Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

In 1792, when but twenty-two years old, he was selected by the ministers of Louis XVI., who had then been constitutional king for about a year, to manage a delicate and important mission to the Duke of Brunswick. The object was to induce the Duke to decide in refusing the command of the army allied against France. It was hoped, and with reason, that the crisis of our revolution would prove less dangerous to the country and the king, if foreigners did not attempt violently to interfere with its progress.

My father arrived at Brunswick too late. The Duke had given his word. The confidence which the character and ability of young Custine inspired in France, was, however, such, that, instead of being recalled to Paris, he was sent to the Prussian court, to make new efforts to detach King William II. from that same coalition whose armies the Duke of Brunswick had promised to command.

Shortly before the arrival of my father at Berlin, M. de Ségur, the French ambassador in Prussia, had failed in this difficult negotiation. My father was sent to replace him.

King William had not treated M. de Ségur well. On one occasion, the latter returned home so exasperated, and under such an impression that his reputation as a skilful diplomatist was for ever compromised, that he attempted self-destruction. The blade of his weapon did not penetrate very deep, but M. do Ségur left Prussia.

This occurrence puzzled all the political heads in Europe: nothing could at that time account for the extreme ill-will of the king towards a man so distinguished both by his birth and talents. I have heard в 6