Thus far Catherine had acted like other monsters of both sexes. Her next measures were as weak towards men as they were profane in the face of Heaven. In very silly manifestoes she endeavoured to justify her crimes; and dared even to call on the Most High as the instigator of her abominations, speaking of her husband but as her neighbour, and of his death as a judgment. Vain and contemptible was this attempt: it could blind none but those who would be willing to acquit her without it.
The Princess Daskau soon lost the favour she had so blackly merited; and Rosamouski, Hetman of the Tartars, whom many accused as the very assassin of his master, but who, as his friends urged, was forced into the conspiracy, went into a voluntary exile. Orloff had gained deeper hold on his mistress, and kept her in subjection. Panin, governor of her son, was another of the principal conspirators. Bestucheff, the late chancellor, was recalled; and thus he, Count Munich, Biron, once Duke of Courland, and master of the empire, with the various exiles of the late reigns, found themselves again together at Petersburgh.[237]
After the murdered Prince himself, no man was likely to be more affected by this revolution than the King of Prussia. The Russians, so lately his enemies, had not been pleased to become his allies. But, though the new Empress was necessitated to comply with the wishes of her subjects in withdrawing them from that service, she was not disposed in so critical a situation to renew the war, or to add provocation to a man whom she had deprived of so useful and essential a friend. She therefore only made the requisition of the thirty thousand Russians in his service, but allowed him for a few days to profit by their assistance, and extricate himself out of this new difficulty. He returned for answer, that he would only drive Marshal Daun from the hills before him, and her troops should return. He did so. This was taking his part with admirable presence of mind. He knew that Daun must in a day or two learn the departure of the Russian troops, and would attack him when weakened.
Birth of the Prince of Wales.--Treasure of the Hermione.--Conquest of the Havannah.--Indifference of the Court on that event.-- Negotiations for Peace.--Not popular in England.--Reception in France of the Duke of Bedford.--The Duc de Nivernois.--Beckford elected Lord Mayor.--Duel between Lord Talbot and Wilkes.--Lord Bute’s Delegates in the House of Commons.--Grenville and Lord Bute.--Union of Lord Bute and Fox.--The latter reproached by the Duke of Cumberland.--Lord Waldegrave and the Duke of Devonshire decline the proposal of Fox.--Disgust at the union of Bute and Fox.--Purchase of a majority to approve the Peace.--Fox’s revenge against the Duke of Devonshire.--The King and the Marquis of Rockingham.--Further severity to the Duke of Devonshire.