ginger in it; my gentleman eats the whole pie, and dies next day at Lord
Tyrconnel's, assisted by two Doctors," Cothenius and Lieberkuhn, "whom
he used to mock at.... How I should have liked to ask him, at
the article of death, about that Orange-skin!" [--OEuvres de
Voltaire,--lxxiv. 439, 450.]

Add this trait too, from authentic Nicolai, to complete the matter: "An
Irish Priest, Father Macmahon, Tyrconnel's Chaplain [more power to him],
wanted to convert La Mettrie: he pushed into the sick-room;--encouraged
by some who wished to make La Mettrie contemptible to Friedrich [the
charitable souls]. La Mettrie would have nothing to do with this Priest
and his talk; who, however, still sat and waited. La Mettrie, in
a twinge of agony, cried out, 'JESUS MARIE!' 'AH, VOUS VOILA ENFIN
RETOURNE A CES NOMS CONSOLATEURS!' exclaimed the Irishman. To which La
Mettrie answered (in polite language, to the effect), 'Bother you!' and
expired a few minutes after." [Nicolai,--Anekdoten,--i. 20 n.]

Enough of this poor madcap. Friedrich's ELOGE of him, read to the
Academy some time after, it was generally thought (and with great
justice), might as well have been spared. The Piece has nothing noisy,
nothing untrue; but what has it of importance? And surely the subject
was questionable, or more. La Mettrie might have done without Eulogy
from a King of men.

... "He had been used to put himself at once on the most familiar
footing with the King [says Thiebault, UNbelievable]. Entered the King's
apartment as he would that of a friend; plunged down whenever he liked,
which was often, and lay upon the sofas; if it was warm, took off
his stock, unbuttoned his waistcoat, flung his periwig on the
floor;" [Thiebault, v. 405 (calls him "La Metherie;" knows, as usual,
nothing).]--highly probable, thinks stupid Thiebault!

"The truth is," says Nicolai, "the King put no real value on La Mettrie.
He considered him as a merry-andrew fellow, who might amuse you, when
half seas-over (ENTRE DEUX VINS). De la Mettrie showed himself unworthy
of any favor he had. Not only did he babble, and repeat about Town what
he heard at the King's table; but he told everything in a false way,
and with malicious twists and additions. This he especially did at Lord
Tyrconnel, the then French Ambassador's table, where at last he died."
[Nicolai,--Anekdoten,--i. 20.] But could not take the ORANGE-SKIN along
with him; alas, no!--

On the whole, be not too severe on poor Vo