Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 02.djvu/190

162 pronounced that word but in a tone of reverence that every one remarked."

"What care I," returned Birton, "for two men's grimaces? How did Newton look when he wrote his "Commentary on the Apocalypse"? Or Locke when he wrote the "Dialogue Between a Parrot and the Prince Maurice"?

Then Freind repeated the golden words which should be graven on every heart:

"Let us forget the dreams of great men, and remember the truths they have taught us."

This reply gave way to a well-sustained conversation, more interesting than that of the bachelor of Salamanca. I sat in a corner and took notes. The company drew round the disputants. The worthy Parouba, his son, and daughter, John's debauched companions, and John himself, with his head resting on his hands all listened with eager attention.

.—I will not repeat to you, sir, the metaphysical arguments of our celebrated Clarke; I only exhort you to read them again. They are rather intended to convince than affect you. I shall confine myself to arguments calculated to touch your heart.