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 out of these conditions that sprang also the felicity and fineness of wit so characteristic of Voltaire, and which could hardly have been the product of a different age. The weapons were pointed in the old period with which he became the champion of the opinions of the new. But it is obviously an error to impute to Voltaire that he was the originator of unchristian opinion in France. What he did was to give expression to the thoughts which prevailed all round him—to say effectively what so many were wishing should be said. The systematic suppression of opinion, the senseless dogmatism, the persecutions, the evil example of the clergy, the sanctimoniousness of the Court, had combined to create those elements which broke out in a revolt against Christianity.

But although the new Court was licentious beyond example, the old machinery of despotism and fanaticism still remained in full force. The Bastille, the orders for consignment to it, the power and intolerance of the clergy, the Order of Jesuits—all were as they had been; and the press continued to be under the strictest and most oppressive supervision.

We know that in England at that time patrons might make or mar an author, and men even of established character thought it well to propitiate them. But in France the avenues to literary fame were still more difficult of access. "There are," says Voltaire in a letter of advice to a young aspirant, to whom he is evidently imparting his own experience, "a great number of small social circles in Paris where some woman always presides, who in the decline of her beauty reveals the dawn of her intellect. One or two men of letters are the prime ministers of this little kingdom. If you neglect to be in