The Arkansas banner., 1844-05-08

IIlIl tuG ]eIlIlSSlOu Ittt uCotCu' aNtIbuOl cA- pected refusal, but like true Englishman, would not feel himself beaten. Some weeks passed away, new petitions were addressed to Boitaire. new refusals sent to Gibbon.- Obstacles excite the energy of great minds, Gibbon sWore that he would see Voltaire.- He ehoweverchangedh his tactics-negociation were useles-iIe must gain his ends by force or stratagem-he determined upon the latter the former, between Philosophers was not practicable. Well, one morning Gibbon fill ed his pockets with guineas, took his travel ling stick, and made his way towards the ha- bitation of Voltaire ferney, is--but a few miles from Geneya.-Gibbon arrived at the Castle, at an early hour. must now give you a picture of the external appearance of the hero of our history. Gibbon was dis gustingly ugly. His enormous head, coy cred with red hair, which fell down between shoulders. more worthy of a quadruped. than 10 serve as a support to human neck, his eyes, lawn colored, sparkled it is true, with the uncommon brilliancy, which usually distinguishes superior mind but this brilliancy was shaded by the extreme thickness of his eyebrows, which covered the greater part of his forehead; add to this face, nose notoriously red, and nostrils ex- cessively expanded, purple mouth, chin symetrieally squared, all scared over, and surrounded with frighdul garland of red whiskers. You will have the truest picture of the illustrious Gibbon. As to his fantas- tie figure, we will not say one word nor of the awkward shape of his legs, which were miraculously placed nearly in the middle of the clavicular bones. Thus did Gibbon ring at the Park Gate-the keeper ran, put the enormous key into the lock; but that moment, fatal to Gibbon, he was recognized indeed, who could mistake him 4 description of him had been given to Noltaife, at his request, by the Republic of Geneva-every servant in the house knew it. The order was rieid. It was impossible for the Englishman to pre- serve his incognito. He thought of retreat ing; but no-Gibbon would brave destiny. While the keeper was enjoying the cruel pleasure of repeating his masters orders, and of examining the strangers features; the lat ter began to sound his guineas. held them out to the man, and displayed them before the amazed keeper. It is done-Gibbon has again triumphed-gold has tempted the keep CTS fidelity. The gates are mysteriousiy thrown open. G.bbon enters. Butthis does not satisfy the Eaglishman The first and most difficult step was taken. It was now necessary for him to give proof of his true courage. Was Gbbon capable of it2 The reader shall judge for himself On receiv- ing the bounty of the Englishman, the keep CT did not guarantee him an interview with his master, he had only consented to yield little in his favor, of the severity of the or der5 which lis situation rendered 1t his duty, scrupulously to observe. He had admitted Gibbon into the Lodge, 1t was for him to find the means of gaining admittance to Foltaire
 In vain the Englishman exegted the inventive genius of his imagination He rackcd his brain and struck his forehead No bright idea came forth-his situation was critical oae-he must get out of it, but by what means TKcd out, Gibbon requested the keeper 10 relate to him, some of Voltaire's habits, manners, Sc, Sc, adding, that since he must abandon the hope of seeing him, he did not wish to leave Fenay, without talk ing away some remembrances of this great man, who had so obstinately refused to ad- init him. Keepers are generally very com municatiYc, and this one, formed no excep- ts1Ao the rule he was in his element.=
 tailed minutely all that he knew of his masters habits, and all that he did not know also; at what time Foltaire retired, when he rose, when he ate, when he drank, when he kissed Nadine Denis hand; in short, all the little incidents of every day life at Ferncv, fell under the scalPul of the keepet. During this conversation, Gibbons countenance frightened by degrees; but when all was told, fash of joy suddenly illuminated his features. Of all that the keeper had related, Gibbon retained but one particular, which resolved itself by this Psycologic observa- ton, all men of genius have their eceentri- cities to which they often sacrifice their dearest interests. Voltare had his. Gib- bon will see Noltaire. See then what slight circumstance discovered to Gibbon his enc my's weak point. Voltaire had a horse. to which he was attached, he alone had the pri- yilege of attending to him,-it was he who furnished his manager with the sweetest hay, it was he who gave him drink from silver trough, which he had had made expressly for him at Femey. If any person dared to put their hand even on his main, his Lord ittf "ONeiiV s1 Ct1ta9Ctt ttldt Aldd He i9GHto felt the effects of his ill-humor for whole week. But then by what brilliant qualities had this little animal acquired the favor of his master, what beauty, what perfection how nobly he carries his beautiful English head, and with what dignity he lowers his ears, stretches his neck, and fixes his beauti- ful round eyes on the piece of sugar, that Foltaire holds in his hand how his hair shines, and glistens, what beauty in his ta- pered legs, what strength in his hoof, what hexibility in his chest, what roundness in his croupo. Any other than Voltaire would have made him his idol, and none could nave resisted a tender feeling, on seeing with what gentleness he rested his head on his masters shoulder-with what timidity and resigna- ton, he walked behind him, for the simple
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