2. His Moft Christian Majefty will graciously send them all kinds of arms to destroy the Spaniards, and for every pound of powder he will only ftipulate for an ounce of gold duft.

3. His Moft Chriftian Majefty will fend a fleet to convoy the canoes of the United States to all ports of the known world; but not under the command of D'Eftaign, even if he fhould come home alive: this command being referved for Monfieur Bougainville, who will not foon be forgot by the ladies in those feas. 4. His Most Christian Majefty "" will em→ ploy his good offices, and interference", in favour of the people of Paraguay, the Chilefe, and Peruvians, "with the King, or Emperor of

66

Morocco, the Regencies of Algiers, Tunis, "and Tripoly," and all other the princes, kings, and emperors of Africa; and moreover with the emperor of Japan, and all the pyratical, fmuggling princes in that quarter of the globe.

5. His Moft Chriftian Majefty is fo fond of liberty, that he will require no return for thefe favours, except that his fubjects may have full liberty to fish in South America, because they love to fish in troubled waters.

HER

HER MAJESTY'S ANSWER

M Y

LETTERS,

INCLOSING MAUREPA's AND NECKAR's,

S- ·)

I

Have ftudied very attentively the letter you fent me.---That Maurepas and, Neckar fhould hold fuch language does not in the leaft furprize me, but that you should feem affected by their apprehenfions, is a point I cannot account for.-The King, you say, appears to be out of fpirits with the war.-I grant it; and am rather pleased that he is fo; for it will incline him ftill lefs to interfere in the management of it. Had the commencement of it been marked with any very encouraging circumftances, it is probable, he might have become more alert and inquifitive in the bufinefs, that would have fuited either my ambition or your intereft. No, Sartine! let us once establish our party by whatever

means

means in the management of this war, and doubt not but we fhall foon have victories and triumphs to compenfate for a little present difgrace-Afk Vergennes whether he does not think as I do on this fubject.-Or should we even be forced to abandon our system, we may at all times negotiate with equal advantage: may, the Duke de Nivernois alerts (and, I think, he is justified in it) that the more unfuccefsful the war is on our part, the more fecure we fhall be of an advantageous peace. The English, from a foolish affectation of magnanimity, acquire humility from triumphs; fo that the more victories they gain, the fewer conceffions they require. They will never beat us out of our ability to conquer them in treaties.

471

So far for your ftatefmen's timid and defponding arguments. But to the letter, which you inclofe me from the officious Bishop of Ifcarcely think a reply can be neceffary. He begins with expreffions of the higheft admiration at the spirit and genius which he affects to difcover in me, and which he pronounces to be fo extraordinary from my youth and fex.---He inftances in a very flattering ftyle, the glorious effects of female enterprize and ability, from Affyrian Semiramis to Ruffian Catherine; and then deliberately enters upon a formal panegyric on the fuperior

fuperior virtue and beauty of retired dignity and domeftic felicity: a fituation, which, with more zeal than argument, he afferts, will yield the trueft fame to a wedded Princefs and with a provoking confidence, rests his proofs on the fingle inftance of Charlotte of England.

Tell the good bishop I have no objection to his ftyle, nor to his introduction: but I had rather have him for my historian than my counsellor. Affure him, however, that I very thankfully accept all his compliments; and reject nothing but his doctrine.

Were I inclined to debate the point with him, as a matter of argument only, inexperienced as I am, I fhould not doubt but that the better reasons would appear on my fide. It is fcarcely poffible for a woman, whom Fate has destined to partake a throne, to be capable, much less defirous, of deriving her happiness from the tranquil duties and frivolous enjoyments, which fuit the sphere and conftitute the habits of thofe in a lefs exalted state. From her infancy, her defires and expectations are moulded on a different biafs---her cradle is watched with more jealoufy than affection, and her maturer age is looked forward to, not with the fond anticicipation of parental love, but with the inte K

refted

mpatience of political fpeculation.--The cultivation of her mind, is on principles which oppofe the growth of every tender plant which the hand of Nature has placed there--the feedlings of gentle affection and fympathetic fondness, are torn out as weeds. She muft accuftom herself to be without choice in the most important interests of life

the must not think of love--nor can imagine the being loved---She has no inducements to form attachments of friendship, in a country, she will be compelled to leave; nor can her filial affection be great, when she confiders that hes happiness is but a fecondary object to her parents. At length, the State requires its facrifice of her, and he is wedded without choice--From that moment, obferve the curious juftice that is exacted from her: "You are now to attach your mind to domeftic delights--You are now to cultivate affection and focial love---Avoid all interference in "matters of ftate-private virtues and accomplishments are a Queen's best orna"ments; nothing beyond is amiable; no

thing engaging." In this manner, I remember, did my great aunt ———— harrangue me, on my leaving Vienna; and the good bishop appears to be a teacher of the fame perfuafion. But, is there fenfe or reafon, in fuppofing that the conftitution of the -mind can at once be fo entirely changed?

Can