ilium vidi tantum.

The ode which he composed on his first arrival on the banks of the Leman
Lake, O Maison d'Aristippe! O Jardin d'Epicure, &c. had been imparted
as a secret to the gentleman by whom I was introduced. He allowed me to
read it twice; I knew it by heart; and as my discretion was not equal to
my memory, the author was soon displeased by the circulation of a copy.
In writing this trivial anecdote, I wished to observe whether my memory
was impaired, and I have the comfort of finding that every line of the
poem is still engraved in fresh and indelible characters. The highest
gratification which I derived from Voltaire's residence at Lausanne,
was the uncommon circumstance of hearing a great poet declaim his own
productions on the stage. He had formed a company of gentlemen and
ladies, some of whom were not destitute of talents. A decent theatre was
framed at Monrepos, a country-house at the end of a suburb; dresses
and scenes were provided at the expense of the actors; and the author
directed the rehearsals with the zeal and attention of paternal love. In
two successive winters his tragedies of Zayre, Alzire, Zulime, and his
sentimental comedy of the Enfant Prodigue, were played at the theatre of
Monrepos. Voltaire represented the characters best adapted to his years,
Lusignan, Alvarez, Benassar, Euphemon. His declamation was fashioned to
the pomp and cadence of the old stage; and he expressed the enthusiasm
of poetry, rather than the feelings of nature. My ardour, which soon
became conspicuous, seldom failed of procuring me a ticket. The habits
of pleasure fortified my taste for the French theatre, and that taste
has perhaps abated my idolatry for the gigantic genius of Shakespeare,
which is inculcated from our infancy as the first duty of an Englishman.
The wit and philosophy of Voltaire, his table and theatre, refined, in a
visible degree, the manners of Lausanne; and, however addicted to
study, I enjoyed my share of the amusements of society. After the
representation of Monrepos I sometimes supped with the actors. I was now
familiar in some, and acquainted in many houses; and my evenings were
generally devoted to cards and conversation, either in private parties
or numerous assemblies.

I hesitate, from the apprehension of ridicule, when I approach the
delicate subject of my early love. By this word I do not mean the polite
attention, the gallantry, without hope or design, which has originated
in the spi