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works of this period of his life exhibit to the full the extraordinary fertility of his mind, and the equally extraordinary facility with which he gave form and expression to his thoughts. The tragedies of "Alzire," "Zulime," "Mahomet," and "Merope," the comedy of the "Prodigal Son," many philosophical treatises, the "Seven Discourses on Man," in verse, the satire, also in verse, of the "Worldling," the "Essay on the Morals and Spirit of Nations," and the burlesque epic of the "Maid" (of Orleans), were the most considerable productions of these years.

The "Essay on the Morals and Spirit of Nations" was composed in 1740 for the edification of Madame du Châtelet, who complained that she had found modern history full of trivial and unauthenticated facts, while she had searched it in vain for pictures of manners, the origin of customs and laws, and the progress of humanity. Thereupon Voltaire undertook, as a delicate attention, what would have been to many a learned writer the work of a life, and is reckoned by some critics as his highest achievement. Bossuet had brought a universal