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Details
FREDERICK II ("Frederick the Great", 1712-1785), King of Prussia. Autograph letter signed ('Frederic') to Voltaire, Ruppin, 19 April 1738.
In French, closely-written on four pages, 260 x 190mm, bifolium, including 16 lines of verse.
Frederick the Great as the Enlightenment Prince. A remarkable letter of more than 2,700 words, discussing his literary works and philosophical ideas, including a sustained disquisition on determinism in the age of reason, and mentioning Rousseau, Newton, Emilie du Châtelet, and Leibniz.
The letter opens with expressions of concern at Voltaire's frequent ill-health: Frederick has consulted his doctors who have provided a long-range diagnosis ('Voila ce qu'a plus de cent lieux la faculté en à jugée'), and he asks for a full statement of his friend's symptoms, 'in barbaric terms and baroque language'. He complains that Voltaire has added no criticism of the poems he has sent, and encloses (no longer present) revisions of two poems in response to Voltaire's critiques, with a self-deprecating note on his incurable 'mania' for poetry, and an expression of admiration for Voltaire's genius in rising above his physical weakness:
'Je Voudrois que Vous eussiéz eu besoin de Mon ode sur la pacience, pour Vous Consollér des rigueurs d’une Metresse, et non pour supporter Vos infirmitéz, il est facille de donér des consolations des qu’on ne soufre point soi même; mais c’est l’efort d’un genie superieur que de Trionphér des meaux les plus egüs et d’ecrire avec toute la liberté d’esprit, du sein meme des soufrences'.
Frederick expresses admiration for Voltaire's 'Épître sur l’Envie' and for his tragedy Mérope, offering his views on the role of love in modern theatre ('L’amour cette passion charmente ne devroit y estre emplové que comme des epiceries qu’on met à quelque ragouts; mais qu’on ne prodigue pas toute parts') and adding a verse encomium on the diversity of Voltaire's achievements, from history to science (citing his elucidation of Newton) to tragedy.
Turning from literature to philosophy, the heart of the letter is a detailed consideration of some of the defining metaphysical debates of the Age of Enlightenment. Frederick expresses his scepticism at the arguments in favour of determinism, but declares himself convinced of the principle of 'sufficient reason' – that a rational cause lies behind every effect, and that in this sense 'chance is the synonym of nothing'. He therefore argues that the true determinant of human actions is reason itself, and describes the idea of the deity which he deduces from this ('un estre tout-puissant tres bon, infini, et Raisonnable à un degré supreme').
In the last section of this long and remarkably varied letter, Frederick expresses mock-scepticism at the reported admiration for him of the Marquise du Châtelet (Voltaire's companion and fellow-interpreter of Newton), mentioning that he has discussed it with Leibniz, and joking that he now considers himself a rival of Newton's for her favours:
'Je cede volontier à Newton la preference, que l’ansieneté de conoissence et le Mérite superieur lui ont aquises, et je ne demende que quelque mots ecrits dans quelque moments perdus moyenent quoi je tiens la Marquise quite de toute admiration quelconque'.
The relationship between Voltaire and Frederick the Great is one of the most celebrated of the Age of Enlightenment. It was initiated by the young Prussian crown prince in August 1736; they met for the first time in September 1740, a few months after Frederick succeeded his father as King; and for an ultimately unhappy period between 1750 and 1752, Voltaire resided at Frederick's court in Potsdam.
In French, closely-written on four pages, 260 x 190mm, bifolium, including 16 lines of verse.
Frederick the Great as the Enlightenment Prince. A remarkable letter of more than 2,700 words, discussing his literary works and philosophical ideas, including a sustained disquisition on determinism in the age of reason, and mentioning Rousseau, Newton, Emilie du Châtelet, and Leibniz.
The letter opens with expressions of concern at Voltaire's frequent ill-health: Frederick has consulted his doctors who have provided a long-range diagnosis ('Voila ce qu'a plus de cent lieux la faculté en à jugée'), and he asks for a full statement of his friend's symptoms, 'in barbaric terms and baroque language'. He complains that Voltaire has added no criticism of the poems he has sent, and encloses (no longer present) revisions of two poems in response to Voltaire's critiques, with a self-deprecating note on his incurable 'mania' for poetry, and an expression of admiration for Voltaire's genius in rising above his physical weakness:
'Je Voudrois que Vous eussiéz eu besoin de Mon ode sur la pacience, pour Vous Consollér des rigueurs d’une Metresse, et non pour supporter Vos infirmitéz, il est facille de donér des consolations des qu’on ne soufre point soi même; mais c’est l’efort d’un genie superieur que de Trionphér des meaux les plus egüs et d’ecrire avec toute la liberté d’esprit, du sein meme des soufrences'.
Frederick expresses admiration for Voltaire's 'Épître sur l’Envie' and for his tragedy Mérope, offering his views on the role of love in modern theatre ('L’amour cette passion charmente ne devroit y estre emplové que comme des epiceries qu’on met à quelque ragouts; mais qu’on ne prodigue pas toute parts') and adding a verse encomium on the diversity of Voltaire's achievements, from history to science (citing his elucidation of Newton) to tragedy.
Turning from literature to philosophy, the heart of the letter is a detailed consideration of some of the defining metaphysical debates of the Age of Enlightenment. Frederick expresses his scepticism at the arguments in favour of determinism, but declares himself convinced of the principle of 'sufficient reason' – that a rational cause lies behind every effect, and that in this sense 'chance is the synonym of nothing'. He therefore argues that the true determinant of human actions is reason itself, and describes the idea of the deity which he deduces from this ('un estre tout-puissant tres bon, infini, et Raisonnable à un degré supreme').
In the last section of this long and remarkably varied letter, Frederick expresses mock-scepticism at the reported admiration for him of the Marquise du Châtelet (Voltaire's companion and fellow-interpreter of Newton), mentioning that he has discussed it with Leibniz, and joking that he now considers himself a rival of Newton's for her favours:
'Je cede volontier à Newton la preference, que l’ansieneté de conoissence et le Mérite superieur lui ont aquises, et je ne demende que quelque mots ecrits dans quelque moments perdus moyenent quoi je tiens la Marquise quite de toute admiration quelconque'.
The relationship between Voltaire and Frederick the Great is one of the most celebrated of the Age of Enlightenment. It was initiated by the young Prussian crown prince in August 1736; they met for the first time in September 1740, a few months after Frederick succeeded his father as King; and for an ultimately unhappy period between 1750 and 1752, Voltaire resided at Frederick's court in Potsdam.
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