| Citation |
IL.778.014
31 Aug 1778:23 (1/12)
Paris. . . May 12. At length M. de Voltaire, has enjoyed
the triumph which his friends have been preparing for him,
and which has long ago been decreed him by all France. His
health being entirely re-established, he has appeared at the
French Academy, who were assembled in a body to receive him.
. . [5 lines]
Honor still greater accompanied him at the French Theatre,
which he has rendered illustrious by so many capital pieces.
The actors played for the sixth time Irene, followed by
Nanine, another piece of M. de Voltaire. A vast concourse
surrounded his chariot and he descended from it in the midst
of public acclamations. His entrance into the play-house
was announced by shouts of joy, which were redoubled upon
his being seated in the box. Soon after, the public saw
with transport, the Sieur Bizard place a crown of laurels
upon the head of the French Sophocles. Accustomed as he was
to glory, these honors greatly affected him. Are you then
determined to kill me? said he, with a tone of voice
peculiarly striking; and at the same he modestly removed
from his head the crown that had so justly been placed upon
it. The loud applauses given him would have continued
during the whole play, had it not been for the eager desire
of all to hear his new Tragedy which was even more applauded
than any preceding ones. An exhibition more interesting
still, and quite unexpected, succeeded the play. The
curtain being drawn up, we had a view of the actors and
actresses surrounding the bust of M. de Voltaire, and
covering it with crowns of laurels. The spectators were
transported with this brilliant ceremony which was concluded
by M. de Vestris reading a pieces of poetry composed at the
very time by the Marquis de St. Mare.
. . . [5 lines, Voltaire purchasing a house] He has made
a present of his tragedy of Irene to the comedians, who are
to have the profit of the publication. . . [17 lines, bust
ordered, Franklin speaks with.]
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