She replied with great politeness that I had shown myself a greater theologian than she, and her uncle thanked me for having given her a lesson.  He made her discuss various subjects, but she did not shine.  Her only subject was the New Testament.  I shall have occasion to speak of this young woman when I get back to Geneva.

After dinner we went to see Voltaire, who was just leaving the table as we came in.  He was in the middle of a court of gentlemen and ladies, which made my introduction a solemn one; but with this great man solemnity could not fail to be in my favour.

MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

The eternal quest, Volume 3e—­with Voltaire

The rare unabridged London edition of 1894 translated by Arthur Machen to which has been added the chapters discovered by Arthur Symons.

THE ETERNAL QUEST

WITH VOLTAIRE

CHAPTER XIX

M. de Voltaire; My Discussions with That Great Man—­Ariosto—­The Duc de Villars—­The Syndic and the Three Girls—­Dispute with Voltaire—­Aix-en-Savoie—­The Marquis Desarmoises

“M. de Voltaire,” said I, “this is the happiest moment of my life.  I have been your pupil for twenty years, and my heart is full of joy to see my master.”

“Honour me with your attendance on my course for twenty years more, and promise me that you will bring me my fees at the end of that time.”

“Certainly, if you promise to wait for me.”

This Voltairean sally made all present laugh, as was to be expected, for those who laugh keep one party in countenance at the other’s expense, and the side which has the laughter is sure to win; this is the rule of good society.

I was not taken by surprise, and waited to have my revenge.

Just then two Englishmen came in and were presented to him.

“These gentlemen are English,” said Voltaire; “I wish I were.”

I thought the compliment false and out of place; for the gentlemen were obliged to reply out of politeness that they wished they had been French, or if they did not care to tell a lie they would be too confused to tell the truth.  I believe every man of honour should put his own nation first.

A moment after, Voltaire turned to me again and said that as I was a Venetian I must know Count Algarotti.

“I know him, but not because I am a Venetian, as seven-eights of my dear countrymen are not even aware of his existence.”

“I should have said, as a man of letters.”

“I know him from having spent two months with him at Padua, seven years ago, and what particularly attracted my attention was the admiration he professed for M. de Voltaire.”