So thinks light Maurepas too; but the wind of Philosophism and force of public opinion will blow him round.  Best wishes, meanwhile, are sent; clandestine privateers armed.  Paul Jones shall equip his Bon Homme Richard:  weapons, military stores can be smuggled over (if the English do not seize them); wherein, once more Beaumarchais, dimly as the Giant Smuggler becomes visible,—­filling his own lank pocket withal.  But surely, in any case, France should have a Navy.  For which great object were not now the time:  now when that proud Termagant of the Seas has her hands full?  It is true, an impoverished Treasury cannot build ships; but the hint once given (which Beaumarchais says he gave), this and the other loyal Seaport, Chamber of Commerce, will build and offer them.  Goodly vessels bound into the waters; a Ville de Paris, Leviathan of ships.

And now when gratuitous three-deckers dance there at anchor, with streamers flying; and eleutheromaniac Philosophedom grows ever more clamorous, what can a Maurepas do—­but gyrate?  Squadrons cross the ocean:  Gages, Lees, rough Yankee Generals, ’with woollen night-caps under their hats,’ present arms to the far-glancing Chivalry of France; and new-born Democracy sees, not without amazement, ’Despotism tempered by Epigrams fight at her side.  So, however, it is.  King’s forces and heroic volunteers; Rochambeaus, Bouilles, Lameths, Lafayettes, have drawn their swords in this sacred quarrel of mankind;—­shall draw them again elsewhere, in the strangest way.

Off Ushant some naval thunder is heard.  In the course of which did our young Prince, Duke de Chartres, ‘hide in the hold;’ or did he materially, by active heroism, contribute to the victory?  Alas, by a second edition, we learn that there was no victory; or that English Keppel had it. (27th July, 1778.) Our poor young Prince gets his Opera plaudits changed into mocking tehees; and cannot become Grand-Admiral,—­the source to him of woes which one may call endless.

Woe also for Ville de Paris, the Leviathan of ships!  English Rodney has clutched it, and led it home, with the rest; so successful was his new ‘manoeuvre of breaking the enemy’s line.’ (9th and 12th April, 1782.) It seems as if, according to Louis xv., ‘France were never to have a Navy.’  Brave Suffren must return from Hyder Ally and the Indian Waters; with small result; yet with great glory for ’six non-defeats;—­which indeed, with such seconding as he had, one may reckon heroic.  Let the old sea-hero rest now, honoured of France, in his native Cevennes mountains; send smoke, not of gunpowder, but mere culinary smoke, through the old chimneys of the Castle of Jales,—­which one day, in other hands, shall have other fame.  Brave Laperouse shall by and by lift anchor, on philanthropic Voyage of Discovery; for the King knows Geography. (August 1st, 1785.) But, alas, this also will not prosper:  the brave Navigator goes, and returns not; the Seekers search far seas for him in vain.  He has vanished trackless into blue Immensity; and only some mournful mysterious shadow of him hovers long in all heads and hearts.