\"Meanwhile，\"continuesWilhelmina，\"theKingofEngland’stimeofarrivalwasdrawingnigh。Werepaired，onthe6thofOctober，toCharlottenburgtoreceivehim。Theheartofmekeptbeating，andI
wasincruelagitations。KingGeorge[myGrandfather，andGrandUncle]arrivedonthe8th，aboutsevenintheevening；\"——duskyshadesalreadysinkingoverNatureeverywhere，andallpathsgrowingdim。Abundantflunkies，ofcourse，rushoutwithtorchesorwhatisneedful。\"TheKingofPrussia，theQueenandalltheirSuitereceivedhimintheCourtofthePalace，the’Apartments’
beingontheground—floor。SosoonashehadsalutedtheKingandQueen，Iwaspresentedtohim。Heembracedme；andturningtotheQueensaidtoher，’Yourdaughterisverybigofherage！’HegavetheQueenhishand，andledherintoherapartment，whithereverybodyfollowedthem。AssoonasIcamein，hetookalightfromthetable，andsurveyedmefromheadtofoot。Istoodmotionlessasastatue，andwasmuchputoutofcountenance。
Allthiswentonwithouthisutteringtheleastword。Havingthuspassedmeinreview，headdressedhimselftomyBrother，whomhecaressedmuch，andamusedhimselfwith，foragoodwhile。\"
PrettylittleGrandsonthis，yourMajesty；——anyfutureofhistoryinthisone，thinkyou？\"I，\"saysWilhelmina，\"tooktheopportunityofslippingout；\"——hopefultogetaway；butcouldnot，theQueenhavingnoticed。
\"TheQueenmademeasigntofollowher；andpassedintoaneighboringapartment，whereshehadtheEnglishandGermansofKingGeorge’sSuitesuccessivelypresentedtoher。Aftersometalkwiththesegentlemen，shewithdrew；leavingmetoentertainthem，andsaying:’SpeakEnglishtomyDaughter；youwillfindshespeaksitverywell。’Ifeltmuchlessembarrassed，oncetheQueenwasgone；andpickingupalittlecourage，IenteredintoconversationwiththeseEnglish。AsIspoketheirlanguagelikemymother—tongue，Igotprettywelloutoftheaffair，andeverybodyseemedcharmedwithme。TheymademyeulogytotheQueen；toldherIhadquitetheEnglishair，andwasmadetobetheirSovereignoneday。Itwassayingagreatdealontheirpart:fortheseEnglishthinkthemselvessomuchaboveallotherpeople，thattheyimaginetheyarepayingahighcomplimentwhentheytellanyonehehasgotEnglishmanners。
\"TheirKing[myGrandpapa]hadgotSpanishmanners，Ishouldsay:
hewasofanextremegravity，andhardlyspokeawordtoanybody。
HesalutedMadamSonsfeld[myinvaluablethrice—dearGoverness]
verycoldly；andaskedher’IfIwasalwayssoserious，andifmyhumorwasofthemelancholyturn？’’Anythingbutthat，Sire，’
answeredtheother:’buttherespectshehasforyourMajestypreventsherfrombeingassprightlyasshecommonlyis。’
Hewaggedhishead，andanswerednothing。Thereceptionhehadgivenme，andthisquestion，ofwhichIheard，gavemesuchachill，thatIneverhadthecouragetospeaktohim，\"——wasmerelylookedatwithacandlebyGrandpapa。
\"Weweresummonedtosupperatlast，wherethisgraveSovereignstillremaineddumb。Perhapshewasright，perhapshewaswrong；
butIthinkhefollowedtheproverb，whichsays，Betterholdyourtonguethanspeakbadly。Attheendoftherepasthefeltindisposed。TheQueenwouldhavepersuadedhimtoquittable；
theybandiedcomplimentsagoodwhileonthepoint；butatlastshethrewdownhernapkin，androse。TheKingofEnglandnaturallyrosetoo；butbegantostagger；theKingofPrussiaranuptohelphim，allthecompanyranbustlingabouthim；butitwastonopurpose:hesankonhisknees；hisperukefallingononeside，andhishat[oratleasthishead，Madam！]ontheother。
Theystretchedhimsoftlyonthefloor；whereheremainedagoodhourwithoutconsciousness。Thepainstheytookwithhimbroughtbackhissenses，bydegrees，atlast。TheQueenandtheKing[ofPrussia]wereindespairallthiswhile。Manyhavethoughtthisattackwasaheraldofthestrokeofapoplexywhichcamebyandby，\"——withinfouryearsfromthisdate，andcarriedoffhisMajestyinaverygloomymanner。
\"Theypassionatelyentreatedhimtoretirenow，\"continuesWilhelmina；\"buthewouldnotbyanymeans。HeledouttheQueen，anddidtheotherceremonies，accordingtorule；hadaverybadnight，aswelearnedunderhand；\"butpersistedstoicallynevertheless，beingacrownedMajesty，andboundtoit。
Hestoicallyunderwentfourorthreeotherdays，offestival，sight—seeing，\"pleasure\"socalled；——amongothersights，sawlittleFritzdrillinghisCadetsatBerlin；——andonthefourthday（12thOctober，1723，sothinksWilhelmina）fairly\"signedtheTreatyoftheDouble—Marriage，\"EnglishTownshendandthePrussianMinistryhavingsettledallthings。[Wilhelmina，MemoiresdeBareith，i。83，87，——InCoxe（MemoirsofSirRobertWalpole，London，1798），ii。266，272，273，aresomefainthints，fromTownshend，ofthisBerlinjourney。]
\"SignedtheTreaty，\"thinksWilhelmina，\"allthingsbeingsettled。\"WhichisanerroronthepartofWilhelmina。
SettledmanyorallthingswerebyTownshendandtheothers:
butbeforesigning，therewasParliamenttobeapprised，therewereformalities，expenditureoftime；betweenthecupandthelip，suchthingstointervene；——andthesadfactis，theDouble—MarriageTreatyneverwassignedatall！——However，allthingsbeingnowsettledreadyforsigning，hisBritannicMajesty，nextmorning，setofffortheGOHRDEagain，totryiftherewereanyhuntingpossible。
Thisauthenticglimpse，oneofthefewthatareattainable，oftheirfirstConstitutionalKing，letEnglishreadersmakethemostof。TheactdoneproveddreadfullymomentoustoourlittleFriend，hisGrandson；andwillmuchconcernus！
Thus，atanyrate，wastheTreatyoftheDouble—Marriagesettled，tothepointofsigning，——thoughttobeasgoodassigned。ItwasatthetimewhenCzarPeterwasmakingarmamentstoburnSweden；
whenWood’sHalfpence（onbehalfofherImproperGraceofKendal，theleanQuasi—Wife，\"Maypole\"orHop—pole，whohadrunshortofmoney，assheoftendid）wereaboutbeginningtojingleinIreland；[Coxe（i。216，217，andSUPPLYthedates）；WalpoletoTownshend，13thOctober，1723（ib。ii。275）:\"TheDrapier’sLetters\"areof1724。]whenLaw’sBubble\"System\"hadfallen，wellflaccid，intoChaosagain；whenDuboistheunutterableCardinalhadatlengthdied，andd’OrleanstheunutterableRegentwasunexpectedlyabouttodoso，——inamostsurprisingSodom—and—Gomorrahmanner。[2dDecember，1723:
Barbier，JournalHistoriqueduRegnedeLouisXV。（Paris，l847），i。192，196；Lacretelle，HistoiredeFrance，18mesiecle；&c。]Nottomentionotherdullandvilephenomenaofputridfermentation，whichweretranspiring，orsluttishlybubblingup，inpoorbenightedrottenEuropehereorthere；——sincethesearesufficienttodatetheTransactionforus；andwhatdoesnotsticktoourFritzandhisaffairsitismorepleasanttoustoforgetthantoremember，ofsuchanepoch。
Hereby，forthepresent，isagreatloadrolledfromQueenSophieDorothee’sheart。One，and，thatthehighest，ofherabstrusenegotiations，cherished，laboredin，thesefourteenyears，shehasbroughttoavictoriousissue，——hasshenot？HerpoorMother，oncesoradiant，nowsodimandangry，shutintheCastleofAhlden，doesnotapprovethisDouble—Marriage；notsheforherpart；——asindeedeviltoallHanoverianinterestsisnowchieflyhergood，poorLady；andsheisgrowingmoreandmoreofaMegaeraeveryday。WithwhomSophieDorotheehasherowndifficultiesandabstrusepractices；butstrugglesalwaystomaintain，underseven—foldsecrecy，somethreadofcorrespondenceandpiousfilialministrationwhereverpossible；thatthepoorexasperatedMother，wretchedestandangriestofwomen，benotquitecutofffromthekinshipoftheliving，butthatsomesoftbreathofpitymaycoolherburningheartnowandthen。[InMemoirsofSophiaDorothea（London，1845），ii。385，393，arecertainfractionsofthisCorrespondence，\"edited\"inanamazingmanner。]AdarktragedyofSophie’s，this；theBluebeardChamberofhermind，intowhichnoeyebutherownmusteverlook。
PRINCESSAMELIACOMESINTOTHEWORLD。
InreferencetoQueenSophie，andchronologicallyifnototherwiseconnectedwiththisDouble—MarriageTreaty，Iwillmentiononeotherthing。HerMajestyhadbeeninfluctuatinghealth，allsummer；unaccountablesymptomsturningupinherMajesty’sconstitution，languors，qualms，especiallyatendencytoswellingorincreaseofsize，whichhadpuzzledandalarmedherDoctorsandher。FriedrichWilhelm，onconclusionoftheMarriage—Treaty，hadbeenappointedtojoinhisFather—in—law，BritannicGeorge，attheGohrde，insomethreeweeks’time，andhaveaboutofhunting。
Onthe8thofNovember，bedtimebeingcome，hekissedhisWilhelminaandtherest，bywayofgood—by；intendingtostartveryearlyonthemorrow:——longjourney（150milesorso），tobedoneallinoneday。Inthedeadofthenight，QueenSophiewasseizedwithdreadfulcolics，——pangsofcolicorwhoknowswhat；——
FriedrichWilhelmissummoned；risesinthehighestalarm；
nonebutthemaidsandheathandtohelp；andthecolic，orwhateveritmaybe，getsmoreandmoredreadful。
Colic？OpoorSophie，itistravail，andnocolic；andacleveryoungPrincessissuddenlytheresult！NonebutFriedrichWilhelmandthemaidformidwives；motherandinfant，nevertheless，doingperfectlywell。FriedrichWilhelmdidnotgoonthemorrow，butnextday；laughed，everandanoninloudhahas，attheparthehadbeenplaying；andwasverygladandmerry。HowtheexperiencedSophie，whosetwelfthchildthisis，cametocommitsuchanoversightisunaccountable；butthefactiscertain，andmadeamerrynoiseinCourtcircles。[Pollnitz，ii。199；Wilhelmina，i。87，88。]
ThecleverlittlePrincess，nowborninthismanner，isknownbynametoidlereaders。ShewaschristenedAMELIA；andweshallhearofherintimecoming。Buttherewas，astheCirculatingLibrariesstillintimate，acertainloud—spokenbraggartofthehistrionic—heroicsort，calledBaronTrenck，windy，rash，andnotwithoutmendacity，whohasendeavoredtoassociateherwithhisowntranscendentandnotundeservedill—luck；hintingthepoorPrincessintoasadfameinthatway。Forwhich，itwouldnowappear，therewasnobasiswhatever！MostcondemnableTrenck；——
whom，however，Robespierreguillotinedfinally，andsosettledthataccountandothers。
OfSophieDorothee’stwelvechildren，includingthisAmelia，therearenoweightliving，twoboys，sixgirls；andafterAmelia，twoothers，boys，aresuccessivelytocome:teninall，whogrewtobemenandwomen。OfwhomperhapsIhadbettersubjoinaList；
nowthattheeldestBoyandGirlareabouttogetsettledinlife；
andtherewithclosethisChapter。
FRIEDRICHWILHELM’STENCHILDREN。
MarriagetoSophieDorothee，28thNovember，1706。
AlittlePrince，born23dNovember，1707，diedinsixmonths。
Thencame，l。FREDERIKASOPHIEWILHELMINA，ultimatelyMargravineofBaireuth，afterstrangeadventuresinthemarriage—treatyway。
WroteherMemoiresthere，about1744。
Ofwhomweshallhearmuch。LeftaDaughter，heronechild；
Daughterbadlymarried，to\"KarlreigningDukeofWurtemberg\"
（PoetSchiller’sfamousSereneHighnessthere），fromwhomshehadtoseparate，&c。，withangerenough，byandby。
AfterWilhelminaintheFamilyseriescameasecondPrince，whodiedintheeleventhmonth。Then，24thJanuary，1712，2。FRIEDRICH。
Afterwhom（1713）alittlePrincess，whodiedinfewmonths。
Andthen，3。FREDERIKALOUISA，born28thSeptember，1714；agenowaboutnine。MargravineofAnspach，30thMay，1729；Widow1757。
HeroneSon，born1736，wastheLADY—CRAVEN’SAnspach。
FrederikaLouisadied4thFebruary，1734。
4。PHILIPPINACHARLOTTE，born13thofMarch，1716；becameDuchessofBrunswick（herHusbandwasEldestBrotherofthe\"PrinceFerdinand\"sofamousinEnglandintheSeven—YearsWar）；
herSonwastheDukewhoinvadedFrancein1792，andwastragicallyhurledtoruinintheBattleofJena，1806。TheMotherlivedtill1801；Widowsince1780。
Afterwhom，in1717，againalittlePrince，whodiedwithintwoyears（ourFritzthenseven，——probablythefirsttimeDeathevercamebeforehim，practicallyintohislittlethoughtsinthisworld）:then，5。SOPHIEDOROTHEEMARIA，born25thJanuary，1719；MargravineofSchwedt，1734（eldestMagrafofSchwedt，mentionedaboveasacomradeoftheCrown—Prince）。Herlifenotveryhappy；shedied1765。Leftnoson（Brother—in—lawsucceeded，lastoftheSchwedtMARGRAVES）:herDaughter，weddedtoPrinceFriedrichEugen，aPrussianOfficer，CadetofWurtembergandultimatelyHeirthere，isAncestressoftheWurtembergSovereigntiesthatnoware，andalso（byoneofHERdaughtersmarriedtoPaulofRussia）ofalltheCzarkindredofourtime。[Preuss，iv。278；Erman，
ViedeSophieCharlotte，p。2722。]
6。LOUISAULRIQUE，born24thJuly，1720；marriedAdolfFriedrich，Heir—Apparent，subsequemlyKingofSweden，17thJuly，1744；Queen（hehavingacceded）6thApril，1751；Widow1771；
died，atStockholm，16thJuly，1782。MotherofthesubsequentKings；herGrandsontheDEPOSED>[OErtel，p。83；Hubner，tt。91，227。]
7。AUGUSTWILHELM，born9thAugust，1722；Heir—ApparentafterFriedrich（sodeclaredbyFriedrich，30thJune，1744）；FatheroftheKingswhohavesincefollowed。Hehimselfdied，insadcircumstances，asweshallsee，12thJune，1758。
8。ANNAAMELIA，born9thNovember，1723，——onthetermswehaveseen。
9。FRIEDRICHHEINRICHLUDWIG，bornl8thJanuary，1726；——thefamedPrinceHenri，ofwhomweshallhear。
10。AUGUSTFERDINAND，born23dMay，1730:abrilliantenoughlittlesoldierunderhisBrother，fullofspiritandtalent，butliabletoweakhealth；——wasFatherofthe\"PrinceLouisFerdinand，\"atragicFailureofsomethingconsiderable，whowentoffinLiberalism，wit，inhighsentiment，expenditureanddebauchery，greatlytotheadmirationofsomepersons；andatlengthrusheddesperateupontheFrenoh，andfoundhisquietus（10thOctober，1806），fourdaysbeforetheBattleofJena。
ChapterII。
AKAISERHUNTINGSHADOWS。
TreatyofDouble—Marriageisreadyforsigning，oncetheneedfulParliamentarypreludingsaregonethrough；Treatyissigned，thinksWilhelmina，——forgettingthedistancebetweencupandlip！——
Astosigning，oreventoburning，andgivingupthethoughtofsigning，alas，howfarareweyetfromthat！Imperialspectre—huntingsandthepoliticsofmostEuropeanCabinetswillconnectthemselveswiththat；andsenditwanderingwideenough，——
lostinsuchajungleofintrigues，pettifoggings，treacheries，diplomaciesdomesticandforeign，asthecourseoftrue—lovenevergotentangledinbefore。
ThewholeofwhichextensiveCabinetoperations，coveringsquaremilesofpaperatthismoment，——havingnevertheless，aftertenyearsofeffort，endedinabsolutezero，——wereofnowortheventothemanagersofthem；andareoflessthannonetoanymortalnoworhenceforth。SothatthemethodoftreatingthembecomesaproblemtoHistory。Topitchthemutterlyoutofwindow，andoutofmemory，nevertobementionedinhumanspeechagain:thisisthemanifestpromptingofNature；——andthis，werenotourpoorCrown—Princeandoneortwoothersinvolvedinthem，wouldbeourreadyandthrice—joyfulcourse。Surelytheso—called\"PoliticsofEurope\"inthatdayareathingthisEditorwouldotherwisewithhiswholesoul，forgettoalleternity！\"Putridfermentation，\"
ending，aftertheenduranceofmuchmal—odor，inmerezerotoyouandtoeveryone，eventotherottingbodiesthemselves:——isthereanywiseEditorthatwouldconnecthimselfwiththat？ThesearethefieldsofHistorywhicharetobe，sosoonashumanlypossible，SUPPRESSED；whichonlyMephistopheles，orthebadGeniusofMankind，cancontemplatewithpleasure。
Letusstrivetotouchlightlythechiefsummits，hereandthere，ofthatintricate，mostempty，mournfulBusiness，——whichwasreallyonceaFactinpracticalEurope，notthemerenightmareofanAttorney’sDream；——andindicate，sofarasindispensable，howtheyoungFriedrich，Friedrich’sSister，Father，Mother，weretribulated，almostheart—brokenanddonetodeath，bymeansofit。
IMPERIALMAJESTYONTHETREATYOFUTRECHT。
KaiserKarlVI。，headoftheHolyRomishEmpireatthistime，wasahandsomemantolookupon；whoselife，fullofexpense，vicissitude，futilelaborandadventure，didnotproveofmuchusetotheworld。Describableasalaboriousfutilityrather。HewassecondsonofthatlittleLeopold，thesolemnlittleHerrinredstockings，whohadsuchtroubles，frights，andrunningstoandfrowiththesiegingTurks，liberativeSobieskis，acquisitiveLouisFourteenths；andwhoatlengthendedinaseaoffutilelabor，whichtheycalltheSpanishSuccessionWar。
ThisKarl，secondson，hadbeenappointed\"KingofSpain\"inthatfutilebusiness；andwithmuchsublimity，thoughinternallyinanimpoverishedcondition，heproceededtowardsSpain，landinginEnglandtogetcashfortheoutfit；——arrivedinSpain；androvedaboutthereasTitular—Kingforsomeyears，withthefightingPeterboroughs，Galways，Stahrembergs；butdidnogoodthere，neitherhenorhisPeterboroughs。Atlength，hisBrotherJoseph，FatherLeopold’ssuccessor，havingdied，[17thApril，1711。]KarlcamehomefromSpaintobeKaiser。Atwhichpoint，KarlwouldhavebeenwisetogiveuphisTitularKingshipinSpain；forhenevergot，norwillget，anythingbutfutilelaborfromhangingtoit。
Hedidhangtoitnevertheless；andstill，atthisdateofGeorge’svisitandlongafterwards，hangs，——withnotableobstinacy。Tothewoeofmenandnations:punishmentdoubtlessofhissinsandtheirs！——
KaiserKarlshriekedmereamazementandindignation，whentheEnglishtiredoffightingforhimandit。WhentheEnglishsaidtotheirgreatMarlborough:\"Enough，yousorryMarlborough！YouhavebeatenLouisXIV。tothesupplenessofwash—leather，atourbidding；thatistrue，andthatmayhavehaditsdifficulties:
but，afterall，weprefertohavethethingpreciselyasitwouldhavebeenwithoutanyfighting。You，therefore，whatisthegoodofyou？Youarea——personwhomweflingoutlikesweepings，nowthatoureyesightreturns，andaccuseofcommonstealing。
Goandbe——！\"
NothingeverhadsodisgustedandastonishedKaiserKarlasthistreatment，——notofMarlborough，whomheregardedonlyashewouldhavedoneapairofmilitarybootsoraholster—pistolofsuperiorexcellence，fortheusesthatwereinhim，——butoftheKaiserKarlhisownsublimeself，theheartandfocusofPoliticalNature；
leftinthismanner，nowwhenthesordidEnglishandDutchdeclinedspendingbloodandmoneyforhimfarther。\"Ungrateful，sordid，inconceivablesouls，\"answeredKarl，\"wasthereever，sincetheearlyChristiantimes，suchamartyrasyouhavenowmadeofme！\"SoansweredKarl，indiplomaticgroansandshrieks，toallendsofEurope。ButthesulkyEnglishandAllies，thoroughlytiredofpayingandbleeding，didnotheedhim；
madetheirPeaceofUtrecht[PeaceofUtrecht，11thApril，1713；
PeaceofRastadt（followinguponthePreliminariesofBaden），6thMarch，1714。]withLouisXIV。，whowasnowbeatensupple；
andKarl，afterayearofindignantprotestsandfutileattemptstofightLouisonhisownscore，wasobligedtodothelike。
HehaslosttheSpanishcrown；butstillholdsbytheshadowofit；willnotquitthat，ifhecanhelpit。Hehuntsmuch，digestswell；isasublimeKaiser，thoughinternallyratherpoor，carryinghisheadhigh；andseemstohimself，onsomesidesofhislife，amartyredmuch—enduringman。
IMPERIALMAJESTYHASGOTHAPPILYWEDDED。
KaiserKarl，soonafterthetimeofgoingtoSpainhaddecidedthataWifewouldbenecessary。HeappliedtoCarolineofAnspach，nowEnglishPrincessofWales，butatthattimeanorphanedBrandenburg—AnspachPrincess，veryBeautiful，graceful，gifted，andaltogetherunprovidedfor；livingatBerlinundertheguardianshipofFriedrichthefirstKing。HeryoungMotherhadmarriedagain，——highenoughmatch（toKur—Sachsen，elderBrotherofAugusttheStrong，AugustatthattimewithoutprospectsoftheElectorate）；——butitlastedshortwhile:Caroline’sMotherandSaxonStepfatherwerebothnow，longsince，dead。SoshelivedatBerlinbrilliantthoughunportioned；——withtheroughcubFriedrichWilhelmmuchfollowingherabout，andpassionatelyloyaltoher，astheBeastwastoBeauty；whomshedidnotmindexceptasacubloyaltoher；beingfiveyearsolderthanhe。[Forster，i。107。]
IndigentbrightCaroline，ayoungladyoffineaquilinefeaturesandspirit，wasappliedfortobeQueenofSpain；wooerahandsomeman，whomightevenbeKaiserbyandby。IndigentbrightCarolineatonceanswered，No。ShewasneververyorthodoxinProtestanttheology；butcouldnotthinkoftakingupPapistryforlucre’sandambition’ssake:bethatalwaysrememberedonCaroline’sbehalf。
TheSpanishMajestynextappliedatBrunswickWolfenbuttel；
nolackofPrincessesthere:PrincesaElizabeth，forinstance；
Protestantshetoo，butperhapsnotsosqueamish？OldAntonUlrich，whomsomereadersknowfortheidleBooks，long—windedNovelschiefly，whichhewrote，wastheGrandfatherofthisfavoredPrincess；agood—naturedoldgentleman，oftheidleornamentalspecies，inwhoseheadmostthings，itislikely，werereducedtovocables，scribbleandsentimentality；andonlyasteadyinternalgravitationtowardspraiseandpuddingwastraceableasveryrealinhim。AntonUlrich，affrontedmoreorlessbytheimmenseadvancementofGentlemanErnstandtheHanoverianorYOUNGERBrunswickLine，wasextremelygladoftheImperialoffer；andpersuadedhistimidGrand—daughter，ambitioustoo，butratherconscience—stricken，ThatthechangefromProtestanttoCatholic，theessentialsbeingsoperfectlyidenticalinboth，wasameretrifle；thathehimself，oldashewas，wouldreadilychangealongwithher，soeasywasit。
WhereupontheyoungLadymadethebigleap；abjuredherreligion；
[1stMay，1707，atBamberg。]——wenttoSpainasQueen（withsadinjurytohercomplexion，butotherwisesuccessfullymoreorless）；——andsitsnowasEmpressbesideherKarlVI。inagrandenough，probablyratherdull，butnotsingularlyunhappymanner。
She，aBrunswickPrincess，withNephewsandNieceswhomayconcernus，isKaiserinntoKaiserKarl:foraughtIknowofher，akindlysimpleWife，andunexceptionableSovereignMajesty，ofthesortwanted；whomletusremember，ifwemeetheragainoneday。IaddonlyofthispoorLady，distinguishedtomebyaDaughtershehad，thathermindstillhadsomemisgivingsaboutthebigleapshehadmadeintheProtestant—Papistway。FindingAntonUlrichstillcontinueProtestant，shewrotetohimoutofSpain:——\"Why，O
honoredGrandpapa，haveyounotdoneasyoupromised？Ah，theremustbeataintofmortalsininit，afterall！\"UponwhichtheabsurdlysituatedoldGentlemandidchangehisreligion；andismarkedasaConvertinallmannerofGenealogiesandHistories；——
trulyanoldliterarygentlemanducalandserene，restoredtothebosomoftheChurchinasomewhatpeculiarlyridiculousmanner。
{Michaelis，i。131。]——Buttoreturn。
IMPERIALMAJESTYANDTHETERMAGANTOFSPAIN。
EverafterthePeaceofUtrecht，whenEnglandandHollanddeclinedtobleedforhimfarther，especiallyeversincehisownPeaceofRastadtmadewithLouistheyearafterKaiserKarlhadutterlylostholdoftheCrownofSpain；andhadnottheleastchancetoclutchthatbrightsubstanceagain。Butheheldbytheshadowofit，withadeadlyHapsburgtenacity；refusedfortwentyyears，underallpressures，topartwiththeshadow:\"TheSpanishHapsburgBranchisdead；whereupondonotI，oftheAustrianBranch，solerepresentativeofKaiserKarltheFifth，claim，bythelawofHeaven，whateverhepossessedinSpain，bylawofditto？BattlesofBlenheimofMalplaquet，Court—intriguesofMrs。
MashamandtheDuchess:thesemaybringTreatiesofUtrecht，andwhatyouarepleasedtocalllawsofEarth；——butaHapsburgKaiserknowshigherlaws，ifyouwoulddoathousandUtrechts；andbythese，Spainishis！\"
PoorKaiserKarl:hehadahighthoughtinhimreallythoughamostmisguidedone。TitularKingofMen；butmuchbewilderedintomereindolentfatuity，inanesolemnity，highsniffingpridegroundedonnothingatall；aKaisermuchsunkinthesedimentsofhismuddyEpoch。Sureenough，hewasaproudloftysolemnKaiser，infinitelythegentlemaninairandhumor；Spanishgravities，ceremonials，reticences；——andcould，inabetterscene，havedistinguishedhimselfbybetterthanmerestatuesqueimmovabilityofposture，dignifiedenduranceofennui，andHapsburgtenacityinholdingthegrip。Itwasnottill1735，aftertusslingsandwrenchingsbeyondcalculation，thathewouldconsenttoquittheShadowoftheCrownofSpain；andletEuropeBEatpeaceonthatscore。
TheessenceofwhatiscalledtheEuropeanHistoryofthisPeriod，suchHistoryasaPeriodsunkdeadinspirit，andaliveonlyinstomach，canhave，turnsallonKaiserKarl，andthesehisclutchingsatshadows。Whichmakesaverysad，surprisingHistoryindeed；moreworthytobecalledPhenomenaofPutridFermentation，thanStrugglesofHumanHeroismtovindicateitselfinthisPlanet，whichlatteraloneareworthyofrecordingas\"History\"
bymankind。
OnthethroneofSpain，besidePhilipV。themelancholicnewBourbon，LouisXIV。’sGrandson，satElizabethFarnese，atermaganttenaciouswoman，whoseambitiouscupiditieswerenotinferiorinobstinacytoKaiserKarl’s，andprovednotquitesoshadowyashis。Elizabethalsowantedseveralthings:renunciationofyour（KaiserKarl’s）shadowyclaims；nayofsundryrealusurpationsyouandyourTreatieshavemadeontheactualpossessionsofSpain，——
KingdomofSicily，forinstance；Netherlands，forinstance；
Gibraltar，forinstance。Butthereisonethingwhich，weobserve，isindispensablethroughouttoElizabethFarnese:thefuturesettlementofherdearBoyCarlos。Carlos，whomasSpanishPhilip’ssecondWifeshehadgiventoSpainandtheworld，asSecondorsupplementaryINFANTthere，——atroublesomegifttoSpainandothers。
\"ThisdearBoy，surelyhemusthavehisItalianApanages，which，youhaveprovidedforhim:DuchiesofParmaandPiacenza，whichwillfallheirlesssoon。SecurityfortheseItalianApanages，suchaswillsatisfyaMother:LetusintroduceSpanishgarrisonsintoParmaandPiacenzaatonce！HowelsecanwebecertainofgettingthoseindispensableApanages，whentheyfallvacant？\"OnthispointElizabethFarnesewaspositive，maternallyvehement；
wouldtakenosubterfuge，denialordelay:\"LetmeperceivethatIshallhavetheseDuchies:that，firstofall；orelsenotthatonly，butnumerousotherthingswillbedemandedofyou！\"
UponwhichpointtheKaisertoo，wholovedhisDuchies，andhopedyettokeepthembysometurnofthegame，nevercoulddecidetocomply。WhereuponElizabethgrewmoreandmoretermagant；listenedtowildcounsels；tookupanAlberoni，aRipperda，anywanderingdiplomaticbull—dogthatoffered；andletthemlooseupontheKaiserandherothergainsayers。Totheterrorofmankind，lestuniversalwarshouldsupervene。SheheldtheKaiserwellatbay，mankindwellinpanic；andcontinuallytherecameonallEurope，forabouttwentyyears，aterrorthatwarwasjustabouttobreakout，andthewholeworldtotakefire。TheHistorysocalledofEuropewentcantingfromsidetoside；heelingatahugerate，accordingtothepassesandlungesthesetwogiantfigures，ImperialMajestyandtheTermagantofSpain，madeatoneanother，——foratwentyyearsormore，tilloncetheduelwasdecidedbetweenthem。
Therecamenexttonowar，afterall；sputteringsofwartwiceover，——1718，ByngatMessina，aswesaw；andthen，in1727，asecondsputter，aswearetosee:——buttheneighborsalwaysranwithbuckets，andgotitquenched。Nowartospeakof；butsuchnegotiating，diplomatizing，universalhope，universalfear，andinfiniteadoaboutnothing，aswereseldomheardofbefore。
ForexceptFriedrichWilhelmdrillinghis50，000soldiers（80，000
gradually，andgraduallyeventwicethatnumber），IseenoCrownedHeadinEuropethatisnot，withimmeasurableapparatus，simplydoingZERO。Alas，inanageofuniversalinfidelitytoHeaven，wheretheHeavenlySunhasSUNK，thereoccurstrangeSpectre—huntings。Whichisafactworthlayingtoheart。——DuelofTwentyYearswithElizabethFarnese，abouttheeventualitiesofParmaandPiacensa，andtheShadowofthelostCrownofSpain；
thiswasthefirstgrandSpectralityofKaiserKarl’sexistence；
butthiswasnotthewholeofthem。
IMPERIALMAJESTY’SPRAGMATICSANCTION。
KaiserKarlmeanwhilewasrathershortofheirs；whichformedanotherofhisrealtroubles，andinvolvedhiminmuchshadow—hunting。HisWife，theSereneBrunswickEmpresswhomwespokeofabove，didatlengthbringhimchildren，broughthimaboyeven；buttheboydiedwithintheyear；and，onthewhole，thereremainednothingbuttwoDaughters；MariaTheresatheelderofthem，born1717，——theprettiestlittlemaidenintheworld；——
nosontoinheritKaiserKarl。UnderwhichcircumstancesKaiserKarlproducednow，intheYear1724，aDocumentwhichhehadexecutedprivatelyaslongagoas1713，onlyhisPrivyCouncillorsandotherOfficialwitnessesknowingofitthen；[19thApril，1713
（Stenzel，iii。5222）。]andsolemnlypublishesittotheworld，asathingallmenaretotakenoticeof。AllmenhadnoticeenoughofthisImperialbitofSheepskin，beforetheygotdonewithit，five—and—twentyyearshence。[PeaceofAix—la—Chapelle，1748。]
AveryfamousPragmaticSanction；nowpublishedfortheworld’scomfort！
BywhichDocument，KaiserKarlhadformallysettled，andfixedaccordingtothepowerhehas，intheshapeofwhattheycallaPragmaticSanction，orunalterableOrdinanceinhisImperialHouse，\"That，failingHeirs—male，hisDaughters，hisEldestDaughter，shouldsucceedhim；failingDaughters，hisNieces；
andinshort，thatHeirs—femalerankingfromtheirkinshiptoKaiserKarl，andnottoanypriorKaiser，shouldbeasgoodasHeirs—maleofKarl’sbodywouldhavebeen。\"APragmaticSanctionisthehighnamehegivesthisdocument，ortheActitrepresents；
\"PragmaticSanction\"being，intheImperialChanceryandsomeothers，thereceivedtitleforOrdinancesofaveryirrevocablenature，whichasovereignmakes，inaffairsthatbelongwhollytohimself，orwhathereckonshisownrights。[ArarekindofDeed，itwouldseem；andallthemoresolemn。In1438，CharlesVI。ofFrance，concedingtheGallicanChurchitsLiberties，does，itby\"SANCTIONPRAGMATIQUE；\"CarlosIII。ofSpain（in1759，\"settlingtheKingdomoftheTwoSiciliesonhisthirdson\"）doesthelike，——whichisthelastinstanceof\"PRAGMATICSANCTION\"inthisworld。]
ThisPragmaticSanctionofKaiserKarl’s，executed19thApril，1713，waspromulgated，\"gradually，\"nowherenowthere，from1720
to1724，{Stenzel，pp。522，523。]——inwhichlateryearitbecameuniversallypublic；andwastransmittedtoallCourtsandSovereignties，asanunalterablelawofThingsImperial。
TherebythegoodmanhopeshisbeautifullittleTheresa，nowsevenyearsold，maysucceedhim，allasasonwouldhavedone，intheAustrianStatesandDignities；andincalculabledamages，wars，andchancesofwar，beprevented，forhisHouseandforalltheworld。
Theworld，incredulousofto—morrow，initslazyway，wasnotsufficientlyattentivetothisnewlawofthings。Somewhowerepersonallyinterested，astheSaxonSovereignty，andtheBavarian，deniedthatitwasjust:remindedKaiser—KarlthathewasnottheNoahorAdamofKaisers；andthatthecaseofHeirs—femalewasnotquiteanewideaonsheepskin。No；thereareolderPragmaticSanctionsandsettlements，bypriorKaisersofblessedmemory；
underwhich，ifDaughtersaretocomein，we，descendedfromImperialDaughtersofolderstanding，shallhaveawordtosay！——
TothisKaiserKarlanswerssteadily，withendlessargument，ThateveryKaiserisaPatriarch，andFirstMan，insuchmatters；
andthatsoithasbeenpragmaticallysanctionedbyhim，andthatsoitshallandmustirrevocablybe。TotheotherPowers，andindolentimpartialSovereignsoftheworld，hewaslavishinembassies；inardentrepresentations；andsparednopainsinconvincingthemthatto—morrowwouldsurelycome，andthatthenitwouldbeablessednesstohaveacceptedthisPragmaticSanction，andseeitlyingforyouasaLawofNaturetogoby，andavoidincalculablecontroversies。
ThiswasanothervastShadow，orconfusedhigh—piledcontinentofshadows，towhichourpoorKaiserheldwithhiscustomarytenacity。ToprocureadherencesandassurancestothisdearPragmaticSanction，was，evenmorethantheshadowoftheSpanishCrown，andaboveallafterhehadquittedthat，theonegrandbusinessofhisLifehenceforth。WithwhichhekeptallEuropeinperpetualtravailanddiplomacy；rayingoutambassadors，andlessostensibleagents，withbribes，andwithentreatiesandproposals，intoeveryhighSovereignCourtandeverylow；negotiatingunweariedlybyallmethods，withallmen。Foritwashisevening—songandhismorning—prayer；thegrandmeaningofLifetohim，tillLifeended。Youwouldhavesaid，thefirstquestionheasksofeverycreatureis，\"WillyoucovenantformyPragmaticSanctionwithme？Oh，agreetoit；acceptthatnewLawofNature:whenthemorrowcomes，itwillbesalutaryforyou！\"
MostoftheForeignPotentatesidlyacceptedthething，——asthingsofadistantcontingentkindareaccepted；——madeTreatyonit，sincetheKaiserseemedsoextremelyanxious。OnlyBavaria，havingheritableclaims，neverwould。Saxonytoo（AugusttheStrong），beinginthelikecase，orabetter，flatlyrefusedforalongtime；wouldnot，atall，——exceptforaconsideration。
BrightlittlePrinceEugene，whodictatedsquaremilesofLettersandDIplomaciesonthesubject（Lettersofasteadydepthofdulness，whichatlastgrowsalmostsublime），waswonttotellhisMajesty:\"Treatying，yourMajesty？Awell—trainedArmyandafullTreasury；thatistheonlyTreatythatwillmakethisPragmaticSanctionvalid！\"ButhisMajestyneverwouldbelieve。SothebrightoldEugenedictated，——or，wehopeandguess，heonlygavehisclerkssomekey—word，andsignedhisname（inthreelanguages，\"EugeniovonSavoye\"）tothesesquaremilesofdullepistolarymatter，——probablytakingSpanishsnuffwhenhehaddone。Forhewearsitinbothwaistcoat—pockets；——has（ashisPortraitsstilltellus）givenupbreathingbythenose。Thebrightlittlesoul，withaflashinhimasofHeaven’sownlightning；butnowgrowingveryoldandsnuffy。
ShadowofPragmaticSanction，shadowoftheSpanishCrown，——itwassuchshadow—huntingsoftheKaiserinVienna，itwasthisofthePragmaticSanctionmostofall，thatthwartedourPrussianDouble—Marriage，whichlaysofarawayfromit。ThisitwasthatprettynearlybroketheheartsofFriedrich，Wilhelmina，andtheirMotherandFather。Forthereneverwassuchnegotiating；notforadmittancetotheKingdomofHeaven，inthepioustimes。Andtheopengoings—forthofit，stillmorethesecretminingsandmole—coursesofit，wereintoallplaces。Abovegroundandbelow，noSovereignmortalcouldsayhewassafefromit，lethimagreeornot。FriedrichWilhelmhadcheerfully，andwithallhisheart，agreedtothePragmaticSanction；thisaboveground，insightofthesun；andrashlyfanciedhehadthendonewithit。Till，tohishorror，hefoundtheImperialmoles，bywayofkeepingassurancedoublysure，hadbeenunderthefoundationsofhisveryhouseforlongyearspast，andhadallbutbroughtitdownabouthiminthemosthideousmanner！——
THIRDSHADOW:IMPERIALMAJESTY’SOSTENDCOMPANY。
AnotherobjectwhichKaiserKarlpursuedwithsomediligenceinthesetimes，andwhichlikewiseprovedashadow，muchdisturbanceasitgavemankind，washis\"OstendEast—IndiaCompany。\"
TheKaiserhadseenimpoverishedSpain，richEngland，richHolland；hehadtakenupacreditablenotionaboutcommerceanditsadvantages。Hesaidtohimself，WhyshouldnotmyNetherlandstradetotheEast，aswellastheseEnglishandDutch，andgrowopulentlikethem？Heinstituted（OCTROYA）an\"OstendEast—IndiaCompany，\"underduePatentsandImperialSheepskins，ofdate17thDecember，1722，[Buchholz，i。88；Pfeffel，AbregeChronologiquedel’Histoired’Allemagne（Park，1776），ii。522。]gaveitwhatfreedomhecouldtotradetotheEast。
\"Impossible！\"answeredtheDutch，withdistractionintheiraspect；\"Impossible，wesay；contrarytoTreatyofWestphalia，toUtrecht，toBarrierTreaty；anddestructivetothebestinterestsofmankind，especiallytousandourtrade—profits！Weshallhavetocaptureyourships，ifyoueversendany。\"
TowhichtheKaisercounterpleaded，earnestly，diligently，forthespaceofsevenyears，——tonoeffect。\"Wewillcaptureyourshipsifyoueversendany，\"answeredtheDutchandEnglish。WhatshipsevercouldhavebeensentfromOstendtotheEast，orwhatilltheycouldhavedonethere，remainsamystery，owingtothemonopolizingMaritimePowers。
TheKaiser’slaudablezealforcommercehadtoexpenditselfinhisAdriaticTerritories，——givingprivilegestothePortsofTriesteandFiume；[Hormayr，OEsterreichischerPlutarch，x。101。]makingroadsthroughtheDalmatianHill—Countries，whichareusefultothisday；——butcouldnotoperateontheNetherlandsinthewayproposed。TheKaiser’sImperialOstendEast—IndiaCompany，whichconvulsedtheDiplomaticmindforsevenyearstocome，andmadeEuropelurchfromsidetosideinaterrificmanner，provedamerepaperCompany；neversentanyships，onlyproducedDiplomacies，and\"hadthehonortobe。\"
ThiswasthethirdgrandShadowwhichtheKaiserchased，shakingalltheworld，poorcrankworld，ashestrodeafterit；andthisalsoendedinzero，andseveraltonsofdiplomaticcorrespondence，carriedoncebybreathlessestaffettes，andnowsilent，gravitatingtowardsAcheronallofthem，andinterestingtothespidersonly。
PoorgoodKaiser:theysayhewasahumanestatelygentleman，statelythoughshortish；fondofpardoningcriminalswherehecould；verypolitetoMuratoriandtheAntiquaries，eventoEnglishRymer，inopeninghisArchivestothem，——andmaderoadsintheDalmatianHill—Country，whichremaintothisday。Idonotwonderhegrewmoreandmoresaturnine，andaddictedtosolidtaciturnfield—sports。HisPolitical\"Perforce—Hunt（PARFORCE
JAGD），\"withsomanytwo—footedterriers，andlegationarybeagles，distressingalltheworldbytheirbayingandtheirburrowing，hadprovedtobeofShadows；andmeltedintothinair，toaverysingulardegree！
ChapterIII。
THESEVENCRISESOREUROPEANTRAVAIL—THROES。
InprocessofthissoterrificDuelwithElizabethFarnese，andgeneralcombatoftheShadows，whichthenmadeEuropequake，ateverynewlungeandpassofit，andwhichnowmakesEuropeyawntoheartheleastmentionofit，therecametwosputteringsofactualWar。Byng’ssea—victoryatMessina，1718；Spanish\"SiegeofGibraltar，\"1727，arethemainphenomenaofthesetwoWars，——
England，asitswontis，takingashotinboth，thoughithasnowforgottenboth。And，onthewhole，therecame，sofarasIcancount，SevengranddiplomaticSpasmsorCrises，——desperategeneralEuropeanTreatyingshitherandthenthither，solemnCongressestwoofthem，withendlesssupplementaryadhesionsbytheminorpowers。
Sevengrandmother—treaties，nottomentionthedaughters，orsupplementaryadhesionstheyhad；allEuroperisingspasmodicallyseventimes，anddoingitsveryuttermosttoquellthisterribleincubus；allEuropechangingcolorseventimes，likealobsterboiling，fortwentyyears。SevendiplomaticCrises，wesay，markedchangingsofcolorinthelong—sufferinglobster；andtwoso—calledWars，——beforethisenormouszerocouldbesettled。
WhichhighTreatiesandTransactions，humannature，aftermuchstudyofthem，grudgestoenumerate。ApanageforBabyCarlos，ghostofaPragmaticSanction；thesewereapairofcausesformankind！Benowordspokenofthem，exceptwithregretandonevidentcompulsion。
Forthereader’sconveniencewemustnotethesalientpoints；
butgrudgetodoit。Salientpoints，nowmostlywraptinOrcus，andterrestriallyinterestingonlytothespiders，——exceptonanoccasionofthiskind，whenpartofthemhappenstosticktothehistoryofamemorableman，Toustheyaremerebubblings—upofthegeneralputridfermentationofthethenPoliticalWorld；
andaretoounlovelytobedweltonlongerthanindispensable。
TripleAlliance，QuadrupleAlliance，CongressofCambrai，CongressofSoissons；ConferenceofPardo，TreatyofHanover，TreatyofWusterhausen，whatarethey？Echoanswers，What？RipperdaandtheQueenofSpain，KaiserKarlandhisPragmaticSanction，arefallendimtoeverymind。TheTroublesofThorn（sadenoughPapist—Protestanttragedyintheirtime），——whonowcarestoknowofthem？ItismuchifwefindahearingforthepoorSalzburgEmigrantswhentheygetintoPreussenitself。Afflictedhumannatureoughttobe，atlast，deliveredfromthepalpablysuperfluous；andifafewthingsmemorablearetoberemembered，millionsofthingsunmemorablemustfirstbehonestlyburiedandforgotten！Buttoouraffair，——thatofmarkingthechiefbubblings—upintheabove—saidUniversalPutridFermentation，sofarastheyconcernus。
CONGRESSOFCAMBRAI。
WealreadysawByngseafightingintheStraitsofMessina；
thatwaspartofCrisisSecond，——sequel，inpowder—and—ball，ofCrisisFirst，whichhadbeeninpapertillthen。ThePowershadinterfered，byTriple，byQuadrupleAlliance，toquenchtheSpanish—AustrianDuel（aboutApanageforBabyCarlos，andaquantityofotherShadows）:\"TripleAlliance\"[4thJanuary，1717。]
was，wemaysay，whenFrance，England，HollandlaboriouslysortedouttermsofagreementbetweenKaiserandTermagant:\"Quadruple\"
[18thJuly，1718。]waswhenKaiser，aftermuchcoaxing，acceded，asfourthparty；andsaidgloomily，\"Yes，then。\"Byng’sSea—fightwaswhenTermagantsaid，\"No，by——thePlotsofAlberoni！
NeverwillI，formypart，accedetosuchterms！\"andattackedthepoorKaiserinhisSiciliesandelsewhere。Byng’sSea—fight，inaidofasufferingKaiserandhisSicilies，inconsequence。
Furthermore，theFrenchinvadedSpain，tillMessinawereretaken；
naytheEnglish，bylandtoo，madeadashatSpain，\"DescentonVigo\"astheycallit，——inreferencetowhichtakethefollowingstrayNote:——
\"Thatsameyear[1719，yearafterByng’sSea—fight，Messinajustaboutrecaptured]，theretookeffect，plannedbythevigorousColonelStanhope，ourMinisteratMadrid，whotookpersonalshareinthething，a’DescentonVigo，’suddenswoop—downuponTownandshippinginthoseGallician，north—westregions。Whichwasperfectlysuccessful，——LordCobhamleading；——andmademuchnoiseamongmankind。FilledallGazettesatthattime；——butnow，again，isallfallensilentforus，——exceptthisonethrice—insignificantpoint，Thattherewasinit，’inHandyside’sRegiment，’aLieutenantofFoot，bynameSTERNE，whohadleft，withhispoorWifeatPlymouth，averyremarkableBoycalledLorry，orLAWRENCE；
knownsincethattoallmankind。WhenLorryinhisLIFEwrites，’myFatherwentontheVigoexpedition，’readersmayunderstandthiswasit。Strangeenough:thatpoorLieutenantofFootisnowprettymuchallthatisleftofthissublimeenterpriseuponVigo，inthememoryofmankind；——hangingthere，asifbyasinglehair，tillpoorTRISTRAMSHANDYbeforgottentoo。\"[MemoirsofLaurenceSterne，writtenbyhimselfforhisDaughter（seeAnnualRegister，Year1775，pp。50—52）。]
Inshort，theFrenchandeventheEnglishinvadedSpain；
EnglishByngandotherssankSpanishships:TermagantwasobligedtopackawayherAlberoni，andgivein。Shehadtoaccedeto\"QuadrupleAlliance，\"afterall；makingit，sotospeak，aQuintupleone；makingPeace，infact，[17thFebruary，1720。]——
generalCongresstobeheldatCambraiandsettlethedetails。
CongressofCambraimetaccordingly；in1722，——\"inthecourseoftheyear，\"Delegatesslowlyrainingin，——datenotfixabletoadayormonth。Congresswas\"sat，\"aswesaid，——or，alas，wasonlystillendeavoringtogetseated，andwanderingaboutamongthechairs，——whenGeorgeI。cametoCharlottenburgthatevening，October，1723，andsurveyedWilhelminawithacandle。MoreinaneCongressnevermetinthisworld，norwillmeet。Settlementprovedsodifficult；allthemore，asneitherofthequarrellingpartieswishedit。KaiserandTermagant，fallenasifexhausted，hadnottheleastdispositiontoagree；laydiplomaticallygnashingtheirteethatoneanother，readytofightagainshouldstrengthreturn。
Difficultforthirdpartiestosettleonbehalfofsuchapair。
NayatlengththeKaiser’sOstendCompanycametolight:whatwillthirdparties，DutchandEnglishespecially，makeofthat？
ThispoorCongress———letthereaderfancyit——spenttwoyearsin\"argumentsaboutprecedencies，\"inmerebeatingsoftheair；
couldnotgetseatedatall，butwanderedamongthechairs，till\"February，1724。\"Nordiditmanagetoaccomplishanyworkwhatever，eventhen；themostinaneofHumanCongresses；
andmemorableonthataccount，ifonnoother。There，inoldstagnantCambrai，throughthethirdyearandintothefourth，wereDelegates，Spanish，Austrian，English，Dutch，French，ofsolemnoutfit，withabigtailtoeach，——\"LordWhitworth\"whomIdonotknow，\"LordPolwarth\"（EarlofMarchmontthatwillbe，afriendofPope’s），weretheEnglishPrincipals:[Scholl，ii。197。]——there，foraboutfouryears，werethesepoorfellow—creaturesbusied，balingoutwaterwithsieves。SeenthroughtheHorn—GateofDreams，thefigureofthemrisesalmostgrandonthemind。
AcertainbrightyoungFrenchman，FrancoisArouet，——spoiledforasolidlaw—career，butwhoseOEDIPEwesawtriumphingintheTheatres，andwhowill，underthenewnameofVOLTAIRE，becomeverymemorabletous，——happenedtoberunningtowardsHollandthatway，oneofhismanyjourneysthitherward；andactuallysawthisCongress，theninthefirstyearofitsexistence。Sawit，probablydinedwithit。ALetterofhisstillextant，notyetfallentothespiders，assomuchelsehasdone，testifiestothisfact。Letusreadpartofit，thelessdespicablepart，——asaPiecesupremelyinsignificant，yetnowinamannertheonesurvivingDocumentofthisextraordinaryCongress；Congress’sownworksandhistoryhavingallotherwisefallentothespidersforever。TheLetterisaddressedtoCardinalDubois；——forDubois，\"withthefacelikeagoat，\"[HerzoginvonOrleans，BRIEFE。]yetlived（firstyearofthisCongress）；andRegentd’Orleanslived，intenselyinterestedhereasthirdparty:——andagoat—facedCardinal，oncepimpandlackey，ugliestofcreatedsouls，ArchbishopofthissameCambrai\"byDivinepermission\"andfavorofBeelzebub，wascapableofpromotingayoungfellowifhechose:——
\"TOHISEMINENCECARDINALDUBOIS（fromArouetJunior）。
\"CAMBRAI，July，1722。
\"……WearejustarrivedinyourCity，Monseigneur；where，I
think，alltheAmbassadorsandalltheCooksinEuropehavegivenoneanotherrendezvous。ItseemsasifalltheMinistersofGermanyhadassembledhereforthepurposeofgettingtheirEmperor’shealthdrunk。AstoMessieurstheAmbassadorsofSpain，oneofthemhearstwomassesaday，andtheothermanagesthetroopofplayers。TheEnglishMinisters[aLORDPOLWARTHandaLORDWHITWORTH]sendmanycourierstoChampagne，andfewtoLondon。Fortherest，nobodyexpectsyourEminencehere；itisnotthoughtyouwillquitthePalais—Royaltovisitthesheepofyourflockintheseparts[no！]，itwouldbetoobadforyourEminenceandforusall……Thinksometimes，Monseigneur，ofamanwho[regardsyourgoat—facedEminenceasabeautifulingeniouscreature；andsuchahandinconversationasneverwas）。
TheonethingIwillask[ofyourgoat—facedEminence]atPariswillbe，tohavethegoodnesstotalktome。\"[OEuvresdeVoltaire，97vols。（Paris，l825—1834），lxviii。95，96。]
Alas，alas！——ThemoredespicableportionsofthisLetterweomit，astheyarenothistoryoftheCongress，butofArouetJuniorontheshadyside。SomuchwilltestifythatthisCongressdidexist；
thatitswiggeriesanditwerenotalways，whattheynoware，partofanightmare—visioninHumanHistory。——
ElizabethFarnese，seeingatwhatratetheCongressofCambraisped，lostallpatiencewithit；andgettingmoreandmoreexasperationsthere，atlengthemployedoneRipperda，asurprisingDutchBlack—ArtistwhomshenowhadforMinister，topullthefloorfrombeneathit（sotospeak），andsendithomeinthatmanner。WhichRipperdadid。Anappropriateenoughcatastrophe，comfortabletothereader；uponwhichperhapshewillnotgrudgetoreadstillanotherword？
CONGRESSOFCAMBRAIGETSTHEFLOORPULLEDFROMUNDERIT。
TermagantElizabethhadnowoneRipperdaforMinister；
asurprisingDutchadventurer，oncesecretaryofsomeDutchembassyatMadrid；who，discerninghowthelandlay，hadbrokenloosefromthatsubalterncareer，hadchangedhisreligion，insinuatedhimselfintoElizabeth’sroyalfavor；andwasnow\"DukedeRipperda，\"andadiplomaticbull—dogofthefirstquality，fullofmightyschemesandhopes；inbrief，anewAlberonitotheTermagantQueen。ThisRipperdahadpersuadedher（thethirdyearofourinaneCongressnowrunningout，tonopurpose），Thathe，ifheweresentdirecttoVienna，couldreconciletheKaisertoherMajesty，andbringthemtoTreaty，independentlyofCongresses。
Hewassentaccordingly，inallprivacy；hadreportedhimselfaslaboringthere，withthebestoutlooks，forsomewhilepast；
when，stillearlyin1725，thereoccurredonthepartofFrance，——
whereRegentd’Orleanswasnowdead，andnewpoliticsbadcomeinvogue，——that\"sendingback，\"ofthepoorlittleSpanish:
Infanta，[\"5thApril，1725，quittedParis\"（Barbier，
JournalduRegnedeLouisXV。，i。218）。]andmarryingofyoungLouisXV。elsewhere，whichdroveElizabethandtheCourtofSpain，notunnaturally，intoaverydeliriumofindignation。
WhytheysentthepoorlittleLadyhomeonthoseshockingterms？
Itseemstherewasnoparticularreason，exceptthatFrenchLouiswasnowaboutfifteen，andlittleSpanishTheresawasonlyeight；
andthat，underDucdeBourbon，thenewPremier，andnoneofthewisest，therewas，expressorimplicit，\"anardentwishtoseeroyalprogenysecured。\"Forwhich，ofcourse，awifeofeightyearswouldnotanswer。Soshewasreturned；andeveninablunderingway，itissaid，——theFrenchAmbassadoratMadridhavingprefacedhiscommunication，notwithlightadroitpreludingsofspeech，butwithatempestoftearsandhowlinglamentations，asifthatwerethewaytoconciliateKingPhilipandhisTermagantElizabeth。Transportofindignationwasthenaturalconsequenceontheirpart；ordertoeveryFrenchmantobeacrosstheborderwithin，sayeight—and—fortyhours；rejectionforeverofallFrenchmediationatCambraiorelsewhere；
questiontotheEnglish，\"Willyoumediateforus，then？\"Towhichtheanswerbeingmerely\"Hm！\"withlooksofdelay，——orderbyexpresstoRipperda，tomakestraightwayabargainwiththeKaiser；almostanybargain，soitweremadeatonce。Ripperdamadeabargain:TreatyofVienna，30thApril，1725:[Scholl，ii。201；
Coxe，Walpole，i。239—250。]\"TitlesandShadowseachofusshallkeepforhisownlifetime，thentheyshalldrop。Astorealitiesagain，toParmaandPiacenzaamongtherest，letthesebeasintheTreatyofUtrecht；arrangeableinthelump；——andindeed，ofParmaandPiacenzaperhapsthelesswesay，thebetteratpresent。\"Thiswas，insubstance，Ripperda’sTreaty；
theThirdgreatEuropeantravail—throe，orchangeofcolorinthelong—sufferinglobster。Whereby，ofcourse，theCongressofCambraididstraightwaydisappear，thefloormiraculouslyvanishingunderit；andsinks——farbelowhumaneye—reachbythistime——towardstheBottomlessPool，eversince。Suchwasthebeginning，suchtheendofthatCongress，whichArouetLEJEUNE，in1722，sawasacontemporaryFact，drinkingchampagneinRamillieswigs，andarrangingcomediesforitself。
FRANCEANDTHEBRITANNICMAJESTYTRIMTHESHIPAGAIN:
HOWFRIEDRICHWILHELMCAMEINTOIT。TREATYOFHANOVER，1725。
ThepublicationofthisTreatyofVienna（30thApril，1725），——
miraculousdisappearanceoftheCongressofCambraibywithdrawalofthefloorfromunderit，andcloseunionoftheCourtsofSpainandViennaastheoutcomeofitsslowlabors，——filledEurope，andchieflythelatemediatingPowers，withamazement，anger，terror。
MadeEuropelurchsuddenlytotheotherside，aswephrasedit，——
othergunwalenowunderwater。Wherefore，inHeaven’sname，trimyourshipagain，ifpossible，yehighmediatingPowers。ThisthemediatingPowerswerelaudablyalerttodo。DucdeBourbon，andhisyoungKingabouttomarry，wereofpacifictendencies；
anxiousfortheBalance:stillmorewasFleury，whosucceededDucdeBourbon。CardinalFleury（withhispupilLouisXV。underhim，producingroyalprogenyandnothingworseorbetterasyet）
began，nextyear，hislongsupremacyinFrance；anagedreverendgentleman，ofsly，delicatelycunningways，anddislikingwar，asGeorgeI。did，unlesswhenforcedonhim:nowandhenceforth，nomediatingpowermoreanxiousthanFrancetohavetheshipintrim。
GeorgeandBourbonlaidtheirheadstogether，deeplyponderingthislittlelessthanawfulstateoftheTerrestrialBalance；
andinaboutsixmonthsthey，intheirquietway，suddenlycameoutwithaFourthCrisisontheastonishedpopulations，soastorighttheship’strimagain，andmore。\"TreatyofHanover，\"thiswastheirunexpectedmanoeuvre；donequietlyatHerrenhausen，whenhisMajestynextwentacrossfortheHanoverhunting—season。
Merehunting:——butthediplomatists，aswellasthebeagles，wereallinreadinessthere。EvenFriedrichWilhelm，ostensiblyintentonhunting，wascomeoverthither，hisabstruseIlgens，withtheirinkhorns，escortinghim:FriedrichWilhelm，huntinginunexpectedsort，waspersuadedtosignthisTreaty；whichmakesitunusuallyinterestingtous。AnexceptionalprocedureonthepartofFriedrichWilhelm，whobeyondallSovereignsstayswellathome，carelessofaffairsthatarenothis:——procedurebetokeningcordialityatHanover；andofgoodomenfortheDouble—Marriage？
Yes，surely；——andyetsomethingmore，onFriedrichWilhelm’spart。
HisrightsontheCleve—JulichCountries；reversionofJulichandBerg，onceKarlPhilipshalldecease:——perhapsthesehighPowers，foraconsideration，willguaranteeone’sundoubtedrightsthere？
Itisunderstoodtheygavepromisesofthiskind，nottoospecific。Naywehearfartheracuriousthing:\"FranceandEngland，lookingforimmediatewarwiththeKaiser，advisedFriedrichWilhelmtoasserthisrightsonSilesia。\"Whichwouldhavebeenanimportantprocedure！FriedrichWilhelm，itisadded，hadactualthoughtsofit；theKaiser，inthosemattersoftheRITTER—DIENST，oftheHEIDELBERGPROTESTANTS，andwhereverachancewas，hadbeenunfriendly，littlelessthaninsulting，toFriedrichWilhelm:\"GivemeonesingleHanoverianbrigade，toshowthatyougoalongwithme！\"saidhisPrussianMajesty；——buttheBritannicneveraltogetherwould。[OEuvresdeFrederic，i。153。]Certainitis，FriedrichWilhelmsigned:
amanwithsuchFighting—ApparatusastobeimportantinaHanoverTreaty。\"BalanceofPower，theytellme，isinadreadfulway:
certainlyifonecanhelptheBalancealittle，whynot？
ButJulichandBerg，one’sownoutlookofreversionthere，thatisthepointtobeattendedto:——Balance，Ibelieve，willsomehowshiftforitself！\"Ontheseprinciples，FriedrichWilhelmsigned，whileostensiblyhunting。[Fassmann，p。368；Forster，
Urkundenbuch，p。67。]TreatyofHanover，whichwastotrimtheshipagain，oreventomakeitheeltheotherway，datesitself3dSeptember，1725，andisofthispurport:\"Wethree，France，England，Prussiatostandbyeachotherasoneman，incaseanyofusisattacked，——willinviteHolland，Denmark，SwedenandeverypacificSovereigntytojoinusinsuchconvention，\"——
astheyallgraduallydid，hadFriedrichWilhelmbutstoodfirm。
ForitisastateoftheBalanceslittlelessthanawful。
Rumorgoesthat，bytheRipperdabargain，fataltomankind，DonCarloswastogetthebeautifulyoungMariaTheresatowife:
thatwouldsettletheParma—Piacenzabusinessandsomeothers；
thatwouldbeacompensationwithawitness！SpainandAustriaunited，asinKarlV。’stime；orperhapssomeSuccessionWar，orworse，tofightoveragain！——
FleuryandGeorge，asDucdeBourbonandGeorgehaddone，thoughbothpacificgentlemen，brandishedweaponsattheKaiser；stronglyadmonishinghimtobecomelessformidable，oritwouldbeworseforhim。Possibleindeed，insuchashadow—hunting，shadow—huntedhour！FleuryandGeorgestandlookingwithintenseanxietyintoacertainspectralsomething，whichtheycalltheBalanceofPower；
noendtotheirexorcismsinthatmatter。Truly，ifeachoftheRoyalMajestiesandSereneHighnesseswouldattendtohisownaffairs，——doinghisutmosttobetterhisownlandandpeople，inearthlyandinheavenlyrespects，alittle，——hewouldfinditinfinitelyprofitablerforhimselfandothers。AndtheBalanceofPowerwouldsettle，inthatcase，asthelawsofgravityordered:
whichisitsonemethodofsettling，afteralldiplomacy！——FleuryandGeorge，bytheirmanifestoing，stillmorebytheirlevyingofmen，GeorgeI。shovellingouthisEnglishsubsidiesasusual，createddeadlyqualmsintheKaiser；whostillfounditunpleasantto\"admitSpanishGarrisonsinParma；\"butfoundlikewisehisTermagantFriendinexorablypositiveonthatscore；andknewnotwhatwouldbecomeofhim，ifhehadtotryfighting，andtheSea—Powersrefusedhimcashtodoit。
Herebywastheshiptrimmed，andmore；shipnowlurchingtotheothersideagain。GeorgeI。goessubsidyingHessians，Danes；
soundingmanifestoes，beatingdrums，inanalarmingmanner:
andtheKaiser，exceptitwereinRussia，withthenewCzarinaCatherineI。（thatbrownlittlewoman，nowbecomeCzarina[8thFebruary，1725。TreatywithKaiser（6thAugust，1726）wenttonothingonherdeath，11thMay，1727。]），findsnoallytospeakof。Anunlucky，spectre—hunting，spectre—huntedKaiser；who，amidsomanydrums，manifestoes，menaces，isnowrollingeyesthatwitnesseverywhereconsiderabledismay。ThisistheFourthgrandCrisisofEurope；crisisortravail—throeofNature，bringingforth，andunabletodoit，BabyCarlos’sApanageandthePragmaticSanction。Fourthconspicuouschangeofcolortotheuniversallobster，gettingitselfboiledonthosesadterms，fortwentyyears。Foritssins，weneednotdoubt；foritsownlong—continuedcowardices，slothsandgreedyfollies，aswellasthoseofKaiserKarl！——
AtthisFourthchangewewillgladlyleavethematter，foratime；
muchwishingitmightbeforever。Alas，asifthatwerepossibletous！Meanwhile，letafflictedreaders，lookingbeforeandafter，readiertoforgetthantorememberinsuchacase，acceptthisNote，orSummaryofalltheSeventogether，bywayofhelp:——
TRAVAIL—THROESOFNATUREFORBABYCARLOS’SITALIANAPANAGE；
SEVENINNUMBER。
l。TripleAlliance，English，Dutch，French（4thJanuary，1717），saying，\"Peace，then！NoAlberoni—plotting；noDuel—fightingpermitted！\"SamePowers，nextyear，proposingTermsofAgreement；
Kaisergloomilyacceptingthem；whichmakesitQuadrupleAlliance（18thJuly，1718）；Termagantindignantlyrefusing，——withattackontheKaiser’sSicilies。
2。FirstSputterofWar；Byng’sSea—fight，andtheotherpressures，compellingTermagant:Peace（26thJanuary，1720）；
CongressofCambraitosettletheApanageandotherpoints。
3。CongressofCambrai，awearinesstogodsandmen，getsthefloorpulledfromunderit（Ripperda’sfeat，30thApril，1725）；
sothatKaiserandTermagantstandrankedtogether，Apanagewraptinmystery，——totheterrorofmankind。
4。TreatyofHanover（France，England，Prussia，3dSeptember，1725）restorestheBalances，andmore。Warimminent。
Prussiaprivatelyfallsoff，——asweshallsee。
[ThesefirstFourliebehindus，atthispoint；butthereareThreeothersstillahead，whichwecannothopetoescapealtogether；namely:]
5。SecondSputterofWar:TermagantbesiegesGibraltar（4thMarch，1727——6thMarch，1728）:Peaceatthatlatterdate；——
CongressofSoissonstosettletheApanageandotherpoints，asformerly。
6。CongressofSoissons（14thJune，1728——9thNovember，1729），asformerly，cannotintheleast:TermagautwhispersEngland；——
thereisTreatyofSeville（9thNovember，1729），FranceandEnglandundertakingfortheApanage。Congressvanishes；Kaiserisleftsolitary，withtheshadowofPragmaticSanction，inthenightofthings。Pauseofanawfulnature:——butFleurydoesnothastenwiththeApanage，aspromised。Whereupon，atlength，7。TreatyofVienna（16thMarch，1731）:Sea—Powers，leadingTermagantbythehand，Sea—PowersandnoFrance，unitewithKaiseragain，accordingtotheoldlawsofNature；——andBabyCarlosgetshisApanage，induecourse；——butdoesnotrestcontentwithit，Mammanorhe，verylong！
Hugespectresandabsurdbugaboos，stalkingthroughthebrainofdullthoughtlesspusillanimousmankind，do，toaterribleextent，tumblehitherandthither，andcausetolurchfromsidetoside，theirshipofstate，andallthatisembarkedthere，BREAKFAST—TABLE，amongotherthings。Nevertheless，iftheywereonlybugaboos，andmereShadowscausedbyImperialhand—lanternsinthegeneralNightoftheworld，——oughttheytobespokenofinthefamily，whenavoidable？