The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-07-04
Miscellaneous.
.4reedoie, of YoLTAIRB, from tire 7raeelj q
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have made many enquiries concerning the philosopher
of Ferney, which am not all iurpriied at. This
extraordinary pcron has coh:rved excite more Gu
rioiity, and retain the attention of Europe for 4
longer pace of time than any other this age has
produced, monarchs and heroes included. Even the
noit trivial anecdote relating hun ieens, in fon.e
degree, TO intereR the public
l have had frequent opportunities of converting
with him, and fil more with thoie who have lived in
intimacy with him for many years 10 tina. the follow
ing remarks are founded either my own obierva-
son, that of the mott candid and intelligent of
his acquaintance
He has enemies and admirers here, as he has every
where ellie; and not unfrequently both united i'll the
fame petion.
The frit idea which has prefened itlef to all who
have attempted deloYpton OF his perlon, that of
fkeeton. In as far this implies executive leanneis
it is u{f but it mutt be remembered, thar this iele-
ton, this mere competition of in and bone, has look
OF more fpirit and vivacty than is generally produced
by neih and blood, however blooming and youthful
The mott piercing eyes ever beheld are thofe of
Voaire, now in his eightieth year. His whole couI-
tenance is expreive of genius, obervation and ex-
trenle feniibity.
In the morning he has look of anxiety and dircon
TENT but this gradually Off and after dinner he
Teens cheerful An air of irony, however never en-
trely fortakes his face but may always be obferved
lurking in his features whether he frowns or nles
When the weather is favourable, he takes an airing
of whom there is always fuicient number at Ferney
Sometimes he faunters in his garden or if the weather
does not permit him go abroad he employs his lei
fure hours in playing chefs with Pere Adam or in
receiving the Wits of trangers, continued lcceion
OF whom stend at Ferney, catch an opportunity of
feeling him; or in debating and reading letters for
ne Till retains correspondents lii all the tries of Eu-
rope, who inform him ofevery remarkable occurrence
and iend him every new literary production as foo as
it appears.
BY far the greate part of his time fpent in his R
dy and whether he reads hmel, or tens to another
he always has pen his hand to take notes or make
remarks.
Competition is his principal amufenlent. No au-
thor, who writes for daily bread, no young poet ar
dent for diitin&ion, afiduous with his pen or
more anxious for fre fame, than the wealthy and APP
plauded Seigneur of Ferney.
He lives in very hoipitable manner and takes care
always to keep good cook. He has generally two or
three viiitors from Paris, who fay with him month
Or iix weeks at time. When they go, their places
are foon fupplied 70 that there conat rotation of
1ociety at Ferney. Thefe, with Voltares own family
and his viiitors from Geneva compete company of
twelve or fourteen people, who dine daily at his table
whether ne appears or not. For, when engaged IN
preparing Tome new production for the preis ndifo-
ed or IN bad fprts he does dine with the conpa-
N.Y. but tatisfies hinief with fleeing them for few
minutes, either before after dinner.
All who bring recommendations from his friends
MAY uePeiu upon peiS received he De really
dhpoled He often prefents hmielf 20 the itrangers
who aienble aimoif every afternoon in his antchan-
Der, although they bring particular recomnendat-
on But iomesimes they obliged to retire, with
out having their c,iriofty gratifed.
AS often as this happens, he is Ire of being accued
OF peevifhnefs and thonfand ill-atured hories are
related, perhaps, invented, of revenge becaue he
IS not IN the humour of being exhibited like dancing
bear holiday. 1t is much lef. furprifing that he
tonetimes refutes than that he fould comply 70 often
In him, this compliance mutt proceed foley from de-
Ire to obge for Votaire has been 10 long accu0onl-
ed 70 admiration, that the fare Of few frangers cam
not be fuPpoGed to afford him much pleaflre.
His niece, Madame Denis, does the honours of the
table, and enertains the company, when her uncle is
not able, or does not choofe appear. She is well
d1poied woman, who behaves with good hunour to
every body, and with uErenitting attention and ten
dernes to her uicie.
The morning is proper time to Witt yoltaire.
He cannot bear to have his hours of tuy interrupted
This alone is iuhicept TO put him out of hymour be-
tdes he IS then apt to be querous whether he uers
by the nhrnites Of age, from oue accidental caure
chagrn. Whatever be the rsalon he is lefs an OPP
limit that part of the day than at any other 1t was
IN the morning probably that he remarked, ct (que
c'etoit domage que lie quinquna fe trouyoit en- Anne
rique, ct Ia fievre en- climats')
lhoe who are invited to IpPer, have opportu-
nifty Of feeling him in the mott advantageous point of
view He then exerts himielf to entertain the compa-
ny, du Iees as iona Oh aylIS what are called good
things as ever. And when any lively remark or bon
mot, comes from another he IS equally delighted and
pays the fulleit tribute of applau1e The fpirt of
niirth gains upon him by indulgence When fur-
rounded by his friends, and animated by the preence
OF women, he ieems to enjoy life with al the fenibi-
lty Of youth His genius then furrnounts the reraint
of age and infrmity, and flows along iii fine frain of
pea6ng, fPirited obfcrvation, and delicate IRONY.
He has excellent talent Of adapting his cofyerfa
tion to his company. The irf time the D. Of
H. waited on him, ne tar1ed the diiro;r{e on
the ancient alliance between the French ard Scotch
hstons. Reeiting the circunrtanee of one of his
Cruces predeceiors having accompanied Mlry Queen
of Scots, whole heir he at that time was 10 the court
OF France he fpoke of the heroe Characters of his an
Seors, the ancient Ears of Douglas of the great liter
AIRY reputation Of ome of countrymen then living
and mentioned the names Of Hume and Robertfon IN
ter1us.of high appreciation.
"A hort time afterwards nc viited by two Raj
fan noble1nan, who at Gsueva Voltaire talk
ed to them great deal Of their Rnpreis and the lo-
riihing rate Other country. Formerly, aid he yot.
sounrynIen Were guided by ignorant pries, the ars
were unknown and your lands lay waite; but now the
arts fiourifh and the lands cultivated One of the
young replied, that there was i great propor-
ton OF barren land IN Rn1ia At leaf, faid Votair.
Jou mutt admit, that Of late your country has been
every fertile in laures"