‘My enemies maintain that I am ambitious and delight in honours only, and this they say, because I became Minister Plenipotentiary at an early age without having sought the rank. The fact is, I have never nourished in my heart other than that noble emulation which spurs a man on to action. During my military and political career I have always aspired to the highest rank, without any idea of injuring anybody, and without feelings of envy or jealousy. The spirit of emulation is not forbidden by any law, Divine or human. The oak that reaches to the sky and raises its branches to the clouds, had once been but an acorn in the bowels of the earth. If the grass and the neighbouring small trees were to complain to Jupiter against this oak, would their murmurs be regarded? Thus should it be with those men who, born without common sense, unreasonably grudged me my elevation.’[186] At the time of which we write, the trial of John Wilkes at the Old King’s Court had already taken place, and the country was convulsed by what are known as the Wilkes’ riots. The Chevalier was increasing in popularity, ‘for it is engraven in the hearts of the English to take part with the oppressed,’ at a time that de Guerchy’s conduct was not of a nature to gain for him the esteem of the ministers or people of England. He had come into disagreeable collision with the authorities, and found pleasure in persecuting several of his own countrymen in London,[187] who refused to be tyrannised over by him in a manner that was offending the sensibilities of the liberty-loving people amongst whom they lived, and especially at a time when that people believed they were engaged in a struggle for liberty, represented in their idol of the day—John Wilkes.