The Prince then said,"-- listen to what the Prince of Prussia said to Valori, one of the last days of July, 1756,-- "'There is an Anecdote which continually recurs to me, in the passes we are got to at present.

Putting the case we might be attacked by Russia, and perhaps by Austria, the late Rothenburg was sent [as readers know], on the King's part, to Milord Tyrconnel, to know of him what, in such case, were the helps he might reckon on from France.

Milord enumerated the various helps; and then added [being a blusterous Irishman, sent hither for his ill tongue]: "Helps enough, you observe, Monsieur; but, MORBLEU, if you deceive us, you will be squelched (VOUS SEREZ ECRASES)!" The King my 'Brother was angry enough at hearing such a speech: but, my dear Marquis,' and the Prince turned full upon me with a face of inquiry, 'Can the thing actually come true?
And do you think it can be the interest of your Master [and his Scarlet Woman] to abandon us to the fury of our enemies?
Ah, that cursed Convention [Neutrality-Convention with England]! I would give a finger from my hand that it had never been concluded.

I never approved of it; ask the Duc de Nivernois, he knows what we said of it together.

But how return on our steps?
Who would now trust us ?'" This Prince appeared "to be much affected by the King his Brother's situation [of which he understood as good as nothing], and agreed that he," the King his Brother, "had well deserved it." [Valori, ii, 129-131.] This is not the first example, nor the last, of August Wilhelm's owning a heedless, good-natured tongue; considerably prone to take the Opposition side, on light grounds.