tention, and sometimes the satire, of the rest of Europe. They bore no resemblance to the orgies of the Regent of France. There was more real wit, a varied conversation, and obscenity and impiety were particularly banished; but the freedom of discourse was sometimes carried too far, as at the suppers of the Duke of Orleans, so much so as to be come displeasing to the master.

In one of these supper parties, (said M. Thiebault,) which even till the Seven Years' War were often prolonged to a very late hour, Frederic asked each of his companions, How he would govern if he were a King? There was a lively argument between them, in order for each to establish their different maxims. The Marquis, however, listened, and said nothing: the King at last observed his silence, and asked him, What would he do were he in his place? "Sire," answered the Marquis, "I would immediately sell my kingdom, and purchase a good estate in France." This pleasantry, by means of which he escaped the ridi. cule of advancing and supporting any misplaced doctrine, obtained the King's approbation, and put an end to the discussion. It was after some disputes of a similar nature, that Frederic, in a moment of spleen or ill nature, wrote, that if he wanted to punish a province, he would send philosophers to govern it.

During the Seven Years' War, that is, from 1756 to 1763, when Frederic beheld his dominions invaded, and taken from him, by the Russians, the Austrians, and the French, and that no hopes of safety remained, it was to the Marquis D'Argens that he imparted the design he had formed of putting an end to his existence.

It was on this occasion that he addressed a long epistle in verse to the Marquis D'Argens on this subject, the misfortunes of his life, and the principles of stoicism: however trifling this resoJution may appear, and however singular the manner which Frederic made use of, to disclose it to one of his courtiers, it results however from it, that the Marquis D'Argens held a most distinguished place in the esteem of the Prince, since it was to him that he addressed himself in the agony of his soul.

The happy events which so quickly succeeded, drew Frederic out of his embarrassment, and the necessity of putting his resolution into practice, by compelling his enemies to enter into conditions

of peace, which secured to him his dominions.

But whatever opinion the Marquis D'Argens had upon the strange confidence the Monarch placed in him, he was really alarmed: he delayed not a minute in answering him, and made use of every thing, which men who neither believe in God, in the immortality of the soul, nor in any species of revelation, could make use of, under similar circumstances, to induce him to alter his determination.

There was a company of dancers at Berlin, whom the King had always engaged for the opera. The family of Cochois was among the number. The father and mother died, and the two daugh ters remained at that theatre. The Marquis, whose fate seemed to be to attach himself to females of this description, when he was almost sixty years old, became in love with the eldest of these two sisters. She was rather plain than handsome, about five and twenty, of an excellent understanding, and endowed with considerable talents; she drew very well, and was an excellent musician; besides French, she knew the German, Italian, and Latin languages, as well as a woman had occasion to do, and even a little Greek, which she learn ed out of complaisance to the Marquis. Her character was mild, and of a thinking turn: she had the art of uniting, under the appearance of the greatest sim plicity, all those attentions which please so well, and conciliate esteeni. M. Thiebault has furnished this account of her:

The Marquis, after having paid his addresses to her for some time, married her: the marriage took place during the course of the Seven Years' War, and without the King's knowledge-that was one of the causes that lessened the friendship of Frederic for him. They knew it would displease the King, consequently were much embarrassed in making the des claration. They waited till peace was concluded, and then held a meeting of all those who belonged to the Philosophi cal Society of Sans Souci. After a long consultation upon the best mode of ac quainting the King with what had hap pened, it was agreed that the Marchiohess D'Argens should walk in the gardens of Sans Souci, at the hour when the Monarch was accustomed to take the air; that her dress should be such as might attract attention, but plain and

elegant

ways a tender mother, and full of anxiety for her children, had sent him that assistance the most proper to fortify him in the critical situation in which he was placed. He exhorted him strenuously to resign himself; and then raising the counterpane of the bed, he poured a whole flask of sweet oil over the fine dressing-gown, telling his dying brother, that this emblem of grace would infalli bly give him faith and courage, necessary to pass in a proper manner from this world to the next. After which the procession retired in the same grave and solemn manner as it entered.

It is by no means difficult to conceive what amusement this scene afforded to the whole Court, and at the Marquis's expense; but what afflicted him the most was the loss of the dressing-gown, which, by this farce, was so completely sniled as not to be fit to wear again. The Marchioness had no idea of such a complete and holy mystery; but Frede rie had already played several such pranks, in which the Marquis himself had borne no inconsiderable part, and which made him fully acquainted with what he had to expect from him on similar occasions.

D'Argens passed much of his time in reading ancient books and authors, particularly the Holy Fathers, from which be made several extracts, which he applied to the subjects he treated of, either in his writings or conversation.

M. de Nicolai relates an anecdote on this subject, which deserves a place here. The King was fond of contradicting in on his taste for this species of eru dition he used frequently to say to him, 4. Dont talk to me of your Fathers: they are bodies without souls."-When he allotted him apartments in the new palace of Sans Souci, he himself conducted the Marquis and his Lady, and pointed out to them their agreeable situation and their convenience: he had given orders to have a handsome hook-case, whereon folios handsomely bound appeared in large letters "The Works of the Holy Fathers."-"Here Marquis," said the King, as they entered the room, you will find here your good friends in all their glory." When they got to the bed-chamber-"It would be wrong." said he "to stay here long; we must not disturb the Marquis, but leave him to his ease and his night-cap"-so saying he withdrew.

The King had no sooner retired, thun the Marquis, in eager haste, flew to the

bookcase to examine the works with which it was filled--he quickly opened one of the volumes of the “ Holy Fathers;" but in place of the homilies of St. Chrysostom, he found nothing but blank paper; and the same was the case with all the rest.

The King amused himself. much by playing similar tricks on the Marquis We shall relate another, more pointed than the preceding one, and which was a subject of great mortification to the Marquis.

One evening that he was at supper with Frederic, that Prince said to him-"Marquis, I have made a purchase for you near this, of a very neat house and garden-here is the deed; you may take possession of it when you please." The Marquis was not inservible to this mark of favour; he returned home full of im patience, and anxiously wished the night were over, that he might go and take a view of this new acquisition. Next morning, notwithstanding his laziness, he rose very early, and was driven to his new mansion-he ran over the gar den, examined the apartments, found every thing charming, and in the neatest taste; he went into the saloon, which was a very handsome room, and full of pictures: but what was bis astonishment, when, on looking at them, instead of landscapes, battle, or sea-pieces, he bes held the most humourous scenes, and most comic anecdotes of his life.

Here, the Marquis, as an officer, found himself drawn at the siege of Philips bourg, and expressing strong symptoms of fear-there he was on his knees to his handsome comedian-a little further, his father disinherited him-another painting represented him at Constanti nople-in another,a surgeon was seen performing an operation, which his adven tures of gallantry had rendered necessary-again, nuns were seen pulling kiin up by night in a basket through the willdow of their convent. In all these pics tures the Ma:quis, who was easily res cognized, was represented in the most ludricus and comic attitudes.

This unexpected spectacle pot hin into the most violent rage-he examined them all, and then sent for a house painter, and made him efface them.

The King informed of this scene, was highly delighted with it, and related it to every one who would have patience to hear it.

It spite, however, of the species of warfare which the Montich carried on,

and

and the sarcastic jokes he passed upon his lazy habits, and his imaginary illness, still he loved hun not the less. He one day wished to give him a fresh proof by Rugmenting the pension he had settled on him; but D'Argens answered him in presence of several persons, "Sire, I have enough: your Majesty has many poor but deserving officers; let it be given to them "The king, charmed with this honourable and disinterested reply, esteemed in the more, without however ceasing from time to time to joke with and play tricks on him.

The Marquis, on his part, appeared to be attached to the King as much, if not more, than to any of the wits who were about the Court.

One of the most singular traits in the character of D'Argens, was that mixture of superstition and incredulity so remarkable in him, and which appeared in a thousand different circumstanceshe believed most firmly in predestination, and the knowledge of future events -a salt-cellar overturned, a sudden meetng with an old woman, a herd of hogs, or a man dressed in black, was enough to fili him with aların and uneasiness: as soon as ever he got out of bed, he drew the curtains close with great care, and woe to whoever opened them, either by accident or otherwise; it was a presage of the most fearful nature.

He was no less alarmed at the appearance of a cold or cough; always ill through the fear of being so, and dreading death to such a degree, that he nearly died through the apprehension of it. Those who speak of him, all agree in relating the same weaknesses, and attesting his state of Hypochondriac. Nothing was more easy than to make him believe he was ill; and if he was only told that he looked pale, no more was wanting to make him shut himself up in his room, ami go to bed directly. He never went out of it, but when he went to visit the King: when he was in his bed-chamber, two or three loose morning-gowns heaped on each other, kept out the cold; a cotton night cap covered his ears, and over that was a thick woollen one which completed his headdress. If a few passing clouds, a slight ram, or a wind rather cold, or more vio lent than usual, were seen or felt, it was enough to chagrin him, and put him in a melancholy humour; to compel him to remain at home, and to resist even the pressing invitations of the King. He has been known to have remained thus im

mured for whole weeks together, from similar causes.

M. de Nicolai has furnished us with another example of his laughable susceptibility, and of his ridiculous extravagant whims, in a like fact.

During the Seven Years' War, the King had permitted him to reside at Sans Souci, and had given orders, that all the apartments of the palace should be open to him, as freely as if they were hisown. Just about this time, Cothenius read a treatise at the Academy, upon the danger of using copper utensils in kitchens. The Marquis was so struck with this treatise, that he was fearful every hour of being poisoned-could talk of nothing else every time he sat down to table, and made his wife promise most solemnly to banish every sort of copper utensil from her kitchen.

The family of the Marquis, (continues M. de Nicolai,) lived at Sans Souci în a very retired manner; and his wife though a reasonable woman enough loved amusement. One evening she took a fancy to give a little family dance at the house of the King's head-gardener. The Marquis gave his consent; but as they dreaded that his singularities might disturb the entertament, they took great care to remark to him that the air was very cold, and that the sky was lowering-they were well aware, that an observation of that kind was sufficient to make him believe he was taken ill, and induce him to take to his bed immediately. This was exactly the case; and they went directly to the gardener's house, full sure that the Marquis would soon be fast asleep. He very soon was so; but before long he awoke, his thoughts sleeping, as well as waking, being fixed on copper and on poison, and loudly called for La Pierre, but no one answered hin-all were at the bail. He recollected this, and was not sorry for it; but finding himself alone in the house, he took advantage of the circumstance to pay a visit to the kitchen at his ease, and to see if every article of copper was banished from it, as they had promised him it should be. He got up, and, without putting on his smallcloaths, wrapt himself up in a robe de chambre, and having lighted a wax taper at his might-lamp, he went straight to the kitchen. The first things that met his eyes were some copper sauce-pans; and to complete his terror, one of them contained the remains of a ragout off which he had dined. Rage immediately got full possession of him; he took up the stew

pan,

pan, and, just as he was, ran to the place where the entertainment was given, to scold his wife and servants. He was obliged to descend by a terrace, and cross the garden, which was tolerably large, in order to reach the gardener's house. The Marquis effected his purpose in the dark with great celerity: he suddenly opened the door of the ballroom, and the Marquis, to their utter astonishment, appeared in his night-gown, bare-footed (for he had lost his slippers), and two or three night-caps on his head, his shirt blowing about at the pleasure of the wind, holding in his hand the stewpan with the fragments of the ragout, and crying out, "I am poisoned! I am poisoned!" He then broke out in reproaches against his wife, and threatened his servants to discharge them all, for having used copper stew-pans, contrary to his orders. They had much difficulty in appeasing him; but reflecting suddenly on the situation in which he was, and the danger he ran in being exposed almost naked to the cold night air, he again relapsed into passion; however, they wrapped him up warm, and at last succeeded in getting him to his apartments.

These incidents afforded Frederic a great subject for amusement, but without lessening any of the esteem he had for the Marquis; they merely weakened the consideration with which he had at first inspired him. The scrupulous and habitual superstition which he remarked in him, still added to the discredit of the philosopher, in the opinion of the King. M. Thiebault has preserved some traits of this last kind of weakness in the Marquis; they deserve to be related here, since they confirm what we have already said, and will be an example of the strange, if not ridiculous contradictions of men of learning of that day, employed during the whole of their lives in combating superstition, or what they were pleased to call so; descanting upon matters which no person regarded, they have been frequently seen, towards the conclusion of their lives, to possess the weakness of old women, and to die with all the signs of a tardy conversion.

The second cause of the discredit into which the Marquis fell, (says M. Thie. bault,) was his own weakness and folly, and particularly on the subject of superstition. He had such a dread of death, that the very idea of being threatened with it could make him be guilty of the most ridiculous extravagance. Owing to to this disposition it was, that, having

heard, that the water of those who ap proached the conclusion of their exist ence turned black in four-and-twenty hours, he was a long time in the habit of keeping his own in glasses, which he examined frequently in the day, till some people, who were let into the secret of this weakness, discovered his depôt, and privately mixed ink with it. This so dreadfully alarmed him, that they were obliged to confess the trick they had played upon him, in order to save him from a serious illness.

The Marquis had made an agreement with the King, that, as soon as he should have completed his sixtieth year, he should have his full dismissal, and be permitted to retire to France. This hour was waited for with great impatience, because the King was not in a humour to let him go a third time; and it was only by using a considerable degree of address, and promising to return at the end of six months, that he permitted the Marquis to depart, as will be seen hereafter.

He was the more impatient to return to his own country, as since the journey he undertook in 1763, his brother had ceded to him some land he wished for, at Eguilles, of which he was the lord, to build a house and make a garden. The plan of both one and the other was settled between the brothers, and they immediately began their labours. In 1766 all was finished; the house quite ready, the gardens planted and in good order, entirely owing to the care of Monsieur de Eguilles, his brother, President of the Parliament of Aix.

The clock at last struck-the Marquis had attained his sixtieth year. For a long time no mention had been made of the agreement: whatever address the Courtier employed to recal the idea of it to his recollection, the Monarch always expressed a disinclination to enter on the subject. He could not recur to it without exposing himself to cruel reproaches, or to mortifications more cruel still.

In 1768, he renewed his entreaties, and imagining that the King might not, perhaps, like him to take away the ori ginal letters which that Prince had written to him, he sent them to him, ranged in chronological order, and accompanied them by the following letter:

"Sire! I have kept till this moment a precious pledge of the confidence with which "your Majesty honoured me. I give them into your hands, because I

do