the wily Hebrew, incapable even of that limited degree of honour which the proverb enjoins, that he might employ Voltaire's money in another way to much better advantage, and that the nature of their relations would secure him from the consequences. Acting upon this inspiration, he proceeded to apply the proceeds of Voltaire's bills to purposes of private trade. The wrath of the defrauded and excitable philosopher may be imagined. It took, at first, the form of nearly throttling the Jew, and then of bringing an action against him, in which, seeking to meet an unscrupulous enemy with his own weapons, Voltaire descended to steps not consistent with the dignity of a great light of letters and a royal chamberlain; and though he, after a fashion, gained his cause, yet scandal speedily made both Berlin and Paris resound with the liveliest variations on this providential theme.
Of all this Frederick was kept duly apprised, and did not fail to rate his chamberlain pretty severely on the occasion. But his own standard of honour had not hitherto appeared to be of a character so lofty as to render Voltaire's offence unpardonable, and the charm of the culprit's conversation soon restored him to favour. Among Frederick's papers was found a description of Voltaire in the royal handwriting, and supposed at first to be also of the royal composition, though it was considered, later, as a transcript:—
"I esteem in you," it says, "the finest genius that the ages have produced. I admire your verse, I love your prose, above all the little detached pieces in your Literary Miscellanies. Never had any author before you a tact so fine, nor a taste so true and delicate, as yours. In conversation you are charming; you can at once instruct and amuse. You are the most
