Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-04-10

could not help telling his neice, that the
amiable king had trick of giving sly
scratch with ono hand while patting and
stroking with the other. Soon came hints
not tho less alarming because mysteri.
Gus. "The supper parties are delicious.
The king is the life Of the company
Butt have operas and comedies, re.
views and concerts, my studies and
books. But-but-BerIin is fine, the
princess charming, the maids OF honor
handsome. But"-
This eccentric friendship was fast cool
ing. Never had there met two persons
so cxquisitely fitted to plague each 9TH
er. Each had exactly the fault OF which
the other was most impatient /; and they
were, in different ways, the most impa.
ticnt OF mankind. Frederic was frugal,
almost niggardly. When he had secu.
red his plaything, he began TO think he
had bought it TOO dear. Vollairc, on
the other hand was greedy even TO the
extent OF impudence and knavery; 4; and
conceived that the favorite Of mon.
arch who had barrels Of gold and silver
laid up in celia ought to make for
tune which receiver. general might en-.
Wy. They soon discovered each others
feelings. Both were angry, and war
began in which Frederic stopped to the
part Of Harpagon, and Voltaire TO that
5 Of Scapin. 1t is humilating to relate
that the great warrior and statesman
gave orders thathis guests all vance Of
, sugar and chocolate should be curtailed
, 1t is, il possible, still more humiliating
fact that Voltaire indemnied himself
by pocketing the wax candles in the roy.
= al ante. chamber. Disputes about mon.
, cy, however, were not the most serious
, disputes of these extraordinary associ
| ates. The saicasms soon CALLED the sen.
r sitive temper of the poet. D'Arnaud,
. and D'Argens, Guccard and lie Metric,
t might, for the sake Of morsel of bread,
. be willing to bear the insolence OF a
y master; but Voltaire was OF another or.
!. der. He knew that he was a potcntate
n as we'll as Frederic ; that his European
f. reputation, and his Incompatible power
n Of covering whatever he hated with rid.
d icule, made him an object of dread even
). TO the leaders Of armies and the rulers o
y nations. In truth, Of all the intelectu.
d al weapons ever welded by man, the
S most terrible was the mockery Of Vol.
8 tare. Bigots and tyrants who had ncv.
:. er been moved by the waiing and ours
d ing Of millions, turned pale at his name
Principles unassailable by reason, prin
IS ciples which had withstood the fierces
i. attacks of power, the most valuable
l. truths, the most generous sentiments, th'
|. noblcst and most graceful images, th
/. purest regulations and the most angus
/. institutions, began to look mean ant
t. loahesome as soon as that witherin
n smile was turned upon them. To ever,
III opponent, however strong in his caus
,e and his talents, in his station and hi
is character, who ventured to encounte
r. the Great Scoffer, might be addressed tn
m caution which was given Of old to tn
I'd Archangel -
|. "I ftrewarn thee, shun
j. His deadly arrow neither vainly hope
To be invulnerabie in those bright arms,
g. Tho tempered heavenly for that fatal din
Save Him who reigns above, none can resist
10 We cannot pause to recount how o
as ten that rare talent was exercised again!
Q. rivals worthy of esteem-how often
u. was used to crush and torture enemie
m worthy only Of silent disdan-how o
lie ten it was perverted to the more noxior
- purpose of destroying the last solace I
o. earthly misery, and the last restraint o
Id earthly power. Neither can we pause
e. tell how often it was, used 10 vindicat
y, Justice, humanity, and toleration-tt
:" principles Of sound philosophy, the pri
K ciples Of free government. This is n
er the place for full character Of Voltair
bs Causes, OF quarrel multiplied FAST
es Voltaire, who, partly from love of mo
j." ey, and partly from love Of excitemen
be was always fond Of stockjobbing, b
*. came implicated in some transactions
ed at least dubious character. The XII
~ was delighted at having such an oppt
'te tunity to humble his guest; and bitt
'as reproaches and compl laints were excha
lat ged. Voltaire, too, was soon at war wi
Ids the other men ofletters who surround
lie the king and this irritated Freder
his who, however, had himself chiefly
jim blame for, from that love Of torme
nd ing which was in him ruling pnssit
re. he was perpetualy lavishing extravagt
ad praises on small men and bad books.
He did SO merely that he might enjoy
ire rage and modification which on such {
not casions. Voltaire took no pains to CO
ar. ceal. His majesty, however, soon h
the reasons to regret the pains he had tax
ph. to kindle jealousy among the membt
as OF his household. The whole pala
md was in ferment with literary intrigr
nds and cabals. 1t was to no purpose Il
en-. the imperial voice, which kept hi
ned dred and sixty thousand soldiers in
was der, was raised to quiet the contenti'
'ts- of the exasperated wits. 1t was far
ors. sier to stir up such a storm than to
re. it. Nor was Frederic in his capacity
the wit by any means WITHOUT his own sh
ing of vexations. He had sent large gu
nds tity Of verses to Voltaire, and reques
and that they might be returned with rema
his and corrections. "See !" exclain
'yal Voltaire, "what quantity Of his d
dis. linen the king has sent me to wash.
ap. Talebearers were not wanting to ca
hen tho sarcasm to the royal ear, and Fr
had eric was as much incensed as a G
L. L.. -. ,