The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-27
a. much now. He was IS. and being in indif-
ferent health.'he might have taken little
80

Now that Nine. du Chatelet was dead.
Frederick began to reckon on visit OF some
duration from votaire. and some correspond
ence about the cost OF q journey to Berlin took
place between them In the spring OF 1850. In
July OF that year yoltairs set out for Prussia to
give the King. as he said. n lesson In the
knowledge OF men. Frederick gave his French
visitor pension OF 10000 francs. or $1,000, a
year. the ONCE and gold key OF Chamberlain
the cross OF the Order pour lie M.rite. together
with board and lodging in one or other Of tho
royal palaces. Tho Office OF chamberlain was
a sinecure and its occupant had ample leisure
in which to ply his nevcr.resting pen. His
duties resolved themselves into dining, or ut
least supping. with the King. and correcting
and criticising verso and prose submitted to
him by Frederick. For the Kings first cool
ness to him voltaire had only to thank
himself and his Unsuitable cupidity. The first
great serape In which he was involved arose
out OF connection with Hirsch. a cunning
and INSCRIPTIONS Berlin Jew. The two were
soon engaged in On illicit transaction which,
as Voltaire declared. Hirsch had suggested to
him. while Hirsch. on his part. maintained that
the suggestion came from voltaire. In the
lawsuit which followed voltaire was SUSPECTED
OF interpolating document in his interest.
Carlyle Givos an account OF the affair, and rro-
nounces decidedly against Voltare. who. how
ever. has found a vigorous defendant In GUS
tavo de Denoirsterres the author OF the most
elaborate biography OF him which has yet ap-
peared. 1t is certain that Frederick kept aloof
from Voltare while the lawsuit was proceeding
and told his sister. Wilhelmina. that votaire's
behavior had been that OF "a rogue trying 10
cheat a pickpocket." After this affair. al
~ nil NJ n Jf,t, ui~
resumed. the King was reader than before to
hear evil spoken OF his French guest. and VOL
taire grew doubtful OF the sincerity OF the
Kings attachment. His doubt was confirmed
whom La Mettre told him that. In q conversa-
ton with the King about Voltaire. Frederick
had said: II shall need him for another year
at least. We squeeze tho orange and throw
away the rind" This speech haunted voltaire
during the remainder OF his visit. lie tried to
avenge himself one day by saying. when there
arrived packet OF the Kings verses for him
to correct: will no never be tired OF sending
me his dirty linen to wash 2" Notlong afterward
Voltaire gros sly offended Frederick by Willy
Ing in pamphlet Maupertus. the President OF
the Berlin Academy. Frederick himself
launched reply in which Noltaire was de-
nounced as the raltriost and most malignant
OF libellers. satirical reionder from Vol
taire made 1t impossible for him to reside any
longer in Berlin. He resolved to leave prus-
STA. but whom the hour Of parting camo Fred
crick's heart soltened once more toward the
man whose genius had fascinated him so long.
For six days Foltaire remained at Potsdam as
the Kings guest. f6ted and caressed by him
for the last time On March nj. 1853. Voltaire
and Frederick parted. and they never met
again. Although their last meeting had been
friendly. Noltaire was arrested at Frankfort
and only released upon his solemn promise to
return volume Of Frederick's poetry which
he had carried away with him. and to engage
that il he broke the promise he would consider
himself n prisoner OF Frederick in whatever
country he might be.