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flatteries nor promises. “Let us talk in confidence,” said he, “let us say between us that your Kosciuszko is a stupid fellow.” “Sir,” answered I, “he has shewn upon many occasions that he is far from being what you say.” “But,” answered Samoilow, “it is you, Potocki, and Kollontay,[1] who led him.” “Sir,” said I, “I have never had ambition to lead any one but myself, and you see how little talent I have for that, else I should not be here. As to Potocki and Kollontay, General Kosciuszko might have been advised, but never led by them.” “He has told us himself that they did every-
- ↑ Hugh Kollontay, the Vice-Chancellor of Poland, one of the most distinguished statesmen of his time and country, took a prominent part in all the attempts which were made by the Polish patriots to preserve their country from the fate which finally crushed her. After the events of 1794, Kollontay was long imprisoned at Olmutz. He died at Warsaw in 1812. As to his political and literary labours, we refer our readers to the article Kollontay, in the Encyclopédie des gens du monde, published at Paris.
