ichelieu; of Louis XIV., whose apology
he skilfully made. Blamed, however, the Revocation of the Edict of
Nantes. Great attachment of the 'Protestant Refugees' to France and its
King. 'Would you believe it?' said he: 'Under Louis XIV. they and their
families used to assemble on the day of St. Louis, to celebrate the
FETE of the King who persecuted them!' Expressed pity for Louis XV., and
praised his good-nature.

"Friedrich, in his conversation, showed a modesty which seemed a little
affected. 'S'IL M'EST PERMIS D'AVOIR UNE OPINION,' a common expression
of his;--said 'opinion' on most things, on Medicine among others,
being always excellent. Thinks French Literature surpasses that of the
Ancients. Small opinion of English Literature: turned Shakspeare into
ridicule; and made also bitter fun of German Letters,--their Language
barbarous, their Authors without genius....

"I asked, and received permission from the King, to bring my Son to be
admitted in his ACADEMIE DES GENTILSHOMMES; an exceptional favor. On
parting, the King said to me: 'I hope you will return to me Marechal de
France; it is what I should like; and your Nation could n't do better,
nobody being in a state to render it greater services.'"

Bouille will reappear for an instant next year. Meanwhile he returns to
France, "first days of October, 1784," where he finds Prince Henri; who
is on Visit there for three months past. ["2d July, 1784," Prince Henri
had gone (Rodenbeck, iii. 309).] A shining event in Prince Henri's Life;
and a profitable; poor King Louis--what was very welcome in Henri's
state of finance--having, in a delicate kingly way, insinuated into
him a "Gift of 400,000 francs" (16,000 pounds): [Anonymous (De la
Roche-Aymon), _Vie privee, politique et militaire du Prince Henri, Frere
de Frederic II._ (a poor, vague and uninstructive, though authentic
little Book: Paris, 1809), pp. 219-239.]--partly by way of retaining-fee
for France; "may turn to excellent account," think some, "when a certain
Nephew comes to reign yonder, as he soon must."

What Bouille heard about the Silesian Reviews is perfectly true; and
only a part of the truth. Here, to the person chiefly responsible, is
an indignant Letter of the King's: to a notable degree, full of settled
wrath against one who is otherwise a dear old Friend:--

FRIEDRICH TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TAUENTZIEN INFANTRY INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF
SILESIA.

"POTSDAM, 7th September, 1784.

"MY DEAR GENERAL VON