Pope Benedict XIV.

had accepted the dedication of Mahomet, which Voltaire had addressed to him in order to cover the freedoms of his piece.

Every now and then, terrified in consequence of some bit of anti-religious rashness, he took flight, going into hiding at one time to the court of Lorraine beneath the wing of King Stanislaus, at another time in Holland, at a palace belonging to the King of Prussia, the Great Frederick.
Madame du Chatelet, as unbelieving as he at bottom, but more reserved in expression, often scolded him for his imprudence.

"He requires every moment to be saved from himself," she would say.

"I employ more policy in managing him than the whole Vatican employs to keep all Christendom in its fetters." On the appearance of danger, Voltaire ate his words without scruple; his irreligious writings were usually launched under cover of the anonymous.