Soon after, the Duke of Shrewsbury went on a formal embassy to
Paris. It is related by Boyer that the intention was to have joined
Prior in the commission, but that Shrewsbury refused to be
associated with a man so meanly born. Prior therefore continued to
act without a title till the duke returned next year to England, and
then he assumed the style and dignity of ambassador. But while he
continued in appearance a private man, he was treated with
confidence by Louis, who sent him with a letter to the queen,
written in favour of the Elector of Bavaria. "I shall expect," says
he, "with impatience, the return of Mr. Prior, whose conduct is very
agreeable to me." And while the Duke of Shrewsbury was still at
Paris, Bolingbroke wrote to Prior thus:- "Monsieur de Torcy has a
confidence in you; make use of it, once for all, upon this occasion,
and convince him thoroughly that we must give a different turn to
our Parliament and our people according to their resolution at this
crisis."

Prior's public dignity and splendour commenced in August, 1713, and
continued till the August following; but I am afraid that, according
to the usual fate of greatness, it was attended with some
perplexities and mortifications. He had not all that is customarily
given to ambassadors: he hints to the queen in an imperfect poem
that he had no service of plate; and it appeared by the debts which
he contracted that his remittances were not punctually made.

On the 1st of August, 1714, ensued the downfall of the Tories and
the degradation of Prior. He was recalled, but was not able to
return, being detained by the debts which he had found it necessary
to contract, and which were not discharged before March, though his
old friend Montague was now at the head of the Treasury. He