I am still much concerned about Guerchy. I am not sure, however, that we are doing him a good service by appointing him ambassador in London.... I dread his despatches like fire, and you know how defective despatches injure a man and his work. A minister is often judged less by the manner in which he conducts business than by the account he gives of it.... But he cannot write at all; we must not deceive ourselves on this point. Nevertheless, Guerchy was named for the post—first, because it was not deemed desirable that Nivernais’ candidate should be rejected—the ambassador being in high favour at Versailles—secondly, because Praslin, in spite of his too just opinion of Guerchy’s merits, was glad to oblige two of his intimate friends at the same time. On February 16, 1763, the Duc de Nivernais was apprised of this selection in London. It was settled that d’Eon should remain at the embassy for the purpose of assisting his new chief, and wielding the pen in his stead. In the interim he was even left in charge, and, upon Nivernais’ earnest recommendation, Praslin agreed to give him the title of Resident Minister. D’Eon was still in France when Nivernais recalled him to London to commit the embassy to his care. He was somewhat long in complying with his chief’s order, and even gave out that he was ill. In reality, the intrigues of the secret diplomacy were detaining him in Paris. The Comte de Broglie was at that time an exile in his estates in Normandy. He had been involved in the disgrace of his brother, the marshal, to whom the Marquise de Pompadour, notwithstanding facts and the force of public opinion, had attributed the responsibilities really incurred by Soubise during the Seven Years’ War. Louis XV., unable to oppose the favourite openly, but unwilling to be deprived of his secret minister’s services, resigned himself to transferring the headquarters of his private diplomacy to the Château de Broglie. It was during this temporary seclusion that the Comte de Broglie matured a plan for the invasion of England which had been formed a long time before, but the recent hostilities had prevented its execution. If the conclusion of peace put back the opportunity for doing so, it allowed, at least, of the conditions and means likely to lead to a successful issue being studied on the spot. The King and the minister understood better than the nation the fatal terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and were anxious to prepare themselves quickly for counteracting its effects. Accordingly Louis XV. examined with interest the plan submitted to him, and sent it back to Tercier with his approval. It was at this latter’s house that d’Eon and the Comte de Broglie, who was passing through Paris at the time, met for the purpose of organising this perilous mission. D’Eon’s position in London and his experience of intrigues of this description enabled him to conduct the researches, and a colleague was given to him—his cousin, the