He was a German,--pupil of the great Frederic, with whom he had served with _eclat_ during the seven years' war as commandant of the vanguard, at the moment when Frederic changed the war, and commenced its tactics.

The Duc de Choiseul was desirous of depriving Prussia of a general of this great school, to teach the modern art of battles to French generals.

He had attracted Luckner from his country by force of temptations, fortune, and honours.

The national Assembly, from respect to the memory of the philosopher king, had preserved to Luckner the pension of 60,000 francs which had been paid to him during the Revolution.

Luckner, indifferent to constitutions, believed himself a revolutionist from gratitude.