Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1

XII.
Willem Bentinck aan de gravin van Portland.

[B.M., Eg. 1712]

Den Haag, 8 Nov. 1740.

......By the news come yesterday from Berlin - - from Peterburg we had none - - the Empress of Russia¹⁾ was very ill of the gout in her stomach. What change this would bring in the affairs of Europe, God only knows; but am afraid it would do no good. The intestine divisions there are gone to a very great height, and the government has been maintained for a long while only by the greatest severity, I might say cruelty, which the authors would pay dear, if the Czarina came to dye at present. The aversion the French have for the Russians shews they fear 'em, which is enough for to make any man love 'em, who has any sentiments of honour, or love for liberty. The Emperor's death has occasion'd much deliberation here, but no Resolution yet. I wish the fear of the overmight of France may not stun the cowards, which by much make the majority, and hinder 'em to come to a vigorous resolution......

1) De keizerin, Anna, was in October reeds overleden.