[10] This brave and clever prince was a most unfortunate general. Beaten by the Prussians in 1742, while commanding the Austrian army in Bohemia, he was again defeated in Alsace in 1745. The affability of his manners, his artistic and literary tastes, his kindness of heart, endeared him to all, and his paternal rule is still remembered in Belgium. His generosity was boundless, and the considerable income he received (six hundred thousand florins of Brabant) did not suffice to cover his expenses. He ruined himself by his prodigality, but science and art prospered under him, and schools of paintings and colleges were established in every town. New roads were made; trade, then at a low ebb, received a fresh impulse; and a transport service was organised between the Flemish ports and those of Germany and France. [11] A species of lacquer painting, at present revived in France. [12] All different games of cards, in vogue at that time at the French Court. [13] The Duchesse de Polignac, Gabrielle-Yolande-Martine de Polastron, an intimate friend of the Queen, was both amiable and beautiful. Expressive blue eyes, a high forehead, a nose very slightly turned up, a lovely mouth, with pretty little white teeth which were beautifully symmetrical, formed a most agreeable physiognomy. Her features bore the stamp of sweetness and modesty. At the age of seventeen she married the Comte Jules de Polignac. [14] The Chevalier de l’Isle was a brigadier in the King’s cavalry, having been appointed on 25th July 1762. Very intimate with the Choiseul family and Madame du Deffant, he is mentioned in the latter’s correspondence. [15] It was he who wrote a letter to the patriarch of Ferney about a badly-executed commission commencing as follows: “You must, sir, be very stupid,” etc. This beginning threw Voltaire into an ecstasy of delight. [16] In this temple, where incognito Reigns as well as folly, You are, thanks to the domino, Neither queen nor beauty. Under this twofold disguise, Laughingly unknown, Should I name you, then at once You will be publicly adored. [17] In order to elucidate this paragraph, we must explain that the Prince sang dreadfully out of tune, and that the pretended cousin was the lovely Angélique d’Hannetaire, daughter of the director of the theatre at Brussels; she sang beautifully, and was very intelligent; the Prince was madly in love with her at that time. [18] See _Fragments of unedited Memoirs of the Prince de Ligne_, published in the _Revue Nouvelle_. Paris, 1840. [19] To have the right of sitting down in the King or Queen’s presence. [20] An estate of the Prince de Ligne in France, and about which he had a lawsuit; the name of the estate is pronounced like _cœurs_ (hearts), hence the Prince’s pun. [21] _The false Magic_, a comic opera by Grétry. [22] A pun on the word _glace_, which in French means either ice or a looking-glass. [23] Monsieur and the Comte d’Artois.