[Footnote 249: March 24, 1739. In a letter to d'Argenson of January 26, 1740, Voltaire speaks of those views upon history of which he afterwards became the apostle. (_Cf._ Morley, "Voltaire," p. 298). "Another idea of mine. We have only had the history of kings, and that of the nation has not been written. It would seem that for fourteen hundred years we have had nothing in Gaul but kings, ministers, and generals; our manners, laws, customs, ideas, are they then nothing?" This letter closes with the post-script: "Pardon; there was a great figure in optics on the other leaf; I have torn it off."] [Footnote 250: May 8, 1739. Édition Garnier XXXV. pp. 272-3. The idea of d'Argenson as Frederick's first minister occurs not unfrequently in future letters.] [Footnote 251: Ibid., 289-292.] [Footnote 252: July 28, 1739. For further details see letters of 8th May, 21st June, and 28th July, and d'Argenson, 7th July.] [Footnote 253: For references to the Portuguese embassy, see letters of 16th April, 28th July, and 17th August; and d'Argenson, 20th June (Nisard).] [Footnote 254: See Note 420.] [Footnote 255: Voltaire, 16th April, 1739. It may be presumed that d'Argenson was unable to keep his satisfaction to himself; for Voltaire writes to his business agent in Paris, asking him to call upon d'Argenson and thank him for the care he had taken of the letters, as a gentle suggestion that he should take more of it in future. See Voltaire to Moussinot, 30th May, 1740 (Édit. Garnier, XXXV. p. 440).] [Footnote 256: Journal (Rathery) III. p. 105.] [Footnote 257: Journal (Rathery), III. p. 247.] [Footnote 258: Ibid., IV. p. 96.] [Footnote 259: De Broglie, "Marie Thérèse, Impératrice" (for 1745), and "Maurice de Saxe et le Marquis d'Argenson" (for 1746): Zevort, "Le Marquis d'Argenson et le Ministère des affaires étrangères, 1744-47."] [Footnote 260: "Considérations sur le gouvernement de la France," d'Argenson's famous treatise upon French politics, which is examined in Chapter VI.] [Footnote 261: "But in stirring the fire we must be careful not to set it in a blaze. This nation (the English) is awakened promptly and powerfully by the pressure of necessity; all parties unite: and in spite of the public debt, the wealth in private hands is a fund of great resources" (p. 325). After recommending preparation for a great maritime war, he proceeds, "If we succeed, the flourishing English colonies will dwindle to nothing" (p. 326, "Considérations," edit. 1764-5).] [Footnote 262: "Autre Traité des Principaux Interêts de la France avec ses voisins à l'occasion du projet d'un tribunal Européen par M. l'Abbé de St. Pierre, Novembre, 1737." See the four manuscripts, Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal. This superscription does not appear in the printed editions.] [Footnote 263: Journal (Rathery), III. p. 259.] [Footnote 264: Zevort, p. 5.] [Footnote 265: See Appendix C.]