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LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

began to feel that the chain that bound him and theking, which he flattered would be worn equally byboth, fell heavily round him only. He became awarethat the king was not the less despotic and self-willedfor being a philosopher. In truth, Frederic and Vol-taire had a mutual and sincere love for each other.They agreed in their opinions, they sympathised intheir views. Each enjoyed the conversation, the wit,the gaiety, the genius of the other ; but Voltaire pantedfor entire independence: to think, to speak, to writefreely, was as necessary as the air he breathed. • Togain these privileges he had quitted France ; and thoughhe passionately loved flattery and distinction, yet thesewere only pleasing when they waited upon his everycaprice ; and became valueless when he was called uponto sacrifice the humour of the moment to gain them.The king delighted in Voltaire ’s talents; but, then, hewished them to be as much at his command as a soldier'svalour, which deserves reward, but which may only bedisplayed at the word of command.

The moment a feeling of injustice on one side, andof assumption of direction on the other, showed them-selves, a thousand circumstances arose to embitter theintercourse of the unequal friends. The king had afavourite guest, la Metrie, a physician by profession,the worst, Voltaire tells us, that ever practised, anunprincipled fellow, but witty and vivacious; whosegood spirits, and bold and infidel opinions, pleasedFrederic, who made him his reader. This sort ofman is never suited to a court. The same restlessaspiration after independence that renders a man anSept, infidel in opinions makes him a bad courtier. “ La2 - Metrie,” writes Voltaire to his niece, “ boasts in hisMtat" P re ^ aces ex t rem e felicity in being near a great

57 ’ king, who sometimes reads his poems to him ; but, insecret, he weeps with me; he would leave this place onfoot: and I—why am I here ? You will be astonishedat what I tell you. La Metrie swore to me the otherday, that, when speaking to the king of my pretended