Frederick the Great discussion post 9

[cahn]

...I leave you guys alone for one weekend and it's time for a new Fritz post, lol!

I'm gonna reply to the previous post comments but I guess new letter-reading, etc. should go in this one :)

Frederick the Great links

Comments

Maupertuis, or: Gossipy Sensationalist of Prussia

[selenak]

Turns out the Trier Archive crossreferencing index ordered by characters is really gold. Not that it proves anything, considering Fritz never met Émilie, and while D‘Argens had met Émilie at least once (in 1747) and knows Voltaire, he hardly was either‘s father confessor, but: here‘s Henri de Catt, noting down the two of them (D‘Argens and Fritz) gossipping about Émilie on November 3rd 1758, i.e. nearly a decade after she died:

„They talked of Madame la Marquise du Chatelet, that she let herself be fucked“ - the French term used is „baiser“, which can mean either „kiss“ or „fuck“; Fritz uses it in this double sense in the Algarotti orgasm poem as well - But only by mathematicians or poets; that she did it with Maupertuis, which was the beginning of the hatred between him and Voltaire, who was jealeous.“

Again, proves nothing but contemporary gossip, though there‘s at least some chance either guy - Fritz or D‘Argens - is basing their conclusion re: the Voltaire/Maupertuis feud on some actual observations re: Voltaire‘s feelings. What it also proves is of course that conducting a three front war and being hammered down with a series of deaths (AW, Wilhelmine, Fredersdorf) that year doesn‘t stop Fritz gossiping about his dead rival (for Voltaire)‘s sex life.

Re: Maupertuis, or: Gossipy Sensationalist of Prussia

[mildred_of_midgard]

Well spotted!

Not that it proves anything, considering Fritz never met Émilie, and while D‘Argens had met Émilie at least once (in 1747) and knows Voltaire, he hardly was either‘s father confessor

Reminder for cahn: both knew Maupertuis, of course, since Maupertuis was at Berlin/Potsdam and president of the Academy of Sciences for several years.

Now, he might have been too discreet to confirm or deny, and there's a good chance that if you're an unconventional woman in the 18th century, you've been accused of having sex that you haven't had, and not in a sex-positive way, but it's also possible that our misogynist romantic rival antihero had some insider info.

being hammered down with a series of deaths (AW, Wilhelmine, Fredersdorf) that year

That year? It's only been 3 weeks since Wilhelmine died and he lost Hochkirch!

I guess he needs a distraction.

Re: Maupertuis, or: Gossipy Sensationalist of Prussia

[selenak]

D'Argens: how to distract my royal patron from the death of his favourite sister and his self-caused defeat in battle? I'm still French, so I can't exaxtly say "hope you'll kick our asses in the next battle, Sire". Oh, I know! Gossip about the competition always does the trick with Fritz. Even if it's the dead competion.

Maupertuis: given he had every reason to be incensed at Voltaire and to be grateful to Fritz for the support, I think it's entirely possible he might at least have heavily hinted, along the lines of "also, Sire, you know the REAL reason why that bastard has it in for me? Other than competing for your gracious self, of course. I was, cough, well, at times rather close to the late Marquise..."

Re: Maupertuis, or: Gossipy Sensationalist of Prussia

[cahn]

AHAHAHAHA that would be hilarious if Maupertuis said that, and if everyone sort of knew the lay of the land between Voltaire and Fritz (which they must all have known, right?) I could see that he might think it... good for his cause to remind Fritz about Emilie, lol.

Re: Maupertuis, or: Gossipy Sensationalist of Prussia

[mildred_of_midgard]

Maupertuis: given he had every reason to be incensed at Voltaire and to be grateful to Fritz for the support, I think it's entirely possible he might at least have heavily hinted

*nod* I could see that.

Re: Maupertuis, or: Gossipy Sensationalist of Prussia

[cahn]

Heh, while I feel like my French has been holding up rather well in this journey considering that I haven't had any formal instruction since high school, I must say that high school French did nooooot inform me about the second meaning of "baiser," lol. (I only knew the "kiss" meaning, so I am indebted to you for the second meaning :P I may have to go reread some things now...)

Regardless of whether a sexual relationship between Emilie and Maupertuis was truth (I suppose it seems more likely than not, honestly), I find it totally hilarious that Fritz is gossiping about it. I especially get a kick out of the "only by mathematicians and poets," hee!