the Duke de
Nivernois, whom I know and love, and whose intellectual conversation
will afford me a rare pleasure. Let us, therefore, chat together
innocently, and forget the stiff ceremonies with which, I think, we
have both been sufficiently burdened today. Tell me something of Paris,
monsieur, of that lovely, enchanting, but overbold coquette, Paris, whom
the world adores while it ridicules, and imitates while it blames."

"Ah, sire, if I must speak of Paris, I must first tell you of my
king--of my king, who wishes nothing more ardently than the renewal
of the bond of friendship between your majesty and himself, and the
assurance of its long continuance, who--"

"That is most kind of his majesty," said Frederick, interrupting him,
"and I certainly share the friendly wishes of my exalted brother of
France. But tell me now something of your learned men. How goes it with
the Academy? Do they still refuse Voltaire a seat, while so many unknown
men have become academicians?"

"Yes, sire these academicians are obstinate in their conclusions, and,
as the Academy is a sort of republic, the king has no power to control
them If that were not so, my exalted master, King Louis, in order to be
agreeable to your majesty, would exert all his influence, and--"

"Ah, sir," interrupted the king, "it is just and beautiful that the
Academy is a free republic, which will not yield to the power and
influence of the king. Art and science need for their blossom and growth
freedom of thought and speech. Fate ordained that I should be born
a king, but when alone in my study, alone with my books, I am fully
content to be republican in the kingdom of letters. I confess the truth
to you when, as a wise republican, I read thoughtfully in the pages of
history, I sometimes come to the conclusion that kings and princes are
unnecessary articles of luxury, and I shrug my shoulders at them rather
contemptuously."

"And yet, sire, the arts need the protection of princes; that the
republic of letters blooms and flourishes in a monarchy is shown in
Prussia, where a royal republican and a republican king governs his
people, and at the same time gives freedom of thought and speech to
science. France should be proud and happy that your majesty has adopted
so many of her sons into your republic of letters; we dare, therefore,
come to the conclusion that your majesty will not confine your interest
wholly to them, but that this alliance between France and Pr