deprive Germany of confidence
and of victory.

The name of the duke of Brunswick was a prestige which invested Germany
with a feeling of terror and inviolability. Madame de Staeel and her
party attempted it. This secret negotiation was concerted amongst Madame
de Staeel, M. de Narbonne, M. de La Fayette, and M. de Talleyrand. M. de
Custine, son of the general of that name, was chosen to convey to the
duke of Brunswick the wishes of the constitutional party. The young
negotiator was well prepared for his mission: witty, attractive, clever,
an intense admirer of Prussian tactics and the duke of Brunswick, from
whom he had had lessons in Berlin, he inspired confidence into this
prince beforehand. He offered to him the rank of generalissimo of the
French armies, an allowance of three millions of francs, and an
establishment in France equivalent to his possessions and rank in the
empire. The letter bearing these offers was signed by the minister of
war and Louis XVI. himself.

M. de Custine set out from France in the month of January; on his
arrival he handed his letter to the duke. Four days elapsed before an
interview was accorded to him. On the fifth day, the duke admitted him
to a personal and private interview. He expressed to M. de Custine with
military frankness his pride and gratitude that the price attached to
his merits by France must inspire in him: "But," he added, "my blood is
German and my honour Prussia's; my ambition is satisfied with being the
second person in this monarchy, which has adopted me. I would not
exchange for an adventurous glory on the shifting stage of revolutions,
the high and firm position which my birth, my duty, and some reputation
already acquired have secured for me in my native land."

After this conversation, M. de Custine, finding the prince immoveable,
disclosed his ultimatum, and held before his eyes the dazzling chance of
the crown of France, if it fell from the brow of Louis XVI. into the
hands of a conquering general. The duke appeared overwhelmed, and
dismissed M. de Custine without depriving him of all hope of his
accepting such an offer. But shortly afterwards, the duke, from
duplicity, repentance, or prudence, replied by a formal refusal to both
these propositions. He addressed his reply to Louis XVI., and not to his
minister; and this unhappy king thus learnt the last word of the
constitutional party, and how frail was the tenure on his brow of a
crown which was already o