VOLTAIRE. 115 



compensation, as far as any sum could repair such 

 cruel wrongs.* This took place in the spring of 

 1766. The Parliament of Languedoc was, unfor- 

 tunately, not compelled to recognise the justice of the 

 act which reversed its decree, and it had the wretched 

 meanness to refuse obstinately the only reparation it 

 could make indeed, the only step by which its own 

 honour could be saved. 



When we hear considerable persons, as we used 

 to hear Mr. Windham, argue from the example of 

 the French tribunals that judicial places may safely 

 be sold, let the case of Galas not be forgotten. 

 No men who had risen to the Bench by their pro- 

 fessional talents ever could have joined the ferocious 

 David in committing this judicial murder. For 

 him a signal and a just retribution was reserved. 

 The reversal of the sentence either stung him with 

 remorse, or, covering him with shame, affected his 

 reason, and he died soon after in a mad-house. The 

 efforts of Voltaire, crowned with success, gained him 

 universal applause. Since the revocation of the Edict 

 of Nantz, the Huguenots had never felt any security 

 against persecution. They now felt that they had 

 a champion equally zealous, honest, and powerful. 

 Indeed, the zeal which he displayed knew no rest ; 

 his whole soul was in the cause. He was wont to say, 

 that during the three years that the proceedings lasted 

 he never smiled without feeling that he had com- 



* 36,000 francs was bestowed by the King, on the represent- 

 ation of the Court which reversed the abominable sentence. (CEuv. 

 de Pol. et Leg., i. 315.) 



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