Louis XV

“The development of foreign ministries further restricted the scope for summitry. But rulers often retained their own private diplomatic networks. Louis XV was a prime example, while Frederick the Great of Prussia created his own Kabinett, or private office, and took over the most important business from the Foreign Office. Not surprisingly, Frederick also tried his hand at summitry: seeking a rapprochement with Austria after the Seven Years War, he met the emperor Joseph II at Neisse in 1769 and Neustadt in 1770.”

“A prince is the first servant and the first magistrate of the State.”

“Un prince est le premier serviteur et le premier magistrat de l’État.”

“A people's silence is a lesson to their kings.”

“Le silence du peuple est la lecon des rois.”

“When the Marechal de Belle-Isle’s son was killed in battle, Madame persuaded the King to pay his father a visit. He was rather reluctant, and Madame said to him, with an air half angry, half playful:{{pb}}  ————Barbare! don’t l’orgueil  Croit le sang d’un sujet trop pays d’un coup d’oeil.{{pb}}The King laughed, and said, “Whose fine verses are those?”—“Voltaire’s,” said Madame ———.“As barbarous as I am, I gave him the place of gentleman in ordinary, and a pension,” said the King.”

“After us, the deluge!”

“Après nous le déluge!”

“Sovereignty lies in me alone. The legislative power is mine unconditionally and indivisibly. The public order emanates from me, and I am its supreme guardian. My people is one with me.”