New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-05
VOLTATRE IN LOVE.
The Story of HIS Life at L"neOille
with Mme. du ChateIet.
Paris. October II.

philosopher Of Ferney, In slippers and SILK
dressing gown, coyly seated before Il cracking
wood fire, and flirting outrageousiy with his
divine Emile" the capricious Marqulse du
ChateIet this is the man who Is presented with
eighteenth century grace by NJ. CASTOR Maugras
in la Cour de Luneville,' recently published
by Plon- Nourrit. Voltaire, like Napoleon. like
Marie Antoinette. like Jean Jacques Rousseau
like Mirabeau. like George Sand and Alfred de
Musset, has become a victim of twentieth CEN
fury curiosity and backstairs indiscretion.
1t was at II O'Clock at night on February ID
174S, that Voltaire and Nine du Chatelet who
for fifteen years had been the philosophers in
separable companion, arrived at Lunevlle, and
became the guests Of that Incompatible host
and exquisite gourmet King Stanislas, reigning
Duke of Lorraine. The Court Of Lorraine was
at that period a miniature Of that OF Louis
Ky, but with less rigorous etiquette and more
liberal ideas, place of complete intellectual and
moral emancipation Nancy was the Paris Of
this little opera-bouff court. and Luneville was
its Versailles. The genial King Stanislas, father
Of Queen Marie Leczinska, was its Louis XIV,
and the irresistible Marquise de Boufflers
daughter of the beautiful Princesse de Craon,
who had been the delight of Duke Leopold, the
deposed ruler of Lorraine. the Pompadour
Stanislas and Nine. de Bouffiers surround
ed by Watteau-like groups of courtiers, bright
gay witty and broad minded. LuneviIle, with
its beautiful and comfortable palace, its rare
works Of art, its voluminous. well chosen library
its excellent theatre, and its cuisine, admins
tered by the most skilled cooks of Europe. to
say nothing of it's cellars stocked with the
choicest vintages. was an ideal haven for Vol
taire and the Marquise Gu Chatelet. 1t came
like peace itself after the famous flight from
Potsdam, after persecution at Paris, after the
salles and after the threats of Incarceration
in the Bastille, provoked by the irreverent au-
dacity of the essay entitled "Lu Pucelle"
In the course Of a visit made few weeks ago
by the present writer to Luneville the suites of
apartments occupied by Voltaire and by Nine.
du Chateet. during the period that Votaire
himself describes as the happiest of his life"
were found to be almost intact. The great
writer lodged superbly the first floor.
His bedroom had two immense windows that
opened on the fine Dutch gardens, with their
rows of stately elms; adjoining the sleeping
room were two salons. library and cosey din
ing room. A private stairway led to the apart
ments on the floor below, originally arranged for
the Queen, but which the discreet and delicate
hospitality Of the good King Stanisas had
signed to the divine Emile" These suites of
apartments just serve the quarters of the
officers of the 18th Battalion Of Chasseurs-a-
Pied commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Due
de Magenta, of the late Marshal AIacMahon,
President of the republic. 1t here that
Votaire wrote poems, essays and plays which
were forthwith acted by the court theatre
artists, Voltaire himself arranging the scenes
and costumes reciting passages and often play
ing parts himself. He did his best to make him
self fascinating to King Stanislas and to the
M2rquise de Boufllers. His conservation was
overfowing with w.t. repartee and nicely turned
verses and compliments. Never before had he
eaten with such robust appetite. Giliers, the
head pastry cook. who invented the still famous
cakes called "Madeleines de Commercy," the
cookies Of Nancy and the currant jellies Of Bar
le-Duc. made for Votaire a huge peach RE.
which was served TO the King and to the rnllos-
opher and their two mistresses. AS soon as the
gigantic pie had been placed before Voltaire tie
| crisp crust burst OPEN "Bebe" the Kings pet
dwarf, jumped from beneath tho falling pieces,
and. after discharging n toy pistol, saluted the
illustrious company. Voltaire, usually so alb
stemioUs, keenly appreciated the exquisite
cuisine at Lunevile-so much so, indeed that he
was seized with an attack of indigestion. Con-
sternation prevailed at court. Stanislas, cutie
| unhinged, sent to the philosopher his own physi-
clan and his own apothecary. He fastened to
his bedside and in company with Mime. ue
BoutIlers and Nine. du Chatelet, lavished upon
few days afterward when convalescent. the
grateful Voltaire wrote in his diary: NO one
cares so tenderly for the sick as King Stanisias;
| 1t is impossible to be more kind heartfelt
Noltaires recovery was celebrated by a veri-
| table carnival of fetes, theatrical representa-
lions Of the philosophers plays. dinners.
suppers, nasQuerades and joyful manifestations
of every description. The swarm of attractive
women at court, including the Princesse de Ia
tba priv
Nine de Bassomplerre. followed their SOW
ereigns example and Wed with one another IN
contributing to the pleasure Of their guests
The handsome and witty courtier and poet-hus
sar, Saint-Lambert. reigning favorlte with the
women OF Luneville. and with the tender hearted
Nine. de Bouftiers in particular became the ad-
mirer of Nine. du Chatelet who, in spite of her
affection for Voltaire, and in spite Of her forty
three summers. listened. not wisely but too we'll
to the advances Of the TEMPER Saint-Ianlbert
probably had no intention Of carrying on the
| Irritation. The divine Emile" however. was
or very impressionable nature. She took his
honeyed phrases for current coin. At a musical
soiree he whispered into the ears Of the senti
mental marchoness a tender avowaI. and great
ly to his amazement, the divine Emile" fell
fainting in his arms. Nine. de Bouf1ers WAS
quite aware of the intrigue but with +r7,a
eighteenth century levity attached no undua
! Importance to the incident. and in fact con-
soled herself secretly with another admirer-
the irresistible young Viscount d'Adhemar
The liaison between Saint-Lambert and +bA
Marquise du Chatelot became an open secret 70
all except Votaire, who absorbed in his litara,,
work was leading the happiest of lives One
evening, however. he unexpectedly opened the
door Of a little boudor and discovered the NH
laundering Of Saint-Lambert and the Marouisa
he flew into Of anger ev-ora ava -