if it was Mr. Pitt.  It is an exceedingly large wolf, and, the connoisseurs say, has twelve teeth more than any wolf ever had since the days of Romulus’s wet nurse.  The critics deny it to be the true beast; and I find most people think the beast’s name is legion,—­for there are many.  He was covered with a sheet, which two chasseurs lifted up for the foreign ministers and strangers.  I dined at the Duke of Praslin’s with five-and-twenty tomes of the corps diplomatique; and after dinner was presented, by Monsieur de Guerchy, to the Duc de Choiseul.  The Duc de Praslin is as like his own letters in D’Eon’s book as he can stare; that is, I believe a very silly fellow.  His wisdom is of the grave kind.  His cousin, the first minister, is a little volatile being, whose countenance and manner had nothing to frighten me for my country.  I saw him but for three seconds, which is as much as he allows to any one body or thing.  Monsieur de Guerchy, whose goodness to me is inexpressible, took the trouble of walking every where with me, and carried me particularly to see the new office for state papers.  I wish I could send it you.  It is a large building, disposed like an hospital, with the most admirable order and method.  Lodgings for every officer; his name and business written over his door.  In the body is a perspective of seven or eight large chambers:  each is painted with emblems, and wainscoted with presses with wired doors and crimson curtains.  Over each press, in golden letters, the country to which the pieces relate, as Angleterre, Allemagne, etc.  Each room has a large funnel of bronze with or moulu, like a column to air the papers and preserve them.  In short, it is as magnificent as useful.

Prom thence I went to see the reservoir of pictures at M. de Marigny’s.  They are what are not disposed of in the palaces, though sometimes changed with others.  This refuse, which fills many rooms from top to bottom, is composed of the most glorious works of Raphael, L. da Vinci, Giorgione, Titian, Guido, Correggio, etc.  Many pictures, which I knew by their prints, without an idea where they existed, I found there.

The Duc de Nivernois is extremely obliging to me.  I have supped at Madame de Bentheim’s, who has a very fine house and a woful husband.  She is much livelier than any Frenchwoman.  The liveliest I have seen is the Duc de Duras:(891) he is shorter and plumper Lord Halifax, but very like him in the face.  I am to sup with the Dussons(892) on Sunday.  In short, all that have been in England are exceedingly disposed to repay any civilities they received there.  Monsieur de Caraman wrote from the country to excuse his not coming to see me, as his Wife is On the point of being brought to bed, but begged I would come to them.  So I would, if I was a man-midwife:  but though they are easy On Such heads, I am not used to it, and cannot make a party of pleasure of a labour.