Voltaire

Voltaire is a work by John Morley. The contents list names Chapter I, Preliminary, which has among its topics the Importance of Voltaire's name. The note calls the large number of complete and elaborate editions of Voltaire's works one of the most striking facts in the history of books.

The text speaks of the hated Voltaire pushing on his work of crushing the Infamous, and says that if he was bitter, he was still direct. The text says a man like Montaigne, as has been said, could slumber tranquilly on the pillow of doubt, content to live his life, leaving many questions open. The text says the benefits remain, and may be briefly set down as two in number, and that in the first place someone spoke words that can never be unspoken and kindled a hope that can never be extinguished. The text says the restoration of the germs of order and prosperity, which Frederick so rapidly brought about after the appalling ruin that seven years of disastrous war had effected, is unmatched in the history of human government.