Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Second, Volume 3 (of 3) by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER IX.

Influence of Madame de Pompadour in the Councils of France—French reverses—Wolfe’s Embarrassments—His Conquest of Quebec—His death—Perfidy and cruelty of the French Government—Bankruptcy of France—Meeting of Parliament—Mr. Pitt’s speech—Lord Temple resigns the Privy Seal, and then resumes it—Monument raised to Wolfe, and Thanks conferred on the Officers engaged in the Expedition—Admiral Saunders—Sir Edward Hawke attacks the French Fleet under Conflans, which he destroys—Debates on extraordinary Commissions—Proposals for Peace—Court of the Heir-Apparent—Victorious Officers rewarded—Warburton made a Bishop—Ireland—Tumults in Dublin—Irish Parliament.

Prince Ferdinand reaped as little advantage from his success at Minden as the enemies had from the defeat of the King of Prussia. The French Army was still superior. Contades had so entirely lost his credit, that Marshal D’Etrées, against his own inclination, was sent to share the command, and at least warded off any new disgrace to his country. Yet so sunk were both their Councils and Commanders in the estimation of the public, and so much of the national shame was attributed to the influence of Madame de Pompadour, that a description of their situation and of the supposed cause was fixed upon the walls of Versailles, in these words,—

“Bateaux plats à vendre,

Soldats à louer,

Ministres à pendre,

Generaux à louer,

O France, le sexe femelle

Fit toujours ton destin,

Ton bonheur vint d’une Pucelle,

Ton malheur vient d’une catin.”

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