The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Vol. 6

At Saint Pierre original: Pierre in Martinique—which was later captured by Admiral Rodney in 1762—the lively writer original: littérateur showed great courage and leadership original: conduct. However, over-exertion injured his health, and he was once again forced to leave his post due to illness. Upon landing in France, he learned that his brother—formerly original: whilome the Vicar-General to Monsieur de Choiseul, the Bishop of Châlons-sur-Marne—had died. His brother left him a beautiful estate called Pierry, near Épernay. Consequently, he resigned from his position and retired with the title of "Commissary-General of the Navy."

Soon after, however, he lost 50,000 écus term: écu; an old French gold or silver coin—the entire sum of his savings—due to the financial speculations of Father original: Père Lavalette. Cazotte had entrusted his estates, enslaved laborers original: negroes, and personal property in Martinique to Lavalette's care. These assets had been sold, and the payments original: cheques had been sent to the owner; however, the Jesuits term: S. J.; the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order refused to honor them. This led to the scandal of a lawsuit, during which Cazotte showed great sensitivity original: delicacy and respect for the feelings of his former teachers original: tutors.

Meanwhile, Cazotte had married Elizabeth Roignon, the daughter of the Chief Justice of Martinique. He returned to Parisian society with some fanfare original: éclat and became a universal favorite due to his cheerful wit and humor, his geniality original: bonhomie, his total frankness, and his sincere friendliness. The popularity original: vogue of his work Olivier encouraged him to follow it with The Devil in Love original: Le Diable Amoureux. This was a continuation, or rather a parody, of Voltaire’s The Civil War of Geneva original: Guerre civile de Genève. This work was so skillfully written that it completely fooled the public, and it was followed by several original: sundry minor pieces that were eagerly read.

Unlike the free-thinkers original: esprits forts of his era, after a spirited original: gay youth, he became a fervent Christian. He made the Gospel the rule of his life and firmly defended his religious beliefs. He also had the moral courage to challenge original: enter the lists with Monsieur de Voltaire, who was then the primary idol of both the upper classes and the common people.

In his later years, Cazotte met Dom Chavis, who was translating certain Oriental tales into a strange mixture original: curious jargon of Arabic, French, and Italian. Although Cazotte was nearing seventy years old original: the Psalmist's age-term of man; a biblical reference to the lifespan of seventy years, he agreed to "collaborate." The Frenchman would take up the pen