attacked by Russia, and perhaps by Austria, the late Rothenburg was
sent [as readers know], on the King's part, to Milord Tyrconnel, to
know of him what, in such case, were the helps he might reckon on
from France. Milord enumerated the various helps; and then added
[being a blusterous Irishman, sent hither for his ill tongue]:
"Helps enough, you observe, Monsieur; but, MORBLEU, if you deceive
us, you will be squelched (VOUS SEREZ ECRASES)!" The King my
'Brother was angry enough at hearing such a speech: but, my dear
Marquis,' and the Prince turned full upon me with a face of
inquiry, 'Can the thing actually come true? And do you think it can
be the interest of your Master [and his Scarlet Woman] to abandon
us to the fury of our enemies? Ah, that cursed Convention
[Neutrality-Convention with England]! I would give a finger from my
hand that it had never been concluded. I never approved of it;
ask the Duc de Nivernois, he knows what we said of it together.
But how return on our steps? Who would now trust us?'" This Prince
appeared "to be much affected by the King his Brother's situation
[of which he understood as good as nothing], and agreed that he,"
the King his Brother, "had well deserved it." [Valori, ii,
129-131.]

This is not the first example, nor the last, of August Wilhelm's
owning a heedless, good-natured tongue; considerably prone to take
the Opposition side, on light grounds. For which if he found a kind
of solacement and fame in some circles, it was surely at a dear
rate! To his Brother, that bad habit would, most likely, be known;
and his Brother, I suppose, did not speak of it at all; such his
Brother's custom in cases of the kind.--Judicious Valori, by way of
answer, dilated on the peculiar esteem of his Majesty Louis XV. for
the Prussian Majesty,--"so as my Instructions direct me to do;" and