multitudes of enemies, and very little fame:--honors and riches
rain on me, at last, for a Farce of the Fair" ( OEuvres,
ii. 151).
The "Farce" (which by no means CALLED itself such) was PRINCESSE DE
NAVARRE ( OEuvres, lxxiii. 251): first acted
23d February, 1745, Day of the Wedding. Gentlemanship of the
Chamber thereupon (which Voltaire, by permission, sold, shortly
after, for 2,500 pounds, with titles retained), and appointment as
Historiographer Royal. Poor Dauphiness did not live long; Louis
XVI.'s Mother was a SECOND Wife, Saxon-Polish Majesty's Daughter.]
Yes, my friend; it is a considerable ass, this world; by no means
the Perfectly Wise put at the top of it (as one could wish), and
the Perfectly Foolish at the bottom. Witness--nay, witness Psyche
Pompadour herself, is not she an emblem! Take your luck without
criticism; luck good and bad visits all.

2. AND GOT INTO THE ACADEMY NEXT YEAR, IN CONSEQUENCE. In 1746, the
Academy itself, Pompadour favoring, is made willing; Voltaire sees
himself among the Forty: soul, on that side too, be at ease, and
hunger not nor thirst anymore. ["May 9th, 1746, Voltaire is
received at the Academy; and makes a very fine Discourse" (BARBIER,
ii. 488). OEuvres de Voltaire, lxxiii. 355,
385, and i. 97.] This highest of felicities could not be achieved
without an ugly accompaniment from the surrounding Populace.
Desfontaines is dead, safe down in Sodom; but wants not for a
successor, for a whole Doggery of such. Who are all awake, and
giving tongue on this occasion. There is M. Roi the "Poet," as he
was then reckoned; jingling Roi, who concocts satirical calumnies;
who collects old ones, reprints the same,--and sends Travenol, an
Opera-Fiddler, to vend them. From which sprang a Lawsuit, PROCES-