"Jordan is still the same,--BON GARCON ET DISCRET; has his
oddities, his 1,600 crowns (240 pounds) of pension. D'Argens is
Chamberlain, with a gold key at his breast-pocket, and 100 louis
inside, payable monthly. Chasot [whom readers made acquaintance
with at Philipsburg long since], instead of cursing his destiny,
must have taken to bless it: he is Major of Horse, with income
enough. And he has well earned it, having saved the King's Baggage
at the last Battle of Chotusitz,"--what we did not notice, in the
horse-charges and grand tumults of that scene.

"I passed some days [a fortnight in all] at Baireuth. Her Royal
Highness, of course, spoke to me of you. Baireuth is a delightful
retreat, where one enjoys whatever there is agreeable in a Court,
without the bother of grandeur. Brunswick, where I am, has another
species of charm. 'Tis a celestial Voyage this of mine, where I
pass from Planet to Planet,"-- to tumultuous Paris; and, I do hope,
to my unique Maupertuis awaiting me there at last. [Voltaire,
lxxiii. 122-125.]'

We have only to remark farther, that Friedrich had again pressed
Voltaire to come and live with him, and choose his own terms;
and that Voltaire (as a second string to his bow, should this fine
Diplomatic one fail) had provisionally accepted. Provisionally;
and with one most remarkable clause: that of leaving out Madame,--
"imagining it would be less agreeable to you if I came with others
(AVEC D'AUTRES); and I own, that belonging to your Majesty alone, I
should have my mind more at ease:" [ OEuvres de Voltaire,
lxxiii. 112,116 (Proposal and Response, both of them
"7th October," five days before leaving Berlin).]--whew! And then
to add a third thing: That Madame, driven half delirious, by these