Nov. 1759-March 1760. "" them, because the Proverb says, Ninety-nine sheep and one Cham66 pagner make a Hundred head of cattle?"36_ 66 Again to D'Argental (three or four months after; Luc having proved obstinate, and still unsuccessful). "I conjure you make use of all your eloquence to tell him" (the supreme Duc de Choiseul), "that "if Luc misgo, it will be no misfortune to France. That Branden"burg will always remain an Electorate; that it is good there be no "Elector in it strong enough to do without the protection of our King; "and that all the Princes of the Empire will always have recourse to "that august protection" (Most Christian Majesty's) "contra l'aquila grifagna,—were the Prussian Kingship but abolished. Nota bene, if "Luc were discomfited this Year, we should have Peace next "Winter."37 To supreme Choiseul (a year later). "He has been a bad man, "this Luc; and now, if one were to bet,--by the law of probability "it would be 3 to 1 that Luc will go to pot (sera perdu), with his "rhymings and his banterings, and his injustices and politics, all as "bad as himself. "'38 Voltaire on surrounding Objects, chiefly on Maupertuis, and the Battles. To D'Alembert (in the Rossbach-Leuthen interval: on the Battle of Breslau, 22d November 1757; called by the Austrians "a Malplaquet," and believed by Voltaire to be a Malplaquet and more). ** "The Austrians do avenge us, and humble us" (us, and our miserable Rossbachs), "in a terrible manner. Thirteen attacks on the Prussian "intrenchments, lasted six hours; never was Victory bloodier, or more "horribly beautiful "(in the brain of certain men). "We pretty French "fellows, we are more expeditious, our job is done in five minutes. "The King of Prussia is always writing me Verses, now like a despe"rado, now like a hero; and as for me, I try to live like a philosopher "in my hermitage. He has obtained what he always wished: to beat "the French, to be admired by them, to mock them; but the Austrians are mocking him in a very serious way. Our shame of November 5th "has given him glory; and with such glory, which is but transient "and dearly bought, he must content himself. He will lose his own "Countries, with those he has seized, unless the French again dis"cover" (which they will) "the secret of losing all their Armies, as 2139 they did in 1741. To Clairaut, the Mathematician (Maupertuis lately dead). 'An ex 36 Friedrich to Voltaire, 'Freyberg, 3d April 1760:' Euvres de Frédéric, xxiii. 73, 74. 37 Euvres de Voltaire, lxxix. 110 ('July 1760'). 38 Ib. lxxx. 313 ('Château de Ferney, 13th July 1761'). 39 Ib. lxxvii. 133-4 (Délices, 6th December 1757,' day after Leuthen). Nov. 1759-March 1760. 'cellent Treatise, this you have sent me, Monsieur!" "Your war with "the Geometers on the subject of this Comet appears to me like a war "of the gods in Olympus, while on Earth there is going on a fight of "dogs and cats. ""Would to Heaven our friend Moreau-Maupertuis had cultivated his art like you! That he had predicted 66 comets, instead of exalting his soul to predict the future; of dissecting the brains of giants to know the nature of the soul; of japanning "people with pitch to cure them of every malady; of persecuting König; and of dying between Two Capuchins" (dead three weeks ago, on those terms, poor soul) !40 66 66 "What say you of Maupertuis He was ill, this long while, of a reckoned him either a hypocrite or ever to go and fill his place at To D'Alembert (a week later). "dying between two Capuchins! "repletion of pride; but I had not 66 an imbecile. I don't advise you "Berlin; you would repent that. I am Astolpho warning Roger (Ruggiero) not to trust himself to the Enchantress Alcina; but Roger 66 was unadvisable. "41 66 To the same (two years later: Luc, on certain grounds, may as well be saved). "With regard to Luc, though I have my just causes of anger against him, I own to you, in my quality of Frenchman and thinking being, I am glad that a certain most Orthodox House has "not swallowed Germany, and that the Jesuits are not confessing in "Berlin. Over towards the Danube superstition is very powerful." • The infâme--"You are well aware that I speak of super"stition only; for as to the Christian religion, I respect and love it, like you. Courage, Brethren! Preach with force, and write with "address: God will bless you.-Protect, you my Brother, the Widow "Calas all you can! She is a poor weak-minded Huguenot, but her "Husband was the victim of the White Penitents. It is the concern "of Human Nature that the Fanatics of Toulouse be confounded." (The case of Calas, second act of it, getting on the scene: a case still memorable to everybody. Stupendous bit of French judicature; and Voltaire's noblest outburst, into mere transcendant blaze of pity, virtuous wrath, and determination to bring rescue and help against the whole world.) 42 Friedrich to Voltaire, before and during these Peace Negotiations. At Schmöttseifen, five days before Züllichau, ten days before that hunt of Loudon and Haddick (Voltaire, under rebuke for indiscretion, has been whimpering a little. My discreet Niece burnt those last verses, Sire; no danger there, at least!' Truculent Bishop Something-ac tried 40 Euvres de Voltaire, lxxviii. 191 ('Délices, 19th August 1759'). 41 Ib. lxxviii. 197 ('Délices, 25th August 1759'). 42 Ib. lxxviii. 52, 53 ('Ferney, 28th November 1762'). Nov. 1759-March 1760. to attack your Majesty; but was done-for by a certain person). Friedrich answers: “In truth, you are a singular creature. When I think "of scolding you, you say two words, and the reproach expires. Im"possible to scold you, even when you deserve it." ** 66 66 "As to your Niece, let her burn me or roast me, I care little. Nor are you to think me se sensitive to what your Bishops in ic or in ac may say of me. I have the lot of all actors who play in public; ap"plauded by some, despised by others. One must prepare oneself for "satires, for calumnies, for a multitude of lies, which will be sent "abroad into currency against one: but need that trouble my tran"quillity? I go my road; I do nothing against the interior voice of my conscience; and I concern myself very little in what way my "actions paint themselves in the brain of beings, not always very think"ing, with two legs and without feathers. "43 68 66 At Wilsdruf, just before Maxen (an exultant exuberant curious Letter; too long for insertion, part of it given above). **"For your Tragedy of Socrate, thanks. At Paris they are going to burn it, "the wretched fools,—not aware that absurd fanaticism is their domin"ant vice. Better burn the dose of medicine, however, than the useful "Doctor. I, can I join myself to that set? If I bite you, as you com"plain, it is without my knowledge. But I am surrounded with ene"mies, one hitting me, another pricking me, another daubing me with "mud;-patience at last yields, and one flies abroad into a general rage, too indiscriminate perhaps." 66 'You talk of my Verses on Rossbach' (my Adieu to the Hoopers on finding their Bridge burnt"). "This Campaign I have had no beatific "vision, in the style of Moses. The barbarous Cossacks and Tartars, "infamous to look at on any side, have burnt and ravaged countries, "and committed atrocious inhumanities. This is all I saw of them. "Such melancholy spectacles don't tend to raise one's spirits." (Breaks-off into metre:) "La Fortune inconstante et fière, Fortune in"constant and proud Does not treat her suitors Always in an equal "manner. Those fools called heroes, who run the country, Ces fous nommés héros, et qui courent les champs, "Can't expect that pleasure every year! Maupertuis, say you?' "Don't trouble the ashes of the dead; "let the grave at least put an end to your unjust hatreds. Reflect "that even Kings make peace after long battling; cannot you ever "make it? I think you would be capable, like Orpheus, of descend"ing to Hell, not to soften Pluto and bring back your beautiful Emilie, "but to pursue into that Abode of Woe an enemy whom your wrath 43 Schmöttseifen, 18th July 1759; Euvres de Frédéric, xxiii. 55, 56, 44 Suprà, vol. vii. p. 246, Nov. 1759-March 1760. "has only too much persecuted in the world: for shame!"45-and rebukes him, more than once elsewhere, in very serious terms. In Winter-quarters, on Peace and the Stolen Edition. (Starts in verse, which we abridge:) With how many laurels you have covered yourself in all the fields of Literature ! One laurel yet is wanting to the brow of Voltaire. If, as the crown of so many perfect works, he ' could by a skilful manœuvre bring back Peace, I, and Europe with me, would think that his masterpiece!' (Takes to prose :) "This is my thought and all Europe's. Virgil made as fine Verses "as you; but he never made a Peace. It will be a distinction you " will have over all your brethren of Parnassus, if you succeed. 66 "I know not who has betrayed me, and thought of printing" (the Edition;-not you, surely!) a pack of rhapsodies which were good enough to amuse myself, but were never meant for publication. After "all, I am so used to treacheries and bad manœuvres, "—what matters this insignificant one? "I know not who the Bredow is" (whom you speak of having met); "but he has told you true. The sword and death have made fright"ful ravages among us. And the worst is, we are not yet at the end "of the tragedy. You may judge what effect these cruel shocks made 66 on me. I wrap myself in my stoicism, the best I can. Flesh and "blood revolt against such tyrannous command; but it must be fol"lowed. If you saw me, you would scarcely know me again: I am old, broken, gray-headed, wrinkled; I am losing my teeth and my "gaiety: if this go on, there will be nothing of me left, but the mania "of making verses, and an inviolable attachment to my duties and to "the few virtuous men whom I know."46 66 * * In Winter-quarters, a month later (comes still on "Peace" again). "I will have you paid that bit of debt" (perhaps of postage or the like), "that Louis of the Mill (Louis du Moulin," at Fontenoy, who got upon a Windmill with his Dauphin, and caught that nickname from the common men) "may have wherewithal to make war on 66 me. Add tenth-penny tax to your tax of twentieth-penny; impose "new capitations, make titular offices to get money; do, in a word, "whatever you like. In spite of all your efforts, you will not get a "Peace signed by my hands, except on conditions honourable to my "Nation. Your people, blown-up with self-conceit and folly, may depend on these words. Adieu, live happy; and while you make all your efforts to destroy Prussia, think that nobody has less deserved "it than I, either of you or of your French. "47 66 66 Still in Winter-quarters (on "Peace" still; but begins with "Maupertuis," which is all we will give). "What rage animates you against "Maupertuis? You accuse him of having published that Furtive Edi❝tion. Know that his Copy, well sealed by him, arrived here after 45 Euvres de Frédéric, xxiii. 61-65 (Wilsdruf, 17th November 1759'). 17 Ib. xxiii. 72 ('Freyberg, 20th March 1760'), Nov. 1759-March 1760. "his death, and that he was incapable of such an indiscretion." (Breaks into verse :) "Leave in peace the cold ashes of Maupertuis: "Truth can defend him, and will. "His soul was faithful and noble: "He pardoned you that scandalous Akakia (ce vil libelle " Que votre fureur criminelle "Prit soin chez moi de griffoner); he did: "And you? Shame on such delirium as Voltaire's! "What, this beautiful, what, this grand genius, "Whom I admired with transport, "Soils himself with calumny, and is ferocious on the dead? "Vile ravens pounce-down upon sepulchres, "And make their prey of corpses:' Blush, repent, alas! These Specimens will suffice. "The King of Prussia?" Voltaire would sometimes say: "He is as potent and as malignant as the Devil; but he is also as unhappy, not knowing friendship," having such a chance, too, with some of us! Friedrich has sent Lord Marischal to Spain: other fond Hopes of Friedrich's. In the beginning of this Year, 1759, Earl Marischal had been called out of his Neufchâtel stagnancy, and launched into the Diplomatic field again; sent on mission into Spain, namely. The case was this: Ferdinand VI. of Spain (he who would not pay Friedrich the old Spanish debt, but sent him merino rams, and a jar of Queen-Dowager snuff) had fallen into one of his gloomy fits, and was thought to be dying ;did, in fact, die, in a state nearly mad, on the 10th August following. By Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, and by all manner of Treaties, Carlos of Naples, his Half-Brother (Termagant's Baby Carlos, whom we all knew), was to succeed him in Spain; Don Philip, the next Brother, now of Parma and Piacenza, was to follow as King in Naples,—ceding those two litigious Duchies to Austria, after all. Friedrich, vividly awake to every chance, foresaw, in case of such disjunctures in Italy, good likelihood of quarrel there. And has dispatched the experienced old Marischal to be on the ground, and have his eyes open. Marischal knows Spain very well; and has often said, "He left a dear old friend there, the Sun." Marischal was under way, about New-year's time; but lingered by the road, waiting how Ferdinand would turn,—and having withal an important business of his own, as he sauntered on. Did not arrive, I think, till |