intricacies, conflicts between the new and the old. Hitherto the
axiom always was, "Prussia the Adjunct and Satellite of France:"
now to be entirely reversed, you say?

JULY, 1755, that is two months before this Babiole Committee met, a
Duc de Nivernois, respectable intelligent dilettante French
Nobleman, had been named as Ambassador to Friedrich, "Go, you
respectable wise Nivernois, Nobleman of Letters so called; try and
retain Friedrich for us, as usual!" And now, on meeting of the
Babiole Committee, Nivernois does not go; lingers, saddled and
bridled, till the very end of the Year; arrives in Berlin January
12th, 1756. Has his First Audience January 14th; a man highly
amiable to Friedrich; but with proposals,--wonderful indeed.

The French, this good while back, are in no doubt about War with
England, a right hearty War; and have always expected to retain
Prussia as formerly,--though rather on singular terms. Some time
ago, for instance, M. de Rouille, War-Minister, requested
Knyphausen, Prussian Envoy at Paris: "Suggest to your King's
Majesty what plunder there is at Hanover. Perfectly at liberty to
keep it all, if he will plunder Hanover for us!" [ OEuvres
de Frederic, iv. 29.] Pleasant message to the proud
King; who answered with the due brevity, to the purport, "Silence,
Sir!"--with didactic effects on the surprised Rouille. Who now
mends his proposal; though again in a remarkable way.
Instructs Nivernois, namely, "To offer King Friedrich the Island of
Tobago, if he will renew Treaty, and take arms for us. Island of
Tobago (a deserted, litigated, but pretty Island, were it ever
ours), will not that entice this King, intent on Commerce?"
Friedrich, who likes Nivernois and his polite ways, answers