the pleasures of society with the ardor of a nature that was
extreme in everything. Voltaire read his poetry and his dramas,
told stories that made them weep and then laugh at their tears,
improvised verses, and amused them with marionettes, or the magic
lantern. La belle Emilie criticized the poems, sang, and played
prominent parts in the comedies and tragedies of the philosopher
poet, which were first given in her little private theater.
Among the guests were the eminent scientist, Maupertuis, her
life-long friend and teacher; the Italian savant, Algarotti,
President Henault, Helvetius, the poet, Saint-Lambert, and many
others of equal distinction. "Of what do we not talk!" writes
Mme. de Graffigny. "Poetry, science, art, everything, in a tone
of graceful badinage. I should like to be able to send you these
charming conversations, these enchanting conversations, but it is
not in me."

Mme. du Chatelet owned for several years the celebrated Hotel
Lambert, and a choice company of savants assembled there as in
the days when Mme. de Lambert presided in those stately
apartments. But this learned salon had only a limited vogue.
The thinking was high, but the dinners were too plain. The real
life of Mme. du Chatelet was an intimate one. "I confess that in
love and friendship lies all my happiness," said this astronomer,
metaphysician, and mathematician, who wrote against revelation
and went to mass with her free-thinking lover. Her learning and
eccentricities made her the target for many shafts of ridicule,
but she counted for much with Voltaire, and her chief title to
fame lies in his long and devoted friendship. He found the
"sublime and respectable Emilie" the incarnation of all the
virtues, though a trifle ill-tempered. The contrast between his