[ 436 ] 



by what means, the enemy might be attacked with the greateft 

 probability of fuccefs. There is Shakfpeare, faid he, who hath 

 the command of the Englifh. right wing : now there are fome 

 parts of his troops, which, if they were not mingled with bad 

 ones, it would be impoflible for the whole French army to fuftain 

 the mock of. I mould advife therefore that you give orders to 

 your engineers to charge the artillery which is to be pointed 

 againft him with the unities of time and place, which cannot 

 fail of producing its proper effect. This advice had its weight 

 with Defcartes, who began to enquire further how formidable 

 he thought his antagonift Newton. Voltaire feemed very unwil- 

 ling to make any reply to this queftion ; but being much prefled, 

 anfwered him in the following manner : " I have often with at- 

 tention considered the furprifing greatnefs of that man, and you 

 muft pardon my freedom when I tell you, that if you was to join 

 to your aftiftance all the philofophers that ever exifted, they 

 would not be able to withftand even a fmall degree of the force 

 he is capable of exerting. It is impoffible to exprefs the indig- 

 nation of Defcartes at this reply ; he turned from him without 

 vouchsafing an anfwer, and joined the other generals who were 

 waiting his orders. He there accufed Voltaire of an inclination 

 to defert, faid he could not put fufficient confidence in him to 

 entruft him with any command, and defired their advice in what 

 manner he mould be treated. Racine, who was fenfible of their 

 want of an Epic Poet to make fome fmall ftand againft Milton, 

 gave it as his opinion that the Henriade, being the beft poem "of 

 that kind in their language, mould be allowed to remain in the 

 place where Defcartes had firft placed it ; which as it was very 

 near himfelf, he might have a watchful eye over it during the 

 engagement. This was approved of, and now every thing being 

 thus fettled, orders were given to charge. The Englifh, in the 



mean 



