ter. Thus, in his third month (March, 1756), practical
Nivernois was recalled, without result;--instead of whom fat Valori was
sent; privately intending "to do nothing but observe, in Berlin." From
all which, we infer that the Babiole Committee now saw land; and that
Bernis himself had decided in the affirmative: "Austria, not Prussia;
yes, Madame!" To the joy of Madame and everybody. For, it is incredible,
say all witnesses, what indignation broke out in Paris when Friedrich
made this new "defection," so they termed it; revolt from his Liege Lord
(who had been so exemplary to him on former occasions!), and would not
bite at Tobago when offered. So that the Babiole Committee went on,
henceforth, with flowing sea; and by Mayday (1st MAY, 1756) brought
out its French-Austrian Treaty in a completed state. "To stand by one
another," like Castor and Pollux, in a manner; "24,000, reciprocally,
to be ready on demand;" nay I think something of "subsidies" withal,--TO
Austria, of course. But the particulars are not worth giving; the
Performance, thanks to a zealous Pompadour, having quite outrun the
Stipulation, and left it practically out of sight, when the push came.
Our Constitutional Historian may shadow the rest:--

"France and England going to War in these sad circumstances, and France
and Austria being privately prepared [by Kaunitz and others] to swear
everlasting friendship on the occasion, instead of everlasting enmity
as heretofore; unexpected changes, miraculous to the Gazetteers, became
inevitable;--nothing less, in short, than explosion or topsy-turvying
of the old Diplomatic-Political Scheme of Europe. Old dance of
the Constellations flung heels-over-head on the sudden; and much
pirouetting, jigging, setting, before they could change partners, and
continue their august dance again, whether in War or Peace. No end to
the industrious wonder of the Gazetteer mind, to the dark difficulties
of the Diplomatic. What bafflings, agonistic shufflings, impotent
gazings into the dark; what seductive fiddling, and being fiddled to!
A most sad function of Humanity, if sometimes an inevitable one; which
ought surely at all times to be got over as briefly as possible. To be
written of, especially, with a maximum of brevity; human nature being
justly impatient of talk about it, beyond the strictly needful."

Most true it is, and was most miraculous, though now quite forgotten
again, Political Europe had to make a complete whirl-ro