To Jean Le Rond d’Alembert,
Sir, my main activities over the past two years boil down to copying and appreciating Montesquieu’s principles. I have been applying myself to understanding him, and I erase today what yesterday I thought was good. Far from being an interruption, your letters always bring me the same pleasure. I received the short text in which you replied to my vague question. This is practically the reply I had been anticipating. I find it very fair. It is impossible to speak by letter and at so great a distance as one would do in a conversation.
I learned of Madame Geoffrin’s journey only after her departure from Paris. I have not suggested to her that she come here--nor shall I ever propose it. There are two reasons: one, the severity of the climate; the second is that I know all too well that this first reason would be the impediment.
It is true that Monsieur Euler and his sons were not deterred by such a brutal climate. They arrived just; I hope they will not freeze. Their genius and their zeal for the sciences will warm up my Academy, and their names will remain eternally dear to all of our fellow citizens who love and benefit from measures of such use in the education of the human species.
Is it true that your government does not at all like philosophy? I have heard it said, moreover, that if you wish to seem important in France you must speak very ill of philosophers. Your mild and blissful climate opens up the intelligence. Our severe and dull climate does not allow the understanding to penetrate very far. We allow our learned men to get on quietly with their scientific work, and we do not burn anybody here. Therefore, we are not as fortunate or as clever as you, which is why few people settle here, whereas other countries teem with beautiful minds and affluence pervades even the countryside.
For fear of testing your patience I shall finish by reassuring you of the continued esteem that I have always borne you.
this 31 August 1766
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