the high qualities which were peculiar to himself, he had all the filthy habits which were then common among his countrymen.  To the end of his life, while disciplining armies, founding schools, framing codes, organising tribunals, building cities in deserts, joining distant seas by artificial rivers, he lived in his palace like a hog in a sty; and, when he was entertained by other sovereigns, never failed to leave on their tapestried walls and velvet state beds unequivocal proof that a savage had been there.  Evelyn’s house was left in such a state that the Treasury quieted his complaints with a considerable sum of money.

Towards the close of March the Czar visited Portsmouth, saw a sham seafight at Spithead, watched every movement of the contending fleets with intense interest, and expressed in warm terms his gratitude to the hospitable government which had provided so delightful a spectacle for his amusement and instruction.  After passing more than three months in England, he departed in high good humour.10

His visit, his singular character, and what was rumoured of his great designs, excited much curiosity here, but nothing more than curiosity.  England had as yet nothing to hope or to fear from his vast empire.  All her serious apprehensions were directed towards a different quarter.  None could say how soon France, so lately an enemy, might be an enemy again.

The new diplomatic relations between the two great western powers were widely different from those which had existed before the war.  During the eighteen years which had elapsed between the signing of the Treaty of Dover and the Revolution, all the envoys who had been sent from Whitehall to Versailles had been mere sycophants of the great King.  In England the French ambassador had been the object of a degrading worship.  The chiefs of both the great parties had been his pensioners and his tools.  The ministers of the Crown had paid him open homage.  The leaders of the opposition had stolen into his house by the back door.  Kings had stooped to implore his good offices, had persecuted him for money with the importunity of street beggars; and, when they had succeeded in obtaining from him a box of doubloons or a bill of exchange, had embraced him with tears of gratitude and joy.  But those days were past.  England would never again send a Preston or a Skelton to bow down before the majesty of France.  France would never again send a Barillon to dictate to the cabinet of England.  Henceforth the intercourse between the two states would be on terms of perfect equality.

William thought it necessary that the minister who was to represent him at the French Court should be a man of the first consideration, and one on whom entire reliance could be reposed.  Portland was chosen for this important and delicate mission; and the choice was eminently judicious.  He had, in the negotiations of the preceding year, shown more ability than was to be found in the whole crowd of