The eulogistic manner in which he spoke of his protege procured the appointment for the latter on that very day; and the gratitude of the Abbe de Vermond towards the prelate was very fatal to France, inasmuch as after seventeen years of persevering attempts to bring him into the ministry, he succeeded at last in getting him named Comptroller-General and President of the Council .-- [Comte de Brienne, later Archbishop of Sens.] This Abbe de Vermond directed almost all the Queen's actions.

He established his influence over her at an age when impressions are most durable; and it was easy to see that he had taken pains only to render himself beloved by his pupil, and had troubled himself very little with the care of instructing her.

He might have even been accused of having, by a sharp-sighted though culpable policy, purposely left her in ignorance.

Marie Antoinette spoke the French language with much grace, but wrote it less perfectly.

The Abbe de Vermond revised all the letters which she sent to Vienna.