HELVETIUS: THE CONTRADICTION 177 family fortunes ere !ut me"io#re$ Little Clau"e% A"rien& 'o as !

orn in 171(& as at first e"u#ate" at 'ome !y a mot'er ) full of s eetness an" *oo"ness$) Her ten"erness& +er'a+s& as an ill +re+aration for t'e 'ars'er& i"er orl" of t'e famous s#'ool of Saint Louis%le%,ran"& 'it'er Clau"e%A"rien as +resently sent$ It as Voltaire)s ol" s#'ool& an" it as Voltaire)s ol" s#'oolmaster& -ere -oree& 'o 'el+e" t'e s'y& sensiti.e& ne !oy it' /in"liness an" en#oura*ement& an" first rouse" in 'im a lo.e of letters$ ,rimm& 'o nearly al ays 'as 'is +en +ointe" it' mali#e 'en 'e rites of Hel.etins& re#or"s t'at +oor Clau"e%A"rien al ays seeme" stu+i" at s#'ool t'rou*' !ein* t'e .i#tim of a #'roni# #ol" in t'e 'ea" : an unromanti# afili#tion& 'i#' oul" ma/e *enius itself uninterestin*$ 0oun* Hel.etius as no *enius& 'o e.er$ After lea.in* s#'ool 'e as sent to an un#le& 'o as a su+erinten"ent of ta1es at Caen& to learn finan#e$ T'ere 'e rote t'e usual !oyis' tra*e"y of +romise2ne.er to !e +erforme" 2 an" t'e usual yout'ful .erses& an" as ma"e a mem!er of t'e Caen Literary A#a"emy$ T'e sensiti.e s'yness soon "isa++eare"$ 0oun*& 'ealt'y& an" 'an"some& lo.in* literature mu#' an" omen more& an e1#ellent "an#er an" fen#er&

#le.er& #ool& a*reea!le& an" mu#' min"e" to *et 173 THE 45IENDS O4 VOLTAIE6 on in t'e orl"& youn* Hel.etius #omes u+ to -aris$ At t'ree%an"%t enty& in 1773& !ein* t'e son of 'is fat'er& an" 'a.in* t'e ne#essary finan#ial e8ui+ment& 'e as ma"e 4armer%,eneral& a +ost #ertain to !rin* in t o or t'ree t'ousan" a year& an" +ossi!ly& it' t'e re8uisite e1tortion an" uns#ru+ulousness& a *oo" "eal more$ -aris& in t'e years !et een 1773 an" 17(1& as #ertainly t'e most "eli*'tful an" t'e most se"u#ti.e #ity in t'e orl"$ In t'e early +art of t'at +erio"& 9a"ame "e Ten#in& t'e mot'er of ")Alem!ert an" t'e sister of t'e Car"inal& as formin* t'e yout' of t'e #a+ital in 'er famous salon$ In t'e later +erio"& 9a"ame "e -om+a"our as re.ealin* to it !y 'er e1am+le t'e 'ole se#ret of orl"ly su##ess2a #lear 'ea" an" a #ol" 'eart$ T'e Court as eternally lau*'in*& +lay%a#tin*& intri*uin*$ 4or t'e fe & t'e orl" ent it' t'e li.eliest lilt : an" for t'e many2t'e many ere "um!$ Hel.etius as one of t'e fe $ No at 9a"ame "e Ten#in)s& ) *at'erin* in or"er t'at 'e mi*'t one "ay so :

) no in t'e foyer of t'e Come"ie& 'ere 9a"emoiselle ,aussin& t'e #'armin* #omi# a#tress& nouris'e" a 'o+eless +assion for 'im : no at t'e o+era& seein* for t'e first time 6uf4on& Di"erot& ")Alem!ert& an" ;oinin* 'otly in t'e 8uestion of 4ren#' or Italian musi#& 'i#' a*itate" t'e #a+ital a t'ousan" times more t'an national *lory or HELVfiTIUS: THE CONTRADICTION 17< s'ame : no at 9a"ame "e -om+a"our)s famous little "inners of t'e Entresol& or at Court& "aintily "istin*uis'in* !et een t'e =ueen of reality an" t'e +oor =ueen en titre2t'e ne youn* 4armer% ,eneral as E.ery 'ere 'ere E.ery!o"y 'o is Any!o"y *oes& an" No 'ere 'ere No!o"y *oes$ 6e sure t'ere as a fas'iona!le s'i!!olet' t'en as t'ere is no & an" !e sure Hel.etius +rattle" it an" li.e" u+ to it$ ,rimm "e#lare" t'at if t'e or" > *allant ) 'a" not !een in t'e 4ren#' lan*ua*e& it oul" #ertainly 'a.e 'a" to !e in.ente" in or"er to "es#ri!e 'im$ One "ay& so#iety 'ear" of 'im "an#in* at t'e o+era un"er t'e mas/ of t'e famous "an#er& Du+re$ T'e ne1t& 'e as 'is+ere" to !e t'e lo.er of a mo"is' Countess& 'o 'a" ta/en At'eism as ot'er omen too/ ?ansenism& 9olinism& or a #ra@e for little "o*s& an" +assionately im!ue" 'er lo.er it'

t'e e1'ilaratin* "o#trine of All from Not'in* to Not'in*$ T'en 'e +ose" as t'e amant%en%titre ot t'e Du#'esse "e C'aulnes$ 4or t'e +assions ere only a +ose2li/e t'e o+era "an#in*$ Hel.etius as merely min"e" to *et on in t'e orl"& an" as loo/in* a!out for t'e s'ortest #ut to *lory$ He soon sa & or t'ou*'t 'e sa & a +leasant roa" t'ereto #alle" Verse$ Voltaire& no retire" to Cirey& s#ien#e& an" 9a"ame "u C'Atelet& 'a" ma"e +oetry t'e fas'ion$ 5B 13C THE 4RIENDS O4 VOLTAIRE I too ill !e a +oet D T'e youn* 4armer%,eneral ra#/e" 'is s'ar+ !rains a little& an" as a result sent Voltaire some lon*& "ismal #antos on ) Ha++inessE T'e master re+He" it' t'e /in"liest #riti#ism& an" offere" a".i#e so /een an" e1#ellent t'at if +oets ere ma"e& not !orn& Hel.etius) .erses mi*'t still li.e$ 6ut& after all& a".i#e !y +ost is al ays unsatisfa#tory$ Hel.etius) 4armer% ,enerals'i+ ma"e +erio"i#al tours in t'e +ro.in#es an a*reea!le ne#essity$ On a ;ourney t'rou*' C'am+a*ne& 'at more natural t'an to sto+ a 'ile at Cirey& 'ere Voltaire as ritin* ) 9a'omet&) an" 9a"ame "u C'atelet as t'e most "eli*'tful of

!lue%sto#/in* 'ostesses F 6et een Arouet of fi.ean"% forty an" Clau"e%A"rien of fi.e%an"%t enty a arm frien"s'i+ as #emente"$ All Voltaire)s #orres+on"en#e from 1773 until 1771 is stu""e" it' letters to Hel.etius$ T'e youn* man as 'is ) .ery "ear #'il"&) ) my ri.al& my +oet& my +'iloso+'er$) If 'e too/ so lar*e an" li!eral a .ie of Hel.etius) talents as to "e#lare t'at& as a +oet& 'e 'a" as mu#' ima*ination as 9ilton& only more smoot'ness an" re*ularity GDH& yet 'e as not afrai" to ra+ u+ t'e +ill of many a s're " 'ome trut' in t'e fine su*ar%+lums of #om+liments$ 6ut& after all& is +oetry t'e easiest ay to *lory F Clau"e%A"rien& returne" to -aris& al/in* HELV:ITIUS: t'e CONTEADI,TION 131 t'rou*' t'e Tuileries *ar"ens one "ay& sa t'e 'i"eous 9au+ertuis& t'e *eometri#ian& surroun"e" !y all t'e #'armin* an" +retty omen& a"orin* 'im& an" imme"iately "e#i"e" to a!an"on .erse an" !e a *eometri#ian instea"$ 6ut !efore 'e 'a" ta/en a #ou+le of ste+s in t'is "ire#tion& t'e +u!li#ation of t'e )S+irit of La s) in 17J3 ele#trifie" Euro+e& an" #'an*e" 'is min"$ To !e sure& 'en& t'ree years earlier& 9ontes8uieu 'a" !rou*'t t'e !oo/ u+ to -aris an" as/e" t'e youn* 4armer%,eneral)s ;u"*ment on it& Hel.etius 'a" re+lie" t'at it as alto*et'er un ort'y of

t'e aut'or of t'e )-ersian Letters&) an" 'a" stron*ly re#ommen"e" 'im not to +u!lis' it$ Kell& t'at a".i#e #an !e #on.eniently for*otten$ Hel.etius +ai" 9ontes8uieu t'e sin#erest of all flattery !y resol.in* on t'e s+ot to !e a +'iloso+'er 'imself$ If& !et een t'ese e.entful years of t'ree% an"t enty an" si1%an"%t'irty& Hel.etius 'a" !een not'in* !ut an astute& am!itious youn* mana!out% to n& see/in* t'e li/eliest ay to fame an" fortune& 'e oul" 'a.e !een un"istin*uis'a!le from 'un"re"s of ot'ers aroun" 'im& an" not ort' "istin*uis'in*$ 6ut& at 'is orst& t'ere as somet'in* in 'im 'i#' as ne.er in t'at selfis' #ro " 'i#' t'ron*e" t'e *alleries of Versailles$ 13B THE 46IENDS O4 VOLTAIEE As ta1%*at'erer& it as 'is interest an" +rofession to e1tra#t t'e uttermost fart'in*2an" 'e "i" not "o it$ Nay& 'e +lea"e" in 'i*' +la#es for t'e ret#'es it as 'is !usiness to ruin$ K'en in 6or"eau1 t'ey re!elle" a*ainst an ini8uitous ne ta1 on ine& 'e en#oura*e" t'e re!ellion$ T'ou*' 'e as #onstantly at Court an" in a +osition 'i#' entaile" la.is' +ersonal e1+en"iture& 'e +ensione" T'omas& t'e +oet& out of 'is o n +o#/et : an" !y an annuity of a t'ousan" e#us

o+ene" t'e orl" of letters to Saurin& 'ereafter t'e "ramatist$ T'e A!!e Sa!atier "e Castres "e#lare" 'imself to 'a.e !een t'e re#i+ient of 'is "eli#ate an" *enerous #'arity$ 9ari.au1& t'e no.elist an" +lay ri*'t& 'o as +ersonally .ery un#on*enial to Hel.etius& re#ei.e" from 'im a yearly sum of t o t'ousan" li.res$ It as in Hel.etius) 'ouse in -aris& as 'e after ar"s tol" Hume& t'e 'istorian& t'at 'e #on#eale"& #omin* an" *oin* for ) nearly t o years&) -rin#e C'arles E" ar"& t'e 0oun* -reten"er& at a time ) 'en t'e "an*er as *reater in 'ar!ourin* 'im in -aris t'an in Lon"on ) on a##ount of t'e #lause in t'e treaty of Ai1%la%C'a+elle of t'e year 17J3& 'i#' sti+ulate" t'at 4ran#e s'oul" s'elter no mem!er of t'e family in 'er "omains$ Hel.etius& '/e many anot'er *enerous "u+e& fell a .i#tim to t'e Stuart *ra#e an" #'arm : ) I 'a" HELV:fiTIUS: THE CONTRADICTION 137 all 'is #orres+on"en#e +ass t'rou*' my 'an"s : met it' 'is +artisans u+on t'e -ont Neuf: an" foun" at last I 'a" in#urre" all t'is "an*er an" trou!le for t'e most un ort'y of all mortals&) for a +oor #o ar" 'o ) as so fri*'tene" 'en 'e em!ar/e" on 'is e1+e"ition to S#otlan" ) t'at 'e 'a" literally to !e #arrie" on !oar" !y 'is atten"ants$ GIt is fair to say t'at Hel.etius ma"e

t'is statement only on t'e testimony of a t'ir" +erson 'ose name is not *i.en$H T'e sole *oo" 8uality& in"ee"& 'is 'ost en"e" !y fin"in* in t'is faint 'o+e of 6ritain& t'e *uest for 'om 'e 'a" ris/e" 'is safety an" s+ent 'is money& as t'at 'e as ) no !i*ot$) As t'is meant 'e 'a" ) learnt a #ontem+t of all reli*ions from t'e +'iloso+'ers in -aris&) not e.eryone oul" #onsi"er e.en t'is an a".anta*e$ In 17JC& 9a"ame "e ,rafii*ny& famous as t'e *ossi+in* .isitor at Cirey it' 'om Voltaire an" 9a"ame "u C'atelet 8uarrelle"& 'a" arri.e" in -aris& an" t'ere& in t'e Eue ")Enfer& near t'e Lu1em!our*& 'a" set u+ 'er salon$ To insure its su##ess& 9a"ame& 'o as fi.e%an"%forty& fat an" un!eautiful& 'a" it' 'er a #'armin* nie#e& 9a"emoiselle Anne Cat'erine "e Li*ni.ille& 'o as t'en one%an"%t enty& fair& 'an"some& intelli*ent$ A year or t o !efore& 'er aunt 'a" a"o+te" an" so res#ue" 'er from a #on.ent& to 'i#' t'e 13J THE 4RIENDS O4 VOLTAIEE fa#t of t'e unfortunate *irl 'a.in* nineteen li.in* !rot'ers an" sisters 'a" #on"emne" 'er$ In 17J7& 9a"ame "e ,raffi*ny attaine" #ele!rity !y 'er ) Letters from a -eru.ian$) Tur*ot "i" 'er t'e 'onour of #riti#isin* t'em : fre8uente" 'er (aEGL7@& 'i#' ra+i"ly !e#ame famous& an" at 'i#'&

in 17(C& Hel.etius& still youn*& ri#'& a*reea!le& an" unmarrie"& !e#ame a #onstant .isitor$ 4or a year& 'e as t'ere +er+etually$ ) T'e s'ee+fol" of 'el es+ritA) +eo+le #alle" it$ Hel.etius li/e" to !e t'ou*'t a 'el es+rit& an" it as "e ri*ueur to a"mire t'e 'ostess)s )-eru.ian) an" 'er +lay ) CAnie&) 'i#' as +ro"u#e" in 17(C$ He soon #ame to a"mire somet'in* !esi"es 'er ritin*s$ ) 9inette&) as s'e ni#/name" 'er nie#e& as su#' a oman as fas'iona!le ei*'teent'%#entury so#iety rarely +ro"u#e"2su#' a oman as any fas'iona!le so#iety rarely +ro"u#es$ Stron* in min" an" !o"y& *oo"& strai*'tfor ar" an" serene& refres'in*ly un#on.entional in an a*e 'i#' 'a" no *o" !ut t'e #on.enan#es& not 'alf so #le.er as t'at a##om+lis'e" ol" fool& 'er aunt& an" a 'un"re" times more sensi!le 2 su#' as 9a"emoiselle "e Li*ni.ille& Hel.etius stu"ie" 'er in 'is #alm manner for a year& an" at t'e en" of it +ro+ose" to 'er$ T'en 'e resi*ne" 'is 4armer%,enerals'i+ it' its ri#' in#ome : !ou*'t& to +a#ify 'is fat'er& t'e +ost of HELV:ItIUS: t'e CONT6ADICTION 13( maitre ")'otel to =ueen 9arie Le#@ins/a& an" t'e estates of Vore an" Lumi*ny in 6ur*un"y& an"& on ?une 17& 17(1& marrie" 9a"emoiselle "e Li*ni.ille&

'o as a Countess of t'e Holy Eoman Em+ire& satisfa#torily #onne#te" it' t'e no!ility& an" 'a" not a sin*le fran# to 'er "ot$ All t'ese a#tions #ause" somet'in* .ery li/e #onsternation in t'e orl" in 'i#' Hel.etius li.e"$ ,i.e u+ a 4armer%,enerals'i+ D T'e man must !e ma" D ) So you are not insatia!le& t'en& li/e t'e rest of t'em F ) says 9a#'ault& t'e Controller% ,eneral$ As to t'e estates in 6ur*un"y& one mi*'t as ell !e !urie" ali.e at on#e D K'ile to marry a oman 'o is !y no #ertainly not a "ay less t'an t o%an"%t'irty& 'as not an e#u& an" 'as a tri!e of 'un*ry !rot'ers an" sisters #lin*in* to 'er& as it Aere& is #ertainly not t'e a#t of a sane +erson D 4ollo e" !y t'e min*le" +ity an" #ontem+t of all -aris& Hel.etius an" 'is ife left imme"iately for Vore& an" settle" "o n to t'e ei*'t 'a++iest years of t'eir li.es$ Vore as one of t'ose #ountry estates 'i#' oul" still !e #alle" "ull$ In t'ose "ays& !efore rail ays& it' a star.in* +easantry at its *ates& it' rare +osts of t'e most errati# "es#ri+tion& an" it' t'e .ilest im+assa!le roa"s !et een one #ountry 'ouse an" anot'er& it mi*'t 'a.e !een #alle" not merely "ull& !ut "ismal$ 6ut& after 13I THE 4EIENDS O4 VOLTAI6E all& 'a++iness is 'at one is& not 'ere one is$

-erfe#tly #ontent it' ea#' ot'er& t'e Hel.etius oul" 'a.e !een #ontente" in a il"erness$ 9inette& says a !io*ra+'er& as/e" not'in* !etter t'an to a"ore 'er 'us!an" an" +er+etually to sa#rifi#e 'erself to 'im$ If it as not in 'is #almer nature to a"ore anyone& 'is lo.e for 'er is on t'e testimony of t'e 'ole ei*'teent' #entury$ His marrie" 'a++iness )!e il"ere" an" astonis'e") it$ )T'ose Hel.etius&) sai" a #ountry nei*'!our "is#ontente"ly& ) "o not e.en +ronoun#e t'e or"s& my 'us!an"A my ife& my #'il"& as e ot'ers "o$) ),oo" 'us!an"& *oo" fat'er& *oo" frien"& *oo" man&) rote unfa.oura!le ,rimm$ T'e easy +ros+erity of Hel.etius) lo.e for 'is ife& its free"om from storm an" stress& left it& "ou!tless& a li*'ter t'in* t'an if it 'a" !een for*e" in t'e fire an" !eaten !y t'e !lo s of affli#tion an" re.erse$ It as t'us it' all 'is 8ualities$ 5in"& rat'er t'an lo.a!le : #'armin*& rat'er t'an *reat : e8ua!le& !e#ause not'in* in 'is "estiny #ame to mo.e t'e "ee+ aters& or !e#ause t'ere ere no "ee+ aters to !e mo.e": t'ese ere t'e /eynotes to Hel.etius) #'ara#ter$ T'e first #'il" of t'e marria*e& a "au*'ter& as !orn in 17(B& an" t'e se#on"& also a "au*'ter& in 17(J$ 4at'er an" mot'er "e.ote"

HELVETIUS: THE CONTEADICTION 137 tliemsel.es to t'e e"u#ation of t'e little *irls& t'ou*' in t'eir time +olite so#iety #onsi"ere" t'at +arents 'a" suffi#iently o!li*e" t'eir #'il"ren !y !rin*in* t'em into t'e orl"& an" t'at furt'er fa.ours& su#' as a ;u"i#ious trainin*& ere entirely su+erfluous$ T'e 'ouse'ol" as #om+lete" !y t o su+erannuate" se#retaries& 'om Hel.etius /e+t& .ery #'ara#teristi#ally& not !e#ause 'e ante" t'em& !ut !e#ause 'e feare" no one else oul" ant t'em eit'er$ One of t'em& 6au"ot& 'a" /no n 'is master from a #'il"& an" s+o/e to 'im as if 'e ere one still$ )I 'a.e #ertainly not all t'e faults 6au"ot fin"s in me&) o!ser.e" Hel.etius tran8uilly& )!ut I 'a.e some of t'em$ K'o oul" tell me of t'em if I "i" not /ee+ 'im F ) Sometimes .isitors #ame to Vore& !ut for so so#ia!le an a*e& not .ery often$ T'ou*' t'ey ere al ays ma"e *enerously el#ome& t'ey must 'a.e /no n t'ey ere not ne#essary to t'at mena*e$ Still& t'ey ere useful& if only to +ro.e to t'ese marrie" lo.ers 'o mu#' 'a++ier t'ey ere alone2;ust as t'e four *ay inter mont's t'ey s+ent in -aris "ou!le" t'e "eli*'ts of +ea#eful Vore$ T'e "ay t'ere !e*an it' or/$ Hel.etius as no firmly min"e" to a#'ie.e *lory !y means

of +'iloso+'y2fame an" s+ort& it is sai"&

ere t'e

133 THE 4EIENDS O4 VOLTAIEE only +assions lie 'a"$ He s+ent t'e 'ole mornin* ritin* an" t'in/in*$ In #om+osition 'e 'a" neit'er t'e 'ot 'aste of Di"erot nor t'e *litterin* ins+iration of Voltaire$ He rote in"ee" +ainfully an" la!oriously2as t'e aut'or !orn rites 'en 'e is eary an" "isin#line"2as a man al ays rites 'om nature 'as inten"e" for anot'er o##u+ation$ Sometimes one of t'e in#om+etent se#retaries 'a" to ait for 'ours it' 'is +en in 'is 'an"& 'ile 'is master restle" it' t'e refra#tory t'ou*'t in 'is !rain& or aite" for t'e ins+ire" +'rase to #ome "o n from on 'i*'$ His ife 'a" not mu#' sym+at'y it' 'is +'iloso+'ies$ T'e +'iloso+'ers tal/e" so mu#'& an" as yet 'a" "one so little D 6ut in e.eryt'in* else s'e as entirely at one it' 'er 'us!an"$ It oul" !e a!sur" to +reten" t'at !efore t'e Ee.olution t'ere ere no no!lemen in 4ran#e 'o "i" t'eir "uty !y t'eir #ountry estates an" tenants& 'o loo/e" after t'e +oor on t'eir lan"s& an"& so far as t'ey #oul"& realise" an" a#te" u+ to t'e res+onsi!ilities of t'eir +osition$ T'ere is al ays more *oo"ness in t'e orl" t'an t'ere a++ears to !e& !e#ause *oo"ness is of its .ery nature mo"est an" retirin*$ 6ut t'at t'e #ons#ientious lan"o ner as t'en a rare an" sur+risin*

+'enomenon is +ro.e" !y t'e fa#t t'at 'en Hel.etius an" 'is ife !e*an to "e.ote HELVETIUS: THE CONTEADICTION 13< t'emsel.es to a#ts of !ene.olen#e& e.eryone turne" an" stare" at t'em$ To%"ay& in"ee"& Hel.etius mi*'t not !e #ounte" e1traor"inarily #'arita!le$ 6ut it is not !y mo"ern stan"ar"s 'e #an !e fairly ;u"*e"$ Com+are 'im it' t'e immense ma;ority of t'e *reat finan#ial ma*nates of 'is "ay an" #ountry& an" 'e stan"s +ro.en a +'ilant'ro+ist in"ee"$ K'en 'e first !ou*'t 0ore& 'e 'a" *i.en a 9$ "e Vas#on#elles& a +oor *entleman 'o o e" t'e estate a lar*e sum& a re#ei+t for t'e 'ole& +uttin* it into 'is 'an"s sayin*& ) Ta/e t'is +a+er to /ee+ my +eo+le from !ot'erin* you : ) an" 'e furt'er settle" a 'an"some *ift of money on 'im& to 'el+ 'im to e"u#ate 'is family$ One of 'is ne1t a#tions as to !rin* a *oo" "o#tor to t'e +la#e& esta!lis' 'im on it& an" 'imself +ay for t'e me"i#al ser.i#es t'us ren"ere" t'e +easants$ Daily 'e an" 9inette .isite" t'e +oor& a##om+anie" !y t'is "o#tor an" a Sister of 9er#y$ He also set u+ in t'e +la#e a sto#/in* manufa#tory 2 an" so& +er'a+s& su++lie" an i"ea to Voltaire$ He en#oura*e" an" 'el+e" t'e farmers

to farm t'eir lan" : a#te" as un+ai" ;u"*e in t'eir "is+utes: an" in 'ar" times let t'em off t'eir "e!ts$ T'ere are a "o@en stories of t'e +ri.ate in"i.i"uals 'e 'el+e"$ One "ay& it is a ruine" ?esuit +riest& 'o 'as a!use" 'is #onfi"en#e an" 1<C THE 4EIENDS O4 VOLTAIEE /in"ness$ Hel.etius fin"s one of t'e ?esuit)s frien"s& an" *i.es liim fifty louis for 'is ol" enemy$ ) Do not say it #omes from me2'e 'as in;ure" me& an" 'e oul" feel 'umiliate" at re#ei.in* a *ift from me$) Coul" "eli#a#y *o furt'er F Anot'er "ay& 'en 'e as "ri.in*& a oo"man lea"in* a 'orse an" #art as irritatin*ly slo in *ettin* out of t'e ay of t'e #arria*e$ Hel.etius lost 'is +atien#e$ )All ri*'t&) sai" t'e man& )I am a #o8uin an" you are an 'onest man& I su++ose& !e#ause I am on foot an" you are in a #arria*e$) ) I !e* your +ar"on&) says Hel.etius& it' 'is fine instin#ts instantly a a/e& ) you 'a.e *i.en me an e1#ellent lesson& for 'i#' I ou*'t to +ay : ) an" 'e *a.e t'e man a sum 'i#'& t'ou*' 'an"some& as less *enerous t'an t'e a+olo*y$ K'en famine #ame to Vore& Hel.etius) "ee+ +urse an" ise ;u"*ment ere !ot' to t'e fore$ Di" t'e man a##om+lis' less *oo" !e#ause& t'ou*'

'is 'eart as /in"& it as not arm: !e#ause& t'ou*' 'e relie.e" sufferin*& t'ere as t'at in 'is tem+erament 'i#' sa.e" 'im from sufferin* it' itF If t'e +'ilant'ro+ist must 'a.e eit'er a #ool 'ea" or a 'ot 'eart& !etter t'e #ool 'ea" a t'ousan" times$ He ill "o mu#' less 'arm$ 9any of Hel.etius) #'arities ere +erforme" HELVETIUS: THE CONTEADICTION 1<1 t'rou*' 'is .alet& 'om 'e !a"e say not'in* a!out t'em& e.en after 'is "eat'$ Sometimes 'e #on#eale" from 'is ife& an" s'e #on#eale" from 'im& t'e *oo" "ee"s of 'i#' ea#' 'a" !een *uilty$ A +easant 'a" !een im+risone" for +oa#'in* on Hel.etius) *roun"s& an" 'is *un #onfis#ate"$ Hel.etius ent to 'im& !ou*'t !a#/ 'is *un& +ai" 'is fine& an" 'a" 'im set free& !e**in* 'is silen#e !e#ause 9inette 'a" arne" 'im to !e se.ere it' t'e man as 'e "eser.e"$ T'at arnin* trou!le" 'er *enerous 'eart$ S'e too ent to t'e #ul+rit& *a.e 'im money to +ay 'is fine an" re+ur#'ase 'is *un& an" .o e" 'im to se#re#y$ K'et'er t'e +easant /e+t t'e se#rets Gas ell as t'e +ri#e of t o fines an" t o *unsH& an" 'us!an" an" ife #onfesse" to ea#' ot'er& 'istory "oes not relate$ T'ere is& in"ee"& a re.erse si"e to Hel.etius) #'ara#ter as enli*'tene" lan"o ner$ Carlyle& in 'is ) Essay on Di"erot&) 8uotes Di"erot)s ) Voya*e

a 6our!onne&) in 'i#' t'e e1%4armer%,eneral is +ortraye" as a #ruelly stri#t +reser.er& li.in* in t'e mi"st of +easants 'o !ro/e 'is in"o s& +lun"ere" 'is *ar"en& tore u+ 'is +alin*s& an" 'ate" 'im so sa.a*ely t'at 'e "are" not *o out s'ootin* sa.e it' an arme" es#ort of four% an"t enty /ee+ers$ Di"erot a""e" t'at Hel.etius 'a" s e+t a ay a little .illa*e of 'uts 'i#' t'e +oor +eo+le 'a" !uilt on t'e frin*e of 'is 1<B THE 4RIENDS O4 VOLTAIRE +reser.es : t'at t'e *oo" +'iloso+'er as a #o ar"& an" t'e un'a++iest of men$ 6ut it must !e remem!ere" t'at Di"erot "i" not s+ea/ from first%'an" o!ser.ation& !ut "re & an" sai" 'e "re & all 'is information from a 9a"ame "e No#e& a nei*'!our of Hel.etius$ No 'a++y& unso#ia!le +eo+le li/e Hel.etius an" 'is ife are not li/ely to !e +o+ular in a limite" #ountry so#iety& 'i#' oul" e1+e#t mu#' from t'em& an" *et +ra#ti#ally not'in*$ Saint%Lam!ert an" 9armontel !ot' s+ea/ of Hel.etius) li!erality& *enerosity& an" unostentatious !ene.olen#e$ 9orellet& 'o as 'is #losest intimate for many years& a""s li/e testimony& an" es+e#ially mentions 'is mer#y to +oa#'ers$ One story illustratin* it 'as !een tol"$ Anot'er runs t'at Hel.etius foun" a man +oa#'in* un"er t'e .ery in"o s of 'is 'ouse& an" at first naturally in#line" to rat'& #ur!e" 'imself :

) If you ante" *ame& 'y "i" you not as/ me F I oul" 'a.e *i.en it to you$) -er'a+s t'e trut' of t'e 'ole matter lies in t'at ane#"ote$ T'e /een s+ortsman an" +reser.er "i" sometimes lose 'is tem+er an" for*et 'is #om+assion : 'is !etter self soon re#alle" it& an" t'at rare "is+osition of 'umility an" lo.e for 'is fello s 'astene" to ma/e amen"s$ In 17((& t'e !oo/ to 'i#' 'e 'a" "e.ote" t'ose lon*& la!orious mornin*s at Vore G!y 'i#' HELVlATIUS: THE CONTEADICTION 1<7 I must #ertainly a#'ie.e *lory& if I am to a#'ie.e it at allDH as finis'e" at last$ It as to !e #alle" ) De I)Es+rit )2not to !e translate" ) Kit&) as Cro/er translate" it& !ut somet'in* mu#' more serious2) On t'e 9in"$) It set out to +ro.e a ne t'eory of 'uman a#tion& an" a ne system of morality$ Virtue an" .i#eF T'ere are no su#' t'in*s$ Self%interest& ri*'tly un"erstoo"& is t'e e1+lanation of t'e one& an" self%interest& misun"erstoo"& of t'e ot'er$ Selfis'ness an" t'e +assions are t'e sole mains+rin*s of our "ee"s$ So far from #'ara#ter !ein* "estiny& as No.alis is to "e#lare& "estiny is in all #ases #'ara#ter$ E.ery!o"y is t'e #reature of 'is en.ironment an" 'is e"u#ation$ 4ree Kill F K'at free ill to !e an 'onest man 'as t'e #'il"

of t'ie.es& !rou*'t u+ to t'ie.e in a slum F C'an*e 'is #on"ition& an" you #'an*e 'im$ Lea.e 'im& an" 'e ill steal as #ertainly as fire !urns an" t'e a.es !eat on t'e s'ore$ As for t'e .aunte" su+eriority of t'e 'uman intelli*en#e o.er t'e !rutes& ) an a##i"ent of +'ysi#al or*anisation ) #an a##ount for t'at$ Ke are as t'e !rutes& only a little !etter& an" t'e "ifferen#e is 'olly of "e*ree& not of /in"$ -ut t'ese t'eories& it' t'eir s'o y false'oo" an" t'eir su!stratum of trut'& on t'e li!rary ta!le of any #le.er man& an" *et 'im to "o 'is !est to o 1<J THE 4EIENDS O4 VOLTAIEE +ro.e t'em !y so+'istry an" in*enuity& !y tri#/& !y su!terfu*e& !y illustration2some'o & any'o & so t'at 'e +ro.e t'em to t'e 'ilt2an" t'e result ill !e +retty ell 'at Hel.etius ma"e it$ T'ere as s#ar#ely a *oo" story& or a !a" one& 'e 'a" 'ear" in 'is early *ay life in -aris t'at 'e "i" not !rin* in& !y 'oo/ or !y #roo/& to +oint an" enli.en 'is +ara"o1$ 9a"ame "e ,raffi*ny tol" 6ettinelli t'at nearly all t'e notes ere t'e ) s ee+in*s ) of 'er salon$ ) On t'e 9in" ) is entertainin* or not'in*2 "iffi#ulties +resente" solely t'at t'ey may !e ittilMA

"emolis'e"2easy& ina##urate& triflin* : a style ) insinuatin* an" #aressin* $ $ $ ma"e for li*'t min"s& youn* +eo+le an" omen&) says Damiron : a !oo/ 'i#' fas'ion mi*'t s/i+ at its toilette& an" t'en& on t'e stren*t' of remem!erin* t o or t'ree of its "u!ious ane#"otes& #laim a #om+lete /no le"*e of its !i@arre +'iloso+'y$ 4or it as !ut a 'i@arrerie2a ;eu ")es+rit2an" Hel.etius /ne it$ He as merely #on#erne" to see 'o far 'is im+ossi!le t'eories #oul" !e ma"e +lausi!le& an" rote t'em to #at#' t'e +u!li# ear& an" turn t'eir aut'or into t'e lion an" "arlin* of t'e season$ K'en t'e t'in* as rea"y 'e too/ it to Ter#ier& t'e #ensor& 'o +asse" it& su**estin* only t'e omission of a fe too #om+limentary referen#es to free%t'in/in* Hume$ Hel.etius #ut t'em out$ HELVlfiTIUS: THE CONTEADICTION 1<( 9ales'er!es& "urin* its +rintin*& o!ser.e" uneasily t'at t'e !oo/ #ontaine" ) some .ery stron* t'in*s ) 2insolent remar/s& for instan#e& on t'at "ear& #ruste" ol" "es+otism un"er 'i#' e all li.e& an" #ertainly a su**estion t'at any means to o.ert'ro tyranny are +ermissi!le$ 6ut& all t'e same& in 9ay 17I3 it re#ei.e" its +ri.ile*e$ 9a;esty as

*ra#iously +lease" to a##e+t a #o+y from t'e aut'or& our maitre ")'otel$ It as alrea"y in t'e 'an"s of t'e +'iloso+'ers$ An" e.ery!o"y !e*an to rea"$ It oul" not 'a.e !een on"erful& if t'e t'eories 'a" 'a" a little more .raisem!lan#e& t'at most +eo+le& +arti#ularly +eo+le 'o 'a" "e.ote" t'eir li.es an" t'eir fortunes to ot'ers& 'o 'a" la!oure" in +o.erty t'at ot'er men mi*'t !e free an" ri#'& s'oul" o!;e#t to see t'eir self%"enial set "o n as self%interest& an" to !e informe" t'at t'e 'i*'est as+iration of t'eir soul as really not'in* !ut a mor!i" #on"ition of t'e !o"y$ 6ut& #onsi"erin* t'eir manifest a!sur"ity& it is on"erful t'at t'ese assertions ere ta/en seriously$ 9a"ame "u Deffan"& in"ee"& mi*'t naturally say t'at in ma/in* self%interest t'e mains+rin* of #on"u#t& Hel.etius 'a" re.eale" e.ery!o"y)s se#ret$ He 'a" so #ertainly "is#o.ere" 'ers$ 6ut Tur*ot& 'ose life as to "o *oo"& 'a" !etter 'a.e lau*'e" at an a!sur"ity t'an 'a.e risen u+ to #on"emn it as )+'iloso+'y it'out lo*i#& literature it'out B 1<I THE 4RIENDS O4 VOLTAIRE taste& an" morality it'out *oo"nessE A Con"or#et& 'ose lon* "e.otion to "uty as re ar"e"

only it' ruin an" "eat'& nee" not 'a.e trou!le" to loat'e it$ Eousseau imme"iately sat "o n to refute it : some of t'e most ins+ire" +a*es of 'is ) Sa.oyar" Vi#ar ) still *lo it' t'e 'atre" it' 'i#' it ins+ire" 'im$ ,rimm isely only +oo'+oo'e" it$ Voltaire *rum!le" t'at 'is +u+il 'a" +romise" a !oo/ on t'e 9in"& an" +resente" a treatise on 9atter: t'at 'e 'a" )+ut frien"s'i+ amon* t'e !a" +assions&) an"& mu#' orse t'an all& 'as a#tually #om+are" me2me2to t o su#' fee!le& se#on"%rate luminaries as Cre!illon an" 4ontenelle D No on"er t'at 'e foun" t'e title& ) De I)Es+rit&) e8ui.o#al& t'e matter unmet'o"i#al& all t'e ne t'in*s false an" all t'e ol" ones truisms$ 4or a .ery s'ort time& 'o e.er& a++ro.e" or "isa++ro.e"& ta/en as folly or mista/en for reason& t'e !oo/ ent its ay *aily$ It !a"e fair to !e#ome 'at Hel.etius 'a" meant it to !e2t'e su##ess of a season$ 6ut for t'e !esotte" stu+i"ity of t'e ,o.ernment& it ne.er oul" 'a.e !een anyt'in* else$ One unlu#/y "ay t'e Dau+'in& 'o as more .irtuous t'an ise& #ame out of 'is room it' a #o+y in 'is 'an" an" fury in 'is fa#e$ ) I am *oin* to s'o t'e =ueen t'e sort of t'in* 'er maitre "D'otel +rints$

HELVISTIUS: THE CONTEADICTION 1<7 On Au*ust 1C& 17(3& t'e +ri.ile*e for its +u!li#ation as re.o/e"$ Ter#ier as "e+ri.e" of 'is offi#e$ )On t'e 9in") as furiously atta#/e" in t'e reli*ious +a+ers$ T'e a.o#at *eneral& 4leury& +ronoun#e" it )an a!ri"*ment of t'e En#y#lo+ae"ia$) T'e Ar#'!is'o+ of -aris "e#lare" it stru#/ at t'e roots of C'ristianity$ At Court& Hel.etius as all at on#e )re*ar"e" as a #'il" of +er"ition& an" t'e =ueen +itie" 'is mot'er as if s'e 'a" +ro"u#e" Anti%C'rist$) Eome !anne" t'e a##urse" t'in*$ On ?anuary 71& 17(<& t'e -o+e atta#/e" it it' 'is o n 'an" in a letter$ On 4e!ruary I t'e -arliament of -aris #on"emne" it$ On 4e!ruary 1C it as +u!li#ly !urne" !y t'e 'an*man& it' Voltaire)s ) ?Sfatural La $) On A+ril < t'e Sor!onne #ensure" it& an" "e#lare" it to #ontain ) t'e essen#e of t'e +oisons ) of all mo"ern literature$ Hel.etius& from !ein* t'e 'a++iest of easy*oin*& !ene.olent +'iloso+'ers& foun" 'imself& as it ere in a se#on"& in a +osition of *reat "an*er& an" 'at CoUe in 'is ?ournal #alle" ) #ruel +ain$ His frien"s 'otly ur*e" u+on 'im a retra#tation to soften t'e #ertain +unis'ment a aitin* 'im$ His mot'er !e**e" it from 'im it' tears$ Only 9inette& a sterner an" a !ra.er soul& refuse"& t'ou*' ) a *reat +ersona*e ) !esou*'t 'er& to a""

'er o n entreaties to t'at en"$ 1<3 THE 4EIENDS O4 VOLTAIEE Still& it 'a" to !e "one$ Somet'in* of a #o ar" t'is Hel.etius& as CoUe su**este" no & as Di"erot 'a" su**este" !efore F T'e ri#' an" easy life 'e 'a" le" "oes not !ree" #oura*e #ertainly$ 6ut& after all& Hel.etius only "i" 'at Voltaire an" many a !etter man "e#lare" it as essential to "o in t'at "ay$ He +ro"u#e" a ) Letter from t'e Ee.eren" 4at'er $ $ $ ?esuit&) in 'i#' 'e state" t'at 'e 'a" ritten in +erfe#t inno#en#e an" sim+li#ity& an" Gt'is as un"ou!te"ly trueH t'at 'e 'a" not 'a" t'e sli*'test i"ea of t'e effe#t 'is !oo/ oul" #reate$ He a""e"& in t'e stiff +'raseolo*y of t'e time& or"s to t'e effe#t t'at 'e as an e1#ee"in*ly reli*ious man an" .ery sorry in"ee"$ T'e amen"e as so far a##e+te" t'at t'e -arliament sim+ly #on"emne" 'im to *i.e u+ 'is ste ar"s'i+& an" e1ile" 'im for t o years to 0ore$ K'at t'e !oo/ #oul" ne.er 'a.e "one for itself& or for its aut'or& +erse#ution "i" for t'em !ot'$ ) On t'e 9in" ) !e#ame not t'e su##ess of a season& !ut one of t'e most famous !oo/s of t'e #entury$ T'e men 'o 'a" 'ate" it& an" 'a" not +arti#ularly lo.e" Hel.etius& flo#/e" roun" 'im no $ Voltaire for*a.e 'im all in;uries& intentional

or unintentional$ ) K'at a fuss a!out an omelette D ) 'e 'a" e1#laime" 'en 'e 'ear" of t'e !urnin*$ Ho a!omina!ly un;ust to +erse#ute a man for su#' an airy trifle as t'atD HELVETIUS: THE CONT6ADICTION 1<< )A)) I "isa++ro.e of 'at you say& !ut I ill "efen" to t'e "eat' your ri*'t to say it&) as 'is attitu"e no $A6ut 'e soon #ame& as a Voltaire oul" #ome& to s earin* t'at t'ere as no more materialism in ) On t'e 9in" ) t'an in Lo#/e& an" a t'ousan" more "arin* t'in*s in )T'e S+irit of La s$) Tur*ot an" Con"or#et for*a.e t'e +'iloso+'y& in t'eir +ity for t'e +'iloso+'er$ D)Alem!ert ma"e #ommon #ause it' t'e man it' 'om 'e 'a" not'in* else in #ommon$ Eousseau instantly sto++e" ritin* 'is refutation$ Di"erot roun"ly s ore ) On t'e 9in" ) as one of t'e *reat !oo/s of t'e a*e$ T'ou*' Eome 'a" #ensure" it& #ar"inals rote to #on"ole it' its aut'or on t'e treatment it 'a" re#ei.e"$ It as translate" into almost all Euro+ean lan*ua*es$ -resently& En*lan" +u!lis'e" an e"ition of 'er o n$ An" Hel.etius& 'en t'at t o years) e1ile2a +unis'ment

surely only in nameF2 as o.er& returnin* to -aris& foun" 'imself t'e most "istin*uis'e" man in t'e #a+ital$ In t'eir fine 'otel in t'e Eue Sainte%Anne GEue Hel.etius& t'e muni#i+ality of 17<B re#'ristene" it& an" Eue Saint%Hel.etius& t'e #o#/ers of -aris DH 'e an" 'is ife re#ei.e" t'e flo er of 4ren#' so#iety$ Tur*ot intro"u#e" to t'em 9orellet& 'o soon !e#ame a "aily .isitor& ro"e it' t'em in t'e 6ois& an" staye" ith them