\"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。