82 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

anil superstition of the age. She became the protectressof the Calas. The’ family were sent to Paris ; thewidow demanded a trial, and surrendered herself toprison. Voltaire was indefatigable in drawing up me-moirs and papers in their justification. He did whatno other man could have done: he roused all Europe totake interest in their cause, and kept alive the memoryof their wrongs hy writings that at once pourtrayed theirsufferings and argued in favour of toleration, •— a wordwhich then appeared synonymous with blasphemy,and even to this day is not imprinted with sufficientdepth in the minds of men. The legal proceedingswere carried on at his expense. These extended to agreat length. Two years passed before a definitivejudgment was pronounced; “so easy is it,” remarksVoltaire , “ for fanaticism to condemn and destroy theinnocent, so difficult for reason to exculpate them.”The duke de Choiseul had named a tribunal whichw y as not implicated with the tortuous and intolerantpolicy of the French parliaments, to try the cause. Butendless formalities succeeded one to the other. Thespirit which Voltaire had raised in their favour was fer-vent in Paris . Persons of the first distinction visitedthe accused in prison, and every one vied with theother in administering consolation and support. InEngland a large subscription was raised in their favour.At length the day of their acquittal arrived. The judgesunanimously pronounced that the whole family wasinnocent, and the memory of the unfortunate father wasredeemed from infamy. All Paris was alive with joyand triumph: the people assembled in various parts ofthe town ; they were eager to see the persons to whomjustice was at last done; they clapped their hands intriumph when they appeared; the judges addressed theking to supplicate him to repair the pecuniary losses ofthe family, and the sum of 36,000 livres was given forthis purpose. Voltaire , in his seclusion among theAlps, heard of the success, and of the enthusiastic joywith which his countrymen hailed the triumph of in-