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CHAPTER XV.
FIRST VISITS TO FREDERICK.
By far the most notable feature of this, the Cirey epoch, was his intercourse with Frederick the Great. The association of these two, the most conspicuous men of their age, had its origin in the exalted admiration with which Voltaire's writings had inspired the prince. In August 1736, Frederick, then in his twenty-fifth year, and not yet king, was living at the chateau of Reinsberg, cultivating music, poetry, science, and literature, when, having as yet no cares of government on his mind, and believing the illustrious men of the age to be, of all men, those whom it were best to know and converse with, he wrote to Voltaire such a letter as a young enthusiast would write to one whose gifts he considered to be pre-eminent—prefacing with many splendid compliments the request for "all your writings," it being notorious that many more existed than had as yet seen the light. A fitting reply from the gratified poet helped to begin a correspondence which proceeded with sustained pleasantness for four years. In 1740, Frederick, now newly made king, being on a tour along the Rhine frontier, proposed to visit Voltaire, who was at Brussels;
