HANOVER,SEPTEMBER27th。BritannicMajesty,reducedtothatfrightfulpinch,hasatlastgivenway。TreatyofNeutralityforHanover;engagementagaintostickone’spuissantPragmaticswordintoitsscabbard,tobeperfectlyquiescentandcontemplativeintheseFrench—BavarianAnti—Austrianundertakings,anddigestone’sindignationasonecan。ForourPaladinofthePragmaticwhataposture!ThisisthefirstofThreeAttemptsbyourpuissantlittlePaladintodrawsword;——nottillthethirdcouldhegethisswordout,ordotheleastfighting(evenfoolishfighting)withallthe40,000hehadkeptonpayandsubsidyforyearsback。
TheNeutralitywasforHanoveronly,andhadnospecificlimitastotime。Opportunitiesdidrise;butsomethingalwaysrosealongwiththem,——mainlytheimpossibilityofhoistingthoselazyDutch,——andcheckedone’snoblerage。HisMajestyhascovenantadtovoteforKarlAlbertasKaiser;evenhe,andwillmakethethingunanimous!Athoroughlycheck—matedMajesty。PassinghometoEngland,thistimeinagloomyconditionofmind,shortlyafterthesehumiliations,hewasjustissuingfromOsnabruckbytheEasternGate,whenMaillebois’speopleenteredbytheWestern,——
theuglyshoesoftheminsultinghiskibesinthismanner。AndafuriousAnti—WalpoleParliament,mostperturbedofNationalPalavers,iswaitinghimatSt。James’s。Heavy—ladenlittleHerculesthatheis!
KarlAlbertlayatLinzforamonthlonger(tillOctober24th,sixweeksinall);pausinginuncertainties,inapleasantdreamofvictoryandsovereignty;notpouncingonVienna,asFriedrichurgedontheFrenchandhim,tocutthematterbytheroot。Hedoespushforwardcertaintroops,ComtedeSaxewithThreeHorseRegimentsasvanguard,evernearertoVienna;atlasttowithinfortymilesofit;nay,light—horsepartiescamewithintwenty—fivemiles。
AndtherewasskirmishingwithMentzel,asanguinaryfellow,ofwhomweshallhearmore;whohadgot\"1,000Tolpatches\"underhim,andstoodruggedlyatbay。
KarlAlberthasbeensendingoutsovereignmessagesfromLinz:
LetterstoVienna;——oneletteraddressed\"TotheArch—duchessMariaTheresa;\"whichcamebackunopened,\"Nosuchpersonknownhere。\"
October2d,heisgettinghomagedatLinz,bytheSTANDEoftheProvince,——onsummonssentsometimebefore,——manyofwhomattend,withawillingenoughappearance;Kur—BaiernratherafavoriteinUpperAustria,saysome。Muchfineprocessioning,melodiousharanguing,therenowisforKarlAlbert,andapleasantdreamofSovereigntyatLinz:butifhedonotpounceuponViennatillKhevenhullergetitfortified?KhevenhullerisdrawinghomeItalianGarrisons,graduallygatheringsomethinglikeanArmyroundhim。
InKhevenhuller’simperturbablemilitaryhead,oneoftheclearestandhardest,thereissomehope。Aboveall,ifNeipperg’sArmyweretodisengageitself,andbeletlooseintothoseparts?
EXCELLENCYHYNDFORDBRINGSABOUTAMEETINGAT
KLEIN—SCHNELLENDORF(9thOctober,1741)。
ItwastheseconddayafterthatHomagingatLinz,whenHyndford(Sept。22d)withmysteriousnegotiations,nownearlyripe,fordisengagingNeipperg,waylaidhisPrussianMajesty;andwasanswered,aswesaw,with\"Tush,tush!Dinnerisalreadycold!\"
Itmustbeowned,theseFriedrich—HyndfordNegotiations,followingonanexpressFrench—PrussianTreatyofJune5th,whichhavetoproceedinsuchthreefoldmysterynowandafterwards,areofquestionabledistressingnature:norcanthefactthattheyareescortedcopiouslyenoughbyacorrespondentsortontheFrenchside,andindeedontheAustrianandonallsides,beacompleteconsolation,——farotherwise,totheingenuousreader。
Smelfungusindignantlycallsitanimmoralityandadishonor,\"aplayingwithloadeddice;\"whichingoodpartitsurelywas。
NorcanevenFriedrich,whohasmanypleasforhimself,obtainspokenacquittal;unspoken,accompaniedwithregretsandpity,isallevenFriedrichcanaspireto。Myownimpressionis,Smelfungus,ifcandid,wouldonclearerinformationandconsiderationhaverevokedmuchofwhathesayshereincensureofFriedrich。Atallevents,ifasked:Wherethenisthespecificalnot\"superstitious\"
WANTof\"veracity\"youeverfoundinFriedrich?andHow,OTHERWISE
thanevenasFriedrichdid,wouldyou,mostveraciousSmelfungus,havepluckedoutyourSilesiafromsuchanElementandsuchaTime?——hewouldbepuzzledtoanswer。IgivehisFragmentasIfindit,withthesedeductions:——
\"Whatnegotiatingwehavehad,andshallhave,\"exclaimsSmelfungus,mysadforegoer,——\"fitrathertobeomittedfromaseriousHistory,whichintendstobereadbyhumancreatures!
Bargaining,Promising,Non—performing。Falseingeneralasdicers’
oaths;falseonthissideandonthat,frombeginningtoend。
InterceptedLettersfromFleury;LetterdroppingfromValori’swaistcoat—pocket,uponwhichFriedrichclapshisfoot:alas,alas,weareinthemiddleofawholeworldofthat。FriedrichknowsthattheFrencharefalsetohim;hebynomeansintendstoberomanticallytruetothem,andthatalsotheyknow。Whatistheusetohumancreaturesofrecordingallthatmelancholystuff?
IfsovereignpersonswanttheirdiplomaciesNOTtobesweptintotheash—pit,therearetwoconditions,especiallyonewhichisperemptory:FIRST,thattheyshouldnotbelies;——SECOND,thattheyshouldbeofsomeimportance,somewisdom;whichwithknownliesisnotapossiblecondition。Tounravelcobwebs,andregisterlaboriouslyanddateandsortinthesorrowofyoursoultheoathsofcrowneddicers,——whatuseisittogodsormen?Havingwelldressedandslicedyourcucumber,thenextclearhumandutyis:
Throwitoutofwindow。InthatfoulLapland—witchworld,ofseethingDiplomaciesandmonstrouswiggedmendacities,horriblywickedanddespicablyunwise,Ifindnothingnotable,memorableeveninasmalldegree,exceptthisaspectofayoungKingwhodoesknowwhathemeansinit。Clearasastar,sharpascuttingsteel(verydangeroustohydrogenballoons),hestandsinthemiddleofit,andmeanstoextorthisownfromitbysuchmethodsasthereare。
\"MagnanimousIcanbynomeanscallFriedrichtohisalliesandneighbors,norevensuperstitiouslyveracious,inthisbusiness:
buthethoroughlyunderstands,healone,whatjustthinghewantsoutofit,andwhatanenormouswiggedmendacityitishehasgottodealwith。Fortherest,heisatthegaming—tablewiththesesharpers;theirdiceallcogged;——andheknowsit,andoughttoprofitbyhisknowledgeofit。Andinshort,towinhisstakeoutofthatfoulwelteringmellay,andgohomesafewithitifhecan。\"
Verywell,myfriend!LetuskeeptowindwardoftheDiplomaticwizard’s—caldron;letHyndford,ValoriandCompanypresideoverit,throwingintheireyeofnewtandlimboftoad,asoccasionmaybe。
Enough,ifthereadercanbebroughttoconceiveit;andhowtheyoungKing,——whoperhapsalonehadrealbusinessinthisfoulelement,anddidnotvolunteerintoitliketheothers,thoughitnowunexpectedlyenvelopshimlikeaworld—whirlwind(frightfulenough,ifonespokeofthattoanybody),isstrugglingwithhiswholesoultogetwelloutofit。Assupremelyadroit,allreadersalreadyknowhim;hisappearancewhatwecalledstarlike,——alwayssomethingdefinite,fixedandlucidinit。
HeisdexterouslyholdingalooffromHyndfordatpresent,clingingtoFrenchValoriashischosencompanion:wemayfancywhatatimehehasofit,likeapolygamistamidjealouswives。ItwillquickenHyndford,heperceives,intheseulteriorstages,toleavehimwellalone。Hyndfordaccordingly,aswehavenoticed,couldnotseetheKingatall;hadtotryeveryplan,towatch,waylaytheKingforabitofinterview,whenindispensable。However,Hyndford,withhisNeipperginsightoftheperil,managesbetterthanRobinsonwithhisAulicCouncilatadistance:besidesheisalong—headeddoggedkindofman,withasurlyedaciousstrength,notinexpertinnegotiation,noreasilyturnedasidefromanypurposehemayhave。
BetweenthetwoCamps,nearlymidway,liesaHamletcalledKlein—
Schnellendorf,LITTLESchnellendorf,todistinguishitfromanotherSchnellendorfcalledGREAT,whichisamileortwonorthwestward,outofthestraightline。NotfarfromthefirstofthesepoorHamletsliesaSchlossornobleMansion,likewisecalledKlein—
Schnellendorf,belongingtoacertainCountvonSternberg,whoisnotthereatpresent,butwhoseservantsare,andapartyofCroatsoverthemforsomedaysback:apleasantairyMansionamongpleasantgardens,wellshutoutfromtheintrusionoftheworld。
UponthisCastleofKlein—SchnellendorfjudiciousHyndfordhascasthiseye:——andNeipperg,nowcometoastateofreadiness,approvesthesuggestionofHyndford,andpromptlyattheduemomentconvertsitintoafact。Arrestsnamely,onagivenmorning(thelastactofhisCroatsthere,whowithdrewdirectlywiththeirbatchofprisoners),everylivingsoulwithinorabouttheMansion;——
\"suspectedoftreason;\"onlyforoneday;——andinthisway,hasitreducedtothecomfortablefurnishedsolitudeofSleepingBeauty’sCastle;aplacefitforhighpersonstoholdaMeetingin,whichshallremainsecretasthegrave。Suchathingwasindispensable。
ForFriedrich,keepingshyofHyndford,ashewellmaywithaValoriwatchingeverystep,has,bywords,bysilences,whenHyndfordcouldwaylayhimforamoment,sufficientlyindicatedwhathewillandwhathewillnot;and,foroneindispensablecondition,inthepresentthrice—delicateAdventure,hewillnotsignanything;willgiveandtakewordofhonor,andfullybindhimself,butabsolutelynotputpentopaperatall。Neippergbeingwillingtoo,judiciousHyndfordfindsamedium。LetthepartiesmeetatKlein—Schnellendorf,andjudiciousHyndfordbetherewithpenandpaper。[Orlich,i。146;Helden—Geschichte,
i。1009。]
Monday,9thOctober,1741,accordingly,thereismeetingtobeheld。Hyndford,NeippergwithhisGeneralLentulus(aSwiss—AustrianGeneral,whoseSonservedunderFriedrichafterwards),thesewaitforFriedrich,ontheonehand:——\"tofixsomecartelforexchangeofprisoners,\"itissaid;——intheseprecinctsofKlein—
Schnellendorf;whicharesilent,vacant,yetcomfortablyfurnished,likeSleepingBeauty’sCastle。AndFriedrich,ontheotherhand,isactuallyridingthatway,withGoltz;——visitingoutposts,reconnoitring,sotospeak。\"DineyouwithPrinceLeopold(theYoungDessauer),myfineValori;IfearIshan’tbehometodinner!\"hehadsaidwhengoingoff;hoodwinkinghisfineValori,whosuspectsnothing。AtaduedistancefromKlein—Schnellendorf,theverygroomisleftbehind;andFriedrich,withGoltzonly,pushesontotheSchloss。Allreadythere;salutationssoondone;
businesssetabout,perfected:——andHyndfordwithpenandinkinhishand,he,bywayofProtocol,orsummaryofwhathadbsenagreedon,onmutualwordofhonor,mostbriefbutmostclearonthisoccasion,writesaStatePaper,whichbecameratherfamousafterwards。ThisisthePaperincondensedstate;thoughclear,itisverydull!
KLEIN—SCHNELLENDORF,9thOCTOBER,1741。BritannicExcellencyHyndfordtestifies,That,hereandnow,hisMajestyofPrussia,andNeippergonbehalfofherHungarianMajestydo,solemnlythoughonlyverbally,agreetothefollowingFourThings:——
\"FIRST,ThatGeneralNeipperg,onthe16thofthemonth[thisdayweek]shallhavelibertytoretirethroughtheMountains,towardsMoravia;unmolested,orwithnothingbutsham—attacksintherearofhim。SECOND,That,inconsequence,hisPrussianMajesty,onmakingsham—siegeofNeisse,shallhavetheplacesurrenderedtohimonthefifteenthday。THIRD,Thatthereshallbe,nayinasense,thereherebyis,aPeacemade;hisMajestyretainingNeisseandSilesia[accordingtothelimitsknowntous:——nothingsaidofGlatz];andthatacompleteTreatytothateffectshallbeperfected,signedandratified,beforetheYearisout。FOURTH,Thatthesesham—hostilities,butonlysham,shallcontinue;andthathisMajesty,winteringinBohewia,andcarryingonsham—
hostilities[tothesatisfactionoftheFrench],shallpayhisownexpenses,anddonomischief。\"[GiveninHelden—
Geschichte,i。1009;in&c。]
TotheseFourThingstheypledgetheirwordofhonor;andHyndfordsignsanddeliverseachaCopy。UnwrittenaFifthThingissettled,Thatthepresenttransactioninallpartsofitshallbesecretasdeath,——hisMajestyexpresslyinsistingthat,iftheleastinklingofitoozeout,heshallhaverighttodenyit,andrefuseinanywaytobeboundbyit。Whichlikewiseisassentedto。
Hereisaprettypieceofworkdoneforourselfandourallies,whileValoriisquietlydiningwiththePrinceofDessau!TheKingstayedabouttwohours;wasextremelypolite,andevenfrankandcommunicative。\"Averyhigh—spiritedyoungKing,\"thinksNeipperg,reportingofit;\"willnotstandcontradiction;butagreatdealcanbemadeofhim,ifyougointohisideas,andhumorhiminadelicatedexterousway。HedidnottheleasthidehisengagementswithFrance,Bavaria,Saxony;butwouldreally,sofarasI
Neippergcouldjudge,preferfriendshipwithAustria,onthegiventerms;andseemstohavesecretlyakindofpiqueatSaxony,andnofavorfortheFrenchandtheirplans。\"[Orlich,i。149(incondensedstate)。]
\"Businessbeingdone[thisisHyndford’sreport],theKing,whohadbeenpolitenessitself,tookNeippergaside,beckoningHyndfordtobeoftheparty,’Iwishyoutoo,myLord,toheareveryword:——hisBritannicMajestyknowsorshouldknowmyintentionsneverweretodohimhurt,butonlytotakecareofmyself;andprayinformhim[whatisthefact]thatIhaveorderedmyArmyinBrandenburgtogointowinter—quarters,andbreakupthatCampatGottin。’
Friedrich’stalktoNeippergis,HowhemayassaulttheFrenchwithadvantage:’JoinLobkowitzandwhatforcehehasinBohmen;
gorightintoyourenemies,beforetheycanunitethere。IftheQueenprosper,Ishall——perhapsIshallhavenoobjectiontojoinherbyandby?IfherMajestyfail;well,everyonemustlooktohimself。’\"ThesewordsHyndfordlistenedtowithanedacioussolidcountenance,andgreedilytookthemdown。[Hyndford’sDespatch,Breslau,14thOctober,1741。]
Oncemore,acuriousglimpse(perhapsimprudentlyallowedus,inthecircumstances)intotherealinnermanofFriedrich。Hehad,atthistime,nowthattheBelleisleAdventureisleftinsuchastate,noessentialreasontowishtheFrenchruined,——norprobablydidhe;butonlystatedbothchances,asinthewayofunguardedsoliloquy;andwaswillingtoleaveNeippergasweetmorseltochew。SecretmodeofcorrespondingwiththeCourtofAustriaisagreedupon;notdirect,butthraughcertainCommandants,tillthePeace—Treatybeperfected,——atlatest\"byDecember24th,\"wehope。
Andso,\"BONVOYAGE,andwellacrosstheMountains,M。LEMARECHAL;
tillwemeetagain!Andyou,ExcellencyHyndford,besogoodyouaswritetome,——forValori’sbehoof,——complainingthatIamdeaftoallproposals,thatnothingcanbehadofme。AndotherLetters,pray,oftheliketenor,allround;toPresburg,toEngland,toDresden:——iftheCouriersareseized,itshallbewell。’YourLettertomyself,letatrumpetcomewithitwhileIamatdinner,’
andValoribesideme!\"——\"Certainly,yourMajesty,\"answersHyndford;anddoesit,doesallthis;whichproducesasoothingeffectonValori,poorsoul!
FRIEDRICHTAKESNEISSEBYSHAMSIEGE(CAPTURENOTSHAM);
GETSHOMAGEDINBRESLAU;ANDRETURNSTOBERLIN。
Thus,iftheAustriansholdtotheirbargain,hasFriedrich,inamostcompendiousmanner,gotdonewithaBusinesswhichthreatenedtobeinfinite:bythisshortcuthe,forhispart,isquiteoutofthewaste—howlingjungleofEnchantedForest,andhisfootagainonthefirmfreeEarth。IfonlytheAustriansholdtotheirbargain!
Butprobablyhedoubtsiftheywill。Well,eveninthatcase,hehasgotNeisse;standspreparedformeetingthemagain;and,inthemeanwhile,hasfreedomtodenythatthereeverwassuchabargain。
OfthePoliticalmoralityofthisgameoffast—and—loose,whathavewetosay,——except,thatthediceonbothsidesseemtobeloaded;
thatlogicmightbechoppeduponitforever;thatacandidmindwillsettlewhatdegreeofwisdom(whichisalwaysessentiallyveracity),andwhatoffolly(whichisalwaysfalsity),therewasinFriedrichandtheothers;whether,ortowhatdegree,therewasabettercourseopentoFriedrichinthecircumstances:——and,infine,itwillhavetobegrantedthatyoucannotworkinpitchandkeephandsevidentlyclean。FriedrichhasgotintotheEnchantedWilderness,populouswithdevilsandtheirworks;——and,alas,itwillbelongbeforehegetoutofitagain,HISlifewaningtowardsnightbeforehegetvictoriouslyout,andbequeathhisconquesttoluckiersuccessors!ItisoneofthetragicelementsofthisKing’slife;littlecontemplatedbyhim,whenhewentlightlyintotheSilesianAdventure,lookingforhonorbright,whathecalled\"GLOIRE,\"asoneprincipalconsideration,hardlyayearago!——
Neipperg,accordingtocovenant,brokeuppunctuallythatdayweek,October16th;andwentovertheMountains,throughJagerndorf,Troppau,towardsMahren;Prussianshangingonhisrear,andskirmishingabout,butonlyforimaginaryorostensiblepurposes。
Afterathree—weeksmarch,hegetstoaplacecalledFrating,[Espagnac,i。104。]easternmostborderofMahren,ontheslopesoftheMannhartsbergHill—Country,whichiswithinwindofViennaitself;where,aswecanfancy,hispresenceiswelcomeasmorning—
lightinthepresentdarkcircumstances。
Friedrich,onthemorrowafterNeippergwent,investedNeisse(October17th);setabouttheSiegeofNeissewithallgravity,asifithadbeenthemostearnestoperation;whichnobodyofmankind,exceptthreeorfour,doubtedbutitwas。Beforeopeningofthetrenches,LeopoldyoungDessauertooktheroadforGlatzCountry,andtheadjoiningCirclesofBohemia;theretocantonhimself,peaceablyaccordingtocontract;andespeciallytohaveaneyeuponGlatz,shouldtheKlein—Schnellendorfengagementgoawryinanypoint。TheKinginhisDialoguewithNeipperghadsaidseveralthingsaboutGlatz,andwhatasacrificehemadethereforthesakeofspeedypace,theFrenchhavingguaranteedhimGlatz,thoughhenowforboreit。Leopold,whohaswithhimsome15,000horseandfoot,cantonshimselfjudiciouslyinthoseultramontaneparts,——
\"alltheartilleryintheGlatzCountry;\"[Helden—
Geschichte,ii。431;Orlich,i。174。]——andweshallhearofhimagain,byandby,inregardtootherbusinessthatrisesthere。
NeisseisaformidableFortress,muchstrengthenedsincelastyear;
buthereisaBesiegerwithmuchbetterchance!Hemarkedoutparallels,sentsummonses,reconnoitred,manoeuvred,——inawaymoreorlesssurprisingtotheeyeofValori,whoismilitary,andknowsaboutsieges。Rathersingular,remarksValori;goodengineersmuchwantedhere!Butthebombardmentdidfinallybegin:nightofOctober26th—27th,thePrussiausopenedfire;and,ataterriblerate,cannonadedandbombardedwithoutintermission。Inpointoffireandnoiseitistremendous;Valoritrustsitmaybeeffective,inspiteoffaults;goestoBreslauinhope:\"Yes,gotoBreslau,MONCHERVALORI;waitformethere。Neippergbechased,sayyou?
Shallnothe,——ifwehadgotthisplace!\"Andsothefirecontinuesnightandday。[Helden—Geschichte,i。1006。]
FantasticBielfeld,inhissemi—fabulousstyle,hasaLETTERonthisbombardment,attractivetoLoversofthePicturesque,——
(writtenlongafterwards,anddated&c。WRONG)。AsBielfeldisarapidclevercreatureofthecoxcombsort,anddoubtlessdidseeNeisseSiege,andentertainedseeminglyablazingincorrectrecollectionofit,hisPseudo—NeisseLettermaybeworthgiving,torepresentapproximatelywhatkindofsceneitwasthereatNeisseintheOctobernights:——
\"MarechalSchwerinwaslodgedinaVillageaboutthree—quartersofamilefromHead—Quarters。Onedayhedidmethehonortoinvitemetodinner;andevenofferedmeahorsetoridethitherwithhim。
Ifoundexcellentcompany;asuperbrepast,andwineofthegods。
Hostandguestswereinhighspirits;andthepleasuresofthetablewerekeptupsolate,thatitwasmidnightwhenwerose。
IwasobligedtoreturntoHead—Quarters,havingstilltowaitupontheKing,asusual。TheMarechalwaskindenoughtolendmeanotherhorse;butthegroommischievouslygavemethechargerwhichtheMarechalrodeattheBattleofMollwitz;averypowerfulanimal,andwhich,fromthatday,hadgrownveryskittish。
\"Iwasmadeawareofthiscircumstance,beforewewerefairlyoutoftheVillage;andthenightbeingofthedarkest,Itwentytimesrantheriskofbreakingmyneck。Wehadtopassoverahill,togettoHead—Quarters。WhenIreachedthetop,ashuddercameoverme,andmyhairstoodonend。Ihadnobodywithmebutastrangegroom。Thecountryallaroundwasinfestedwithtroopsandmarauders;Iwasmountedonanunmanageablehorse。Undermyfeet,sotosay,IsawthebombardmentoftheTownofNeisse。Iheardtheroarofcannonanddolefulshrieks。Aboveourbatteriesthewholeatmospherewasinflamed;andtocompletethecalamity,Imissedtheway,andgotlostinthedarkness。Finally,indescendingthehill,myhorse,frightened,madeaterribleswerveorside—jump。Ididnotknowthecause;butafterhaving,withdifficulty,gothimintotheroadagain,Ifoundmyselfoppositetoadeserterwhohadbeenhangedthatday!Iwashorriblydisgustedbythesight;thegallowsbeingverylow,andtheheadofthemalefactoralmostparallelwithmine。Ispurredon,andgallopedawayfromsuchunpleasantnight—
company。AtlastIarrivedatHead—Quarters,allinaperspiration。
Isentmyhorseback;andwentintotheKing,whoaskedmeatonce,whyIwassoheated。ImadehisMajestyafaithfulreportofallmydisasters。Helaughedmuch;andadvisedmeseriouslynotagaintogooutbynight,andalone,beyondthecircuitofHead—Quarters。\"[Bielfeld,ii。31,32。]
AfterfourdaysandnightsofthissublimePlayhousethunder(withrealbulletsinit,whichkilledsomemen,andburntconsiderableproperty),theNeisseCommandant(notRoththistime,RothisnowinBrunn),——his\"fortnightofsiege,\"Ottober17thtoOctober3lst,beingaccomplishedornearlyso,——beatchamade;andwas,aftergraveenoughtreatying,allowedtomarchaway。Marched,accordingly,onthecorrectKlein—Schnellendorfterms;mostofhispoorgarrisondeserting,andtakingPrussianservice。Eversincewhichmoment,Neisse,capturedinthiscuriousmanner,hasbeenFriedrich’sandhisPrussia’s。
November1st,thePrussiansoldiersenteredtheplace;andFriedrich,afterdiligentinspectionandwhatorderswerenecessary,leftforBriegonthefollowingday;——wheregeneralilluminatinganddemonstratingawaitedhim,amidmoreseriousbusiness。Afterstrictexaminations,andapprovalofWalraveandhisworksatBrieg,heagaintakestheroad;entersBreslau,inconsiderablestate(November4th);wheremanyPersonsofQualityarewaiting,andthegeneralHomagingisstraightwaytobe,——orindeedshouldhavebeensomedaysago,buthasfallenbehindbydelaysintheNeisseaffair。
TheBreslauHULDIGUNG,——Friedrichsworntoandhomagedwiththeduesolemnitiesas\"SovereignDukeofLowerSilesia,\"——wasaneventtothrowintofinetemporaryfrenzythedescriptiveGazetteers,andBreslauCity,overflowingwithQualitypeoplecometoactandtoseeontheoccasion。Eventwhichcanbelefttothereader’sfancy,atthisdate。TherewereCorporationsoutinquantity,\"allincloaks\"andwithsublimeAddresses,partlyinpoetry,happilyratherbrief。TherewerebeautifulPrussianLife—guards(\"FirstBattalion,\"admirabletothesoftersex,nottospeakoftheharder);muchmilitaryresonanceandsplendor。Friedrichdroveaboutincarriages—and—six,\"naycarriage—and—eight,horsescream—
color:\"averyhighKingindeed;andaverybusyone,forthosefourdays(November4th—8th)1741),butfullofgraceandcondescension。TheHULDIGUNGitselftookeffectonthe7th;inthefineoldRathhaus,whichTouristsstillknow,——thesurroundingApple—womensweepingthemselvesclearawayforoneday。AncientDucalthroneandproperapparatustherewas;state—swordunluckilywanting:Schwerin,whowastoactGrand—Marshal,couldfindnostate—sword,tillFriedrichdrewhisownandgaveithim。
[Helden—Geschichte,i。1022,1025;ii。349。]
PodewilstheMinistersaidsomething,nottoomuch;towhichonePrittwitz,headofaSilesianFamilyofwhichweshallknowindividuals,madepithyandprettyresponse,beforeswearing。
\"TherewereaboveFourHundredofQualitypresent,allingala。\"
ThecustomaryFree—GiftoftheSTANDEFriedrichmagnanimouslyrefused:\"ImpossibletobeaburdentoourSilesiainsuchharassedwar—circumstances,insteadofbenefactorandprotector,asweintendedandintend!\"TheCeremony,swearingandall,wasoverintwohours;hundredsofsilvermedals,nottospeakofthegoldones,flyingabout;andBreslaugivingitselfupjoyfullytodinnerandfestivities。And,afterdinner,thatevening,toIllumination;
followedbyballsandjubilationsfordaysafter,inahighlyharmoniouskey。Ofthelamps—festoons,astonishingtransparencies,andgladsymbolicdevices,Icouldsayagreatdeal;butwillmentiononlytwo,bothofcomfortablyedibleorquasi—edibletendency:——
1。ThatofDavidSchulze,Flesherbyprofession;whohadaTransparencylargeaslife,representinghisownfatPersonintheactoffellingafatOx;towhichwasappendedthisepigraph:——
\"WermirwirddenKoniginPreussenverachten,DenwillichwiediesenOchsenschlacten。\"
\"WhodaresmetheKingofPrussiainsult,HimIwillservelikethisfatheadofnolt。\"
Signed\"DAVIDSCHULER,ABRANDENBURGER。\"——
Andthen,2。How,inanotherquarter,therewassetaloftINRE,bysomePastry—cookofpatrioticturn:\"AnactualOxroastedwhole;filledwithpheasants,partridges,grouse,haresandgeese;PrussianEagleatop,madeofroastedfowls,larksandthelike,\"——unattainable,I
doubt,exceptformoneydown。[Helden—Geschichte,ii。359。]
Onthefifthmorning,9thNovember,——aftermuchworkdoneduringthisshortvisit,muchceremonialaudiencing,latterly,andraisingtothepeerage,——FriedrichrolledontoGlogau。Tookaccuratesurveyoftheengineeringandotherintereststhere,foracoupleofdays;thencetoBerlin(noonofthellth),joyfullyreceivedbyRoyalFamilyandalltheworld;——and,aswemightfancy,askinghimself:\"AmIactuallyhome,then;outoftheenchantedjunglesandtheirdevilries;safehere,andlistening,IaloneinPeace,totheuniversaldinofWar?\"Alas,no;thatwasabeautifulhypothesis;toobeautifultobelongcredible!BeforereachingBerlin,——orevenBreslau,asappears,——Friedrich,vigilantlyscanninganddiscerning,hadseenthatfinehopeasgoodasvanish;
andwassilentlybusyupontheoppositeone。
Inafortnighthence,Hyndford,whohadfollowedtoBerlin,gottransientsightoftheKingonemorning,hasteningthroughsomeapartmentorother:\"’MyLord,’saidtheKing,(theCourtofViennahasentirelydivulgedoursecret。DowagerEmpressAmelia[KaiserJoseph’swidow,motherofKarlAlbert’swife]hasacquaintedtheCourtofBavariawithit;Wasner[AustrianMinisteratParis]hastoldFleury;Sinzendorf[dittoatPetersburg]hastoldtheCourtofRussia;Robinson,throughMr。Villiers[yourSaxonMinister],hastoldtheCourtofDresden;andseveralmembersofyourGovernmentinEnglandhavetalkedpubliclyaboutit!’And,withashrugoftheshoulders,heleftme,\"——standingsomewhatagapethere。[Hyndford’sDespatch,Berlin,28thNovember,1741;Ib。Breslau,28thOctober(secretalreadyknown)。]
ChapterVI。
NEWMAYOROFLANDSHUTMAKESANINSTALLATIONSPEECH。
ThelategeneralHomagingatBreslau,andsolemnTakingPossessionoftheCountrybyKingFriedrich,undersuchpeaceableomens,hadstraightway,aswegather,broughtabout,overSilesiaatlarge,oratleastwherepressinglyneedful,variouslittlealterations,——
rectifications,bythePrussianmodelandnewrulenowintroduced。
Ofwhich,asitisbetterthatthereaderhavesomedimnotion,ifeasilyprocurable,thannoneatall,Iwillofferhimoneexample;
——itselfdimenough,butcomingatfirst—hand,intheactualorccncreteform,andbeyonddisputinginwhateverlightortwilightitmayyieldus。
AtLandshut,apleasantlittleMountainTown,inthePrincipalityofSchweidnitz,highup,ontheinfantRiverBober,neartheBohemianFrontier——(EnglishreadersmayseeQUINCYADAMS’S
descriptionofit,andofthelongwoodenspoutswhichthrowcataractsonyou,ifwalkingthestreetsinrain[JohnQuincyAdams(afterwardsPresidentoftheUnitedStates),LettersonSilesia(London,1804)。\"Thewoodenspoutsarenowgone\"(Tourist’sNote,of1858)。]):atLandshut,asinsomeotherTowns,ithadbeenfoundgoodtoremodeltheTownMagistracyalittle;tomakeitpartlyProtestant,foronething,insteadofCatholic(andAustrian),whichithadformerlybeen。Detailsaboutthe\"highcontroversiesanddiscrepancies\"
whichhadrisenthere,wehaveabsolutelynone;norhavethespecialfunctionsoftheMagistracy,whatpowerstheyhad,whatworktheydid,intheleastbecomedistincttous:wegatheronlythatacertainnamelessBurgermeister(probablyAustrianandCatholic)had,by\"MostgraciousRoyalSpecial—Order,\"beenatlengthrelievedfromhislabors,andtherewith\"themuchbyhimpersecutedandafflictedHerrTheodorusSpener\"beennamedBurgermeisterinstead。WhichrespectableHerrTheodorusSpener,andalongwithhimHerrJohannDavidFischerasRATHS—SENIOR,andHerrJohannCasparRuffer,andalsoHerrJohannJacobUmminger,asnewRaths(howmanyoftheoldbeingleftIcannotsay),wereaccordingly,onthe4thofDecember,1741,publiclyinstalled,andwithpropersolemnitytooktheirplaces;allLandshutlookingon,withtheconceivableinterestandastonishment,almostasatachangeintheobliquityoftheecliptic,——changeprobablyforthebetter。
RespectableHerrTheodorusSpener(wehopeitisSpeNer,fortheyprinthimSPEERinoneofthetwoplaces,andwehavetogobyguess)isreadywithanInstallationSpeechontheoccasion;
andhisSpeechwasjudgedsoexcellent,thattheyhavepreserveditinprint。UsitbynomeansstrikesbyitsDemosthenicorotherqualities:meanwhilewelistentoitwiththeclosestattention;
hoping,inourgreatignorance,togatherfromitsomeglimmeringsofinstructionastotheaffairs,humors,dispositionandgeneraloutlookandconditionofLandshut,andSilesiainthatjuncture;——
andthoughagooddealdisappointed,havemadeanAbstractofitintheEnglishlanguage,whichperhapsthereadertoo,inhisgreatignorance,willaccept,indefectofbetter。SceneisLandshutamongtheGiantMountainsontheBohemianBorderofSilesia:anoldstoneTown,wherethereisfromofoldabusytradeinthreadandlinen;Townconsisting,asiscommonthere,ofvariousnarrowwindingstreetscomparabletospider—legs,andofaroomycentralMarket—placecomparabletothebodyofthespider;wideirregularMarket—placewiththewoodenspouts(dryforthemoment)allprojectingroundit。Time,4thDecember,1741(doubtlessintheforenoon);unusualcrowdofpopulationsimmeringabouttheMarket—
place,andfullaudienceofthebettersortgravelyattentiveintheinterioroftheRathhaus;BurgermeisterSpenerLOQUITUR
[Helden—Geschichte,ii。416。](liabletoabridgmenthereandthere,onwarninggiven):——
\"Ienter,then,inthenameoftheMostHolyTrinity,uponanOffice,towhichDivineProvidencehasappointed,andthegraciousandpotenthandofagreatKinghasraisedme。Greatasisthedignity[giddyheightofMayoraltyinLandshut],thoughundeserved,whichtheEver—Nercifulhasthusconferreduponme,equallygreatandmuchgreateristheburdenconnectedtherewith。Iconfess\"——
Heconfesses,inhigh—stalkingearnestwoodenlanguageveryforeigntousineveryway:(1。)Thathisshouldersaretooweak;butthathetrustsinGod。For(2。)itisGod’sdoing;andHethathascalledSpener,willgiveSpenerstrength,theessentialworkbeingtodoGod’swill,topromoteHishonor,andthecommonweal。
(3。)ThathecomesoutofasmallerOffice(Officenotfartherspecified,probablyexteriortotheRATHS—COLLEGE,andsubalterntothelatetyrannousMayorandit),andhastakenuponhimtheMayoraltyofthisTown(anevidentfact!);butthatthelaborandresponsibilityaredreadfullyincreased;andthatthepointisnotincreaseofhonor,ofrespectabilityorincome,butofheavyduties。(Asonorous,pious—mindedSpener;muchmoreinearnestthanreadersnowthink!)
Itiseasy,intimateshe,togovernaTown,if,assomehaveperhapsdone,youfollowsimplyyourownwill,regardlessofthesighsandcomplaintsyoursubjectsutterforinjusticeundergone,——
indifferenttothethoughtthatthecapriceofoneTownSovereignistobeglorifiedbysomanythousandtears(dimglanceintothepasthistoryofLandshut!)。SuchTownSovereignpersecutesinnocence,stopshisearstoitscry;flourisheshissharpscourge;
——nooneshallcomplain:forisitnotjustice?thinkssuchaTownSovereign。Thereasonis,Hedoesnotknowhimself,poorman;
hashadhiseyealwaysonthedutiesofhissubjectstowardshim,andrarelyorneveronhistowardsthem。ASovereignMayorthatgovernsbyfear,——hemustliveincontinualfearofeveryone,andofhimselfwithal。Aweakbasis:andcapableoftotaloverturninoneday。Onthecontrary,theloveofyourburghersubjects:that,ifyoucankindleit,willgoonlikeahouseonfire(AUSBRUCH
EINESFEURES),andstreamsofwaterwon’tputitout……\"And[letusnowtakeSpener’sverywords]ifamankeepthefearofGodbeforehiseyes,therewillbenoneedforanyotherkindoffear。
\"Iwilltherefore,youespeciallyHigh—honoredGentlemen,studytodirectallmyjudicialendeavorstothehonorofthegreatGod,andtoinviolablefidelitytowardsmymostgraciousKingandLord[Friedrich,byDecisionofProvidence——atMollwitzandelsewhere]。
\"TotheCitizensofthisTown,fromofoldsodeartome,andnowbyRoyalgracecommittedtomycharge,andthereforedoublyandtreblytobehelddear,Imeantodevotemyselfaltogether。Iwill,oneveryoccasionandoccurrence,stillmoreexpresslythanaforetime,standbythem;andwhenneedis,notfailtobringtheircasebeforethejustThroneofourAnointed[Friedrich,byDecisionofProvidence]。JusticeandfairnessIwillendeavor,underwhatevercomplexities,tomakemyloadstar。Yes,Ishallandwill,bymeansofthismyOffice,equipmyselfwithweaponswherebyImaybecapabletodampsuchhumors(INTELLIGENTIEN),shouldsuchstillbe(butIbelievetherearenownonesuch),asmayrepugnagainsttheRoyalinterest,withpossibilityofbeingdangerous;andtoputabridleonmouthsthatareunruly。And,tosaymuchinlitllecompass,IwillbefaithfultoGod,tomyKingandtothisTown。
\"HavingnowthehonorandhappinesstobeputintoOfficialfriendshipwiththoseGentlemenwho,asBurgermeisters,andasoldandasnewMembersofCouncil,haveforlongyearsmadethemselvesrenownedamongus,Iwillentertain,inrespectoftheformer[theold]afirmconfidenceThatthezealtheyhavesostronglymanifestedforbehoofofthemostsereneArchducalHouseofAustriawillhenceforthburninthemforourmostBelovedLand’sPrincewhomGodhasnowgivenus;thatthefireoftheirlatelyplightedtruthanddevotion,towardshisRoyalMajesty,shallshinenotinwordsonly,butinworks,andbeextinguishedonlywiththeirlives。[Canthatbe,OSpenerorSpeer?Arewealarm—clocks,thatneedonlytobewoundup,andtoldatwhathour,andforwhom?]
God,whoputsKingsinandcaststhemout,hasgiventousanolesspotentSovereignthansupremelylovingLand’s—Father,who,bytherenownofhismorethanroyalvirtues,hadtakencaptivetheheartsofhisfuturesubjectsandchildrenstillsoonerthanevenbyhisarms,familiarotherwisetovictory,hedidtheLand。
Andwhoshallbepuissantandmightyenough,nowtoleadmen’smindsinacontrarydirection;tocontroltheMostHighPower,ruleroverheartsandLands,whohaddecreeditshouldbeso;
andagaintochangethischange?[HearSpener:hehastakengreatpainswithhisDiscourse,andunderstandscomposition!]
\"Thischange,High—honoredGentlemen[oftheCatholicpersuasion],isalsoforyouanotunhappyone。ForournowaspiousaswiseKingwill,especiallyinonemostvitalpoint,takepatternbytheKingofallKings;andmeanstobelordofhissubjectsonly,notoftheconsciencesofhissubjects。HerequiresnothingfromyoubutwhatyouarealreadyboundbyGod,byconscience,andduty,torender:towit,obedienceandinviolableunbrokenfidelity。Andbythat,andwithoutmoreaskedthanthat,youwillrenderyourselvesworthyofhisprotection,andbecomepartakersoftheRoyalfavor。
Nayyouwillrenderyourselvesalltheworthierinthathighquarter,andthemoremeritorioustowardsourciviccommonweal,themoreyou,High—honoredGentlemen[oftheCatholicpersuasion],accept,withallfranknessofcolleague—loveandamity,meandtheEvangelicalbrotherRathsnowintroducedbyRoyalgraceandpower;
andmakethenewpositiongenerouslytenableandavailabletous;
——andtherebybindwithusthemorefirmlythebandofpeaceandcolleague—unity,forhelpingupthisdear,andforsomeyearsgreatlyfallen,Townalongwithus。
\"We,forourpoorpart,will,oneandall,striveonlytosurpasseachotherinobedienceandfaithtoourMostGraciousKing。
Wewill,asRegentsoftheCitizenrycommittedtous,gobeforethemwithagoodexample;andprovetoallandeveryone,That,littleandinwaruntenableasourLandshutis,itshall,inextentandimpregnabilityoffaithtowardsitsMostDearestLand’s—Prince,approveitselfunconquerable。AswellIas\"——Professesnow,inthemostintricatephraseology,thathe,andFischerandUmminger(givingnotonlythetitles,butasuccincthistoryofallthree,inasinglesentence,beforehecomestotheverb!),bringatrueheart,&c。&c。——OrwouldthereaderperhapsliketoseeitIN
NATURA,asaspecimenofGermanhuman—nature,andthearttheseSilesianspinnershaveindrawingouttheiryarns?
\"AswellIas[1。]TheTitularHerrJohannDavidFischer,distinguishedtraderandmerchantofthisTown,who,byhistradingsinandbeyondourSilesianCountries,hasmadehimselfrenowned,andbyhismeritandaddressinparticularinstances[delicateinstancesknowntoLandshut,nottous]hasmadehimselfbeloved,whohasnowbeeninstalledasRaths—Senior;andalsoas[2。]TheTitularHerrJohannCasparRuffer,well—respectedCitizen,andRevenue—officeManagerhere,whoformanyyearshaswithmuchfidelityandvigilancemanagedtheRevenue—office,andwhoforhisexperienceintheeconomicconstitutionofthisTownhasbeenall—
graciouslynominatedRaths—Herr;——andnotless[3。]TheTitularJohannJacobUmminger,whilomAdvocateatLawinBreslau,who,forhisgoodstudiesinLaw,andmanifestedskillinthepracticeofLaw,hasbeenanall—graciouslynominatedSupernumeraryCouncillorandNotary’s—Adjunctamongus:——AswellIastheseThreenotonlyassureyou,High—honoredGentlemen,ofallimaginableestimationandreturnofloveonourpart;butdolikewiseassureallandsundrytheserespectableHerrenTown—Jurats[speciallypresent],representingheretheuniversalwell—belovedCitizenryofourTown,——thatwebringaheartsincere,andintentonlyonaimingatthewelfareofaCitizenrysoloveworthy。WehavethefirmpurposebyGod’sgrace,sotoorderourwalk,andsotoconductourgovernmentthatwemay,oneday,whensummonedfromourjudgment—
seatstoanswerbeforetheUniversalJudgment—seatofChrist,beabletosay,withthatpiousKingandJudgeofIsrael:’Lord,thouknowestifwehavewalkeduprightlybeforethee。’Andwehopetounderstandthattherewardsofjustice,inthatLife,willbemuchmorethanthoseofinjusticeinthis。
\"WebelievethattheMostHighwill,insofar,blesstheseourhonestpurposesandwholesomeendeavors,asthattheactualfruitsthereofwillintimecoming,andwhenPeacenowsoonexpected(whichGodgrant)hasreturnedtous,bemanifest;andthatif,inourOffice,asiscommon,weshouldratherhavethornsofpersecutionthanrosesofrecompensetoexpect,yettoeachofustherewillatlastaccruepraiseintheEarthandrewardinHeaven。
[HearSpener!]
\"Meanwhilewewilluniteallourwishes,ThattheAlmightymayvouchsafetohisRoyalMajesty,ournowAll—dearestDukeandLand’s—Father,manylongyearsoflifeandofhappyreign;andmaintainthisAll—highestRoyal—PrussianandElector—BrandenburgicHouseinsupremestsplendorandprosperity,undisturbedtotheendofallDays;andalongwithit,ourTown—Council,andwholeMerchantryandCitizenry,safeunderthisPrussianSceptre,inperpetualblessing,peaceandunity[whatamodestprayer!]:toallwhichmayHeavenspeakitspowerfulAmen!\"[Helden—
Geschichte,ii。416—422。]——
Whereuponsolemnwavingofhats;indistinctsoughofloyalmurmurfromtheuniversalLandshutPopulation;afterwhich,continuedtothedueextent,theyreturntotheirspindlesandshuttlesagain。
ChapterVII。
FRIEDRICHPURPOSESTOMENDTHEKLEIN—SCHNELLENDORF
FAILURE:FORTUNESOFTHEBELLEISLEARMAMENT。
WeshallnotdwelluponthemovementsoftheFrenchintoGermanyforthepurposeofoverwhelmingAustria,andsettingupfoursubordinatelittleSovereigntiestotaketheirordersfromLouisXV。Theplanwasofthemadsort,notrecognizedbyNatureatall;thediplomacywaswide,expensive,grandiose,butvainandbaseless;nordidthesoldieringthatfollowedtakepermanentholdofmen’smemory。Humannaturecannotaffordtofollowouttheseloudinanities;and,atacertaindistanceoftime,isboundtoforgetthem,asephemeraofnoaccountinthegeneralsum。
Difficulttosaywhatprofithumannaturecouldgetoutofsuchtransaction。TherewasnogoodsoldieringonthepartoftheFrenchexceptbygleamshereandthere;badsoldieringforthemostpart,andthecausewasradicallybad。Letusbebriefwithit;trytosnatchfromit,hugerottenheapofoldexuviaeandforgottennoisesanddeliriums,whatfractionsofperennialmayturnupforus,carefullyforgettingtherest。
Mailleboiswithhis40,000,wehaveseenhowtheygottoOsnabruck,andeffectuallystilledthewar—fervoroflittleGeorgeII。;
senthimhome,infact,toEnglandacheckmatedman,heridingoutofOsnabruckbyonegate,theFrenchatthesamemomentmarchinginbytheother。ThereliesMailleboiseversince;andwilllie,cantonedoverWestphalia,\"notnearerthanthreeleaguestotheboundaryofHanover,\"forayearandmore。ThereletMailleboislie,tillweseehimcalledawayelse—wither,uponwhichthegallantlittleGeorge,check—matebeinglifted,willgetintonotablemilitaryactivity,andattempttodrawhisswordagain,——
thoughwithoutsuccess,owingtothelaggardDutch。Whichalso,asBritishsubjects,ifnototherwise,thereadersofthisBookwillwishtoseesomethingof。Mailleboisdidnotquitekeephisstipulateddistanceof\"threeleaguesfromtheboundary\"(beingoftenshortofvictual),andwasotherwisenogoodneighbor。
AmonghisField—Officers,thereisvisible(sometimesintroubleaboutquartersandthelike)aMarquisduChatelet,——who,Ifind,isHusbandorEx—HusbandtothedivineEmilie,ifreaderscaretothinkofthat![Campagnes(i。45,193);andFrenchPeerage—Books,?DUCHATELAT。]Otherknownface,orpointofinterestfororagainst,doesnotturnupintheMailleboisOperationinthoseparts。
AsfortheotherstillgranderArmy,ArmyoftheOriflammeaswehavecalledit,——whichwouldbeBelleisle’s,werenothesooverwhelmedwithembassying,andpersuadingthePowersofGermany,——this,sincewelastsawit,hasstruckintoanewcourse,whichitisessentialtoindicate。Themajorpartofit(FourrearDivisions!ifreadersrecollect)layatIngolstadt,itsplaceofarms;whiletheVanwardThreeDivisions,underMauriceComtedeSaxe,flowedonward,joiningwithBavariaatPassau;downtheDonauCountry,toLinzandfarther,terrifyingViennaitself;anddrivingalltheCourttoPresburg,with(fabulous)\"MORIAMURPROREGE
NOSTROMARIATHERESIA,\"butwithactualarmamentofTolpatches,Pandours,Warasdins,Uscocksandthelikeunsightlybeingsofapredatorycentaurnature。WhichfineHungarianArmament,andothersstillmoreominous,havebeendiligentlygoingon,whileKarlAlbertsatenjoyinghisHomagingsatLinz,hisPisgah—viewsVienna—
ward;andaskinghimself,\"Shallweventureforward,andcaptureVienna,then?\"
Thequestionisintricate,andtherearemanysecretbiasingsconcernedinthesolutionofit。Friedrich,beforeKlein—
Schnellendorftime,hadwritteneagerly,hadsentSchmettauwitheagermessage,\"Pushforward;itisfeasible,eveneasy:cutthematterbytheroot!\"This,theysay,wasKarlAlbert’sownnotion,hadnottheFrenchoverruledhim;——notwilling,someguess,heshouldgetAustria,andbecometooindependentofthemallatonce。
Nay,itappearsKarlAlberthadinducementsofhisowntowardsBohemiarather。TheFrenchhavehadKur—Sachsentomanagewithal;
andthereareinterestsinBohemiaofhisandtheirs,——clippingsofBohemiapromisedhimasbribes,besidesthat\"KingdomofMoravia,\"
togethis21,000setonmarch。\"ClippingsofBohemia?InterestsofKur—Sachsen’sinthatCountry?\"asksKarlAlbertwithalarm:
andthinksitwillbesafer,werehehimselfpresentthere,whileSaxonyandFrancedotheclippingsinquestion!Sureenough,hedidnotpushon。Belleisle,fromthedistance,stronglyopinedotherwise;KarlAlberthimselfhadjealousfearsaboutBohmen。
Friedrich’simportunitiesandurgencieswereuseless:andtheonechancethereeverwasforKarlAlbert,forBelleisleandtheRuinofAustria,vanishedwithoutreturn。
KarlAlberthasturnedoff,leftwards,towardshisBohemianEnterprises:French,Bavarians,Saxons,bytheirseveralroutes,sincethelastdaysofOctober,areallonmarchthatway。Wewillmarkanexactdatehereandthere,asfixedpointforthereader’sfancy。PoorKarlAlbert,hehadsatsomesixweeksatLinz,——aboutthreeweekssincethatHomagingthere(October2d);——imaginarySovereignofUpperAustria;lookingovertoViennaandthePromisedLandingeneral。AndthatfinePisgah—viewwasallheeverhadofit。OfAustrianorotherConquestsearthlyorheavenly,therecamenonetohiminthisAdventure;——mereMINUSquantitiestheyallproved。Forafewweeksmore,thereare,blendedwithawfulportents,animaginarygleamortwoinotherquarters;afterwhich,nothingbutblackhorroranddisgrace,deepeningdownwardsintoutterdarkness,forthepoorman。BelleisleisanimaginarySun—god;butthepoorIcarus,temptedaloftinthatmannerintotheearnestelements,andmeltingatonceintoquillsandrags,isatragicreality!——Letustoourdates:——
\"OCTOBER24th,TheBavarianTroops,whohadlainatMauternontheDonausometime,fortymilesfromViennaandthePromisedLand,gotunderwayagain;——notFORWARD,butsharptoleft,ornorthward,towardstheBohemianparts。ThitheralltheBelleisleArmamentsarenowbound;andageneralrallyingofthemistobeatPrag;forconquestofthatCountry,asmoreinvitingthanAustriaatpresent。
ComtedeSaxe,whohadlainatSt。Polten,amarchtosouthwardofMautern,hewiththeVanwardofthegreatBelleisleArmy,bestirredhimselfatthesametime;andfollowedsteadily(KarlAlbertinpersonwaswithSaxe),atahandydistancebyparallelroads。
ToPragmaybeabout200miles。AcrosstheMannhartsbergCountry,clearoutofAustria,intoBohmen,towardsPrag。AtBudweis,orbetweenthatandTabor,TownsofouroldfriendZisca’s,ofwhichweshallhearfartherintheseWars;Townsimportantbytheirintricateenvironmentofrockandbog,farupamongthespringsoftheMoldau,——therecantheseBavarians,andthisFrenchVanwardofBelleisle,haltalittle,tilltheotherparties,whoarelikewiseonmarch,getwithindistance。
Forinthesesamedays,ashintedabove,theRearwardoftheBelleisleArmy(FourDivisions,strengthnotaccuratelygiven)
pushesforwardfromDonauworth,wellrested,throughtheBavarianPasses,towardsBohemiaandPrag:thesehavealongermarch(say250miles)?tonortheast;andtheleaderofthemisonePolastron,destinedunhappilytomeetusonafutureoccasion。WiththemgocertainotherBavarians;accompanyingorpreceding,asintheVanwardcase。AndthentheSaxons(21,000strong,afinelittleArmy,allthatSaxonyhas)are,atthesametime,comeacrosstheMetalMountains(ERZGEBIRGE),inquestofthoseBohemianclippings,ofthatKingdomofMoravia:andmarchfromthewestwarduponPrag,——Rutowskyleadingthem。ComtedeRutowsky,ComtedeSaxe’sHalf—
Brother,oneoftheThreeHundredandFifty—four:——withwhomisCHEVALIERdeSaxe,asecondyoungerditto;andIthinkthereisstillathird,whoshallgounnamed。InthisgrandOriflammeExpedition,FouroftheRoyal—SaxonBastardsaltogether。\"Whocostusmoredistinguishingthantheyareworth!
ChiefGeneraloftheseSaxons,saysanAuthenticAuthor,isRutowsky;gotfromaPolishmother,Ishouldguess:hecommandsinchiefhere;——oncehadaregimentunderFriedrichWilhelm,forawhile;buthasnotmuchheadforstrategy,itmaybefeared。
ButmarkthatFourthindividualoftheThreeHundredandFifty—
four,whohasagreatdeal。Fourthindividual,calledComtedeSaxe,whoisnowinthatFrenchVanwardagoodwaytoeast,was(mustIagainremindyou!)theproduceofthefairAuroravonKonigsmark,SisteroftheKonigsmarkwhovanishedinstantaneouslyfromthelightofdayatHanoverlongsince,andhasneverreappearedmore。ItwasinsearchofhimthatAurora,whowasindeedashiningcreature(terriblyinsolventallherlife,whosecharmsevenCharlesXII。durstnotfront),cametoDresden;and,——
inthisComtedeSaxe,menseetheresult。Tallenough,restlessenough;mosteupeptic,brisk,withagreatdealofwildfaculty,——
runningtowaste,nearlyall。There,withhisblackarchedeyebrows,blackswiftphysicallysmilingeyes,standsMonseigneurleComte,oneofthestrongest—bodiedandmostdissolute—mindedmennowlivingonourPlanet。Heisnowturnedofforty:nomanhasbeeninsuchadventures,hasswumthroughsuchseasoftranscendenteupepticitydeterminedtohaveitsfill。InthisnewQuasi—sacredFrenchEnterprise,undertheBannerofBelleisleandtheChateauroux,hehasatlast,aftermanytrials,unconsciouslyfoundhisculmination:andwilldoexploitsofawonderfulnature,——veryworthyofsaidBanneranditspatrons。
\"Here,then,areThreestreamsorArmamentspouringforwarduponPrag;perhapssome60,000meninall:——agooddealuncertainwhattheyaretodoatPrag,exceptarrivesimultaneouslysofaraspossible。Belleisle,faroff,hasfallensickinthesecriticaldays。ComtedeSaxecannotseehiswayinthematteratall:
’Whatarewetoliveupon,’asksComtedeSaxe,’weretherenothingmore!’——For,simultaneouslywiththeseThreeArmamentsonmarch,thereisanimportantAustrianone,likewiseontheroadforPrag:
thatofGrand—DukeFranz,whohasleftPresburg,withsay30,000
(includingthePandourelement);anddulymeetstheNeipperg,orlateSilesianArmy;——wellcapable,now,todoastrokeupontheThreeArmaments,ifhebespeedy?’November7th’itwaswhenGrand—
DukeFranzpickedupNeipperg,’atFrating’deepinMoravia(November7th,theverydaywhileFriedrichwasgettinghomagedinBreslau),andturnedhimnorthwestwardagain。TheGrand—Duke,insuchstrength,marchesRag—wardwhathecan;mightbetherebeforetheFrench,wereheswift;andisatanyrateindisagreeableproximitytothatBudmeis—TaborCountry,appointedasone’shalting—place。\"
AndBelleisle,inthesecriticaldays,is——considerit!——\"PoorBelleisle,hehasalltheElectionVotesready;hehasdoneunspeakablelaborsinthediplomaticway;andleavesEuropeinebullitionandconflagrationbehindhim。HehasalltheseArmiesinmotion,andhasgotridof’thatMoravia,’——givenittoSaxony,whoaddsthetitle’KingofMoravia’tohisotherdignities,andhassetonmarchthose21,000men。’Wouldhewerereadywiththem!’
Belleislehadbeensaying,eversincetheTreatyforthem,——Treatywas,September19th。Belleisle,toexpeditehim,cametoDresden[whatdayisnotsaid,butdeepinOctober];intendingnextforthePragCountry,theretocommenceGeneral,thediplomaciesbeingsatisfactorilydone。ValoriranoverfromBerlintowaituponhimthere。Alas,theSaxonsareonmarch,ornearlyso;butthegreatmanhimself,worndownwiththeseHerculeanlabors,hasfallenintorheumaticfever;isinbed,outatHubertsburg(sereneCountryPalaceofhisMoravianPolishMajesty);andcannotgettheleastwell,tomarchinpersonwiththeThreeArmaments,withthefloodofthingshehassetreelingandwhirlingatsuchrate。
\"ThesympathiesofValorigodeepatthisspectacle。TheAlcides,whowascarryingtheaxisoftheworld,fallendowninphysicalrheumatism!Butwhatcansympathiesavail?ThegreatmanseestheSaxonsmarchwithouthim。Thegreatman,gettingnoalleviationfromphysicians,determines,inhispatrioticheroism,tosurrendergloryitself;writeshometoCourt,’Thatheislamed,disabledutterly;thattheymustnominateanotherGeneral。’Andtheynominateanother;nominateBroglio,thefatcholericMarshal,ofItalianbreedandphysiognomy,whomwesawatStrasburglastyear,whenFriedrichwasthere。BrogliowillquitStrasburgtoosoon,andcome。Amanfierceinfighting,skilledtoointactics;totallyincompetentinstrategy,ortheartofLEADINGarmies,andmanagingcampaigns;——defectiveinintelligenceindeed,notwisetodiscern;
dimofvision,violentoftemper;subjecttosuddencranks,aheadlong,verypositive,loud,dullandangrykindofman;withwhosetumultuousimbecilitiesthegreatBelleislewillbesoretriedbyandby。’Ireckonthis,’Valorisays,’therootofallourwoes;’thisLetterwhichthegreatBelleislewrotehometoCourt。
Letmenmarkit,therefore,asacardinalpoint,——andsnatchoutthedate,whentheyhaveopportunityupontheArchivesofFrance。
[SeeValori,i。131。]
\"MonseigneurtheComtedeSaxe,beforequittingtheViennaCountries,hadleftsome10,000FrenchandBavarians,postedchieflyinLinz,underaComtedeSegur,tomaintainthoseDonauConquests,whichhavecostonlythetroubleofmarchingintothem。
CountKhevenhullerhasceasedworkingattherampartsofVienna,nothingofsiegetobeapprehendednow,civicterrorjoyfullyvanishingagain;andbusieshimselfcollectinganArmyatVienna,withintentoflookingintothosesameFrenchSegurs,beforelong。
Itisprobabletheso—calledConquestsontheDonauwillnotbeverypermanent。
\"NOVEMBER19th—21st,TheThreeBelleisleArmaments,KarlAlbert’sfirst,have,simultaneouslyenoughforthecase,arrivedonthreesidesofPrag;andlielookingintoit,——extremelyuncertainwhattodowhenthere。ToComtedeSaxe,toSchmettau,whoisstillhere,theoutlookofthisgrandBelleisleArmy,standingshelterless,provisionless,grimwinterathand,longhundredsofmilesfromhomeorhelp,isinthehighestdegreequestionable,thoughtheothersseemtomakelittleofit:’FighttheGrand—Dukewhenhecomes,’saythey;’beathim,and——’’Orsuppose,hewon’tfight?Orsuppose,wearebeatenbyhim?’answerSaxeandSchmettau,likemenofknowledge,inthesameboatwithmenofnone。(Wehavenostrongplace,orfootinginthisCountry:
whatarewetodo?TakePrag!’advisesComtedeSaxe,withearnestness,dayafterday。[HisLettersonittoKarlAlbertandothers(inEspagnac,i。94—99)。]’TakePrag:buthow?’answerthey。
’Byescalade,bysurprise,andswordinhand,answershe:’OgilvytheirGeneralhasbut3,000,andisperhapsnowizardathistrade:
wecandoit,thusandthus,andthenfartherthus;andIperceivewearealostArmyifwedon’t!’SocounselsMauriceComtedeSaxe,brilliant,ferventinhismilitaryviews;——and,beforeitisquitetoolate,SchmettauandhepersuadeKarlAlbert,persuadeRutowskychiefoftheSaxons;andCountPolastron,GaissonorwhateversubalternCountsthereare,ofFrenchtype,havetoaccede,andbesavedinspiteofthemselves。Andso,\"SATURDAYNIGHT,25thNOVEMBER,1741,brightestofmoonshinynights,ourdispositionsareallmade:Severalattacks,threeifI
remember;oneofthemfalse,undersomePolastron,Gaisson,fromthesouthside;acoupleofthemtrue,fromthenorthwestandthesoutheastsides,underMauricewithhisFrench,andRutowskywithhisSaxons,thesetwo。Andthereisgreatmarching’onthesideoftheKarl—Thor(Charles—Gate),’whereRutowskyis;andbyCountMaurice’behindtheWischerad;’——andshortlyaftermidnightthegrandgamebegins。ThatFrench—Polastronattack,false,thoughwithdreadfulcannonadefromthesouth,attractspoorOgilvywithalmostallhisforcestothatquarter;whilethecoupleofSaxonCaptains(Rutowskynotatoncesuccessful,MauricewithhisFrenchcompletelyso)breakinuponOgilvyfromrearward,ontherightflankandontheleft;andruinthepoorman。MilitaryreaderswillfindthewholedetailofitwellgiveninEspagnac。LooseraccountistobehadintheBooktheycallMauvillon’s。\"[DerniereGuerredeBoheme,i。252—264。Saxe’sownAccount(LettertoChevalierdeFolard)isinEspagnac,i。89etseqq。]
OnethingIrememberalways:thebrightmoonlight;steeplesofPragtoweringsereneinsilverysilence,andonasuddenthewreathsofvolcanicfirebreakingoutallroundthem。Theoppositionwasbuttrifling,nullinsomeplaces,poorOgilvybeingnothingofawizard,andhisgarrisonverysmall。ItfellchieflyonRutowsky;
whometitwithcreditablevigor,tillrelievedbytheothers。
ComteMaurice,too,didashiftything。CirclingroundbytheoutsideoftheWischerad,byruralroadsinthebrightmoonshine,hehadgottotheWallatlast,hollowslopeandsheerwall;andwasputting—tohisscaling—ladders,——when,byillluck,theyprovedtooshort!Tenfeetorso;hopelesslytooshort。Castinghisheadround,MauricenoticestheGallowshardby:\"There,seeyou,areafewshortladders:MESENFANS,bringmethese,andwewillsplicewithrope!\"Supplementedbythegallows,Mauricesoongetsin,cutsdowntheonepoorsentry;rushestotheMarket—place,findsallhisBrothersrushing,embracesthemwith\"VICTOIRE!\"and\"YouseeIameldest;boundtobeforemostofyou!\"
\"NopointinalltheWarmadeafinerblazeintheFrenchimagination,orfiguredbetterintheFrenchgazettes,thanthisoftheScaladeofPrag,25thNovember,1741。AndsurelyitwasimportanttogetholdofPrag;nevertheless,intrinsicallyitisnogreatthing,butanopportunesmallthing,donebytheComtedeSaxe,inspiteofsuchcontradictionaswesaw。\"
ItwaswhilenewsofthisexploitwaspostingtowardsBerlin,butnotyetarrivedthere,thatFriedrich,passingthroughtheapartment,intimatedtoHyndford,\"Milord,allisdivulged,ourKlein—Schnellendorfmysterypublicasthehouse—tops;\"andvanishedwithashrugoftheshoulders,——thinkingdoubtlesstohimself,\"WhatisOURnextmovetobe,inconsequence?\"TreatywithKur—
Baiern(November4th)hehadalreadysignedinconsequence,expresslydeclaringforKur—Baiern,andtheFrenchintentionstowardshim。ThisnewsfromPrag——Praghandsomelycaptured,ifViennahadbeenfoolishlyneglected——puthimuponanewAdventure,ofwhichinfollowingChaptersweshallhearmore。
THEFRENCHSAFEINPRAG;KAISERWAHLJUSTCOMINGON。
Grand—DukeFranz,withthatrespectableamountofArmyunderhim,oughtsurelytohaveadvancedonPrag,anddonesomestrokeofwarforreliefofit,whiletimeyetwas。Grand—DukeFranz,hisBrotherKarlwithhimandhisoldTutorNeipperg,bothofwhomarethoughttohavesomeskillinwar,didadvanceaccordingly。ButthenwithaltherewasriskatPrag;andhealwayspausedagain,andwaitedtoconsider。FromFrating,onthe16th,[Espagnac,i。87。]hehadgottoNeuhaus,quiteacrossMahrenintoBohemianground,andtherejoinedwithLobkowitzandwhatBohemianforcetherewas;bythistimeanArmywhichyouwouldhavecalledmuchstrongerthantheFrench。Forward,therefore!Yes;butwithpauses,withconsiderations。PauseoftwodaysatNeuhaus;thencetoTabor(famedZisca’sTabor),asafepost,whereagainpausethreedays。
FromTaborisbroadhighwaytoPrag,onlysixtymilesoffnow:——
screwingtheirresolutiontothesticking—point,Grand—DukeandConsortsadvanceatlengthwithfixeddetermination,allFriday,allSaturday(November24th,25th),partofSundaytoo,notthinkingitshallbeonlyPART;andtheirlighttroopsarealmostwithinsightofPrag,when——theylearnthatPragisscaladedthenightbefore,andquitesettled;thatthereisnothingexceptdestructiontobelookedforinPrag!Backagain,therefore,totheTabor—and—Budweisland。TheystrikeintothatboggybrokencountryaboutBudweis,some120milessouthofPrag;andwilltherewaitthesignsofthetimes。
Grand—DukeFranzhadseenwar,underSeckendorf,underWallisandotherwise,inthedisastrousTurkCountries;but,thoughwillingenough,wasnevermuchofasoldier:astoNeipperg,amonghisownmenespecially,theonecryis,HeoughttogoabouthisbusinessoutofAustrianArmies,asanimbecileandevenatraitor。\"IsitconceivablethatFriedrichcouldhavebeatenus,inthatmanner,exceptbybuyingNeipperginthefirstplace?Neippergandthegeneralityofthem,inthatlucklessSilesianBusiness?Glogauscaladedwiththelossofhalfadozenmen;Brieggonewithinaweek;Neisseditto:andMollwitz,aboveall,where,inspiteofRomerandsuchHorse—chargingaswasneverseen,wehadtomelt,dissolve,androllawayintheglitteroftheeveningsun。!\"
Thecommonnotionis,theyaretraitors,partial—traitors,oneandall。[GuerredeBoheme,saepius。]PoorNeipperghehasseenhardservice,haduglyworktodo:itwashethatgaveawayBelgradetotheTurks(sointerpretinghisorders),andtheGrandVizier,callinghimDogofaGiaour:spatinhisface,notfarfromhanginghim;andtheKaiserandViennapeople,onhiscominghome,threwhimintoprison,andwerenearcuttingoffhishead。Andagain,aftersuchsleetymarchingsthroughtheMountains,hehashadtodissolveatMollwitz;floatawayinmilitarydelugeinthemannerwesaw。Andnow,nextwinter,hereishelodgedamongtheuplandbogsatBudweis,escortedbymerecurses。Whatalifeisthesoldier’s,likeothermen’s;whatamasteristheworld!AulicCabinetisnotall—wise;butmayreadilybewiserthanthevulgar,and,withaMariaTheresaathishead,itisincapableoftruculentimpietylikethat。Neipperg,guiltyofnotbeingaEugene,isnothangedasatraitor;butplacedquietlyasCommandantinLuxemburg,spendstheretheafternoonofhislife,inamorecommodiousmanner。Friedrichhad,oflate,ratheradmiredhismovementsontheNeisseRiver;andfoundhimastiffarticletodealwith。
TheFrench,nowwithPragfortheirplaceofarms,stretchedthemselvesasfarasPisek,someseventymilessouthwestward;
occupiedPisek,PilsenandotherTownsandposts,onthesouthwestside,someseventymilesfromPrag;lookingtowardstheBavarianPassesandhomewardsuccorsthatmightcome:theSaxons,awhileafter,gotasfarasTeutschbrod,eightymilesonthesoutheastwardorMoravianhand。Behindtheseoutposts,PragmaybeconsideredtohangonSilesia,andhaveFriedrichforsecurity。This,infrontorasforecourtofFriedrich’sSilesia,thisinconsiderablesection,wasallofBohemianCountrytheFrenchandConfederateseverheld,andtheydidnotholdthislong。AsforKarlAlbert,hehadhisnewpleasantDreamofSovereigntyatPrag;TitularofUpperAustria,andnowofBohmenaswell;andenjoyedhisFeastoftheBarmecide,andgloriousreposeinthecapturedMetropolis,afterdifficultyovercome。December7th,hewashomaged(agoodfewoftheNobilityattending,forwhichtheysmartedafterwards),withmuchprocessioning,blaringandTE—DEUM—ing:onthe19thherolledoff,hometoMunchen;
theretoawaitstillhigherRomish—Imperialglories,whichitishopedarenowathand。
AdayortwoaftertheCaptureofPrag,MarechaldeBelleisle,partiallycuredofhisrheumatisms,hadhastenedtoappearinthatCity;andforabovefourweekshecontinuedthere,settling,arranging,orderingallthings,inthemostconsummatemanner,withthatfinemilitaryheadofhis。AboutChristmastime,arrivedMarechaldeBroglio,hisunfortunatesuccessororsubstitute;
towhomhemadeeverythingover;andhastenedoffforFrankfurt,wherethefinalcrisisofKAISERWAHLisnowathand,andthetopstoneofhisworkistobebroughtoutwithshouting。
MarechaldeBrogliohadanunquietWinterofitinhisnewcommand;
anddidnotextendhisquarters,butthecontrary。