He and his friends were day by day weakening the foundations of the edifice; for eighty years past the greatest minds and the noblest souls have been toiling to restore it on new and strong bases; the work is not finished, revolution is still agitating the depths of French society, which has not yet recovered the only proper foundation-stones for greatness and order amongst a free people.
Henceforth Voltaire reigned peacefully over his little empire at Ferney, courted from afar by all the sovereigns of Europe who made any profession of philosophy.

"I have a sequence of four kings" (_brelan de roi quatrieme_), he would say with a laugh when he counted his letters from royal personages.

The Empress of Russia, Catherine II., had dethroned, in his mind, the Great Frederick.

Voltaire had not lived in her dominions and at her court; he had no grievance against her; his vanity was flattered by the eagerness and the magnificent attentions of the Semiramis of the North, as he called her.

He even forgave her the most odious features of resemblance to the Assyrian princess.