“Ah,” said he, seating himself at his writing-table, with a loud laugh, “I shall write well to-day, for I have had a lesson.  Frederick does not know how far he is my benefactor.  In correcting him, I correct myself; and in directing his studies, I gain strength and judgment for my own works. [Footnote:  Voltaire’s own words.—­ Oeuvres, p. 363.] I will now write a chapter in my History of Louis XIV.  My style will be good.  The chapter which I have read this morning, in Frederick’s ‘Histoire de Mon Temps’ has taught me what faults to avoid.  Yes, I will write of Louis XIV.  Truly I owe him some compensation.  King Frederick has had the naivete to compare his great grandfather, the so-called great Prince-Elector, to the great Louis.  I was amiable enough to pardon him for this little compliment to his ancestors, and not to strike it from his ‘Histoire.’  And, indeed, why should I have done that?  The world will not be so foolish as to charge this amusing weakness to me!  After all, the king writes but for himself, and a few false, flattering friends; he can, therefore, say what he will.  I, however, I write for France—­ for the world!  But I fear, alas, that fools will condemn me, because I have sought to write as a wise man.” [Footnote:  CEuvres, p. 341.]

Voltaire commenced to write, but, he was soon interrupted by his servant, Tripot, who announced that the Jew Hirsch, for whom Voltaire had sent, was at the door.  Voltaire rose hastily, and called him to enter.

“I have business with you, my friend,” said he to the Jew.  “Close the door, Tripot, and see that we are not disturbed.”

Voltaire hastened with youthful agility through the saloon, and beckoned to the Jew to follow him into his bedroom.

“First of all, friend, we will make a small mercantile operation.”  So saying, he opened the door of a large commode.  “See, here are twelve pounds of the purest wax-lights.  I am a poor man, with weak eyes.  I have no use for these lights; I can never hope to profit by them.  Here, also, are several pounds of sugar and coffee, the savings of the last two months.  You will buy all this of me; we will agree upon a fixed price, and the last day of every month you will come for the same purpose.  Name your price, sir.”

Hirsch named his price; but it seemed that the great poet understood how to bargain better than the Jew.  He knew exactly the worth of the sugar and the coffee, he spoke so eloquently of the beauty and purity of the thick white wax-lights, that the Hebrew increased his offer,

“And now to more important business,” said Voltaire.  “You are going to Dresden—­you will there execute a commission for me.  I wish to invest eighteen thousand thalers in Saxon bonds.  They can now be purchased at thirty-five, and will be redeemed at a hundred.”

“But your excellency knows that the king has forbidden his subjects to buy these bonds.  He demanded and obtained for his subjects a pledge that they should be paid at par for the bonds they now hold, while the subjects of the King of Saxony receive only their present value.  The king promised, however, that the Prussians should make no further investments in these bonds.  You see, then, that it is impossible for me to fulfil this commission.”