In 1750, he offered himself at one and the same time for the Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Inscriptions; he failed in both candidatures.

This mishap filled the cup of his ill-humor.

For a long time past Frederick II.

had been offering the poet favors which he had long refused.

The disgust he experienced at Paris through his insatiable vanity made him determine upon seeking another arena; after having accepted a pension and a place from the King of Prussia, Voltaire set out for Berlin.
But lately allied to France, to which he was ere long to deal such heavy blows, Frederick II.