VOLTAIRE. 87 



expulsion, affected to solicit of the Academy his par- 

 don and restitution. But this the honest Switzer's 

 just indignation prevented ; for he insisted on retiring, 

 having indeed sent his resignation from Holland be- 

 fore he could hear of the Academy's first vote. It was 

 another, and an infamous act of this President, to em- 

 ploy his influence with the Princess of Orange for the 

 purpose of depriving Kcenig of his place of librarian to 

 that lady. 



It was always an honourable distinction of Voltaire 

 that he instinctively planted himself as a champion in 

 the front of all who were the victims of persecution or 

 injustice, whatever form it assumed. His feelings 

 towards Maupertuis, whom he had formerly all but 

 idolized, and now heartily disliked, certainly contri- 

 buted to make him take Kcenig's part with extraordi- 

 nary zeal, and display great bitterness against his 

 oppressor. But we have no right to doubt that he 

 would at all events have been found strongly on his side, 

 the rather from having lived for so long a time under 

 the same roof with him at Cirey. Maupertuis had, as 

 if deprived of reason, recently published some specula- 

 tions full of the most revolting absurdities, such as a 

 proposal for penetrating to the earth's centre, and for 

 examining the nature of the human faculties by dis- 

 secting the brains of various races of men. The field 

 thus aiforded for satire, what witty enemy could for- 

 bear to enter? Least of all, certainly, could one like 

 Voltaire refrain. His defence of Kcenig consisted in 

 part of a bitter satire on the President, which soon 

 made the round of the European literary circles, was 

 greedily devoured on account of a superscription the 



