Mirabeau had made that profound remark, which prophesied the weaknesses and defects of a coalition guided by that prince: "This man is of a rare stamp, but he is too much of a sage to be feared by sages." This phrase explains the offer of the crown of France made to the Duke of Brunswick by Custine, in the name of the monarchical portion of the Assembly.

Freemasonry, that underground religion, into which nearly all the reigning princes of Germany had entered, concealed beneath its mysteries secret understandings between French philosophy and the sovereigns on the banks of the Rhine.

Brothers in a religious conspiracy, they could not be very bitter enemies in politics.

The Duke of Brunswick was in the depth of his heart more the citizen than the prince--more the Frenchman than the German.

The offer of a throne at Paris had pleased his fancy.