After his expulsion from a seminary, Casanova wandered around Europe meeting luminaries and seeking adventure (and women), as chronicled in his memoirs.

In 1759 he stopped in the course of a two-year jaunt around Europe to visit the philosopher Voltaire at his home in Ferney, Switzerland. Voltaire, having studied some of the works of Swiss physiologist Albrecht von Haller, told Casanova of his admiration for them.

"That praise is generous," Casanova declared, "for he has been saying that your work is garbage." "Perhaps," Voltaire drily replied, "we are both mistaken."