I found him opposed to the ideas of the Count de Rayneval, and very far from disposed to countersign the _Note_ of the 14th of May.

Nevertheless, he was beginning to judge the administration of the Cardinals, and the grievances of the people, with something more than diplomatic impartiality.

If I were to express what appeared to be his opinion, in common parlance, I should say he would have put the governors and the governed in a bag together.

I would wager that, three months afterwards, the bag would contain none but the governed, and that he would think it only fit to be flung into the water.

Such is the influence of ecclesiastical cajoleries over even the most gifted minds.
What can the Romans hope from our diplomacy, when they see one of the most notorious lacqueys of the Pontifical coterie lording it at the French Embassy?
The name of the upright man I allude to is Lasagni; his business is that of a consistorial advocate; we pay him for deceiving us.