"Thissameday，24th，whileI[theNewspapervolunteerReporterorOwnCorrespondent，seeminglyapersonofsomestanding，whosewordscarrycredibilityinthetoneofthem]waswithField—
MarshalBroglioourGovernorhere，therecametwogentlementobepresentedtohim；’GermanCavaliers’theywerecalled；who，Inowfind，musthavebeenthePrinceofPrussiaandAlgarotti。
TheField—Marshal，"——aratherhigh—stalkingwhite—headedoldmilitarygentleman，borderingonseventy，ofPiedmonteseairandbreed，apttobesuddenandmakeflounderings，butthesoulofhonor，"wasverypolitetothetwoCavaliers，andkeptthemtodinner。Afterdinnertherecameaso—styled’SilesianNobleman，’
wholikewisewaspresentedtotheField—Marshal，andaffectednottoknowtheothertwo:himInowfindtohavebeenthePrinceofAnhalt。"
OfhisMajesty’ssupperwiththeOfficersthatWednesday，wearelefttothinkhowbrilliantitwas:hisMajesty，wehearfarther，wenttotheOperathatnight，——thePolichinelloorwhateverthe"ItalianCOMODIE"was；——"andalittlegirlcametohisboxwithtwolottery—ticketsfifteenpenceeach，beggingtheforeignGentlemanfortheloveofHeaventobuythemofher；whichhedid，tearingthemupatonce，andgivingthepoorcreaturefourducats，"equivalenttotwoguineas，orsayineffectevenfivepoundsofthepresentBritishcurrency。ThefameofthisforeignCountandhispartyatTheRavenisbecomingveryloudoverStrasburg，especiallyinmilitarycircles。OurvolunteerOwnCorrespondentproceeds（whomwemeantocontrastwiththeRoyalDoggerelbyandby）:——
"Nextmorning，"Thursday，25thAugust，"astheMarshalwithabovetwohundredOfficerswasoutwalkingontheEsplanade，therecameasoldieroftheRegimentLuxemburg，who，aftersomestifffuglingmotions，ofthenatureofsalutationpartly，andpartlydemandforprivacy，intimatedtotheMarshalsurprisingnews:ThattheStrangerinTheRavenwastheKingofPrussiainperson；he，thesoldier，atpresentoftheRegimentLuxemburg，hadinotherdays，beforehedeserted，beenofthePrussianCrown—Prince’sregiment；
hadconsequentlyseenhiminBerlin，Potsdamandelsewhereathousandtimesandmore，andevenstoodsentrywherehewas:
thefactisbeyonddispute，yourExcellency！saidthissoldier。"——Whew！
WhereuponacertainColonel，MarquisdeLoigle，withorwithoutahintfromBroglio，makesoffforTheRaven；introduceshimself，aswaseasy；contrivestogetinvitedtostaydinner，whichalsowaseasy。DuringdinnertheforeignGentlemanexpressedsomewishtoseetheirfortress。ColonelLoiglesendswordtoBroglio；
BrogliodespatchesstraightwayanOfficerandfinecarriage:
"WilltheforeignGentlemandomethehonor？"TheforeignGentleman，stillstrugglingforincognito，declinestheuppermostseatofhonorinthecarriage；thetwoOfficers，Loigleandthisnewone，insistontakingtheinferiorplace。Alas，theincognitoisprettymuchout。Callingatsomecoffee—houseorthelikeontheroad，acertainfemale，"MadamedeFienne，"namedtheforeignGentleman"Sire，"——whichsostartledhimthat，thoughheutterlydeclinedsuchtitle，thetwoOfficerssawwellhowitwas。
"Aftersurveyoftheworks，thetwoattendantOfficershadreturnedtotheField—Marshal；andabout4P。M。thehighStrangermadeappearancethere。Butthethinghadnowgotwind，’KingofPrussiahereincognito！’TheplacewasfullofOfficers，whocamecrowdingabouthim:heescapeddeftlyintotheMarechal’sownCabinet；satthere，anhour，talkingtotheMarechal[littleadmiringtheMarechal’stalk，asweshallfind]，stillinsistingontheincognito，"——towhichBroglio，putoutinhishighpacesbythissuddenthing，andapttoflounder，asIhaveheard，wasnotpoliteenoughtoconformaltogether。"WhatshallIdo，inthissuddencase？"poorBroglioisthinkingtohimself:"mustwritetoCourt；perhapstrytodetain——？"Friedrioh’schiefthoughtnaturallyis，Onecannotbeawayoutofthistoosoon。"Sha’n’twegotothePlay，then，MonsieurleMarechal？Play—houriscome！"——
OwnCorrespondentoftheNewspaperproceeds:——
"TheMarechalthenwenttothePlay，andallhisOfficerswithhim；thinkingtheirroyalprizewascloseattheirheels。
MarechalandOfficersfairlyahead，coastonceclear，theirroyalprizehastenedbacktoTheRaven，paidhisbill；hastilysummoningSchaffgotschandtheotherswithinhearing；shotofflikelightning；andwasseeninStrasburgnomore。Algarotti，whowasintheboxwithBroglio，heardthenewsinthehouse；regretfulrumoramongtheOfficers，’Heisgone！’InaboutaquarterofanhourAlgarottitooslippedout；andvanishedbyextrapost"——
straighttowardsWesel；butcouldnotovertaketheKing（whoseroad，inthelatterpartofit，wentzigzag，onbusinessasislikely），norseehimagaintilltheymetinthatTown。
[FromHelden—Geschichte（i。420—424），&c。]
ThisistheProseTruthofthosefiftyoreight—and—fortyhoursinStrasburg，whichweresomythicandromanticatthattime。
ShallwenowapplytotheRoyalDoggerelagain，whereweleftoff，andseetheothersideofthepicture？OncesettledinTheRaven，withinStrasburg’swalls，theDoggerelcontinues:——
"Youfancywellthattherewasnowsomethingtoexercisemycuriosity；andwhatdesireIhadtoknowtheFrenchNationinFranceitself。
ThereIsawatlengththoseFrench，Ofwhomyouhavesungtheglories；
ApeopledespisedbytheEnglish，Whomtheirsadrationalityfillswithblackbile；
ThoseFrench，whomourGermansReckonalltobedestituteofsense；
ThoseFrench，whoseHistoryconsistsofLove—stories，ImeanthewanderingkindofLove，nottheconstant；
FoolishthisPeople，headlong，high—going，Whichsingsbeyondendurance；
Loftyinitsgoodfortune，crawlinginitsbad；
Ofanunpityingextentofbabble，Tohidethevacancyofitsignorantmind。
OftheTriflingitisatenderlover；
TheTriflingalonetakespossessionofitsbrain。
Peopleflighty，indiscreet，imprudent，Turningliketheweathercocktoeverywind。
OftheagesoftheCaesarsthoseoftheLouisesaretheshadow；
Parisistheghost，ofRome，takeithowyouwill。
No，ofthosevileFrenchyouarenotone:
Youthink；theydonotthinkatall。
LajevisenfincesFrancaisDontvousavezchantelagloire；
Peuplemeprise’desAnglais，Queleurtristeraisonremplitdebilenoire；
CesFrancais，quenosAllemandsPensenttousprivesdebonsens；
CesFrancais，dontl’amourpourraitdicterl’histoire，Jedisl’amourvolage，etnonl’amourconstant；
Cepeuplefou，brusqueetgalant，Chansonnierinsupportable，Superbeensafortune，ensonmalheurrampant，D’unbavardageimpitoyable，Pourcacherlecreuxd’unespritignorant，Tendreamantdelabagatelle，Elleentreseuleensacervelle；
Leger，indiscret，imprudent，Commeumegirouetteilrevireatoutvent。
DessieclesdesCesarsceuxdesLouissontl’ombre；
RomeeffaceParisentoutsens，entoutpoint。
Non，desvilsFrancaisvousn’etespasdunombre；
Vouspensez，ilsnepensentpoint。
"Pardon，dearVoltaire，thisdefinitionoftheFrench；atworst，itisonlyofthoseinStrasburgIspeak。Toscrapeacquaintance，IhadtoinvitesomeOfficersonourarrival，whomofcourseIdidnotknow。
Threeofthemcameatonce，Gayer，morecontentthanKings；
Singingwithrustyvoice。
Inverse，theiramorousexploits，Settoahornpipe。
Troisd’euxs’envinrentalafois，Plusgais，pluscontentsquedesrois，Chantantd’unevoixenrouee，Envers，leursamoureuxexploits，Ajustessurunebourree。
"M。delaCrochardiereandM。Malosa[twonamesfromthetablets，thirdwanting]hadjustcomefromadinnerwherethewinehadnotbeenspared。
OftheirhotfriendshipIsawtheflamegrow，TheUniversewouldhavetakenusforperfectfriends:
Buttheinstantofgood—nightblewoutthebusiness；
Friendshipdisappearedwithoutregrets，Withthegames，thewine，thetableandtheviands。
Deleurchaudeamitiejeviscroitreleflamme，L’universnouseutprispourdesamisparfaits；
Maisl’instantdesadieuxendetruisitlatrame，L’amitiedisparut，ssnscauserdesregrets，Aveclejeu，levin，etlatable，etlesmets。
"Nextday，MonsieurtheGouverneuroftheTownandProvince，MarechalofFrance，ChevalieroftheOrdersoftheKing，&c。&c。，——MarechalDucdeBroglio，infact，"whowassurprisedatSecchiainthelateWar，——
ThisGeneralalwayssurprised。
Whomwithregret，youngLouis[yourKing]
SawwithoutbreechesinItaly["Withonlyoneboot，"wasthemilderrumor；whichweadopted（supra，vol。vi。p。472），butthissadderone，too，wascurrent；
and"Broglio’sbreeches，"orthevainaspirationafterthem，likeavanishedghostofbreeches，oftenenoughturnupintheoldPamphlets。]
GallopingtohideawayhislifeFromtheGermans，unpolitefighters；——
Cegeneraltoujourssurpris，Qu’aregretlejeuneLouisVitsansculottesenItalie，CourirpourderobersavieAuxGermains，guerriersimpolis。
thisGeneralwishedtoinvestigateyourComteDufour，——foreignCount，whotheinstanthearrivessetsaboutinvitingpeopletosupperthatareperfectstrangers。HetookthepoorCountforasharper；andprudentlyadvisedM。delaCrochardierenottobedupedbyhim。ItwasunluckilythegoodMarechalthatprovedtobeduped。
Hewasbornforsurprise。
Hiswhitehair，hisgraybeard，Formedareverendexterior。
Outsidesareoftendeceptive:
Hethat，bythebinding，judgesOfaBookanditsAuthorMay，afterapageofreading，Chancetorecognizehismistake。
Iletaitnepourlasurprise。
Sescheveuxblancs，sabarbegrise，Formaientunsageexterieur。
Ledehorsestsouventtrompeur；
QuijugeparlareliureD’unouvrageetdesonauteurDansunepagedelecturePeutreconnaitresonerreur。
"Thatwasmyownexperience；forofwisdomIcouldfindnothingexceptinhisgrayhairanddecrepitappearance。Hisfirstopeningbetrayedhim；nogreatwellofwitthisMarechal，Who，drunkwithhisowngrandeur，Informsyouofhisnameandhistitles，Andauthorityasgoodasunlimited。
HecitedtomealltherecordsWherehisnameisregistered，Babbledabouthisimmensepower，Abouthisvalor，histalentsSosalutarytoFrance；——
Heforgotthat，threeyearsago[Sixtoanearness，——"15thSeptember，1734，"ifyourMajestywillbeexact。]
Mendidnotpraisehisprudence。
Qui，desagrandeurenivre；
Declinesonnometsestitres，Etsonpouvoirarienborne。
IlmecitatouslesregistresOusonnomestenregistre；
Bavarddesonpouvoirimmense，Desavaleur，decestalentsSisalutairesalaFrance:
Iloubliait，passetroisans，Qu’onnelouaitpassaprudence。
"NotsatisfiedwithseeingtheMarechal，IsawtheguardmountedBytheseFrenchmen，burningwithglory，Who，onfoursousaday，WillmakeofKingsandofHeroesthememoryflourish:
SlavescrownedbythehandsofVictory，UnluckyherdswhomtheCourtTinkleshitherandthitherbythesoundoffifeanddrum。
AcesFrancaisbrulantsdegloire，Dotesdequatresousparjour，Quidesrois，desherosfontfleurirlamemoire，Esclavescouronnesdesmainsdelavictoire，TroupeauxmalheureuxquelacourDirigeauseulbruitdutambour。
"Thatwasmyfatedterm。Adeserterfromourtroopsgoteyeonme，recognisedmeanddenouncedme。
Thiswretchedgallows—birdgoteyeonme；
Suchisthelotofallearthlythings；
AndsoofourfinemysteryThewholesecretcametolight。"
Cemalheureuxpendardmevit，C’estlesortdetoutesleschoses；
AinsidemotrepotauxrosesToutlesecretsedecouvrit。
Well；wemusttakethisglimpse，suchasitis，intotheinterioroftheyoungman，——finebuoyant，pungentGermanspirit，roadwaysforitverybad，anduniversalrain—torrentsfalling，yetwithcoruscationsfromahigherquarter；——andyoucanforget，ifneedbe，the"Literature"ofthisyoungMajesty，asyouwouldastaccatoontheflutebyhim！Inaftermonths，onnewoccasionrising，"therewasnoendtohisgibingsandbitterpleasantriesontheridiculousreceptionBrogliohadgivenhimatStrasburg，"
saysValori，[Memoires，i。88。]——ofwhichthisDoggerelitselfoffersspecimen。
"ProbablytheweakestPieceIevertranslated？"exclaimsone，whohastranslatedseveralsuch。Neverthelessthereisastraggleofpungentsenseinit，——liketheoutskirtsoflightning，seeninthatdismallywetweather，whichtheRoyalPartyhad。Itswitisverycopious，butslashy，bantery，andproceedsmainlybyexaggerationandturningtopsy—turvy；aratherbarrenspeciesofwit。Ofhumor，inthefinepoeticsense，novestige。Butthereissurprisingveracity，——truthfulnessunimpeachable，ifyouwillreadwell。Whatpromptitude，too；——whatfundsforconversation，whenneeded！ThisscraggyPiece，whichisbetterthanthethingspeopleoftentalktooneanother，wasevidentlywrittenasfastasthepencouldgo。——"Itisdone，ifsuchaHandcouldhaveDONEit，inthemannerofBachaumontandLaChapelle，"saysVoltairescornfully，inthatscandalousVIEPRIVEE；——ofwhichphrasethisisthecommentary，ifreadersneedone:——
"Someseventyoreightyyearsbeforethatdate，aM。BachaumontandaM。laChapelle，hisintimate，published，inProseskippingoffintodancingsofVerseeverynowandthen，’acharmingRELATIONofacertainVOYAGEorHomeTour’（whenceorwhither，orcorrectlywhen，thisEditorforgets），["Firstprintedin1665，"
saytheBibliographies；"butknowntoLaFontainesometimebefore。"Good！——Bachaumont，practicallyanimportantanddistinguishedperson，notliterarybytrade，orindeedotherwisethanbyennui，washethathadgiven（somefifteenyearsbefore）
theNicknameFRONDE（BickeringofSchoolboys）tothewretchedHistoricalObjectwhichisstillsodesignatedinFrenchannals。]
whichtheyhadmadeinpartnership。’RELATION’capablestillofbeingread，ifoneweretolerablyidle；——itwasfoundthentobecharming，byalltheworld；andgaverisetoanewfashioninwriting；whichVoltaireoftenadopts，andissupremelygoodat；
andinwhichFriedrich，whoisalsofondofit，bynomeanssucceedssowell。"
Enough，FriedrichgottoWesel，backtohisbusiness，inadayortwo；andhaddone，asweforeverhave，withtheStrasburgEscapadeanditsDoggerel。
FRIEDRICHFINDSM。DEMAUPERTUIS；NOTYETM。DEVOLTAIRE。
FriedrichgottoWeselonthe29th；foundMaupertuiswaitingthere，accordingtoappointment:anelaboratelypolite，somewhatsublimescientificgentleman；readyto"engraftontheBerlincrab—tree，"andproducerealapplesandAcademicsthere，sosoonastheKing，theproprietor，mayhaveleisureforsuchathing。
AlgarottihasalreadythehonorofsomeacquaintancewithMaupertuis。MaupertuishasbeenatBrussels，ontheroadhither；
sawVoltaireandevenMadame，——whichlatterwasratheraticklishoperation，owingtogrudgesandtiffsofquarrelthathadrisen，butitprovedsuccessfulunderthedelicateguidanceofVoltaire。
Voltaireisuptooilingthewheels:"Thereyouare，Monsieur，likethe[don’tnameWhat，thoughprofaneVoltairedoes，writingtoMaupertuisamonthago]——ThreeKingsrunningafteryou！"AnewPensiontoyoufromFrance；RussiaoutbiddingFrancetohaveyou；
andthenthatLETTERofFriedrich’s，whichisinalltheNewspapers:"ThreeKings，"——youplainlygreatman，TrismegistusoftheSciencescalledPure！Madamehonorsyou，hasalwaysdone:
onewordofapologytothehighfemalemind，itwillworkwonders；
——comenow！[Voltaire，OEuvres，lxxii。217，216，230（Hague，21stJuly，1740，andBrussels，9thAug。&c）。]
NoreaderguessesinourtimewhatashiningcelestialbodytheMaupertuis，whoisnowfallensodimagain，thenwastomankind。
IncultivatedFrenchsocietythereisnosuchlionasM。MaupertuissincehereturnedfromflatteningtheEarthintheArcticregions。"TheExactSciences，whatelseistheretodependon？"thinksFrenchcultivatedsociety:"andhasnotMonsieurdoneafeatinthatline？"Monsieur，withfineex—militarymanners，hasacertainausteregravity，reticentloftinessandpolitedogmatism，whichconfirmsthatopinion。Astudiousex—militaryman，——wasCaptainofDragoonsonce，buttoofondofstudy，——whoisconscioustohimself，orwhowouldfainbeconscious，thatheis，inallpoints，mathematical，moralandother，theman。Adifficultmantolivewithinsociety。Comesreallynearthelimitofwhatwecallgenius，oforiginality，poeticgreatnessinthinking；——butneveroncecangetfairlyoversaidlimit，thoughalwaysstrugglingdreadfullytodoso。Thinkofit！Afatalkindofman；
especiallyifyouhavemadealionofhimatanytime。Ofhisenvies，deep—hiddenspleneticdiscontentsandrages，withVoltaire’sreturnforthem，therewillbeenoughtosayintheulteriorstages。Hewears——atleasttenyearshenceheopenlywears，thoughIhopeitisnotyetsoflagrant——"aredwigwithyellowbottom（CRINIEREJAUNE）；"andasFlatteneroftheEarth，is，withhisownflattishredcountenanceandimpregnablestonyeyes，amanformidabletolookupon，thoughintenttobeamiableifyoudotheproperhomage。AstothequarrelwithMadametakethisNote；whichmayproveillustrativeofsomethingsbyandby:——
MaupertuisiswellknownatCirey；suchalioncouldnotfailthere。AllmannerofBernouillis，Clairauts，highmathematicalpeople，arefrequentguestsatCirey:reverencedbyMadame，——whoindeedhashadherownprivateProfessorofMathematics；oneKonigfromSwitzerland（recommendedbythoseBernouillis），diligentlyteachingherthePureSciencesthisgoodwhileback，notwithouteffect；andhasonlyjustpartedwithhim，whensheleftonthisBrusselsexpedition。ABONGARCON，Voltairesays；thoughotherwise，Ithink，alittlenoisyonoccasion。TherehasbeennoendofMadame’skindnesstohim，naytohisBrotherandhim，——sonsofaTheologicalProfessorialSyriac—HebrewkindofmanatBerne，whohastoomanysons；——andIgrievetoreportthatthisheedlessKonighasproducedanexplosioninMadame’sfeelings，suchaslittlebeseemedhim。OntheroadtoParis，namely，aswedrovehitherwardtotheHonsbruckLawsuitbywayofParis，inAutumnlast，therehadfallenoutsomedispute，aboutthemonads，theVIS
VIVA，theinfinitelylittle，betweenMadameandKonig；disputewhichroseCRESCENDOindisharmoniousduet，and"ended，"testifiesM。deVoltaire，"inasceneTRESDESAGREABLE。"Madame，withaneffort，forgavethethoughtlessfellow，whoisstillratheryoung，andiswithoutmalice。ButthoughtlessKonig，stronginhisopinionabouttheinfinitelylittle，appealedtoMaupertuis:
"AmnotIright，Monsieur？""HEisrightbeyondquestion！"wroteMaupertuistoMadame；"somewhatdryly，"thinksVoltaire:andtheresultis，thereisconsiderablerageinonecelestialmindeversinceagainstanothermaleoneinredwigandyellowbottom；
andtheyarenotonspeakingterms，foragoodmanymonthspast。
Voltairehashisheartsore（"J’ENAILECOEURPERCE"）aboutit，needstodouble—doseMaupertuiswithflattery；andinfacthasusedtheutmostdiplomacytoeffectsomevarnishofareconcilementasMaupertuispassedonthisoccasion。AsforKonig，whohadstudiedinsomeDutchuniversity，hewentbyandbytobeLibrariantothePrinceofOrange；andweshallnotfailtohearofhimagain，——oncemoreupontheinfinitelylittle。
[FromOEuvresdeVoltaire，ii。126，lxxii。
（20，216，230），lxiii。（229—239），&c。&c。]
Voltairetoo，inhisway，isfondofthesemathematicalpeople；
eagerenoughtofishforknowledge，hereasinallelements，whenhehasthechanceoffered:thisismuchaninterestofhisatpresent。Andhedoesattainsoundideas，outlinesofideas，inthisprovince，——thoughprivatelydefectiveintheduetranscendencyofadmirationforit；——waswonttodiscusscheerilywithKonig，aboutVISVIVA，monads，gravitationandtheinfinitelylittle；aboveall，bowstothegroundbeforethered—wiggedBashaw，FlatteneroftheEarth，whomforMadame’ssakeandhisownheisanxioustobewellwith。"Fallonyourfaceninetimes，yeesotericofonlyImpureScience！"——intimatesMaupertuistomankind。"Byallmeans！"answersM。deVoltaire，doingitwithalacrity；withakindofloyalty，onecanperceive，andalsowithahypocrisygroundedonloveofpeace。IfthatisthenatureoftheBashaw，andone’ssolemodeoffishingknowledgefromhim，whynot？thinksM。deVoltaire。HispatiencewithM。deMaupertuis，firstandlast，wasverygreat。Butweshallfinditexplodeatlength，adozenyearshence，inaconspicuousmanner！——
"MaupertuishadcometoustoCirey，withJeanBernouilli，"saysVoltaire；"andthenceforthMaupertuis，whowasbornthemostjealousofmen，tookmefortheobjectofthispassion，whichhasalwaysbeenverydeartohim。"[VIEPRIVEE。]Husht，Monsieur！——
HereisapoorrheumatickindofLetter，whichillustratestheinterimcondition，afterthatvarnishofreconcilementatBrussels:——
VOLTAIRETOM。DEMAUPERTUIS（atWesel，waitingfortheKing，orwithhimrather）。
"BRUSSELS，29thAugust（1740），3dyearsincetheworldflattened。
"HowtheDevil，greatPhilosopher，wouldyouhavehadmewritetoyouatWesel？IfanciedyougonefromWesel，toseektheKingofSagesonhisJourneysomewhere。Ihadunderstood，too，theyweresodelightedtohaveyouinthatfortifiedlodge（BOUGEFORTIFIE）
thatyoumustbetakingpleasurethere，forhethatgivespleasuregetsit。
"YouhavealreadyseenthejollyAmbassadoroftheamiablestMonarchintheworld，"——Camas，afattishman，onhisroadtoVersailles（whocalledatBrusselshere，withfinecompliments，andakegofHungaryWine，asYOUmayhaveheardwhispered）。
"NodoubtM。deCamasiswithyou。Formyownshare，Ithinkitisafteryouthatheisrunningatpresent。Butintruth，atthehourwhileIsaythis，youarewiththeKing；"——aluckyguess；KingdidreturntoWeselthisveryday。"ThePhilosopherandthePrinceperceivealreadythattheyaremadeforeachother。YouandM。Algarottiwillsay，FACIAMUSHICTRIATABERNACULA:astome，IcanonlymakeDUOTABERNACULA，"——profaneVoltaire！
"WithoutdoubtIwouldbewithyouifIwerenotatBrussels；
butmyheartiswithyouallthesame；andisthesubject，allthesame，ofaKingwhois，formedtoreignovereverythinkingandfeelingbeing。IdonotdespairthatMadameduChateletwillfindherselfsomewhereonyourroute:itwillbeasceneinafairytale；——shewillarrivewithaSUFFICIENTREASON[asyourLeibnitzsays]andwithMONADS。ShedoesnotloveyouthelessthoughshenowbelievestheuniverseaPLENUM，andhasrenouncedthenotionofVOID。Overheryouhaveanascendantwhichyouwillneverlose。
Infine，mydearMonsieur，Iwishasardentlyasshetoembraceyouthesoonestpossible。IrecommendmyselftoyourfriendshipintheCourt，worthyofyou，whereyounoware。"——TOUTAVOUS，somewhatrheumatic！[Voltaire，lxxii。p。243。]
Alwaysananxiousalmosttremulousdesiretoconciliatethisbigglaringgeometricalbullyinredwig。ThroughthesensitivetransparentbeingofM。deVoltaire，youmayseethatfeelingalmostpainfullybusyineveryLetterhewritestotheFlatteneroftheEarth。
ChapterIV。
VOLTAIRE’SFIRSTINTERVIEWWITHFRIEDRICH。
AtWesel，intherearofallthistravellingandexcitement，Friedrichfallsunwell；breaksdownthereintoanaguishfeverishdistemper，which，forseveralmonthsafter，impededhismovements，wouldhehaveyieldedtoit。Hehasmuchbusinessonhand，too，——
someofitofpricklynaturejustnow；——butisintentaseveronseeingVoltaire，amongthefirstthings。DiligentlyreadingintheVoltaire—FriedrichCorrespondence（whichisasadjumbleofmisdatesandopacities，inthecommoneditions），[Preuss（therecentlatestEditor，andtheonlywell—informedone，aswesaid）
printswithaccuracy；butcannotbereadatall（inthesenseofUNDERSTOOD）withoutotherlight。]thisoftheaguishconditionfrequentlyturnsup；"Quartanague，"itseems；occasionallyverybad；butFriedrichstruggleswithit；willnotbecheatedofanyofhispurposesbyit。
Hehadabusyfortnighthere；busierthanweyetimagine。
MuchemploymenttherenaturallyisoftheusualInspectionsort；
whichfailsinnoquarterofhisDominions，butwhichmaybeparticularlyimportanthere，inthesedisputedBerg—JulichCountries，whenthetimeofdecisionfalls。HowhedoeshisInspectionsweknow；——andtherearestillweightiermattersafoothere，inasilentway，ofwhichweshallhavetospeakbeforelong，andalltheworldwillspeak。Businessenough，partsofitgraveandsilent，goingon，andthemuchthatispublic，miscellaneous，small:done，allofit，inarapid—punctualprecisemanner；——andalways，afterthecrowdedday，somepassagesofSupperwiththeSages，towindupwithonmelodiousterms。AmostalertandmiscellaneouslybusyyoungKing，inspiteoftheague。
ItwasintheseCleveCountries，andnowasprobablyasafterwards，thatthelightscenerecordedinLaveaux’spoorHISTORY，andinalltheAnecdote—Books，transacteditselfoneday。
Substanceofthestoryistrue；thoughthedetailsofitgoallatrandom，——somewhattothiseffect:——
"InspectinghisFinanceAffairs，andquestioningthepartiesinterested，FriedrichnoticesacertainConventinCleve，whichappearstohave，payablefromtheForest—dues，considerablerevenuesbequeathedbytheoldDukes，’formassestobesaidontheirbehalf。’Hegoestolookattheplace；questionstheMonksonthispoint，whoarealldrawnoutintworows，andhavebrokenintoTE—DEUMatsightofhim:’Husht！YoustillsaythoseMasses，then？’’Certainly，yourMajesty！’——’Andwhatgooddoesanybodygetofthem？’’YourMajesty，thoseoldSovereignsaretoobtainHeavenlymercybythem，tobedeliveredoutofPurgatorybythem。’——’Purgatory？ItisasorethingfortheForests，allthiswhile！Andtheyarenotyetout，thosepoorsouls，aftersomanyhundredyearsofpraying？’Monkshaveafatalapprehension，No。
’Whenwilltheybeout，andthethingcomplete？’Monkscannotsay。
’Sendmeacourierwheneveritiscomplete！’sneerstheKing，andleavesthemtotheirTE—DEUM。"[C。Hildebrandt’sModernEditionofthe（mostlydubious）AnekdotenundCharakterzugeausdemLebenFriedrichsdesGrossen（andaveryignorantandcarelessEditionitis；6vols。12mo，Halberstadt，1829），ii。
160；Laveaus（whomwealreadycited），ViedeFrederic；
&c。&c。Nicolai’sAnekdoten
alone，whicharenotincludedinthisHildebrandtCollection，areofsureauthenticity；therest，occasionallytrue，andoftenwithakindofMYTHICtruthinthemworthattendingto，areotherwiseofalldegreesofdubiety，downtothepalpablyfalseandabsurd。]
MournfulstateoftheCatholicReligionsocalled！HowlongmustthesewretchedMonksgoondoingtheirlazythrice—deleterioustorpidblasphemy；andaKing，nothistrionicbutreal，merelysignifythathelaughsatthemandit？Meseemsaheavierwhipthanthatofsatiremightbeinplacehere，yourMajesty？Thelighterwhipiseasier；——Ahyes，undoubtedly！crymanymen。Buthorribleaccountsarerunningup，enoughtosinktheworldatlast，whiletheheavierwhipislazilywithheld，andlazyblasphemy，fallentorpid，chronic，andquiteunconsciousofbeingblasphemous，insinuatesitselfintotheveryheart’s—bloodofmankind！
Patience，however；theheavywhiptooiscoming，——unlessuniversaldeathbecoming。KingFriedrichisnotthemantowieldsuchwhip。
QuiteotherworkisinstoreforKingFriedrich；andNaturewillnot，byanysuggestionofthatterribletask，puthimoutintheonehehas。HeisnothingofaLuther，ofaCromwell；canlookuponfakirsprayingbytheirrotatorycalabash，asaludicrousplatitude；andgrindelicatelyasabove，withtheapprovalofhiswisercontemporaries。Speedtohimonhisowncourse！
WhatanswerFriedrichfoundtohisEnglishproposals，——answerduehereonthe24thfromCaptainDickens，——Idonotpointedlylearn；
butcanjudgeofitbyHarrington’sreplytothatDespatchofDickens’s，whichentreatedcandorandopendealingtowardshisPrussianMajesty。HarringtonisatHerrenhausen，stillwiththeBritannicMajestythere；bothofthemmuchatalossabouttheirSpanishWar，andtheFrenchandotheraspectsuponit:"SupposehisPrussianMajestyweretogivehimselftoFranceagainstus！"
Wewillhope，not。Harrington’sreplyistotheeffect，"Hum，drum:——BergandJulich，sayyou？Impossibletoanswer；mindsnotmadeuphere:——WhatwillhisPrussianMajestydoforUS？"
Notmuch，Ishouldguess，tillsomethingmorecategoricalcomefromyou！HisPrussianMajestyiscarefulnottospoilanythingbyover—haste；butwillwaitandtryfarthertotheutmost，WhetherEnglandorFranceisthelikelierbargainforhim。
Betterstill，thePrussianMajestyisintenttodosomethingforhimselfinthatBerg—Julichmatter:wefindhimsilentlyexaminingtheseWesellocalitiesforaproper"entrenchedCamp，"Campsayof40，000，againstacertaincontingencythatmaybelookedfor。
CampwhichwillmuchoccupytheGazetteerswhentheygeteyeonit。Thisisoneoftheconcernshesilentlyattendsto，onoccasion，whileridingaboutintheCleveCountries。Thenthereisanothersmallitemofbusiness，importanttodowell，whichisnowinsilencediligentlygettingunderwayatWesel；whichalsoisofremarkablenature，andwillastonishtheGazetteerandDiplomaticcircles。ThisistheaffairwiththeBishopofLiege，calledalsotheAffairofHerstal，whichhisMajestyhashadprivatelylaidupinthecornerofhismind，asathingtobedoneduringthisExcursion。Ofwhichthereadershallhearanon，togreatlengths，——wereacertainsmallpreliminarymatter，Voltaire’sArrivalintheseparts，onceoffourhands。
Friedrich’sFirstMeetingwithVoltaire！TheseotherhighthingswereonceloudintheGazetteerandDiplomaticcircles，andhadnodoubttheyweretheWorld’sHistory；andnowtheyaresunkwhollytotheNightmares，andallmortalshaveforgottenthem，——anditissuchataskasseldomwastoresuscitatetheleastmemoryofthem，onjustcauseofaFriedrichorthelike，soimpatientaremenofwhatisputridandextinct:——andaquiteunnoticedthing，Voltaire’sFirstInterview，allreadersareonthealertforit，andreadytodemandofmeimpossibilitiesaboutit！Patience，readers。Youshallseeit，withoutandwithin，insuchlightastherewas，andformsomeactualnotionofit，ifyouwillco—operate。Fromthecircum—ambientinanityofOldNewspapers，Historicalshot—rubbish，andunintelligibleCorrespondences，wesiftoutthefollowingparticulars，ofthisFirstMeeting，oractualOsculationoftheStars。
TheNewspapers，thoughtheireyeswerenotyetoftheArgusqualitynowfamiliartous，havebeenintentonFriedrichduringthisBaireuth—CleveJourney，especiallysincethatsuddeneclipseofhimatStrasburglately；formingnowoneschemeofrouteforhim，nowanother；Newspapers，andevenprivatefriends，beingagooddealuncertainabouthismovements。Rumornowran，sincehisreappearanceintheCleveCountries，thatFriedrichmeanttohavealookatHollandbeforegoinghome，Andthathad，infact，beenanotionorintentionofFriedrich’s。"Holland？WecouldpassthroughBrusselsontheway，andseeVoltaire！"thoughthe。
InBrusselsthiswas，ofcourse，therumorofrumors。
AsVoltaire’sLetters，visiblyinatwitter，stilltestifytous。
KingofPrussiacoming！MadameduChatelet，the"PrincessTour"
（thatis，Tour—and—Taxis），allmannerofhighDamesareonthetiptoe。PrincessTourhopessheshalllodgethisunparalleledPrinceinherPalace:"You，Madame？"answerstheDuChatelet，privately，withatossofherhead:"HisMajesty，Ihope，belongsmoretoM。deVoltaireandme:heshalllodgehere，pleaseHeaven！"Voltaire，Icanobserve，hassublimehostelryarrangementschalkedoutforhisMajesty，incasehegotoParis；
whichhedoesn’t，asweknow。Voltaireisallonthealert，awaketothegreatcontingenciesfarandnear；theChatelet—Voltairebreakfast—table，——fancyitonthoseinterestingmornings，whilethepostcomesround！[Voltaire，xxii。238—256（Letters22dAugust—22dSeptember，1740）。]
Alas，inthefirstdaysofSeptember，——Friedrich’sLetterisdated"Wesel，2d"（andhastheSTRASBURDDOGGERELenclosedinit），——theBrusselsPostmandeliversfarotherintelligenceatone’sdoor；
verymortifyingtoMadame:"ThathisMajestyisfallenillatWesel；hasanaguishfeverhangingonhim，andonlyhopestocome:"VOILA，Madame！——NextLetter，Wesel，Monday，5thSeptember，istotheeffect:"Dostillmuchhopetocome；to—morrowismytremblingday；ifthatprovetobeoff！"——Outuponit，thatprovesnottobeoff；thatison:nextLetter，Tuesday，September6th，whichcomesbyexpress（Courierdashingupwithit，sayontheThursdayfollowing）is，——alas，Madame！——hereitis:——
KINGFRIEDRICHTOM。DEVOLTAIREATBRUSSELS。
"WESEL，6thSeptember，1740。
"MYDEARVOLTAIRE，——Inspiteofmyself，IhavetoyieldtotheQuartanFever，whichismoretenaciousthanaJansenist；
andwhateverdesireIhadofgoingtoAntwerpandBrussels，Ifindmyselfnotinaconditiontoundertakesuchajourneywithoutrisk。Iwouldaskofyou，then，iftheroadfromBrusselstoClevewouldnottoyouseemtoolongforameeting；itistheonemeansofseeingyouwhichremainstome。ConfessthatIamunlucky；
fornowwhenIcoulddisposeofmyperson，andnothinghindersmefromseeingyou，thefevergetsitshandintothebusiness，andseemstointenddisputingmethatsatisfaction。
"Letusdeceivethefever，mydearVoltaire；andletmeatleasthavethepleasureofembracingyou。Makemybestexcuses[polite，ratherthansincere]toMadametheMARQUISE，thatIcannothavethesatisfactionofseeingheratBrussels。AllthatareaboutmeknowtheintentionIwasin；whichcertainlynothingbutthefevercouldhavemademechange。
"SundaynextIshallbeatalittlePlacenearCleve，"——SchlossofMoyland，which，andtheroutetowhich，thisCouriercantellyouof；——"whereIshallbeabletopossessyouatmyease。Ifthesightofyoudon’tcureme，IwillsendforaConfessoratonce。
Adieu；youknowmysentimentsandmyheart。[Preuss，
OEuvresdeFrederic，xxii。27。]FREDERIC。"
AfterwhichtheCorrespondencesuddenlyextinguishesitself；
ceasesforaboutafortnight，——inthebadmisdatedEditionsevendoesworse；——andwearelefttothickdarkness，toourownpoorshifts；Dryasdustbeinggrandlysilentonthissmallinterestofours。Whatistobedone？
PARTICULARSOFFIRSTINTERVIEW，ONSEVERESCRUTINY。
Here，fromapainfulPredecessorwhosePapersIinherit，aresomeolddocumentsandStudiesonthesubject，——sorrowfulcollection，infact，ofwhatpoorsparksofcertaintyweretobefoundhoveringinthatdarkelement；——whichdoatlast（soluminousarecertaintiesalways，or"sparks"thatwillshinesteady）coalesceintosomefeeblegeneraltwilight，feeblebutindubitable；
andevenshowthesympatheticreaderhowtheyweresearchedoutandbroughttogether。WenumberandlabelthesepoorPatchesofEvidenceonsosmallamatter；andleavethemtothecurious:——
No。1。DATEOFTHEFIRSTINTERVIEW。ItiscertainVoltairedidarriveatthelittleSchlossofMoyland，Septemberllth，Sundaynight，——whichisthe"Sunday"justspecifiedinFriedrich’sLetter。Voltairehadatoncedecidedoncomplying，——whatelse？——
andlostnotimeinpackinghimself:King’sCourieronThursdaylate；VoltaireontheroadonSaturdayearly，orthenightbefore。
WithMadame’sshrillblessing（notthemostmusicalinthisvexingcase），andplentyoffuss。"Waswonttotravelinconsiderablestyle，"Iamtold；"theinnkeeperscallinghim"YourLordship（M。LECOMTE）。"Arrives，sureenough，Sundaynight；oldSchlossofMoyland，sixmilesfromCleve；"moonlight，"Ifind，——theHarvestMoon。Visitlastedthreedays。[Rodenbeck，p。21；Preuss，&c。&c。]
No。2。VOLTAIRE’SDRIVETHITHER。SchlossMoyland:HowfarfromBrussels，andbywhatroute？ByLouvain，Tillemont，TongrestoMaestricht；thenfromMaestrichtuptheMaas（leftbank）toVenlo，wherecross；throughGeldernandGochtoCleve:betweentheMaasandRhinethislastportion。Flatdampcountry；tolerablyundertillage；originalconstituentsbogandsand。DistancesIguesstobe:ToTongres60milesandodd；toMaestricht12or15，fromMaestricht75；inall150milesEnglish。Twodays’driving？
Thereisequinoctialmoon，andstillabovetwelvehoursofsunlightfor"M。leComte。"
No。3。OFTHEPLACEWHERE。Voltaire，whoshouldhaveknown，callsit"PETITCHATEAUDEMEUSE；"whichisaCastleexistingnowherebutinDreams。OtherFrenchBiographersarestillmoreimaginary。
ThelittleSchlossofMoyland——bynomeans"Meuse，"norevenMORS，whichVoltaireprobablymeansinsayingCHATEAUDEMEUSE——was，astheleastinquirysettlesbeyondquestion，theplacewhereVoltaireandFriedrichfirstmet。FriedrichWilhelmusedoftentolodgethereinhisClevejourneys:hemadethitherforshelter，inthesicknessthatovertookhiminfriendGinkel’shouse，cominghomefromtheRhineCampaignin1734；laythereforseveralweeksafterquittingGinkel’s。AnyotherlightIcangetuponit，isdarknessvisible。Buschingpointedlyinformsme，[Erdbeschreibung，v。659，677。]"ItisaParish[orpatchofcountryunderonepriest]，andTillANDitareaJurisdiction"
（pairofpatchesunderonecourtofjustice）:——whichdoesnotmuchilluminatetheinquiringmind。Smallpatch，thisofMoyland，sizenotgiven；"wasbought，"sayshe，"in1695，byFriedrichafterwardsFirstKing，fromtheFamilyofSpaen，"——weonceknewaLieutenantSpaen，ofthoseDutchregions，——"andwasnamedaRoyalMansioneverthereafter。"Wholivedinit；whatkindofthingwasit，isit？ALTUMSILENTIUM，fromBuschingandmankind。BelongedtotheSpaens，fiftyyearsago；——someshadowofourpoorbanishedfriendtheLieutenantrestingonit？DimenougholdMansion，with"court"toit，withmodicumofequipment；lyingthereinthemoonlight；——didnotlooksublimetoVoltaireonsteppingout。
Sothatallourknowledgereducesitselftothisonepoint:
offindingMoylandintheMap，withDATE，withREMINISCENCEtous，hangingbyithenceforth！Good。[Stieler’sDeutschland（excellentMapin25Pieces），Piece12。——TillisamileortwonortheastfromMoyland；Moylandabout5or6southeastfromCleve。]
Mors——whichisneartheTownofRuhrort，aboutmidwaybetweenWeselandDusseldorf——mustbesomefortymilesfromMoyland，forty—fivefromCleve；southwardofboth。Sothattheplace，"ADEUXLIEUESDECLEVES，"is，evenbyVoltaire’sshowing，thisMoyland；werethereotherwiseanydoubtuponit。"CHATEAUDE
MEUSE"——hangingoutaprospectofMORStous——isbadusagetoreaders。Ofanintelligentman，nottosayaTrismegistusofmen，oneexpectshewillknowinwhattownheis，afterthreedays’
experience，ashere。Buthedoesnotalways；hehangsoutamere"shadowofMarsbymoonlight，"tillwelearnbetter。Duvernet，hisBiographer，evencallsit"SLEUS—MEUSE；"somewonderfulideaofSluicesandaRiverattachedtoit，inDuvernet’shead！[Duvernet（2dFORMofhim，——thatis，ViedeVoltaire
parT。J。D。V。），p。117。]
WHATVOLTAIRETHOUGHTOFTHEINTERVIEWTWENTYYEARSAFTERWARDS
OftheInterviewitself，withgeneralbird’s—eyeviewoftheVisitcombined（inaveryincorrectstate），thereisdirecttestimonybyVoltairehimself。Voltairehimself，twentyyearsafter，infarotherhumor，alljarredintoangrysarcasm，forcausesweshallseebyandby，——Voltaire，attherequestoffriends，writesdown，ashisFriedrichReminiscences，thatscandalousVIEPRIVEEabovespokenof，amostsadDocument；andthisisthepassagereferringto"thelittlePlaceintheneighborhoodofCleve，"whereFriedrichnowwaitedforhim:errorscorrectedbyourlaboriousFriend。AfterquotingsomethingofthatStrasburgDoggerel，thewholeofwhichisnowtoowellknowntous，Voltaireproceeds:——
"FromStrasburghe，"KingFriedrich，"wenttoseehisLowerGermanProvinces；hesaidhewouldcomeandseemeincognitoatBrussels。
Wepreparedafinehouseforhim，"——werereadytopreparesuchhiredhouseaswehadforhim，withmanyapologiesforitsslightdegreeofperfection（ERRORFIRST），——"buthavingfallenillinthelittleMansion—RoyalofMeuse（CHATEAUDEMEUSE），acoupleofleaguesfromCleve，"——fellillatWesel；andthereisnoChateaudeMEUSEintheworld（ERRORS2dAND3d），——"hewrotetomethatheexpectedIwouldmaketheadvances。Iwent，accordingly，topresentmyprofoundhomages。Maupertuis，whoalreadyhadhisviews，andwaspossessedwiththerageofbeingPresidenttoanAcademy，hadofhisownaccord，"——no，beinginvited，andatmysuggestion（ERROR4th），——"presentedhimselfthere；andwaslodgedwithAlgarottiandKeyserling[whichlatter，Isuppose，hadcomefromBerlin，notbeingoftheStrasburgparty，he]inagarretofthisPalace。
"Atthedoorofthecourt，Ifound，bywayofguard，onesoldier。
Privy—CouncillorRambonet，MinisterofState——[verysubalternman；
neverheardofhimexceptintheHerstalBusiness，andhere]waswalkinginthecourt；blowinginhisfingerstokeepthemwarm。"
Sundaynight，11thSeptember，1740；worldallbathedinmoonshine；
andmortalsmostlyshrunkintotheirhuts，outoftherawair。
"He"Rambonet"worebiglinenrufflesathiswrists，verydirty[visiblysointhemoonlight？ERROR5thextendsADLIBITUMoverallthefollowingdetails]；aholedhat；anoldofficialperiwig，"——ruinedintoatotallyunsymmetricstate，aswouldseem，——"onesideofwhichhungdownintooneofhispockets，andtheotherscarcelycrossedhisshoulder。Iwastold，thismanwasnowintrustedwithanaffairofimportancehere；andthatprovedtrue，"——theHerstalAffair。
"IwasledintohisMajesty’sapartment。Nothingbutfourbarewallsthere。Bythelightofacandle，Iperceived，inacloset，alittletruckle—bedtwofeetandahalfbroad，onwhichlayamanmuffledupinadressing—gownofcoarseblueduffel:thiswastheKing，sweatingandshiveringunderawretchedblanketthere，inaviolentfitoffever。Imademyreverence，andbegantheacquaintancebyfeelinghispulse，asifIhadbeenhischiefphysician。Thefitover，hedressedhimself，andtookhisplaceattable。Algarotti，Keyserling，Maupertuis，andtheKing’sEnvoytotheStates—General"——oneRasfeld（skilledinHERSTALmatters，I
couldguess），——"wewereofthissupper，anddiscussed，naturallyinaprofoundmanner，theImmortalityoftheSoul，Liberty，Fate，theAndrogynesofPlato[theANDROGYNOI，orMen—Women，inPlato’sCONVIVIUM；bynomeansthefinestsymbolicfancyofthedivinePlato]，——andothersmalltopicsofthatnature。"[Voltaire，OEuvres，（PieceoncecalledVIEPRIVEE），ii。26，27。]
ThisisVoltaire’saccountoftheVisit，——whichincludedthree"Suppers，"allhuddledintoonebyhimhere；——andhesaysnothingmoreofit；launchingoffnowintonewerrors，aboutHERSTAL，theANTI—MACHIAVEL，andsoforth:newandugliererrors，withmuchmoreofmendacityandseriousmaliceinthem，thaninthisharmlesshalf—dozennowputonthescoreagainsthim。
OfthisSupper—Party，Iknowbyfacefouroftheguests:
Maupertuis，Voltaire，Algarotti，Keyserling；——Rasfeld，Rambonetcansitassimulacraormuteaccompaniment。VoltairearrivedonSundayevening；stayedtillWednesday。Wednesdaymorning，14thofthemonth，thePartybrokeup:Voltairerollingofftolefthand，towardsBrussels，ortheHague；Kingtoright，oninspectionbusiness，andcircuitouslyhomewards。ThreeSupperstherehadbeen，twobusyDaysintervening；discussionsaboutFateandtheAndrogynoiofPlatobynomeanstheonethingdonebyVoltaireandtherest，onthisoccasion。Weshallfindelsewhere，"hedeclaimedhisMAHOMET"（sublimenewTragedy，notyetcomeout），inthecourseofthesethreeevenings，tothe"speechlessadmiration"ofhisRoyalHost，forone；and，inthedaytime，thatheevendrewhispenabouttheHerstalBusiness，whichisnowgettingtoitscrisis，andwroteoneoftheManifestoes，stilldiscoverable。
Andweneednotdoubt，inspiteofhisnowsneeringtone，thatthingsranhighandgrandhere，inthispaltrylittleSchlossofMoyland；andthatthosethreewereactuallySuppersoftheGods，forthetimebeing。
"CouncillorRambonet，’，withtheholedhatandunsymmetricwig，continuesVoltaireinthesatiricalvein，"hadmeanwhilemountedahiredhack（CHEVALDELOUAGE；"mischievousVoltaire，Ihavenodoubthewentonwheels，probablyofhisown）:"herodeallnight；
andnextmorningarrivedatthegatesofLiege；wherehetookActinthenameoftheKinghisMaster，whilst2，000menoftheWeselTroopslaidLiegeundercontribution。ThepretextofthisfineMarchingofTroops，"——notapretextatall，buttheassertion，correctinallpoints，ofjustclaimslongtroddendown，andnowmadegoodwithmorespiritthanhadbeenexpected，——"wascertainrightswhichtheKingpretendedto，overasuburbofLiege。
HeevenchargedmetoworkataManifesto；andImadeone，goodorbad；notdoubtingbutaKingwithwhomIsupped，andwhocalledmehisfriend，mustbeintheright。Theaffairsoonsettleditselfbymeansofamillionofducats，"——nothinglikethesum，asweshallsee，——"whichheexactedbyweight，toclearthecostsoftheTourtoStrasburg，which，accordingtohiscomplaintinthatPoeticLetter[Doggerelabovegiven]，weresoheavy。"
ThatisVoltaire’sview；grownverycorrosiveafterTwentyYears。
Headmits，withallthesatire:"Inaturallyfeltmyselfattachedtohim；forhehadwit，graces；andmoreoverhewasaKing，whichalwaysformsapotentseduction，soweakishumannature。
UsuallyitisweofthewritingsortthatflatterKings:butthisKingpraisedmefromheadtofoot，whiletheAbbeDesfontainesandotherscoundrels（GREDINS）werebusydefamingmeinParisatleastonceaweek。"
WHATVOLTAIRETHOUGHTOFTHEINTERVIEWATTHETIME。
Butletustakethecontemporaryaccount，whichalsowehaveatfirsthand；whichisalmostpathetictoread；suchacontrastbetweenruddymorningandthestormsoftheafternoon！HerearetwoLettersfromVoltaire；finetransparenthumanLetters，ashisgenerallyare:thefirstofthemwrittendirectlyongettingbacktotheHague，andtothefeelingofhiseclipsedcondition。
VOLTAIRETOM。DEMAUPERTUIS（withtheKing）。
"THEHAGUE，18thSeptember，1740。
"Iserveyou，Monsieur，soonerthanIpromised；andthatisthewayyououghttobeserved。IsendyoutheanswerofM。Smith，"——
probablysomeGermanorDutchSCHMIDT，spelthereinEnglish，connectedwiththeSciences，saywithwater—carriage，thetypographies，oroneneednotknowwhat；"youwillseewherethequestionstands。
"WhenwebothleftCleve，"——14thofthemonth，Wednesdaylast；
18thisSunday，inthisoldcobwebbyPalace，whereIamcorrectingANTI—MACHIAVEL，——"andyoutooktotheright，"——King，homewards，gottoHAMthatevening，——"IcouldhavethoughtIwasattheLastJudgment，wheretheBonDieuseparatestheelectfromthedamned。
DIVUSFREDERICUSsaidtoyou，’SitdownatmyrighthandintheParadiseofBerlin；’andtome，’Depart，thouaccursed，intoHolland。’
"HereIamaccordinglyinthisphlegmaticplaceofpunishment，farfromthedivinefirewhichanimatestheFriedrichs，theMaupertuis，theAlgarottis。ForGod’slove，domethecharityofsomesparksinthesestagnantwaterswhereIam，"——stiffening，cooling，——"stupefyingtodeath。Instructmeofyourpleasures，ofyourdesigns。YouwilldoubtlessseeM。deValori，"——readersknowdeValori；hisBookhasbeenpublished；edited，astoousual，byaHumanNightmare，ignorantofhissubjectandindeedofalmostallotherthings，andliabletomistakesineverypage；yetpartlyreadable，ifyoucarrylanterns，andlove"MONGROSVALORI:"——
"offerhim，Iprayyou，myrespects。IfIdonotwritetohim，thereasonis，Ihavenonewstosend:IshouldbeasexactasIamdevoted，ifmycorrespondencecouldbeusefuloragreeabletohim。
"Won’tyouhavemesendyousomeBooks？IfIbestillinHollandwhenyourorderscome，Iwillobeyinamoment。IprayyoudonotforgetmetoM。deKeyserling，"——CaesarionwhomweoncehadatCirey；aheadlongduskylittlemanofwit（libraryturnedtopsy—
turvy，asWilhelminacalledhim），whomwehaveseen。
"Tellme，Ibeg，iftheenormousmonadofVolfius——[Wolf，wouldthereaderliketohearabouthim？Ifso，hehasonlytospeak！]
isarguingatMarburg，atBerlin，oratHall[HALLE，whichisaverydifferentplace]。
"Adieu，Monsieur:youcanaddressyourorderstome’AttheHague:’theywillbeforwardedwhereverIam；andIshallbe，anywhereonearth，——Yoursforever（AVOUSPOURJAMAIS）。"
[Voltaire，lxxii。252。]
LetterSecond，ofwhichafragmentmaybegiven，istooneCideville，amonthlater；allthemoregenuineastherewasnochanceoftheKing’shearingaboutthisone。Cideville，somekindofliteraryAdvocateatRouen（whoiswearisomelyknowntothereaderofVoltaire’sLetters），haddone，whatisratheranendemicaldisorderatthistime，someVersesfortheKingofPrussia，whichhewishedtobepresentedtohisMajesty。
Thepresentation，owingtoaccidents，didnottakeplace；
hearhowVoltaire，fromhiscobwebPalaceattheHague，busywithANTI—MACHIAVEL，VanDurenandmanyotherthings，——18thOctober，1740，onwhichdaywefindhimwritingmanyLetters，——explainsthesadaccident:——
VOLTAIRETOM。DECIDEVILLE（atRouen）。
"ATTHEHAGUE，KINGOFPRUSSIA’SPALACE，18thOctober，1740。
"……Thisismycase，dearCideville。Whenyousentme，enclosedinyourLetter，thoseVerses（amongwhichtherearesomeofcharmingandinimitableturn）forourMarcusAureliusoftheNorth，Ididwelldesigntopaymycourttohimwiththem。HewasatthattimetohavecometoBrusselsincognito:weexpectedhimthere；buttheQuartanFever，whichunhappilyhestillhas，derangedallhisprojects。HesentmeacouriertoBrussels，"——
markthatpoint，myCideville；——"andsoIsetouttofindhimintheneighborhoodofCleve。
"ItwasthereIsawoneoftheamiablestmenintheworld，whoformsthecharmofsociety，whowouldbeeverywheresoughtafterifhewerenotKing；aphilosopherwithoutausterity；fullofsweetness，complaisanceandobligingways（AGREMENS）；
notrememberingthatheisKingwhenhemeetshisfriends；indeedsocompletelyforgettingitthathemademetooalmostforgetit，andIneededaneffortofmemorytorecollectthatIheresawsittingatthefootofmybedaSovereignwhohadanArmyof100，000men。ThatwasthemomenttohavereadyouramiableVersestohim:"——yes；butthen？——"MadameduChatelet，whowastohavesentthemtome，didnot，NEL’APAFAIT。"Alas，no，theyarestillatBrussels，thosecharmingVerses；andI，foramonthpast，amhereinmycobwebPalace！ButIsweartoyou，theinstantI
returntoBrussels，I，&c。&c。[Voltaire，lxii。282。]
Finally，hereiswhatFriedrichthoughtofit，tendaysafterpartingwithVoltaire。Wewillreadthisalso（thoughotherwiseaheadofusasyet）；tobecertifiedonallsides，andsatedfortherestofourlives，concerningtheFriedrich—VoltaireFirstInterview。
KINGFRIEDRICHTOM。JORDAN（atBerlin）。
POTSDAM，24thSeptember，1740。
"MostrespectableInspectorofthepoor，theinvalids，orphans，crazypeopleandBedlams，——IhavereadwithmaturemeditationtheveryprofoundJordanicLetterwhichwaswaitinghere；"——anddoacceptyourlearnedproposal。
"IhaveseenthatVoltairewhomIwassocurioustoknow；butI
sawhimwiththeQuartanhangingonme，andmymindasunstrungasmybody。Withmenofhiskindoneoughtnottobesick；oneoughteventobespeciallywell，andinbetterhealththancommon，ifonecould。
"HehastheeloquenceofCicero，themildnessofPliny，thewisdomofAgrippa；hecombines，inshort，whatistobecollectedofvirtuesandtalentsfromthethreegreatestmenofAntiquity。
Hisintellectisatworkincessantly；everydropofinkisatraitofwitfromhispen。HedeclaimedhisMAHOMETtous，anadmirableTragedywhichhehasdone，"——whichtheOfficialpeoplesmellingheresiesinit（"toleration，""horrorsoffanaticism，"andthelike）willnotlethimact，asreaderstoowellknow:——"hetransportedusoutofourselves；Icouldonlyadmireandholdmytongue。TheDuChateletisluckytohavehim:forofthegoodthingsheflingsoutatrandom，apersonwhohadnofacultybutmemorymightmakeabrilliantBook。ThatMinervahasjustpublishedherWorkonPHYSICS:notwhollybad。ItwasKonig"——whomweknow，andwhoselatetempestinacertainteapot——"thatdictatedthethemetoher:shehasadjusted，ornamentedhereandtherewithsometouchpickedfromVoltaireatherSuppers。
TheChapteronSpaceispitiable；the"——inshort，sheisstillrawinthePureSciences，andshouldhavewaited……
"Adieu，mostlearned，mostscientific，mostprofoundJordan，——orrathermostgallant，mostamiable，mostjovialJordan；——Isalutethee，withassuranceofallthoseoldfeelingswhichthouhasttheartofinspiringineveryonethatknowsthee。VALE。
"Iwritethemomentofmyarrival:beobligedtome，friend；forI
havebeenworking，Iamgoingtoworkstill，likeaTurk，orlikeaJordan。"[OEuvresdeFrederic，xvii。71。]
ThisishastilythrownoffforFriendJordan，theinstantafterhisMajesty’scircuitousreturnhome。ReaderscannotyetattendhisMajestythere，tilltheyhavebroughttheAffairofHerstal，andotherremaindersoftheCleveJourney，alongwiththem。
ChapterV。
AFFAIROFHERSTAL。
ThisRambonet，whomVoltairefoundwalkinginthecourtoftheoldCastleofMoyland，isanofficialgentleman，otherwiseunknowntoHistory，whohaslatelybeenengagedinaPublicAffair；andisnowoffagainaboutit，"onahiredhack"orotherwise，——withverygoodinstructionsinhishead。Affairwhich，thoughinitselfbutsmall，isnowbeginningtomakegreatnoiseintheworld，asFriedrichwendshomewardsoutofhisCleveJourney。Hehassetitfairlyalight，Voltaireandhe，beforequittingMoyland；andnowitwillgoofitself。TheAffairofHerstal，oroftheBishopofLiege；Friedrich’sfirstappearanceonthestageofpolitics。
Concerningwhichsomeverybriefnotice，ifintelligible，willsufficereadersofthepresentday。
Heristal，nowcalledHerstal，wasonceaCastleknowntoallmankind；KingPipin’sCastle，whostyledhimself"PipinofHeristal，"beforehebecameKingoftheFranksandbegotCharlemagne。ItliesontheMaas，inthatfruitfulSpaCountry；
leftbankoftheMaas，alittletothenorthofLiege；
andprobablybeganexistenceasagranderplacethanLiege（LUTTICH），whichwas，atfirst，someMonasterydependentonsecularHerstalanditsgrandeurs:——thinkonlyhowtheracehasgonebetweenthesetwoentities；spiritualLiegenowabigCity，blackwiththesmokeofforgesandsteam—mills；HerstalaninsignificantVillage，accidentallytalkedofforafewweeksin1740，andnochanceevertobementionedagainbymen。
Herstal，intheconfusedvicissitudesofathousandyears，hadpassedthroughvariousfortunes，andundergonechangeofownersoftenenough。FiftyyearsagoitwasinthehandsoftheNassau—
OrangeHouse；DutchWilliam，ourEnglishProtestantKing，whoprobablyscarceknewofhispossessingit，wasLordofHerstaltillhisdeath。DutchWilliamhadnochildrentoinheritHerstal:
hewasofkinshiptothePrussianHouse，asreadersareaware；
andfromthatcircumstance，notwithoutagreatdealofdiscussion，anddifficult"DivisionoftheOrangeHeritage，"thisHerstalhad，atthelonglast，fallentoFriedrichWilhelm’sshare；itandNeuchatel，andtheCobwebPalace，andsomeotherplacesandpertinents。