96 I.ITEItARY Alv'D SCIENTIFIC MEN.

minutes the formidable interview. We went on theterrace, from which the magnificent view of the lakeand mountains might have been seen, had they not hadthe bad taste to raise a trellice, covered with a thickfoliage that concealed all, so that the view was onlyto be perceived through little openings too small formy head; and, besides, the trellice was so low, thatmy feathers caught every moment. I was obliged tostoop, and this fatiguing attitude was ill suited toenable me to enjoy the conversation of madame deSaint Julien, who, short, and in a morning dress,walked at her ease, and conversed agreeably. Atlength we were told that Voltaire was in the drawingroom. I felt so harassed and frightened that I wouldhave given the world to have found myself in my innat Geneva; but my companion, judging me by herself,drew me along quickly. We returned to the house.As soon as I had collected myself we entered, and Ifound myself in the presence of Voltaire . Madame deSaint Julien invited me to embrace him, saying that itwould please him. I addressed him with the respectdue to his genius and his age. He took my hand andkissed it, and I know not why, but I was touched bythis act of common gallantry coming from him.

“ During dinner, M. de Voltaire was by no meansagreeable ; he appeared to be continually angry with hisservants, calling to them so loudly that I started. Ihad been told beforehand of this habit, so singularbefore strangers; but it was evident that it was merelya habit, for the servants neither appeared surprised nortroubled. After dinner, knowing that I was a musician,Voltaire asked madame Denis to play. She had a me-thod which reminded one of the music of the days ofLouis XIV. She had just finished a piece of Rameau ,when a little girl of seven years old entered, and threwherself into Voltaire ’s arms, calling him papa. He re-ceived her caresses with sweetness ; and, seeing that Ilooked on the picture with extreme pleasure, he told methat this was the daughter of the descendant of the