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Saxe Gotha, a most excellent and enlightened princess,“ who, thank God,” says Voltaire , “ did not writeverses.” He breathed again without fear, believingthat he had secured his freedom. He continued hisjourney to Frankfort, where he was met by madameDenis. The had state of Voltaire ’s health rendered awoman’s presence and attentions necessary ; and he wasproud also of the heroic sacrifice it seemed in thosedays when a lady, enjoying the pleasures of Parisiansociety, quitted them to attend on a sick old uncle,even though that uncle were Voltaire . Here a sort oftragi-comic adventure ensued, to the temporary annoy-ance of the poet, and the lasting disgrace of the king ofPrussia.
Frederic’s angry feelings were roused by several justcauses of annoyance. He learned that “ Akakia ’’ waspublished in Holland, and he remembered the scene ofits pretended destruction by its author with indignation.He was angry, also, that the poet had escaped, and wasno longer liable to the effects of his displeasure, andfear of ridicule added poignancy to these feelings.Frederic at once wished to punish his former friend,and to shield himself from the shafts of his ridicule.Voltaire had taken with him a volume of Frederic’spoems, privately circulated and given to him. Theking feared that his corrector might strip his verses oftheir borrowed feathers, and deliver up the unfledgednurslings to the laughter of the world. He sent ordersto his agent at Francfort to demand back this volume,as well as the baubles before returned and restored.His agent was a Jew of low character, and totallyilliterate. He proceeded against Voltaire , as if he hadbeen a servant suspected of running away with hismaster’s plate. The precious volume which Freitagcalled L’CEuvre de Poeshie du Roi son Maitre, had beenleft at Leipsic. Voltaire and madame Denis werekept under strict arrest till this unfortunate bookarrived at Francfort; and as there are always ill-omened birds who scent ill fortune, and take advantagef 3