La Mettrie, the author of L’Homme Machine, a most rigorous materialist and atheist, enjoyed Frederick’s favour on account of his writings. After his death the King himself delivered a funeral oration over him in the Academy. Voltaire was jealous of him, as he was of everyone who stood in his way, but La Mettrie was a physician, and Voltaire could be amiable to anyone of whom he stood in need.
The doctor came, not out of philanthropy, but from curiosity and a certain malicious satisfaction at seeing the favourite in disgrace.
“My dear friend,” said the old man, “I am sick in body and soul.”
“You haven’t got a soul.”
“But the trouble is in the heart.”
“Cor, cordis, the heart; then you have eaten too much. Take a purge, Monsieur; then you will be lighter than lightmindedness itself.”
“Prescribe me some proper medicine, man; I am dying.”
“Then go to a watering-place.”
“Like a minister who is in disgrace; no, thank you.”
“Go home to your own country; you are suffering from homesickness.”