54 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

Various private companies ; for, as in the time ofMoliere, the sons of the shopkeepers in Paris oftenformed companies together, and got up theatricals. Itwas thus that Voltaire became acquainted with Le Kain ,who has left us an interesting account of his intercoursewith the illustrious poet.

Le Kain was the son of a goldsmith. Voltaire saw himact, and, perceiving his talent, begged him to call uponhim. “ The pleasure caused by this invitation,” the actorwrites, “ was even greater than my surprise. I cannotdescribe what passed within me at the sight of this greatman, whose eyes sparkled with fire, imagination, and ge-nius. I felt penetrated with respect, enthusiasm, admira-tion, and fear ; while M. de Voltaire , to put an end to myembarrassment, embraced me, thanking God for havingcreated a being who could move him to tears by hisdeclamation.” He then asked the young man variousquestions; and when Le Kain mentioned his intentionof giving himself entirely up to the stage, in spite ofhis enthusiasm for the theatre, Voltaire strongly dis-suaded him from adopting a profession held disreputablein his native country. He asked him to recite, butwould not hear any verses but those of Racine. LeKain had once acted in “ Athalie, ” and he declaimedthe first scene, while Voltaire , in a transport of enthu-siasm, exclaimed, “ Oh ! what exquisite verses ! and itis surprising that the whole piece is written with thesame fervour and purity, from first scene to last, andthat, throughout, the poetry is inimitable.” And then,turning to the actor, he said, “ I predict that, with thattouching voice, you will one day delight all Paris , —hut never appear upon a public stage.” At the secondinterview Voltaire engaged Le Kain and his whole com-pany to act at his own theatre, Le Kain himself takingup his residence in the house of the generous poet. LeKain owed his success to him, and felt the warmestgratitude. " He is a faithful friend, ” he writes; “ histemper is vehement, but his heart is good, and his soulsensitive and compassionate. Modest, in spite of the