occasions.  I wish his son could be so well noticed, as to make a favorable report to his father; he would, I think, be gratified by it, and his good dispositions be strengthened, and rendered further useful to us.  Whether I shall be able to send you these regulations by the present packet, will depend on their getting through the Council in time.  The Archbishop continues well with his patroness.  Her object is, a close connection with her brother.  I suppose he convinces her, that peace will furnish the best occasion of cementing that connection.

It may not be uninstructive to give you the origin and nature of his influence with the Queen.  When the Duke de Choiseul proposed the marriage of the Dauphin with this lady, he thought it proper to send a person to Vienna, to perfect her in the language.  He asked his friend, the Archbishop of Toulouse, to recommend to him a proper person.  He recommended a certain Abbe.  The Abbe, from his first arrival at Vienna, either tutored by his patron, or prompted by gratitude, impressed on the Queen’s mind the exalted talents and merit of the Archbishop, and continually represented him as the only man fit to be placed at the helm of affairs.  On his return to Paris, being retained near the person of the Queen, he kept him constantly in her view.  The Archbishop was named of the Assembly des Notables, had occasion enough there to prove his talents, and Count de Vergennes, his great enemy, dying opportunely, the Queen got him into place.  He uses the Abbe even yet, for instilling all his notions into her mind.  That he has imposing talents and patriotic dispositions, I think is certain.  Good judges think him a theorist only, little acquainted with the details of business, and spoiling all his plans by a bungled execution.  He may perhaps undergo a severe trial.  His best actions are exciting against him a host of enemies, particularly the reduction of the pensions, and reforms in other branches of economy.  Some think the other ministers are willing he should stay in, till he has effected this odious, yet necessary work, and that they will then make him the scape-goat of the transaction.  The declarations too, which I send you in my public letter, if they should become public, will probably raise an universal cry.  It will all fall on him, because Montmorin and Breteuil say, without reserve, that the sacrifice of the Dutch has been against their advice.  He will, perhaps, not permit these declarations to appear in this country.  They are absolutely unknown:  they were communicated to me by the Duke of Dorset, and I believe no other copy has been given here.  They will be published doubtless in England, as a proof of their triumph, and may from thence make their way into this country.  If the Premier can stem a few months, he may remain long in office, and will never make war if he can help it.  If he should be removed, the peace will probably be short.  He is solely chargeable with the loss