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Vol. II.
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38

LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

heart are full of love for the human race.” Frederic,now that he was emancipated from his father’s control,was most eager to see Voltaire . He asked him to visithim. Voltaire considered his friendship with madamedu Chatelet as of more worth than the protection of aking; for although, through vivacity of temper andabsence of self-control, they quarrelled, there was a deepfeeling of mutual kindness and sympathy on both sides.The king had been ready to lavish compliments on the“ divine Emily; ” but his indifference to women, andhis many and important occupations, made him shrinkfrom receiving a French court lady, full of wit,caprice, and self-importance. He wrote: “ If Emilymust accompany Apollo, I consent; but if I can seeyou alone, I should prefer it.” It ended in Frederic’sforming the plan of including Brussels in a tour hemade, and visiting his friend there. Voltaire ’s ownaccount of their interview is full of spirit and pleasantry;showing how, in reality, a Frenchman, accustomedto the splendour and etiquette of his native court, couldill comprehend the simplicity and poverty of Prussia.He writes: “ The king’s ambassador extraordinary toFrance arrived at Brussels ; as soon as he alighted atan inn, he sent me a young man, whom he had madehis page, to say that he was too tired to pay me a visit,but begged me to come to him, and that he had a richand magnificent present for me from the king, hismaster. ‘ Go quickly,’ cried madams? du Chatelet , ‘ Idare say he brings you the crown jewels.’ I hurriedoff, and found the ambassador, who, instead of port-manteau, had behind his carriage a quarter of wine,belonging to the late king, which the reigning sovereignordered me to drink. I exhausted myself in pro-testations of surprise and gratitude for this liquid markof his majesty’s goodness, substituted for the solid oneshe had given me a right to expect, and I shared thewine with Camas. My Solomon was then at Stras-bourg . The fancy had taken him while visiting hislong and narrow dominions, which reached from