The Czar's Residence in _France_ had brought such a vast Number of Foreigners to _Paris_, that the City being more populous than ever, new Pleasures were thought of to divert them. A private Gentleman made a Proposal to me, which if I could have succeeded in, would have been of very great Service to me at that Juncture; for it was to put a considerable Sum of Money in my Pocket, if I could obtain a Patent for licensing Balls and Plays in the _Elysian Fields_, where the Projector wou'd have erected Booths for that purpose. I spoke of this to the Regent, who, according to his Custom, promis'd me the Grant at the first Word; but M. _d'Argenson_, who was then only Lieutenant of the Police, made him soon alter his Mind; for he represented to his Royal Highness, that such Balls would infallibly be attended with great Disorders. The Objection was specious, and like enough to be true; but after all, such a Licence would not have increas'd the Disorder very much, especially at a Place where 'twas for a long time the Fashion to take the Air in the Night, so that there were often more Coaches in the Course or Ring after Midnight, than in the Day-time. Besides, a way might be found to avoid all the Disorders that could possibly be foreseen. But M. _d'Argenson_ was a Man that neither lov'd Novelties, nor Opportunities of obliging. I was the better pleas'd with this Project, because if it had taken, I saw that I should be in a Condition to stay some time longer at _Paris_, and to live in a genteel manner. But at last, when I saw it defeated, I thought of nothing but returning to _Berlin_. While I was putting every thing in order for my Journey, I saw the Count _de Rothenbourg_ at _Paris_, who was come from _Berlin_, and to return thither shortly with a Commission on some Affairs of _France_. This Gentleman, who encourag'd me in my Design to go thither, assur'd me that it would be the easiest matter in the World for me to sell my Lands; that the King had just erected Fiefs; and that he gave every Man leave to dispose of his Estate; nay more, he offer'd to carry me along with him, and to advance me what Money I wanted. I thought all these to be very advantagious Proposals; but they were Words without Deeds. 'Tis true he lent me Money, that is to say, Government-Bills; but taking an advantage of the Necessity he found me in, oblig'd me to conclude one of the most fatal Bargains I ever made in my Life. I discounted my Bills, that is to say, I lost considerably by them, and with the residue of the Money I set out from _Paris_ to _Strasbourg_, where M. _de Rothenbourg_ had appointed to meet me: But for his part he went by the way of _Burgundy_, where he had an Estate; so that I staid for him near a Month, which surely I should not have done if I had been in Cash. When he came he told me, _That 'twas impossible for him to carry me with him to +Berlin+, because he had no room in his Coach_. 'Tis true that it was full, but there were some People in it, whom it would have better become to have got up behind. I was by this means under an indispensable Necessity to stay at _Strasbourg_, till I had a sufficient Remittance from _Berlin_, to enable me to continue my Journey, without being beholden to any body.