeforelongsomemoreorlessworthyobjectwillreplacemeandbanishyoursorrow。Ihopeitwillbeso。Behappy。Imaybewithchild；andifitprovetobeso，youshallhavenocausetocomplainofmycareofyourchild，whichyoushalltakeawaywhenyouplease。Wemadeanagreementonthispointyesterday。Wearrangedthatthemarriageshouldnotbeconsummatedfortwomonths；thusweshallbecertainwhetherthechildbelongstoyouorno，andwewillletpeoplethinkthatitisthelegitimateoffspringofourmarriage。Lebelconceivedthisplanthathemighthavehismindatrestonthesupposedforceofblood，inwhichhedeclareshebelievesnomorethanIdo。Hehaspromisedtolovethechildasifhewereitsfather。Ifyouwritetome，Iwillkeepyouacquaintedwitheverything；andifIhavethehappinesstogiveyouachild，itwillbemuchdearertomethanyourring。"
Wewept，andLebellaughedtoseeus。
Icouldonlyreplybypressinghertomybreast，andthenIgaveherovertoherfuturehusband，whotoldmeashegotintothecarriagethatourlongtalkhadpleasedhimverymuch。
Iwenttobedsadlyenough。NextmorningwhenIawoke，apastoroftheChurchofGenevacarnetoaskmetogivehimaplaceinmycarriage。Iagreed，andwasnotsorryIhaddoneso。
Thispriestwasaneloquentman，althoughatheologian，whoansweredthemostdifficultreligiousquestionsIcouldputtohim。Therewasnomysterywithhim，everythingwasreason。IhaveneverfoundamorecompliantChristianitythanthatofthisworthyman，whosemorals，asIheardafterwardsatGeneva，wereperfectlypure。ButI
foundoutthatthiskindofChristianitywasnotpeculiartohim，allhisfellow—Calviniststhoughtinthesameway。
WishingtoconvincehimthathewasaCalvinistinnameonly，sincehedidnotbelievethatJesusChristwasofthesamesubstanceastheFather，herepliedthatCalvinwasonlyinfalliblewherehespoke’excathedra’，butIstruckhimdumbbyquotingthewordsoftheGospel。
HeblushedwhenIreproachedhimwithCalvin’sbeliefthatthePopewastheAntichristoftheApocalypse。
"ItwillbeimpossibletodestroythisprejudiceatGeneva，"saidhe，"tilltheGovernmentorderstheeffacementofaninscriptiononthechurchdoorwhicheverybodyreads，andwhichspeaksoftheheadoftheRomanChurchinthismanner。"
"Thepeople，"headded，"arewhollyignorant；butIhaveanieceoftwenty，whodoesnotbelongtothepeopleinthisway。Ishallhavethehonourofmakingyouknowntoher；sheisatheologian，andprettyaswell。"
"Ishallbedelightedtoseeher，butGodpreservemefromarguingwithher！"
"Shewillmakeyouargue，andIcanassureyouthatitwillbeapleasureforyou！"
"Weshallsee；butwillyougivemeyouraddress？"
"Nosir，butIshallhavethehonourofconductingyoutoyourinnandactingasyourguide。"
IgotdownatBalances，andwaswelllodged。Itwasthe20thofAugust，1760。OngoingtothewindowInoticedapaneofglassonwhichIreadthesewords，writtenwiththepointofadiamond:"YouwillforgetHenriette。"InamomentmythoughtsflewbacktothetimeinwhichHenriettehadwrittenthesewords，thirteenyearsago，andmyhairstoodonend。WehadbeenlodgedinthisroomwhensheseparatedfrommetoreturntoFrance。Iwasoverwhelmed，andfellonachairwhereIabandonedmyselftodeepthought。NobleHenriette，dearHenriette，whomIhadlovedsowell；wherewasshenow？Ihadneverheardofher；Ihadneveraskedanyoneabouther。
Comparingmypresentandpastestates，IwasobligedtoconfessthatIwaslessworthyofpossessinghernowthanthen。Icouldstilllove，butIwasnolongersodelicateinmythoughts；Ihadnotthosefeelingswhichjustifythefaultscommittedbythesenses，northatprobitywhichservesasacontrasttothefolliesandfrailtiesofman；but，whatwasworstofall，Iwasnotsostrong。Nevertheless，itseemedthattheremembranceofHenrietterestoredmetomypristinevigour。Ihadnolongermyhousekeeper；Iexperiencedagreatvoid；andIfeltsoenthusiasticthatifIhadknownwhereHenriettewasIshouldhavegonetoseekherout，despiteherprohibition。
Nextday，atanearlyhour，IwenttothebankerTronchin，whohadallmymoney。Afterseeingmyaccount，hegavemealetterofcreditonMarseilles，Genoa，FlorenceandRome，andIonlytooktwelvethousandfrancsincash。Ihadonlyfiftythousandcrowns，threehundredfrancs，butthatwouldtakemeagoodway。AssoonasIhaddeliveredmyletters，IreturnedtoBalances，impatienttoseeM。deVoltaire。
Ifoundmyfellow—travellerinmyroom。Heaskedmetodinner，tellingmethatIshouldhaveM。Vilars—Chandieu，whowouldtakemeafterdinnertoM。deVoltaire，whohadbeenexpectingmeforseveraldays。Ifollowedtheworthyman，andfoundathishouseexcellentcompany，andtheyoungtheologianwhomtheuncledidnotaddresstilldessert。
Iwillendeavourtoreportasfaithfullyaspossibletheyoungwoman’sconversation。
"Whathaveyoubeendoingthismorning，mydearniece？"
"IhavebeenreadingSt。Augustine，whomIthoughtabsurd，andI
thinkIcanrefutehimveryshortly。"
"Onwhatpoint？"
"ConcerningthemotheroftheSaviour。"
"WhatdoesSt。Augustinesay？"
"Youhavenodoubtremarkedthepassage，uncle。HesaysthattheVirginMaryconceivedJesusChristthroughtheears。"
"Youdonotbelievethat？"
"Certainlynot，andforthreegoodreasons。InthefirstplacebecauseGod，beingimmaterial，hadnoneedofaholetogoinorcomeoutby；inthesecondplace，becausetheearhasnoconnectionwiththewomb；andinthethirdplace，becauseMary，ifshehadconceivedbytheear，wouldhavegivenbirthbythesamechannel。ThiswoulddowellenoughfortheCatholics，"saidshe，givingmeaglance，"asthentheywouldbereasonableincallingheravirginbeforeherconception，duringherpregnancy，andaftershehadgivenbirthtothechild。"
Iwasextremelyastonished，andmyastonishmentwassharedbytheotherguests。Divinetheologyrisesaboveallfleshlyconsiderations，andafterwhatwehadheardwehadeithertoallowherthisprivilege，ortoconsidertheyoungtheologianasawomanwithoutshame。Thelearnedniecedidnotseemtocarewhatwethought，assheaskedformyopiniononthematter。
"IfIwereatheologianandallowedmyselfanexactexaminationintothemiracles，itispossibleIshouldbeofyouropinion；butasthisisbynomeansthecase，ImustlimitmyselftocondemningSt。
AugustineforhavinganalysedthemysteryoftheAnnunciation。Imaysay，however，thatiftheVirginhadbeendeaf，St。Augustinewouldhavebeenguiltyofamanifestabsurdity，sincetheIncarnationwouldhavebeenanimpossibility，asinthatcasethenervesoftheearwouldhavehadnosortofcommunicationwiththewomb，andtheprocesswouldhavebeeninconceivable；buttheIncarnationisamiracle。"
SherepliedwithgreatpolitenessthatIhadshownmyselfagreatertheologianthanshe，andherunclethankedmeforhavinggivenheralesson。Hemadeherdiscussvarioussubjects，butshedidnotshine。
HeronlysubjectwastheNewTestament。IshallhaveoccasiontospeakofthisyoungwomanwhenIgetbacktoGeneva。
AfterdinnerwewenttoseeVoltaire，whowasjustleavingthetableaswecamein。Hewasinthemiddleofacourtofgentlemenandladies，whichmademyintroductionasolemnone；butwiththisgreatmansolemnitycouldnotfailtobeinmyfavour。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
THEETERNALQUEST，Volume3e——WITHVOLTAIRE
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
THEETERNALQUEST
WITHVOLTAIRE
CHAPTERXIX
M。deVoltaire；MyDiscussionswithThatGreatMan——Ariosto——TheDucdeVillars——TheSyndicandtheThreeGirls——DisputewithVoltaire——
Aix—en—Savoie——TheMarquisDesarmoises"M。deVoltaire，"saidI，"thisisthehappiestmomentofmylife。
Ihavebeenyourpupilfortwentyyears，andmyheartisfullofjoytoseemymaster。"
"Honourmewithyourattendanceonmycoursefortwentyyearsmore，andpromisemethatyouwillbringmemyfeesattheendofthattime。"
"Certainly，ifyoupromisetowaitforme。"
ThisVoltaireansallymadeallpresentlaugh，aswastobeexpected，forthosewholaughkeeponepartyincountenanceattheother’sexpense，andthesidewhichhasthelaughterissuretowin；thisistheruleofgoodsociety。
Iwasnottakenbysurprise，andwaitedtohavemyrevenge。
JustthentwoEnglishmencameinandwerepresentedtohim。
"ThesegentlemenareEnglish，"saidVoltaire；"IwishIwere。"
Ithoughtthecomplimentfalseandoutofplace；forthegentlemenwereobligedtoreplyoutofpolitenessthattheywishedtheyhadbeenFrench，oriftheydidnotcaretotellalietheywouldbetooconfusedtotellthetruth。Ibelieveeverymanofhonourshouldputhisownnationfirst。
Amomentafter，VoltaireturnedtomeagainandsaidthatasIwasaVenetianImustknowCountAlgarotti。
"Iknowhim，butnotbecauseIamaVenetian，asseven—eightsofmydearcountrymenarenotevenawareofhisexistence。"
"Ishouldhavesaid，asamanofletters。"
"IknowhimfromhavingspenttwomonthswithhimatPadua，sevenyearsago，andwhatparticularlyattractedmyattentionwastheadmirationheprofessedforM。deVoltaire。"
"Thatisflatteringforme，buthehasnoneedofadmiringanyone。"
"IfAlgarottihadnotbegunbyadmiringothers，hewouldneverhavemadeanameforhimself。AsanadmirerofNewtonheendeavouredtoteachtheladiestodiscussthetheoryoflight。"
"Hashesucceeded？"
"NotaswellasM。deFontenelleinhis"PluralityofWorlds；"
however，onemaysayhehassucceeded。"
"True。IfyouseehimatBologna，tellhimIamexpectingtohearfromhimaboutRussia。Hecanaddressmyletterstomybanker，Bianchi，atMilan，andtheywillbesentontome。"
"IwillnotfailtodosoifIseehim。"
"IhaveheardthattheItaliansdonotcareforhisstyle。"
"No；allthathewritesisfullofFrenchidioms。Hisstyleiswretched。"
"ButdonottheseFrenchturnsincreasethebeautyofyourlanguage？"
"Theymakeitinsufferable，asFrenchwouldbemixedwithItalianorGermaneventhoughitwerewrittenbyM。deVoltaire。"
"Youareright；everylanguageshouldpreserveitspurity。Livyhasbeencriticisedonthisaccount；hisLatinissaidtobetaintedwithpatavinity。"
"WhenIbegantolearnLatin，theAbbeLazzarinitoldmehepreferredLivytoSallust。"
"TheAbbeLazzarini，authorofthetragedy，’Ulisseilgiovine’？
Youmusthavebeenveryyoung；IwishIhadknownhim。ButIknewtheAbbeContiwell；thesamethatwasNewton’sfriend，andwhosefourtragediescontainthewholeofRomanhistory。"
"Ialsoknewandadmiredhim。Iwasyoung，butIcongratulatedmyselfonbeingadmittedintothesocietyofthesegreatmen。Itseemsasifitwereyesterday，thoughitismanyyearsago；andnowinyourpresencemyinferioritydoesnothumiliateme。Iwishtobetheyoungersonofallhumanity。"
"Bettersothantobethechiefandeldest。MayIaskyoutowhatbranchofliteratureyouhavedevotedyourself？"
"Tonone；butthat，perhaps，willcomeafterwards。InthemeantimeI
readasmuchasIcan，andtrytostudycharacteronmytravels。"
"Thatisthewaytobecomelearned，butthebookofhumanityistoovast。Readingahistoryistheeasierway。"
"Yes，ifhistorydidnotlie。Oneisnotsureofthetruthofthefacts。Itistiring，whilethestudyoftheworldisamusing。
Horace，whomIknowbyheart，ismyguide—book。"
"Algarotti，too，isveryfondofHorace。Ofcourseyouarefondofpoetry？"
"Itismypassion。"
"Haveyoumademanysonnets？"
"TenortwelveIlike，andtwoorthreethousandwhichinallprobabilityIhavenotreadtwice。"
"TheItaliansaremadaftersonnets。"
"Yes；ifonecancallitamadnesstodesiretoputthoughtintomeasuredharmony。Thesonnetisdifficultbecausethethoughthastobefittedexactlyintothefourteenlines。"
"ItisProcrustes’bed，andthat’sthereasonyouhavesofewgoodones。Asforus，wehavenotone；butthatisthefaultofourlanguage。"
"AndoftheFrenchgenius，whichconsidersthatathoughtwhenextendedlosesallitsforce。"
"Andyoudonotthinkso？"
"Pardonme，itdependsonthekindofthought。Awittysaying，forexample，willnotmakeasonnet；inFrenchorItalianitbelongstothedomainofepigram。"
"WhatItalianpoetdoyoulikebest？"
"Ariosto；butIcannotsayIlovehimbetterthantheothers，forheismyonlylove。"
"Youknowtheothers，though？"
"IthinkIhavereadthemall，butalltheirlightspalebeforeAriosto’s。FifteenyearsagoIreadallyouhavewrittenagainsthim，andIsaidthatyou，wouldretractwhenyouhadreadhisworks。"
"IamobligedtoyouforthinkingthatIhadnotreadthem。AsamatteroffactIhaddoneso，butIwasyoung。IknewItalianveryimperfectly，andbeingprejudicedbythelearnedItalianswhoadoreTassoIwasunfortunateenoughtopublishacriticismofAriostowhichIthoughtmyown，whileitwasonlytheechoofthosewhohadprejudicedme。IadoreyourAriosto！"
"Ah！M。deVoltaire，Ibreatheagain。Butbegoodenoughtohavetheworkinwhichyouturnedthisgreatmanintoridiculeexcommunicated。"
"Whatusewouldthatbe？Allmybooksareexcommunicated；butI
willgiveyouagoodproofofmyretractation。"
Iwasastonished！Thegreatmanbegantorecitethetwofinepassagesfromthethirty—fourthandthirty—fifthcantos，inwhichthedivinepoetspeaksoftheconversationofAstolphowithSt。Johnandhediditwithoutmissingasinglelifeorcommittingtheslightestfaultagainstthelawsofprosody。Hethenpointedoutthebeautiesofthepassageswithhisnaturalinsightandwithagreatman’sgenius。IcouldnothavehadanythingbetterfromthelipsofthemostskilledcommentatorsinItaly。Ilistenedtohimwiththegreatestattention，hardlydaringtobreath，andwaitingforhimtomakeamistake，butIhadmytroublefornothing。IturnedtothecompanycryingthatIwasmorethanastonished，andthatallItalyshouldknowwhatIhadseen。"AndI，sir，"saidthegreatman，"willletallEuropeknowoftheamendsIowetothegreatestgeniusourcontinenthasproduced。"
Greedyofthepraisewhichhedeservedsowell，VoltairegavemethenextdayhistranslationwhichAriostobeginsthus:
"Quindiavvienthetraprincipiasignori。"
Attheendoftherecitationwhichgainedtheapplauseofallwhoheardit，althoughnotoneofthemknewItalian，MadameDenis，hisniece，askedmeifIthoughtthepassageherunclehadjustrecitedoneofthefinestthepoethadwritten。
"Yes，butnotthefinest。"
"Itoughttobe；forwithoutitSignorLodovicowouldnothavegainedhisapotheosis。"
"Hehasbeencanonised，then？Iwasnotawareofthat。"
Atthesewordsthelaugh，headedbyVoltaire，wentforMadameDenis。
Everybodylaughedexceptmyself，andIcontinuedtolookperfectlyserious。
Voltairewasvexedatnotseeingmelaughliketherest，andaskedmethereason。
"Areyouthinking，"saidhe，"ofsomemorethanhumanpassage？"
"Yes，"Ianswered。
"Whatpassageisthat？"
"Thelastthirty—sixstanzasofthetwenty—thirdcanto，wherethepoetdescribesindetailhowRolandbecamemad。Sincetheworldhasexistednoonehasdiscoveredthespringsofmadness，unlessAriostohimself，whobecamemadinhisoldage。Thesestanzasareterrible，andIamsuretheymusthavemadeyoutremble。"
"Yes，Iremembertheyrenderlovedreadful。Ilongtoreadthemagain。"
"Perhapsthegentlemanwillbegoodenoughtorecitethem，"saidMadameDenis，withaside—glanceatheruncle。
"Willingly，"saidI，"ifyouwillhavethegoodnesstolistentome。"
"Youhavelearnthembyheart，then，haveyou？"saidVoltaire。
"Yes，itwasapleasureandnotrouble。SinceIwassixteen，IhavereadoverAriostotwoorthreetimeseveryyear；itismypassion，andthelinesnaturallybecomelinkedinmymemorywithoutmyhavinggivenmyselfanypainstolearnthem。Iknowitall，excepthislonggenealogiesandhishistoricaltirades，whichfatiguethemindanddonottouchtheheart。ItisonlyHoracethatIknowthroughout，inspiteoftheoftenprosaicstyleofhisepistles，whicharecertainlyfarfromequallingBoileau’s。"
"Boileauisoftentoolengthy；IadmireHorace，butasforAriosto，withhisfortylongcantos，thereistoomuchofhim。"
"Itisfifty—onecantos，M。deVoltaire。"
Thegreatmanwassilent，butMadameDeniswasequaltotheoccasion。
"Come，come，"saidshe，"letushearthethirty—sixstanzaswhichearnedtheauthorthetitleofdivine，andwhicharetomakeustremble。"
Ithenbegan，inanassuredvoice，butnotinthatmonotonoustoneadoptedbytheItalians，withwhichtheFrenchsojustlyreproachus。
TheFrenchwouldbethebestrecitersiftheywerenotconstrainedbytherhyme，fortheysaywhattheyfeelbetterthananyotherpeople。
Theyhaveneitherthepassionatemonotonoustoneofmyfellow—
countrymen，northesentimentalityoftheGermans，northefatiguingmannerismsoftheEnglish；toeveryperiodtheygiveitsproperexpression，buttherecurrenceofthesamesoundspartlyspoilstheirrecitation。IrecitedthefineversesofAriosto，asifithadbeenrhythmicprose，animatingitbythesoundofmyvoiceandthemovementsofmyeyes，andbymodulatingmyintonationaccordingtothesentimentswithwhichIwishedtoinspiremyaudience。TheysawhowhardlyIcouldrestrainmytears，andeveryeyewaswet；butwhenIcametothestanza，"Poicheallargareilfrenoaldolorpuote，Cherestasolosenzaaltruirispetto，GiudagliocchirigandoperlegoteSpargeunfiumedelacrimesulpetto，"
mytearscourseddownmycheekstosuchanextentthateveryonebegantosob。M。deVoltaireandMadameDenisthrewtheirarmsroundmyneck，buttheirembracescouldnotstopme，forRoland，tobecomemad，hadtonoticethathewasinthesamebedinwhichAngelicahadlatelybeenfoundinthearmsofthetoofortunateMedor，andIhadtoreachthenextstanza。FormyvoiceofsorrowandwailingI
substitutedtheexpressionofthatterrorwhicharosenaturallyfromthecontemplationofhisfury，whichwasinitseffectslikeatempest，avolcano，oranearthquake。
WhenIhadfinishedIreceivedwithasadairthecongratulationsoftheaudience。Voltairecried，"Ialwayssaidso；thesecretofdrawingtearsistoweepone’sself，buttheymustberealtears，andtoshedthemtheheartmustbestirredtoitsdepths。Iamobligedtoyou，sir，"headded，embracingme，"andIpromisetorecitethesamestanzasmyselfto—
morrow，andtoweeplikeyou。"
Hekepthisword。
"Itisastonishing，"saidMadameDenis，"thatintolerantRomeshouldnothavecondemnedthesongofRoland。"
"Farfromit，"saidVoltaire，"LeoX。excommunicatedwhoevershoulddaretocondemnit。ThetwogreatfamiliesofEsteandMediciinterestedthemselvesinthepoet’sfavour。WithoutthatprotectionitisprobablethattheonelineonthedonationofRomebyConstantinetoSilvester，wherethepoetspeaks’puzzaforte’wouldhavesufficedtoputthewholepoemunderaninterdict。"
"Ibelieve，"saidI，"thatthelinewhichhasexcitedthemosttalkisthatinwhichAriostothrowsdoubtonthegeneralresurrection。
Ariosto，"Iadded，"inspeakingofthehermitwhowouldhavehinderedRhodomontefromgettingpossessionofIsabella，widowofZerbin，paintstheAfrican，whoweariedofthehermit’ssermons，seizeshimandthrowshimsofarthathedasheshimagainstarock，againstwhichheremainsinadeadswoon，sothat’chealnovissimodiforsefiadesto’。"
This’forse’whichmaypossiblyhaveonlybeenplacedthereasaflowerofrhetoricorasawordtocompletetheverse，raisedagreatuproar，whichwoulddoubtlesshavegreatlyamusedthepoetifhehadhadtime！
"Itisapity，"saidMadameDenis，"thatAriostowasnotmorecarefulinthesehyperbolicalexpressions。"
"Bequiet，niece，theyarefullofwit。Theyareallgoldengrains，whicharedispersedthroughouttheworkinthebesttaste。"
Theconversationwasthendirectedtowardsvarioustopics，andatlastwegottothe’Ecossaise’wehadplayedatSoleure。
Theyknewallaboutit。
M。deVoltairesaidthatifIlikedtoplayitathishousehewouldwritetoM。deChavignitosendtheLindane，andthathehimselfwouldplayMontrose。IexcusedmyselfbysayingthatMadamewasatBaleandthatIshouldbeobligedtogoonmyjourneythenextday。
Atthisheexclaimedloudly，arousedthewholecompanyagainstme，andsaidatlastthatheshouldconsidermyvisitasaninsultunlessIsparedhimaweekatleastofmysociety。
"Sir，"saidI，"IhaveonlycometoGenevatohavethehonourofseeingyou，andnowthatIhaveobtainedthatfavourIhavenothingmoretodo。"
"Haveyoucometospeaktome，orformetospeaktoyou？"
"Inameasure，ofcourse，tospeaktoyou，butmuchmoreforyoutospeaktome。"
"Thenstayherethreedaysatleast；cometodinnereveryday，andwewillhavesomeconversation。"
TheinvitationwassoflatteringandpressingthatIcouldnotrefuseitwithagoodgrace。Ithereforeaccepted，andIthenlefttogoandwrite。
Ihadnotbeenbackforaquarterofanhourwhenasyndicofthetown，anamiableman，whomIhadseenatM。deVoltaire’s，andwhosenameIshallnotmention，cameandaskedmetogivehimsupper。
"Iwaspresent，"saidhe，"atyourargumentwiththegreatman，andthoughIdidnotopenmymouthIshouldmuchliketohaveanhour’stalkwithyou。"Bywayofreply，Iembracedhim，begginghimtoexcusemydressing—gown，andtellinghimthatIshouldbegladifhewouldspendthewholenightwithme。
Theworthymanspenttwohourswithme，withoutsayingawordonthesubjectofliterature，buttopleasemehehadnoneedtotalkofbooks，forhewasadiscipleofEpicurusandSocrates，andtheeveningwasspentintellinglittlestories，inburstsoflaughter，andinaccountsofthevariouskindsofpleasureobtainableatGeneva。Beforeleavingmeheaskedmetocomeandsupwithhimonthefollowingevening，promisingthatboredomshouldnotbeoftheparty。
"Ishallwaitforyou，"saidI。
"Verygood，butdon’ttellanyoneoftheparty。"
Ipromisedtofollowhisinstructions。
Nextmorning，youngFoxcametoseemewiththetwoEnglishmenIhadseenatM。deVoltaire’s。Theyproposedagameofquinze，whichI
accepted，andafterlosingfiftylouisIleftoff，andwewalkedaboutthetowntilldinner—time。
WefoundtheDucdeVillarsatDelices；hehadcometheretoconsultDr。Tronchin，whohadkepthimaliveforthelasttenyears。
Iwassilentduringtherepast，butatdessert，M。deVoltaire，knowingthatIhadreasonsfornotlikingtheVenetianGovernment，introducedthesubject；butIdisappointedhim，asImaintainedthatinnocountrycouldamanenjoymoreperfectlibertythaninVenice。
"Yes，"saidhe，"providedheresignshimselftoplaythepartofadumbman。"
AndseeingthatIdidnotcareforthesubject，hetookmebythearmtohisgarden，ofwhich，hesaid，hewasthecreator。Theprincipalwalkledtoaprettyrunningstream。
"’TistheRhone，"saidhe，"whichIsendintoFrance。"
"Itdoesnotcostyoumuchincarriage，atallevents，"saidI。
HesmiledpleasantlyandshewedmetheprincipalstreetofGeneva，andMontBlancwhichisthehighestpointoftheAlps。
BringingbacktheconversationtoItalianliterature，hebegantotalknonsensewithmuchwitandlearning，butalwaysconcludingwithafalsejudgment。Ilethimtalkon。HespokeofHomer，Dante，andPetrarch，andeverybodyknowswhathethoughtofthesegreatgeniuses，buthedidhimselfwronginwritingwhathethought。I
contentedmyselfwithsayingthatifthesegreatmendidnotmerittheesteemofthosewhostudiedthem；itwouldatalleventsbealongtimebeforetheyhadtocomedownfromthehighplaceinwhichthepraiseofcenturies，hadplacedthem。
TheDucdeVillarsandthefamousTronchincameandjoinedus。Thedoctor，atallfineman，polite，eloquentwithoutbeingaconversationalist，alearnedphysician，amanofwit，afavouritepupilofBoerhaeve，withoutscientificjargon，orcharlatanism，orself—sufficiency，enchantedme。Hissystemofmedicinewasbasedonregimen，andtomakeruleshehadtobeamanofprofoundscience。
Ihavebeenassured，butcanscarcelybelieveit，thathecuredaconsumptivepatientofasecretdiseasebymeansofthemilkofanass，whichhehadsubmittedtothirtystrongfrictionsofmercurybyfoursturdyporters。
AstoVillarshealsoattractedmyattention，butinquiteadifferentwaytoTronchin。OnexamininghisfaceandmannerI
thoughtIsawbeforemeawomanofseventydressedasaman，thinandemaciated，butstillproudofherlooks，andwithclaimstopastbeauty。Hischeeksandlipswerepainted，hiseyebrowsblackened，andhisteethwerefalse；heworeahugewig，which，exhaledamber，andathisbuttonholewasanenormousbunchofflowers，whichtouchedhischin。Heaffectedagraciousmanner，andhespokesosoftlythatitwasoftenimpossibletohearwhathesaid。Hewasexcessivelypoliteandaffable，andhismannerswerethoseoftheRegency。Hiswholeappearancewassupremelyridiculous。Iwastoldthatinhisyouthhewasaloverofthefairsex，butnowthathewasnolongergoodforanythinghehadmodestlymadehimselfintoawoman，andhadfourprettypetsinhisemploy，whotookturnsinthedisgustingdutyofwarminghisoldcarcaseatnight。
VillarswasgovernorofProvence，andhadhisbackeatenupwithcancer。Inthecourseofnatureheshouldhavebeenburiedtenyearsago，butTronchinkepthimalivewithhisregimenandbyfeedingthewoundsonslicesofveal。Withoutthisthecancerwouldhavekilledhim。Hislifemightwellbecalledanartificialone。
IaccompaniedM。deVoltairetohisbedroom，wherehechangedhiswigandputonanothercap，forhealwaysworeoneonaccountoftherheumatismtowhichhewassubject。IsawonthetabletheSummaofSt。Thomas，andamongotherItalianpoetsthe’SecchiaRapita’ofTassoni。
"This，"saidVoltaire，"istheonlytragicomicpoemwhichItalyhas。
Tassoniwasamonk，awitandageniusaswellasapoet。"
"Iwillgranthispoeticalabilitybutnothislearning，forheridiculedthesystemofCopernicus，andsaidthatifhistheorieswerefollowedastronomerswouldnotbeabletocalculatelunationsoreclipses。"
"Wheredoeshemakethatridiculousremark？"
"Inhisacademicaldiscourses。"
"Ihavenotreadthem，butIwillgetthem。"
Hetookapenandnotedthenamedown，andsaid，——
"ButTassonihascriticisedPetrarchveryingeniously。"
"Yes，buthehasdishonouredtasteandliterature，likeMuratori。"
"Hereheis。Youmustallowthathislearningisimmense。"
"Estubipeccat。"
Voltaireopenedadoor，andIsawahundredgreatfilesfullofpapers。
"That’smycorrespondence，"saidhe。"Youseebeforeyounearlyfiftythousandletters，towhichIhavereplied。"
"Haveyouacopyofyouranswers？"
"Ofagoodmanyofthem。That’sthebusinessofaservantofmine，whohasnothingelsetodo。"
"Iknowplentyofbooksellerswhowouldgiveagooddealtogetholdofyouranswers。
"Yes；butlookoutforthebooksellerswhenyoupublishanything，ifyouhavenotyetbegun；theyaregreaterrobbersthanBarabbas。"
"IshallnothaveanythingtodowiththesegentlementillIamanoldman。"
"Thentheywillbethescourgeofyouroldage。"
ThereuponIquotedaMacaronicversebyMerlinCoccaeus。
"Where’sthatfrom？"
"It’salinefromacelebratedpoemintwenty—fourcantos。"
"Celebrated？"
"Yes；and，whatismore，worthyofbeingcelebrated；buttoappreciateitonemustunderstandtheMantuandialect。"
"Icouldmakeitout，ifyoucouldgetmeacopy。"
"Ishallhavethehonourofpresentingyouwithoneto—morrow。"
"Youwillobligemeextremely。"
Wehadtoleavehisroomandspendtwohoursinthecompany，talkingoverallsortsofthings。Voltairedisplayedalltheresourcesofhisbrilliantandfertilewit，andcharmedeveryoneinspiteofhissarcasticobservationswhichdidnotevensparethosepresent，buthehadaninimitablemanneroflancingasarcasmwithoutwoundingaperson’sfeelings。Whenthegreatmanaccompaniedhiswitticismswithagracefulsmilehecouldalwaysgetalaugh。
Hekeptupanotableestablishmentandanexcellenttable，ararecircumstancewithhispoeticbrothers，whoarerarelyfavouritesofPlutusashewas。Hewasthensixtyyearsold，andhadahundredandtwentythousandfrancsayear。Ithasbeensaidmaliciouslythatthisgreatmanenrichedhimselfbycheatinghispublishers；whereasthefactwasthathefarednobetterthananyotherauthor，andinsteadofdupingthemwasoftentheirdupe。TheCramersmustbeexcepted，whosefortunehemade。Voltairehadotherwaysofmakingmoneythanbyhispen；andashewasgreedyoffame，heoftengavehisworksawayonthesoleconditionthattheyweretobeprintedandpublished。DuringtheshorttimeIwaswithhim，Iwasawitnessofsuchagenerousaction；hemadeapresenttohisbooksellerofthe"PrincessofBabylon，"acharmingstorywhichhehadwritteninthreedays。
Myepicureansyndicwasexacttohisappointment，andtookmetoahouseatalittledistancewhereheintroducedmetothreeyoungladies，who，withoutbeingpreciselybeautiful，werecertainlyravishing。Twoofthemweresisters。Ihadaneasyandpleasantwelcome，andfromtheirintellectualappearanceandgaymannersI
anticipatedadelightfulevening，andIwasnotdisappointed。Thehalfhourbeforesupperwaspassedinconversation，decentbutwithoutrestraint，andduringsupper，fromthehintsthesyndicgaveme，Iguessedwhatwouldhappenafterdessert。
Itwasahotevening，andonthepretextofcoolingourselves，weundressedsoastobealmostinastateofnature。Whatanorgywehad！IamsorryIamobligedtodrawaveiloverthemostexcitingdetails。Inthemidstofourlicentiousgaiety，whilstwewereheatedbylove，champagne，andadiscourseofanexcitingnature，I
proposedtoreciteGrecourt’s’YGyec’。WhenIhadfinishedthevoluptuouspoem，worthyofanabbe’spen，Isawthattheeyesofthethreebeautieswereallaflame，andsaid，——
"Ladies，ifyoulike，Iwillshewyouallthree，oneaftertheother，whythesentence，’Gaudeantbenenati’，wasuttered"；andwithoutwaitingfortheirreply，Isucceededinmakingthemhappy。Thesyndicwasradiant，hewaspleasedathavinggivenmeapresententirelytomytaste；andIfanciedthattheentertainmentwasnotdispleasingtothethreeGraces，whowerekeptlowbytheSybarite，ashispowerswerealmostlimitedtodesires。Thegirlslavishedtheirthanksonme，whileIendeavouredtoassurethemofmygratitude；buttheyleaptforjoywhentheyheardthesyndicaskingmetocomenextday。
AshewastakingmebacktomyinnItoldhimhowgreatapleasurehehadgivenme，andhesaidhehadbroughtupthethreejewelshimself。
"You，"headded，"aretheonlymanbesidesmyselftheyknow。Youshallseethemagain，butIbegyouwilltakecarenottoleaveanythingbehindyou，forinthistownofprejudicesthatwouldbeagreatmisfortuneforthemandforme。"
"Youarealwaysmoderateinyourenjoyment，then？"Isaidtohim。
"Unfortunately，thatisnomeritasfarasIamconcerned。Iwasbornfortheserviceoflove，andVenushaspunishedmeforworshippingherwhenIwastooyoung。"
Afteragoodnight’ssleepIawokeinanactivemood，andbegantowritealettertoVoltaireinblankverse，whichcostmefourtimesthepainsthatrhymedverseswouldhavedone。IsentittohimwiththepoemofTheophileFalengue，butImadeamistakeindoingso，asImighthaveknownhewouldnotcareforit；onecannotappreciatewhatonedoesnotunderstand。IthenwenttoMr。Fox，whereIfoundthetwoEnglishmenwhoofferedmemyrevenge。IlostahundredLouis，andwasgladtoseethemsetoutforLausanne。