FOOTNOTES:
[24] The indigénat, though differing from naturalisation, conferred on those who obtained it all the privileges belonging to those indigenous to the soil.
[25] An estate belonging to the Princesse Charles.
[26] The Duchess had given birth to the Comte Armand-Jules de Polignac on 14th May 1780.
[27] The Abbé Delille, born at Aigueperse on 22d June 1728, died in Paris on 1st May 1813. He was a member of the French Academy, and as a poet enjoyed European celebrity. Though spelt differently the name was pronounced in the same way.
[28] Grenadiers in French signifying both the soldier and the pomegranate tree.
[29] It is said that Catherine’s friendship for the Prince de Ligne became a warmer sentiment, and we are disposed to believe it when we read the sour letters that Grimm wrote to the Empress about the Prince, of whom he was jealous. It will be seen later on that he excited Potemkin’s jealousy as well. Be this as it may, the Prince was very discreet on the subject, as also on that of the political conversations he had with the Empress, for he relates nothing about them, not even in reference to Poland. We can hardly believe, however, that he did not touch upon the subject; the Princesse Charles was Polish, and Catherine might well suppose that her father-in-law and husband took some interest in that unhappy country.
[30] The Polish deputies were called nuncios.
[31] The sgoda was the cry which announced the unanimity of the vote.