Although D’Eon had lost his father, he was not left friendless; for he remained under the protection of several persons of influence, who had known the relatives he had lost, there being amongst them the Prince de Conti, the Abbé de Bernis (subsequently Minister for Foreign Affairs), the Marshal de Belle-Isle (afterwards Minister for War), also the Duchess de Penthièvre and the Count d’Ons-en-Bray, whose funeral eulogiums, inserted in the ‘Année Littéraire,’ were the earliest products of his pen. These writings were succeeded by an historical essay on finance in France, and ‘Notes on the Life and Works of the celebrated Abbé Lenglet de Fresnoy,’ printed in the ‘Année Littéraire’ for 1755, literary labours which served to bring him into notice at an early age as a thoughtful and careful writer. D’Eon was passionately fond of study, and would only quit his books for what became his sole recreation in life—the art of fencing, in which he proved a great expert, as shown by his election to the superintendence of the School of Arms. D’Eon’s tastes inclined him to a military life, rather than to what the necessities of his situation were calling him; but his destiny summoned him to take a part in the political transactions of his country, with what success it is the object of this work to show. [Sidenote: FRENCH ENVOYS TO RUSSIA.] In his desire to renew with Russia the friendly relations interrupted since the day when the Marquis de la Chétardie was unceremoniously escorted to the frontier (June 13, 1744), Louis XV. had dispatched to St. Petersburg, in the year 1754, the Chevalier de Valcroissant on a secret mission for that purpose—a mission, however, that came to an untimely end; for the Chevalier, being unprovided with any kind of credential or letter of recommendation, was taken up on suspicion of being a French spy, and confined in the fortress of Schlusselburg, on the Ladoga, whence it was not deemed prudent, for the time being at least, to seek to liberate him.[7] The Empress Elizabeth had already made advances of a friendly nature to the French Court, and in view of her possible treaty of subsidies with England, the King resolved upon another effort towards reconciliation, taking more effectual precautions to ensure success. The person selected for this important, secret, and even hazardous service, was a native of North Britain, named Mackenzie, but known as the Chevalier Douglas, who represented himself as having followed the fortunes of the Pretender and obliged to seek refuge in France, bringing with him ‘nothing but his nobility,’ when in reality he was a Jesuit in disguise, had lived at Liège during the late war, employed as a spy by Holland, and had afterwards entered the service of the Prince Waldeck.[8] When invited to proceed to Russia he was tutor in the family of the Intendant of Paris, and passing under the name of Michel.