me,
which Royal George and his Newcastle have devised, Of getting all made
tight, and the Peace of Aix double-riveted, so to speak, and rendered
secure against every contingency,--by having Archduke Joseph at once
elected "King of the Romans." King of the Romans straightway; whereby
he follows at once as Kaiser, should his Father die; and is liable to
no French or other intriguing; and we have taken a bond of Fate that
the Balance cannot be canted again. Excellent scheme, think both these
heads; and are stirring Germany with all their might, purse in hand, to
co-operate, and do it. Inconceivable what trouble these prescient
minds are at, on this uncertain matter. It was Britannic Majesty's
and Newcastle's main problem in this world, for perhaps four years
(1749-1753):--"My own child," as a fond Noodle of Newcastle used to
call it; though I rather think it was the other that begot the wretched
object, but had tired sooner of nursing it under difficulties.

Unhappily there needs unanimity of all the Nine Electors. The poorer you
can buy; "Bavarian Subsidy," or annual pension, is only 45,000 pounds,
for this invaluable object; Koln is only--a mere trifle: [Debate on
"Bavarian Subsidy" (in Walpole,--George the Second,--i. 49): endless
Correspondence between Newcastle and his Brother (curious to read,
though of the most long-eared description on the Duke's part), in
Coxe's--Pelham,--ii, 338-465 ("31st May, 1750-3d November, 1752"):
precise Account (if anybody now wanted it), in--Adelung,--vii. 146, 149,
154, et seq.] trifles all, in comparison of the sacred Balance, and dear
Hanover kept scathless. But unfortunately Friedrich, whom we must not
think of buying, is not enthusiastic in the cause! Far from it. The now
Kaiser has never yet got him, according to bargain, a Reichs-Guarantee
for the Peace of Dresden; and needs endless flagitating to do it. [Does
it, at length, by way of furtherance to this Romish-King Business, "23d
January-14th May, 1751" (--Adelung,--vii. 217).] The chase of security
and aggrandizement to the House of Austria is by no means Friedrich's
chief aim! This of King of the Romans never could be managed by
Britannic Majesty and his Newcastle.

It was very triumphant, and I think at its hopefulest, in 1750, soon
after starting,--when Excellency Hanbury first appeared at Berlin
on behalf of it. That was Excellency Hanbury's first journey on this
errand; and he made a great many more, no man readier; a stir