D'ALEMBERT. 477 



constant and regular. There is, perhaps, as much inde- 

 pendence in it on the philosopher's part as can well ba 

 expected in such circumstances; yet, certainly, a very 

 considerable portion of it 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 anni- 

 versaries of Frederick's victories, are always dated 

 " Anniversary of such and such a battle" (see XVIL, 

 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 (XVIL 7). A scornful opinion 

 of his intimate friend Diderot's works, and a report as 

 contemptuous of his personal qualities (XVIL 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 Csesar 

 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 (XVIL 329) ; and after the lapse of eight years 

 had left no possible doubt on the nature of the transac- 

 tion, we find him introducing Ruhlieres to the King as 

 desirous of writing Polish History under his patronage, 



