[69] The affair of Lord Ravensworth and Fawcet. 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.” But the measure of their disgraces was not yet complete. They were foiled in the East Indies, as in all other parts. Lally, their General, a man of great parts and impetuosity, but with both the high and the low talents of an adventurer, was forced to raise the siege, which he had undertaken, of Madras, and resigned his command in indignation at the cowardice of his countrymen. Admiral Pococke twice beat their Fleet. Their invasions on the Ohio cost them the second empire which they had so artfully and so silently been founding at the other end of the world.