Les dieux, en la donnant naissance
Aux lieux par la Saxe envahis,
Lui donnerent pour recompense
Le gout qu'on ne trouve qu'en France,
Et l'esprit de tous les pays.


The Princesse, who frequented the Philosophes, appears to have
encouraged Charles in free thinking and ostentatious indifference in
religion.

'He is a handsome Prince, and I should love him as much as my wife
does,' says poor M. de Talmond, in d'Argenson's play, 'but why is he
not saintly, and ruled by the Congregation de Saint Ignace, like his
father? It is Madame de Talmond who preaches to him independence and
incredulity. She is bringing the curse of God upon me. How old will
she be before the conversion for which I pray daily to Saint Francois
Xavier?'

Such was Madame de Talmond, an old mistress of a young man, flighty,
philosophical, and sharp of tongue.

On July 18, 1748, Charles communicated to Louis XV. his protest
against the article of the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle which drove him
out of every secular state in Europe. Louis broke a solemn treaty by
assenting to this article. Charles published his protest and sent it
to Montesquieu. He complained that Montesquieu had not given him the
new edition of his book on the Romans. 'La confiance devroit etre
mieux etabli entre les auteurs: j'espere que ma facon de penser pour