with the same she-philosopher I have lived with these twelwe years past. Was I not so constant in my bargains for life, I would certainly come to see you in your kiosk, in your quiet and your glory.
You will hear of the new victory of my good friend the king of Prussia, who wrote so well against Machiavel, and acted immediately like the heroes of Machiavel. He fiddles and fights as well as any man in christendom. He routs the austrian forces, and loves but very little your king, his dear neighbour of Hanover. I have seen him twice, since he is free from his father’s tyranny. He would retain me at his court, and live with me in one of his country houses, just with the same freedom and the same goodness of manners you did at Wandsworth. But he could not prevail against the marquise du Châtelet. My only reason for being in France, is that I am her friend.
You must know my Prussian king, when he was but a man, loved passionately your english government. But the king has altered the man, and now he relishes despotic power, as much as a Mustapha, a Selim or a Soliman.
News came yesterday at our court that the king of Sardinia would not at all hearken to the Borbonian propositions. This shrub will not suffer the french tree to extend its branches over all Italy. I should be afraid of an universal war but I hope much from the white hoary pâte of our good cardinal, who desires peace and quiet and will give it to christendom, if he can.
I have seen hère our Ottoman minister, Say d Bacha. I have drunk wine with his chaplain, and reasoned with Laria, his interpreter, a man of sensé, who knows much and speaks well. He has told me he is very much attached to you. He loves you as all the world does. I have charged him to pay my respects to you ; and I hope the bearer of this will tell ou with what tenderness I will be for ever your humble and faithful servant[1].
- ↑ Traduction : Si j’ai oublié les bribes d’anglais que j’avais autrefois recueillies, jamais je n’oublierai mon ambassadeur. Je suis maintenant à Paris, avec la même femme philosophe auprès de laquelle j’ai passé ma vie depuis douze ans. Si je n’étais pas aussi constant dans le commerce de la vie, j’irais certainement vous visiter dans votre kiosque, dans votre repos et votre gloire.
Vous apprendrez la nouvelle victoire de mon bon ami le roi de Prusse, qui écrivait si bien contre Machiavel, et qui a si promptement agi comme les héros de Machiavel. Il joue du violon, et se bat aussi bien qu’aucun homme de la chrétienté. Il met en déroute les armées autrichiennes, et aime assez peu votre roi, son cher voisin de Hanovre. Je l’ai vu deux fois, depuis qu’il est délivré de la
