eat expense, to assist at
the Election of a proper Kaiser, and be useful to Belleisle in the great
things now ahead. [Spain's Golden-Fleece pretensions, 17th January, 1741
(Adelung, ii. 233, 234); "Publishes at Paris," in March (ib. 293); and
on the 23d March accredits Montijos (ib. 293): Italian War, held back
by Belleisle and the English Fleets, cannot get begun till October
following.]

4. KING OF POLAND.--The most ticklish card in Belleisle's game,
and probably the greatest fool of these Anti-Pragmatic Dozen, was
Kur-Sachsen, King of Poland. He, like Karl Albert Kur-Baiern, derives
from Kaiser Ferdinand, though by a YOUNGER Daughter, and has a like
claim on the Austrian Succession; claim nullified, however, by that
small circumstance itself, but which he would fain mend by one makeshift
or another; and thinks always it must surely be good for something. This
is August III., this King of Poland, as readers know; son of August the
Strong: Papa made him change to the Catholic religion so called,--for
the sake of getting Poland, which proves a very poor possession to
him. Who knows what damage the poor creature may have got by that sad
operation;--which all Saxony sighed to the heart on hearing of; for it
was always hoped he had some real religion, and would deliver them
from that Babylonish Captivity again! He married Kaiser Joseph I.'s
Daughter,--Maria Theresa's Cousin, and by an Elder Brother;--this, too,
ought surely to be something in the Anti-Pragmatic line? It is true,
Kur-Baiern has to Wife another Daughter of Kaiser Joseph's; but she is
the younger: "I am senior THERE, at least!" thinks the foolish man.

Too true, he had finally, in past years, to sign Pragmatic Sanction; no
help for it, no hope without it, in that Polish-Election time. He
will have to eat his Covenant, therefore, as the first step in
Anti-Pragmatism; and he is extremely in doubt as to the How, sometimes
as to the Whether. And shifts and whirls, accordingly, at a great rate,
in these months and years; now on Maria Theresa's side, deluded by
shadows from Vienna, and getting into Russian Partition-Treaties; anon
tickled by Belleisle into the reverse posture; then again reversing.
An idle, easy-tempered, yet greedy creature, who, what with religious
apostasy in early manhood, what with flaccid ambitions since, and idle
gapings after shadows, has lost helm in this world; and will make a very
bad voyage for self and country.

His Palinurus and ch