[Footnote 207: In the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal (MS. 6141, fol. 295) there exists a "Counsel's opinion" obtained by Mme. d'Argenson, signed "De Lambon," and dated September 28, 1756. It throws much light upon Madame d'Argenson's character, and confirms her husband's estimate of her. After twenty-two years she had not forgiven; and feeling it an indignity to be dependent upon her husband for the handsome allowance he had consented to make her, she proposed to have the separation, both of person and property, judicially confirmed. Her counsel evidently thought her claim unwarrantable, and in some of his most moderate words he says: "But to-day, after more than twenty-two years that they have lived apart, and after the legal arrangements made by Madame d'Argenson with her husband in January, 1733, and October, 1747 (le ... ? janvier, 1733, et le ? octobre, 1747), her desire would not be countenanced for a moment. She would not be permitted to revive the old facts, and to form a demand for a (judicial) separation, so long as M. d'Argenson adheres faithfully to that concluded by agreement." The document closes with the crushing words: "Il vaut mieux se condamner soimême, que de plaider pour être condamné."] [Footnote 208: Journal (Rathery), I. p. 215.] [Footnote 209: Journal (Rathery), I. p. 219.] [Footnote 210: Ibid., September 3, and November 13 and 26, 1736.] [Footnote 211: Ibid., I. p. 228.] [Footnote 212: See Journal (Rathery), III. p. 13, and De Tocqueville, "Histoire Philosophique du règne de Louis XV.," I. p. 416.] [Footnote 213: Journal (Rathery), I. p. 235.] [Footnote 214: Ibid., I. p. 237.] [Footnote 215: Ibid., I. p. 238.] [Footnote 216: Ibid., I. p. 242.] [Footnote 217: D'Argenson had held the same post in the beginning of his career (see pp. 28, 30). It was not important, but it presented opportunities which Count d'Argenson was astute enough to turn to account. He held it in conjunction with the chancellorship of the Orléans household, which had been given him by the Regent in 1723, and which he retained after his dismissal from the Lieutenancy of Police in January, 1724. See p. 46.] [Footnote 218: Journal (Rathery), I. p. 246.] [Footnote 219: Ibid., I. p. 260.] [Footnote 220: Ibid., I. p. 262.] [Footnote 221: Ibid., I. p. 263.] [Footnote 222: Ibid., I. p. 262.] [Footnote 223: Ste. Beuve, "Causeries du lundi," XII. and XIV.] [Footnote 224: Journal (Rathery), I. pp. 240-41.] [Footnote 225: Ibid., I. p. 260.] [Footnote 226: At this time Portugal, completely dominated by English influence, was a thorn in the side of the Bourbon powers. _Cf._ "Considérations," p. 89 (1764) and p. 78 (1784).] [Footnote 227: Journal (Rathery), I. p. 264.]