Among the objects of this insolent buffoonery was a person supposed to
represent the King of Prussia. To this worthy representative they did
not so much as condescend to mention his master; they did not seem to
know that he had one; they addressed themselves solely to Prussia in the
abstract, notwithstanding the infinite obligation they owed to their
early protector for their first recognition and alliance, and for the
part of his territory he gave into their hands for the first-fruits of
his homage. None but dead monarchs are so much as mentioned by them, and
those only to insult the living by an invidious comparison. They told
the Prussians they ought to learn, after the example of Frederick the
Great, a love for France. What a pity it is, that he, who loved France
so well as to chastise it, was not now alive, by an unsparing use of the
rod (which, indeed, he would have spared little) to give them another
instance of his paternal affection! But the Directory were mistaken.
These are not days in which monarchs value themselves upon the title of
_great_: they are grown _philosophic_: they are satisfied to be good.
Your Lordship will pardon me for this no very long reflection on the
short, but excellent speech of the plumed Director to the ambassador of
Cappadocia.
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