I was then abfolutely obliged to write a new Merope. I have therefore wrote one different from yours; but I am very far from flattering myself that I have wrote it better. I look upon myself with regard to you, as a traveller, to whom an eastern king had made a prefent of rich brocades this king fhould allow the traveller the privilege to wear them according to the mode of his own country.

My Merope was finished in the year 1733, pretty much in the fame manner as it now appears to you. Other engagements hindered me from bringing it then on the stage. But what deterred me most from making it appear at that time, was the other plays which had met with fuccefs a little before, and which were wrote on the fame fubject, though under different names. At laft I ventured my tragedy on the ftage, and our nation fhewed that she was not difpleafed to fee the fame fubject diverfly handled. It happened with our theatre, as it happens every day in a gallery of paintings, where feveral I 5 pictures

pictures reprefent the fame ftory; men of taste find pleasure in remarking the various manner, and each according to his turn is ftruck with the stile of particular painters. It is a kind of trial of skill which contributes to the perfection of the arts, and to the information of the public.

If the french Merope has met with the fame fuccefs as the italian, 'tis to you, Sir, I am indebted for it; 'tis to that fimplicity which I was always fo fond of, and of which your performance furnished me the model. Though I have marched in a different track from you, yet you have been conftantly my guide.

I wish it were in my power to follow the example of the English and Italians, as to blank verse.

But I foon perceived, and have long fince faid, that fuch an attempt would never fucceed in France, and that it fhewed more weakness than ftrength of parts, to endeavour throwing off a yoke borne by authors of fo many performances, which

will

will last as long as the french nation or language.

Our poetry is not allowed the many other liberties which are taken in yours; and perhaps this is one reafon why the Italians have been three or four ages beforehand with us in this amiable, but difficult art.

I fhould be glad, Sir, to follow your example in other refpects, as well as in tragedy. I would particularly form myfelf on your taste in the fcience of history; not that vague and barren knowledge of facts and dates, which confists in relating, when fuch a man, ufelefs, perhaps, or pernicious, to the world, left it; a mere dictionary fcience, which clogs the memory, without informing the judg

ment.

t

I mean the history of the mind of man; that leads us into the knowledge of manners, and traces out, fault by fault, and prejudice after prejudice, the effects of human paffions; that lays before us the evils produced by ignorance, or mistaken knowledge; that, above all, marks out the progrefs of the arts, through the favage

broils

broils of potentates, and the overthrow of empires.

Such histories are precious in my eyes; and I fhall value them the more, on account of the rank in which they must place you, Sir, among thofe to whom mankind is indebted for new pleasures and instructions. Pofterity will emulate your country, which has rendered you fuch diftinguifhed honours, has erected you a ftatue with this infcription, To THE MARQUIS SCIPIO MAFFEI, LIVING. As fine an inscription in its kind, as that at Montpellier; To LEWIS THE FOURTEENTH, AFTER HIS DEATH. Vouchsafe to add, Sir, to the homages of your fellow-citizens, that of a foreigner, whose esteem and attachment for you, are as fincere as if he had been a native of Verona.

PRE

WE give this

E give this edition of the tragedy of the death of Cæfar, by Mr. de Voltaire, who, we can fafely fay, is the first that has made the english mufes known in France. He tranflated into verfe fome years ago, feveral paffages out of the best poets of England, for the instruction of his friends; and, by that means, he induced many to learn the English; fo that, now, this language is become familiar to men of letters. It is doing fervice to our minds to embellish them thus with the riches of foreign

countries.

Among the moft fingular extracts from the english poets that our friend tran

* This in the original,, is called the publisher's preface.

flated