122 VOLTAIRE. 



turned from the stage to the poet, whose looks, not 

 those of the actors, were watched from the rising to 

 the falling of the curtain. Then his bust was seen 

 on the stage ; it was crowned with chaplets, amidst the 

 shouts and the tears of the audience. He left the 

 house, and hundreds pressed forward to aid his feeble 

 steps as he retired to his carriage. No one was suffered 

 to sustain him above an instant all must enjoy the 

 honour of having once supported Voltaire's arm. 

 Countless multitudes attended him to his apartments, 

 and as he entered they knelt to kiss his garments. 

 The cries of " Vive Voltaire / ' " V'we la Henriade /" 

 " Vive Zaire /" rent the air. The aged poet's heart 

 was moved with tenderness. " On veut " (he feebly 

 cr jed) " on veut me faire mourir de plaisir ! On 

 m'etouffe de roses !" 



Franklin was in Paris on Voltaire's arrival, as envoy 

 from the revolted colonies, and was soon presented to 

 him. Voltaire had long ceased to speak our language, 

 but he for some time made the attempt, and added, 

 " Je n'ai pu resister au desir de parler un moment la 

 langue de M. Franklin." The philosopher presented 

 his grandson, and asked a blessing : " God and liberty," 

 said Voltaire, " is the only one fitting for Franklin's 

 children." These two great men met again at a public 

 sitting of the Academy, and when they took their 

 places side by side, and shook hands together, a 

 burst of applause involuntarily rose from the whole 

 assembly. 



During his short stay at Paris Voltaire showed his 

 unwearied activity of mind, increased, if possible, by 

 the transports with which his fellow-citizens every- 



