OEuvres (Siecle de Louis XV.,_ c. 6), xxviii. 79.]

One is sorry to run athwart such a piece of mutual magnanimity; but the
fact is, on considering a little and asking evidence, it turns out to
be mythical. One Dilworth, an innocent English soul (from whom our
grandfathers used to learn ARITHMETIC, I think), writing on the spot
some years after Voltaire, has this useful passage: "It is the great
failing of a strong imagination to catch greedily at wonders. Voltaire
was misinformed; and would perhaps learn, by a second inquiry, a truth
less splendid and amusing. A Contribution was, by News-writers upon
their own authority, fruitlessly proposed. It ended in nothing: the
Parliament voted a supply;"--that did it, Mr. Dilworth; supplies enough,
and many of them! "Fruitlessly, by News-writers on their own authority;"
that is the sad fact. [_The Life and Heroick Actions of Frederick III._
(SIC, a common blunder), by W. H. Dilworth, M.A. (London, 1758), p. 25.
A poor little Book, one of many coming out on that subject just then
(for a reason we shall see on getting thither); which contains, of
available now, the above sentence and no more. Indeed its brethren, one
of them by Samnel Johnson (IMPRANSUS, the imprisoned giant), do not even
contain that, and have gone wholly to zero.--Neither little Dilworth
nor big Voltaire give the least shadow of specific date; but both
evidently mean Spring, 1742 (not 1741).]

It is certain, little George, who considers Pragmatic Sanction as the
Keystone of Nature in a manner, has been venturing far deeper than
purse for that adorable object; and indeed has been diving, secretly, in
muddier waters than we expected, to a dangerous extent, on behalf of it,
at this very time. In the first days of March, Friedrich has heard
from his Minister at Petersburg of a DETESTABLE PROJECT, [Orlich, i.
83 (scrap of Note to Old Dessauer; no date allowed us; "early in
March").]--project for "Partitioning the Prussian Kingdom," no less; for
fairly cutting into Friedrich, and paring him down to the safe pitch,
as an enemy to Pragmatic and mankind. They say, a Treaty, Draught of a
Treaty, for that express object, is now ready; and lies at Petersburg,
only waiting signature. Here is a Project! Contracting parties (Russian
signature still wanting) are: Kur-Sachsen; her Hungarian Majesty; King
George; and that Regent Anne (MRS. Anton Ulrich, so to speak), who sits
in a huddle of undress, impatient of Political objects