Naturally, she did visit him next once the grandkid was born. Which brings me to the next thematic selection of quotes, with good old Voltaire as the red thread. It occured to me that Wilhelmine was the one person who actually did not just comment on the whole Voltaire disaster but actively tried to mediate when everyone else was popcorn munching or staying out of it. (And she'll keep it up right till her death, since her letters in the final years show she was the one forwarding letters from Voltaire to Fritz and vice versa.) This is as telling about everyone's relationship with each other as the fact Fritz did not bite her head off for this even during the height of the argument. (Only the editor of the Fredersdorf letters does.) Mes amies: Voltaire = the only one of her brother's boyfriends for whom Wilhelmine was willing to play Yenta?
So, it's 1750, Wilhelmine has just returned to Bayreuth from her Berlin trip. Fritz had sent letters (and presents) ahead she found when arriving at Bayreuth. Also, it's carnival season in Berlin, and as we know from Lehndorff, the Divine Trio was busy partying all through said carnival in 1750. Madame de Camas is the trusted lady in waiting of SD who is one of Fritz' favourite people (during the big palace reception after the 7 Years War, he'll embrace her right after the family members). On the more sinister side, Voltaire, not even here a year, is already engaged in shady dealings (trying to swindle the Jewish banker Hirschel): My dearest brother, I arrived here at four o'clock, without knowing how I left Berlin. My mind was so busy and so sad on the road that I realized that it was in Potsdam, not in my body; for I had not the least inconvenience, a sign that the vital spirits were far from it. I have found here, my very dear brother, new marks of your kindness. I kissed your dear letter a thousand times. You shower me with so many graces that I no longer know how to show you how deeply touched I am. I'm looking for expressions but can't find any. My heart speaks a language that I cannot express. It is full of you, it owes you everything, and it is entirely yours.
My dearest sister, What consoles me for your absence is knowing that you are in perfect health and in a good mood, as it seems to me from your letter. (...). Everyone is doing well here; the Queen is holding court today, my brothers are histrioning, I politicize, Voltaire tricks the Jews, Madame de Bentinck pleads, the count her nephew makes nonsense, Madame de Camas has a cold, and the good Montbail repairs the insults to her toilet that the years have made of its outdated attractions. I can only talk to you about such nonsense; my letter smells of carnival.
The financial shadiness is but a prelude. The next year, it's Maupertuis quarrel time. Also, we'll get a reference to the celebrated Castrato singer Salimbeni, who didn't care to be told how to sing by the King of Prussia and moved to Sasony. "Capons" was a nickname for Castrati:
My dearest sister, I am very sorry that you are given false alarms on my subject. I had some slight ailments this winter; but I am however very happy to have done even better than last year. Voltaire's affair is not yet over. I think he will get away with it; he will have no less spirit, but his character will be more despised than ever. I'll see it when it's all over; but, in the long run, I prefer to live with Maupertuis to living with him. His character is steadfast, and he has more of a conversational tone than the poet, who, if you pay attention, always dogmatizes.
(Read: Dares to claim he's right when he's clearly not, since he's disagreeing with me!)
I am very happy with Carestini, especially the adagio. I am told from Dresden that Salimbeni has even less of a voice than he had here. We'll have to the market for capons, and see if we can find someone who sings well and is instructable. If you are happy with our opera, I will transcribe it and send it to you. I still recommend myself to your precious memory, by assuring you, my very dear sister, that one could not be more than I am, etc.
In 1753, as we know, it's big explosion time. Voltaire leaves Prussia. And looks for a new place to stay. Writes Wilhelmine:
I saw a letter from Voltaire today. He goes to Gotha, where his niece will find him. I doubt he will come here. However, he said he would write from Gotha again. I suppose that perhaps he intends to settle here with his niece, which I will try to elude. The letters he wrote to his friends here (which are written without distrust, and which were only shown to me after strong insistence on my part) are very respectful about you. He gives you the rightful title of a great man. He complains about the preference you have given to Maupertuis, and the prevention that you have against him. He mocks very sharply on the subject of the latter, and I admit, my dear brother, that I could not help laughing when reading the article, because it is written so comically, that we can not remain serious. I will not fail to warn you of all that I will learn from him. My weakness forces me to finish, but never to be with all the respect and tenderness imaginable, my very dear brother, etc.
Does Fritz resent the corresponding with Voltaire, or the interference? (Remember, 1926!Editor imagines him wounded to the core by yet another sisterly betrayal.) He does not. Instead, we get this (since she's also announced she'll come visiting again, remember, the last time had been in 1750, and we're now in 1753. He's at his annual spa visit, which is also what Wilhelmine is doing:
My dearest sister, I found your dear letter here, on my return from Prussia, and I flatter myself more than ever that your health, my dear sister, will recover. What a joy to see here again a dear friend, a tenderly loving sister, who made me tremble for her health during three years of absence! I await this happy day with real impatience. In the meantime, I will receive here a crowd of foreigners, or rather unwelcome visitors, who are curious to see our camp. I would gladly do without them, but I will have to look good in a bad play; they will be soldiers, and if anything displeases them, I will not have to fear epigrams. You still see me frightened of my adventures with gentlemen of ésprit; but I wiped off some splashes from them on the way, as it happens when we receive blows while trying to separate people who are fighting. I wish you, my dear sister, a happier fate than mine with these gentlemen. I do not believe that you need two to enlighten your mind; they would need your wisdom more. Madame du Deffand never wanted to see Voltaire; they asked her why. \"It is,\" said she, \"that I buy his mind for two florins, and that I enjoy his works without exposing myself to his wickedness.\" I am going to begin the waters of Eger, and I make a thousand wishes so that those which you take will make you all the effect that one can expect from it. You are sure, I hope, that no one is more tenderly interested in it than, my very dear sister, etc.
But just to add on the subject of Voltaire: Speaking of theaters, don't think I told you the hundredth part of Voltaire's villaines; there would be enough to make a sottisier as large as a volume of Bayle. It is a great pity that the great talents of this man are tarnished by the darkest and most perfidious soul, which embittered and spoiled his whole mind!
Poor frightened by gentlemen of ésprit Fritz next has Voltaire arrested in Frankfurt. Voltaire, after getting free, tells all the world about this, including Wilhelmine: My dearest sister, Judge the joy I have in seeing your health recover; this is the most enjoyable news I can learn; so therefore, I will have the consolation of seeing you again, my dear sister, in good health. I saw the letter from Voltaire and from (Madame) Denis; they both lie, and don't blame me justly. Their adventure is very different than they say; but, despite all their wrongs, I gave orders a fortnight ago to let them go. You cannot believe, my dear sister, to what extent these people play comedy; all these convulsions, these diseases, these despair, all that is only a game. I was the dupe in the beginning, but no more in the end. Voltaire dares not return to France; he will go to Switzerland, and wander from country to country. For my part, I don't care about the harm he claims to do me, but I prevented him from doing more, and, for this reason, I made him return my verses and all the letters I gave him. I embrace you a thousand times, my very dear sister, pleading with you never to doubt the tender friendship with which I am, etc.
And just for the record, Sis: Voltaire isn't even that good a writer!
My dearest sister, I had a double pleasure when I received your dear letter. I see there authentic marks of your recovery and the testimonies of your precious friendship. I make a thousand wishes so that your health recovers perfectly, and that it is the last shock which it has to wipe. I was very surprised to receive Voltaire's book, with a large letter from him; I will have it answered by the abbot, so that I will not commit myself. His book is useful, but dryly written; he took advantage of Father Barre, whom he abridged. If he did not hurry so much in his productions, they would only be better; but I believe that the public will have nothing more than the dregs from his old age. I had fun doing an opera, which I will take the liberty of sending you as soon as it is corrected.
The opera was Montezuma, btw. Back when I first reported to you about Wilhelmine's travel letters, I already told you about her encounter with Voltaire there (coming with telling Fritz Voltaire still loves him, honest, he's sorry!, while Voltaire writes the Margravine paid a visit and is better than her brother, whom she told him is missing him, honest!). At this point, Voltaire and Fritz still only correspond through third parties. This changes in the 7 Years War, not least because Fritz starts with the suicidal letters, and Wilhelmine among other things writes to Voltaire to write a Fritz encouraging letter as fast as he can. (I quoted the letter in question in my post about the Voltaire correspondance. Presumably it's also the one Catt describes Fritz as "devouring with his eyes" when he gets it ("He has not forgotten me!") after one of the usual "Voltaire is scum!" tirades. Writes Fritz in 1757:
I laughed at the exhortations of Patriarch Voltaire; I take the liberty of sending you my answer. As for stoicism, I think I have more than he does, and as for the way of thinking, he thinks like a poet, and I as it suits me in the position where the chance of birth has placed me.
But more Voltaire, please. In conclusion, Wilhelmine: clearly had a good idea about her brother's feelings for Voltaire and need of same.
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Fritz and Wilhelmine Correspondance, Trier Version II - OMG Voltaire!
Date: 2020-01-19 11:21 am (UTC)So, it's 1750, Wilhelmine has just returned to Bayreuth from her Berlin trip. Fritz had sent letters (and presents) ahead she found when arriving at Bayreuth. Also, it's carnival season in Berlin, and as we know from Lehndorff, the Divine Trio was busy partying all through said carnival in 1750. Madame de Camas is the trusted lady in waiting of SD who is one of Fritz' favourite people (during the big palace reception after the 7 Years War, he'll embrace her right after the family members). On the more sinister side, Voltaire, not even here a year, is already engaged in shady dealings (trying to swindle the Jewish banker Hirschel):
My dearest brother,
I arrived here at four o'clock, without knowing how I left Berlin. My mind was so busy and so sad on the road that I realized that it was in Potsdam, not in my body; for I had not the least inconvenience, a sign that the vital spirits were far from it. I have found here, my very dear brother, new marks of your kindness. I kissed your dear letter a thousand times. You shower me with so many graces that I no longer know how to show you how deeply touched I am. I'm looking for expressions but can't find any. My heart speaks a language that I cannot express. It is full of you, it owes you everything, and it is entirely yours.
My dearest sister,
What consoles me for your absence is knowing that you are in perfect health and in a good mood, as it seems to me from your letter. (...). Everyone is doing well here; the Queen is holding court today, my brothers are histrioning, I politicize, Voltaire tricks the Jews, Madame de Bentinck pleads, the count her nephew makes nonsense, Madame de Camas has a cold, and the good Montbail repairs the insults to her toilet that the years have made of its outdated attractions. I can only talk to you about such nonsense; my letter smells of carnival.
The financial shadiness is but a prelude. The next year, it's Maupertuis quarrel time. Also, we'll get a reference to the celebrated Castrato singer Salimbeni, who didn't care to be told how to sing by the King of Prussia and moved to Sasony. "Capons" was a nickname for Castrati:
My dearest sister,
I am very sorry that you are given false alarms on my subject. I had some slight ailments this winter; but I am however very happy to have done even better than last year. Voltaire's affair is not yet over. I think he will get away with it; he will have no less spirit, but his character will be more despised than ever. I'll see it when it's all over; but, in the long run, I prefer to live with Maupertuis to living with him. His character is steadfast, and he has more of a conversational tone than the poet, who, if you pay attention, always dogmatizes.
(Read: Dares to claim he's right when he's clearly not, since he's disagreeing with me!)
I am very happy with Carestini, especially the adagio. I am told from Dresden that Salimbeni has even less of a voice than he had here. We'll have to the market for capons, and see if we can find someone who sings well and is instructable. If you are happy with our opera, I will transcribe it and send it to you. I still recommend myself to your precious memory, by assuring you, my very dear sister, that one could not be more than I am, etc.
In 1753, as we know, it's big explosion time. Voltaire leaves Prussia. And looks for a new place to stay. Writes Wilhelmine:
I saw a letter from Voltaire today. He goes to Gotha, where his niece will find him. I doubt he will come here. However, he said he would write from Gotha again. I suppose that perhaps he intends to settle here with his niece, which I will try to elude. The letters he wrote to his friends here (which are written without distrust, and which were only shown to me after strong insistence on my part) are very respectful about you. He gives you the rightful title of a great man. He complains about the preference you have given to Maupertuis, and the prevention that you have against him. He mocks very sharply on the subject of the latter, and I admit, my dear brother, that I could not help laughing when reading the article, because it is written so comically, that we can not remain serious. I will not fail to warn you of all that I will learn from him. My weakness forces me to finish, but never to be with all the respect and tenderness imaginable, my very dear brother, etc.
Does Fritz resent the corresponding with Voltaire, or the interference? (Remember, 1926!Editor imagines him wounded to the core by yet another sisterly betrayal.) He does not. Instead, we get this (since she's also announced she'll come visiting again, remember, the last time had been in 1750, and we're now in 1753. He's at his annual spa visit, which is also what Wilhelmine is doing:
My dearest sister,
I found your dear letter here, on my return from Prussia, and I flatter myself more than ever that your health, my dear sister, will recover. What a joy to see here again a dear friend, a tenderly loving sister, who made me tremble for her health during three years of absence! I await this happy day with real impatience. In the meantime, I will receive here a crowd of foreigners, or rather unwelcome visitors, who are curious to see our camp. I would gladly do without them, but I will have to look good in a bad play; they will be soldiers, and if anything displeases them, I will not have to fear epigrams. You still see me frightened of my adventures with gentlemen of ésprit; but I wiped off some splashes from them on the way, as it happens when we receive blows while trying to separate people who are fighting. I wish you, my dear sister, a happier fate than mine with these gentlemen. I do not believe that you need two to enlighten your mind; they would need your wisdom more. Madame du Deffand never wanted to see Voltaire; they asked her why. \"It is,\" said she, \"that I buy his mind for two florins, and that I enjoy his works without exposing myself to his wickedness.\" I am going to begin the waters of Eger, and I make a thousand wishes so that those which you take will make you all the effect that one can expect from it. You are sure, I hope, that no one is more tenderly interested in it than, my very dear sister, etc.
But just to add on the subject of Voltaire: Speaking of theaters, don't think I told you the hundredth part of Voltaire's villaines; there would be enough to make a sottisier as large as a volume of Bayle. It is a great pity that the great talents of this man are tarnished by the darkest and most perfidious soul, which embittered and spoiled his whole mind!
Poor frightened by gentlemen of ésprit Fritz next has Voltaire arrested in Frankfurt. Voltaire, after getting free, tells all the world about this, including Wilhelmine:
My dearest sister,
Judge the joy I have in seeing your health recover; this is the most enjoyable news I can learn; so therefore, I will have the consolation of seeing you again, my dear sister, in good health.
I saw the letter from Voltaire and from (Madame) Denis; they both lie, and don't blame me justly. Their adventure is very different than they say; but, despite all their wrongs, I gave orders a fortnight ago to let them go. You cannot believe, my dear sister, to what extent these people play comedy; all these convulsions, these diseases, these despair, all that is only a game. I was the dupe in the beginning, but no more in the end. Voltaire dares not return to France; he will go to Switzerland, and wander from country to country. For my part, I don't care about the harm he claims to do me, but I prevented him from doing more, and, for this reason, I made him return my verses and all the letters I gave him. I embrace you a thousand times, my very dear sister, pleading with you never to doubt the tender friendship with which I am, etc.
And just for the record, Sis: Voltaire isn't even that good a writer!
My dearest sister,
I had a double pleasure when I received your dear letter. I see there authentic marks of your recovery and the testimonies of your precious friendship. I make a thousand wishes so that your health recovers perfectly, and that it is the last shock which it has to wipe. I was very surprised to receive Voltaire's book, with a large letter from him; I will have it answered by the abbot, so that I will not commit myself. His book is useful, but dryly written; he took advantage of Father Barre, whom he abridged. If he did not hurry so much in his productions, they would only be better; but I believe that the public will have nothing more than the dregs from his old age. I had fun doing an opera, which I will take the liberty of sending you as soon as it is corrected.
The opera was Montezuma, btw. Back when I first reported to you about Wilhelmine's travel letters, I already told you about her encounter with Voltaire there (coming with telling Fritz Voltaire still loves him, honest, he's sorry!, while Voltaire writes the Margravine paid a visit and is better than her brother, whom she told him is missing him, honest!). At this point, Voltaire and Fritz still only correspond through third parties. This changes in the 7 Years War, not least because Fritz starts with the suicidal letters, and Wilhelmine among other things writes to Voltaire to write a Fritz encouraging letter as fast as he can. (I quoted the letter in question in my post about the Voltaire correspondance. Presumably it's also the one Catt describes Fritz as "devouring with his eyes" when he gets it ("He has not forgotten me!") after one of the usual "Voltaire is scum!" tirades. Writes Fritz in 1757:
I laughed at the exhortations of Patriarch Voltaire; I take the liberty of sending you my answer. As for stoicism, I think I have more than he does, and as for the way of thinking, he thinks like a poet, and I as it suits me in the position where the chance of birth has placed me.
But more Voltaire, please. In conclusion, Wilhelmine: clearly had a good idea about her brother's feelings for Voltaire and need of same.