(Wow, he really is kind of like Voltaire. Would they like each other or would this be an epic insult battle for the ages? ...what am I even saying? I know what Fritz/Voltaire was like, of course it'd be the latter! with two sets of fake memoirs)
Well, apparently it was like Fritz/Voltaire in some ways, not in others:
En route back from Italy, Hervey renews his friendship with Voltaire (whom he'd met earlier when Voltaire had been in England); this includes showing Voltaire his poetry and asking his opinion of it. (I sense a theme.)
Hervey's friendship for Voltaire the man did not prevent him from criticizing Voltaire the writer. When he read the tragedy Zaire (early in 1733) and sent a copy to Henry Fox , he was certain that like himself Fox would "have some Compassion for a silly Christian [heroine) as well as the greatest regard, Esteem , & Affection for a noble, good, tender & charming Mahometan' who through a tragic misunderstanding kills her. He was irritated , though, by Voltaire's dedication of the play to Edward Falkener, English merchant. In France it was regarded as scandalous because it was addressed not only to a commoner but to a foreign one at that . Hervey told Henry Fox that he thought it "bad, false, & impertinent ... by a superficial Frenchman to an Englishman , & the Dedicator pretends to be better acquainted with our Country, our Manners, our Laws, & even our Language than the Dedicatee'.
What could have aroused such a violent opinion ? In the dedicatory epistle , after praising the high rank and regard the mercantile class enjoyed in England, Voltaire continues : 'I know very well that this profession is despised by our petits-maîtres ; but you also know that our petits -maîtres and yours are the most ridiculous species that proudly crawl on the face of the earth '. This , rather than the general remarks about French and English theatre, could have been offensive to one who was certainly closer to being a petit-maître than a man of commerce.
Fritz: You've got it backwards, Hervey. Voltaire is the literal worst, the scum of humanity, but his writing! *sparkly hearts*
I also really enjoyed "love rat," that was awesome. Had never heard it, but Google tells me it's a thing.
Oh RIGHT, I can't believe I forgot that, it wasn't like it was that long ago *facepalm* Um, it's been kind of a long week? :) Because I remember it now, that was hilarious :D LOLOLOLOL Voltaire (again), always going after... everybody :D
Although I have to say that now having read more of selenak's synopses on Hervey, it's even funnier that Hervey wants to know Voltaire's opinion on his poetry :D
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Re: Hervey's Memoirs: Meet the (Royal) Family
Well, apparently it was like Fritz/Voltaire in some ways, not in others:
En route back from Italy, Hervey renews his friendship with Voltaire (whom he'd met earlier when Voltaire had been in England); this includes showing Voltaire his poetry and asking his opinion of it. (I sense a theme.)
Hervey's friendship for Voltaire the man did not prevent him from criticizing Voltaire the writer. When he read the tragedy Zaire (early in 1733) and sent a copy to Henry Fox , he was certain that like himself Fox would "have some Compassion for a silly Christian [heroine) as well as the greatest regard, Esteem , & Affection for a noble, good, tender & charming Mahometan' who through a tragic misunderstanding kills her. He was irritated , though, by Voltaire's dedication of the play to Edward Falkener, English merchant. In France it was regarded as scandalous because it was addressed not only to a commoner but to a foreign one at that . Hervey told Henry Fox that he thought it "bad, false, & impertinent ... by a superficial Frenchman to an Englishman , & the Dedicator pretends to be better acquainted with our Country, our Manners, our Laws, & even our Language than the Dedicatee'.
What could have aroused such a violent opinion ? In the dedicatory epistle , after praising the high rank and regard the mercantile class enjoyed in England, Voltaire continues : 'I know very well that this profession is despised by our petits-maîtres ; but you also know that our petits -maîtres and yours are the most ridiculous species that proudly crawl on the face of the earth '. This , rather than the general remarks about French and English theatre, could have been offensive to one who was certainly closer to being a petit-maître than a man of commerce.
Fritz: You've got it backwards, Hervey. Voltaire is the literal worst, the scum of humanity, but his writing! *sparkly hearts*
I also really enjoyed "love rat," that was awesome. Had never heard it, but Google tells me it's a thing.
Re: Hervey's Memoirs: Meet the (Royal) Family
Although I have to say that now having read more of