Rodondo.
He professed to be independent of party, and one of the results of this independence was, that the satirical poets of the day, Whig and Tory, united in pitilessly assailing him. He died in 1817.—E.
[140] See the debate in Cavendish, vol. i. p. 46–49.—E.
[141] It has been supposed that the great object of the Duc de Choiseul in encouraging Turkey to engage in war with Russia, was to procure the possession of Egypt for France as a reward for her interference. The Count de Vergennes had from the first predicted the issue of this unequal conflict. He in vain laid before the Duc the military incapacity of the Sultan Mustapha, the apathy of the Ministers, and the inefficiency of the Turkish levies. “I can arm the Turks against Russia,” he said, “whenever you desire, but I forewarn you that they will be beaten.”—Lacretelle, Histoire de France, vol. iv. p. 212.—E.
[142] It is deemed an etiquette in France (which must make other nations smile) that the most Christian King’s mistress must be a married woman.
[143] He also said maliciously enough, “I would not put in threats of a war in order to make the funds fall, nor would I fight a duel on every the slightest affront; but I do not care to receive one affront after another, lest I should be obliged to fight at last. In private life a man who seems doubtful about fighting is more likely to fight than any other.” The most interesting part of the debate is the discussion between Mr. Stanley and Mr. Grenville on the expediency of producing papers on a negotiation still pending. (Cavendish, p. 59, &c.)—E.
[144] The same attachment to liberty made him, in after years, the warm friend and supporter of Mr. Fox. He was indolent and reserved, or he might have played a great part in politics, for he possessed no common talents. He died in 1811.—E.
[145] This will be explained more fully hereafter.
[146] John West, second Earl of Delawar, died in 1777, aged forty-eight.—E.
[147] James, third Earl Waldegrave. He had married a sister of the Duchess of Bedford.