Author: bleuebelle

How a Splendid Auto-Da-Fe was Held to Prevent Earthquakes, and How Candide was Flogged

After the earthquake, which had destroyed three-quarters of the city of Lisbon, the wise men of that country could think of no means more effectual to preserve the kingdom from utter ruin than to entertain the people with an auto-da-fe, it having been decided by the University of Coimbra, that the sight of several persons being burned alive in great ceremony is an infallible secret for preventing earthquakes. Continue reading “Candide: an extract”

‘If there were only one religion in England there would be danger of despotism, if there were two, they would cut each other’s throats, but there are thirty, and they live in peace and happiness. ‘

Voltaire, Letters Concerning the English Nation (Lettres Philosophiques); 1734.