Happiness is not what he gives to those who read him, to those who live with him; he is not himself happy, and would be sorry that others were [to Niece Denis this].
...

"A very sweet life here, Madame [Madame d'Argental, an outside party]: it would have been more so, if Maupertuis had liked.

The wish to please, is no part of his geometrical studies; the problem of being agreeable to live with, is not one he has solved." [--OEuvres de Voltaire,--lxxiv.

330, 504 (4th May, 1751, and 14th March, 1752), to the D'Argentals; to Niece Denis (6th November, 1750, and 24th August, 1751), lxxiv.

250, 385.]--Add this Anecdote, which is probably D'Arget's, and worth credit:-- "Voltaire had dinner-party, Maupertuis one of them; party still in the drawing-room, dinner just coming up.