VOLTAIRE. 117 



Toulouse, so much were men's minds improved since 

 the former tragedy, that the great efforts of the advo- 

 cates, acting under Voltaire's instructions and with 

 his help, succeeded in obtaining a complete acquittal. 



This happened in the year 1762. The year after 

 another horrid tragedy was acted in the north, 

 although here Voltaire's great exertions failed in 

 obtaining any justice against the overwhelming weight 

 of the Parliament of Paris, which basely countenanced 

 the iniquity of the court below. A crucifix was found 

 to have been insulted in the night, on the bridge of 

 Abbeville. Two young men, D'Etallonde and the 

 Chevalier La Barre, were accused of this offence on mere 

 vague suspicion, by the spite of a tradesman who owed 

 them some grudge. The former made his escape ; the 

 latter, a youth of seventeen, and highly connected, ven- 

 tured to stand his trial. Other charges were coupled 

 with the main accusation, all resolving themselves into 

 alleged irreverent behaviour at taverns, and in other 

 private societies. The court pronounced La Barre 

 guilty, and sentenced him to suffer the rack, to have his 

 tongue torn out, and then to be beheaded. This infernal 

 sentence was executed upon the miserable youth. The 

 courage shown by Voltaire in exerting himself for La 

 Barre was the more to be admired, that one of the 

 charges against the Chevalier was the having a work 

 of his own in his possession, and treating it with 

 peculiar veneration. This proved, however, to be a 

 groundless suggestion. It was infinitely to Frederick's 

 honour, that when Voltaire asked his countenance 

 and protection for the other young gentleman who 

 had fled and been condemned par cotitumace, he gave 



