; and while he pretends to disclose to our state-pilots all the
springs that move the cabinet of Versailles, he is actually picking up
intelligence for the service of the French minister - Be that as it may, captain
C-- entered into conversation with us in the most familiar manner, and treated
the duke's character without any ceremony - »This wise-acre (said he) is still
a-bed; and, I think, the best thing he can do, is to sleep on till Christmas;
for, when he gets up, he does nothing but expose his own folly. - Since
Granville was turned out, there has been no minister in this nation worth the
meal that whitened his periwig - They are so ignorant, they scarce know a crab
from a cauliflower; and then they are such dunces, that there's no making them
comprehend the plainest proposition - In the beginning of the war, this poor
half-witted creature told me, in a great fright, that thirty thousand French had
marched from Acadie to Cape Breton - Where did they find transports?« (said I)
»Transports! (cried he) I tell you, they marched by land -« By land to the
island of Cape Breton? »What! is Cape Breton an island?« Certainly. »Ha! are you
sure of that?« When I pointed it out in the map, he examined it earnestly with
his spectacles; then, taking me in his arms, »My dear C--! (cried he) you always
bring us good news - Egad! I'll go directly, and tell the king that Cape Breton
is an island -«
    He seemed disposed to entertain us with more anecdotes of this nature, at
the expence of his grace, when he was interrupted by the arrival of the Algerine
ambassador; a venerable Turk, with a long white beard, attended by his dragoman,
or interpreter, and another officer of his household, who had got no stockings
to his legs - Captain C-- immediately spoke with an air of authority to a
servant in waiting, bidding him go and tell the duke to rise, as there was a
great deal of company come, and, among others, the ambassador from Algiers -
Then, turning to us, »This poor Turk (said he) notwithstanding his grey beard,
is a green-horn - He has been several years resident in London, and still is
ignorant of our political revolutions. This visit is intended for the prime
minister of England; but you'll
