The giving his volume to the world produced the greatest consternation amongst those of the ruling powers whose private letters, several of an exceedingly delicate nature, had thus been made public, and in exposing the secrets of ministers, D’Eon spared his friends as little as he did his bitterest enemies, the King only, in whom his faith was implicit, being held sacred by his daring spirit. The publication was no leap in the dark, but an ill-considered act, an irreparable blunder which brought upon him the extreme of gratuitous misery, and desertion by all those in authority. No sooner was this book out of the printer’s hands than the Count de Guerchy secured a copy, and sat for several hours with his wife poring over its contents. Some satirical passages on their love of economy having led to a quarrel between the two, they threw the volume at each other’s heads. ‘Could I have foreseen such a thing,’ said the Chevalier upon being informed of the circumstance, ‘I should have issued the book in a wooden binding!’[165] [Sidenote: HORACE WALPOLE.] As the publication caused a panic at Versailles, so was the sensation in London enormous. This is what Walpole had to say about it:— ‘D’Eon has published (but to be sure you have already heard so) a most scandalous quarto, abusing Monsieur de Guerchy outrageously, and most offensive to Messieurs de Praslin and Nivernois. In truth I think he will have made all three irreconcilable enemies. The Duke de Praslin must be enraged as to the Duke’s carelessness and partiality to D’Eon, and will certainly grow to hate Guerchy, concluding the latter can never forgive _him_. D’Eon, even by his own account, is as culpable as possible, mad with pride, insolent, abusive, ungrateful, and dishonest—in short, a complication of abominations, yet originally ill-used by his Court, afterwards too well; above all, he has great malice, and great parts to put that malice in play. Though there are even many bad puns in his book, a very uncommon fault in a French book, yet there is much wit too. Monsieur de Guerchy is extremely hurt.... I could write pages to you upon this subject, for I am full of it—but I will send you the book. The Council have met to-day to consider what to do upon it. Most people think it difficult for them to do anything. Lord Mansfield thinks they can’—Walpole disliked the judge, and adds—‘but I fear he has a little alacrity on the severe side in such cases.’[166]