nto the King's hands as regarded the Hanoverian
policy, and was for taking strong measures against Russia. Townshend
and Walpole would hear of no schemes which threatened to entangle
England in war for the sake of Hanoverian interests. George liked
Carteret, and was captivated by his policy as well as by his personal
qualities, but he could not help seeing that Townshend's advice was the
sounder, and that no man could manage the finances like Walpole.
George went to Hanover in the summer of 1723, and both the Secretaries
of State went with him. This was {237} something unusual, and even
unprecedented; but the King would not do without the companionship of
Carteret, and knew that he could not do without the advice of
Townshend. So both Townshend and Carteret went with his Majesty to
Herrenhausen, and Walpole had the whole business of administration in
his own hands at home.

A very paltry and pitiful intrigue at length settled the question
between Townshend and Carteret. A marriage had been arranged between a
niece, or so-called niece, of one of George's mistresses and the son of
La Vrilliere, the French Secretary of State. Madame La Vrilliere
insisted, as a condition of the marriage, that her husband should be
made a duke, and it was assumed that this could be brought about by the
influence of the English Government. King George was anxious that the
marriage should take place, and Carteret, of course, was willing to
assist him. The English ambassador at the Court of France was a man
named Sir Luke Schaub, by birth a Swiss, who had been Stanhope's
secretary, and by Stanhope's influence was pushed up in the diplomatic
service. Sir Luke Schaub was in close understanding with Carteret, and
was strongly hostile to Townshend and Walpole. Of this fact Townshend
was well aware, and he took care that Schaub should be closely watched
in Paris. Schaub was instructed by Carteret to do all he could in
order to obtain the dukedom for Madame La Vrilliere's husband.
Cardinal Dubois died, and his place in the councils of the Duke of
Orleans was taken by Count Noce, who was believed to be hostile to
England. This fact gave Townshend an excuse for suggesting to the King
that some one should be sent to Paris to watch over the action of the
French Government and the conduct of the English ambassador, "in such a
manner," so Townshend wrote from Hanover to Walpole, "as may neither
hurt Sir Luke Schaub's credit with the Duke of Orl