458 D'ALEMBERT. 



merits which were useful, but not the best of them 

 (' CEuv.,' XIV., 322, 343). 



The correspondence with Frederick II. was con- 

 tinued for thirty years, during three-and-twenty of 

 which it was constant and regular. There is, perhaps, 

 as much independence in it on the philosopher's part 

 as can well be expected in such circumstances ; yet, 

 certainly, a very considerable portion is filled with 

 constantly -repeated expressions of respect, devotion, 

 gratitude, and of admiration for the royal qualities and 

 station. The letters written on any days that happened 

 to be anniversaries of Frederick's victories, are always 

 dated "Anniversary of such and such a battle" (see 

 XVII., 16, 422, &c. &c.) A Frenchman, whose 

 country was at war with Frederick, expresses his joy 

 at all that prince's victories for six years, except only 

 the one over the French army at Rosbach (XVII. 7.) 

 A scornful opinion of his intimate friend Diderot's 

 works, and a report as contemptuous of his personal 

 qualities (XVII. 381), is only met with a prediction 

 that, should his Majesty see Diderot, he would judge 

 more favourably of him than he had done of his works 

 (Ib., 383.) Flattery, of course, is lavished unsparingly. 

 Not only is Frederick the Caesar of the age, which he 

 certainly might fairly be termed, but he is raised to a 

 divine rank, being commemorated as both Mars and 

 Apollo (Ib., 259, 389.) Nor is any clear expression 

 of opinion given, when after committing the greatest 

 public crime in modern times the partition of Poland 

 Frederick sent the philosopher his Polish Medal, 

 with the false motto, " Regno reintegrate." He coolly 

 takes it as a proof that the King had only taken the 

 step of re-entering into the possession of his own old 

 dominions (XVII. 329) ; and after the lapse of eight 

 years had left no possible doubt on the nature of the 

 transaction, we find him introducing Ruhlieres to the 

 King as desirous of writing Polish History under his 

 patronage, and expressing " his great admiration of his 



