The statement of these exalted ideas was intrusted to a special envoy to London, M. Novossiltzoff, who propounded to Pitt the scheme of a European polity where the States should be independent and enjoy institutions “founded on the sacred rights of humanity.”  With this aim in view, the Czar desired to curb the power of Napoleon, bring back France to her old limits, and assure the peace of Europe on a firm basis, namely on the principle of the balance of power.  Pitt and Lord Harrowby having agreed to these proposals, details were discussed at the close of 1804.  None of the allies were, in any case, to make a separate peace; and England (said M. Novossiltzoff) must not only use her own troops, but grant subsidies to enable the Powers to set on foot effective forces.

This last sentence claims special notice, as it disposes of the well-worn phrase, that the Third Coalition was built up by Pitt’s gold.  On the contrary, Russia was the first to set forth the need of English subsidies, which Pitt was by no means eager to supply.  The phrase used by French historians is doubtless correct in so far as English gold enabled our allies to arm efficiently; but it is wholly false if it implies that the Third Coalition was merely trumped up by our money, and that the Russian, Austrian, and Swedish Governments were so many automatic machines which, if jogged with coins, would instantly supply armies to the ready money purchaser.  This is practically the notion still prevalent on the Continent; and it is clearly traceable to the endless diatribes against Pitt’s gold with which Napoleon seasoned his bulletins, and to the caricatures which he ordered to be drawn.  The following was his direction to his Minister of Police, Fouche:  “Have caricatures made—­an Englishman purse in hand, entreating the various Powers to take his money.  This is the real direction to give the whole business.” How well he knew mankind:  he rightly counted on its gullibility where pictures were concerned; and the direction which he thus gave to public opinion bids fair to persist, in spite of every exposure of the trickery.[10]

But, to return to the plans of the allies, Holland, Switzerland, and Italy were to be liberated from their “enslavement to France,” and strengthened so as to provide barriers to future aggressions:  the King of Sardinia was to be restored to his mainland possessions, and receive in addition the Ligurian, or Genoese, Republic.[11]

On all essential topics the British Government was in full accord with the views of the Czar, and Pitt insisted on the need of a system of international law which should guarantee the Continent against further rapacious acts.  But Europe was not destined to find peace on these principles until after ten years of desolating war.