Voltaire: A Sketch of His Life and Works

by J. M. Wheeler; G. W. Foote

VOLTAIRE: A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE AND WORKS

WITH SELECTIONS FROM HIS WRITINGS

By

J. M. Wheeler & G. W. Foote.

London

1891

CONTENTS

• [INTRODUCTION]
• [PREFACE]
• [EARLY LIFE]
• [HEGIRA TO ENGLAND]
• [EXAMPLES FROM ENGLAND]
• [AT CIREY]
• [“CANDIDE”]
• [THE ENCYCLOPÆDIA]
• [LAST DAYS]
• [HIS CHARACTER AND SERVICES]
• [TRIBUTES TO VOLTAIRE]
• [SELECTIONS FROM VOLTAIRE’S WORKS]
• [History]
• [Wars]
• [Politics]
• [The Population Question]
• [Nature’s Way]
• [Prayer]
• [Doubt and Speculation]
• [Dr. Pangloss and the Dervish]
• [Motives for Conduct]
• [Self-Love]
• [Go From Your Village]
• [Religious Prejudices]
• [Sacred History]
• [Dupe And Rogue]
• [“Delenda Est Carthago”]
• [Jesus and Mohammed]
• [How Faiths Spread]
• [Superstition]
• [The Bible]
• [Transubstantiation]
• [Dreams and Ghosts]
• [Mortifying the Flesh]
• [Heaven]
• [Magic]
• [DETACHED THOUGHTS]

[INTRODUCTION]

My share in this little book on Voltaire is a very minor one. My old friend and colleague, Mr. J. M. Wheeler, had written the greater part of the following pages before he brought the enterprise to my attention. I went through his copy with him, and assisted him in making some alterations and additions. I also read the printer’s proofs, and suggested some further improvements—if I may call them so without egotism. This is all I have done. The credit for all the rest belongs to him. My name is placed on the title-page for two reasons. The first is, that I may now, as on other occasions, be associated with a dear friend and colleague in this tribute to Voltaire. The second is, that whatever influence I possess may be used in helping this volume to the circulation it deserves.