As envoy, although an official, I still had the feeling of being a gentleman; as [Parliamentary] Minister one is a helot.

I have come down in the world, and hardly know how.
"April 18th.

I wrote as far as this yesterday, then the sitting came to an end; five hours' Chamber until three o'clock; one hour's report to his Majesty; three hours at an incredibly dull dinner, old important Whigs; then two hours' work; finally, a supper with a colleague, who would have been hurt if I had slighted his fish.

This morning, I had hardly breakfasted, before Karolyi was sitting opposite to me; he was followed without interruption by Denmark, England, Portugal, Russia, France, whose Ambassador I was obliged to remind at one o'clock that it was time for me to go to the House of phrases.

I am sitting again in the latter; hear people talk nonsense, and end my letter.