Russian’s coach being first, he astonished everybody by proposing to set Monsieur du Chatelet down at his own house.  In the coach, it is said, the Frenchman protested he had meant nothing personal either to Count Czernichew, or to the Russian Minister, but having received orders from his Court to take place on all occasion next to the Imperial Ambassador, he had but done his duty.  Next morning he visited Czernichew, and they are personally reconciled.  It was, however, feared that the dispute would be renewed, for, at the King’s next levee, both were at the door, ready to push in when it should be opened; but the Russian kept behind, and at the bottom of the room without mixing with the rest of the Foreign Ministers.  The King, who was much offended at what had passed, called Count Czernichew into the middle of the room, and talked to him for a very considerable time.  Since then, the Lord Chamberlain has been ordered to notify to all the Foreign Ministers that the King looks on the ball at Court as a private ball, and declares, to prevent such disagreeable altercations for the future, that there is no precedence there.  This declaration is ridiculed, because the ball at Court is almost the only ceremony that is observed there, and certainly the most formal, the princes of the blood dancing first, and everybody else being taken out according to their rank.  Yet the King, being the fountain of all rank, may certainly declare what he pleases, especially in his own palace.  The public papers, which seldom spare the French, are warm for the Russian.  Chatelet, too, is not popular, nor well at Court.  He is wrong-headed, and at Vienna was very near drawing his Court into a scrape by his haughtiness.  His own friends even doubt whether this last exploit will not offend at Versailles, as the Duc de Choiseul has lately been endeavouring to soften the Czarina, wishes to send a minister thither, and has actually sent an agent.  Chatelet was to have gone this week, but I believe waits to hear how his behaviour is taken.  Personally, I am quite on his side, though I think him in the wrong; but he is extremely civil to me; I live much at his house, admire his wife exceedingly, and, besides, you know, have declared war with the Czarina; so what I say is quite in confidence to you, and for your information.  As an Englishman, I am whatever Madam Great Britain can expect of me.  As intimate with the Chatelets, and extremely attached to the Duchess of Choiseul, I detest Madame du Barri and her faction.  You, who are a Foreign Minister, and can distinguish like a theologian between the two natures perfectly comprehend all this; and, therefore, to the charity of your casuistry I recommend myself in this jumble of contradictions, which you may be sure do not give me any sort of trouble either way.  At least I have not three distinctions, like Chatelet when he affronted Czernichew, but neither in his private nor public capacity.