D'Argenson becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs, 93; Accounts of his ministry, 94; His views upon foreign politics, 97; The first two months, 102; Deprecates an offensive campaign in Flanders, 104; His policy both of peace and war overruled by the King, 106; Death of the Emperor, Charles VII. (January 20, 1745), 107; The situation at Paris, and at Vienna, 107; French overtures to the King of Poland, 110; Prussia and the maritime powers, 113; Frederick's view of the position in Germany, 114; Supported by d'Argenson: the Flassan memoir, 115; His vain attempts to second Frederick, 119; Convention of Augsburg, and loss of Bavaria, 121; Fontenoy and the retreat of Conti, 125; Convention of Hanover, between Prussia and England, 126; Election of the Emperor Francis I., 127; D'Argenson's share in these events, 128; Austrian overtures to France: frustrated by d'Argenson, 130; Winter campaign of 1745: Treaty of Dresden, 134; Review, 136; 1746: the Negotiation of Turin, 138; Resistance of Spain, and treachery of Sardinia, 141; Collapse of the scheme, 142; The neutrality of the Empire, 143; The Saxon marriage, 144; Maurice de Saxe and Count Brühl, 145; Dismissal of d'Argenson: his position, 147; His conduct of the Italian scheme, 148; His attitude towards Austria and Prussia, 150; D'Argenson and the tradition of French foreign policy, 152. V. 1747-1757. D'Argenson in retirement: review of his Journal, 154; A revolution in politics, 156; Influence of England, 160; Diderot: Buffon: Voltaire: Rousseau, 162; An election to the Academy: a French Inquisition, 163; The revolution in thought, 165; D'Argenson's Journal: his power as a writer, 166; "Le style, c'est l'homme," 169; Private life: Paris and Segrez, 170; Conclusion, 171. VI. 1737 and 1755. "Considérations sur le gouvernement de la France," 173; Critical difficulties, 174; The "Plan" of 1737, 176; M. Martin's judgment of it, 177; The judgment of Voltaire, 179; Its prime distinction, 180; D'Argenson's views as to the value of the Monarchy: important change, 182; The "Plan" of 1755, 184; Abstract of the "Plan," 185; The scope and significance of d'Argenson's proposals, 199; D'Argenson and Turgot, 202; The scheme in the aspect of revolution, 204; A master-work of sagacity, 206. APPENDICES 213 NOTES 227 INDEX 255 THE MARQUIS D'ARGENSON. I. 1630-1721. D'Argenson's Ancestry.