He was particularly friendly and conciliating toward the Austrian
embassy; and not only was the ambassador, Count Peubla invited often
to the royal table, but his secretary, Baron Weingarten came also
to Potsdam and Sans-Souci. The king appeared attached to him, and
encouraged him to come often, to walk in the royal gardens.

Frederick was gracious and kind toward the officials of all the German
powers. On one occasion, when the wife of Councillor Reichart, attached
to the Saxon embassy, was confined, at Frederick's earnest wish, his
private secretary, Eichel, stood as god-father to the child. [Footnote:
"Characteristics of the Important Events of the Seven Years' War."]

In order to promote good feeling in Saxony, the king sent Count
Mattzahn, one of the most eloquent cavaliers of the day, to the Dresden
court; and so well supplied was he, that he dared compete in pomp and
splendor with Count Bruhl.

Frederick appeared to attach special importance to the friendship of
Saxony, and with none of his foreign ambassadors was he engaged in so
active a correspondence as with Mattzahn. It was said that these letters
were of a harmless and innocent nature, relating wholly to paintings,
which the count was to purchase from the Saxon galleries, or to music,
which Frederick wished to obtain from amongst the collection of the dead
Hesse, or to an Italian singer Frederick wished to entice to Berlin.

The world no longer favored Frederick's retirement. The less disposed he
was to mingle in politics, the more Maria Theresa, Elizabeth of Russia,
Augustus of Saxony, and the Marquise de Pompadour agitated the subject.

France had not forgotten that the contract between herself and Prussia
was about to expire. She knew also that the subsidy money between
England and Russia had not yet been voted by Parliament. It was
therefore possible to reap some advantages from this point. With this
view, France sent the Duke de Nivernois as special ambassador to Berlin,
to treat with the king as to the renewal of the old alliance.

The Duke de Nivernois came with a glittering suite to Berlin, and was
received at the Prussian court with all the consideration which his rank
and official character demanded. The grand master of ceremonies, Baron
von Pollnitz, was sent forward to meet him, and to invite him, in the
name of the king, to occupy one of the royal palaces in Berlin.

Every room of the palace was splendidly decorated for the reception of
t