Europe was slumbering in a disgraceful peace.

War, that exercise of princes, could not thus form him by contact with men and the custom of command.
Fields of battle, which are the theatre of great actors of his stamp, had not brought him under the observation of his people.

No _prestige_, except the circumstance of birth, clung to him.

His sole popularity was derived from the disgust inspired by his grandfather.

He occasionally had the esteem of his people, but never their favour.