The Life of Voltaire (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...Voltaire was not a perfect hater. That sodden, worthless Theriot came to Delices for a three months' visit in July, with all his treachery and ingratitude amply forgotten; and in October that very showy hero, Eichelieu, who was always in money debt to Voltaire, descended upon his creditor with a suite of no fewer than forty persons. They had to be accommodated at Tourney, and fetes and theatricals devised for their master's benefit. The Duchesse d'Enville and the Duke of Villars were also staying with Voltaire, who was quite delighted to discover that a Richelieu of sixty-six still kept up his character for gallantry, and to surprise him at the feet of a charming Madame Menage, a Tronchin patient. The pretty face and wit of Madame Cramer also quite vanquished the susceptible elderly heart of the conqueror. Voltaire offered to get rid--temporarily--of her husband. But Richelieu had reckoned, not without his host indeed, but without his hostess. Sprightly Madame Cramer laughed in his face. The first authorised publication of a work which had been suggested at Richelieu's supper table thirtytwo years earlier belongs, by some bizarrerie of destiny, to this 1762, which also saw the noblest work of Voltaire's life--the defence of Calas and the preaching of the Gospel of Tolerance. Whoso has followed its author's history has also followed the 'Pucelle's.' Alternately delight and torment, danger and refuge; now being read in the Cirey bathroom to the ecstatic bliss of Madame de Graffigny, now passed from hand to hand and from salon to salon in Paris, now being copied in Prussia, and then burnt in Geneva, hidden in Collini's breeches at Frankfort, and stolen from Fjmilie's effects by Mademoiselle du Thil--the adventures of the 'Pucelle' would form a volume. Consider...