"My going to M.Fritz broke [was about breaking, but did not quite] into a plan which I had formed of visiting M.de Voltaire, at the same hour, along with some other strangers, who were then going to Ferney.
But, to say the truth, besides the visit to M.Fritz being more MY BUSINESS, I did not much like going with these people, who had only a Geneva Bookseller to introduce them; and I had heard that some English had lately met with a rebuff from M.de Voltaire, by going without any letter of recommendation, or anything to recommend themselves.

He asked them What they wanted?
Upon their replying That they wished only to see so extraordinary a man, he said: 'Well, gentlemen, you now see me: did you take me for a wild beast or monster, that was fit only to be stared at as a show ?' This story very much frightened me; for, not having, when I left London, or even Paris, any intention of going to Geneva, I was quite unprovided with a recommendation.

However, I was determined to see the place of his residence, which I took to be [still LES DELICES], CETTE MAISON D'ARISTIPPE, CES JARDINS D'PICURE, to which he retired in 1755; but was mistaken [not The DELICES now at all, but Ferney, for nine or ten years back].
"I drove to Ferney alone, after I had left M.Fritz.This House is three or four miles from Geneva, but near the Lake.

I approached it with reverence, and a curiosity of the most minute kind.

I inquired WHEN I first trod on his domain; I had an intelligent and talkative postilion, who answered all my questions very satisfactorily.