Duchess answer for the same sincerity towards the Queen, with respect to her innumerable guests?  No!  Are not the sentiments of the Duchesses sister-in-law, the Comtesse Diane, in direct opposition to the absolute monarchy?  Has she not always been an enthusiastic advocate for all those that have supported the American war?  Who was it that crowned, at a public assembly, the democratical straight hairs of Dr. Franklin?  Why the same Madame Comtesse Diane!  Who was ‘capa turpa’ in applauding the men who were framing the American Constitution at Paris?  Madame Comtesse Diane!  Who was it, in like manner, that opposed all the Queen’s arguments against the political conduct of France and Spain, relative to the war with England, in favour of the American Independence?  The Comtesse Diane!  Not for the love of that rising nation, or for the sacred cause of liberty; but from a taste for notoriety, a spirit of envy and jealousy, an apprehension lest the personal charms of the Queen might rob her of a part of those affections, which she herself exclusively hoped to alienate from that abortion, the Comtesse d’Artois, in whose service she is Maid of Honour, and handmaid to the Count.  My dear Princess, these are facts proved.  Beaumarchais has delineated them all.  Why, then, refuse to see me?  Why withdraw her former confidence from the Comte d’Artois, when she lives in the society which promulgates antimonarchical principles?  These are sad evidences of Her Majesty’s inconsistency.  She might as well see the Duc d’Orleans’

“Here my feelings overwhelmed me.  I could contain myself no longer.  The tears gushed from my eyes.

“‘Oh, Prince!’ exclaimed I, in a bitter agony of grief—­’Oh, Prince! touch not that fatal string.  For how many years has he not caused these briny tears of mine to flow from my burning eyes!  The scalding drops have nearly parched up the spring of life!’”

ETEXT EDITOR’S BOOKMARKS: 

Beaumarchais sent arms to the Americans
Educate his children as quietists in matters of religion
It is an ill wind that blows no one any good
Judge of men by the company they keep
Les culottes—­what do you call them?’ ‘Small clothes’
My little English protegee
No phrase becomes a proverb until after a century’s experience
We say “inexpressibles”
Wish art to eclipse nature