Lord Stair cannot conceal his hatred of Mr. Law, and yet he has gained at least three millions by him. Mr. Law’s son was to have danced in the King’s ballet, but he has been attacked by the small-pox (9th Feb., 1720). ......................... My son has been obliged to displace Mr. Law. This person, who was formerly worshipped like a god, is now not sure of his life; it is astonishing how greatly terrified he is. He is no longer Comptroller-General, but continues to hold the place of Director-General of the Bank and of the East India Company; certain members of the Parliamentary Council have, however, been joined with him to watch over the business of the Bank. [In the Council of the Regency, the Duc d’Orleans was obliged to: admit that Law issued papers to the amount of 1,200 millions above the legal sum; and that he (the Regent) had protected him from all responsibility by decrees of the Council which had been ante-dated. The total, amount of bank-notes in circulation was 2,700,000,000 livres.] His friend, the Duc d’Antin wanted to get the place of Director. The Duke at first spoke strongly against Law; but it is said that a sum of four millions, three of which went to him and one to Madame de Prie, has engaged him to undertake Law’s defence. My son is not timid, although he is threatened on all sides, and is very much amused with Law’s terrors (25th June, 1720). At length the latter is somewhat recovered, and continues to be great friends with the Duke: this is very pleasant to the Duc de Conti, and makes him behave so strangely that his infirmity is observed by the people. It is fortunate for us that Law is so great a coward, otherwise he would be very troublesome to my son, who, learning that he was joining in a cabal against him, told his wife of it. “Well, Monsieur,” said she, “what would you have him do? He likes to be talked of, and he has no other way of accomplishing it. What would people have to say of him if he did not?” On the 17th of June, while I was at the Carmelites, Madame de Chateau-Thiers came to me in my chamber, and said, “M. de Simiane is just come in from the Palais Royal, and he thinks it fit you should know that upon your return you will find the court of the Palais Royal filled with people, who, though they do not say anything, will not disperse.” At six o’clock this morning they brought in three dead bodies, which M. Le Blanc ordered to be carried away immediately.