de Villedeuil, the Comptroller General,
has been approved by the public, in the offices he has heretofore
exercised. The Duke de Nivernois, called to the Council, is reckoned
a good and able man; and Monsieur de Malesherbes, called also to the
Council, is unquestionably the first character in the kingdom, for
integrity, patriotism, knowledge, and experience in business. There is a
fear that the Marechal de Castries is disposed to retire.

The face of things in Europe is a little turbid, at present; but
probably all will subside. The Empress of Russia, it is supposed, will
not push her pretensions against the Turks to actual war. Weighing
the fondness of the Emperor for innovation, against his want of
perseverance, it is difficult to calculate what he will do with his
discontented subjects in Brabant and Flanders. If those provinces alone
were concerned, he would probably give back; but this would induce an
opposition to his plan, in all his other dominions. Perhaps he may be
able to find a compromise. The cause of the Patriots in Holland is a
little clouded at present.

England and Prussia seem disposed to interpose effectually. The former
has actually ordered a fleet of six sail of the line, northwardly, under
Gore; and the latter threatens to put her troops into motion. The
danger of losing such a weight in their scale, as that of Prussia, would
occasion this court to prefer conciliation to war. Add to this, the
distress of their finances, and perhaps not so warm a zeal in the new
ministry for the innovations in Holland. I hardly believe they will
think it worth while to purchase the change of constitution proposed
there, at the expense of a war. But of these things, you will receive
more particular and more certain details from Mr. Dumas, to whom they
belong.

Mr. Eden is appointed ambassador from England to Madrid. To the hatred
borne us by his court and country, is added a recollection of the
circumstances of the unsuccessful embassy to America, of which he made a
part. So that I think he will carry to Madrid, dispositions to do us all
the ill he can.

The late change in the ministry is very favorable to the prospects
of the Chevalier de la Luzerne. The Count de Montmorin, Monsieur de
Malesherbes, and Monsieur de Lamoignon, the _Garde des Sceaux_, are his
near relations. Probably something will be done for him, and without
delay. The promise of the former administration to the Count de Moutier,
to succeed to