of his estate, which, notwithstanding all the reductions, would
even then have yielded 6000 l. a year. This point they sollicited
incessantly, and their words of honour were given, to remove all
scruples his grace might have about the performance of the conditions.
Their interpositions were however in vain; he refused to submit to the
ministry, or write to the King, and thought it beneath him to ask a
favour.

This conduct of the duke may be imputed, by some, to pride and
obstinacy, but a more natural construction is, that he was afraid of
treachery. He could not discover upon what motives, two persons whom
he looked upon as creatures of the court, would give themselves the
trouble to come to Rouen, in order to persuade him to act for his
own interest, unless they had some concealed views of such a nature,
perhaps, as would prove fatal to him, should he submit.

He soon after this received advice from England, that his trustees
could remit him no more of his annuity, on account of the indictment
preferred against him. There was now a dreadful prospect before him;
his money was wasted; all future supplies cut off; and there was a
large family to support, without any hopes of relief. He began now to
feel the effects of the indictment, which he before held in so much
contempt; he complained of it as a rigorous proceeding, because it
laid him under a necessity of asking a favour, and receiving it in a
public manner, which he fancied neither consistent with his honour,
or reputation. Thus exasperated against the government, he wrote the
memorable paper which he contrived to get printed in Mist's Journal,
under the colour of an account of Mirevais and Sultan Ezref, which
contained severe reflexions on the administration. Mean time the
duke's credit at Rouen began to sink; he was attended every morning
with a considerable levee, consisting of the tradesmen of that city,
who came with importunate faces to demand payment of their bills,
which he discharged by quitting Rouen, leaving his horses and equipage
to be sold, and the money to be divided among them. The duke, before
this event, had thrown himself at the feet of the Chevalier de St.
George, as the only possible resource he had left. Accordingly he
wrote him a most moving letter, giving him a detail of his present
sufferings, very pathetically representing the distress to which he
was reduced, and humbly imploring his protection, with what little
assistance might be ne