As to the inclusion of Saxony in it, my mind is not yet made up."[98] Indeed, the tenor of his private correspondence proves that before the first week of September he did not expect a new Coalition.

He believed that England and Russia would give way before him, and that Prussia would never dare to stir.

For the Court of Berlin he had a sovereign contempt, as for the "old coalition machines" in general.

His conduct of affairs at this time betokens, not so much desire for war as lack of imagination where other persons' susceptibilities are concerned.

It is probable that he then wanted peace with England and peace on the Continent; for his diplomacy won conquests fully as valuable as the booty of his sword, and only in a naval peace could he lay the foundations of that oriental empire which, he assured O'Meara at St.
Helena, held the first place in his thoughts after the overthrow of Austria.