bed it in the most
favorable terms; and added, that 'the Elector Palatine [old Kur-Pfalz,
on one occasion] had been willing to give the whole Duchy of Berg for
it.'

PODEWILS. "'Pardon, Monsieur: that is not so; the contrary of so;
Kur-Pfalz was not ready to give Berg for it!'--[We are not deep in
German History, we British Diplomatic gentlemen, who are squandering,
now and of old, so much money on it! The Aulic Council, "falls into
our arms like dead men;" but it is certain the Elector Palatine was not
ready to give Berg in that kind of exchange.]

KING. "'It is inconceivable to me how Austria should dare to think of
such a thing. Limburg? Are there not solemn Engagements upon Austria,
sanctioned and again sanctioned by all the world, which render every
inch of ground in the Netherlands inalienable?'

ROBINSON. "'Engagements good as against the French, your Majesty.
Otherwise the Barrier Treaty, confirmed at Utrecht, was for our behoof
and Holland's.'

KING. "'That is your present interpretation, But the French pretend it
was an arrangement more in their favor than against them.'

ROBINSON. "'Your Majesty, by a little Engineer Art, could render Limburg
impregnable to the French or others.'

KING. "'Have not the least desire to aggrandize myself in those parts,
or spend money fortifying there. Useless to me. Am not I fortifying
Brieg and Glogau? These are enough: for one who intends to live well
with his neighbors. Neither the Dutch nor the French have offended me;
nor will I them by acquisitions in the Netherlands. Besides, who would
guarantee them?'

ROBINSON. "'The Proposal is to give guarantees at once.'

KING. "'Guarantees! Who minds or keeps guarantees in this age? Has not
France guaranteed the Pragmatic Sanction; has not England? Why don't
you all fly to the Queen's succor?'"--Robinson, inclined to pout, if he
durst, intimates that perhaps there will be succorers one day yet.

KING. "'And pray, Monsieur, who are they?'

ROBINSON. "'Hm, hm, your Majesty.... Russia, for example, which Power
with reference to Turkey--'

KING. "'Good, Sir, good (BEAU, MONSIEUR, BEAU), the Russians! It is not
proper to explain myself; but I have means for the Russians' [a Swedish
War just coming upon Russia, to keep its hand in use; so diligent have
the French been in that quarter!].

ROBINSON (with some emphasis, as a Britannic gentleman). "'Russia is
not the only Power that has engagements with Austria, and that must