"Below, in the court, dwells the merchant Fromery. His servant is my very good friend. I have learned from him that his master has just purchased a beautiful black coat. I think he has about the figure of your excellency."
"Ah, I understand," said Voltaire, whose countenance became clearer,
"You will borrow for me, from your friend, the coat of his master?"
"Yes, if your excellency is not offended at my proposal?"
"On the contrary, I find the idea capital. Go, Tripot, and borrow the coat of Fromery."
Voltaire returned once more to his distinguished guests, and enraptured them again by his witty slanders and brilliant conversation. As the last visitor departed, he rang for his servant.
"Well, Tripot, have you the coat?"
"I have, your excellency."
Voltaire rubbed his hands with delight. "It seems this is a happy day for me—I make the most advantageous business arrangements."
"But it will be necessary for your grace to try on this coat. I fear it is too large; since I saw Fromery, he has grown fat."
"The ass!" cried Voltaire. "How does he dare to fatten, when all the people of intellect and celebrity, like myself, grow thinner every day?" So saying, he put on the coat of the merchant Fromery. "Yes, truly, it is far too large for me. Oh, oh! to think that the coat of a pitiful Dutch tradesman is too large for the great French poet! Well, that is because these Dutch barbarians think of nothing but gormandizing. They puff up their gross bodies with common food, and they daily become fatter; but the spirit suffers. Miserable slaves of their appetites, they are of no use themselves, and their coats are also useless!"