ABSTRACT
Mme du Chatelet’s death left a void in Monsieur de Voltaire’s life; and Frederick William smiled, for he saw that he would get his poet. At first, Voltaire was sincerely and deeply afflicted; but the rapidity and vivacity of his sentiments were such that their very sharpness made them brief. In November, 1749, Voltaire promised a summer visit only, which was to include several days at the Court of Stanislas, but Frederick wanted his poet-philosopher”for ever”, and played his game accordingly. One difficulty was money. Money matters settled and amour-propre artfully piqued, there was left to obtain only the consent of Louis XV. It is said the King told Voltaire “he could go when he liked “and turned his back on him; but, however brusque and tactless, Louis XV was a gentleman, and such rudeness seems unlikely.
