56 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC HEN.

footing with her old friend. Eager to form a party, andto insure her own popularity, madame de Pompadourpatronised literature and the arts, and at first showedpartiality for Voltaire ; the courtiers followed her ex-ample with eager emulation, and the sovereign himselfwas induced to regard him with some show of favour.He named him gentleman in ordinary to his chamber,and historiographer of France, — places which Voltaire eagerly accepted, and regarded as so many bulwarks toresist the attacks of his enemies. The duties of thefirst-named place were, however, onerous, as they ne-cessitated a frequent attendance at court; he was per-mitted to dispose of it, and he sold it for 30,000 francs;while, as a peculiar mark of^avour, he was allowed topreserve the title and privileges,

He was, moreover, elected member of the academy;but he purchased this doubtful honour by the sacrificeof much honest pride. He was not elected till he ad-dressed a letter full of professions of respect for thechurch and the Jesuits . No advancement would haveinduced him to this act; but he believed that it wasnecessary to secure his safety while he continued toinhabit the capital. At the same time, these concessionsembittered his spirit, and added force to his sarcasmsand hostility, when, by expatriation, he had secured hisindependence. When we consider, however, that hisconcessions were made in vain, we regret that any mo-tive urged him to them ; for if truth be the great aim ofintellectual exertions, the more imperative that those whoaspire to glory in the name of truth should rise far abovesubterfuge and disguise. While madame du Chatelet lived, he had occupied a more dignified position ; and,in the retirement of Cirey, remained aloof from theintrigues necessary to curry favour with an uneducated,bigoted king, and his ignorant mistress. AVhen his ac-complished friend died, the versatile and ambitious poetsailed at first without pilot or rudder. What wonder thathe was wrecked ? and he deserves the more praise, when