ting impression upon his mind; he will see
that he can rely upon our friendship and honesty towards him and his
country so long as he remains faithful towards us; naturally frank,
he will see the advantage to be derived from continuing so; and if he
reflects on the downfall of the former dynasty, he will see that it
arose _chiefly_ from a _breach_ of pledges,... and will be sure, if I
be not very much mistaken in his character, to _avoid_ such a course.
It must likewise not be overlooked that this kindly feeling towards
us, and consequently towards England (the interests of which are
_inseparable_ from us), must be increased when it is remembered that
_we_ are almost the only people in _his_ own position with whom he has
been able to be on any terms of intimacy, consequently almost the only
ones to whom he could talk easily and unreservedly, which he cannot
do naturally with his inferiors. He and the Empress are in a most
isolated position, unable to trust the only relations who are near
them in France, and surrounded by courtiers and servants, who from
fear or interest do not tell them the truth. It is, therefore, natural
to believe that he will not willingly separate from those who, like
us, do not scruple to put him in possession of the real facts, and
whose conduct is guided by justice and honesty, and this the more
readily as he is supposed to have always been a searcher after truth.
I would go still further, and think that it is in our power to _keep_
him in the right course, and to protect him against the extreme
flightiness, changeableness, and to a certain extent want of honesty
of his own servants and nation. We should never lose the opportunity
of checking in the bud any attempt on the part of his agents or
ministers to play us false, frankly informing him of the facts, and
encouraging him to bring forward in an equally frank manner whatever
he has to complain of. This is the course which we have hitherto
pursued, and as he is France in his own sole person, it becomes of the
utmost importance to encourage by every means in our power that very
open intercourse which I must say has existed between him and Lord
Cowley for the last year and a half, and now, since our personal
acquaintance, between ourselves.

As I said before, the words which fall from his lips are the result of
deep reflection, and part of the deep plan which he has staked out
for himself, and which he intends to carry out. I would therefore lay