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Of Prussia, Volume XII. by Thomas Carlyle + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. +XII. (of XXI.), by Thomas Carlyle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XII. (of XXI.) + Frederick The Great--First Silesian War, Awakening a General + European One, Begins--December, 1740-May, 1741 + +Author: Thomas Carlyle + +Release Date: June 13, 2008 [EBook #2112] +Last Updated: November 30, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF FRIEDRICH II. *** + + + + +Produced by D.R. Thompson and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + HISTORY OF FRIEDRICH II OF PRUSSIA + </h1> + <h2> + FREDERICK THE GREAT <br /> <br /> By Thomas Carlyle + </h2> + <h3> + Volume XII. + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <div class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <big><b>BOOK XII. — FIRST SILESIAN WAR, + AWAKENING A GENERAL EUROPEAN ONE, BEGINS. — <br /> December, + 1740-May, 1741.</b></big> </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> <b>Chapter + I. — OF SCHLESIEN, OR SILESIA.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> HISTORICAL EPOCHS OF SCHLESIEN;—AFTER + THE QUADS AND MARCHMEN. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> <b>Chapter II. — FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON + GLOGAU.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> FRIEDRICH AT CROSSEN, AND STILL IN HIS OWN + TERRITORY, 14th-16th DECEMBER;—STEPS INTO SCHLESIEN. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0006"> WHAT GLOGAU, AND THE GOVERNMENT AT BRESLAU, DID + UPON IT. </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> MARCH TO WEICHAU (SATURDAY, + 17th, AND STAY SUNDAY THERE); TO MILKAU (MONDAY, 19th); GET TO + HERRENDORF, WITHIN SIGHT OF GLOGAU, DECEMBER 22d. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> <b>Chapter III. — PROBLEM OF GLOGAU.</b> + </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> WHAT BERLIN IS SAYING; WHAT FRIEDRICH IS + THINKING. </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> JORDAN TO THE KING </a><br /> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> SCHWERIN AT LIEGNITZ; FRIEDRICH HUSHES UP THE + GLOGAU PROBLEM, AND STARTS WITH HIS BEST SPEED FOR BRESLAU. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> <b>Chapter IV. — BRESLAU UNDER SOFT + PRESSURE.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> KING ENTERS BRESLAW; STAYS THERE, GRACIOUS AND + VIGILANT, FOUR DAYS (Jan. 2d-6th, 1741). </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> <b>Chapter V. — FRIEDRICH PUSHES + FORWARD TOWARDS BRIEG AND NEISSE.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> FRIEDRICH COMES ACROSS TO OTTMACHAU; SITS + THERE, IN SURVEY OF NEISSE, TILL HIS CANNON COME. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> <b>Chapter VI. — NEISSE IS BOMBARDED.</b> + </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> BROWNE VANISHES IN A SLIGHT FLASH OF FIRE. + </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> <b>Chapter VII. — AT VERSAILLES, THE + MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY CHANGES HIS SHIRT, AND BELLEISLE IS SEEN WITH + PAPERS.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> OF BELLEISLE AND HIS PLANS. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> <b>Chapter VIII. — PHENOMENA IN + PETERSBURG.</b> </a><br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> <b>Chapter IX. + — FRIEDRICH RETURNS TO SILESIA.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> SKIRMISH OF BAUMGARTEN, 27th FEBRUARY, 1741. + </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> ASPECTS OF BRESLAU. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0024"> AUSTRIA IS STANDING TO ARMS. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0025"> THE YOUNG DESSAUER CAPTURES GLOGAU (MARCH 9th); + THE OLD DESSAUER, BY HIS CAMP OF GOTTIN (APRIL 2d), CHECKMATES CERTAIN + DESIGNING PERSONS. </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> FRIEDRICH TAKES + THE FIELD, WITH SOME POMP; GOES INTO THE MOUNTAINS,—BUT COMES FAST + BACK. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> <b>Chapter X. — BATTLE OF MOLLWITZ.</b> + </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> OF FRIEDRICH'S DISAPPEARANCE INTO FAIRYLAND, + IN THE INTERIM; AND OF MAUPERTUIS'S SIMILAR ADVENTURE. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> <b>Chapter XI. — THE BURSTING FORTH + OF BEDLAMS: BELLEISLE AND THE BREAKERS OF PRAGMATIC SANCTION.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> WHO WAS TO BLAME FOR THE AUSTRIAN-SUCCESSION + WAR? </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> HOW BELLEISLE MADE VISIT TO + TEUTSCHLAND; AND THERE WAS NO FIT HENRY THE FOWLER TO WELCOME HIM. </a><br /> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> DOWNBREAK OF PRAGMATIC SANCTION; MANNER OF THE + CHIEF ARTISTS IN HANDLING THEIR COVENANTS. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0033"> CONCERNING THE IMPERIAL ELECTION (Kaiserwahl) + THAT IS TO BE: CANDIDATES FOR KAISERSHIP. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0034"> TEUTSCHLAND TO BE CARVED INTO SOMETHING OF + SYMMETRY, SHOULD THE BELLEISLE ENTERPRISES SUCCEED. </a><br /> <a + href="#link2H_4_0035"> BELLEISLE ON VISIT TO FRIEDRICH; SEES FRIEDRICH + BESIEGE BRIEG, WITH EFFECT. </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> <b>Chapter XII. — SORROWS OF HIS + BRITANNIC MAJESTY.</b> </a><br /> + <div class="toc2"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> No. 1. SNATCH OF PARLIAMENTARY ELOQUENCE BY + MR. VINER (19th April, 1741). </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> No. 2. + CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORIAN ON THE PHENOMENON OF WALPOLE IN ENGLAND. </a><br /> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> No. 3. OF THE SPANISH WAR, OR THE + JENKINS'S-EAR QUESTION. </a><br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> SUCCINCT + HISTORY OF THE SPANISH WAR, WHICH BEGAN IN 1739; AND ENDED—WHEN + DID IT END? </a><br /> + </div> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> <b>Chapter XIII. — SMALL-WAR: FIRST + EMERGENCE OF ZIETHEN THE HUSSAR GENERAL INTO NOTICE.</b> </a><br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + BOOK XII. — FIRST SILESIAN WAR, AWAKENING A GENERAL EUROPEAN ONE, + BEGINS. — December, 1740-May, 1741. + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter I. — OF SCHLESIEN, OR SILESIA. + </h2> + <p> + Schlesien, what we call Silesia, lies in elliptic shape, spread on the top + of Europe, partly girt with mountains, like the crown or crest to that + part of the Earth;—highest table-land of Germany or of the Cisalpine + Countries; and sending rivers into all the seas. The summit or highest + level of it is in the southwest; longest diameter is from northwest to + southeast. From Crossen, whither Friedrich is now driving, to the Jablunka + Pass, which issues upon Hungary, is above 250 miles; the AXIS, therefore, + or longest diameter, of our Ellipse we may call 230 English miles;—its + shortest or conjugate diameter, from Friedland in Bohemia (Wallenstein's + old Friedland), by Breslau across the Oder to the Polish Frontier, is + about 100. The total area of Schlesien is counted to be some 20,000 square + miles, nearly the third of England Proper. + </p> + <p> + Schlesien—will the reader learn to call it by that name, on + occasion? for in these sad Manuscripts of ours the names alternate—is + a fine, fertile, useful and beautiful Country. It leans sloping, as we + hinted, to the East and to the North; a long curved buttress of Mountains + ("RIESENGEBIRGE, Giant Mountains," is their best-known name in foreign + countries) holding it up on the South and West sides. This Giant-Mountain + Range,—which is a kind of continuation of the Saxon-Bohemian "Metal + Mountains (ERZGEBIRGE)" and of the straggling Lausitz Mountains, to + westward of these,—shapes itself like a bill-hook (or elliptically, + as was said): handle and hook together may be some 200 miles in length. + The precipitous side of this is, in general, turned outwards, towards + Bohmen, Mahren, Ungarn (Bohemia, Moravia, Hungary, in our dialects); and + Schlesien lies inside, irregularly sloping down, towards the Baltic and + towards the utmost East, From the Bohemian side of these Mountains there + rise two Rivers: Elbe, tending for the West; Morawa for the South;—Morawa, + crossing Moravia, gets into the Donau, and thence into the Black-Sea; + while Elbe, after intricate adventures among the mountains, and then + prosperously across the plains, is out, with its many ships, into the + Atlantic. Two rivers, we say, from the Bohemian or steep side: and again, + from the Silesian side, there rise other two, the Oder and the Weichsel + (VISTULA); which start pretty near one another in the Southeast, and, + after wide windings, get both into the Baltic, at a good distance apart. + </p> + <p> + For the first thirty, or in parts, fifty miles from the Mountains, Silesia + slopes somewhat rapidly; and is still to be called a Hill-country, rugged + extensive elevations diversifying it: but after that, the slope is gentle, + and at length insensible, or noticeable only by the way the waters run. + From the central part of it, Schlesien pictures itself to you as a plain; + growing ever flatter, ever sandier, as it abuts on the monotonous endless + sand-flats of Poland, and the Brandenburg territories; nothing but + Boundary Stones with their brass inscriptions marking where the transition + is; and only some Fortified Town, not far off, keeping the door of the + Country secure in that quarter. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, the Mountain part of Schlesien is very picturesque; not + of Alpine height anywhere (the Schnee-Koppe itself is under 5,000 feet), + so that verdure and forest wood fail almost nowhere among the Mountains; + and multiplex industry, besung by rushing torrents and the swift young + rivers, nestles itself high up; and from wheat husbandry, madder and maize + husbandry, to damask-weaving, metallurgy, charcoal-burning, + tar-distillery, Schlesien has many trades, and has long been expert and + busy at them to a high degree. A very pretty Ellipsis, or irregular Oval, + on the summit of the European Continent;—"like the palm of a left + hand well stretched out, with the Riesengebirge for thumb!" said a certain + Herr to me, stretching out his arm in that fashion towards the northwest. + Palm, well stretched out, measuring 250 miles; and the crossway 100. There + are still beavers in Schlesien; the Katzbach River has gold grains in it, + a kind of Pactolus not now worth working; and in the scraggy lonesome + pine-woods, grimy individuals, with kindled mounds of pine-branches and + smoke carefully kept down by sods, are sweating out a substance which they + inform you is to be tar. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HISTORICAL EPOCHS OF SCHLESIEN;—AFTER THE QUADS AND MARCHMEN. + </h2> + <p> + Who first lived in Schlesien, or lived long since in it, there is no use + in asking, nor in telling if one knew. "The QUADI and the Lygii," says + Dryasdust, in a groping manner: Quadi and consorts, in the fifth or sixth + Century, continues he with more confidence, shifted Rome-ward, following + the general track of contemporaneous mankind; weak remnant of Quadi was + thereupon overpowered by Slavic populations, and their Country became + Polish, which the eastern rim of it still essentially is. That was the end + of the Quadi in those parts, says History. But they cannot speak nor + appeal for themselves; History has them much at discretion. Rude burial + urns, with a handful of ashes in them, have been dug up in different + places; these are all the Archives and Histories the Quadi now have. It + appears their name signifies WICKED. They are those poor Quadi (WICKED + PEOPLE) who always go along with the Marcomanni (MARCHMEN), in the + bead-roll Histories one reads; and I almost guess they must have been of + the same stock: "Wickeds and Borderers;" considered, on both sides of the + Border, to belong to the Dangerous Classes in those times. Two things are + certain: First, QUAD and its derivatives have, to this day, in the speech + of rustic Germans, something of that meaning,—"nefarious," at least + "injurious," "hateful, and to be avoided:" for example, QUADdel, "a + nettle-burn;" QUETSchen, "to smash" (say, your thumb while hammering); + &c. &c. And then a second thing: The Polish equivalent word is ZLE + (Busching says ZLEXI); hence ZLEzien, SCHLEsien, meaning merely BADland, + QUADland, what we might called DAMAGitia, or Country where you get into + Trouble. That is the etymology, or what passes for such. As to the History + of Schlesien, hitherwards of these burial urns dug up in different places, + I notice, as not yet entirely buriable, Three Epochs. + </p> + <p> + FIRST EPOCH; CHRISTIANITY: A.D. 966. Introduction of Christianity; to the + length of founding a Bishopric that year, so hopeful were the aspects; + "Bishopric of Schmoger" (SchMAGram, dim little Village still discoverable + on the Polish frontier, not far from the Town of Namslau); Bishopric + which, after one removal farther inward, got across the Oder, to + "WRUTISLAV," which me now call Breslau; and sticks there, as Bishopric of + Breslau, to this day. Year 966: it was in Adalbert, our Prussian Saint and + Missionary's younger time. Preaching, by zealous Polacks, must have been + going on, while Adalbert, Bright in Nobleness, was studying at Magdeburg, + and ripening for high things in the general estimation. This was a new + gift from the Polacks, this of Christianity; an infinitely more important + one than that nickname of "ZLEZIEN," or "DAMAGitia," stuck upon the poor + Country, had been. + </p> + <p> + SECOND EPOCH; GET GRADUALLY CUT LOOSE FROM POLAND: A.D. 1139-1159. Twenty + years of great trouble in Poland, which were of lasting benefit to + Schlesien. In 1139 the Polack King, a very potent Majesty whom we could + name but do not, died; and left his Dominions shared by punctual bequest + among his five sons. Punctual bequest did avail: but the eldest Son (who + was King, and had Schlesien with much else to his share) began to + encroach, to grasp; upon which the others rose upon him, flung him out + into exile; redivided; and hoped now they might have quiet. Hoped, but + were disappointed; and could come to no sure bargain for the next twenty + years,—not till "the eldest brother," first author of these strifes, + "died an exile in Holstein," or was just about dying, and had agreed to + take Schlesien for all claims, and be quiet thenceforth. + </p> + <p> + His, this eldest's, three Sons did accordingly, in 1159, get Schlesien + instead of him; their uncles proving honorable. Schlesien thereby was + happy enough to get cut loose from Poland, and to continue loose; steering + a course of its own;—parting farther and farther from Poland and its + habits and fortunes. These three Sons, of the late Polish Majesty who died + in exile in Holstein, are the "Piast Dukes," much talked of in Silesian + Histories: of whose merits I specify this only, That they so soon as + possible strove to be German. They were Progenitors of all the "Piast + Dukes," Proprietors of Schlesien thenceforth, till the last of them died + out in 1675,—and a certain ERBVERBRUDERUNG they had entered into + could not take effect at that time. Their merits as Sovereign Dukes seem + to have been considerable; a certain piety, wisdom and nobleness of mind + not rare among them; and no doubt it was partly their merit, if partly + also their good luck, that they took to Germany, and leant thitherward; + steering looser and looser from Poland, in their new circumstances. They + themselves by degrees became altogether German; their Countries, by silent + immigration, introduction of the arts, the composures and sobrieties, + became essentially so. On the eastern rim there is still a Polack remnant, + its territories very sandy, its condition very bad; remnant which surely + ought to cease its Polack jargon, and learn some dialect of intelligible + Teutsch, as the first condition of improvement. In all other parts Teutsch + reigns; and Schlesien is a green abundant Country; full of metallurgy, + damask-weaving, grain-husbandry.—instead of gasconade, gilt anarchy, + rags, dirt, and NIE POZWALAM. + </p> + <p> + A.D. 1327; GET COMPLETELY CUT LOOSE. The Piast Dukes, who soon ceased to + be Polish, and hung rather upon Bohemia, and thereby upon Germany, made a + great step in that direction, when King Johann, old ICH-DIEN whom we ought + to recollect, persuaded most of them, all of them but two, "PRETIO AC + PRECE," to become Feudatories (Quasi-Feudatories, but of a sovereign sort) + to his Crown of Bohemia. The two who stood out, resisting prayer and + price, were the Duke of Jauer and the Duke of Schweidnitz,—lofty-minded + gentlemen, perhaps a thought too lofty. But these also Johann's son, + little Kaiser Karl IV., "marrying their heiress," contrived to bring in;—one + fruitful adventure of little Karl's, among the many wasteful he made, in + the German Reich. Schlesien is henceforth a bit of the Kingdom of Bohemia; + indissolubly hooked to Germany; and its progress in the arts and + composures, under wise Piasts with immigrating Germans, we guess to have + become doubly rapid. [Busching, <i>Erdbeschreibung,</i> viii. 725; Hubner, + t. 94.] + </p> + <p> + THIRD EPOCH; ADOPT THE REFORMATION: A.D. 1414-1517. Schlesien, hanging to + Bohemia in this manner, extensively adopted Huss's doctrines; still more + extensively Luther's; and that was a difficult element in its lot, though, + I believe, an unspeakably precious one. It cost above a Century of sad + tumults, Zisca Wars; nay above two Centuries, including the sad + Thirty-Years War;—which miseries, in Bohemia Proper, were sometimes + very sad and even horrible. But Schlesien, the outlying Country, did, in + all this, suffer less than Bohemia Proper; and did NOT lose its + Evangelical Doctrine in result, as unfortunate Bohemia did, and sink into + sluttish "fanatical torpor, and big Crucifixes of japanned Tin by the + wayside," though in the course of subsequent years, named of Peace, it was + near doing so. Here are the steps, or unavailing counter-steps, in that + latter direction:— + </p> + <p> + A.D. 1537. Occurred, as we know, the ERBVERBRUDERUNG; Duke of Liegnitz, + and of other extensive heritages, making Deed of Brotherhood with + Kur-Brandenburg;—Deed forbidden, and so far as might be, rubbed out + and annihilated by the then King of Bohemia, subsequently Kaiser Ferdinand + I., Karl V.'s Brother. Duke of Liegnitz had to give up his parchments, and + become zero in that matter: Kur-Brandenburg entirely refused to do so; + kept his parchments, to see if they would not turn to something. + </p> + <p> + A.D. 1624. Schlesien, especially the then Duke of Liegnitz (great-grandson + of the ERBVERBRUDERUNG one), and poor Johann George, Duke of Jagerndorf, + cadet of the then Kur-Brandenburg, went warmly ahead into the Winter-King + project, first fire of the Thirty-Years War; sufferings from Papal + encroachment, in high quarters, being really extreme. Warmly ahead; and + had to smart sharply for it;—poor Johann George with forfeiture of + Jagerndorf, with REICHES-ACHT (Ban of the Empire), and total ruin; + fighting against which he soon died. Act of Ban and Forfeiture was done + tyrannously, said most men; and it was persisted in equally so, till men + ceased speaking of it;—Jagerndorf Duchy, fruit of the Act, was held + by Austria, ever after, in defiance of the Laws of the Reich. Religious + Oppression lay heavy on Protestant Schlesien thenceforth; and many + lukewarm individualities were brought back to Orthodoxy by that method, + successful in the diligent skilled hands of Jesuit Reverend Fathers, with + fiscals and soldiers in the rear of them. + </p> + <p> + A.D. 1648. Treaty of Westphalia mended much of this, and set fair limits + to Papist encroachment;—had said Treaty been kept: but how could it? + By Orthodox Authority, anxious to recover lost souls, or at least to have + loyal subjects, it was publicly kept in name; and tacitly, in substance, + it was violated more and more. Of the "Blossoming of Silesian Literature," + spoken of in Books; of the Poet Opitz, Poets Logan, Hoffmannswaldau, who + burst into a kind of Song better or worse at this Period, we will remember + nothing; but request the reader to remember it, if he is tunefully given, + or thinks it a good symptom of Schlesien. + </p> + <p> + A.D. 1707. Treaty of Altranstadt: between Kaiser Joseph I. and Karl XII. + Swedish Karl, marching through those parts,—out of Poland, in chase + of August the Physically Strong, towards Saxony, there to beat him soft,—was + waited upon by Silesian Deputations of a lamentable nature; was entreated, + for the love of Christ and His Evangel, to "Protect us poor Protestants, + and get the Treaty of Westphalia observed on our behalf, and fair-play + shown!" Which Karl did; Kaiser Joseph, with such weight of French War + lying on him, being much struck with the tone of that dangerous Swede. The + Pope rebuked Kaiser Joseph for such compliance in the Silesian matter: + "Holy Father," answered this Kaiser (not of distinguished orthodoxy in the + House), "I am too glad he did not ask me to become Lutheran; I know not + how I should have helped myself!" [Pauli, <i> Allgemeine Preussische + Staats-Geschichte</i> (viii. 298-592); Busching, <i>Erdbeschreibung</i> + (viii. 700-739); &c.—Heinrich Wuttke, <i>Friedrichs des Grossen + Besitzergreifung von Schlesien</i> (Seizure of Silesia by Friedrich, 2 + vols. Leipzig, 1843), I mention only lest ingenuous readers should be + tempted by the Title to buy it. Wuttke begins at the Creation of the + World; and having, in two heavy volumes, at last struggled down close TO + the BESITZERGREIFUNG or Seizure in question, calls halt; and stands (at + ease, we will hope) immovably there for the seventeen years since.] + </p> + <p> + These are the Three Epochs;—most things, in respect of this Third or + Reformation Epoch, stepping steadily downward hitherto. As to the Fourth + Epoch, dating "13th Dec. 1740," which continues, up to our day and + farther, and is the final and crowning Epoch of Silesian History,—read + in the following Chapters. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter II. — FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON GLOGAU. + </h2> + <p> + At what hour Friedrich ceased dancing on that famous Ball-night of + Bielfeld's, and how long he slept after, or whether at all, no Bielfeld + even mythically says: but next morning, as is patent to all the world, + Tuesday, 13th December, 1740, at the stroke of nine, he steps into his + carriage; and with small escort rolls away towards Frankfurt-on-Oder; [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 452; Preuss, <i>Thronbesteigung,</i> p. 456.] out upon an Enterprise + which will have results for himself and others. + </p> + <p> + Two youngish military men, Adjutant-Generals both, were with him, + Wartensleben, Borck; both once fellow Captains in the Potsdam Giants, and + much in his intimacy ever since. Wartensleben we once saw at Brunswick, on + a Masonic occasion; Borck, whom we here see for the first time, is not the + Colonel Borck (properly Major-General) who did the Herstal Operation + lately; still less is he the venerable old Minister, Marlborough Veteran, + and now Field-Marshal Borck, whom Hotham treated with, on a certain + occasion. There are numerous Borcks always in the King's service; nor are + these three, except by loose cousinry, related to one another. The Borcks + all come from Stettin quarter; a brave kindred, and old enough,—"Old + as the Devil, DAS IST SO OLD ALS DE BORCKEN UND DE DUWEL," says the + Pomeranian Proverb;—the Adjutant-General, a junior member of the + clan, chances to be the notablest of them at this moment. Wartensleben, + Borck, and a certain Colonel von der Golz, whom also the King much + esteems, these are his company on this drive. For escort, or guard of + honor out of Berlin to the next stages, there is a small body of Hussars, + Life-guard and other Cavalry, "perhaps 500 horse in all." + </p> + <p> + They drive rapidly, through the gray winter; reach Frankfurt-on-Oder, + sixty miles or more; where no doubt there is military business waiting. + They are forward, on the morrow, for dinner, forty miles farther, at a + small Town called Crossen, which looks over into Silesia; and is, for the + present, headquarters to a Prussian Army, standing ready there and in the + environs. Standing ready, or hourly marching in, and rendezvousing; now + about 28,000 strong, horse and foot. A Rearguard of Ten or Twelve Thousand + will march from Berlin in two days, pause hereabouts, and follow according + to circumstances: Prussian Army will then be some 40,000 in all. Schwerin + has been Commander, manager and mainspring of the business hitherto: + henceforth it is to be the King; but Schwerin under him will still have a + Division of his own. + </p> + <p> + Among the Regiments, we notice "Schulenburg Horse-Grenadiers,"—come + along from Landsberg hither, these Horse-Grenadiers, with little + Schulenburg at the head of them;—"Dragoon Regiment Bayreuth," + "Lifeguard Carbineers," "Derschau of Foot;" and other Regiments and + figures slightly known to us, or that will be better known. [List in <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 453.] Rearguard, just getting under way at Berlin, has for leaders the + Prince of Holstein-Beck ("Holstein-VAISSELLE," say wags, since the + Principality went all to SILVER-PLATE) and the Hereditary Prince of + Anhalt-Dessau, whom we called the Young Dessauer, on the Strasburg Journey + lately: Rearguard, we say, is of 12,000; main Army is 28,000; Horse and + Foot are in the proportion of about 1 to 3. Artillery "consists of 20 + three-pounders; 4 twelve-pounders; 4 howitzers (HAUBITZEN); 4 big mortars, + calibre fifty pounds; and of Artillerymen 166 in all." + </p> + <p> + With this Force the young King has, on his own basis (pretty much in spite + of all the world, as we find now and afterwards), determined to invade + Silesia, and lay hold of the Property he has long had there;—not + computing, for none can compute, the sleeping whirlwinds he may chance to + awaken thereby. Thus lightly does a man enter upon Enterprises which prove + unexpectedly momentous, and shape the whole remainder of his days for him; + crossing the Rubicon as it were in his sleep. In Life, as on Railways at + certain points,—whether you know it or not, there is but an inch, + this way or that, into what tram you are shunted; but try to get out of it + again! "The man is mad, CET HOMME-LA EST FOL!" said Louis XV. when he + heard it. [Raumer, <i>Beitrage</i> (English Translation, called <i>Frederick + II. and his Times; from British Museum and State-Paper Office:</i>—a + very indistinct poor Book, in comparison with whet it might have been), p. + 73 (24th Dec. 1740).] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FRIEDRICH AT CROSSEN, AND STILL IN HIS OWN TERRITORY, 14th-16th DECEMBER;—STEPS + INTO SCHLESIEN. + </h2> + <p> + At all events, the man means to try;—and is here dining at Crossen, + noon of Wednesday, the 14th; certain important persons,—especially + two Silesian Gentlemen, deputed from Grunberg, the nearest Silesian Town, + who have come across the border on business,—having the honor to + dine with him. To whom his manner is lively and affable; lively in mood, + as if there lay no load upon his spirits. The business of these two + Silesian Gentlemen, a Baron von Hocke one of them, a Baron von Kestlitz + the other, was To present, on the part of the Town and Amt of Grunberg, a + solemn Protest against this meditated entrance on the Territory of + Schlesien; Government itself, from Breslau, ordering them to do so. + Protest was duly presented; Friedrich, as his manner is, and continues to + be on his march, glances politely into or at the Protest; hands it, in + silence, to some page or secretary to deposit in the due pigeon-hole or + waste-basket; and invites the two Silesian Gentlemen to dine with him; as, + we see, they have the honor to do. "He (ER) lives near Grunberg, then, + Mein Herr von Hocke?" "Close to it, IHRO MAJESTAT. My poor mansion, + Schloss of Deutsch-Kessel, is some fifteen miles hence; how infinitely at + your Majesty's service, should the march prove inevitable, and go that + way!"—"Well, perhaps!" I find Friedrich did dine, the second day + hence, with one of these Gentlemen; and lodged with the other. Government + at Breslau has ordered such Protest, on the part of the Frontier + populations and Official persons: and this is all that comes of it. + </p> + <p> + During these hours, it chanced that the big Bell of Crossen dropped from + its steeple,—fulness of time, or entire rottenness of axle-tree, + being at last completed, at this fateful moment. Perhaps an ominous thing? + Friedrich, as Caesar and others have done, cheerfully interprets the omen + to his own advantage: "Sign that the High is to be brought low!" says + Friedrich. Were the march-routes, wagon-trains, and multifarious + adjustments perfect to the last item here at Crossen, he will with much + cheerfulness step into Silesia, independent of all Grunberg Protests and + fallen Bells. + </p> + <p> + On the second day he does actually cross; "the regiments marching in, at + different points; some reaching as far as 25 miles in." It is Friday, 16th + December, 1740; there has a game begun which will last long! They went + through the Village of Lasgen; that was the first point of Silesian ground + ("Circle of Schwiebus," our old friend, is on the left near by); and + "Schwerin's Regiment was the foremost." Others cross more to the left or + right; "marching through the Village of Lessen," and other dim Villages + and little Towns, round and beyond Grunberg; all regiments and divisions + bearing upon Grunberg and the Great Road; but artistically portioned out,—several + miles in breadth (for the sake of quarters), and, as is generally the + rule, about a day's march in length. This evening nearly the whole Army + was on Silesian ground. + </p> + <p> + Printed "Patent" or Proclamation, briefly assuring all Silesians, of + whatever rank, condition or religion, "That we have come as friends to + them, and will protect all persons in their privileges, and molest no + peaceable mortal," is posted on Church-doors, and extensively distributed + by hand. Soldiers are forbidden, "under penalty of the rods," Officers + under that of "cassation with infamy," to take anything, without first + bargaining and paying ready money for it. On these terms the Silesian + villages cheerfully enough accept their new guests, interesting to the + rural mind; and though the billeting was rather heavy, "as many as 24 + soldiers to a common Farmer (GARTNER)," no complaints were made. In one + Schloss, where the owners had fled, and no human response was to be had by + the wayworn-soldiery, there did occur some breakages and impatient + kickings about; which it grieved his Majesty to hear of, next morning;—in + one, not in more. + </p> + <p> + Official persons, we perceive, study to be absolutely passive. This was + the Burgermeister's course at Grunberg to-night; Grunberg, first Town on + the Frontier, sets an example of passivity which cannot be surpassed. + Prussian troops being at the Gate of Grunberg, Burgermeister and adjuncts + sitting in a tacit expectant condition in their Town-hall, there arrives a + Prussian Lieutenant requiring of the Burgermeister the Key of said Gate. + "To deliver such Key? Would to God I durst, Mein Herr Lieutenant; but how + dare I! There is the Key lying: but to GIVE it—You are not the Queen + of Hungary's Officer, I doubt?"—The Prussian Lieutenant has to put + out hand, and take the Key; which he readily does. And on the morrow, in + returning it, when the march recommences, there are the same phenomena: + Burgermeister or assistants dare not for the life of them touch that Key: + It lay on the table; and may again, in the course of Providence, come to + lie!—The Prussian Lieutenant lays it down accordingly, and hurries + out, with a grin on his face. There was much small laughter over this + transaction; Majesty himself laughing well at it. Higher perfection of + passivity no Burgermeister could show. + </p> + <p> + The march, as readers understand, is towards Glogau; a strongish Garrison + Town, now some 40 miles ahead; the key of Northern Schlesien. Grunberg + (where my readers once slept for the night, in the late King's time, + though they have forgotten it) is the first and only considerable Town on + the hither side of Glogau. On to Glogau, I rather perceive, the Army is in + good part provisioned before starting: after Glogau,—we must see. + Bread-wagons, Baggage-wagons, Ammunition-and-Artillery wagons, all is in + order; Army artistically portioned out. That is the form of march; with + Glogau ahead. King, as we said above, dines with his Baron von Hocke, at + the Schloss of Deutsch-Kessel, short way beyond Grunberg, this first day: + but he by no means loiters there;—cuts across, a dozen miles + westward, through a country where his vanguard on its various lines of + march ought to be arriving;—and goes to lodge, at the Schloss of + Schweinitz, with his other Baron, the Von Kestlitz of Wednesday at + Crossen. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 459.] This is Friday, 16th + December, his first night on Silesian ground. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT GLOGAU, AND THE GOVERNMENT AT BRESLAU, DID UPON IT. + </h2> + <p> + Silesia, in the way of resistance, is not in the least prepared for him. A + month ago, there were not above 3,000 Austrian Foot and 600 Horse in the + whole Province: neither the military Governor Count Wallis, nor the + Imperial Court, nor any Official Person near or far, had the least + anticipation of such a Visit. Count Wallis, who commands in Glogau, did in + person, nine or ten days ago, as the rumors rose ever higher, run over to + Crossen; saw with his eyes the undeniable there; and has been zealously + endeavoring ever since, what he could, to take measures. Wallis is now + shut in Glogau; his second, the now Acting Governor, General Browne, a + still more reflective man, is doing likewise his utmost; but on forlorn + terms, and without the least guidance from Court. Browne has, by violent + industry, raked together, from Mahren and the neighboring countries, + certain fractions which raise his Force to 7,000 Foot: these he throws, in + small parties, into the defensible points; or, in larger, into the Chief + Garrisons. New Cavalry he cannot get; the old 600 Horse he keeps for + himself, all the marching Army he has. [Particulars in <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 465; total of Austrian Force seems to be 7,800 horse and foot.] + </p> + <p> + Fain would he get possession of Breslau, and throw in some garrison there; + but cannot. Neither he nor Wallis could compass that. Breslau is a City + divided against itself, on this matter; full of emotions, of expectations, + apprehensions for and against. There is a Supreme Silesian Government + (OBER-AMT "Head-Office," kind of Austrian Vice-Royalty) in Breslau; and + there is, on Breslau's own score, a Town-Rath; strictly Catholic both + these, Vienna the breath of their nostrils. But then also there are + forty-four Incorporated Trades; Oppressed Protestant in Majority; to whom + Vienna is not breath, but rather the want of it. Lastly, the City calls + itself Free; and has crabbed privileges still valid; a "JUS PROESIDII" (or + right to be one's own garrison) one of them, and the most inconvenient + just now. Breslau is a REICH-STADT; in theory, sovereign member of the + Reich, and supreme over its own affairs, even as Austria itself:—and + the truth is, old Theory and new Fact, resolved not to quarrel, have + lapsed into one another's arms in a quite inextricable way, in Breslau as + elsewhere! With a Head Government which can get no orders from Vienna, the + very Town-Rath has little alacrity, inclines rather to passivity like + Grunberg; and a silent population threatens to become vocal if you press + upon it. + </p> + <p> + Breslau, that is to say the OBER-AMT there, has sent courier on courier to + Vienna for weeks past: not even an answer;—what can Vienna answer, + with Kur-Baiern and others threatening war on it, and only 10,000 pounds + in its National Purse? Answer at last is, "Don't bother! Danger is not so + near. Why spend money on couriers, and get into such a taking?" General + Wallis came to Breslau, after what he had seen at Crossen; and urged + strongly, in the name of self-preservation, first law of Nature, to get an + Austrian real Garrison introduced; wished much (horrible to think of!) + "the suburbs should be burnt, and better ramparts raised:" but could not + succeed in any of these points, nor even mention some of them in a public + manner. "You shall have a Protestant for commandant," suggested Wallis; + "there is Count von Roth, Silesian-Lutheran, an excellent Soldier!"—"Thanks," + answered they, "we can defend ourselves; we had rather not have any!" And + the Breslau Burghers have, accordingly, set to drill themselves; are + bringing out old cannon in quantity; repairing breaches; very strict in + sentry-work: "Perfectly able to defend our City,—so far as we see + good!"—Tuesday last, December 13th (the very day Friedrich left + Berlin), as this matter of the Garrison, long urged by the Ober-Amt, had + at last been got agreed to by the Town-Rath, "on proviso of consulting the + Incorporated Trades", or at least consulting their Guild-Masters, who are + usually a silent folk,—the Guild-Masters suddenly became in part + vocal; and their forty-four Guilds unusually so:—and there was + tumult in Breslau, in the Salz-Ring (big central Square or market-place, + which they call RING) such as had not been; idle population, and + guild-brethren of suspicious humor, gathering in multitudes into and round + the fine old Town-hall there; questioning, answering, in louder and louder + key; at last bellowing quite in alt; and on the edge of flaming into one + knew not what: [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 469.]—till the matter + of Austrian Garrison (much more, of burning the suburbs!) had to be dropt; + settled in what way we see. + </p> + <p> + Head Government (OBER-AMT) has, through its Northern official people, sent + Protest, strict order to the Silesian Population to look sour on the + Prussians:—and we saw, in consequence, the two Silesian Gentlemen + did dine with Friedrich, and he has returned their visits; and the Mayor + of Grunberg would not touch his keys. Head Government is now redacting a + "Patent," or still more solemn Protest of its own; which likewise it will + affix in the Salz-Ring here, and present to King Friedrich: and this—except + "despatching by boat down the river a great deal of meal to Glogau", which + was an important quiet thing, of Wallis's enforcing—is pretty much + all it can do. No Austrian Garrison can be got in ("Perfectly able to + defend ourselves!")—let Government and Wallis or Browne contrive as + they may. And as to burning the suburbs, better not whisper of that again. + Breslau feels, or would fain feel itself "perfectly able;"—has at + any rate no wish to be bombarded; and contains privately a great deal of + Protestant humor. Of all which, Friedrich, it is not doubted, has notice + more or less distinct; and quickens his march the more. + </p> + <p> + General Browne is at present in the Southern parts; an able active man and + soldier; but, with such a force what can he attempt to do? There are three + strong places in the Country, Glogau, then Brieg, both on the Oder river; + lastly Neisse, on the Neisse river, a branch of the Oder (one of the FOUR + Neisse rivers there are in Germany, mostly in Silesia,—not handy to + the accurate reader of German Books). Browne is in Neisse; and will start + into a strange stare when the flying post reaches him: Prussians actually + on march! Debate with them, if debate there is to be, Browne himself must + contrive to do; from Breslau, from Vienna, no Government Supreme or + Subordinate can yield his 8,000 and him the least help. + </p> + <p> + Glogau, as we saw, means to defend itself; at least, General Wallis the + Commandant, does, in spite of the Glogau public; and is, with his whole + might, digging, palisading, getting in meal, salt meat and other + provender;—likewise burning suburbs, uncontrollable he, in the small + place; and clearing down the outside edifices and shelters, at a diligent + rate. Yesterday, 15th December, he burnt down the "three Oder-Mills, which + lie outside the big suburban Tavern, also the ZIEGEL-SCHEUNE + (Tile-Manufactory)," and other valuable buildings, careless of public + lamentation,—fire catching the Town itself, and needing to be + quenched again. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 473-475.] Nay, he was clear + for burning down, or blowing up, the Protestant Church, indispensable + sacred edifice which stands outside the walls: "Prussians will make a + block-house of it!" said Wallis. A chief Protestant, Baron von Something, + begged passionately for only twelve hours of respite,—to lay the + case before his Prussian Majesty. Respite conceded, he and another chief + Protestant had posted off accordingly; and did the next morning (Friday, + 16th), short way from Crossen, meet his Majesty's carriage; who graciously + pulled up for a few instants, and listened to their story. "MEINE HERREN, + you are the first that ask a favor of me on Silesian ground; it shall be + done you!" said the King; and straightway despatched, in polite style, his + written request to Wallis, engaging to make no military use whatever of + said Church, "but to attack by the other side, if attack were necessary." + Thus his Majesty saved the Church of Glogau; which of course was a popular + act. Getting to see this Church himself a few days hence, he said, "Why, + it must come down at any rate, and be rebuilt; so ugly a thing!" + </p> + <p> + Wallis is making strenuous preparation; forces the inhabitants, even the + upper kinds of them, to labor day and night by relays, in his rampartings, + palisadings; is for burning all the adjacent Villages,—and would + have done it, had not the peasants themselves turned out in a dangerous + state of mind. He has got together about 1,000 men. His powder, they say, + is fifty years old; but he has eatable provender from Breslau, and means + to hold out to the utmost. Readers must admit that the Austrian military, + Graf von Wallis to begin with,—still more, General Browne, who is a + younger man and has now the head charge,—behave well in their + present forsaken condition. Wallis (Graf FRANZ WENZEL this one, not to be + confounded with an older Wallis heard of in the late Turk War) is of + Scotch descent,—as all these Wallises are; "came to Austria long + generations ago; REICHSGRAFS since 1612:"—Browne is of Irish; age + now thirty-five, ten years younger than Wallis. Read this Note on the + distinguished Browne:— + </p> + <p> + "A German-Irish Gentleman, this General (ultimately Fieldmarshal) Graf von + Browne; one of those sad exiled Irish Jacobites, or sons of Jacobites, who + are fighting in foreign armies; able and notable men several of them, and + this Browne considerably the most so. We shall meet him repeatedly within + the next eighteen years. Maximilian-Ulysses Graf von Browne: I said he was + born German; Basel his birthplace (23d October, 1705), Father also a + soldier: he must not be confounded with a contemporary Cousin of his, who + is also 'Fieldmarshal Browne,' but serves in Russia, Governor of Riga for + a long time in the coming years. This Austrian General, Fieldmarshal + Browne, will by and by concern us somewhat; and the reader may take note + of him. + </p> + <p> + "Who the Irish Brothers Browne, the Fathers of these Marshals Browne, + were? I have looked in what Irish Peerages and printed Records there were, + but without the least result. One big dropsical Book, of languid quality, + called <i>King James's Irish Army-List,</i> has multitudes of Brownes and + others, in an indistinct form; but the one Browne wanted, the one Lacy, + almost the one Lally, like the part of HAMLET, are omitted. There are so + many Irish in the like case with these Brownes. A Lacy we once slightly + saw or heard of; busy in the Polish-Election time,—besieging Dantzig + (investing Dantzig, that Munnich might besiege it);—that Lacy, + 'Governor of Riga,' whom the RUSSIAN Browne will succeed, is also Irish: a + conspicuous Russian man; and will have a Son Lacy, conspicuous among the + Austrians. Maguires, Ogilvies (of the Irish stock), Lieutenants + 'Fitzgeral;' very many Irish; and there is not the least distinct account + to be had of any of them." [For Browne see "Anonymous of Hamburg" (so I + have had to label a J.F.S. <i>Geschichte des &c.</i>—in fact, + History of Seven-Years War, in successive volumes, done chiefly by the + scissors; Leipzig and Frankfurt, 1759, et seqq.), i. 123-131 n.: elaborate + Note of eight pages there; intimating withal that he, J.F.S., wrote the <i>"Life + of Browne,"</i> a Book I had in vain sought for; and can now guess to + consist of those same elaborate eight pages, PLUS water and lathering to + the due amount. Anonymous "of Hamburg" I call my J.F.S.,—having + fished him out of the dust-abysses in that City: a very poor take; yet + worth citing sometimes, being authentic, as even the darkest Germans + generally are.—For a glimpse of LACY (the Elder Lacy) see Busching, + <i>Beitrage,</i> vi. 162.—For WALLIS (tombstone Note on Wallis) see + (among others who are copious in that kind of article, and keep large + sacks of it, in admired disorder) Anonymous Seyfarth, <i>Geschichte + Friedrichs des Andern</i> (Leipzig, 1784-1788), i. 112 n.; and Anonymous, + <i>Leben der &c. Marie Theresie</i> (Leipzig, 1781), 27 n.: + laboriously authentic Books both; essentialy DICTIONARIES,—stuffed + as into a row of blind SACKS.] + </p> + <p> + Let us attend his Majesty on the next few marches towards Glogau, to see + the manner of the thing a little; after which it will behoove us to be + much more summary, and stick by the main incidents. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MARCH TO WEICHAU (SATURDAY, 17th, AND STAY SUNDAY THERE); TO MILKAU + (MONDAY, 19th); GET TO HERRENDORF, WITHIN SIGHT OF GLOGAU, DECEMBER 22d. + </h2> + <p> + Friedrich's march proceeds with speed and regularity. Strict discipline is + maintained; all things paid for, damage carefully avoided: "We come, not + as invasive enemies of you or of the Queen of Hungary, but as protective + friends of Silesia and of her Majesty's rights there;—her Majesty + once allowing us (as it is presumable she will) our own rights in this + Province, no man shall meddle with hers, while we continue here." To that + effect runs the little "Patent," or initiatory Proclamation, extensively + handed out, and posted in public places, as was said above; and the + practice is conformable. To all men, coming with Protests or otherwise, we + perceive, the young King is politeness itself; giving clear answer, and + promise which will be kept, on the above principle. Nothing angers him + except that gentlemen should disbelieve, and run away. That a mansion be + found deserted by its owners, is the one evil omen for such mansion. Thus, + at the Schloss of Weichau (which is still discoverable on the Map, across + the "Black Ochel" and the "White," muddy streams which saunter eastward + towards, the Oder there, nothing yet running westward for the Bober, our + other limitary river), next night after Schweinitz, second night in + Silesia, there was no Owner to be met with; and the look of his Majesty + grew FINSTER (dark); remembering what had passed yesternight, in like + case, at that other Schloss from which the owner with his best portable + furniture had vanished. At which Schloss, as above noticed, some disorders + were committed by angry parties of the march;—doors burst open + (doors standing impudently dumb to the rational proposals made them!), + inferior remainders of furniture smashed into firewood, and the like,—no + doubt to his Majesty's vexation. Here at Weichau stricter measures were + taken: and yet difficulties, risks were not wanting; and the AMTMANN + (Steward of the place) got pulled about, and once even a stroke or two. + Happily the young Herr of Weichau appeared in person on the morrow, + hearing his Majesty was still there: "Papa is old; lives at another + Schloss; could not wait upon your Majesty; nor, till now, could I have + that honor."—"Well; lucky that you have come: stay dinner!" Which + the young Count did, and drove home in the evening to reassure Papa; his + Majesty continuing there another night, and the risk over. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 459.] + </p> + <p> + This day, Sunday, 18th, the Army rests; their first Sunday in Silesia, + while the young Count pays his devoir: and here in Weichau, as elsewhere, + it is in the Church, Catholic nearly always, that the Heretic Army does + its devotions, safe from weather at least: such the Royal Order, they say; + which is taken note of, by the Heterodox and by the Orthodox. And ever + henceforth, this is the example followed; and in all places where there is + no Protestant Church and the Catholics have one, the Prussian + Army-Chaplain assembles his buff-belted audience in the latter: "No + offence, Reverend Fathers, but there are hours for us, and hours for you; + and such is the King's Order." There is regular divine-service in this + Prussian Army; and even a good deal of inarticulate religion, as one may + see on examining. + </p> + <p> + Country Gentlemen, Town Mayors and other civic Authorities, soon learn + that on these terms they are safe with his Majesty; march after march he + has interviews with such, to regulate the supplies, the necessities and + accidents of the quartering of his Troops. Clear, frank, open to + reasonable representation, correct to his promise; in fact, industriously + conciliatory and pacificatory: such is Friedrich to all Silesian men. + Provincial Authorities, who can get no instructions from Head-quarters; + Vienna saying nothing, Breslau nothing, and Deputy-Governor Browne being + far south in Neisse,—are naturally in difficulties: How shall they + act? Best not to act at all, if one can help it; and follow the Mayor of + Grunberg's unsurpassable pattern!— + </p> + <p> + "These Silesians," says an Excerpt I have made, "are still in majority + Protestant; especially in this Northern portion of the Province; they have + had to suffer much on that and other scores; and are secretly or openly in + favor of the Prussians. Official persons, all of the Catholic creed, have + leant heavy, not always conscious of doing it, against Protestant rights. + The Jesuits, consciously enough, have been and are busy with them; intent + to recall a Heretic Population by all methods, fair and unfair. We heard + of Charles XII.'s interference, three-and-thirty years ago; and how the + Kaiser, hard bested at that time, had to profess repentance and engage for + complete amendment. Amendment did, for the moment, accordingly take place. + Treaty of Westphalia in all its stipulations, with precautionary + improvements, was re-enacted as Treaty of Altranstadt; with faithful + intention of keeping it too, on Kaiser Joseph's part, who was not a + superstitious man: 'Holy Father, I was too glad he did not demand my own + conversion to the Protestant Heresy, bested as I am,—with Louis + Quatorze and Company upon the neck of me!' Some improvement of + performance, very marked at first, did ensue upon this Altranstadt Treaty. + But the sternly accurate Karl of Sweden soon disappeared from the scene; + Kaiser Joseph of Austria soon disappeared; and his Brother, Karl VI., was + a much more orthodox person. + </p> + <p> + "The Austrian Government, and Kaiser Karl's in particular, is not to be + called an intentionally unjust one; the contrary, I rather find; but it + is, beyond others, ponderous; based broad on such multiplex formalities, + old habitudes; and GRAVITATION has a great power over it. In brief, + Official human nature, with the best of Kaisers atop, flagitated + continually by Jesuit Confessors, does throw its weight on a certain side: + the sad fact is, in a few years the brightness of that Altranstadt + improvement began to wax dim; and now, under long Jesuit manipulation, + Silesian things are nearly at their old pass; and the patience of men is + heavily laden. To see your Chapel made a Soldiers' Barrack, your + Protestant School become a Jesuit one,—Men did not then think of + revolting under injuries; but the poor Silesian weaver, trudging twenty + miles for his Sunday sermon; and perceiving that, unless their Mother + could teach the art of reading, his boys, except under soul's peril, would + now never learn it: such a Silesian could not want for reflections. + Voiceless, hopeless, but heavy; and dwelling secretly, as under nightmare, + in a million hearts. Austrian Officiality, wilfully unjust, or not + wilfully so, is admitted to be in a most heavy-footed condition; can + administer nothing well. Good Government in any kind is not known here: + Possibly the Prussian will be better; who can say? + </p> + <p> + "The secret joy of these populations, as Friedrich advances among them, + becomes more and more a manifest one. Catholic Officials do not venture on + any definite hope, or definite balance of hope and fear, but adopt the + Mayor of Grunberg's course, and study to be passive and silent. The + Jesuit-Priest kind are clear in their minds for Austria; but think, + Perhaps Prussia itself will not prove very tyrannous? At all events, be + silent; it is unsafe to stir. We notice generally, it is only in the + Southern or Mountain regions of Silesia, where the Catholics are in + majority, that the population is not ardently on the Prussian side. + Passive, if they are on the other side; accurately passive at lowest, this + it is prescribed all prudent men to be." + </p> + <p> + On the 18th, while divine service went on at Weichau, there was at Breslau + another phenomenon observable. Provincial Government in Breslau had, at + length, after intense study, and across such difficulties as we have no + idea of, got its "Patent," or carefully worded Protestation against + Prussia, brought to paper; and does, this day, with considerable + solemnity, affix it to the Rathhaus door there, for the perusal of + mankind; despatching a Copy for his Prussian Majesty withal, by two + Messengers of dignity. It has needed courage screwed to the sticking-place + to venture on such a step, without instruction from Head-quarters; and the + utmost powers of the Official mind have been taxed to couch this Document + in language politely ambiguous, and yet strong enough;—too strong, + some of us now think it. In any case, here it now is; Provincial + Government's bolt, so to speak, is shot. The affixing took place under + dark weather-symptoms; actual outburst of thunder and rain at the moment, + not to speak of the other surer omens. So that, to the common mind at + Breslau, it did not seem there would much fruit come of this difficult + performance. Breslau is secretly a much-agitated City; and Prussian Hussar + Parties, shooting forth to great distances ahead, were, this day for the + first time, observed within sight of it. + </p> + <p> + And on the same Sunday we remark farther, what is still more important: + Herr von Gotter, Friedrich's special Envoy to Vienna, has his first + interview with the Queen of Hungary, or with Grand-Duke Franz the Queen's + Husband and Co-Regent; and presents there, from Friedrich's own hand, + written we remember when, brief distinct Note of his Prussian Majesty's + actual Proposals and real meaning in regard to this Silesian Affair. + Proposals anxiously conciliatory in tone, but the heavy purport of which + is known to us: Gotter had been despatched, time enough, with these + Proposals (written above a month ago); but was instructed not to arrive + with them, till after the actual entrance into Silesia. And now the + response to them is—? As good as nothing; perhaps worse. Let that + suffice us at present. Readers, on march for Glogau, would grudge to pause + over State-papers, though we shall have to read this of Friedrich's at + some freer moment. + </p> + <p> + Monday, 19th, before daybreak, the Army is astir again, simultaneously + wending forward; spread over wide areas, like a vast cloud (potential + thunder in it) steadily advancing on the winds. Length of the Army, + artistically portioned out, may be ten or fifteen miles, breadth already + more, and growing more; Schwerin always on the right or western wing, + close by the Bober River as yet, through Naumburg and the Towns on that + side,—Liegnitz and other important Towns lying ahead for Schwerin, + still farther apart from the main Body, were Glogau once settled. + </p> + <p> + So that the march is in two Columns; Schwerin, with the westernmost small + column, intending towards Liegnitz, and thence ever farther southward, + with his right leaning on the high lands which rise more and more into + mountains as you advance. Friedrich himself commands the other column, has + his left upon the Oder, in a country mounting continually towards the + South, but with less irregularity of level, and generally flat as yet. + From beginning to end, the entire field of march lies between the Oder and + its tributary the Bober; climbing slowly towards the sources of both. + Which two rivers, as the reader may observe, form here a rectangular or + trapezoidal space, ever widening as we go southward. Both rivers, coming + from the Giant Mountains, hasten directly north; but Oder, bulging out + easterly in his sandy course, is obliged to turn fairly westward again; + and at Glogau, and a good space farther, flows in that direction;—till + once Bober strikes in, almost at right angles, carrying Oder with HIM, + though he is but a branch, straight northward again. Northward, but ever + slower, to the swollen Pommern regions, and sluggish exit into the Baltic + there. + </p> + <p> + One of the worst features is the state of the weather. On Sunday, at + Breslau, we noticed thunder bursting out on an important occasion; + "ominous," some men thought;—omen, for one thing, that the weather + was breaking. At Weichau, that same day, rain began,—the young Herr + of Weichau, driving home to Papa from dinner with Majesty, would get his + share of it;—and on Monday, 19th, there was such a pour of rain as + kept most wayfarers, though it could not the Prussian Army, within doors. + Rain in plunges, fallen and falling, through that blessed day; making + roads into mere rivers of mud. The Prussian hosts marched on, all the + same. Head-quarters, with the van of the wet Army, that night, were at + Milkau;—from which place we have a Note of Friedrich's for Friend + Jordan, perhaps producible by and by. His Majesty lodged in some opulent + Jesuit Establishment there. And indeed he continued there, not idle, under + shelter, for a couple of days. The Jesuits, by their two head men, had + welcomed him with their choicest smiles; to whom the King was very + gracious, asking the two to dinner as usual, and styling them "Your + Reverence." Willing to ingratiate himself with persons of interest in this + Country; and likes talk, even with Jesuits of discernment. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow (20th), came to him, here at Milkau,—probably from + some near stage, for the rain was pouring worse than ever,—that + Breslau "Patent," or strongish Protestation, by its two Messengers of + dignity. The King looked over it "without visible anger" or change of + countenance; "handed it," we expressly see, "to a Page to reposit" in the + proper waste-basket;—spoke politely to the two gentlemen; asked each + or one of them, "Are you of the Ober-Amt at Breslau, then?"—using + the style of ER (He).—"No, your Majesty; we are only of the + Land-Stande" (Provincial Parliament, such as it is). "Upon which [do you + mark!] his Majesty became still more polite; asked them to dinner, and + used the style of SIE." For their PATENT, now lying safe in its + waste-basket, he gave them signed receipt; no other answer. + </p> + <p> + Rain still heavier, rain as of Noah, continued through this Tuesday, and + for days afterwards: but the Prussian hosts, hastening towards Glogau, + marched still on. This Tuesday's march, for the rearward of the Army, + 10,000 foot and 2,000 horse; march of ten hours long, from Weichau to the + hamlet Milkau (where his Majesty sits busy and affable),—is thought + to be the wettest on record. Waters all out, bridges down, the Country one + wild lake of eddying mud. Up to the knee for many miles together; up to + the middle for long spaces; sometimes even up to the chin or deeper, where + your bridge was washed away. The Prussians marched through it, as if they + had been slate or iron. Rank and file, nobody quitted his rank, nobody + looked sour in the face; they took the pouring of the skies, and the red + seas of terrestrial liquid, as matters that must be; cheered one another + with jocosities, with choral snatches (tobacco, I consider, would not + burn); and swashed unweariedly forward. Ten hours some of them were out, + their march being twenty or twenty-five miles; ten to fifteen was the + average distance come. Nor, singular to say, did any loss occur; except of + ALMOST one poor Army-Chaplain, and altogether of one poor Soldier's Wife;—sank + dangerously both of them, beyond redemption she, taking the wrong side of + some bridge-parapet. Poor Soldier's Wife, she is not named to me at all; + and has no history save this, and that "she was of the regiment Bredow." + But I perceive she washed herself away in a World-Transaction; and there + was one rough Bredower, who probably sat sad that night on getting to + quarters. His Majesty surveyed the damp battalions on the morrow (21st), + not without sympathy, not without satisfaction; allowed them a rest-day + here at Milkau, to get dry and bright again; and gave them "fifteen + thalers a company," which is about ninepence apiece, with some words of + praise. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i.482.] + </p> + <p> + Next day, Thursday, 22d, his Majesty and they marched on to Herrendorf; + which is only five miles from Glogau, and near enough for Head-quarters, + in the now humor of the place. Wallis has his messenger at Herrendorf, + "Sorry to warn your Majesty, That if there be the least hostility + committed, I shall have to resist it to the utmost." Head-quarters + continue six days at Herrendorf, Army (main body, or left Column, of the + Army) cantoned all round, till we consider what to do. + </p> + <p> + As to the right Column, or Schwerin's Division, that, after a rest-day or + two, gathers itself into more complete separation here, tucking in its + eastern skirts; and gets on march again, by its own route. Steadily + southward;—and from Liegnitz, and the upland Countries, there will + be news of Schwerin and it before long. Rain ending, there ensued a + ringing frost;—not favorable for Siege-operations on Glogau:—and + Silesia became all of flinty glass, with white peaks to the Southwest, + whither Schwerin is gone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter III. — PROBLEM OF GLOGAU. + </h2> + <p> + Friedrich was over from Herrendorf with the first daylight, "reconnoitring + Glogau, and rode up to the very glacis;" scanning it on all sides. [Ib. i. + 484.] Since Wallis is so resolute, here is an intricate little problem for + Friedrich, with plenty of corollaries and conditions hanging to it. Shall + we besiege Glogau, then? We have no siege-cannon here. Time presses, + Breslau and all things in such crisis; and it will take time. By what + methods COULD Glogau be besieged?—Readers can consider what a blind + many-threaded coil of things, heaping itself here in wide welters round + Glogau, and straggling to the world's end, Friedrich has on hand: probably + those six days, of Head-quarters at Herrendorf, were the busiest he had + yet had. + </p> + <p> + One thing is evident, there ought to be siege-cannon got straightway; and, + still more immediate, the right posts and battering-places should be ready + against its coming.—"Let the Young Dessauer with that Rearguard, or + Reserve of 10,000, which is now at Crossen, come up and assist here," + orders Friedrich; "and let him be swift, for the hours are pregnant!" On + farther reflection, perhaps on new rumors from Breslau, Friedrich + perceives that there can be no besieging of Glogau at this point of time; + that the Reserve, Half of the Reserve, must be left to "mask" it; to hold + it in strict blockade, with starvation daily advancing as an ally to us, + and with capture by bombarding possible when we like. That is the ultimate + decision;—arrived at through a welter of dubieties, counterpoisings + and perilous considerations, which we now take no account of. A most busy + week; Friedrich incessantly in motion, now here now there; and a great + deal of heavy work got well and rapidly done. The details of which, in + these exuberant Manuscripts, would but weary the reader. Choosing of the + proper posts and battering-places (post "on the other side of the River," + "on this side of it," "on the Island in the middle of it"), and obstinate + intrenching and preparing of the same in spite of frost; "wooden bridge + built" farther up; with "regulation of the river-boats, the Polish Ferry," + and much else: all this we omit; and will glance only at one pregnant + point, by way of sample:— + </p> + <p> + ... "Most indispensable of all, the King has to provide Subsistences:—and + enters now upon the new plan, which will have to be followed henceforth. + The Provincial Chief-men (LANDES-AELTESTEN, Land's-ELDESTS, their title) + are summoned, from nine or ten Circles which are likely to be interested: + they appear punctually, and in numbers,—lest contumacy worsen the + inevitable. King dines them, to start with; as many as 'ninety-five + covers,'—day not given, but probably one of the first in Herrendorf: + not Christmas itself, one hopes! + </p> + <p> + "Dinner done, the ninety-five Land's-Eldest are instructed by proper + parties, What the Infantry's ration is, in meat, in bread, exact to the + ounce; what the Cavalry's is, and that of the Cavalry's Horse. Tabular + statement, succinct, correct, clear to the simplest capacity, shows what + quanties of men on foot, and of men on horseback, or men with + draught-cattle, will march through their respective Circles; Lands-Eldests + conclude what amount of meal and butcher's-meat it will be indispensable + to have in readiness;—what Lands-Eldest can deny the fact? These + Papers still exist, at least the long-winded Summary of them does: and I + own the reading of it far less insupportable than that of the mountains of + Proclamatory, Manifesto and Diplomatic matter. Nay it leaves a certain + wholesome impression on the mind, as of business thoroughly well done; and + a matter, capable, if left in the chaotic state, of running to all manner + of depths and heights, compendiously forced to become cosmic in this + manner. + </p> + <p> + "These Lands-Eldest undertake, in a mildly resigned or even hopeful humor. + They will manage as required, in their own Circles; will communicate with + the Circles farther on; and everywhere the due proviants, prestations, + furtherances, shall be got together by fair apportionment on the Silesian + Community, and be punctually ready as the Army advances. Book-keeping + there is to be, legible record of everything; on all hands 'quittance' for + everything furnished; and a time is coming, when such quittance, presented + by any Silesian man, will be counted money paid by him, and remitted at + the next tax-day, or otherwise made good. Which promise also was + accurately kept, the hoped-for time having come. It must be owned the + Prussian Army understands business; and, with brevity, reduces to a + minimum its own trouble, and that of other people, non-fighters, who have + to do with it. Non-fighters, I say; to fighters we hope it will give a + respectable maximum of trouble when applied to!" [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 492-499.] + </p> + <p> + The Gotter Negotiation at Vienna, which we saw begin there that wet + Sunday, is now fast ending, as good as ended; without result except of a + negative kind. Gotter's Proposals,—would the reader wish to hear + these Proposals, which were so intensely interesting at one time? They are + fivefold; given with great brevity by Friedrich, by us with still greater:— + </p> + <p> + 1. "Will fling myself heartily into the Austrian scale, and endeavor for + the interest of Austria in this Pragmatic matter, with my whole strength + against every comer. + </p> + <p> + 2. "Will make treaty with Vienna, with Russia and the Sea-Powers, to that + effect. + </p> + <p> + 3. "Will help by vote, and with whole amount of interest will endeavor, to + have Grand-Duke Franz, the Queen's Husband, chosen Kaiser; and to maintain + such choice against all and sundry. Feel myself strong enough to + accomplish this result; and may, without exaggeration, venture to say it + shall be done. + </p> + <p> + 4. "To help the Court of Vienna in getting its affairs into good order and + fencible condition,—will present to it, on the shortest notice, Two + Million Gulden (200,000 pounds) ready money."—Infinitely welcome + this Fourth Proposition; and indeed all the other Three are welcome: but + they are saddled with a final condition, which pulls down all again. This, + which is studiously worded, politely evasive in phrase, and would fain + keep old controversies asleep, though in substance it is so fatally + distinct,—we give in the King's own words: + </p> + <p> + 5. "For such essential services as those to which I bind myself by the + above very onerous conditions, I naturally require a proportionate + recompense; some suitable assurance, as indemnity for all the dangers I + risk, and for the part (ROLE) I am ready to play: in short, I require + hereby the entire and complete cession of all Silesia, as reward for my + labors and dangers which I take upon myself in this course now to be + entered upon for the preservation and renown of the House of Austria;"—Silesia + all and whole; and we say nothing of our "rights" to it; politely evasive + to her Hungarian Majesty, though in substance we are so fatally distinct. + [Preuss, <i>Thronbesteigung,</i> p. 451; "from Olenschlager, <i>Geschichte + des Interegni</i> [Frankfurt, 1746], i. 134."] + </p> + <p> + These were Friedrich's Proposals; written down with his own hand at + Reinsberg, five or six weeks ago (November 17th is the date of it); in + what mood, and how wrought upon by Schwerin and Podewils, we saw above. + Gotter has fulfilled his instructions in regard to this important little + Document; and now the effect of it is—? Gotter can report no good + effect whatever. "Be cautious," Friedrich instructs him farther; "modify + that Fifth Proposal; I will take less than the whole, 'if attention is + paid to my just claims on Schlesien.'" To that effect writes Friedrich + once or twice. But it is to no purpose; nor can Gotter, with all his + industry, report other than worse and worse. Nay, he reports before long, + not refusal only, but refusal with mockery: "How strange that his Prussian + Majesty, whose official post in Germany, as Kur-Brandenburg and Kaiser's + Chamberlain, has been to present ewer and towel to the House of Austria, + should now set up for prescribing rules to it!" A piece of wit, which + could not but provoke Friedrich; and warn him that negotiation on this + matter might as well terminate. Such had been his own thought, from the + first; but in compliance with Schwerin and Podewils he was willing to try. + </p> + <p> + Better for Maria Theresa, and for all the world how much better, could she + have accepted this Fifth Proposition! But how could she,—the high + Imperial Lady, keystone of Europe, though by accident with only a few + pounds of ready money at present? Twenty years of bitter fighting, and + agony to herself and all the world, were necessary first; a new Fact of + Nature having turned up, a new European Kingdom with real King to it; NOT + recognizable as such, by the young Queen of Hungary or by any other + person, till it do its proofs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHAT BERLIN IS SAYING; WHAT FRIEDRICH IS THINKING. + </h2> + <p> + What Friedrich's own humor is, what Friedrich's own inner man is saying to + him, while all the world so babbles about his Silesian Adventure? Of this + too there are, though in diluted state, some glimmerings to be had,—chiefly + in the Correspondence with Jordan. + </p> + <p> + Ingenious Jordan, Inspector of the Poor at Berlin,—his thousand old + women at their wheels humming pleasantly in the background of our + imaginations, though he says nothing of that,—writes twice a week to + his Majesty: pleasant gossipy Letters, with an easy respectfulness not + going into sycophancy anywhere; which keep the campaigning King well + abreast of the Berlin news and rumors: something like the essence of an + Old Newspaper; not without worth in our present Enterprise. One specimen, + if we had room! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + JORDAN TO THE KING (successively from Berlin,—somewhat abridged.) + </h2> + <p> + No. 1. "BERLIN, 14th DECEMBER, 1740 [day after his Majesty left]. + Everybody here is on tiptoe for the Event; of which both origin and end + are a riddle to the most. I am charmed to see a part of your Majesty's + Dominions in a state of Pyrrhonism; the disease is epidemical here at + present. Those who, in the style of theologians, consider themselves + entitled to be certain, maintain That your Majesty is expected with + religious impatience by the Protestants, and that the Catholics hope to + see themselves delivered from a multitude of imposts which cruelly tear up + the beautiful bosom of their Church. You cannot but succeed in your + valiant and stoical Enterprise, since both religion and worldly interest + rank themselves under your flag. + </p> + <p> + "Wallis," Austrian Commandant in Glogau, "they say, has punished a + Silesian Heretic of enthusiastic turn, as blasphemer, for announcing that + a new Messiah is just coming. I have a taste for that kind of martyrdom. + Critical persons consider the present step as directly opposed to certain + maxims in the ANTI-MACHIAVEL. + </p> + <p> + "The word MANIFESTO—[your Majesty's little PATENT on entering + Silesia, which no reader shall be troubled with at present]—is the + burden of every conversation. There is a short Piece of the kind to come + out to-day, by way of preface to a large complete exposition, which a + certain Jurisconsult is now busy with. People crowd to the Bookshops for + it, as if looking out for a celestial phenomenon that had been predicted.—This + is the beginning of my Gazette; can only come out twice a week, owing to + the arrangement of the Posts. Friday, the day your Majesty crosses into + Silesia, I shall spend in prayer and devotional exercises: Astronomers + pretend that Mars will that day enter"—no matter what. + </p> + <p> + NOTE, The above Manifesto rumor is correct; Jurisconsult is ponderous Herr + Ludwig, Kanzler (Chancellor) of Halle University, monster of law-learning,—who + has money also, and had to help once with a House in Berlin for one + Nussler, a son-in-law of his, transiently known to us;—ponderous + Ludwig, matchless or difficult to match in learning of this kind, will + write ample enough Deductions (which lie in print still, to the extent of + tons' weight), and explain the ERBVERBRUDERUNG and violence done upon it, + so that he who runs may read. Postpone him to a calmer time. + </p> + <p> + No. 2. "BERLIN, SATURDAY, 17th DECEMBER. Manifesto has appeared,"—can + be seen, under thick strata of cobwebs, in many Books; [In <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 448, 453 (what Jordan now alludes to); IB. 559-592 ["Deduction" itself, + Ludwig in all his strength, some three weeks hence; in OLENSCHLAGER + (doubtless); in &c. &c.] is not worth reading now: Incontestable + rights which our House has for ages had on Schlesien, and which doubtless + the Hungarian Majesty will recognize; not the slightest injury intended, + far indeed from that; and so on!—"people are surprised at its + brevity; and, studying it as theologians do a passage of Scripture, can + make almost nothing of it. Clear as crystal, says one; dexterously obscure + by design, says another. + </p> + <p> + "Rumor that the Grand-Duke of Lorraine," Maria Theresa's Husband, "was at + Reinsberg incognito lately," Grand-Duke a concerting party, think people + looking into the thing with strong spectacles on their nose! "M. de + Beauvau [French Ambassador Extraordinary, to whom the aces were promised + if they came] said one thing that surprised me: 'What put the King on + taking this step, I do not know; but perhaps it is not such a bad one.' + Surprising news that the Elector of Saxony, King of Poland, is fallen into + inconsolable remorse for changing his religion [to Papistry, on Papa's + hest, many long years ago] and that it is not to the Pope, but to the King + of Prussia, that he opens his heart to steady his staggering orthodoxy." + Very astonishing to Jordan. "One thing is certain, all Paris rings with + your Majesty's change of religion" (over to Catholicism, say those + astonishing people, first conjurers of the universe)! + </p> + <p> + No. 3. "BERLIN, 20th DECEMBER. M. de Beauvau," French Ambassador, "is + gone. Ended, yesterday, his survey of the Cabinet of Medals; charmed with + the same: charmed too, as the public is, with the rich present he has got + from said Cabinet [coronation medal or medals in gold, I could guess]: + people say the King of France's Medal given to our M. de Camas is nothing + to it. + </p> + <p> + "Rumor of alliance between your Majesty and France with Sweden,"—premature + rumor. Item, "Queen of Hungary dead in child-birth;"—ditto with + still more emphasis! "The day before yesterday, in all churches, was + prayer to Heaven for success to your Majesty's arms; interest of the + Protestant religion being the one cause of the War, or the only one + assigned by the reverend gentlemen. At sound of these words, the zeal of + the people kindles: 'Bless God for raising such a Defender! Who dared + suspect our King's indifference to Protestantism?'" + </p> + <p> + A right clever thing this last (O LE BEAU COUP D'ETAT)! exclaims Jordan,—though + it is not clever or the contrary, not being dramatically prearranged, as + Jordan exults to think. Jordan, though there are dregs of old devotion + lying asleep in him, which will start into new activity when stirred + again, is for the present a very unbelieving little gentleman, I can + perceive.—This is the substance of public rumor at Berlin for one + week. Friedrich answers:— + </p> + <p> + TO M. JORDAN, AT BERLIN. + </p> + <p> + "QUARTER AT MILKAU, TOWARDS GLOGAU, 19th DECEMBER, 1740 [comfortable + Jesuit-Establishment at Milkau, Friedrich just got in, out of the rain].—Seigneur + Jordan, thy Letter has given me a deal of pleasure in regard to all these + talkings thou reportest. To-morrow [not to-morrow, nor next day; wet + troops need a rest] I arrive at our last station this side Glogau, which + place I hope to get in a few days. All favors my designs: and I hope to + return to Berlin, after executing them gloriously and in a way to be + content with. Let the ignorant and the envious talk; it is not they that + shall ever serve as loadstar to my designs; not they, but Glory [LA + GLOIRE; Fame, depending not on them]: with the love of that I am + penetrated more than ever; my troops have their hearts big with it, and I + answer to thee for success. Adieu, dear Jordan. Write me all the ill that + the public says of thy Friend, and be persuaded that I love and will + esteem thee always."—F. + </p> + <p> + JORDAN TO THE KING. + </p> + <p> + No. 4; "BERLIN, 24th DECEMBER. Your Majesty's Letter fills me with joy and + contentment. The Town declared your Majesty to be already in Breslau; + founding on some Letter to a Merchant here. Ever since they think of your + Majesty acting for Protestantism, they make you step along with strides of + Achilles to the ends of Silesia.—Foreign Courts are all rating their + Ambassadors here for not finding you out. + </p> + <p> + "Wolf," his negotiations concluded at last, "has entered Halle almost like + the triumphant Entry to Jerusalem. A concourse of pedants escorted him to + his house. Lange [his old enemy, who accused him of Atheism and other + things] has called to see him, and loaded him with civilities, to the + astonishment of the old Orthodox." There let him rest, well buttoned in + gaiters, and avoiding to mount stairs.... "Madame de Roucoulles has sent + me the three objects adjoined, for your Majesty's behoof,"—woollen + achievements, done by the needle, good against the winter weather for one + she nursed. The good old soul. Enough now, of Jordan. [<i>OEuvres de + Frederic,</i> xvii. 75-78.] + </p> + <p> + Voltaire, who left Berlin 2d or 3d December, seems to have been stopt by + overflow of rivers about Cleve, then to have taken boat; and is, about + this very time, writing to Friedrich "from a vessel on the Coasts of + Zealand, where I am driven mad." (Intends, privately, for Paris before + long, to get his MAHOMET acted, if possible.) To Voltaire, here is a Note + coming: + </p> + <p> + KING TO H. DE VOLTAIRE (at Brussels, if once got thither). + </p> + <p> + "QUARTER OF HERRENDORF IN SILESIA, 23d December, 1740. + </p> + <p> + "MY DEAR VOLTAIRE,—I have received two of your Letters; but could + not answer sooner; I am like Charles Twelfth's Chess-King, who was always + kept on the move. For a fortnight past, we have been continually afoot and + under way, in such weather as you never saw. + </p> + <p> + "I am too tired to reply to your charming Verses; and shivering too much + with cold to taste all the charm of them: but that will come round again. + Do not ask poetry from a man who is actually doing the work of a wagoner, + and sometimes even of a wagoner stuck in the mud. Would you like to know + my way of life? We march from seven in the morning till four in the + afternoon. I dine then; afterwards I work, I receive tiresome visits; with + these comes a detail of insipid matters of business. 'Tis wrong-headed + men, punctiliously difficult, who are to be set right; heads too hot which + must be restrained, idle fellows that must be urged, impatient men that + must be rendered docile, plunderers to restrain within the bounds of + equity, babblers to hear babbling, dumb people to keep in talk: in fine, + one has to drink with those that like it, to eat with those that are + hungry; one has to become a Jew with Jews, a Pagan with Pagans. + </p> + <p> + "Such are my occupations;—which I would willingly make over to + another, if the Phantom they call Fame (GLOIRE) did not rise on me too + often. In truth, it is a great folly, but a folly difficult to cast away + when once you are smitten by it. [Phantom of GLOIRE somewhat rampant in + those first weeks; let us see whether it will not lay itself again, + forevermore, before long!] + </p> + <p> + "Adieu, my dear Voltaire; may Heaven preserve from misfortune the man I + should so like to sup with at night, after fighting in the morning! The + Swan of Padua [Algarotti, with his big hook-nose and dusky solemnly greedy + countenance] is going, I think, to Paris, to profit by my absence; the + Philosopher Geometer [big Maupertuis, in red wig and yellow frizzles, + vainest of human kind] is squaring curves; poor little Jordan [with the + kindly hazel eyes, and pen that pleasantly gossips to us] is doing + nothing, or probably something near it. Adieu once more, dear Voltaire; do + not forget the absent who love you. FREDERIC." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> + xxii. 57.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SCHWERIN AT LIEGNITZ; FRIEDRICH HUSHES UP THE GLOGAU PROBLEM, AND STARTS + WITH HIS BEST SPEED FOR BRESLAU. + </h2> + <p> + Meanwhile, on the Western road, and along the foot of the snowy peaks over + yonder, Schwerin with the small Right column is going prosperously + forwards. Two columns always, as the reader recollects,—two parallel + military currents, flowing steadily on, shooting out estafettes, or + horse-parties, on the right and left; steadily submerging all Silesia as + they flow forward. Left column or current is in slight pause at Glogau + here; but will directly be abreast again. On Tuesday, 27th, Schwerin is + within wind of Liegnitz; on Wednesday morning, while the fires are hardly + lighted, or the smoke of Liegnitz risen among the Hills, Schwerin has done + his feat with the usual deftness: Prussian grenadiers came softly on the + sentry, softly as a dream; but with sudden levelling of bayonets, sudden + beckoning, "To your Guard-house!"—and there, turn the key upon his + poor company and him. Whereupon the whole Prussian column marches in; + tramp tramp, without music, through the streets: in the Market-place they + fold themselves into a ranked mass, and explode into wind-harmony and + rolling of drums. Liegnitz, mostly in nightcap, looks cautiously out of + window: it is a deed done, IHR HERREN; Liegnitz ours, better late than + never; and after so many years, the King has his own again. Schwerin is + sumptuously lodged in the Jesuits, Palace: Liegnitz, essentially a + Protestant Town, has many thoughts upon this event, but as yet will be + stingy of speaking them. + </p> + <p> + Thus is Liegnitz managed. A pleasant Town, amid pleasant hills on the + rocky Katzbach; of which swift stream, and other towns and passes on it, + we shall yet hear more. Population, silently industrious in weaving and + otherwise, is now above 14,000; was then perhaps about half that number. + Patiently inarticulate, by no means bright in speech or sentiment; a + much-enduring, steady-going, frugal, pious and very desirable people. + </p> + <p> + The situation of Breslau, all this while, is very critical. Much bottled + emotion in the place; no Austrian Garrison admissible; Authorities dare + not again propose such a thing, though Browne is turning every stone for + it,—lest the emotion burst bottle, and take fire. I have dim account + that Browne has been there, has got 300 Austrian dragoons into the Dom + Insel (CATHEDRAL ISLAND; "Not in the City, you perceive!" says General + Browne: "no, separated by the Oder, on both sides, from the rest of the + City; that stately mass of edifices, and good military post");—and + had hoped to get the suburbs burnt, after all. But the bottled emotion was + too dangerous. For, underground, there are ANTI-Brownes: one especially; a + certain busy Deblin, Shoemaker by craft, whom Friedrich speaks of, but + gives no name to; this zealous Cordwainer, Deblin, and he is not the only + individual of like humor, operates on the guild-brothers and lower + populations: [Preuss, <i>Thronbesteigung,</i> p. 469; <i>OEuvres de + Frederic,</i> ii. 61. ] things seem to be looking worse and worse for the + Authorities, in spite of General Browne and his activities and dragoons. + </p> + <p> + What the issue will be? Judge if Friedrich wished the Young Dessauer come! + Friedrich's Hussar parties (or Schwerin's, instructed by Friedrich) go to + look if the Breslau suburbs are burnt. Far from it, if Friedrich knew;—the + suburbs merely sit quaking at such a proposal, and wish the Prussians were + here. "But there is time ahead of us," said everybody at Breslau; "Glogau + will take some sieging!" Browne, in the course of a day or two,—guessing, + I almost think, that Glogau was not to be besieged,—ranked his 300 + Austrian dragoons, and rode away; sending the Austrian State-Papers, in + half a score of wagons, ahead of him. "Archives of Breslau!" cried the + general population, at sight of these wagons; and largely turned out, with + emotion again like to unbottle itself. "Mere Tax-Ledgers, and records of + the Government Offices; come and convince yourselves!" answered the + Authorities. And the ten wagons went on; calling at Ohlau and Brieg, for + farther lading of the like kind. Which wagons the Prussian light-horse + chased, but could not catch. On to Mahren went these Archive-wagons; to + Brunn, far over the Giant Mountains;—did not come back for a long + while, nor to their former Proprietor at all. Tuesday, 27th, Leopold the + Young Dessauer does finally arrive, with his Reserve, at Glogau: never man + more welcome; such a fermentation going on at Breslau,—known to + Friedrich, and what it will issue in, if he delay, not known. With + despatch, Leopold is put into his charge; posts all yielded to him; orders + given,—blockade to be strictness itself, but no fighting if + avoidable; "starvation will soon do it, two months at most," hopes + Friedrich, too sanguine as it proved:—and with earliest daylight on + the 28th, Friedrich's Army, Friedrich himself in the van as usual, is on + march again; at its best speed for Breslau. Read this Note for Jordan:— + </p> + <p> + FRIEDRICH TO M. JORDAN, AT BERLIN. + </p> + <p> + "HERRENDORF, 27th Dec. 1740. + </p> + <p> + "SIEUR JORDAN,—I march to-morrow for Breslau; and shall be there in + four days [three, it happened; there rising, as would seem, new reason for + haste]. You Berliners [of the 24th last] have a spirit of prophecy, which + goes beyond me. In fine, I go my road; and thou wilt shortly see Silesia + ranked in the list of our Provinces. Adieu; this is all I have time to + tell thee. Religion [Silesian Protestantism, and Breslau's Cordwainer], + religion and our brave soldiers will do the rest. + </p> + <p> + "Tell Maupertuis I grant those Pensions he proposes for his Academicians; + and that I hope to find good subjects for that dignity in the Country + where I am, withal. Give him my compliments. + </p> + <p> + "FREDERIC." + </p> + <p> + The march was of the swiftest,—swifter even than had been expected;—which, + as Silesia is all ringing glass, becomes more achievable than lately. But + certain regiments outdid themselves in marching; "in three marches, near + upon seventy miles,"—with their baggage jingling in due proximity. + Through Glasersdorf, thence through Parchwitz, Neumarkt, Lissa, places + that will be better known to us;—on Saturday, last night of the + Year, his Majesty lodged at a Schloss called Pilsnitz, five miles to west + of Breslau; and van-ward regiments, a good few, quartered in the Western + and Southern suburbs of Breslau itself; suburbs decidedly glad to see + them, and escape conflagration. The Town-gates are hermetically shut;—plenty + of emotion bottled in the 100,000 hearts within. The sentries on the walls + presented arms; nay, it is affirmed, some could not help exclaiming, + "WILKOMMEN, IHR LIEBEN HERREN (Welcome, dear Sirs)!" [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 534.] + </p> + <p> + Colonel Posadowsky (active Horse Colonel whom we have seen before, who + perhaps has been in Breslau before) left orders "at the Scultet + Garden-House," that all must be ready and the rooms warmed, his Majesty + intending to arrive here early on the morrow. Which happened accordingly; + Majesty alighting duly at said Garden-House, near by the Schweidnitz Gate,—I + fancy almost before break of day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IV. — BRESLAU UNDER SOFT PRESSURE. + </h2> + <p> + The issue of this Breslau transaction is known, or could be stated in few + words; nor is the manner of it such as would, for Breslau's sake, deserve + many. But we are looking into Friedrich, wish to know his manners and + aspects: and here, ready to our hand, a Paper turns up, compiled by an + exact person with better leisure than ours, minutely detailing every part + of the affair. This Paper, after the question, Burn or insert? is to have + the lot of appearing here, with what abridgments are possible:— + </p> + <p> + "SUNDAY, 1st JANUARY, 1741. The King having established himself in Herrn + Scultet's Garden-House, not far from the Schweidnitz Gate, there began a + delicate and great operation. The Prussians, in a soft cautious manner, in + the gray of the morning, push out their sentries towards the three Gates + on this side of the Oder; seize any 'Excise House,' or the like, that may + be fit for a post; and softly put 'twenty grenadiers' in it. All this + before sunrise. Breslau is rigidly shut; Breslau thought always it could + stand upon its guard, if attacked;—is now, in Official quarters, + dismally uncertain if it can; general population becoming certain that it + cannot, and waiting anxious on the development of this grand drama. + </p> + <p> + "About 7 A.M. a Prussian subaltern advancing within cry of the Schweidnitz + Gate, requests of the Town-guard there, To send him out a Town-Officer. + Town-Officer appears; is informed, 'That Colonels Posadowsky and Borck, + Commissioners or plenipotentiary Messengers from his Prussian Majesty, + desire admittance to the Chief Magistrate of Breslau, for the purpose of + signifying what his Prussian Majesty's instructions are.' Town-Officer + bows, and goes upon his errand. Town-Officer is some considerable time + before he can return; City Authorities being, as we know, various, partly + Imperial, partly Civic; elderly; and some of them gone to church,—for + matins, or to be out of the way. However, he does at last return; admits + the two Colonels, and escorts them honorably, to the Chief RATHS-SYNDIC + (Lord-Mayor) old Herr von Gutzmar's; where the poor old "President of the + OBER AMT" (Von Schaffgotsch the name of this latter) is likewise in + attendance. + </p> + <p> + "Prussian Majesty's proposals are of the mildest sort: 'Nothing demanded + of Breslau but the plainly indispensable and indisputable, That Prussia be + in it what Austria has been. In all else, STATUS QUO. Strict neutrality to + Breslau, respect for its privileges as a Free City of the Reich; + protection to all its rights and privileges whatsoever. Shall be guarded + by its own Garrison; no Prussian soldier to enter except with sidearms; + only 30 guards for the King's person, who will visit the City for a few + days;—intends to form a Magazine, with guard of 1,000 men, but only + outside the City: no requisitions; ready money for everything. Chief + Syndic Gutzmar and President Schaffgotsch shall consider these points.' [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 537.] Syndic and President answer, Surely! Cannot, however, decide till + they have assembled the Town-Rath; the two Herren Colonels will please to + be guests of Breslau, and lodge in the City till then. + </p> + <p> + "And they lodged, accordingly, in the 'GROSSE RING' (called also + SALZ-RING, big Central Square, where the Rathhaus is); and they made and + received visits,—visited especially the Chief President's Office, + the Ober-Amt, and signified there, that his Prussian Majesty's expectation + was, They would give some account of that rather high Proclamation or + 'Patent' they had published against him the other day, amid thunder and + lightning here, and what they now thought would be expedient upon it? All + in grave official terms, but of such a purport as was not exhilarating to + everybody in those Ober-Amt localities. + </p> + <p> + "MONDAY MORNING, 2d JANUARY. The Rath is assembled; and consults,—consults + at great length. RATH-House and Syndic Gutzmar, in such crisis, would fain + have advice from AMT-House or President Schaffgotsch; but can get none: + considerable coming and going between them: at length, about 3 in the + afternoon, the Treaty is got drawn up; is signed by the due Breslau hands, + and by the two Prussian Colonels,—which latter ride out with it, + about 4 of the clock; victorious after thirty hours. Straight towards the + Scultet Garden ride they; Town-guard presenting Arms, at the Schweidnitz + Gate; nay Town-band breaking out into music, which is never done but to + Ambassadors and high people. By thirty hours of steady soft pressure, they + have brought it thus far. + </p> + <p> + "Friedrich had waited patiently all Sunday, keeping steady guard at the + Gates; but on Monday, naturally, the thirty hours began to hang heavy: at + all events, he perceived that it would be well to facilitate conclusions a + little from without. Breslau stands on the West, more strictly speaking, + on the South side of the Oder, which makes an elbow here, and thus bounds + it, or mostly bounds it, on two sides. The big drab-colored River spreads + out into Islands, of a confused sort, as it passes; which are partly built + upon, and constitute suburbs of the Town,—stretching over, here and + there, into straggles of farther suburb beyond the River, where a road + with its bridge happens to cross for the Eastern parts. The principal of + these Islands is the DOM INSEL,"—known to General Browne and us,—"on + which is the Cathedral, and the CLOSE with rich Canons and their edifices; + Island filled with strong high architecture; and a superior military post. + </p> + <p> + "Friedrich has already as good as possessed himself of the three landward + Gates, which look to the south and to the west; the riverward gates, or + those on the north and the east, he perceives that it were good now also + to have; these, and even perhaps something more? 'Gather all the + river-boats, make a bridge of them across the Oder; push across 400 men:' + this is done on Monday morning, under the King's own eye. This done, + 'March up to that riverward Gate, and also to that other, in a mild but + dangerous-looking manner; hew the beams of said Gate in two; start the big + locks; fling wide open said Gate and Gates:' this too is done; Town-guard + looking mournfully on. This done, 'March forward swiftly, in two halves, + without beat of drum,—whitherward you know!' + </p> + <p> + "Those three hundred Austrian Dragoons, we saw them leave the Dom Island, + three days ago; there are at present only Six Men, of the BISHOP'S Guard, + walking under arms there,—at the end of the chief bridge, on the + Townward side of their Dom Island. See, Prussian caps and muskets, ye six + men under arms! The six men clutch at their drawbridge, and hastily set + about hoisting:—alas, another Prussian corps, which has come + privately by the eastern (or Country-ward) Bridge, King himself with it, + taps them on the shoulder at this instant; mildly constrains the six into + their guard-house: the drawbridge falls; 400 Prussian grenadiers take + quiet possession of the Dom Island: King may return to the Scultet Garden, + having quickened the lazy hours in this manner. To such of the Canons as + he came upon, his Majesty was most polite; they most submiss. The six + soldiers of the drawbridge, having spoken a little loud,—still more + a too zealous beef-eater of old Schaffgotsch's found here, who had been + very loud,—were put under arrest; but more for form's sake; and were + let go, in a day or two." + </p> + <p> + Nothing could be gentler on Friedrich's part, and on that of his two + Colonels, than this delicate operation throughout:—and at 4 P.M., + after thirty hours of waiting, it is done, and nobody's skin scratched. + Old Syndic Gutzmar, and the Town-Rath, urged by perils and a Town + Population who are Protestant, have signed the Surrender with good-will, + at least with resignation, and a feeling of relief. The Ober-Amt Officials + have likewise had to sign; full of all the silent spleen and despondency + which is natural to the situation: spleen which, in the case of old + Schaffgotsch, weak with age, becomes passionately audible here and there. + He will have to give account of that injurious Proclamation, or Queen's + "Patent," to this King that has now come. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + KING ENTERS BRESLAW; STAYS THERE, GRACIOUS AND VIGILANT, FOUR DAYS (Jan. + 2d-6th, 1741). + </h2> + <p> + In the Royal Entrance which took place next day, note these points. Syndic + Gutzmar and the Authorities came out, in grand coaches, at 8 in the + morning; had to wait awhile; the King, having ridden away to look after + his manifold affairs, did not get back till 10. Town Guard and Garrison + are all drawn out; Gates all flung open, Prussian sentries withdrawn from + them, and from the Excise-houses they had seized: King's + Kitchen-and-Proviant Carriages (four mules to each, with bells, with + uncommonly rich housings): King's Body-Coach very grand indeed, and + grandly escorted, the Thirty Body-guards riding ahead; but nothing in it, + only a most superfine cloak "lined wholly with ermine" flung upon the + seat. Other Coaches, more or less grandly escorted; Head Cup-bearers, + Seneschals, Princes, Margraves:—but where is the King? King had + ridden away, a second time, with chief Generals, taking survey of the Town + Walls, round as far as the ZIEGEL-THOR (Tile-Gate, extreme southeast, by + the river-edge): he has thus made the whole circuit of Breslau;—unwearied + in picking up useful knowledge, "though it was very cold," while that + Procession of Coaches went on. + </p> + <p> + At noon, his Majesty, thrifty of time, did enter: on horseback, Schwerin + riding with him; behind him miscellaneous chief Officers; Borck and + Posadowsky among others; some miscellany of Page-people following. With + this natural escort, he rode in; Town-Major (Commandant of Town-guard), + with drawn sword going ahead;—King wore his usual Cocked Hat, and + practical Blue Cloak, both a little dimmed by service: but his gray horse + was admirable; and four scarlet Footmen, grand as galloon and silver + fringe could make them, did the due magnificence in dress. He was very + gracious; saluting to this side and to that, where he noticed people of + condition in the windows. "Along Schweidnitz Street, across the Great + Ring, down Albrecht Street." He alighted, to lodge, at the + Count-Schlegenberg House; which used to be the Austrian Cardinal von + Sinzendorf Primate of Silesia's hired lodging,—Sinzendorf's + furniture is put gently aside, on this new occasion. King came on the + balcony; and stood there for some minutes, that everybody might see him. + The "immense shoutings," Dryasdust assures me, have been exaggerated; and + I am warned not to believe the KRIEGS-FAMA such and such a Number, except + after comparing it with him.—That day there was dinner of more than + thirty covers, Chief Syndic Gutzmar and other such guests; but as to the + viands, says my friend, these, owing to the haste, were nothing to speak + of. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 545-548.] + </p> + <p> + Dinner, better and better ordered, King more and more gracious, so it + continued all the four days of his Majesty's stay:—on the second day + he had to rise suddenly from table, and leave his guests with an apology; + something having gone awry, at one of the Gates. Awry there, between the + Town Authorities and a General Jeetz of his,—who is on march across + the River at this moment (on what errand we shall hear), and a little + mistakes the terms. His Majesty puts Jeetz right; and even waits, till he + sees his Brigade and him clear across. A junior Schaffgotsch, [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + ii. 159.] not the inconsolable Schaffgotsch senior, but his Nephew, was + one of the guests this second day; an ecclesiastic, but of witty + fashionable type, and I think a very worthless fellow, though of a family + important in the Province. Dinner falls about noon; does not last above + two hours or three, so that there is space for a ride ("to the Dom," the + first afternoon, "four runners" always), and for much indoor work, before + the supper-hour. + </p> + <p> + As the Austrian Authorities sat silent in their place, and gave no + explanation of that "Patent," affixed amid thunder and lightning,—they + got orders from his Majesty to go their ways next day; and went. In behalf + of old President von Schaffgotsch, a chief of the Silesian Nobility, and + man much loved, the Breslau people, and men from every guild and rank of + society, made petition That, he should be allowed to continue in his Town + House here. Which "first request of yours" his Majesty, with much grace, + is sorry to be obliged to refuse. The suppressed, and insuppressible, weak + indignation of old Schaffgotsch is visible on the occasion; nor, I think, + does Friedrich take it ill; only sends him out of the way with it, for the + time. The Austrian Ober-Amt vanished bodily from Breslau in this manner; + and never returned. Proper "War-Commission (FELD-KRIEGS-COMMISSARIAT)," + with Munchow, one of those skilful Custrin Munchows, at the top of it, + organized itself instead; which, almost of necessity, became Supreme + Government in a City ungoverned otherwise:—and truly there was + little regret of the Ober-Amt, in Breslau; and ever less, to a marked + extent, as the years went on. + </p> + <p> + On the 5th of January (fourth and last night here), his Majesty gave a + grand Ball. Had hired, or Colonel Posadowsky instead of him had hired, the + Assembly Rooms (REDOUTEN-SAAL), for the purpose: "Invite all the Nobility + high and low;"—expense by estimate is a ducat (half-guinea) each; do + it well, and his Majesty will pay. About 6 in the evening, his Majesty in + person did us the honor to drive over; opened the Ball with Madam the + Countess von Schlegenberg (I should guess, a Dowager Lady), in whose house + he lodges. I am not aware that his Majesty danced much farther; but he was + very condescending, and spoke and smiled up and down;—till, about 10 + P.M., an Officer came in with a Letter. Which Letter his Majesty having + read, and seemingly asked a question or two in regard to, put silently in + his pocket, as if it were a finished thing. Nevertheless, after a few + minutes, his Majesty was found to have silently withdrawn; and did not + return, not even to supper. Perceiving which, all the Prussian official + people gradually withdrew; though the dancing and supping continued not + the less, to a late hour. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 557.] + </p> + <p> + "Open the Austrian Mail-bag (FELLEISEN); see a little what they are saying + over there!" Such order had evidently been given, this night. In + consequence of which, people wrote by Dresden, and not the direct way, in + future; wishing to avoid that openable FELLEISEN. Next morning, January + 6th, his Majesty had left for Ohlau,—early, I suppose; though there + proved to be nothing dangerous ahead there, after all. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter V. — FRIEDRICH PUSHES FORWARD TOWARDS BRIEG AND NEISSE. + </h2> + <p> + Ohlau is a pleasant little Town, two marches southeast of Breslau; with + the Ohlau River on one side, and the Oder on the other; capable of some + defence, were there a garrison. Brieg the important Fortress, still on the + Oder, is some fifteen miles beyond Ohlau; after which, bending straight + south and quitting Oder, Neisse the still more important may be thirty + miles:—from Breslau to Neisse, by this route (which is BOW, not + STRING), sixty-five or seventy miles. One of my Topographers yields this + Note, if readers care for it:— + </p> + <p> + "Ohlau River, an insignificant drab-colored stream, rises well south of + Breslau, about Strehlen; makes, at first, direct eastward towards the + Oder; and then, when almost close upon it, breaks off to north, and + saunters along, irregularly parallel to Oder, for twenty miles farther, + before it can fall fairly in. To this circumstance both Breslau and a Town + of Ohlau owe their existence; Towns, both of them, 'between the waters,' + and otherwise well seated; Ohlau sheltering itself in the attempted + outfall of its little river; Breslau clustering itself about the actual + outfall: both very defensible places in the old rude time, and good for + trade in all times. Both Oder and Ohlau Rivers have split and spread + themselves into islands and deltas a good deal, at their place of meeting; + and even have changed their courses, and cut out new channels for + themselves, in the sandy country; making a very intricate watery network + of a site for Breslau: and indeed the Ohlau River here, for centuries + back, has been compelled into wide meanderings, mere filling of + rampart-ditches, so that it issues quite obscurely, and in an artificial + engineered condition, at Breslau." + </p> + <p> + Ohlau had been expected to make some defence; General Browne having thrown + 300 men into it, and done what he could for the works. And Ohlau did at + first threaten to make some; but thought better of it overnight, and in + effect made none; but was got (morning of January 9th) on the common + terms, by merely marching up to it in minatory posture. "Prisoners of War, + if you make resistance; Free Withdrawal [Liberty to march away, arms + shouldered, and not serve against us for a year], if you have made none:" + this is the common course, where there are Austrian Soldiers at all; the + course where none are, and only a few Syndics sit, with their Town-Key + laid on the table, a prey to the stronger hand, we have already seen. + </p> + <p> + From Ohlau, proper Detachment, under General Kleist, is pushed forward to + summon Brieg; Jeetz from the other side of the river (whom we saw crossing + at Breslau the other day, interrupting his Majesty's dinner) is to + co-operate with Kleist in that enterprise,—were the Country once + cleared on his, Jeetz's, east side of Oder; especially were Namslau once + had, a small Town and Castle over there, which commands the Polish and + Hungarian road. Friedrich's hopes are buoyant; Schwerin is swiftly rolling + forward to rightward, nothing resisting him; Detachment is gone from + Schwerin, over the Hills, to Glatz (the GRAFSCHAFT, or County Glatz, an + Appendage to Schlesien), under excellent guidance; under guidance, namely, + of Colonel Camas, who has just come home from his Parisian Embassy, and + got launched among the wintry mountains, on a new operation,—which, + however, proves of non-effect for the present. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 678; Orlich, <i>Geschichte der beiden Schlesischen Kriege,</i> i. 49.] + </p> + <p> + Indeed, it is observable that southward of Breslau, the dispute, what + dispute there can be, properly begins; and that General Browne is there, + and shows himself a shining man in this difficult position. It must be + owned, no General could have made his small means go farther. Effective + garrisons, 1,600 each, put into Brieg and Neisse; works repaired, + magazines collected, there and elsewhere; the rest of his poor 7,000 + thriftily sprinkled about, in what good posts there are, and "capable of + being got together in six hours:" a superior soldier, this Browne, though + with a very bad task; and seems to have inspired everybody with something + of his own temper. So that there is marching, detaching, miscellaneous + difficulty for Friedrich in this quarter, more than had been expected. If + the fate of Brieg and Neisse be inevitable, Browne does wonders to delay + it. + </p> + <p> + Of the Prussian marches in these parts, recorded by intricate Dryasdust, + there was no point so notable to me as this unrecorded one: the Stone + Pillar which, I see, the Kleist Detachment was sure to find, just now, on + the march from Ohlau to Brieg; last portion of that march, between the + village of Briesen and Brieg. The Oder, flowing on your left hand, is + hereabouts agreeably clothed with woods: the country, originally a swamp, + has been drained, and given to the plough, in an agreeable manner; and + there is an excellent road paved with solid whinstone,—quarried in + Strehlen, twenty miles away, among the Hills to the right yonder, as you + may guess;—road very visible to the Prussian soldier, though he does + not ask where quarried. These beautiful improvements, beautiful + humanities,—were done by whom? "Done in 1584," say the records, by + "George the Pious;" Duke of Liegnitz, Brieg and Wohlau; 156 years ago. + "Pious" his contemporaries called this George;—he was son of the + ERBVERBRUDERUNG Duke, who is so important to us; he was grandfather's + grandfather of the last Duke of all; after whom it was we that should have + got these fine Territories; they should all have fallen to the Great + Elector, had not the Austrian strong hand provided otherwise. George did + these plantations, recoveries to the plough; made this perennial whinstone + road across the swamps; upon which, notable to the roughest Prussian + (being "twelve feet high by eight feet square"), rises a Hewn Mass with + this Inscription on it,—not of the name or date of George; but of a + thought of his, which is not without a pious beauty to me:—<i>Straverunt + alii nobis, nos Posteritati; Omnibus at Christus stravit ad asra viam.</i> + Others have made roads for us; we make them for still others: Christ made + a road to the stars for us all. [Zollner, <i>Briefe uber Schlesien,</i> i. + 175; Hubner, i. t. 101.] + </p> + <p> + I know not how many Brandenburgers of General Kleist's Detachment, or + whether any, read this Stone; but they do all rustle past it there, + claiming the Heritage of this Pious George; and their mute dim interview + with him, in this manner, is a thing slightly more memorable than orders + of the day, at this date. + </p> + <p> + It was on the 11th, two days after Ohlau, that General Kleist summoned + Brieg; and Brieg answered resolutely, No. There is a garrison of 1,600 + here, and a proper magazine: nothing for it but to "mask" Brieg too; + Kleist on this side the River, Jeetz on that,—had Jeetz once done + with Namslau, which he has not by any means. Namslau's answer was likewise + stiffly in the negative; and Jeetz cannot do Namslau, at least not the + Castle, all at once; having no siege-cannon. Seeing such stiffness + everywhere, Friedrich writes to Glogau, to the Young Dessauer, + "Siege-artillery hither! Swift, by the Oder; you don't need it where you + are!" and wishes it were arrived, for behoof of Neisse and these stiff + humors. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FRIEDRICH COMES ACROSS TO OTTMACHAU; SITS THERE, IN SURVEY OF NEISSE, TILL + HIS CANNON COME. + </h2> + <p> + The Prussians met with serious resistance, for the first time (9th + January, same day when Ohlau yielded), at a place called Ottmachau; a + considerable little Town and Castle on the Neisse River, not far west of + Neisse Town, almost at the very south of Silesia. It lay on the route of + Schwerin's Column; long distances ahead of Liegnitz,—say, by + straight highway a hundred miles;—during which, to right and to + left, there had been nothing but submission hitherto. No resistance was + expected here either, for there was not hope in any; only that Browne had + been here; industrious to create delay till Neisse were got fully ready. + He is, by every means, girding up the loins of Neisse for a tight defence; + has put 1,600 men into it, with proper stores for them, with a resolute + skilful Captain at the top of them: assiduous Browne had been at + Ottmachau, as the outpost of Neisse, a day or two before; and, they say, + had admonished them "Not to yield on any terms, for he would certainly + come to their relief." Which doubtless he would have done, had it been in + his power; but how, except by miracle, could it be? On the 9th of January, + when Schwerin comes up, Browne is again waiting hereabouts. Again in + defensive posture, but without force to undertake anything; stands on the + Southern Uplands, with Bohmen and Mahren and the Giant Mountains at his + back;—stands, so to speak, defensive at his own House-door, in this + manner; and will have, after SEEING Ottmachau's fate and Neisse's, to duck + in with a slam! At any rate, he had left these Towns in the above firm + humor, screwed to the sticking-place; and had then galloped else-whither + to screw and prepare. + </p> + <p> + And so the Ottmachau Austrians, "260 picked grenadiers" (400 dragoons + there also at first were, who, after flourishing about on the outskirts as + if for fighting, rode away), fire "DESPERAT," says my intricate friend; [<i>Helden-Geschichte</i>, + i. 672-677; Orlich, i. 50.] entirely refusing terms from Schwerin; kill + twelve of his people (Major de Rege, distinguished Engineer Major, one of + them): so that Schwerin has to bring petards upon them, four cannon upon + them; and burst in their Town Gate, almost their Castle Gate, and pretty + much their Castle itself;—wasting three days of his time upon this + paltry matter. Upon which they do signify a willingness for "Free + Withdrawal." "No, IHR HERREN" answers, Schwerin; "not now; after such mad + explosion. His Majesty will have to settle it." Majesty, who is by this + time not far off, comes over to Ottmachau (January 12th); gives words of + rebuke, rebuke not very inexorable; and admits them Prisoners of War. "The + officers were sent to Custrin, common men to Berlin;" the usual + arrangement in such case. Ottmachau Town belongs to the Right Reverend von + Sinzendorf, Bishop of Breslau, and Primate; whose especial Palace is in + Neisse; though he "commonly sends his refractory Priests to do their + penance in the Schloss at Ottmachau here,"—and, I should say, had + better himself make terms, and come out hitherward, under present aspects. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich continues at Ottmachau; head-quarters there thenceforth, till he + see Neisse settled. On the morrow, (13th) he learns that the Siege + Artillery is at Grotkau; well forward towards Neisse; halfway between + Brieg and it. Same day, Colonel Camas returns to him out of Glatz; five of + his men lost; and reports That Browne has had the roads torn up, that + Glatz is mere ice and obstruction, and that nothing can be made of it at + this season. Good news alternating with not so good. + </p> + <p> + The truth is, Friedrich has got no Strong Place in Schlesien; all + strengths make unexpected defence; paltry little Namslan itself cannot be + quite taken, Castle cannot, till Jeetz gets his siege-artillery,—which + does not come along so fast as that to Neisse does. Here is an Excerpt + from my Dryasdust, exact though abridged, concerning Jeetz:— + </p> + <p> + "JANUARY 24th, 1741. Prussians, masters of the Town for a couple of weeks + back, have got into the Church at Namslau, into the Cloister; are + preparing plank floors for batteries, cutting loop-holes; diligent as + possible,—siege-guns now at last just coming. The Castle fires + fiercely on them, makes furious sallies, steals six of our oxen,—makes + insolent gestures from the walls; at least one soldier does, this day. + 'Sir, may I give that fellow a shot?' asks the Prussian sentry. 'Do, + then,' answers his Major: 'too insolent that one!' And the sentry explodes + on him; brings him plunging down, head foremost (HERUNTER PURZELTE); the + too insolent mortal, silent enough thenceforth." [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 703.]—Jeetz did get his cannon, though not till now, this very + day I think; and then, in a couple of days more, Jeetz finished off + Namslau ("officers to Custrin, Common men to Berlin"); and thereupon + blockades the Eastern side of Brieg, joining hands with Kleist on the + Western: whereby Brieg, like Glogau, is completely masked,—till the + season mend. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, now that his artillery is come, expects no difficulty with + Neisse. A "paltry hamlet (BICOQUE)" he playfully calls it; and, except + this, Silesia is now his. Neisse got (which would be the desirable thing), + or put under "mask" as Glogau is, and as Brieg is being, Austria possesses + not an inch of land within these borders. Here are some Epistolary + snatches; still in the light style, not to say the flimsy and uplifted; + but worth giving, so transparent are they; off hand, like words we had + heard his Majesty SPEAK, in his high mood:— + </p> + <p> + KING TO M. JORDAN, AT BERLIN (two successive Letters). + </p> + <p> + 1. "OTTMACHAU, 14th JANUARY, 1741 [second day after our arrival there]. My + dear Monsieur Jordan, my sweet Monsieur Jordan, my quiet Monsieur Jordan, + my good, my benign, my pacific, my humanest Monsieur Jordan,—I + announce to Thy Serenity the conquest of Silesia; I warn thee of the + bombardment of Neisse [just getting ready], and I prepare thee for still + more important projects; and instruct thee of the happiest successes that + the womb of Fortune ever bore. + </p> + <p> + "This ought to suffice thee. Be my Cicero as to the justice of my cause, + and I will be thy Caesar as to the execution. Adieu: thou knowest whether + I am not, with the most cordial regard, thy faithful friend.—F." + </p> + <p> + 2. "OTTMACHAU, 17th JANUARY, 1741. I have the honor to inform your + Humanity that we are christianly preparing to bombard Neisse; and that if + the place will not surrender of good-will, needs must that it be beaten to + powder (NECESSITE SERA DE L'ABIMER). For the rest, our affairs go the best + in the world; and soon thou wilt hear nothing more of us. For in ten days + it will all be over; and I shall have the pleasure of seeing you and + hearing you, in about a fortnight. + </p> + <p> + "I have seen neither my Brother [August Wilhelm, not long ago at Strasburg + with us, and betrothed since then] nor Keyserling: I left them at Breslau, + not to expose them to the dangers of war. They perhaps will be a little + angry; but what can I do?—The rather as, on this occasion, one + cannot share in the glory, unless one is a mortar! + </p> + <p> + "Adieu, M. le Conseiller [Poor's-RATH, so styled]. Go and amuse yourself + with Horace, study Pausanias, and be gay over Anacreon. As to me, who for + amusement have nothing but merlons, fascines and gabions, [Merlons are + mounds of earth placed behind the solid or blind parts of the parapet + (that is, between the embrasures) of a Fortification; fascines are bundles + of brushwood for filling up a ditch; gabions, baskets filled with earth to + be ranged in defence till you get trenches dug.] I pray God to grant me + soon a pleasanter and peacefuler occupation, and you health, satisfaction + and whatever your heart desires.—F." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> + xvii. 84.] + </p> + <p> + KING FRIEDRICH TO M. LE COMTE ALGAROTTI (gone on a journey). + </p> + <p> + "OTTMACHAU, 17th JANUARY, 1741 [same day as the above to Jordan]. I have + begun to settle the Figure of Prussia: the outline will not be altogether + regular; for the whole of Silesia is taken, except one miserable hamlet + (BICOQUE), which perhaps I shall have to keep blockaded till next spring. + </p> + <p> + "Up to this time, the whole conquest has cost only Twenty Men, and Two + Officers, one of whom is the poor De Rege, whom you have seen at Berlin,"—De + Rege, Engineer Major, killed here at Ottmachau, in Schwerin's late tussle. + </p> + <p> + "You are greatly wanting to me here. So soon as you have talked that + business over, write to me about it. [What is the business? Whither is the + dusky Swan of Padua gone?] In all these three hundred miles I have found + no human creature comparable to the Swan of Padua. I would willingly give + ten cubic leagues of ground for a genius similar to yours. But I perceive + I was about entreating you to return fast, and join me again,—while + you are not yet arrived where your errand was. Make haste to arrive, then; + to execute your commission, and fly back to me. I wish you had a + Fortunatus Hat; it is the only thing defective in your outfit. + </p> + <p> + "Adieu, dear Swan of Padua: think, I pray you, sometimes of those who are + getting themselves cut in slices [ECHINER, chined] for the sake of glory + here, and above all do not forget your friends who think a thousand times + of you. + </p> + <p> + "FREDERIC." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xviii. 28.] + </p> + <p> + The object of the dear Swan's journey, or even the whereabouts of it, + cannot be discovered without difficulty; and is not much worth + discovering. "Gone to Turin," we at last make out, "with secret + commissions:" [Denina, <i>La Prusse Litteraire</i> (Berlin, 1790), i. 198. + A poor vague Book; only worth consulting in case of extremity.] desirable + to sound the Sardinian Majesty a little, who is Doorkeeper of the Alps, + between France and Austria, and opens to the best bidder? No great things + of a meaning in this mission, we can guess, or Algarotti had not gone upon + it,—though he is handy, at least, for keeping it unnoticed by the + Gazetteer species. Nor was the Swan successful, it would seem; the more + the pity for our Swan! However, he comes back safe; attends Friedrich in + Silesia; and in the course of next month readers will see him, if any + reader wished it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VI. — NEISSE IS BOMBARDED. + </h2> + <p> + Neisse, which Friedrich calls a paltry hamlet (BICOQUE) is a pleasant + strongly fortified Town, then of perhaps 6 or 8,000 inhabitants, now of + double that number; stands on the right or south bank of the Neisse,—at + this day, on both banks. Pleasant broad streets, high strong houses, + mostly of stone. Pleasantly encircled by green Hills, northward buttresses + of the Giant Mountains; itself standing low and level, on rich ground much + inclined to be swampy. A lesser river, Biele, or Bielau, coming from the + South, flows leisurely enough into the Neisse,—filling all the + Fortress ditches, by the road. Orchard-growth and meadow-growth are lordly + (HERRLICH); a land rich in fruit, and flowing with milk and honey. Much + given to weaving, brewing, stocking-making; and, moreover, trades greatly + in these articles, and above all in Wine. Yearly on St. Agnes Day, "21st + January, if not a Sunday," there is a Wine-fair here; Hungarian, of every + quality from Tokay downward, is gathered here for distribution into + Germany and all the Western Countries. While you drink your Tokay, know + that it comes through Neisse. St. Agnes Day falls but unhandily this year; + and I think the Fair will, as they say, AUSBLEIBEN, or not be held. + </p> + <p> + Neisse is a Nest of Priests (PFAFFEN-NEST), says Friedrich once; which + came in this way. About 600 years ago, an ill-conditioned Heir-Apparent of + the Liegnitz Sovereign to whom it then belonged, quarrelled with his + Father, quarrelled slightly with the Universe; and, after moping about for + some time, went into the Church. Having Neisse for an apanage already his + own, he gave it to the Bishop of Breslau; whose, in spite of the old + Father's protestings, it continued, and continues. Bishops of Breslau are + made very grand by it; Bishops of Breslau have had their own difficulties + here. Thus once (in our Perkin-Warbeck time, A.D. 1497), a Duke of Oppeln, + sitting in some Official Conclave or meeting of magnates here,—zealous + for country privilege, and feeling himself insufferably put upon,—started + up, openly defiant of Official men; glaring wrathfully into Duke Casimir + of Teschen (Bohemian-Austrian Captain of Silesia), and into the Bishop of + Breslau himself; nay at last, flashed out his sword upon those sublime + dignitaries. For which, by and by, he had to lay his head on the block, in + the great square here; and died penitent, we hope. + </p> + <p> + This place, my Dryasdust informs me, had many accidents by floodage and by + fire; was seized and re-seized in the Thirty-Years War especially, at a + great rate: Saxon Arnheim, Austrian Holk, Swedish Torstenson; no end to + the battering and burning poor Neisse had, to the big ransoms "in new + Reichs-thalers and 300 casks of wine." But it always rebuilt itself, and + began business again. How happy when it could get under some effectual + Protector, of the Liegnitz line, of the Austrian-Bohemian line, and this + or the other battering, just suffered, was to be the last for some time!—Here + again is a battering coming on it; the first of a series that are now + imminent. + </p> + <p> + The reader is requested to look at Neisse; for besides the Tokay wine, + there will things arrive there.—Neisse River, let us again mention, + is one of four bearing that name, and all belonging to the Oder:—could + not they be labelled, then, or NUMBERED, in some way? This Neisse, which + we could call Neisse the FIRST (and which careful readers may as well make + acquaintance with on their Map, where too they will find Neisse the + SECOND, "the WUTHENDE or Roaring Neisse," and two others which concern us + less), rises in the "Western Snow-Mountains (SCHNEEGEBIRGE)," Southwestern + or Glatz district of the Giant Mountains; drains Glatz County and grows + big there; washes the Town of Glatz; then eastward by Ottmachau, by Neisse + Town; whence turning rather abruptly north or northeast, it gets into the + Oder not far south of Brieg. + </p> + <p> + Neisse as a Place of Arms, the chief Fortress of Silesia and the nearest + to Austria, is extremely desirable for Friedrich; but there is no hope of + it without some kind of Siege; and Friedrich determines to try in that + way. From Ottmachau, accordingly, and from the other sides, the + Siege-Artillery being now at hand, due force gathers itself round Neisse, + Schwerin taking charge; and for above a week there is demonstrating and + posting, summoning and parleying; and then, for three days, with pauses + intervening, there is extremely furious bombardment, red-hot at times: + "Will you yield, then?"—with steady negative from Neisse. + Friedrich's quarter is at Ottmachau, twelve miles off; from which he can + ride over, to see and superintend. The fury of his bombardment, which + naturally grieved him, testifies the intensity of his wish. But it was to + no purpose. The Commandant, Colonel von Roth (the same who was proposed + for Breslau lately, a wise head and a stout, famed in defences) had + "poured water on his ramparts," after well repairing them,—made his + ramparts all ice and glass;—and done much else. Would the reader + care to look for a moment? Here, from our waste Paper-masses, is + abundance, requiring only to be abridged:— + </p> + <p> + "JANUARY, 1741: MONDAY, 9th-WEDNESDAY, 11th. Monday, 9th, day when that + sputter at Ottmachau began,—Prussian light-troops appeared + transiently on the heights about Neisse, for the first time. Directly on + sight of whom, Commandant Roth assembled the Burghers of the place; took a + new Oath of Fidelity from one and all; admonished them to do their utmost, + as they should see him do. The able-bodied and likeliest of them (say + about 400) he has had arranged into Militia Companies, with what drill + there could be in the interim; and since his coming, has employed every + moment in making ready. Wednesday, 11th, he locks all the Gates, and + stands strictly on his guard. The inhabitants are mostly Catholic; with + sumptuous Bishops of Breslau, with KREUZHERREN (imaginary Teutsch or other + Ritters with some reality of money), with Jesuit Dignitaries, Church and + Quasi-Church Officialities, resident among them: population, high and low, + is inclined by creed to the Queen of Hungary. Commandant Roth has only + 1,200 regular soldiers; at the outside 1,600 men under arms: but he has + gunpowder, he has meal; experience also and courage; and hopes these may + suffice him for a time. One of the most determined Commandants; expert in + the defence of strong places. A born Silesian (not Saxon, as some think),—and + is of the Augsburg Confession; but that circumstance is not important + here, though at Breslau Browne thought it was. + </p> + <p> + "THURSDAY, 12th. The Prussians, in regular force, appear on the Kaninchen + Berg (Cony Hill, so called from its rabbits), south of the River, + evidently taking post there. Roth fires a signal shot; the Southern + Suburbs of Neisse, as preappointed, go up in flame; crackle high and far; + in a lamentable manner (ERBARMLICH), through the grim winter air." This is + the day Friedrich came over to Ottmachau, and settled the sputter there. + </p> + <p> + "Next day, and next again, the same phenomena at Neisse; the Prussians + edging ever nearer, building their batteries, preparing to open their + cannonade. Whereupon Roth burns the remaining Suburbs, with lamentable + crackle; on all sides now are mere ashes. Bishop's Mill, Franciscan + Cloister, Bishop's Pleasure-garden, with its summer-houses; Bishop's + Hospital, and several Churches: Roth can spare none of these things, with + the Prussians nestling there. Surely the Bishop himself, respectable + Cardinal Graf von Sinzendorf, had better get out of these localities while + time yet is?" "Saturday, 14th," that was the day Friedrich, at Ottmachau, + wrote as above to Jordan (Letter No. 1), while the Neisse Suburbs crackled + lamentably, twelve miles off, "Schwerin gets order to break up, in person, + from Ottmachan to-morrow, and begin actual business on the Kaninchen Hill + yonder. + </p> + <p> + "SUNDAY, 15th. Schwerin does; marches across the River; takes post on the + south side of Neisse: notable to the Sunday rustics. Nothing but burnt + villages and black walls for Schwerin, in that Cony-Hill quarter, and all + round; and Roth salutes him with one twenty-four pounder, which did no + hurt. And so the cannonade begins, Sunday, 15th; and intermittently, on + both sides of the River, continues, always bursting out again at + intervals, till Wednesday; a mere preliminary cannonade on Schwerin's + part; making noise, doing little hurt: intended more to terrify, but + without effect that way on Roth or the Townsfolk. The poor Bishop did, on + the second day of it, come out, and make application to Schwerin; was + kindly conducted to his Majesty, who happened to be over there; was kept + to dinner; and easily had leave to retire to Freywalde, a Country-House he + has, in the safe distance. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 683.] There let + him be quiet, well out of these confused batterings and burnings of + property. + </p> + <p> + "His Majesty's Head-quarter is at Ottmachau, but in two hours he can be + here any day; and looks into everything; sorry that the cannonade does not + yet answer. And remnants of suburbs are still crackling into flame; high + Country-Houses of Kreuzherren, of Jesuits; a fanatic people seemingly all + set against us. 'If Neisse will not yield of good-will, needs is it must + be beaten to powder,' wrote his Majesty to Jordan in these circumstances, + as we read above. Roth is sorry to observe, the Prussians have still one + good Bishop's-mansion, in a place called the Karlau (Karl-Meadow), with + the Bishop's winter fuel all ready stacked there; but strives to take + order about the same. + </p> + <p> + "WEDNESDAY, 18th. This day two provocations happened. First, in the + morning by his Majesty's order, Colonel Borck (the same we saw at Herstal) + had gone with a Trumpeter towards Roth; intending to inform Roth how mild + the terms would be, how terrible the penalty of not accepting them. But + Roth or Roth's people singularly disregard Borck and his Parley Trumpet; + answer its blasts by musketry; fire upon it, nay again fire worse when it + advances a step farther; on these terms Borck and Trumpet had to return. + Which much angered his Majesty at Ottmachau that evening; as was natural. + Same evening, our fine quarters in the Karlau crackled up in flame, the + Bishop's winter firewood all along with it: this was provocation second. + Roth had taken order with the Karlau; and got a resolute Butcher to do the + feat, under pretext of bringing us beef. It is piercing cold; only + blackened walls for us now in the Karlau or elsewhere. His Majesty, + naturally much angered, orders for the morrow a dose of bomb-shells and + red-hot balls. Plant a few mortars on the North side too, orders his + Majesty. + </p> + <p> + "THURSDAY, 19th. Accordingly, by 8 of the clock, cannon batteries reawaken + with a mighty noise, and red-hot balls are noticeable; and at 10 the + actual bombarding bursts out, terrible to hear and see;—first shell + falling in Haubitz the Clothier's shop, but being happily got under. Roth + has his City Militia companies, organized with water-hose for quenching of + the red-hot balls: in which they became expert. So that though the fire + caught many houses, they always put it out. Late in the night, hearing no + word from Roth, the Prussians went to bed. + </p> + <p> + "FRIDAY, 20th. Still no word; on which, about 4 P.M., the Prussian + batteries awaken again: volcanic torrent of red-hot shot and shells, for + seven hours; still no word from Roth. About 11 at night his Majesty again + sends a Drum (Parley Trumpet or whatever it is) to the Gate; formally + summons Roth; asks him, 'If he has well considered what this can lead to? + Especially what he, Roth, meant by firing on our first Trumpet on + Wednesday last?' Roth answered, 'That as to the Trumpet, he had not heard + of it before. On the other hand, that this mode of sieging by red-hot + balls seems a little unusual; for the rest, that he has himself no order + or intention but that of resisting to the last.' Some say the Drum + hereupon by order talked of 'pounding Neisse into powder, mere + child's-play hitherto;' to which Roth answered only by respectful + dumb-show. + </p> + <p> + "SATURDAY, 21st-MONDAY, 23d. Midnight of Friday-Saturday, on this answer + coming, the fire-volcanoes open again;—nine hours long; shells, and + red-hot material, in terrible abundance. Which hit mostly the churches, + Jesuits' Seminariums and Collegiums; but produced no change in Roth. From + 9 A.M. the batteries are silent. Silent still, next morning: Divine + Service may proceed, if it like. But at 4 of the afternoon, the batteries + awaken worse than ever; from seven to nine bombs going at once. Universal + rage, of noise and horrid glare, making night hideous, till 10 of the + clock; Roth continuing inflexible. This is the last night of the Siege." + </p> + <p> + Friedrich perceived that Roth would not yield; that the utter + smashing-down of Neisse might more concern Friedrich than Roth;—that, + in fine, it would be better to desist till the weather altered. Next day, + "Monday, 23d, between noon and 1 o'clock," the Prussians drew back;—converted + the siege into a blockade. Neisse to be masked, like Brieg and Glogau + (Brieg only half done yet, Jeetz without cannon till to-morrow, 24th, and + little Namslau still gesticulating): "The only thing one could try upon it + was bombardment. A Nest of Priests (PFAFFEN-NEST); not many troops in it: + but it cannot well be forced at present. If spring were here, it will cost + a fortnight's work." [FRIEDRICH TO THE OLD DESSAUER: Fraction of Letter + (Ottmachau, 16th-21st January, 1741) cited by Orlich, i. 51;—from + the Dessau Archives, where Herr Orlich has industriously been. To all but + strictly military people these pieces of Letters are the valuable feature + of Orlich's Book; and a general reader laments that it does not all + consist of such, properly elucidated and labelled into accessibility.] + </p> + <p> + A noisy business; "King's high person much exposed: a bombardier and then + a sergeant were killed close by him, though in all he lost only five men." + [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 680-690.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BROWNE VANISHES IN A SLIGHT FLASH OF FIRE. + </h2> + <p> + Browne all this while has hung on the Mountain-side, witnessing these + things; sending stores towards Glatz southwestward, and "ruining the ways" + behind them; waiting what would become of Neisse. Neisse done, Schwerin is + upon him; Browne makes off Southeastward, across the Mountains, for + Moravia and home; Schwerin following hard. At a little place called Gratz, + [The name, in old Slavic speech, signifies TOWN; and there are many + GRATZES: KONIGINgratz (QUEEN'S, which for brevity is now generally called + KONIGSgratz, in Bohemia); Gratz in Styria; WINDISCHgratz (Wendish-town); + &c.] on the Moravian border, Browne faced round, tried to defend the + Bridge of the Oppa, sharply though without effect; and there came (January + 25th) a hot sputter between them for a few minutes:—after which + Browne vanished into the interior, and we hear, in these parts, + comparatively little more of him during this War. Friend and foe must + admit that he has neglected nothing; and fairly made the best of a bad + business here. He is but an interim General, too; his Successor just + coming; and the Vienna Board of War is frequently troublesome,—to + whose windy speculations Browne replies with sagacious scepticism, and + here and there a touch of veiled sarcasm, which was not likely to + conciliate in high places. Had her Hungarian Majesty been able to retain + Browne in his post, instead of poor Neipperg who was sent instead, there + might have been a considerably different account to give of the sequel. + But Neipperg was Tutor (War-Tutor) to the Grand-Duke; Browne is still of + young standing (age only thirty-five), with a touch of veiled sarcasm; and + things must go their course. + </p> + <p> + In Schlesien, Schwerin is now to command in chief; the King going off to + Berlin for a little, naturally with plenty of errand there. The Prussian + Troops go into Winter-quarters; spread themselves wide; beset the good + points, especially the Passes of the Hills,—from Jagerndorf, + eastward to the Jablunka leading towards Hungary;—nay they can, and + before long do, spread into the Moravian Territories, on the other side; + and levy contributions, the Queen proving unreasonable. + </p> + <p> + It was Monday, 23d, when the Siege of Neisse was abandoned: on Wednesday, + Friedrich himself turns homeward; looks into Schweidnitz, looks into + Liegnitz; and arrives at Berlin as the week ends,—much acclamation + greeting him from the multitude. Except those three masked Fortresses, + capable of no defence to speak of, were Winter over, Silesia is now all + Friedrich's,—has fallen wholly to him in the space of about Seven + Weeks. The seizure has been easy; but the retaining of it, perhaps he + himself begins to see more clearly, will have difficulties! From this + point, the talk about GLOIRE nearly ceases in his Correspondence. In those + seven weeks he has, with GLOIRE or otherwise, cut out for himself such a + life of labor as no man of his Century had. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VII. — AT VERSAILLES, THE MOST CHRISTIAN MAJESTY CHANGES HIS + SHIRT, AND BELLEISLE IS SEEN WITH PAPERS. + </h2> + <p> + While Friedrich was so busy in Silesia, the world was not asleep around + him; the world never is, though it often seems to be, round a man and what + action he does in it. That Sunday morning, First Day of the Year 1741, in + those same hours while Friedrich, with energy, with caution, was edging + himself into Breslau, there went on in the Court of Versailles an interior + Phenomenon; of which, having by chance got access to it face to face, we + propose to make the reader participant before going farther. + </p> + <p> + Readers are languidly aware that phenomena do go on round their Friedrich; + that their busy Friedrich, with his few Voltaires and renowned persons, + are not the only population of their Century, by any means. Everybody is + aware of that fact; yet, in practice, almost everybody is as good as not + aware; and the World all round one's Hero is a darkness, a dormant + vacancy. How strange when, as here, some Waste-paper spill (so to speak) + turns up, which you can KINDLE; and, by the brief flame of it, bid a + reader look with his own eyes!—From Herr Doctor Busching, who did + the GEOGRAPHY and about a Hundred other Books,—a man of great worth, + almost of genius, could he have elaborated his Hundred Books into Ten (or + distilled, into flasks of aqua-vitae, what otherwise lies tumbling as + tanks of mash and wort, now run very sour and mal-odorous);—it is + from Herr Busching that we gain the following rough Piece, illuminative if + one can kindle it:— + </p> + <p> + The Titular-Herr Baron Anton von Geusau, a gentleman of good parts, + scholastic by profession, and of Protestant creed, was accompanying as + Travelling Tutor, in those years, a young Graf von Reuss. Graf von Beuss + is one of those indistinct Counts Reuss, who always call themselves + "Henry;" and, being now at the eightieth and farther, with uncountable + collateral Henrys intertwisted, are become in effect anonymous, or of + nomenclature inscrutable to mankind. Nor is the young one otherwise of the + least interest to us;—except that Herr Anton, the Travelling Tutor, + punctually kept a Journal of everything. Which Journal, long afterwards, + came into the hands of Busching, also a punctual man; and was by him + abridged, and set forth in print in his <i>Beitrage.</i> Offering at + present a singular daguerrotype glimpse of the then actual world, wherever + Graf von Reuss and his Geusau happened to be. Nine-tenths of it, even in + Busching's Abridgment, are now fallen useless and wearisome; but to one + studying the days that then were, even the effete commonplace of it + occasionally becomes alive again. And how interesting to catch, here and + there, a Historical Figure on these conditions; Historical Figure's very + self, in his work-day attitude; eating his victuals; writing, receiving + letters, talking to his fellow-creatures; unaware that Posterity, + miraculously through some chink of the Travelling Tutor's producing, has + got its eye upon him. + </p> + <p> + "SUNDAY, 1st JANUARY, 1741, Geusau and his young Gentleman leave Paris, at + 5 in the morning, and drive out to Versailles; intending to see the + ceremonies of New-year's day there. Very wet weather it had been, all + Wednesday, and for days before; [See in <i>Barbier</i> (ii. 283 et seqq.) + what terrible Noah-like weather it had been; big houses, long in soak, + tumbling down at last into the Seine; CHASSE of St. Genevieve brought out + (two days ago), December 30th, to try it by miracle; &c. &c.] but + on this Sunday, New-year's morning, all is ice and glass; and they slid + about painfully by lamplight,—with unroughened horses, and on the + Hilly or Meudon road, having chosen that as fittest, the waters being out;—not + arriving at Court till 9. Nor finding very much to comfort them, except on + the side of curiosity, when there. Ushers, INTRODUCTEURS, Cabinet + Secretaries, were indeed assiduous to oblige; and the King's Levee will + be: but if you follow it, to the Chapel Royal to witness high mass, you + must kneel at elevation of the host; and this, as reformed Christians, + Reuss and his Tutor cannot undertake to do. They accept a dinner + invitation (12 the hour) from some good Samaritan of Quality; and, for + sights, will content themselves with the King's Levee itself, and + generally with what the King's Antechamber and the OEil-de-Boeuf can + exhibit to them. The Most Christian King's Levee [LEVER, literally here + his Getting out of Bed] is a daily miracle of these localities, only + grander on New-year's day; and it is to the following effect:— + </p> + <p> + "Till Majesty please to awaken, you saunter in the Salle des Ambassadeurs; + whole crowds jostling one another there; gossiping together in a diligent, + insipid manner;" gossip all reported; snatches of which have acquired a + certain flavor by long keeping;—which the reader shall imagine. + "Meanwhile you keep your eye on the Grate of the Inner Court, which as yet + is only ajar, Majesty inaccessible as yet. Behold, at last, Grate opens + itself wide; sign that Majesty is out of bed; that the privileged of + mankind may approach, and see the miracles." Geusau continues, abridged by + Busching and us:— + </p> + <p> + "The whole Assemblage passed now into the King's Anteroom; had to wait + there about half an hour more, before the King's bedroom was opened. But + then at last, lo you,—there is the King, visible to Geusau and + everybody, washing his hands. Which effected itself in this way: 'The King + was seated; a gentleman-in-waiting knelt, before him, and held the Ewer, a + square vessel silver-gilt, firm upon the King's breast; and another + gentleman-in-waiting poured water on the King's hands.' Merely an official + washing, we perceive; the real, it is to be hoped, had, in a much more + effectual way, been going on during the half-hour just elapsed. After + washing, the King rose for an instant; had his dressing-gown, a grand + yellow silky article with silver flowerings, pulled off, and flung round + his loins; upon which he sat down again, and,"—observe it, ye + privileged of mankind,—"the Change of Shirt took place! 'They put + the clean shirt down over his head,' says Anton, 'and plucked up the dirty + one from within, so that of the naked skin you saw little or nothing.'" + Here is a miracle worth getting out of bed to look at! + </p> + <p> + "His Majesty now quitted chair and dressing-gown; stood up before the + fire; and, after getting on the rest of his clothing, which, on account of + Czarina Anne's death [readers remember that], was of violet or mourning + color, he had the powder-mantle thrown round him, and sat down at the + Toilette to have his hair frizzled. The Toilette, a table with white cover + shoved into the middle of the room, had on it a mirror, a powder-knife, + and"—no mortal cares what. "The King," what all mortals note, as + they do the heavenly omens, "is somewhat talky; speaks sometimes with the + Dutch Ambassador, sometimes with the Pope's Nuncio, who seems a jocose + kind of gentleman; sometimes with different French Lords, and at last with + the Cardinal Fleury also,—to whom, however, he does not look + particularly gracious,"—not particularly this time. These are the + omens; happy who can read them!—Majesty then did his morning-prayer, + assisted only by the common Almoners-in-waiting (Cardinal took no hand, + much less any other); Majesty knelt before his bed, and finished the + business 'in less than six seconds.' After which mankind can ebb out to + the Anteroom again; pay their devoir to the Queen's Majesty, which all do; + or wait for the Transit to Morning Chapel, and see Mesdames of France and + the others flitting past in their sedans. + </p> + <p> + "Queen's Majesty was already altogether dressed," says Geusau, almost as + if with some disappointment; "all in black; a most affable courteous + Majesty; stands conversing with the Russian Ambassador, with the Dutch + ditto, with the Ladies about her, and at last, 'in a friendly and merry + tone,' with old Cardinal Fleury. Her Ladies, when the Queen spoke with + them, showed no constraint at all; leant loosely with their arms on the + fire-screens, and took things easy. Mesdames of France"—Geusau saw + Mesdames. Poor little souls, they are the LOQUE, the COCHON (Rag, Pig, so + Papa would call them, dear Papa), who become tragically visible again in + the Revolution time:—all blooming young children as yet (Queen's + Majesty some thirty-seven gone), and little dreaming what lies fifty years + ahead! King Louis's career of extraneous gallantries, which ended in the + Parc-aux-Cerfs, is now just beginning: think of that too; and of her + Majesty's fine behavior under it; so affable, so patient, silent, now and + always!—"In a little while, their Majesties go along the Great + Gallery to Chapel;" whither the Protestant mind cannot with comfort + accompany. [Busching, <i>Beitrage,</i> ii. 59-78.] + </p> + <p> + This is the daily miracle done at Versailles to the believing multitude; + only that on New-year's day, and certain supreme occasions, the shirt is + handed by a Prince of the Blood, and the towel for drying the royal hands + by a ditto, with other improvements; and the thing comes out in its + highest power of effulgence,—especially if you could see high mass + withal. In the Antechamber and (OEil-de-Boeuf, Geusau), among hundreds of + phenomena fallen dead to us, saw the Four following, which have still some + life:—1. Many Knights of the Holy Ghost (CHEVALIERS DU SAINT ESPRIT) + are about; magnificently piebald people, indistinct to us, and fallen dead + to us: but there, among the company, do not we indisputably see, "in full + Cardinal's costume," Fleury the ancient Prime Minister talking to her + Majesty? Blandly smiling; soft as milk, yet with a flavor of alcoholic wit + in him here and there. That is a man worth looking at, had they painted + him at all. Red hat, red stockings; a serenely definite old gentleman, + with something of prudent wisdom, and a touch of imperceptible jocosity at + times; mildly inexpugnable in manner: this King, whose Tutor he was twenty + years ago, still looks to him as his father; Fleury is the real King of + France at present. His age is eighty-seven gone; the King's is thirty + (seven years younger than his Queen): and the Cardinal has red stockings + and red hat; veritably there, successively in both Antechambers, seen by + Geusau, January 1st, 1741: that is all I know. 2. The Prince de Clermont, + a Prince of the Blood, "handed the shirt," TESTE Geusau. Some other + Prince, notable to Geusau, and to us nameless, had the honor of the + "towel:" but this Prince de Clermont, a dissolute fellow of wasted parts, + kind of Priest, kind of Soldier too, is seen visibly handing the shirt + there;—whom the reader and I, if we cared about it, shall again see, + getting beaten by Prince Ferdinand, at Crefeld, within twenty years hence. + These are points first and second, slightly noticeable, slightly if at + all. + </p> + <p> + Of the actual transit to high mass, transit very visible in the Great + Gallery or OEil-de-Boeuf, why should a human being now say anything? + Queen, poor Stanislaus's Daughter, and her Ladies, in their sublime + sedans, one flood of jewels, sail first; next sails King Louis, shirt warm + on his back, with "thirty-four Chevaliers of the Holy Ghost" escorting; + next "the Dauphin" (Boy of eleven, Louis XVI.'s. Father), and "Mesdames of + France, with"—but even Geusau stops short. Protestants cannot enter + that Chapel, without peril of idolatry; wherefore Geusau and Pupil kept + strolling in the general (OEil-de-Boeuf),—and "the Dutch Ambassador + approved of it," he for one. And here now is another point, slightly + noticeable:—3. High mass over, his Majesty sails back from Chapel, + in the same magnificently piebald manner; and vanishes into the interior; + leaving his Knights of the Holy Ghost, and other Courtier multitude, to + simmer about, and ebb away as they found good. Geusau and his young Reuss + had now the honor of being introduced to various people; among others "to + the Prince de Soubise." Prince de Soubise: frivolous, insignificant being; + of whom I have no portrait that is not nearly blank, and content to be so;—though + Herr von Geusau would have one, with features and costume to it, when he + heard of the Beating at Rossbach, long after! Prince de Soubise is pretty + much a blank to everybody:—and no sooner are we loose of him, than + (what every reader will do well to note) 4. Our Herren Travellers are + introduced to a real Notability: Monseigneur, soon to be Marechal, the + Comte de Belleisle; whom my readers and I are to be much concerned with, + in time coming. "A tall lean man (LANGER HAGERER MANN), without much air + of quality," thinks Geusau; but with much swift intellect and energy, and + a distinguished character, whatever Geusau might think. "Comte de + Belleisle was very civil; but apologized, in a courtly and kind way, for + the hurry he was in; regretting the impossibility of doing the honors to + the Comte de Reuss in this Country,—his, Belleisle's, Journey into + Germany, which was close at hand, overwhelming him with occupations and + engagements at present. And indeed, even while he spoke to us," says + Geusau, "all manner of Papers were put into his hand." [Busching, ii. 79; + see Barbier, ii. 282, 287.] + </p> + <p> + "Journey to Germany, Papers put into his hand:" there is perhaps no Human + Figure in the world, this Sunday (except the one Figure now in those same + moments over at Breslau, gently pressing upon the locked Gates there), who + is so momentous for our Silesian Operations; and indeed he will kindle all + Europe into delirium; and produce mere thunder and lightning, for seven + years to come,—with almost no result in it, except Silesia! A tall + lean man; there stands he, age now fifty-six, just about setting out on + such errand. Whom one is thankful to have seen for a moment, even in that + slight manner. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + OF BELLEISLE AND HIS PLANS. + </h2> + <p> + Charles Louis Auguste Fouquet, Comte de Belleisle, is Grandson of that + Intendant Fouquet, sumptuous Financier, whom Louis XIV. at last threw out, + and locked into the Fortress of Pignerol, amid the Savoy Alps, there to + meditate for life, which lasted thirty years longer. It was never + understood that the sumptuous Fouquet had altogether stolen public moneys, + nor indeed rightly what he had done to merit Pignerol; and always, though + fallen somehow into such dire disfavor, he was pitied and respected by a + good portion of the public. "Has angered Colbert," said the public; + "dangerous rivalry to Colbert; that is what has brought Pignerol upon + him." Out of Pignerol that Fouquet never came; but his Family bloomed up + into light again; had its adventures, sometimes its troubles, in the + Regency time, but was always in a rising way:—and here, in this tall + lean man getting papers put into his hand, it has risen very high indeed. + Going as Ambassador Extraordinary to the Germanic Diet, "to assist good + neighbors, as a neighbor and Most Christian Majesty should, in choosing + their new Kaiser to the best advantage:" that is the official color his + mission is to have. Surely a proud mission;—and Belleisle intends to + execute it in a way that will surprise the Germanic Diet and mankind. + Privately, Belleisle intends that he, by his own industries, shall himself + choose the right Kaiser, such Kaiser as will suit the Most Christian + Majesty and him; he intends to make a new French thing of Germany in + general; and carries in his head plans of an amazing nature! He and a + Brother he has, called the Chevalier de Belleisle, who is also a + distinguished man, and seconds M. le Comte with eloquent fire and zeal in + all things, are grandsons of that old Fouquet, and the most shining men in + France at present. France little dreams how much better it perhaps were, + had they also been kept safe in Pignerol!— + </p> + <p> + The Count, lean and growing old, is not healthy; is ever and anon + tormented, and laid up for weeks, with rheumatisms, gouts and ailments: + but otherwise he is still a swift ardent elastic spirit; with grand + schemes, with fiery notions and convictions, which captivate and hurry off + men's minds more than eloquence could, so intensely true are they to the + Count himself;—and then his Brother the Chevalier is always there to + put them into the due language and logic, where needed. [Voltaire, xxviii. + 74; xxix. 392; &c.] A magnanimous high-flown spirit; thought to be of + supreme skill both in War and in Diplomacy; fit for many things; and is + still full of ambition to distinguish himself, and tell the world at all + moments, "ME VOILA; World, I too am here!"—His plans, just now, + which are dim even to himself, except on the hither skirt of them, stretch + out immeasurable, and lie piled up high as the skies. The hither skirt of + them, which will suffice the reader at present, is:— + </p> + <p> + That your Grand-Duke Franz, Maria Theresa's Husband, shall in no wise, as + the world and Duke Franz expect, be the Kaiser chosen. Not he, but another + who will suit France better: "Kur-Sachsen perhaps, the so-called King of + Poland? Or say it were Karl Albert Kur-Baiern, the hereditary friend and + dependent of France? We are not tied to a man: only, at any and at all + rates, not Grand-Duke Franz." This is the grand, essential and + indispensable point, alpha and omega of points; very clear this one to + Belleisle,—and towards this the first steps, if as yet only the + first, are also clear to him. Namely that "the 27th of February next",—which + is the time set by Kur-Mainz and the native Officials for the actual + meeting of their Reichstag to begin Election Business, will be too early a + time; and must be got postponed. [Adelung, ii. 185 ("27th February-1st + March, 1741, at Frankfurt-on-Mayn," appointed by Kur-Mainz + "Arch-Chancellor of the REICH," under date November 3d, 1740);—ib. + 236 ("Delay for a month or two," suggests Kur-Pfalz, on January 12th, + seconded by others in the French interest);—upon which the + appointment, after some arguing, collapsed into the vague, and there + ensued delay enough; actual Election not till January 24th, 1742.] + Postponed; which will be possible, perhaps for long; one knows not for how + long: that is a first step definitely clear to Belleisle. Towards which, + as preliminary to it and to all the others in a dimmer state, there is a + second thing clear, and has even been officially settled (all but the + day): That, in the mean while, and surely the sooner the better, he, + Belleisle, Most Christian Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary to the + Reichstag coming,—do, in his most dazzling and persuasive manner, + make a Tour among German Courts. Let us visit, in our highest and yet in + our softest splendor, the accessible German Courts, especially the likely + or well-disposed: Mainz, Koln, Trier, these, the three called Spiritual, + lie on our very route; then Pfalz, Baiern, Sachsen:—we will tour + diligently up and down; try whether, by optic machinery and art-magic of + the mind, one cannot bring them round. + </p> + <p> + In all these preliminary steps and points, and even in that alpha and + omega of excluding Grand-Duke Franz, and getting a Kaiser of his own, + Belleisle succeeded. With painful results to himself and to millions of + his fellow-creatures, to readers of this History, among others. And became + in consequence the most famous of mankind; and filled the whole world with + rumor of Belleisle, in those years.—A man of such intrinsic + distinction as Belleisle, whom Friedrich afterwards deliberately called a + great Captain, and the only Frenchman with a genius for war; and who, for + some time, played in Europe at large a part like that of Warwick the + Kingmaker: how has he fallen into such oblivion? Many of my readers never + heard of him before; nor, in writing or otherwise, is there symptom that + any living memory now harbors him, or has the least approach to an image + of him! "For the times are babbly," says Goethe," And then again the times + are dumb:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Denn geschwatzig sind die Zeiten, + Und sie sind auch wieder stumm." +</pre> + <p> + Alas, if a man sow only chaff, in never so sublime a manner, with the + whole Earth and the long-eared populations looking on, and chorally + singing approval, rendering night hideous,—it will avail him + nothing. And that, to a lamentable extent, was Belleisle's case. His + scheme of action was in most felicitously just accordance with the + national sense of France, but by no means so with the Laws of Nature and + of Fact; his aim, grandiose, patriotic, what you will, was unluckily false + and not true. How could "the times" continue talking of him? They found + they had already talked too much. Not to say that the French Revolution + has since come; and has blown all that into the air, miles aloft,—where + even the solid part of it, which must be recovered one day, much more the + gaseous, which we trust is forever irrecoverable, now wanders and whirls; + and many things are abolished, for the present, of more value than + Belleisle!— + </p> + <p> + For my own share, being, as it were, forced accidentally to look at him + again, I find in Belleisle a really notable man; far superior to the + vulgar of noted men, in his time or ours. Sad destiny for such a man! But + when the general Life-element becomes so unspeakably phantasmal as under + Louis XV., it is difficult for any man to be real; to be other than a + play-actor, more or less eminent, and artistically dressed. Sad enough, + surely, when the truth of your relation to the Universe, and the + tragically earnest meaning of your Life, is quite lied out of you, by a + world sunk in lies; and you can, with effort, attain to nothing but to be + a more or less splendid lie along with it! Your very existence all become + a vesture, a hypocrisy, and hearsay; nothing left of you but this sad + faculty of sowing chaff in the fashionable manner! After Friedrich and + Voltaire, in both of whom, under the given circumstances, one finds a + perennial reality, more or less,—Belleisle is next; none FAILS to + escape the mournful common lot by a nearer miss than Belleisle. + </p> + <p> + Beyond doubt, there are in this man the biggest projects any French head + has carried, since Louis XIV. with his sublime periwig first took to + striking the stars. How the indolent Louis XV. and the pacific Fleury have + been got into this sublimely adventurous mood? By Belleisle chiefly, men + say;—and by King Louis's first Mistresses, blown upon by Belleisle; + poor Louis having now, at length, left his poor Queen to her reflections, + and taken into that sad line, in which by degrees he carried it so far. + There are three of them, it seems;—the first female souls that could + ever manage to kindle, into flame or into smoke: in this or any other + kind, that poor torpid male soul: those Mailly Sisters, three in number (I + am shocked to hear), successive, nay in part simultaneous! They are proud + women, especially the two younger; with ambition in them, with a bravura + magnanimity, of the theatrical or operatic kind; of whom Louis is very + fond. "To raise France to its place, your Majesty; the top of the + Universe, namely!" "Well; if it could be done,—and quite without + trouble?" thinks Louis. Bravura magnanimity, blown upon by Belleisle, + prevails among these high Improper Females, and generally in the Younger + Circles of the Court; so that poor old Fleury has had no choice but to + obey it or retire. And so Belleisle stalks across the OEil-de-Boeuf in + that important manner, visibly to Geusau; and is the shining object in + Paris, and much the topic there at present. + </p> + <p> + A few weeks hence, he is farther—a little out of the common turn, + but not beyond his military merits or capabilities—made Marechal de + France; [<i>Fastes de Louis XV.,</i> i. 356 (12th February, 1741).] by way + of giving him a new splendor in the German Political World, and assisting + in his operations there, which depend much upon the laws of vision. French + epigrams circulate in consequence, and there are witty criticisms; to + which Belleisle, such a dusky world of Possibility lying ahead, is grandly + indifferent. Marechal de France;—and Geusau hears (what is a fact) + that there are to be "thirty young French Lords in his suite;" his very + "Livery," or mere plush retinue, "to consist of 110 persons;" such an + outfit for magnificence as was never seen before. And in this equipment, + "early in March" (exact day not given), magnificence of outside + corresponding to grandiosity of faculty and idea, Belleisle, we shall + find, does practically set off towards Germany;—like a kind of + French Belus, or God of the Sun; capable to dazzle weak German Courts, by + optical machinery, and to set much rotten thatch on fire!— + </p> + <p> + "There are curious daguerrotype glimpses of old Paris to be found in that + Notebook of Geusau's", says another Excerpt; "which come strangely home to + us, like reality at first-hand;—and a rather unexpected Paris it is, + to most readers; many things then alive there, which are now deep + underground. Much Jansenist Theology afloat; grand French Ladies piously + eager to convert a young Protestant Nobleman like Reuss; sublime Dorcases, + who do not rouge, or dress high, but eschew the evil world, and are + thrifty for the Poor's sake, redeeming the time. There is a Cardinal de + Polignac, venerable sage and ex-political person, of astonishing + erudition, collector of Antiques (with whom we dined); there is the + Chevalier Ramsay, theological Scotch Jacobite, late Tutor of the young + Turenne. So many shining persons, now fallen indistinct again. And then, + besides gossip, which is of mild quality and in fair proportion,—what + talk, casuistic and other, about the Moral Duties, the still feasible + Pieties, the Constitution Unigenitus! All this alive, resonant at + dinner-tables of Conservative stamp; the Miracles of Abbe Paris much a + topic there:—and not a whisper of Infidel Philosophies; the very + name of Voltaire not once mentioned in the Reuss section of Parisian + things. + </p> + <p> + "There is rumor now and then of a 'Comte de Rothenbourg,' conspicuous in + the Parisian circles; a shining military man, but seemingly in want of + employment; who has lost in gambling, within the last four years, upwards + of 50,000 pounds (1,300,000 livres, the exact cipher given). This is the + Graf von Rothenburg whom Friedrich made acquaintance with, in the Rhine + Campaign six years ago, and has ever since had in his eye;—whom, in + a few weeks hence, Friedrich beckons over to him into the Prussian States: + 'Hither, and you shall have work!' Which Rothenburg accepts; with manifold + advantage to both parties:—one of Friedrich's most distinguished + friends for the rest of his life. + </p> + <p> + "Of Cardinal Polignac there is much said, and several dinners with him are + transacted, dialogue partly given: a pious wise old gentleman really, in + his kind (age now eighty-four); looking mildly forth upon a world just + about to overset itself and go topsy-turvy, as he sees it will. His + ANTI-LUCRETIUS was once such a Poem!—but we mention him here because + his fine Cabinet of Antiques came to Berlin on his death, Friedrich + purchasing; and one often hears of it (if one cared to hear) from the + Prussian Dryasdust in subsequent years. [Came to Charlottenburg, August, + 1742 (old Polignac had died November last, ten months after those Geusau + times): cost of the Polignac Cabinet was 40,000 thalers (6,000 pounds) say + some, 90,000 livres (under 4,000 pounds) say others; cheap at either + price;—and, by chance, came opportunely, "a fire having just burnt + down the Academy Edifice," and destroyed much ware of that kind. + Rodenbeck, i. 73; Seyfarth (Anonymous), <i>Geschichte Friedrichs des + Andern,</i> i. 236.] + </p> + <p> + "Of Friedrich's unexpected Invasion of Silesia there are also talkings and + surmisings, but in a mild indifferent tone, and much in the vague. And in + the best-informed circles it is thought Belleisle will manage to HAVE + Grand-Duke Franz, the Queen of Hungary's Husband, chosen Kaiser, and, in + some mild good way, put an end to all that;"—which is far indeed + from Belleisle's intention! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter VIII. — PHENOMENA IN PETERSBURG. + </h2> + <p> + I know not whether Major Winterfeld, who was sent to Petersburg in + December last, had got back to Berlin in February, now while Friedrich is + there: but for certain the good news of him had, That he had been + completely successful, and was coming speedily, to resume his soldier + duties in right time. As Winterfeld is an important man (nearly buried + into darkness in the dull Prussian Books), let us pause for a moment on + this Negotiation of his;—and on the mad Russian vicissitudes which + preceded and followed, so far as they concern us. Russia, a big + demi-savage neighbor next door, with such caprices, such humors and + interests, is always an important, rather delicate object to Friedrich; + and Fortune's mad wheel is plunging and canting in a strange headlong way + there, of late. Czarina Anne, we know, is dead; the Autocrat of All the + Russias following the Kaiser of the Romans within eight days. Iwan, her + little Nephew, still in swaddling-clothes, is now Autocrat of All the + Russias if he knew it, poor little red-colored creature; and Anton Ulrich + and his Mecklenburg Russian Princess—But let us take up the matter + where our Notebooks left it, in Friedrich Wilhelm's time:— + </p> + <p> + "Czarina Anne with the big cheek," continues that Notebook, [Supra, p. + 129.] "was extremely delighted to see little Iwan; but enjoyed him only + two months; being herself in dying circumstances. She appointed little + Iwan her Successor, his Mother and Father to be Guardians over him; but + one Bieren (who writes himself Biron, and "Duke of Courland,' being + Czarina's Quasi-Husband these many years) to be Guardian, as it were, over + both them and him. Such had been the truculent insatiable Bieren's demand + on his Czarina. 'You are running on your destruction,' said she, with + tears; but complied, as she had been wont. + </p> + <p> + "Czarina Anne died 28th October, 1740; leaving a Czar in his cradle; + little Czar Ivan of two months, with Mother and Father to preside over + him, and to be themselves presided over by Bieren, in this manner. + [Mannstein, pp. 264-267 (28th October, by Russian or Old Style, is "17th;" + we TRANSLATE, in this and other cases, Russian or English, into New Style, + unless the contrary is indicated)]. This was the first great change for + Anton Ulrich; but others greater are coming. Little Anton, readers know, + is Friedrich's Brother-in-law, much patronized by Austria; Anton's spouse + is the Half-Russian Princess Catherine of Mecklenburg (now wholly Russian, + and called Princess Anne), whom Friedrich at one time thought of applying + for, in his distress about a Wife. These two, will they side with Prussia, + will they side with Austria? It was hardly worth inquiry, had not + Fortune's wheel made suddenly a great cant, and pitched them to the top, + for the time being. + </p> + <p> + "Bieren lasted only twenty days. He was very high and arbitrary upon + everybody; Anne and Anton Ulrich suffering naturally most from him. They + took counsel with Feldmarschall Munnich on the matter; who, after study, + declared it a remediable case. Friday, 18th November, Munnich had, by + invitation, to dine with Duke Bieren; Munnich went accordingly that day, + and dined; Duke looking a little flurried, they say: and the same evening, + dinner being quite over, and midnight come, Munnich had his measures all + taken, soldiers ready, warrant in hand;—and arrested Bieren in his + bed; mere Siberia, before sunrise, looming upon Bieren. Never was such a + change as this from 18th day to 19th with a supreme Bieren. Our friend + Mannstein, excellent punctual Aide-de-Camp of Munnich, was the executor of + the feat; and has left punctual record of it, as he does of everything,—-what + Bieren said, and what Madam Bieren, who was a little obstreperous on the + occasion. [Mannstein, p. 268.] What side Anton Ulrich and Spouse will take + in a quarrel between Prussia and Austria, is now well worth asking. + </p> + <p> + "Anton Ulrich and Wife Anne, that is to say, 'Regent Anne' and + 'Generalissimo Anton Ulrich,' now ruled, with Munnich for right-hand man; + and these were high times for Anton Ulrich, Generalissimo and + Czar's-Father; who indeed was modest, and did not often interfere in + words, though grieved at the foolish ways his Wife had. An indolent flabby + kind of creature, she, unfit for an Autocrat; sat in her private + apartments, all in a huddle of undress; had foolish notions,—especially + had soubrettes who led her about by the ear. And then there was a + 'Princess Elizabeth,' Cousin-german of Regent Anne,—daughter, that + is to say, last child there now was, of Peter the Great and his little + brown Catherine:—who should have been better seen to. Harmless + foolish Princess, not without cunning; young, plump, and following merely + her flirtations and her orthodox devotions; very orthodox and soft, but + capable of becoming dangerous, as a centre of the disaffected. As 'Czarina + Elizabeth' before long, and ultimately as 'INFAME CATIN DU NORD, she—" + But let us not anticipate! + </p> + <p> + It was in this posture of affairs, about a month after it had begun, that + Winterfeld arrived in Petersburg; and addressed himself to Munnich, on the + Prussian errand. Winterfeld was Munnich's Son-in-law (properly + stepson-in-law, having married Munnich's stepdaughter, a Fraulein von + Malzahn, of good Prussian kin); was acquainted with the latitudes and + longitudes here, and well equipped for the operation in hand. To Madam + Munnich, once Madam Malzahn, his Mother-in-law, he carried a diamond ring + of 1,200 pounds, "small testimony of his Prussian Majesty's regard to so + high a Prussian Lady;" to Munnich's Son and Madam's a present of 3,000 + pounds on the like score: and the wheels being oiled in this way, and the + steam so strong (son Winterfeld an ardent man, father Munnich the like, + supreme in Russia, and the thing itself a salutary thing), the diplomatic + speed obtained was great. Winterfeld had arrived in Petersburg December + 19th: Treaty of Alliance to the effect, "Firm friends and good neighbors, + we Two, Majesties of Prussia and of All the Russias; will help each the + other, if attacked, with 12,000 men,"—was signed on the 27th: whole + Transaction, so important to Friedrich, complete in eight days. Austrian + Botta, directly on the heel of those unsatisfactory Dialogues about + Silesian roads, about troops that were pretty, but had never looked the + wolf in the face,—had rushed off, full speed, for Petersburg, in + hopes of running athwart such a Treaty as Winterfeld's, and getting one + for Austria instead. But he arrived too late; and perhaps could have done + nothing had he been in time. Botta tried his utmost for years afterwards, + above ground and below, to obstruct and reverse this thing; but it was to + no purpose, and even to less; and only, in result, brought Botta himself + into flagrant diplomatic trouble and scandal; which made noise enough in + the then Gazetteer world, and was the finale of Botta's Russian efforts, + [Adelung, iii. ii. 289; Mannstein, p. 375 ("Lapuschin Plot," of Botta's + raising, found out "August, 1743;"—Botta put in arrest, &c.).] + though not worth mentioning now. + </p> + <p> + The Russian Notebook continues:— + </p> + <p> + "Munnich, supreme in Russia since Bieren's removal, had wise counsels for + the Regent Anne and her Husband; though perhaps, being a high old military + gentleman, he might be somewhat abrupt in his ways. And there were + domestic Ostermanns, foreign Bottas, La Chetardies, and dangerous + Intriguers and Opposition figures, to improve any grudge that might arise. + Sure enough, in March, 1741, Feldmarschall Munnich was forbid the Court + (some Ostermann succeeding him there): 'Ever true to your Two Highnesses, + though no longer needed;'—and withdrew, in a lofty friendly strain; + his Son continuing at Court, though Papa had withdrawn. Supreme Munnich + had lasted about four months; Supreme Bieren hardly three weeks;—and + Siberia is still agape. + </p> + <p> + "Munnich being gone to his own Town-Mansion, and Regent Anne sitting in + hers in a huddle of undress; little accessible to her long-headed + melancholic Ostermann, and too accessible to her Livonian maid: with poor + little Anton Ulrich pouting and remonstrating, but unable to help,—this + state of matters, with such intrigues undermining it, could not last + forever. And had not Princess Elizabeth been of indolent luxurious nature, + intent upon her prayers and flirtations, it would have ended sooner even + than it did. Princess Elizabeth had a Surgeon called L'Estoc; a Marquis de + la Chetardie, a high-flown French Excellency (who used to be at Berlin, to + our young Friedrich's delight), was her—What shall I say? La + Chetardie himself had no scruple to say it! These two plotted for her; + these were ready,—could she have been got ready; which was not so + easy. Regent Anne had her suspicions; but the Princess was so indolent, so + good: at last, when directly taxed with such a thing, the Princess burst + into ingenuous weeping; quite disarmed Regent Anne's suspicions;—but + found she had now better take L'Estoc's advice, and proceed at once. Which + she did. + </p> + <p> + "And so, on the morrow morning, 5th December, 1741, by aid of the + Preobrazinsky Regiment, and the motions usual on such occasions,—in + fact by merely pulling out the props from an undermined state of matters,—she + reduced said state gently to ruin, ready for carting to Siberia, like its + foregoers; and was hereby Czarina of All the Russias, prosperously enough + for the rest of her life. Twenty years or rather more. An indolent, + orthodox, plump creature, disinclined to cruelty; 'not an ounce of nun's + flesh in her composition,' said the wits. She maintained the Friedrich + Treaty, indignant at Botta and his plots; was well with Friedrich, or + might have been kept so by management, for there was no cause of quarrel, + but the reverse, between the Countries,—could Friedrich have held + his witty tongue, when eavesdroppers were by. But he could not always; + though he tried. And sarcastic quizzing (especially if it be truth too), + on certain female topics, what Improper Female, Czarina of All the + Russias, could stand it? The history is but a distressing one, a + disgusting one, in human affairs. Elizabeth was orthodox, too, and + Friedrich not, 'the horrid man!' The fact is,—fact dismally + indubitable, though it is huddled into discreet dimness, and all details + of it (as to what Friedrich's witticisms were, and the like) are refused + us in the Prussian Books,—indignation, owing to such dismal cause, + became fixed hate on the Czarina's part, and there followed terrible + results at last: A Czarina risen to the cannibal pitch upon a man, in his + extreme need;—'INFAME CATIN DU NORD,' thinks the man! Friedrich's + wit cost him dear; him, and half a million others still dearer, twenty + years hence."—Till which time we will gladly leave the Czarina and + it. + </p> + <p> + Major von Winterfeld had been in Russia before this; and had wooed his + fair Malzahn there. He is the same Winterfeld whom we once saw dining by + the wayside with the late Friedrich Wilhelm, on that last Review-Journey + his Majesty made. A Captain in the Potsdam Giants at that time; always in + great favor with the late King; and in still greater with the present,—who + finds in him, we can dimly discover, and pretty much in him alone, a soul + somewhat like his own; the one real "peer" he had about him. A man of + little education; bred in camps; yet of a proud natural eminency, and + rugged nobleness of genius and mind. Let readers mark this fiery + hero-spirit, lying buried in those dull Books, like lightning among clay. + Here is another anecdote of his Russian business:— + </p> + <p> + "Winterfeld had gone, in Friedrich Wilhelm's time, with a party of + Prussian drill-sergeants for Petersburg [year not given]; and duly + delivered them there. He naturally saw much of Feldmarschall Munnich, + naturally saw the Step-daughter of the Feldmarschall, a shining beauty in + Petersburg; Winterfeld himself a man of shining gifts, and character; and + one of the handsomest tall men in the world. Mutual love between the + Fraulein and him was the rapid result. But how to obtain marriage? + Winterfeld cannot marry, without leave had of his superiors: you, fair + Malzahn, are Hof-Dame of Princess Elizabeth, all your fortune the jewels + you wear; and it is too possible she will not let you go! + </p> + <p> + "They agreed to be patient, to be silent; to watch warily till Winterfeld + got home to Prussia, till the Fraulein Malzahn could also contrive to get + home. Winterfeld once home, and the King's consent had, the Fraulein + applied to Princess Elizabeth for leave of absence: 'A few months, to see + my friends in Deutschland, your Highness!' Princess Elizabeth looked hard + at her; answered evasively this and that. At last, being often importuned, + she answered plainly, 'I almost feel convinced thou wilt never come back!' + Protestations from the Fraulein were not wanting:—'Well then,' said + Elizabeth, 'if thou art so sure of it, leave me thy jewels in pledge. Why + not?' The poor Fraulein could not say why; had to leave her jewels, which + were her whole fine fortune, 'worth 100,000 rubles' (20,000 pounds); and + is now the brave Wife of Winterfeld;—but could never, by direct + entreaty or circuitous interest and negotiation, get back the least item + of her jewels. Elizabeth, as Princess and as Czarina, was alike deaf on + that subject. Now or henceforth that proved an impossible private + enterprise for Winterfeld, though he had so easily succeeded in the public + one." [Retzow, <i>Charakteristik des siebenjahrigen Krieges</i> (Berlin, + 1802), i. 45 n.] + </p> + <p> + The new Czarina was not unmerciful. Munnich and Company were tried for + life; were condemned to die, and did appear on the scaffold (29th January, + 1742), ready for that extreme penalty; but were there, on the sudden, + pardoned or half-pardoned by a merciful new Czarina, and sent to Siberia + and outer darkness. Whither Bieren had preceded them. To outer darkness + also, though a milder destiny had been intended them at first, went Anton + Ulrich and his Household. Towards native Germany at first; they had got as + far as Riga on the way to Germany, but were detained there, for a long + while (owing to suspicions, to Botta Plots, or I know not what), till + finally they were recalled into Russian exile. Strict enough exile, + seclusion about Archangel and elsewhere; in convents, in obscure + uncomfortable places:—little Iwan, after vicissitudes, even went + underground; grew to manhood, and got killed (partly by accident, not + quite by murder), some twenty-three years hence, in his dungeon in the + Fortress of Schlusselburg, below the level of the Ladoga waters there. + Unluckier Household, which once seemed the luckiest of the world, was + never known. Canted suddenly, in this way, from the very top of Fortune's + wheel to the very bottom; never to rise more;—and did not even die, + at least not all die, for thirty or forty years after. [Anton Ulrich, not + till 15th May, 1775 (two Daughters of his went, after this, to "Horstens, + a poor Country-House in Jutland," whither Catherine II. had manumitted + them, with pension;—she had wished Anton Ulrich to go home, many + years before; but he would not, from shame).—Iwan had perished 5th + August, 1764 (Catherine II. blamed for his death, but without cause); + Iwan's Mother, Princess Anne, (mercifully) 18th March, 1746. See Russian + Histories, TOOKE, CASTERA, &c.,—none of which, except MANNSTEIN, + is good for much, or to be trusted without scrutiny.] + </p> + <p> + This is the Chetardie-L'Estoc conspiracy, of 5th December, 1741; the + pitching up of Princess Elizabeth, and the pitching down of Anton Ulrich + and his Munnichs, who had before pitched Bieren down. After which, matters + remained more stationary at Petersburg: Czarina Elizabeth, fat indolent + soul, floated with a certain native buoyancy, with something of bulky + steadiness, in the turbid plunge of things, and did not sink. On the + contrary, her reign, so called, was prosperous, though stupid; her big + dark Countries, kindled already into growth, went on growing rather. And, + for certain, she herself went on growing, in orthodox devotions of + spiritual type (and in strangely heterodox ditto of NONspiritual!); in + indolent mansuetudes (fell rages, if you cut on the RAWS at all!); in + perpetual incongruity; and, alas, at last, in brandy-and-water,—till, + as "INFAME CATIN DU NORD," she became terribly important to some persons! + </p> + <p> + At her accession, and for two years following, Czarina Elizabeth, in spite + of real disinclination that way, had a War on her hands: the Swedish War + (August, 1741-August, 1743), which, after long threatening on the Swedish + side, had broken out into unwelcome actuality, in Anton Ulrich's time; and + which could not, with all the Czarina's industry, be got rid of or staved + off; Sweden being bent upon the thing, reason or no reason. War not to be + spoken of, except on compulsion, in the most voluminous History! It was + the unwisest of wars, we should say, and in practice probably the + contemptiblest; if there were not one other Swedish War coming, which vies + with it in these particulars, of which we shall be obliged to speak, more + or less, at a future stage. Of this present Russian-Swedish war, having + happily almost nothing to do with it, we can, except in the way of + transient chronology, refrain altogether from speaking or thinking. + </p> + <p> + Poor Sweden, since it shot Karl XII. in the trenches at Fredericshall, + could not get a King again; and is very anarchic under its Phantasm King + and free National Palaver,—Senate with subaltern Houses;—which + generally has French gold in its pocket, and noise instead of wisdom in + its head. Scandalous to think of or behold. The French, desirous to keep + Russia in play during these high Belleisle adventures now on foot, had, + after much egging, bribing, flattering, persuaded vain Sweden into this + War with Russia. "At Narva they were 80,000, we 8,000; and what became of + them!" cry the Swedes always. Yes, my friends, but you had a Captain at + Narva; you had not yet shot your Captain when you did Narva! "Faction of + Hats," "Faction of Caps" (that is, NIGHT-caps, as being somnolent and + disinclined to France and War): seldom did a once-valiant far-shining + Nation sink to such depths, since they shot their Captain, and said to + Anarchy, "THOU art Captaincy, we see, and the Divine thing!" Of the Wars + and businesses of such a set of mortals let us shun speaking, where + possible. + </p> + <p> + Mannstein gives impartial account, pleasantly clear and compact, to such + as may be curious about this Swedish-Russian War; and, in the didactic + point of view, it is not without value. To us the interesting circumstance + is, that it does not interfere with our Silesian operations at all; and + may be figured as a mere accompaniment of rumbling discord, or vacant + far-off noise, going on in those Northern parts,—to which therefore + we hope to be strangers in time coming. Here are some dates, which the + reader may take with him, should they chance to illustrate anything:— + </p> + <p> + "AUGUST 4th, 1741. The Swedes declare War: 'Will recover their lost + portions of Finland, will,' &c. &c. They had long been meditating + it; they had Turk negotiations going on, diligent emissaries to the Turk + (a certain Major Sinclair for one, whom the Russians waylaid and + assassinated to get sight of his Papers) during the late Turk-Russian War; + but could conclude nothing while that was in activity; concluded only + after that was done,—striking the iron when grown COLD. A chief + point in their Manifesto was the assassination of this Sinclair; scandal + and atrocity, of which there is no doubt now the Russians were guilty. + Various pretexts for the War:—prime movers to it, practically, were + the French, intent on keeping Russia employed while their Belleisle German + adventure went on, and who had even bargained with third parties to get up + a War there, as we shall see. + </p> + <p> + "SEPTEMBER 3d, 1741. At Wilmanstrand,—key of Wyborg, their frontier + stronghold in Finland, which was under Siege,—the Swedes (about + 5,000 of them, for they had nothing to live upon, and lay scattered about + in fractions) made fight, or skirmish, against a Russian attacking party: + Swedes, rather victorious on their hill-top, rushed down; and totally lost + their bit of victory, their Wilmanstrand, their Wyborg, and even the War + itself;—for this was, in literal truth, the only fighting done by + them in the entire course of it, which lasted near two years more. The + rest of it was retreat, capitulation, loss on loss without stroke struck; + till they had lost all Finland, and were like to lose Sweden itself,—Dalecarlian + mutiny bursting out ('Ye traitors, misgovernors, worthy of death!'), with + invasive Danes to rear of it;—and had to call in the very Russians + to save them from worse. Czarina Elizabeth at the time of her accession, + six months after Wilmanstrand, had made truce, was eager to make peace: + 'By no means!' answered Sweden, taking arms again, or rather taking legs + again; and rushing ruin-ward, at the old rate, still without stroke. + </p> + <p> + "JUNE 28th, 1743. They did halt; made Peace of Abo (Truce and + Preliminaries signed there, that day: Peace itself, August 17th); Czarina + magnanimously restoring most of their Finland (thinking to herself, 'Not + done enough for me yet; cook it a little yet!');—and settling who + their next King was to be, among other friendly things. And in November + following, Keith, in his Russian galleys, with some 10,000 Russians on + board, arrived in Stockholm; protective against Danes and mutinous + Dalecarles: stayed there till June of next year, 1744." [Adelung, ii. 445. + Mannstein, pp. 297 (Wilmanstrand Affair, himself present), 365 (Peace), + 373 (Keith's RETURN with his galleys). Comte de Hordt (present also, on + the Swedish side, and subsequently a Soldier of Friedrich's) <i>Memoires</i> + (Berlin, 1789), i. 18-88. The murder of Sinclair (done by "four Russian + subalterns, two miles from Naumberg in Silesia, 17th June, 1739, about 7 + P.M.") is amply detailed from Documents, in a late Book: Weber, <i>Aus + Vier Jahrhunderten</i> (Leipzig, 1858), i. 274-279.] Is not this a War! + </p> + <p> + On the Russian side, General Keith, under Field-marshal Lacy as chief in + command (the same Keith whom we saw at Oczakow under Munnich, some time + ago), had a great deal of the work and management; which was of a highly + miscellaneous kind, commanding fleets of gunboats, and much else; and + readers of MANNSTEIN can still judge,—much more could King + Friedrich, earnestly watching the affair itself as it went on,—whether + Keith did not do it in a solid and quietly eminent and valiant manner. + Sagacious, skilful, imperturbable, without fear and without noise; a man + quietly ever ready. He had quelled, once, walking direct into the heart of + it, a ferocious Russian mutiny, or uproar from below, which would have + ruined everything in few minutes more. (Mannstein, p. 130 (no date, + April-May, 1742.) He suffered, with excellent silence, now and afterwards, + much ill-usage from above withal;—till Friedrich himself, in the + third year hence, was lucky enough to get him as General. Friedrich's + Sister Ulrique, the marriage of Princess Ulrique,—that also, as it + chanced, had something to do with this Peace of Abo. But we anticipate too + far. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter IX. — FRIEDRICH RETURNS TO SILESIA. + </h2> + <p> + Friedrich stayed only three weeks at home; moving about, from Berlin to + Potsdam, to Reinsberg and back: all the gay world is in Berlin, at this + Carnival time; but Friedrich has more to do with business, of a manifold + and over-earnest nature, than with Carnival gayeties. French Valori is + here, "my fat Valori," who is beginning to be rather a favorite of + Friedrich's: with Excellency Valori, and with the other Foreign + Excellencies, there was diplomatic passaging in these weeks; and we gather + from Valori, in the inverse way (Valori fallen sulky), that it was not ill + done on Friedrich's part. He had some private consultation with the Old + Dessauer, too; "probably on military points," thinks Valori. At least + there was noticed more of the drill-sergeant than before, in his handling + of the Army, when he returned to Silesia, continues the sulky one. "Troops + and generals did not know him again,"—so excessively strict was he + grown, on the sudden. And truly "he got into details which were beneath, + not only a Prince who has great views, but even a simple Captain of + Infantry,"—according to my (Valori's) military notions and + experiences! [Valori, i. 99.]— + </p> + <p> + The truth is, Friedrich begins to see, more clearly than he did with + GLOIRE dazzling him, that his position is an exceedingly grave one, full + of risk, in the then mood and condition of the world; that he, in the + whole world, has no sure friend but his Army; and that in regard to IT he + cannot be too vigilant! The world is ominous to this youngest of the Kings + more than to another. Sounds as of general Political Earthquake grumble + audibly to him from the deeps: all Europe likely, in any event, to get to + loggerheads on this Austrian Pragmatic matter; the Nations all watching + HIM, to see what he will make of it:—fugleman he to the European + Nations, just about bursting up on such an adventure. It may be a glorious + position, or a not glorious; but, for certain, it is a dangerous one, and + awfully solitary!— + </p> + <p> + Fuglemen the world and its Nations always have, when simultaneously bent + any-whither, wisely or unwisely; and it is natural that the most + adventurous spirit take that post. Friedrich has not sought the post; but + following his own objects, has got it; and will be ignominiously lost, and + trampled to annihilation under the hoofs of the world, if he do not mind! + To keep well ahead;—to be rapid as possible; that were good:—to + step aside were still better! And Friedrich we find is very anxious for + that; "would be content with the Duchy of Glogau, and join Austria;" but + there is not the least chance that way. His Special Envoy to Vienna, + Gotter, and along with him Borck the regular Minister, are come home; all + negotiation hopeless at Vienna; and nothing but indignant war-preparation + going on there, with the most animated diligence, and more success than + had seemed possible. That is the law of Friedrich's Silesian Adventure: + "Forward, therefore, on these terms; others there are not: waste no + words!" Friedrich recognizes to himself what the law is; pushes stiffly + forward, with a fine silence on all that is not practical, really with a + fine steadiness of hope, and audacity against discouragements. Of his + anxieties, which could not well be wanting, but which it is royal to keep + strictly under lock and key, of these there is no hint to Jordan or to + anybody; and only through accidental chinks, on close scrutiny, can we + discover that they exist. Symptom of despondency, of misgiving or + repenting about his Enterprise, there is none anywhere, Friedrich's fine + gifts of SILENCE (which go deeper than the lips) are noticeable here, as + always; and highly they availed Friedrich in leading his life, though now + inconvenient to Biographers writing of the same!— + </p> + <p> + It was not on matters of drill, as Valori supposes, that Friedrich had + been consulting with the Old Dessauer: this time it was on another matter. + Friedrich has two next Neighbors greatly interested, none more so, in the + Pragmatic Question: Kur-Sachsen, Polish King, a foolish greedy creature, + who is extremely uncertain about his course in it (and indeed always + continued so, now against Friedrich, now for him, and again against); and + Kur-Hanover, our little George of England, whose course is certain as that + of the very stars, and direct against Friedrich at this time, as indeed, + at all times not exceptional, it is apt to be. Both these Potentates must + be attended to, in one's absence; method to be gentle but effectual; the + Old Dessauer to do it:—and this is what these consultings had turned + upon; and in a month or two, readers, and an astonished Gazetteer world, + will see what comes of them. + </p> + <p> + It was February 19th when Friedrich left Berlin; the 21st he spends at + Glogau, inspecting the Blockade there, and not ill content with the + measures taken: "Press that Wallis all you can," enjoins he: "Hunger seems + to be slow about it! Summon him again, were your new Artillery come up; + threaten with bombardment; but spare the Town, if possible. Artillery is + coming: let us have done here, and soon!" Next day he arrives, not at + Breslau as some had expected, but at Schweidnitz sidewards; a strong + little Town, at least an elaborately fortified, of which we shall hear + much in time coming. It lies a day's ride west of Breslau: and will be + quieter for business than a big gazing Capital would be,—were + Breslau even one's own city; which it is not, though perhaps tending to + be. Breslau is in transition circumstances at present; a little uncertain + WHOSE it is, under its Munchows and new managers: Breslau he did not visit + at all on this occasion. To Schweidnitz certain new regiments had been + ordered, there to be disposed of in reinforcing: there, "in the Count + Hoberg's Mansion," he principally lodges for six weeks to come; shooting + out on continual excursions; but always returning to Schweidnitz, as the + centre, again. + </p> + <p> + Algarotti, home from Turin (not much of a success there, but always + melodious for talk), had travelled with him; Algarotti, and not long + after, Jordan and Maupertuis, bear him company, that the vacant moments + too be beautiful. We can fancy he has a very busy, very anxious, but not + an unpleasant time. He goes rapidly about, visiting his posts,—chiefly + about the Neisse Valley; Neisse being the prime object, were the weather + once come for siege-work. He is in many Towns (specified in RODENBECK and + the Books, but which may be anonymous here); doubtless on many Steeples + and Hill-tops; questioning intelligent natives, diligently using his own + eyes: intent to make personal acquaintance with this new Country,—where, + little as he yet dreams of it, the deadly struggles of his Life lie + waiting him, and which he will know to great perfection before all is + done! + </p> + <p> + Neisse lies deep enough in Prussian environment; like Brieg, like Glogau, + strictly blockaded; our posts thereabouts, among the Mountains, thought to + be impregnable. Nevertheless, what new thing is this? Here are swarms of + loose Hussar-Pandour people, wild Austrian Irregulars, who come pouring + out of Glatz Country; disturbing the Prussian posts towards that quarter; + and do not let us want for Small War (KLEINE KRIEG) so called. General + Browne, it appears, is got back to Glatz at this early season, he and a + General Lentulus busy there; and these are the compliments they send! A + very troublesome set of fellows, infesting one's purlieus in winged + predatory fashion; swooping down like a cloud of vulturous harpies on the + sudden; fierce enough, if the chance favor; then to wing again, if it do + not. Communication, especially reconnoitring, is not safe in their + neighborhood. Prussian Infantry, even in small parties, generally beats + them; Prussian Horse not, but is oftener beaten,—not drilled for + this rabble and their ways. In pitched fight they are not dangerous, + rather are despicable to the disciplined man; but can, on occasion, do a + great deal of mischief. + </p> + <p> + Thus, it was not long after Friedrich's coming into these parts, when he + learnt with sorrow that a Body of "500 Horse and 500 Foot" (or say it were + only 300 of each kind, which is the fact [Orlich, i. 79; <i>OEuvres de + Frederic,</i> ii. 68.]) had eluded our posts in the Mountains, and + actually got into Neisse. "The Foot will be of little consequence," writes + Friedrich; "but the Horse, which will disturb our communications, are a + considerable mischief." This was on the 5th of March. And about a week + before, on the 27th of February, there had well-nigh a far graver thing + befallen,—namely the capture of Friedrich himself, and the sudden + end of all these operations. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SKIRMISH OF BAUMGARTEN, 27th FEBRUARY, 1741. + </h2> + <p> + In most of the Anecdote-Books there used to figure, and still does, + insisting on some belief from simple persons, a wonderful Story in very + vague condition: How once "in the Silesian Wars," the King, in those Upper + Neisse regions, in the Wartha district between Glatz and Neisse, was, one + day, within an inch of being taken,—clouds of Hussars suddenly + rising round him, as he rode reconnoitring, with next to no escort, only + an adjutant or so in attendance. How he shot away, keeping well in the + shade; and erelong whisked into a Convent or Abbey, the beautiful Abbey of + Kamenz in those parts; and found Tobias Stusche, excellent Abbot of the + place, to whom he candidly disclosed his situation. How the excellent + Tobias thereupon instantly ordered the bells to be rung for a mass + extraordinary, Monks not knowing why; and, after bells, made his + appearance in high costume, much to the wonder of his Monks, with a SECOND + Abbot, also in high costume, but of shortish stature, whom they never saw + before or after. Which two Abbots, or at least Tobias, proceeded to do the + so-called divine office there and then; letting loose the big chant + especially, and the growl of organs, in a singularly expressive manner. + How the Pandours arrived in clouds meanwhile; entered, in searching + parties, more or less reverent of the mass; searched high and low; but + found nothing, and were obliged to take Tobias's blessing at last, and go + their ways. How the Second Abbot thereupon swore eternal friendship with + Tobias, in the private apartments; and rode off as—as a rescued + Majesty, determined to be more cautious in Pandour Countries for the + future! [Hildebrandt, <i>Anekdoten,</i> i. 1-7. Pandour proper is a + FOOT-soldier (tall raw-boned ill-washed biped, in copious Turk breeches, + rather barish in the top parts of him; carries a very long musket, and has + several pistols and butcher's-knives stuck in his girdle): specifically a + footman; but readers will permit me to use him withal, as here, in the + generic sense.]—Which story, as to the body of it, is all myth; + though, as is oftenest the case, there lies in it some soul of fact too. + The History-Books, which had not much heeded the little fact, would have + nothing to do with this account of it. Nevertheless the people stuck to + their Myth; so that Dryasdust (in punishment for his sinful blindness to + the human and divine significance of facts) was driven to investigate the + business; and did at last victoriously bring it home to the small + occurrence now called SKIRMISH OF BAUMGARTEN, which had nearly become so + great in the History of the World,—to the following effect. + </p> + <p> + There are two Valleys with roads that lead from that Southwest quarter of + Silesia towards Glatz, each with a little Town at the end of it, looking + up into it: Wartha the name of the one: Silberberg that of the other. + Through the Wartha Valley, which is southernmost, young Neisse River comes + rushing down,—the blue mountains thereabouts very pretty, on a clear + spring day, says my touring friend. Both at Wartha, and at Silberberg the + little Town which looks into the mouth of the northernmost Valley, the + Prussians have a post. Old Derschau, Malplaquet Derschau, with + headquarters at Frankenstein, some seven or eight miles nearer + Schweidnitz, has not failed in that precaution. Friedrich wished to visit + Silberberg and Wartha; set out accordingly, 27th February, with small + escort, carelessly as usual: the Pandour people had wind of it; knew his + habits on such occasions; and, gliding through other roadless valleys, + under an adventurous Captain, had determined to whirl him off. And they + were in fact not far from succeeding, had not a mistake happened. + </p> + <p> + Silberberg, and Wartha the southernmost, which stands upon the Neisse + River (rushing out there into the plainer country), are each about seven + or eight miles from Frankenstein, the Head-quarters; and there are relays + of posts, capable of supporting one another, all the way from Frankenstein + to each. Friedrich rode to Silberberg first; examined the post, found it + right; then rode across to Wartha, seven or eight miles southward; + examined Wartha likewise; after which, he sat down to dinner in that + little Town, with an Officer or two for company,—having, I suppose, + found all right in both the posts. In the way hither, he had made some + change in the relay arrangements, which at first involved some diminution + of his own escort, and then some marching about and redistributing: so + that, externally, it seemed as if the Principal Relay-party were now + marching on Baumgarten, an intermediate Village,—at least so the + Pandour Captain understands the movements going on; and crouches into the + due thickets in consequence, not doubting but the King himself is for + Baumgarten, and will be at hand presently. Principal relay-party, a + squadron of Schulenburg's Dragoons, with a stupid Major over them, is not + quite got into Baumgarten, when "with horrible cries the Pandour Captain + with about 500 horse," plunges out of cover, direct upon the throat of it: + and Friedrich, at Wartha, is but just begun dining when tumult of distant + musketry breaks in upon him. With Friedrich himself, at this time, as I + count, there might be 150 Horse; in Wartha post itself are at least "forty + hussars and fifty foot." By no means "nothing but a single adjutant," as + the Myth bears. + </p> + <p> + The stupid Major ought to have beaten this rabble, though above two to one + of him. But he could not, though he tried considerably; on the contrary, + he was himself beaten; obliged to make off, leaving "ten dragoons killed, + sixteen prisoners, one standard and two kettle-drums:"—victory and + all this plunder, ye Pandour gentry; but evidently no King. The Pandour + gentry, on the instant, made off too, alarm being abroad; got into some + side-valley, with their prisoners and drum-and-standard honors, and + vanished from view of mankind. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich had started from dinner; got his escort under way, with the + forty hussars and the fifty foot, and what small force was attainable; and + hurried towards the scene. He did see, by the road, another strongish + party of Pandours; dashed them across the Neisse River out of sight;—but, + getting to Baumgarten, found the field silent, and ten dead men upon it. + "I always told you those Schulenburg Dragoons were good for nothing!" + writes he to the Old Dessauer; but gradually withal, on comparing notes, + finds what a danger he had run, and how rash and foolish he had been. "An + ETOURDERIE (foolish trick)," he calls it, writing to Jordan; "a black + eye;" and will avoid the like. Vienna got its two kettle-drums and flag; + extremely glad to see them; and even sang TE-DEUM upon them, to general + edification. [Orlich, i. 62-64.] This is the naked primordial substance + out of which the above Myth grew to its present luxuriance in the popular + imagination. Place, the little Village of Baumgarten; day, 27th February, + 1741. Of Tobias Stusche or the Convent of Kamenz, not one authentic word + on this occasion. Tobias did get promotions, favors in coming years: a + worthy Abbot, deserving promotion on general grounds; and master of a + Convent very picturesque, but twelve miles from the present scene of + action. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ASPECTS OF BRESLAU. + </h2> + <p> + Friedrich avoided visiting Breslau, probably for the reasons above given; + though there are important interests of his there, especially his chief + Magazine; and issues of moment are silently working forward. Here are + contemporary Excerpts (in abridged form), which are authentic, and of + significance to a lively reader:— + </p> + <p> + "BRESLAU, MIDDLE OF JANUARY, 1741. The Prussian Envoy, Herr von Gotter, + had appeared here, returning from Vienna; Gotter, and then Borck, who made + no secret in Breslau society, That not the slightest hope of a peaceable + result existed, as society might have flattered itself; but that war and + battle would have to decide this matter. A Saxon Ambassador was also here, + waiting some time; message thought to be insignificant:—probably + some vague admonitory stuff again from Kur-Sachsen (Polish King, son of + August the Strong, a very insignificant man), who acts as REICHS-VICARIUS + in those Northern parts." For the reader is to know, there are + Reichs-Vicars more than one (nay more than two on this occasion, with + considerable jarring going on about them); and I could say much about + their dignities, limits, duties, [Adelung, ii. 143, &c.; Kohler, <i>Reichs-Historie,</i> + pp. 585-589.]—if indeed there were any duties, except dramatic ones! + But the Reich itself, and Vicarship along with it, are fallen into a + nearly imaginary condition; and the Regensburg Diet (not Princes now, but + mere Delegates of Princes, mostly Bombazine People), which, "ever since + 1663," has sat continual, instead of now and then, is become an Enchanted + Piggery, strange to look upon, under those earnest stars. "As King + Friedrich did not call at Greslau," after those Neisse bombardments, but + rolled past, straight homewards, the three Excellencies all departed,—Borck + and Gotter to Berlin, the Saxon home again with his insignificant message. + </p> + <p> + "JANUARY 19th. Schwerin too was here in the course of the winter, to see + how the magazines and other war-preparations were going on: Breslau + outwardly and inwardly is whirling with business, and offers phenomena. + For instance, it is known that the Army-Chest, heaps of silver and gold in + it, lies in the Scultet Garden-House, where the King lodged; and that only + one sentry walks there, and that in the guard-house itself, which is some + way off, there are only thirty men. January 19th, about 9 of the clock, [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 700.] alarm rises, That 2,000 DIEBS-GESINDEL (Collective Thief-rabble + of Breslau and dependencies) are close by; intending a stroke upon said + Garden-House and Army-Chest! Perhaps this rumor sprang of its own accord;—or + perhaps not quite? It had been very rife; and ran high; not without + remonstrances in Town-Hall, and the like, which we can imagine. Issue was, + The Officer on post at Scultet's loaded his treasure in carts; conveyed + it, that same night, to the interior of the City, in fact to the + OBERAMTS-HAUS (Government-House that was);—which doubtless was a + step in the right direction. For now the Two Feld-Kriegs-Commissariat + Gentlemen (one of whom is the expert Munchow, son of our old Custrin + friend), supreme Prussian Authorities here, do likewise shift out of their + inns; and take old Schaffgotsch's apartments in the same Oberamts-Haus; + mutely symbolling that perhaps THEY are likely to become a kind of + Government. And the reader can conceive how, in such an element, the + function of governing would of itself fall more and more into their hands. + They were consummately polite, discreet, friendly towards all people; and + did in effect manage their business, tax-gatherings in money and in kind, + with a perfection and precision which made the evil a minimum. + </p> + <p> + "FEBRUARY 17th.... This day also, there arrived at Breslau, by boat up the + Oder, ten heavy cannon, three mortars, and ammunition of powder, + bombshells, balls, as much as loaded fifty wagons; the whole of which + were, in like manner, forwarded to Ohlau. This day, as on other days + before and after. Great Magazines forming here; the Military chiefly at + Ohlau; at Breslau the Provender part,—and this latter under + noteworthy circumstances. In the Dom-Island, namely; which is definable + (in a case of such necessity) as being 'outside the walls.' Especially as + the Reverend Fathers have mostly glided into corners, and left the place + vacant. In the Dom-Island, it certainly is; and such a stock,—all + bought for money down, and spurred forward while the roads were under + frost,—'such a stock as was not thought to be in all Silesia,' says + exaggerative wonder. The vacant edifices in the Dom-Island are filled to + the neck with meal and corn; the Prussian brigade now quartering there + ('without the walls,' in a sense) to guard the same. And in the Bishop's + Garden [poor Sinzendorf, far enough away and in no want of it just now] + are mere hay-mows, bigger than houses: who can object,—in a case of + necessity? No man, unless he politically meddle, is meddled with; + politically meddling, you are at once picked up; as one or two are,—clapped + into gentle arrest, or, like old Schaffgotsch, and even Sinzendorf before + long, requested to leave the Country till it get settled. Rigor there is, + but not intentional injustice on Munchow's part, and there is a studious + avoidance of harsh manner. + </p> + <p> + "FEBRUARY-MARCH. Considerable recruiting in Schlesien: six hundred + recruits have enlisted in Breslau alone. Also his Prussian Majesty has + sent a supply of Protestant Preachers, ordained for the occasion, to + minister where needed;—which is piously acknowledged as a godsend in + various parts of Silesia. Twelve came first, all Berliners; soon + afterwards, others from different parts, till, in the end, there were + about Sixty in all. Rigorous, punctilious avoidance of offence to the + Catholic minorities, or of whatever least thing Silesian Law does not + permit, is enjoined upon them; 'to preach in barns or town-halls, where by + Law you have no Church.' Their salary is about 30 pounds a year; they are + all put under supervision of the Chaplain of Margraf Karl's Regiment" (a + judicious Chaplain, I have no doubt, and fit to be a Bishop); and so far + as appears, mere benefit is got of them by Schlesien as well as by + Friedrich, in this function. Friedrich is careful to keep the balance + level between Catholic and Protestant; but it has hung at such an angle, + for a long while past! In general, we observe the Catholic Dignitaries, + and the zealous or fanatic of that creed, especially the Jesuits, are apt + to be against him: as for the non-fanatic, they expect better government, + secular advantage; these latter weigh doubtfully, and with less weight + whichever way. In the general population, who are Protestant, he + recognizes friends;—and has sent them Sixty Preachers, which by Law + was their due long since. Here follow two little traits, comic or + tragi-comic, with which we can conclude:— + </p> + <p> + "Detached Jesuit parties, here and there, seem to have mischief in hand in + a small way, encouraging deserters and the like;—and we keep an eye + on them. No discontent elsewhere, at least none audible; on the contrary, + much enlisting on the part of the Silesian youth, with other good + symptoms. But in the Dom, there is, singular to say, a Goblin found + walking, one night;—advancing, not with airs from Heaven, upon the + Prussian sentry there! The Prussian sentry handles arms; pokes + determinedly into the Goblin, and finding him solid, ever more + determinedly, till the Goblin shrieked 'Jesus Maria!' and was hauled to + the Guard-house for investigation." A weak Goblin; doubtless of the valet + kind; worth only a little whipping; but testifies what the spirit is. + </p> + <p> + "Another time, two deserter Frenchmen getting hanged [such the law in + aggravated cases], certain polite Jesuits, who had by permission been + praying and extreme-unctioning about them, came to thank the Colonel after + all was over. Colonel, a grave practical man, needs no 'thanks;' would, + however, 'advise your Reverences to teach your people that perjury is not + permissible, that an oath sworn ought to be kept;' and in fine 'would + advise you Holy Fathers hereabouts, and others, to have a care lest you + get into'—And twitching his reins, rode away without saying into + what." [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 723.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AUSTRIA IS STANDING TO ARMS. + </h2> + <p> + Schwerin has been doing his best in this interim; collecting magazines + with double diligence while the roads are hard, taking up the + Key-positions far and wide, from the Jablunka round to the Frontier + Valleys of Glatz again. He was through Jablunka, at one time; on into + Mahren, as far as Olmutz; levying contributions, emitting patents: but as + to intimidating her Hungarian Majesty, if that was the intention, or + changing her mind at all, that is not the issue got. Austria has still + strength, and Pragmatic Sanction and the Laws of Nature have! Very fixed + is her Hungarian Majesty's determination, to part with no inch of + Territory, but to drive the intrusive Prussians home well punished. + </p> + <p> + How she has got the funds is, to this day, a mystery;—unless George + and Walpole, from their Secret-Service Moneys, have smuggled her somewhat? + For the Parliament is not sitting, and there will be such jargonings, such + delays: a preliminary 100,000 pounds, say by degrees 200,000 pounds,—we + should not miss it, and in her Majesty's hands it would go far! Hints in + the English Dryasdust we have; but nothing definite; and we are left to + our guesses. [Tindal (XX. 497) says expressly 200,000 pounds, but gives no + date or other particular.] A romantic story, first set current by + Voltaire, has gone the round of the world, and still appears in all + Histories: How in England there was a Subscription set on foot for her + Hungarian Majesty; outcome of the enthusiasm of English Ladies of quality,—old + Sarah Duchess of Marlborough putting down her name for 40,000 pounds, or + indeed putting down the ready sum itself; magnanimous veteran that she + was. Voltaire says, omitting date and circumstance, but speaking as if it + were indubitable, and a thing you could see with eyes: "The Duchess of + Marlborough, widow of him who had fought for Karl VI. [and with such + signal returns of gratitude from the said Karl VI.], assembled the + principal Ladies of London; who engaged to furnish 100,000 pounds among + them; the Duchess herself putting down [EN DEPOSA, tabling IN CORPORE] + 40,000 pounds of it. The Queen of Hungary had the greatness of soul to + refuse this money;—needing only, as she intimated, what the Nation + in Parliament assembled might please to offer her." [Voltaire, <i>OEuvres + (Siecle de Louis XV.,</i> c. 6), xxviii. 79.] + </p> + <p> + One is sorry to run athwart such a piece of mutual magnanimity; but the + fact is, on considering a little and asking evidence, it turns out to be + mythical. One Dilworth, an innocent English soul (from whom our + grandfathers used to learn ARITHMETIC, I think), writing on the spot some + years after Voltaire, has this useful passage: "It is the great failing of + a strong imagination to catch greedily at wonders. Voltaire was + misinformed; and would perhaps learn, by a second inquiry, a truth less + splendid and amusing. A Contribution was, by News-writers upon their own + authority, fruitlessly proposed. It ended in nothing: the Parliament voted + a supply;"—that did it, Mr. Dilworth; supplies enough, and many of + them! "Fruitlessly, by News-writers on their own authority;" that is the + sad fact. [<i>The Life and Heroick Actions of Frederick III.</i> (SIC, a + common blunder), by W. H. Dilworth, M.A. (London, 1758), p. 25. A poor + little Book, one of many coming out on that subject just then (for a + reason we shall see on getting thither); which contains, of available now, + the above sentence and no more. Indeed its brethren, one of them by Samnel + Johnson (IMPRANSUS, the imprisoned giant), do not even contain that, and + have gone wholly to zero.—Neither little Dilworth nor big Voltaire + give the least shadow of specific date; but both evidently mean Spring, + 1742 (not 1741).] + </p> + <p> + It is certain, little George, who considers Pragmatic Sanction as the + Keystone of Nature in a manner, has been venturing far deeper than purse + for that adorable object; and indeed has been diving, secretly, in muddier + waters than we expected, to a dangerous extent, on behalf of it, at this + very time. In the first days of March, Friedrich has heard from his + Minister at Petersburg of a DETESTABLE PROJECT, [Orlich, i. 83 (scrap of + Note to Old Dessauer; no date allowed us; "early in March").]—project + for "Partitioning the Prussian Kingdom," no less; for fairly cutting into + Friedrich, and paring him down to the safe pitch, as an enemy to Pragmatic + and mankind. They say, a Treaty, Draught of a Treaty, for that express + object, is now ready; and lies at Petersburg, only waiting signature. Here + is a Project! Contracting parties (Russian signature still wanting) are: + Kur-Sachsen; her Hungarian Majesty; King George; and that Regent Anne + (MRS. Anton Ulrich, so to speak), who sits in a huddle of undress, + impatient of Political objects, but sensible to the charms of handsome + men. To the charms of Count Lynar, especially: the handsomest of Danish + noblemen (more an ancient Roman than a Dane), whom the Polish Majesty, + calculating cause and effect, had despatched to her, with that view, in + the dead of winter lately. To whom she has given ear;—dismissing her + Munnich, as we saw above;—and is ready for signing, or perhaps has + signed! [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> ii. 68.] Friedrich's astonishment, on + hearing of this "detestable Project," was great. However, he takes his + measures on it;—right lucky that he has the Old Dessauer, and + machinery for acting on Kur-Sachsen and the Britannic Majesty. "Get your + machinery in gear!" is naturally his first order. And the Old Dessauer + does it, with effect: of which by and by. + </p> + <p> + Never did I hear, before or since, of such a plunge into the muddy + unfathomable, on the part of little George, who was an honorable creature, + and dubitative to excess: and truly this rash plunge might have cost him + dear, had not he directly scrambled out again. Or did Friedrich exaggerate + to himself his Uncle's real share in the matter? I always guess, there had + been more of loose talk, of hypothesis and fond hope, in regard to + George's share, than of determinate fact or procedure on his own part. The + transaction, having had to be dropped on the sudden, remains somewhat + dark; but, in substance, it is not doubtful; [Tindal, xx. 497.] and + Parliament itself took afterwards to poking into it, though with little + effect. Kur-Sachsen's objects in the adventure were of the earth, earthy; + but on George's part it was pure adoration of Pragmatic Sanction, anxiety + for the Keystone of Nature, and lest Chaos come again. In comparison with + such transcendent divings, what is a little Secret-Service money!— + </p> + <p> + The Count Lynar of this adventure, who had well-nigh done such a feat in + Diplomacy, may turn up transiently again. A conspicuous, more or less + ridiculous person of those times. Busching (our Geographical friend) had + gone with him, as Excellency's Chaplain, in this Russian Journey; which is + a memorable one to Busching; and still presents vividly, through his Book, + those haggard Baltic Coasts in midwinter, to readers who have business + there. Such a journey for grimness of outlook, upon pine-tufts and frozen + sand; for cold (the Count's very tobacco-pipe freezing in his mouth), for + hardship, for bad lodging, and extremity of dirt in the unfreezable kinds, + as seldom was. They met, one day on the road, a Lord Hyndford, English + Ambassador just returning from Petersburg, with his fourgons and vehicles, + and arrangements for sleep and victual, in an enviably luxurious + condition,—whom we shall meet, to our cost. They saw, in the body, + old Field-marshal Lacy, and dined with him, at Riga; who advised brandy + schnapps; a recipe rejected by Busching. And other memorabilia, which by + accident hang about this Lynar. [Busching, <i>Beitrage,</i> vi. 132-164.]—All + through Regent Anne's time he continued a dangerous object to Friedrich; + and it was a relief when Elizabeth CATIN became Autocrat, instead of + Deshabille Anne and her Lynar. Adieu to him, for fifteen years or more. + </p> + <p> + Of Friedrich's military operations, of his magazines, posts, diligent + plannings and gallopings about, in those weeks; of all this the reader can + form some notion by looking on the map and remembering what has gone + before: but that subterranean growling which attended him, prophetic of + Earthquake, that universal breaking forth of Bedlams, now fallen so + extinct, no reader can imagine. Bedlams totally extinct to everybody; but + which were then very real, and raged wide as the world, high as the stars, + to a hideous degree among the then sons of men;—unimaginable now by + any mortal. + </p> + <p> + And, alas, this is one of the grand difficulties for my readers and me; + Friedrich's Life-element having fallen into such a dismal condition. Most + dismal, dark, ugly, that Austrian-Succession Business, and its world-wide + battlings, throttlings and intriguings: not Dismal Swamp, under a coverlid + of London Fog, could be uglier! A Section of "History" so called, which + human nature shrinks from; of which the extant generation already knows + nothing, and is impatient of hearing anything! Truly, Oblivion is very due + to such an Epoch: and from me far be it to awaken, beyond need, its sordid + Bedlams, happily extinct. But without Life-element, no Life can be + intelligible; and till Friedrich and one or two others are extricated from + it, Dismal Swamp cannot be quite filled in. Courage, reader!—Our + Constitutional Historian makes this farther reflection:— + </p> + <p> + "English moneys, desperate Russian intrigues, Treaties made and Treaties + broken—If instead of Pragmatic Sanction with eleven Potentates + guaranteeing, Maria Theresa had at this time had 200,000 soldiers and a + full treasury (as Prince Eugene used to advise the late Kaiser), how + different might it have been with her, and with the whole world that fell + upon one another's throats in her quarrel! Some eight years of the most + disastrous War; and except the falling of Silesia to its new place, no + result gained by it. War at any rate inevitable, you object? + English-Spanish War having been obliged to kindle itself; French sure to + fall in, on the Spanish side; sure to fall upon Hanover, so soon as beaten + at sea, and thus to involve all Europe? Well, it is too likely. But, even + in that case, the poor English would have gone upon their necessary + Spanish War, by the direct road and with their eyes open, instead of + somnambulating and stumbling over the chimney-tops; and the settlement + might have come far sooner, and far cheaper to mankind.—Nay, we are + to admit that the new place for Silesia was, likewise, the place appointed + it by just Heaven; and Friedrich's too was a necessary War. Heaven makes + use of Shadow-hunting Kaisers too; and its ways in this mad world are + through the great Deep." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE YOUNG DESSAUER CAPTURES GLOGAU (MARCH 9th); THE OLD DESSAUER, BY HIS + CAMP OF GOTTIN (APRIL 2d), CHECKMATES CERTAIN DESIGNING PERSONS. + </h2> + <p> + Money somewhere her Hungarian Majesty has got; that is one thing evident. + She has an actual Army on foot, "drawn out of Italy," or whence she could; + formidable Army, says rumor, and getting well equipped;—and here are + the Pandour Precursors of it, coming down like storm-clouds through the + Glatz valleys;—nearly finishing the War for her at a stroke, the + other day, had accident favored;—and have thrown reinforcement of + 600 into Neisse. Friedrich is not insensible to these things; and amid + such alarms from far and from near, is becoming eager to have, at least, + Glogau in his hand. Glogau, he is of opinion, could now, and should, + straightway be done. + </p> + <p> + Glogau is not a strong place; after all the repairing, it could stand + little siege, were we careless of hurting it. But Wallis is obstinate; + refuses Free Withdrawal; will hold out to the uttermost, though his meal + is running low. He pretends there is relief coming; relief just at hand; + and once, in midnight time, "lets off a rocket and fires six guns," + alarming Prince Leopold as if relief were just in the neighborhood. A + tough industrious military man; stiff to his purpose, and not without + shift. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich thinks the place might be had by assault: "Open trenches; set + your batteries going, which need not injure the Town; need only alarm + Wallis, and TERRIFY it; then, under cover of this noise and feint of + cannonading, storm with vigor." Leopold, the Young Dessauer, is cautious; + wants petards if he must storm, wants two new battalions if he must open + trenches;—he gets these requisites, and is still cunctatory. + Friedrich has himself got the notion, "from clear intelligence," true or + not, that relief to Glogau is actually on way; and under such imminences, + Russian and other, in so ticklish a state of the world, he becomes more + and more impatient that this thing were done. In the first week of March, + still hurrying about on inspection-business, he writes, from four or five + different places ("Mollwitz near Brieg" is one of them, a Village we shall + soon know better), Note after Note to Leopold; who still makes + difficulties, and is not yet perfect to the last finish in his + preparations. "Preparations!" answers Friedrich impatiently (date + MOLLWITZ, 5th MARCH, the third or fourth impatient Note he has sent); and + adds, just while quitting Mollwitz for Ohlau, this Postscript in his own + hand:— + </p> + <p> + P.S. "I am sorry you have not understood me! They have, in Bohmen, a + regular enterprise on hand for the rescue of Glogau. I have Infantry + enough to meet them; but Cavalry is quite wanting. You must therefore, + without delay, begin the siege. Let us finish there, I pray you!" [Orlich, + i. 70.] + </p> + <p> + And next day, Monday 6th, to cut the matter short, he despatches his + General-Adjutant Goltz in person (the distance is above seventy miles), + with this Note wholly in autograph, which nothing vocal on Leopold's part + will answer:— + </p> + <p> + "OHLAU, 6th MARCH. As I am certainly informed that the Enemy will make + some attempt, I hereby with all distinctness command, That, so soon as the + petards are come [which they are], you attack Glogau. And you must make + your Arrangement (DISPOSITION) for more than one attack; so that if one + fail, the other shall certainly succeed. I hope you will put off no + longer;—otherwise the blame of all the mischief that might arise out + of longer delay must lie on you alone." [Ib. i. 71.] + </p> + <p> + Goltz arrived with this emphatic Piece, Tuesday Evening, after his course + of seventy miles: this did at last rouse our cautious Young Dessauer; and + so there is next obtainable, on much compression, the following authentic + Excerpt:— + </p> + <p> + "GLOGAU, 8th MARCH, 1741. His Durchlaucht the Prince Leopold summoned all + the Generals at noon; and informed them That, this very night, Glogau must + be won. He gave them their Instructions in writing: where each was to post + himself; with what detachments; how to proceed. There are to be three + Attacks: one up stream, coming on with the River to its right; one down + stream, River to its left; and a third from the landward side, + perpendicular to the other two. The very captains that shall go foremost + are specified; at what hour each is to leave quarters, so that all be + ready simultaneously, waiting in the posts assigned;—against what + points to advance out of these, and storm Rampart and Wall. Places, times, + particulars, everything is fixed with mathematical exactitude: 'Be steady, + be correct, especially be silent; and so far as Law of Nature will permit, + be simultaneous! When the big steeple of Glogau peals Midnight,—Forward, + with the first stroke; with the second, much more with the twelfth stroke, + be one and all of you, in the utmost silence, advancing! And, under pain + of death, two things: Not one shot till you are in; No plundering when you + are.'—In this manner is the silent three-sided avalanche to be let + go. Whereupon", says my Dryasdust, "the Generals retired; and had, for one + item, their fire-arms all cleaned and new-loaded." [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> + i. 823; ii. 165.] + </p> + <p> + Without plans of Glogau, and more detail and study than the reader would + consent to, there can no Narrative be given. Glogau has Ramparts, due + Ring-fence, palisaded and repaired by Wallis; inside of this is an old + Town-Wall, which will need petards: there are about 1,000 men under + Wallis, and altogether on the works, not to count a mortar or two, + fifty-eight big guns. The reader must conceive a poor Town under blockade, + in the wintry night-time, with its tough Count Wallis; ill-off for the + necessaries of life; Town shrouded in darkness, and creeping quietly to + its bed. This on the one hand: and on the other hand, Prussian battalions + marching up, at 10 o'clock or later, with the utmost softness of step; + "taking post behind the ordinary field-watches;" and at length, all + standing ranked, in the invisible dark; silent, like machinery, like a + sleeping avalanche: Husht!—No sentry from the walls dreams of such a + thing. "Twelve!" sings out the steeple of Glogau; and in grim whisper the + word is, "VORWARTS!" and the three-winged avalanche is in motion. + </p> + <p> + They reach their glacises, their ditches, covered ways, correct as + mathematics; tear out chevaux-de-frise, hew down palisades, in the given + number of minutes: Swift, ye Regiment's-carpenters; smite your best! Four + cannon-shot do now boom out upon them; which go high over their heads, + little dreaming how close at hand they are. The glacis is thirty feet + high, of stiff slope, and slippery with frost: no matter, the avalanche, + led on by Leopold in person, by Margraf Karl the King's Cousin, by + Adjutant Goltz and the chief personages, rushes up with strange impetus; + hews down a second palisade; surges in;—Wallis's sentries extinct, + or driven to their main guards. There is a singular fire in the besieging + party. For example, Four Grenadiers,—I think of this First Column, + which succeeded sooner, certainly of the Regiment Glasenapp,—four + grenadiers, owing to slippery or other accidents, in climbing the glacis, + had fallen a few steps behind the general body; and on getting to the top, + took the wrong course, and rushed along rightward instead of leftward. + Rightward, the first thing they come upon is a mass of Austrians still + ranked in arms; fifty-two men, as it turned out, with their Captain over + them. Slight stutter ensues on the part of the Four Grenadiers; but they + give one another the hint, and dash forward: "Prisoners?" ask they + sternly, as if all Prussia had been at their rear. The fifty-two, in the + darkness, in the danger and alarm, answer "Yes."—"Pile arms, then!" + Three of the grenadiers stand to see that done; the fourth runs off for + force, and happily gets back with it before the comedy had become tragic + for his comrades. "I must make acquaintance with these four men," writes + Friedrich, on hearing of it; and he did reward them by present, by + promotion to sergeantcy (to ensigncy one of them), or what else they were + fit for. Grenadiers of Glasenapp: these are the men Friedrich heard + swearing-in under his window, one memorable morning when he burst into + tears! At half-past Twelve, the Ramparts, on all sides, are ours. + </p> + <p> + The Gates of the Town, under axe and petard, can make little resistance, + to Leopold's Column or the other two. A hole is soon cut in the Town-Gate, + where Leopold is; and gallant Wallis, who had rallied behind it, with his + Artillery-General and what they could get together, fires through the + opening, kills four men; but is then (by order, and not till then) fired + upon, and obliged to draw back, with his Artillery-General mortally hurt. + Inside he attempts another rally, some 200 with him; and here and there + perhaps a house-window tries to give shot; but it is to no purpose, not + the least stand can be made. Poor Wallis is rapidly swept back, into the + Market-place, into the Main Guard-house; and there piles arms: "Glogau + yours, Ihr Herren, and we prisoners of War!" The steeple had not yet quite + struck One. Here has been a good hour's-work! + </p> + <p> + Glogau, as in a dream, or half awake, and timidly peeping from behind + window-curtains, finds that it is a Town taken. Glogau easily consoles + itself, I hear, or even is generally glad; Prussian discipline being so + perfect, and ingress now free for the necessaries of life. There was no + plundering; not the least insult: no townsman was hurt; not even in houses + where soldiers had tried firing from windows. The Prussian Battalions + rendezvous in the Market-place, and go peaceably about their patrolling, + and other business; and meddle with nothing else. They lost, in killed, + ten men; had of killed and wounded, forty-eight; the Austrians rather + more. [Orlich, i. 75, 78; <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 829; irreconcilable + otherwise, in some slight points.] Wallis was to have been set free on + parole; but was not,—in retaliation for some severity of General + Browne's in the interim (picking up of two Silesian Noblemen, suspected of + Prussian tendency, and locking them in Brunn over the Hills),—and + had to go to Berlin, till that was repaired. To the wounded + Artillery-General there was every tenderness shown, but he died in few + days.—The other Prisoners were marched to the Custrin-Stettin + quarter; "and many of them took Prussian service." + </p> + <p> + And this is the Scalade of Glogau: a shining feat of those days; which had + great rumor in the Gazettes, and over all the then feverish Nations, + though it has now fallen dim again, as feats do. Its importance at that + time, its utility to Friedrich's affairs, was undeniable; and it filled + Friedrich with the highest satisfaction, and with admiration to + overflowing. Done 9th March, 1741; in one hour, the very earliest of the + day. + </p> + <p> + Goltz posted back to Schweidnitz with the news; got thither about 5 P.M.; + and was received, naturally, with open arms. Friedrich in person marched + out, next morning, to make FEU-DE-JOIE and TE-DEUM-ing;—there was + Royal Letter to Leopold, which flamed through all the Newspapers, and can + still be read in innumerable Books; Letter omissible in this place. We + remark only how punctual the King is, to reward in money as well as + praise, and not the high only, but the low that had deserved: to Prince + Leopold he presents 2,000 pounds; to each private soldier who had been of + the storm, say half a guinea,—doubling and quadrupling, in the + special cases, to as high as twenty guineas, of our present money. To the + old Gazetteers, and their readers everywhere, this of Glogau is a very + effulgent business; bursting out on them, like sudden Bude-light, in the + uncertain stagnancy and expectancy of mankind. Friedrich himself writes of + it to the Old Dessauer:— + </p> + <p> + "The more I think of the Glogau business, the more important I find it. + Prince Leopold has achieved the prettiest military stroke (DIE SCHONSTE + ACTION) that has been done in this Century. From my heart I congratulate + you on having such a Son. In boldness of resolution, in plan, in + execution, it is alike admirable; and quite gives a turn to my affairs." + [Date, 13th March, 1741 (Orlich, i. 77).] + </p> + <p> + And indeed, it is a perfect example of Prussian discipline, and military + quality in all kinds; such as it would be difficult to match elsewhere. + Most potently correct; coming out everywhere with the completeness and + exactitude of mathematics; and has in it such a fund of martial fire, not + only ready to blaze out (which can be exampled elsewhere), but capable of + bottling itself IN, and of lying silently ready. Which is much rarer; and + very essential in soldiering! Due a little to the OLD Dessauer, may we not + say, as well as to the Young? Friedrich Wilhelm is fallen silent; but his + heavy labors, and military and other drillings to Prussian mankind, still + speak with an audible voice. + </p> + <p> + About three weeks after this of Glogau, Leopold the Old Dessauer, over in + Brandenburg, does another thing which is important to Friedrich, and of + great rumor in the world. Steps out, namely, with a force of 36,000 men, + horse, foot and artillery, completely equipped in all points; and takes + Camp, at this early season, at a place called Gottin, not far from + Magdeburg, handy at once for Saxony and for Hanover; and continues there + encamped,—"merely for review purposes." Readers can figure what an + astonishment it was to Kur-Sachsen and British George; and how it struck + the wind out of their Russian Partition-Dream, and awoke them to a sense + of the awful fact!—Capable of being slit in pieces, and themselves + partitioned, at a day's warning, as it were! It was on April 2d, that + Leopold, with the first division of the 36,000, planted his flag near + Gottin. No doubt it was the "detestable Project" that had brought him out, + at so early a season for tent-life, and nobody could then guess why. He + steadily paraded here, all summer; keeping his 36,000 well in drill, since + there was nothing else needed of him. + </p> + <p> + The Camp at Gottin flamed greatly abroad through the timorous imaginations + of mankind, that Year; and in the Newspapers are many details of it. And, + besides the important general fact, there is still one little point worth + special mention: namely, that old Field-marshal Katte (Father of poor + Lieutenant Katte whom we knew) was of it; and perhaps even got his death + by it: "Chief Commander of the Cavalry here," such honor had he; but died + at his post, in a couple of months, "at Rekahn, May 31st;" [<i>Militair-Lexikon,</i> + ii. 254.] poor old gentleman, perhaps unequal to the hardships of + field-life at so early a season of the year. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + FRIEDRICH TAKES THE FIELD, WITH SOME POMP; GOES INTO THE MOUNTAINS,—BUT + COMES FAST BACK. + </h2> + <p> + At Glogau there was Homaging, on the very morrow after the storm; on the + second day, the superfluous regiments marched off: no want of vigorous + activity to settle matters on their new footing there. General Kalkstein + (Friedrich's old Tutor, whom readers have forgotten again) is to be + Commandant of Glogau; an office of honor, which can be done by deputy + except in cases of real stress. The place is to be thoroughly + new-fortified,—which important point they commit to Engineer + Wallrave, a strong-headed heavy-built Dutch Officer, long since acquired + to the service, on account of his excellence in that line; who did, now + and afterwards, a great deal of excellent engineering for Friedrich; but + for himself (being of deep stomach withal, and of life too dissolute) made + a tragic thing of it ultimately. As will be seen, if we have leisure. + </p> + <p> + In seven or eight days, Prince Leopold having wound up his Glogau affairs, + and completed the new preliminaries there, joins the King at Schweidnitz. + In the highest favor, as was natural. Kalkstein is to take a main hand in + the Siege of Neisse; for which operation it is hoped there will soon be + weather, if not favorable yet supportable. What of the force was + superfluous at Glogau had at once marched off, as we observed; and is now + getting re-distributed where needful. There is much shifting about; + strengthening of posts, giving up of posts: the whole of which readers + shall imagine for themselves,—except only two points that are worth + remembering: FIRST, that Kalkstein with about 12,000 takes post at + Grotkau, some twenty-five miles north of Neisse, ready to move on, and + open trenches, when required: and SECOND, that Holstein-Beck gets posted + at Frankenstein (chief place of that Baumgarten Skirmish), say thirty-five + miles west-by-north of Neisse; and has some 8 or 10,000 Horse and Foot + thereabouts, spread up and down,—who will be much wanted, and not + procurable, on an occasion that is coming. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich has given up the Jablunka Pass; called in the Jablunka and + remoter posts; anxious to concentrate, before the Enemy get nigh. That is + the King's notion; and surely a reasonable one; the AREA of the Prussian + Army, as I guess it from the Maps, being above 2,000 square miles, + beginning at Breslau only, and leaving out Glogau. Schwerin thinks + differently, but without good basis. Both are agreed, "The Austrian Army + cannot take the field till the forage come," till the new grass spring, + which its cavalry find convenient. That is the fair supposition; but in + that both are mistaken, and Schwerin the more dangerously of the two.—Meanwhile, + the Pandour swarms are observably getting rifer, and of stormier quality; + and they seem to harbor farther to the East than formerly, and not to come + all out of Glatz. Which perhaps are symptomatic circumstances? The worst + effect of these preliminary Pandour clouds is, Your scout-service cannot + live among them; they hinder reconnoitring, and keep the Enemy veiled from + you. Of that sore mischief Friedrich had, first and last, ample experience + at their hands! This is but the first instalment of Pandours to Friedrich; + and the mere foretaste of what they can do in the veiling way. + </p> + <p> + Behind the Mountains, in this manner, all is inane darkness to Friedrich + and Schwerin. They know only that Neipperg is rendezvousing at Olmutz; and + judge that he will still spend many weeks upon it; the real facts being: + That Neipperg—"who arrived in Olmutz on the 10th of March," the very + day while Glogau was homaging—has been, he and those above him and + those under him, driving preparations forward at a furious rate. That + Neipperg held—I think at Steinberg his hithermost post, some twenty + miles hither of Olmutz—a Council of War, "all the Generals and even + Lentulus from Glatz, present at it," day not given; where the unanimous + decision was, "March straightway; save Neisse, since Glogau is gone!"—and + in fine, That on the 26th, Neipperg took the road accordingly, "in spite + of furious snow blowing in his face;" and is ever since (30,000 strong, + says rumor, but perhaps 10,000 of them mere Pandours) unweariedly climbing + the Mountains, laboriously jingling forward with his heavy guns and + ammunition-wagons; "contending with the steep snowy icy roads;" intent + upon saving Neisse. This is the fact; profoundly unknown to Friedrich and + Schwerin; who will be much surprised, when it becomes patent to them at + the wrong time. + </p> + <p> + SCHWEIDNITZ, 27th MARCH. This day Friedrich, with considerable apparatus, + pomp and processional cymballing, greatly the reverse of his ulterior use + and wont in such cases, quitted Schweidnitz and his Algarottis; solemnly + opening Campaign in this manner; and drove off for Ottmachau, having work + there for to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + The Siege of Neisse is now to proceed forthwith; trenches to be opened + April 4th. Friedrich is still of opinion, that his posts lie too wide + apart; that especially Schwerin, who is spread among the Hills in + Jagerndorf Country, ought to come down, and take closer order for covering + the siege. [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> ii. 70.] Schwerin answers, That if + the King will spare him a reinforcement of eight squadrons and nine + battalions (say 1,200 Horse, 9,000 Foot), he will maintain himself where + he is, and no Enemy shall get across the Mountains at all. That is + Schwerin's notion; who surely is something of a judge. Friedrich assents; + will himself conduct the reinforcement to Schwerin, and survey matters, + with his own eyes, up yonder. Friedrich marches from Ottmachau, + accordingly, 29th March;—Kalkstein, Holstein-Beck, and others are to + be rendezvoused before Neisse, in the interim; trenches ready for opening + on the sixth day hence;—and in this manner, climbs these Mountains, + and sees Jagerndorf Country for the first time. + </p> + <p> + Beautiful blue world of Hills, ridge piled on ridge behind that Neisse + region; fruitful valleys lapped in them, with grim stone Castles and busy + little Towns disclosing themselves as we advance: that is Jagerndorf + Country,—which Uncle George of Anspach, hundreds of years ago, + purchased with his own money; which we have now come to lay hold of as his + Heir! Friedrich, I believe, thinks little of all this, and does not + remember Uncle George at all. But such are the facts; and the Country, + regarded or not, is very blue and beautiful, with the Spring sun shining + on it; or with the sudden Spring storms gathering wildly on the peaks, as + if for permanent investiture, but vanishing again straightway, leaving + only a powdering of snow. + </p> + <p> + He met Schwerin at Neustadt, half-way to Jagerndorf; whither they + proceeded next day. "What news have you of the Enemy?" was Friedrich's + first question. Schwerin has no news whatever; only that the Enemy is far + off, hanging in long thin straggle from Olmutz westward. "I have a spy + out," said Schwerin; "but he has not returned yet,"—nor ever will, + he might have added. If diligent readers will now take to their Map, and + attend day by day, an invincible Predecessor has compelled what next + follows into human intelligibility, and into the Diary Form, for their + behoof;—readers of an idler turn can skip: but this confused + hurry-scurry of marches issues in something which all will have to attend + to. + </p> + <p> + "JAGERNDORF, 2d APRIL, 1741. This is the day when the Old Dessauer makes + appearance with the first brigades of his Camp at Gottin. Friedrich is + satisfied with what he has seen of Jagerndorf matters; and intends + returning towards Neisse, there to commence on the 4th. He is giving his + final orders, and on the point of setting off, when—Seven Austrian + Deserters, 'Dragoons of Lichtenstein,' come in; and report, That + Neipperg's Army is within a few miles! And scarcely had they done + answering and explaining, when sounds rise of musketry and cannon, from + our outposts on that side; intimating that here is Neipperg's Army itself. + Seldom in his life was Friedrich in an uglier situation. In Jagerndorf, an + open Town, are only some three or four thousand men, 'with three + field-pieces, and as much powder as will charge them forty times.' Happily + these proved only the Pandour outskirts of Neipperg's Army, scouring about + to reconnoitre, and not difficult to beat; the real body of it is + ascertained to be at Freudenthal, fifteen miles to westward, + southwestward; making towards Neisse, it is guessed, by the other or + western road, which is the nearer to Glatz and to the Austrian force + there. + </p> + <p> + "Had Neipperg known what was in Jagerndorf—! But he does not know. + He marches on, next morning, at his usual slow rate; wide clouds of + Pandours accompanying and preceding him; skirmishing in upon all places + [upon Jagerndorf, for instance, though fifteen miles wide of their road], + to ascertain if Prussians are there. One can judge whether Friedrich and + Schwerin were thankful when the huge alarm produced nothing! 'The + mountain,' as Friedrich says, 'gave birth to a mouse;'—nay it was a + 'mouse' of essential vital use to Friedrich and Schwerin; a warning, That + they must instantly collect themselves, men and goods; and begone one and + all out of these parts, double-quick towards Neisse. Not now with the hope + of besieging Neisse,—far from that;—but of getting their + wide-scattered posts together thereabouts, and escaping destruction in + detail! + </p> + <p> + "APRIL 4th, HEAD-QUARTERS NEUSTADT. By violent exertion, with the + sacrifice only of some remote little storehouses, all is rendezvoused at + Jagerndorf, within two days; and this day they march; King and vanguard + reaching Neustadt, some twenty-five miles forward, some twenty still from + Neisse. At Neustadt, the posts that had stood in that neighborhood are all + assembled, and march with the King to-morrow. Of Neipperg, except by + transitory contact with his Pandour clouds, they have seen nothing: his + road is pretty much parallel to theirs, and some fifteen miles leftward, + Glatzward; goes through Zuckmantel, Ziegenhals, straight upon Neisse. + [Zuckmantel, "Twitch-Cloak," occurs more than once as a Town's name in + those regions: name which, says my Dryasdust without smile visible, it got + from robberies done on travellers, "twitchings of your cloak," with + stand-and-deliver, as you cross those wild mountain spaces. (Zeiller, <i>Beschreibung + des Konigreichs Boheim,</i> Frankfurt, 1650;—a rather worthless old + Book, like the rest of Zeiller's in that kind.)] Neipperg's men are + wearied with the long climb out of Mahren; and he struggles towards Neisse + as the first object;—holding upon Glatz and Lentulus with his left. + Numerous orders have been speeded from the King's quarters, at Jagerndorf, + and here at Neustadt; order especially to Holstein-Beck at Frankenstein, + and to Kalkstein at Grotkau, How they are to unite, first with one + another; and then to cross Neisse River, and unite with the King,—to + which end there is already a Bridge laid for them, or about to be laid in + good time. + </p> + <p> + "APRIL 5th, HEAD-QUARTERS STEINAU. Steinau is a little Town twenty miles + east of Neisse, on the road to Kosel [strongish place, on the Oder, some + forty miles farther east]: here Friedrich, with the main body, take their + quarters; rearguard being still at Neustadt. Temporary Bridge there is, + ready or all but ready, at Sorgau [twelve miles to north of us, on our + left]: by this Kalkstein, with his 10,000, comes punctually across; while + other brigades from the Kosel side are also punctual in getting in; which + is a great comfort: but of Holstein-Beck there is no vestige, nor did + there ever appear any. Holstein, 'whom none of the repeated orders sent + him could reach,' says Friedrich, 'remained comfortably in his quarters; + and looked at the Enemy rushing past him to right and left, without + troubling his head with them.' [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> ii. 70.] The + too easy-minded Holstein! Austrian Deserters inform us, That General + Neipperg arrived to-day with his Army in Neisse; and has there been joined + by Lentulus with the Glatz force, chiefly cavalry, a good many thousands. + We may be attacked, then, this very night, if they are diligent? Friedrich + marks out ground and plan in such case, and how and where each is to rank + himself. There came nothing of attack; but the poor little Village of + Steinau, with so many troops in it and baggage-drivers stumbling about, + takes fire; burns to ashes; 'and we had great difficulty in saving the + artillery and powder through the narrow streets, with the houses all + burning on each hand.'" Fancy it,—and the poor shrieking + inhabitants; gone to silence long since with their shrieks, not the least + whisper left of them. "The Prussians bivouac on the field, each in the + place that has been marked out. Night extremely cold." + </p> + <p> + In this poor Steinau was a Schloss, which also went up in fire; disclosing + certain mysteries of an almost mythical nature to the German Public. It + was the Schloss of a Grafin von Callenberg, a dreadful old Dowager of + Medea-Messalina type, who "always wore pistols about her;" pistols, and + latterly, with more and more constancy, a brandy-bottle;—who has + been much on the tongues of men for a generation back. Herr Nussler + (readers recollect shifty Nussler) knew her, in the way of business, at + one time; with pity, if also with horror. Some weeks ago, she was, by the + Austrian Commandant at Neisse, summoned out of this Schloss, as in + correspondence with Prussian Officers: peasants breaking in, tied her with + ropes to the bed where she was; put bed and her into a farm-cart, and in + that scandalous manner delivered her at Neisse to the Commandant; by which + adventure, and its rages and unspeakabilities, the poor old Callenberg is + since dead. And now the very Schloss is dead; and there is finis to a + human dust-vortex, such as is sometimes noisy for a time. Perhaps Nussler + may again pass that way, if we wait. [Busching, <i>Beitrage,</i> ii.273 et + seqq.] + </p> + <p> + "APRIL 6th, HEAD-QUARTERS FRIEDLAND. To Friedland on the 6th.,—and + do not, as expected, get away next morning. Friedland is ten miles down + the Neisse, which makes a bend of near ninety degrees opposite Steinau; + and runs thence straight north for the Oder, which it reaches some dozen + miles or more above Brieg. Both Steinau and Friedland are a good distance + from the River; Friedland, the nearer of the two, with Sorgau Bridge + direct west of it, is perhaps eight miles from that important structure. + There, being now tolerably rendezvoused, and in strength for action, + Friedrich purposes to cross Neisse River to-morrow; hoping perhaps to meet + Holstein-Beck, and incorporate him; anxious, at any rate, to get between + the Austrians and Ohlau, where his heavy Artillery, his Ammunition, not to + mention other indispensables, are lying. The peculiarity of Neipperg at + this time is, that the ground he occupies bears no proportion to the + ground he commands. His regular Horse are supposed to be the best in the + world; and of the Pandour kind, who live, horse and man, mainly upon + nothing (which means upon theft), his supplies are unlimited. He sits like + a volcanic reservoir, therefore, not like a common fire of such and such + intensity and power to burn;—casts the ashes of him, on all sides, + to many miles distance. + </p> + <p> + "FRIDAY 7th APRIL, FRIEDLAND (still Head-quarters). Unluckily, on trying, + there is no passage to be had at Sorgau. The Officer on charge there still + holds the Bridge, but has been obliged to break away the farther end of + it; 'Lentulus and Dragoons, several thousands strong' (such is the + report), having taken post there. Friedrich commands that the Bridge be + reinstated; field-pieces to defend it; Prince Leopold to cross, and clear + the ways. All Friday, Friedrich waiting at Friedland, was spent in these + details. Leopold in due force started for Sorgau, himself with Cavalry in + the van; Leopold did storm across, and go charging and fencing, some + space, on the other side; but, seeing that it was in truth Lentulus, and + Dragoons without limit, had to send report accordingly; and then to wind + himself to this side again, on new order from the King. What is to be + done, then? Here is no crossing. Friedrich decides to go down the River; + he himself to Lowen, perhaps near twenty miles farther down, but where + there is a Bridge and Highway leading over; Prince Leopold, with the + heavier divisions and baggages, to Michelau, some miles nearer, and there + to build his Pontoons and cross. Which was effected, with success. And so, + </p> + <p> + "SATURDAY, 8th APRIL, With great punctuality, the King and Leopold met at + Michelau, both well across the Neisse. Here on Pontoons, Leopold had got + across about noon; and precisely as he was finishing, the King's Column, + which had crossed at Lowen, and come up the left bank again, arrived. The + King, much content with Leopold's behavior, nominates him General of + Infantry, a stage higher in promotion, there and then. Brieg Blockade is, + as natural, given up; the Blockading Body joining with the King, this + morning, while he passed that way. From Holstein-Beck not the least + whisper,—nor to him, if we knew it. + </p> + <p> + "Neipperg has quitted Neisse; but walks invisible within clouds of + Pandours; nothing but guessing as to Neipperg's motions. Rightly swift, + and awake to his business, Neipperg might have done, might still do, a + stroke upon us here. But he takes it easy; marches hardly five miles a + day, since he quitted Neisse again. From Michelau, Friedrich for his part + turns southwestward, in quest of Holstein and other interests; marches + towards Grotkau, not intending much farther that night. Thick snow blowing + in their faces, nothing to be seen ahead, the Prussian column tramps + along. [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> ii. 156.] In Leipe, a little Hamlet + sidewards of the road, short way from Grotkau, our Hussar Vanguard had + found Austrian Hussars; captured forty, and from them learned that the + Austrian Army is in Grotkau; that they took Grotkau half an hour before, + and are there! A poor Lieutenant Mitschepfal (whom I think Friedrich used + to know in Reinsberg) lay in Grotkau, 'with some sixty recruits and + deserters,' says Friedrich,—and with several hundreds of + camp-laborers (intended for the trenches, which will not now be opened):—Mitschepfal + made a stout defence; but, after three hours of it, had to give in: and + there is nothing now for us at Grotkau. 'Halt,' therefore! Neipperg is + evidently pushing towards Ohlau, towards Breslau, though in a leisurely + way; there it will behoove us to get the start of him, if humanly + possible: To the right about, therefore, without delay! The Prussians + repass Leipe (much to the wonder of its simple people); get along, some + seven miles farther, on the road for Ohlau; and quarter, that night, in + what handy villages there are; the King's Corps in two Villages, which he + calls 'Pogrel and Alsen,'"—which are to be found still on the Map as + "Pogarell and Alzenau," on the road from Lowen towards Ohlau. + </p> + <p> + This is the end of that March into the Mountains, with Neisse Siege + hanging triumphant ahead. These are the King's quarters, this wintry + Spring night, Saturday, 8th April, 1741; and it is to be guessed there is + more of care than of sleep provided for him there. Seldom, in his life, + was Friedrich in a more critical position; and he well knows it, none + better. And could have his remorses upon it,—were these of the least + use in present circumstances. Here are two Letters which he wrote that + night; veiling, we perceive, a very grim world of thoughts; betokening, + however, a mind made up. Jordan, Prince August Wilhelm Heir-Apparent, and + other fine individuals who shone in the Schweidnitz circle lately, are in + Breslau, safe sheltered against this bad juncture; Maupertuis was not so + lucky as to go with them. + </p> + <p> + THE KING TO PRINCE AUGUST WILHELM (in Breslau). + </p> + <p> + "POGARELL, 8th April, 1741. + </p> + <p> + "MY DEAREST BROTHER,—The Enemy has just got into Silesia; we are not + more than a mile (QUART DE MILLE) from them. To-morrow must decide our + fortune. + </p> + <p> + "If I die, do not forget a Brother who has always loved you very tenderly. + I recommend to you my most dear Mother, my Domestics, and my First + Battalion [LIFEGUARD OF FOOT, men picked from his own old Ruppin Regiment + and from the disbanded Giants, star of all the Battalions]. [See Preuss, + i. 144, iv. 309; Nicolai, <i>Beschreibung von Berlin,</i> iii, 1252.] + Eichel and Schuhmacher [Two of the Three Clerks] are informed of all my + testamentary wishes. Remember me always, you; but console yourself for my + death: the glory of the Prussian Arms, and the honor of the House have set + me in action, and will guide me to my last moment. You are my sole Heir: I + recommend to you, in dying, those whom I have the most loved during my + life: Keyserling, Jordan, Wartensleben; Hacke, who is a very honest man; + Fredersdorf [Factotum], and Eichel, in whom you may place entire + confidence. I bequeath 8,000 crowns (1,200 pounds, which I have with me), + to my Domestics; but all that I have elsewhere depends on you. To each of + my Brothers and Sisters make a present in my name; a thousand affectionate + regards (AMITIES ET COMPLIMENTS) to my Sister of Baireuth. You know what I + think on their score; and you know better than I could tell you, the + tenderness and all the sentiments of most inviolable friendship with which + I am, dearest Brother, + </p> + <p> + "Your faithful Brother and Servant till death, + </p> + <p> + "FEDERIC." [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xxvi. 85; List of Friedrich's + Testamentary arrangements in Note there,—Six in all, at different + times, besides this.] + </p> + <p> + THE KING TO M. JORDAN (in Breslau). + </p> + <p> + "POGARELL, 8th April, 1741. + </p> + <p> + "My DEAR JORDAN,—-We are going to fight to-morrow. Thou knowest the + chances of war; the life of Kings not more regarded than that of private + people. I know not what will happen to me. + </p> + <p> + "If my destiny is finished, remember a friend, who loves thee always + tenderly: if Heaven prolong my days, I will write to thee after to-morrow, + and thou wilt hear of our victory. Adieu, dear friend; I shall love thee + till death. + </p> + <p> + "FEDERIC." [Ib. xvii. 98.] + </p> + <p> + The King, we incidentally discover somewhere, "had no sleep that night;" + none, "nor the next night either,"—such a crisis coming, still not + come. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter X. — BATTLE OF MOLLWITZ. + </h2> + <p> + "To-morrow," Sunday, did not prove the Day of Fight, after all. Being a + day of wild drifting snow, so that you could not see twenty paces, there + was nothing for it but to sit quiet. The King makes all his dispositions; + sketches out punctually, to the last item, where each is to station + himself, how the Army is to advance in Four Columns, ready for Neipperg + wherever he may be,—towards Ohlau at any rate, whither it is not + doubted Neipperg is bent. These snowy six-and-thirty hours at Pogarell + were probably, since the Custrin time, the most anxious of Friedrich's + life. + </p> + <p> + Neipperg, for his part, struggles forward a few miles, this Sunday, April + 9th; the Prussians rest under shelter in the wild weather. Neipperg's + head-quarters, this night, are a small Village or Hamlet, called Mollwitz: + there and in the adjacent Hamlets, chiefly in Laugwitz and Gruningen, his + Army lodges itself:—he is now fairly got between us and Ohlau,—if, + in the blowing drift, we knew it, or he knew it. But, in this confusion of + the elements, neither party knows of the other: Neipperg has appointed + that to-morrow, Monday, 10th, shall be a rest-day:—appointment which + could by no means be kept, as it turned out! + </p> + <p> + Friedrich had despatched messengers to Ohlau, that the force there should + join him; messengers are all captured. The like message had already gone + to Brieg, some days before, and the Blockading Body, a good few thousand + strong, quitted Brieg, as we saw, and effected their junction with him. + All day, this Sunday, 9th, it still snows and blows; you cannot see a yard + before you. No hope now of Holstein-Beck. Not the least news from any + quarter; Ohlau uncertain, too likely the wrong way: What is to be done? We + are cut off from our Magazines, have only provision for one other day. + "Had this weather lasted," says an Austrian reporter of these things, "his + Majesty would have passed his time very ill." [<i>Feldzuge der Preussen</i> + (the complete Title is, <i>Sammlung ungedruckter Nachrichten so die + Geschichte der Feldzuge der Preussen von 1740 bis 1779 erlautern,</i> or + in English words, <i>Collection of unprinted Narratives which elucidate + the Prussian Campaigns from 1740 to 1779:</i> 5 vols. Dresden, 1782-1785), + i. 33. Excellent Narratives, modest, brief, effective (from Private + Diaries and the like; many of them given also in SEYFARTH); well worth + perusal by the studious military man, and creditably characteristic of the + Prussian writers of them and actors in them.] + </p> + <p> + Of the Battle of Mollwitz, as indeed of all Friedrich's Battles, there are + ample accounts new and old, of perfect authenticity and scientific + exactitude; so that in regard to military points the due clearness is, on + study, completely attainable. But as to personal or human details, we are + driven back upon a miscellany of sources; most of which, indeed all of + which except Nicolai, when he sparingly gives us anything, are of + questionable nature; and, without intending to be dishonest, do run out + into the mythical, and require to be used with caution. The latest and + notablest of these, in regard to Mollwitz, is the pamphlet of a Dr. Fuchs; + from which, in spite of its amazing quality, we expect to glean a + serviceable item here and there. [<i>Jubelschrift zur Feier</i> + (Centenary) <i>der Schlacht bei Mollwitz, 10 April, 1741,</i> von Dr. + Medicinae Fuchs (Brieg, 10th April, 1841).] It is definable as probably + the most chaotic Pamphlet ever written; and in many places, by dint of + uncorrected printing, bad grammar, bad spelling, bad sense, and in short, + of intrinsic darkness in so vivacious a humor, it has become abstruse as + Sanscrit; and really is a sharp test of what knowledge you otherwise have + of the subject. Might perhaps be used in that way, by the Examining + Military Boards, in Prussia and elsewhere, if no other use lie in it? + Fuchs's own contributions, mere ignorance, folly and credulity, are not + worth interpreting: but he has printed, and in the same abstruse form, one + or two curious Parish Manuscripts, particularly a "HISTORY" of this War, + privately jotted down by the then Schoolmaster of Mollwitz, a good simple + accurate old fellow-creature; through whose eyes it is here and there + worth while to look. In regard to Fuchs himself, a late Tourist says:— + </p> + <p> + "This 'Centenary-Celebration Pamphlet' (Celebration itself, so obtuse was + the Country, did not take effect) was by a zealous, noisy but not wise, + old Medical Gentleman of these parts, called Dr. Fuchs (FOX); who had set + his heart on raising, by subscription, a proper National Monument on the + Field of Mollwitz, and so closing his old career. Subscriptions did not + take, in that April, 1841, nor in the following months or twelve-months: + the zealous Doctor, therefore, indignantly drew his own purse; got a big + Obelisk of Granite hewn ready, with suitable Inscription on it; carted his + big Obelisk from the quarries of Strehlen; assembled the Country round it, + on Mollwitz Field; and passionately discoursed and pleaded, That at least + the Country should bring block-and-tackle, with proper framework, and set + up this Obelisk on the pedestal he had there built for it. The Country + listened cheerfully (for the old Doctor was a popular man, clever though + flighty); but the Country was again obtuse in the way of active + furtherance, and would not even bring block-and-tackle. The old Doctor had + to answer, 'Well, then!' and go on his way on more serious errands. The + cattle have much undermined, and rubbed down, his poor Pedestal, which is + of rubble-work; his Obelisk still lies mournfully horizontal, uninjured;—and + really ought to be set up, by some parish-rate, or effort of the community + otherwise." [Tourist's Note (Brieg, 1858).] + </p> + <p> + From the old Mollwitz Schoolmaster we distil the following:— + </p> + <p> + "MOLLWITZ, SUNDAY, 9th APRIL. Country for two days back: was in new alarm + by the Austrian Garrison of Brieg now left at liberty, who sallied out + upon the Villages about, and plundered black-cattle, sheep, grain, and + whatever they could come at. But this day (Sunday) in Mollwitz the whole + Austrian Army was upon us. First, there went 300 Hussars through the + Village to Gruningen, who quartered themselves there; and rushed hither + and thither into houses, robbing and plundering. From one they took his + best horses, from another they took linen, clothes, and other furnitures + and victual. General Neuburg [Neipperg] halted here at Mollwitz, with the + whole Army; before the Village, in mind to quarter. And quarter was + settled, so that a BAUER [Plough-Farmer] got four to five companies to + lodge, and a GARTNER [Spade-Farmer] two or three hundred cavalry..The + houses were full of Officers, the GARTE [Garths] and the Fields full of + horsemen and baggage; and all round, you saw nothing but fires burning; + the ZAUNE [wooden railings] were instantly torn down for firewood; the + hay, straw, barley and haver, were eaten away, and brought to nothing; and + everything from the barns was carried out. And, as the whole Army could + not lodge itself with us, 1,100 Infantry quartered at Laugwitz; Barzdorf + got 400 Cavalry; and this day, nobody knew what would come of it." + [Extract in FUCHS, p. 6.] + </p> + <p> + Monday morning, the Prussians are up betimes; King Friedrich, as above + noted, had not, or had hardly at all, slept during those two nights, such + his anxieties. This morning, all is calm, sleeked out into spotless white; + Pogarell and the world are wrapt as in a winding-sheet, near two feet of + snow on the ground. Air hard and crisp; a hot sun possible about noon + season. "By daybreak" we are all astir, rendezvousing, ranking,—into + Four Columns; ready to advance in that fashion for battle, or for + deploying into battle, wherever the Enemy turn up. The orders were all + given overnight, two nights ago; were all understood, too, and known to be + rhadamanthine; and, down to the lowest pioneer, no man is uncertain what + to do. If we but knew where the Enemy is; on which side of us; what doing, + what intending? + </p> + <p> + Scouts, General-Adjutants are out on the quest; to no purpose hitherto. + One young General-Adjutant, Saldern, whose name we shall know again, has + ridden northward, has pulled bridle some way north of Pogarell; hangs, + gazing diligently through his spy-glass, there;—can see nothing but + a Plain of silent snow, with sparse bearding of bushes (nothing like a + hedge in these countries), and here and there a tree, the miserable + skeleton of a poplar:—when happily, owing to an Austrian Dragoon—Be + pleased to accept (in abridged form) the poor old Schoolmaster's account + of a small thing:— + </p> + <p> + "Austrian Dragoon of the regiment Althan, native of Kriesewitz in this + neighborhood, who was billeted in Christopher Schonwitz's, had been much + in want of a clean shirt, and other interior outfit; and had, last night, + imperatively despatched the man Scholzke, a farm-servant of the said + Christopher's, off to his, the Dragoon's, Father in Kriesewitz, to procure + such shirt or outfit, and to return early with the same; under penalty of—Scholzke + and his master dare not think under what penalty. Scholzke, floundering + homewards with the outfit from Kriesewitz, flounders at this moment into + Saldern's sphere of vision: 'Whence, whither?' asks Saldern: 'Dost thou + know where the Austrians are?' (RECHT GUT: in Mollwitz), whither I am + going!' Saldern takes him to the King,—and that was the first clear + light his Majesty had on the matter." [Fuchs, pp. 6, 7.] That or something + equivalent, indisputably was; Saldern and "a Peasant," the account of it + in all the Books. + </p> + <p> + The King says to this Peasant, "Thou shalt ride with me to-day!" And + Scholzke, Ploschke others call him,—heavy-footed rational biped + knowing the ground there practically, every yard of it,—did, as + appears, attend the King all morning; and do service, that was + recognizable long years afterwards. "For always," say the Books, "when the + King held review here, Ploschke failed not to make appearance on the field + of Pogarell, and get recognition and a gift from his Majesty." + </p> + <p> + At break of day the ranking and arranging began. Pogarell clock is near + striking ten, when the last squadron or battalion quits Pogarell; and the + Four Columns, punctiliously correct, are all under way. Two on each side + of Ohlau Highway; steadily advancing, with pioneers ahead to clear any + obstacle there may be. Few obstacles; here and there a little ditch (where + Ploschke's advice may be good, under the sleek of the snow), no fences, + smooth wide Plain, nothing you would even call a knoll in it for many + miles ahead and around. Mollwitz is some seven miles north from Pogarell; + intermediate lie dusty fractions of Villages more than one; two miles or + more from Mollwitz we come to Pampitz on our left, the next considerable, + if any of them can be counted considerable. + </p> + <p> + "All these Dorfs, and indeed most German ones," says my Tourist, "are made + on one type; an agglomerate of dusty farmyards, with their stalls and + barns; all the farmyards huddled together in two rows; a broad negligent + road between, seldom mended, never swept except by the elements. Generally + there is nothing to be seen, on each hand, but thatched roofs, dead clay + walls and rude wooden gates; sometimes a poor public-house, with probable + beer in it; never any shop, nowhere any patch of swept pavement, or trim + gathering-place for natives of a social gossipy turn: the road lies + sleepy, littery, good only for utilitarian purposes. In the middle of the + Village stands Church and Churchyard, with probably some gnarled trees + around it: Church often larger than you expected; the Churchyard, always + fenced with high stone-and-mortar wall, is usually the principal military + post of the place. Mollwitz, at the present day, has something of + whitewash here and there; one of the farmer people, or more, wearing a + civilized prosperous look. The belfry offers you a pleasant view: the + roofs and steeples of Brieg, pleasantly visible to eastward; villages + dotted about, Laugwitz, Barzdorf, Hermsdorf, clear to your inquiring: and + to westward, and to southward, tops of Hill-country in the distance. + Westward, twenty miles off, are pleasant Hills; and among them, if you + look well, shadowy Town-spires, which you are assured are Strehlen, a + place also of interest in Friedrich's History.—Your belfry itself, + in Mollwitz, is old, but not unsound; and the big iron clock grunts + heavily at your ear, or perhaps bursts out in a too deafening manner, + while you study the topographies. Pampitz, too, seems prosperous, in its + littery way; the Church is bigger and newer,"—owing to an accident + we shall hear of soon;—"Country all about seems farmed with some + industry, but with shallow ploughing; liable to drought. It is very sandy + in quality; shorn of umbrage; painfully naked to an English eye." That is + the big champaign, coated with two feet of snow, where a great Action is + now to go forward. + </p> + <p> + Neipperg, all this while, is much at his ease on this white resting-day, + He is just sitting down to dinner at the Dorfschulze's (Village Provost, + or miniature Mayor of Mollwitz), a composed man; when—rockets or + projectiles, and successive anxious sputterings from the steeple-tops of + Brieg, are hastily reported: what can it mean? Means little perhaps;—Neipperg + sends out a Hussar party to ascertain, and composedly sets himself to + dine. In a little while his Hussar party will come galloping back, faster + than it went; faster and fewer;—and there will be news for Neipperg + during dinner! Better here looking out, though it was a rest-day?— + </p> + <p> + The truth is, the Prussian advance goes on with punctilious exactitude, by + no means rapidly. Colonel Count van Rothenburg,—the same whom we + lately heard of in Paris as a miracle of gambling,—he now here, in a + new capacity, is warily leading the Vanguard of Dragoons; warily, with the + Four Columns well to rear of him: the Austrian Hussar party came upon + Rothenburg, not two miles from Mollwitz; and suddenly drew bridle. Them + Rothenburg tumbles to the right-about, and chases;—finds, on + advancing, the Austrian Army totally unaware. It is thought, had + Rothenburg dashed forward, and sent word to the rearward to dash forward + at their swiftest, the Austrian Army might have been cut in pieces here, + and never have got together to try battle at all. But Rothenburg had no + orders; nay, had orders Not to get into fighting;—nor had Friedrich + himself, in this his first Battle, learned that feline or leonine + promptitude of spring which he subsequently manifested. Far from it! + Indeed this punctilious deliberation, and slow exactitude as on the + review-ground, is wonderful and noteworthy at the first start of + Friedrich;—the faithful apprentice-hand still rigorous to the rules + of the old shop. Ten years hence, twenty years hence, had Friedrich found + Neipperg in this condition, Neipperg's account had been soon settled!— + Rothenburg drove back the Hussars, all manner of successive Hussar + parties, and kept steadily ahead of the main battle, as he had been + bidden. + </p> + <p> + Pampitz Village being now passed, and in rear of them to left, the + Prussian Columns halt for some instants; burst into field-music; take to + deploying themselves into line. There is solemn wheeling, shooting out to + right and left, done with spotless precision: once in line,—in two + lines, "each three men deep," lines many yards apart,—they will + advance on Mollwitz; still solemnly, field-music guiding, and banners + spread. Which will be a work of time. That the King's frugal field-dinner + was shot away, from its camp-table near Pampitz (as Fuchs has heard), is + evidently mythical; and even impossible, the Austrians having yet no + cannon within miles of him; and being intent on dining comfortably + themselves, not on firing at other people's dinners. + </p> + <p> + Fancy Neipperg's state of mind, busy beginning dinner in the little + Schulze's, or Town-Provost's house, when the Hussars dashed in at full + gallop, shouting "DER FEIND, The Enemy! All in march there; vanguard this + side of Pampitz; killed forty of us!"—Quick, your Plan of Battle, + then? Whitherward; How; What? answer or perish! Neipperg was infinitely + struck; dropt knife and fork: "Send for Romer, General of the Horse!" + Romer did the indispensable: a swift man, not apt to lose head. Romer's + battle-plan, I should hope, is already made; or it will fare ill with + Neipperg and him. But beat, ye drummers; gallop, ye aides-de-camp as for + life! The first thing is to get our Force together; and it lies scattered + about in three other Villages besides Mollwitz, miles apart. Neipperg's + trumpets clangor, his aides-de-camp gallop: he has his left wing formed, + and the other parts in a state of rapid genesis, Horse and Foot pouring in + from Laugwitz, Barzdorf, Gruningen, before the Prussians have quite done + deploying themselves, and got well within shot of him. Romer, by birth a + Saxon gentleman, by all accounts a superior soldier and excellent General + of Horse, commands this Austrian left wing, General Goldlein, [(Anonymous) + MARIA THERESA (already cited), p. 8 n.] a Swiss veteran of good parts, + presiding over the Infantry in that quarter. Neipperg himself, were he + once complete, will command the right wing. + </p> + <p> + Neipperg is to be in two lines, as the Prussians are, with horse on each + wing, which is orthodox military order. His length of front, I should + guess, must have been something better than two English miles: a sluggish + Brook, called of Laugwitz, from the Village of that name which lies some + way across, is on his right hand; sluggish, boggy; stagnating towards the + Oder in those parts:—improved farming has, in our time, mostly dried + the strip of bog, and made it into coarse meadow, which is rather a relief + amid the dry sandy element. Neipperg's right is covered by that. His left + rests on the Hamlet of Gruningen, a mile-and-half northeast of Mollwitz;—meant + to have rested on Hermsdorf nearly east, but the Prussians have already + taken that up. The sun coming more and more round to west of south (for it + is now past noon) shines right in Neipperg's face, and is against him: how + the wind is, nobody mentions,—probably there was no wind. His + regular Cavalry, 8,600, outnumbers twice or more that of the Prussians, + not to mention their quality; and he has fewer Infantry, somewhat in + proportion;—the entire force on each side is scarcely above 20,000, + the Prussians slightly in majority by count. In field-pieces Neipperg is + greatly outnumbered; the Prussians having about threescore, he only + eighteen. [Kausler, <i>Atlas der merkwurdigsten Schlachten,</i> p. 232.] + And now here ARE the Prussians, close upon our left wing, not yet in + contact with the right,—which in fact is not yet got into existence;—thank + Heaven they have not come before our left got into existence, as our right + (if you knew it) has not yet quite finished doing!— + </p> + <p> + The Prussians, though so ready for deploying, have had their own + difficulties and delays. Between the boggy Brook of Laugwitz on their + left, and the Village of Hermsdorf, two miles distant, on which their + right wing is to lean, there proves not to be room enough; [<i>OEuvres de + Frederic,</i> ii. 73.] and then, owing to mistake of Schulenburg (our old + pipe-clay friend, who commands the right wing of Horse here, and is not up + in time), there is too much room. Not room enough, for all the Infantry, + we say: the last three Battalions of the front line therefore, the three + on the utmost right, wheel round, and stand athwart; EN POTENCE (as + soldiers say), or at right angles to the first line; hanging to it like a + kind of lid in that part,—between Schulenburg and them,—had + Schulenburg come up. Thus are the three battalions got rid of at least; + "they cap the First Prussian line rectangularly, like a lid," says my + authority,—lid which does not reach to the Second Line by a good + way. This accidental arrangement had material effects on the right wing. + Unfortunate Schulenburg did at last come up:—had he miscalculated + the distances, then? Once on the ground, he will find he does not reach to + Hermsdorf after all, and that there is now too much room! What his degree + of fault was I know not; Friedrich has long been dissatisfied with these + Dragoons of Schulenburg; "good for nothing, I always told you" (at that + Skirmish of Baumgarten): and now here is the General himself fallen + blundering!—In respect of Horse, the Austrians are more than two to + one; to make out our deficiency, the King, imitating something he had read + about Gustavus Adolphus, intercalates the Horse-Squadrons, on each wing, + with two Battalions of Grenadiers, and SO lengthens them;—"a + manoeuvre not likely to be again imitated," he admits. + </p> + <p> + All these movements and arrangements are effected above a mile from + Mollwitz, no enemy yet visible. Once effected, we advance again with music + sounding, sixty pieces of artillery well in front,—steady, steady!—across + the floor of snow which is soon beaten smooth enough, the stage, this day, + of a great adventure. And now there is the Enemy's left wing, Romer and + his Horse; their right wing wider away, and not yet, by a good space, + within cannon-range of us. It is towards Two of the afternoon; Schulenburg + now on his ground, laments that he will not reach to Hermsdorf;—but + it may be dangerous now to attempt repairing that error? At Two of the + clock, being now fairly within distance, we salute Romer and the Austrian + left, with all our sixty cannon; and the sound of drums and clarinets is + drowned in universal artillery thunder. Incessant, for they take (by + order) to "swift-shooting," which is almost of the swiftness of musketry + in our Prussian practice; and from sixty cannon, going at that rate, we + may fancy some effect. The Austrian Horse of the left wing do not like it; + all the less as the Austrians, rather short of artillery, have nothing yet + to reply with. + </p> + <p> + No Cavalry can stand long there, getting shivered in that way; in such a + noise, were there nothing more. "Are we to stand here like milestones, + then, and be all shot without a stroke struck?" "Steady!" answers Romer. + But nothing can keep them steady: "To be shot like dogs (WIE HUNDE)! For + God's sake (URN GOTTES WILLEN), lead us forward, then, to have a stroke at + them!"—in tones ever more plangent, plaintively indignant; growing + ungovernable. And Romer can get no orders; Neipperg is on the extreme + right, many things still to settle there; and here is the cannon-thunder + going, and soon their very musketry will open. And—and there is + Schulenburg, for one thing, stretching himself out eastwards (rightwards) + to get hold of Hermsdorf; thinking this an opportunity for the manoeuvre. + "Forward!" cries Romer; and his thirty Squadrons, like bottled whirlwind + now at last let loose, dash upon Schulenburg's poor ten (five of them of + Schulenburg's own regiment),—who are turned sideways too, trotting + towards Hermsdorf, at the wrong moment,—and dash them into wild + ruin. That must have been a charge! That was the beginning of hours of + chaos, seemingly irretrievable, in that Prussian right wing. + </p> + <p> + For the Prussian Horse fly wildly; and it is in vain to rally. The King is + among them; has come in hot haste, conjuring and commanding: poor + Schulenburg addresses his own regiment, "Oh, shame, shame! shall it be + told, then?" rallies his own regiment, and some others; charges fiercely + in with them again; gets a sabre-slash across the face,—does not + mind the sabre-slash, small bandaging will do;—gets a bullet through + the head (or through the heart, it is not said which); [<i>Helden-Geschichte, + </i> i. 899.] and falls down dead; his regiment going to the winds again, + and HIS care of it and of other things concluding in this honorable + manner. Nothing can rally that right wing; or the more you rally, the + worse it fares: they are clearly no match for Romer, these Prussian Horse. + They fly along the front of their own First Line of Infantry, they fly + between the two Lines; Romer chasing,—till the fire of the Infantry + (intolerable to our enemies, and hitting some even of our fugitive + friends) repels him. For the notable point in all this was the conduct of + the Infantry; and how it stood in these wild vortexes of ruin; + impregnable, immovable, as if every man of it were stone; and steadily + poured out deluges of fire,—"five Prussian shots for two Austrian:"—such + is perfect discipline against imperfect; and the iron ramrod against the + wooden. + </p> + <p> + The intolerable fire repels Romer, when he trenches on the Infantry: + however, he captures nine of the Prussian sixty guns; has scattered their + Horse to the winds; and charges again and again, hoping to break the + Infantry too,—till a bullet kills him, the gallant Romer; and some + other has to charge and try. It was thought, had Goldlein with his + Austrian Infantry advanced to support Romer at this juncture, the Battle + had been gained. Five times, before Romer fell and after, the Austrians + charged here; tried the Second Line too; tried once to take Prince Leopold + in rear there. But Prince Leopold faced round, gave intolerable fire; on + one face as on the other, he, or the Prussian Infantry anywhere, is not to + be broken. "Prince Friedrich", one of the Margraves of Schwedt, King's + Cousin, whom we did not know before, fell in these wild rallyings and + wrestlings; "by a cannon-ball, at the King's hand," not said otherwise + where. He had come as Volunteer, few weeks ago, out of Holland, where he + was a rising General: he has met his fate here,—and Margraf Karl, + his Brother, who also gets wounded, will be a mournful man to-night. + </p> + <p> + The Prussian Horse, this right wing of it, is a ruined body; boiling in + wild disorder, flooding rapidly away to rearward,—which is the + safest direction to retreat upon. They "sweep away the King's person with + them," say some cautious people; others say, what is the fact, that + Schwerin entreated, and as it were commanded, the King to go; the Battle + being, to all appearance, irretrievable. Go he did, with small escort, and + on a long ride,—to Oppeln, a Prussian post, thirty-five miles + rearward, where there is a Bridge over the Oder and a safe country beyond. + So much is indubitable; and that he despatched an Aide-de-camp to gallop + into Brandenburg, and tell the Old Dessauer, "Bestir yourself! Here all + seems lost!"—and vanished from the Field, doubtless in very + desperate humor. Upon which the extraneous world has babbled a good deal, + "Cowardice! Wanted courage: Haha!" in its usual foolish way; not worth + answer from him or from us. Friedrich's demeanor, in that disaster of his + right wing, was furious despair rather; and neither Schulenburg nor + Margraf Friedrich, nor any of the captains, killed or left living, was + supposed to have sinned by "cowardice" in a visible degree!— + </p> + <p> + Indisputable it is, though there is deep mystery upon it, the King + vanishes from Mollwitz Field at this point for sixteen hours, into the + regions of Myth, "into Fairyland," as would once have been said; but + reappears unharmed in to-morrow's daylight: at which time, not sooner, + readers shall hear what little is to be said of this obscure and + much-disfigured small affair. For the present we hasten back to Mollwitz,—where + the murderous thunder rages unabated all this while; the very noise of it + alarming mankind for thirty miles round. At Breslau, which is thirty good + miles off, horrible dull grumble was heard from the southern quarter + ("still better, if you put a staff in the ground, and set your ear to + it"); and from the steeple-tops, there was dim cloudland of powder-smoke + discernible in the horizon there. "At Liegnitz," which is twice the + distance, "the earth sensibly shook," [<i>Helden-Geschichte;</i> and + Jordan's Letter, infra.]—at least the air did, and the nerves of + men. + </p> + <p> + "Had Goldlein but advanced with his Foot, in support of gallant Romer!" + say the Austrian Books. But Goldlein did not advance; nor is it certain he + would have found advantage in so doing: Goldlein, where he stands, has + difficulty enough to hold his own. For the notable circumstance, + miraculous to military men, still is, How the Prussian Foot (men who had + never been in fire, but whom Friedrich Wilhelm had drilled for twenty + years) stand their ground, in this distraction of the Horse. Not even the + two outlying Grenadier Battalions will give way: those poor intercalated + Grenadiers, when their Horse fled on the right and on the left, they stand + there, like a fixed stone-dam in that wild whirlpool of ruin. They fix + bayonets, "bring their two field-pieces to flank" (Winterfeld was Captain + there), and, from small arms and big, deliver such a fire as was very + unexpected. Nothing to be made of Winterfeld and them. They invincibly + hurl back charge after charge; and, with dogged steadiness, manoeuvre + themselves into the general Line again; or into contact with the three + superfluous Battalions, arranged EN POTENCE, whom we heard of. Those + three, ranked athwart in this right wing ("like a lid," between First Line + and second), maintained themselves in like impregnable fashion,—Winterfeld + commanding;—and proved unexpectedly, thinks Friedrich, the saving of + the whole. For they also stood their ground immovable, like rocks; + steadily spouting fire-torrents. Five successive charges storm upon them, + fruitless: "Steady, MEINE KINDER; fix bayonets, handle ramrods! There is + the Horse-deluge thundering in upon you; reserve your fire, till you see + the whites of their eyes, and get the word; then give it them, and again + give it them: see whether any man or any horse can stand it!" + </p> + <p> + Neipperg, soon after Romer fell, had ordered Goldlein forward: Goldlein + with his Infantry did advance, gallantly enough; but to no purpose. + Goldlein was soon shot dead; and his Infantry had to fall back again, + ineffectual or worse. Iron ramrods against wooden; five shots to two: what + is there but falling back? Neipperg sent fresh Horse from his right wing, + with Berlichingen, a new famed General of Horse; Neipperg is furiously + bent to improve his advantage, to break those Prussians, who are mere + musketeers left bare, and thinks that will settle the account: but it + could in no wise be done. The Austrian Horse, after their fifth trial, + renounce charging; fairly refuse to charge any more; and withdraw + dispirited out of ball-range, or in search of things not impracticable. + The Hussar part of them did something of plunder to rearward;—and, + besides poor Maupertuis's adventure (of which by and by), and an attempt + on the Prussian baggage and knapsacks, which proved to be "too well + guarded,"—"burnt the Church of Pampitz," as some small consolation. + The Prussians had stript their knapsacks, and left them in Pampitz: the + Austrians, it was noticed, stript theirs in the Field; built walls of + them, and fired behind, the same, in a kneeling, more or less protected + posture,—which did not avail them much. + </p> + <p> + In fact, the Austrian Infantry too, all Austrians, hour after hour, are + getting wearier of it: neither Infantry nor Cavalry can stand being + riddled by swift shot in that manner. In spite of their knapsack walls, + various regiments have shrunk out of ball-range; and several cannot, by + any persuasion, be got to come into it again. Others, who do reluctantly + advance,—see what a figure they make; man after man edging away as + he can, so that the regiment "stands forty to eighty men deep, with lanes + through it every two or three yards;" permeable everywhere to Cavalry, if + we had them; and turning nothing to the Enemy but color-sergeants and bare + poles of a regiment! And Romer is dead, and Goldlein of the Infantry is + dead. And on their right wing, skirted by that marshy Brook of Laugwitz,—Austrian + right wing had been weakened by detachments, when Berlichingen rode off to + succeed Romer,—the Austrians are suffering: Posadowsky's Horse + (among whom is Rothenburg, once vanguard), strengthened by remnants who + have rallied here, are at last prospering, after reverses. And the + Prussian fire of small arms, at such rate, has lasted now for five hours. + The Austrian Army, becoming instead of a web a mere series of flying + tatters, forming into stripes or lanes in the way we see, appears to have + had about enough. + </p> + <p> + These symptoms are not hidden from Schwerin. His own ammunition, too, he + knows is running scarce, and fighters here and there are searching the + slain for cartridges:—Schwerin closes his ranks, trims and tightens + himself a little; breaks forth into universal field-music, and with + banners spread, starts in mass wholly, "Forwards!" Forwards towards these + Austrians and the setting sun. + </p> + <p> + An intelligent Austrian Officer, writing next week from Neisse, [<i>Feldzuge + der Preussen</i> (above cited), i. 38.]' confesses he never saw anything + more beautiful. "I can well say, I never in my life saw anything more + beautiful. They marched with the greatest steadiness, arrow-straight, and + their front like a line (SCHNURGLEICH), as if they had been upon parade. + The glitter of their clear arms shone strangely in the setting sun, and + the fire from them went on no otherwise than a continued peal of thunder." + Grand picture indeed; but not to be enjoyed as a Work of Art, for it is + coming upon us! "The spirits of our Army sank altogether", continues he; + "the Foot plainly giving way, Horse refusing to come forward, all things + wavering towards dissolution:"—so that Neipperg, to avoid worse, + gives the word to go;—and they roll off at double-quick time, + through Mollwitz, over Laugwitz Bridge and Brook, towards Grotkau by what + routes they can. The sun is just sunk; a quarter to eight, says the + intelligent Austrian Officer,—while the Austrian Army, much to its + amazement, tumbles forth in this bad fashion. + </p> + <p> + They had lost nine of their own cannon, and all of those Prussian nine + which they once had, except one: eight cannon MINUS, in all. Prisoners of + them were few, and none of much mark: two Field-marshals, Romer and + Goldlein, lie among the dead; four more of that rank are wounded. Four + standards too are gone; certain kettle-drums and the like trophies, not in + great number. Lieutenant-General Browne was of these retreating Austrians; + a little fact worth noting: of his actions this day, or of his thoughts + (which latter surely must have been considerable), no hint anywhere. The + Austrians were not much chased; though they might have been,—fresh + Cavalry (two Ohlau regiments, drawn hither by the sound [Interesting + correct account of their movements and adventures this day and some + previous days, in Nicolai, <i>Anekdoten,</i> ii. 142-148.]) having hung + about to rear of them, for some time past; unable to get into the Fight, + or to do any good till now. Schwerin, they say, though he had two wounds, + was for pursuing vigorously: but Leopold of Anhalt over-persuaded him; + urged the darkness, the uncertainty. Berlichingen, with their own Horse, + still partly covered their rear; and the Prussians, Ohlauers included, + were but weak in that branch of the service. Pursuit lasted little more + than two miles, and was never hot. The loss of men, on both sides, was not + far from equal, and rather in favor of the Austrian side:—Austrians + counted in killed, wounded and missing, 4,410 men; Prussians 4,613; + [Orlich, i. 108; Kansler, p. 235, correct; <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. + 895, incorrect.]—but the Prussians bivouacked on the ground, or + quartered in these Villages, with victory to crown them, and the thought + that their hard day's work had been well done. Besides Margraf Friedrich, + Volunteer from Holland, there lay among the slain Colonel Count von + Finkenstein (Old Tutor's Son), King's friend from boyhood, and much loved. + He was of the six whom we saw consulting at the door at Reinsberg, during + a certain ague-fit; and he now rests silent here, while the matter has + only come thus far. + </p> + <p> + Such was Mollwitz, the first Battle for Silesia; which had to cost many + Battles first and last. Silesia will be gained, we can expect, by fighting + of this kind in an honest cause. But here is something already gained, + which is considerable, and about which there is no doubt. A new Military + Power, it would appear, has come upon the scene; the + Gazetteer-and-Diplomatic world will have to make itself familiar with a + name not much heard of hitherto among the Nations. "A Nation which can + fight," think the Gazetteers; "fight almost as the very Swedes did; and is + led on by its King too,—who may prove, in his way, a very Charles + XII., or small Macedonia's Madman, for aught one knows?" In which latter + branch of their prognostic the Gazetteers were much out.— + </p> + <p> + The Fame of this Battle, which is now so sunk out of memory, was great in + Europe; and struck, like a huge war-gong, with long resonance, through the + general ear. M. de Voltaire had run across to Lille in those Spring days: + there is a good Troop of Players in Lille; a Niece, Madame Denis, wife of + some Military Commissariat Denis, important in those parts, can lodge the + divine Emilie and me;—and one could at last see MAHOMET, after five + years of struggling, get upon the boards, if not yet in Paris by a great + way, yet in Lille, which is something. MAHOMET is getting upon the boards + on those terms; and has proceeded, not amiss, through an Act or two, when + a Note from the King of Prussia was handed to Voltaire, announcing the + victory of Mollwitz. Which delightful Note Voltaire stopt the performance + till he read to the Audience: "Bravissimo!" answered the Audience. "You + will see," said M. de Voltaire to the friends about him, "this Piece at + Mollwitz will make mine succeed:" which proved to be the fact. [Voltaire, + <i>OEuvres (Vie Privee),</i> ii. 74.] For the French are Anti-Austrian; + and smell great things in the wind. "That man is mad, your Most Christian + Majesty?" "Not quite; or at any rate not mad only!" think Louis and his + Belleisles now. + </p> + <p> + Dimly poring in those old Books, and squeezing one's way into face-to-face + view of the extinct Time, we begin to notice what a clangorous rumor was + in Mollwitz to the then generation of mankind;—betokening many + things; universal European War, as the first thing. Which duly came to + pass; as did, at a slower rate, the ulterior thing, not yet so apparent, + that indeed a new hour had struck on the Time Horologe, that a New Epoch + had risen. Yes, my friends. New Charles XII. or not, here truly has a new + Man and King come upon the scene: capable perhaps of doing something? + Slumberous Europe, rotting amid its blind pedantries, its lazy + hypocrisies, conscious and unconscious: this man is capable of shaking it + a little out of its stupid refuges of lies, and ignominious wrappages and + bed-clothes, which will be its grave-clothes otherwise; and of intimating + to it, afar off, that there is still a Veracity in Things, and a Mendacity + in Sham-Things, and that the difference of the two is infinitely more + considerable than was supposed. + </p> + <p> + This Mollwitz is a most deliberate, regulated, ponderously impressive + (GRAVITATISCH) Feat of Arms, as the reader sees; done all by Regulation + methods, with orthodox exactitude; in a slow, weighty, almost pedantic, + but highly irrefragable manner. It is the triumph of Prussian Discipline; + of military orthodoxy well put in practice: the honest outcome of good + natural stuff in those Brandenburgers, and of the supreme virtues of + Drill. Neipperg and his Austrians had much despised Prussian soldiering: + "Keep our soup hot," cried they, on running out this day to rank + themselves; "hot a little, till we drive these fellows to the Devil!" That + was their opinion, about noon this day: but that is an opinion they have + renounced for all remaining days and years.—It is a Victory due + properly to Friedrich Wilhelm and the Old Dessauer, who are far away from + it. Friedrich Wilhelm, though dead, fights here, and the others only do + his bidding on this occasion. His Son, as yet, adds nothing of his own; + though he will ever henceforth begin largely adding,—right careful + withal to lose nothing, for the Friedrich Wilhelm contribution is + invaluable, and the basis of everything;—but it is curious to see in + what contrast this first Battle of Friedrich's is with his latter and last + ones. + </p> + <p> + Considering the Battle of Mollwitz, and then, in contrast, the intricate + Pragmatic Sanction, and what their consequences were and their + antecedents, it is curious once more! This, then, is what the Pragmatic + Sanction has come to? Twenty years of world-wide diplomacy, cunningly + devised spider-threads overnetting all the world, have issued here. Your + Congresses of Cambray, of Soissons, your Grumkow-Seckendorf Machiavelisms, + all these might as well have lain in their bed. Real Pragmatic Sanction + would have been, A well-trained Army and your Treasury full. Your Treasury + is empty (nothing in it but those foolish 200,000 English guineas, and the + passionate cry for more): and your Army is not trained as this Prussian + one; cannot keep its ground against this one. Of all those long-headed + Potentates, simple Friedrich Wilhelm, son of Nature, who had the honesty + to do what Nature taught him, has come out, gainer. You all laughed at him + as a fool: do you begin to see now who was wise, who fool? He has an Army + that "advances on you with glittering musketry, steady as on the + parade-ground, and pours out fire like one continuous thunder-peal;" so + that, strange as it seems, you find there will actually be nothing for you + but—taking to your heels, shall we say?—rolling off with + despatch, as second-best! These things are of singular omen. Here stands + one that will avenge Friedrich Wilhelm,—if Friedrich Wilhelm were + not already sufficiently avenged by the mere verdict of facts, which is + palpably coming out, as Time peels the wiggeries away from them more and + more. Mollwitz and such places are full of veracity; and no head is so + thick as to resist conviction in that kind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + OF FRIEDRICH'S DISAPPEARANCE INTO FAIRYLAND, IN THE INTERIM; AND OF + MAUPERTUIS'S SIMILAR ADVENTURE. + </h2> + <p> + Of the King's Flight, or sudden disappearance into Fairyland, during this + first Battle, the King himself, who alone could have told us fully, + maintained always rigorous silence, and nowhere drops the least hint. So + that the small fact has come down to us involved in a great bulk of + fabulous cobwebs, mostly of an ill-natured character, set agoing by + Voltaire, Valori and others (which fabulous process, in the good-natured + form, still continues itself); and, except for Nicolai's good industry (in + his ANEKDOTEN-Book), we should have difficulty even in guessing, not to + say understanding, as is now partly possible. The few real particulars—and + those do verify themselves, and hang perfectly together, when the big + globe of fable is burnt off from them—are to the following effect. + </p> + <p> + "Battle lost," said Schwerin: "but what is the loss of a Battle to that of + your Majesty's own Person? For Heaven's sake, go; get across the Oder; be + you safe, till this decide itself!" That was reasonable counsel. If + defeated, Schwerin can hope to retreat upon Ohlau, upon Breslau, and save + the Magazines. This side the Oder, all will be movements, a whirlpool of + Hussars; but beyond the Oder, all is quiet, open. To Ohlau, to Glogau, nay + home to Brandenburg and the Old Dessauer with his Camp at Gottin, the road + is free, by the other side of the Oder.—Schwerin and Prince Leopold + urging him, the King did ride away; at what hour, with what suite, or with + what adventures (not mostly fabulous) is not known:—but it was + towards Lowen, fifteen miles off (where he crossed Neisse River, the other + day); and thence towards Oppeln, on the Oder, eighteen miles farther; and + the pace was swift. Leopold, on reflection, ordered off a Squadron of + Gens-d'Armes to overtake his Majesty, at Lowen or sooner; which they never + did. Passing Pampitz, the King threw Fredersdorf a word, who was among the + baggage there: "To Oppeln; bring the Purse, the Privy Writings!" Which + Fredersdorf, and the Clerks (and another Herr, who became Nicolai's + Father-in-law in after years) did; and joined the King at Lowen; but I + hope stopped there. + </p> + <p> + The King's suite was small, names not given; but by the time he got to + Lowen, being joined by cavalry fugitives and the like, it had got to be + seventy persons: too many for the King. He selected what was his of them; + ordered the gates to be shut behind him on all others, and again rode + away. The Leopold Squadron of Gens-d'Armes did not arrive till after his + departure; and having here lost trace of him, called halt, and billeted + for the night. The King speeds silently to Oppeln on his excellent bay + horse, the worse-mounted gradually giving in. At Oppeln is a Bridge over + the Oder, a free Country beyond: Regiment La Motte lay, and as the King + thinks, still lies in Oppeln;—but in that he is mistaken. Regiment + La Motte is with the baggage at Pampitz, all this day; and a wandering + Hussar Party, some sixty Austrians, have taken possession of Oppeln. The + King, and the few who had not yet broken down, arrive at the Gate of + Oppeln, late, under cloud of night: "Who goes?" cried the sentry from + within. "Prussians! A Prussian Courier!" answer they;—and are fired + upon through the gratings; and immediately draw back, and vanish unhurt + into Night again. "Had those Hussars only let him in!" said Austria + afterwards: but they had not such luck. It was at this point, according to + Valori, that the King burst forth into audible ejaculations of a + lamentable nature. There is no getting over, then, even to Brandenburg, + and in an insolvent condition. Not open insolvency and bankrupt disgrace; + no, ruin, and an Austrian jail, is the one outlook. "O MON DIEU, O God, it + is too much (C'EN EST TROP)!" with other the like snatches of lamentation; + [Valori, i. 104.] which are not inconceivable in a young man, sleepless + for the third night, in these circumstances; but which Valori knows + nothing of, except by malicious rumor from the valet class,—who have + misinformed Valori about several other points. + </p> + <p> + The King riding diligently, with or without ejaculations, back towards + Lowen, comes at an early hour to the Mill of Hilbersdorf, within a + mile-and-half of that place. He alights at the Mill; sends one of his + attendants, almost the only one now left, to inquire what is in Lowen. The + answer, we know, is: "A squadron of Gens-d'Armes there; furthermore, a + Prussian Adjutant come to say, Victory at Mollwitz!" Upon which the King + mounts again;—issues into daylight, and concludes these mythical + adventures. That "in Lowen, in the shop at the corner of the Market-place, + Widow Panzern, subsequently Wife Something-else, made his Majesty a cup of + coffee, and served a roast fowl along with it," cannot but be welcome + news, if true; and that his Majesty got to Mollwitz again before dark that + same "day," [Fuchs, p. 11.] is liable to no controversy. + </p> + <p> + In this way was Friedrich snatched by Morgante into Fairyland, carried by + Diana to the top of Pindus (or even by Proserpine to Tartarus, through a + bad sixteen hours), till the Battle whirlwind subsided. Friendly + imaginative spirits would, in the antique time, have so construed it: but + these moderns were malicious-valetish, not friendly; and wrapped the + matter in mere stupid worlds of cobweb, which require burning. Friedrich + himself was stone-silent on this matter, all his life after; but is + understood never quite to have pardoned Schwerin for the ill-luck of + giving him such advice. [Nicolai, ii. 180-195 (the one true account); + Laveaux, i. 194; Valori, i. 104; &c., &c. (the myth in various + stages). Most distractedly mythical of all, with the truth clear before + it, is the latest version, just come out, in <i>Was sich die Schlesier vom + alten Fritz erzahlen</i> (Brieg, 1860), pp. 113-125.] + </p> + <p> + Friedrich's adventure is not the only one of that kind at Mollwitz; there + is another equally indubitable,—which will remain obscure, + half-mythical to the end of the world. The truth is, that Right Wing of + the Prussian Army was fallen chaotic, ruined; and no man, not even one who + had seen it, can give account of what went on there. The sage Maupertuis, + for example, had climbed some tree or place of impregnability ("tree" + Voltaire calls it, though that is hardly probable), hoping to see the + Battle there. And he did see it, much too clearly at last! In such a tide + of charging and chasing, on that Right Wing and round all the Field in the + Prussian rear; in such wide bickering and boiling of Horse-currents,—which + fling out, round all the Prussian rear quarters, such a spray of Austrian + Hussars for one element,—Maupertuis, I have no doubt, wishes much he + were at home, doing his sines and tangents. An Austrian Hussar-party gets + sight of him, on his tree or other standpoint (Voltaire says elsewhere he + was mounted on an ass, the malicious spirit!)—too certain, the + Austrian Hussars got sight of him: his purse, gold watch, all he has of + movable is given frankly; all will not do. There are frills about the man, + fine laces, cloth; a goodish yellow wig on him, for one thing:—their + Slavonic dialect, too fatally intelligible by the pantomime accompanying + it, forces sage Maupertuis from his tree or standpoint; the big red face + flurried into scarlet, I can fancy; or scarlet and ashy-white mixed; and—Let + us draw a veil over it! He is next seen shirtless, the once very haughty, + blustery, and now much-humiliated man; still conscious of supreme acumen, + insight and pure science; and, though an Austrian prisoner and a monster + of rags, struggling to believe that he is a genius and the Trismegistus of + mankind. What a pickle! The sage Maupertuis, as was natural, keeps + passionately asking, of gods and men, for an Officer with some tincture of + philosophy, or even who could speak French. Such Officer is at last found; + humanely advances him money, a shirt and suit of clothes; but can in + nowise dispense with his going to Vienna as prisoner. Thither he went + accordingly; still in a mythical condition. Of Voltaire's laughing, there + is no end; and he changes the myth from time to time, on new rumors + coming; and there is no truth to be had from him. [Voltaire, <i>OEuvres + (Vie Prive),</i> ii. 33-34; and see his LETTERS for some were after the + event.] + </p> + <p> + This much is certain: at Vienna, Maupertuis, prisoner on parole, glided + about for some time in deep eclipse, till the Newspapers began babbling of + him. He confessed then that he was Maupertuis, Flattener of the Earth; but + for the rest, "told rather a blind story about himself," says Robinson; + spoke as if he had been of the King's suite, "riding with the King," when + that Hussar accident befell;—rather a blind story, true story being + too sad. The Vienna Sovereignties, in the turn things had taken, were + extremely kind; Grand-Duke Franz handsomely pulled out his own watch, + hearing what road the Maupertuis one had gone; dismissed the Maupertuis, + with that and other gifts, home:—to Brittany (not to Prussia), till + times calmed for engrafting the Sciences. [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. + 902; Robinson's Despatch (Vienna, 22d April, 1741, n.s.); Voltaire, ubi + supra.] + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday, Friedrich writes this Note to his Sister; the first + utterance we have from him since those wild roamings about Oppeln and + Hilbersdorf Mill:— + </p> + <p> + KING TO WILHELMINA (at Baireuth; two days after Mollwitz). + </p> + <p> + "OHLAU, 12th April, 1741. + </p> + <p> + "MY DEAREST SISTER,—I have the satisfaction to inform you that we + have yesterday [day before yesterday; but some of us have only had one + sleep!] totally beaten the Austrians. They have lost more than 5,000 men, + killed, wounded and prisoners. We have lost Prince Friedrich, Brother of + Margraf Karl; General Schulenburg, Wartensleben of the Carabineers, and + many other Officers. Our troops did miracles; and the result shows as + much. It was one of the rudest Battles fought within memory of man. + </p> + <p> + "I am sure you will take part in this happiness; and that you will not + doubt of the tenderness with which I am, my dearest Sister,—Yours + wholly, FEDERIC." [<i>OEuvres,</i> xxvii. i. 101.] + </p> + <p> + And on the same day there comes, from Breslau, Jordan's Answer to the late + anxious little Note from Pogarell; anxieties now gone, and smoky misery + changed into splendor of flame: + </p> + <p> + JORDAN TO THE KING (finds him at Ohlau). + </p> + <p> + "BRESLAU, 11th April, 1741. "SIRE,—Yesterday I was in terrible + alarms. The sound of the cannon heard, the smoke of powder visible from + the steeple-tops here; all led us to suspect that there was a Battle going + on. Glorious confirmation of it this morning! Nothing but rejoicing among + all the Protestant inhabitants; who had begun to be in apprehension, from + the rumors which the other party took pleasure in spreading. Persons who + were in the Battle cannot enough celebrate the coolness and bravery of + your Majesty. For myself, I am at the overflowing point. I have run about + all day, announcing this glorious news to the Berliners who are here. In + my life I have never felt a more perfect satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + "M. de Camas is here, very ill for the last two days; attack of fever—the + Doctor hopes to bring him through,"—which proved beyond the Doctor: + the good Camas died here three days hence (age sixty-three); an excellent + German-Frenchman, of much sense, dignity and honesty; familiar to + Friedrich from infancy onwards, and no doubt regretted by him as deserved. + The Widow Camas, a fine old Lady, German by birth, will again come in + view. Jordan continues:— + </p> + <p> + "One finds, at the corner of every street, an orator of the Plebs + celebrating the warlike feats of your Majesty's troops. I have often, in + my idleness, assisted at these discourses: not artistic eloquence, it must + be owned, but spurting rude from the heart...." + </p> + <p> + Jordan adds in his next Note: "This morning (14th) I quitted M. de Camas; + who, it is thought, cannot last the day. I have hardly left him during his + illness:" [<i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> xvii. 99.]—and so let that + scene close. + </p> + <p> + Neipperg, meanwhile, had fallen back on Neisse; taken up a strong + encampment in that neighborhood; he lies thereabouts all summer; stretched + out, as it were, in a kind of vigilant dog-sleep on the threshold, keeping + watch over Neisse, and tries fighting no more at this time, or indeed ever + after, to speak of. And always, I think, with disadvantage, when he does + try a little. He had been Grand-Duke Franz's Tutor in War-matters; had got + into trouble at Belgrade once before, and was almost hanged by the Turks. + George II. had occasionally the benefit of him, in coming years. Be not + too severe on the poor man, as the Vienna public was; he had some faculty, + though not enough. "Governor of Luxemburg," before long: there, for most + part, let him peacefully drill, and spend the remainder of his poor life. + Friedrich says, neither Neipperg nor himself, at this time, knew the least + of War; and that it would be hard to settle which of them made the more + blunders in their Silesian tussle. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich, in about three weeks hence, was fully ready for opening + trenches upon Brieg; did open trenches, accordingly, by moonlight, in a + grand nocturnal manner (as readers shall see anon); and, by vigorous + cannonading,—Marechal de Belleisle having come, by this time, to + enjoy the fine spectacle,—soon got possession of Brieg, and held it + thenceforth. Neisse now alone remained, with Neipperg vigilantly stretched + upon the threshold of it. But the Marechal de Belleisle, we say, had come; + that was the weighty circumstance. And before Neisse can be thought of, + there is a whole Europe, bickering aloft into conflict; embattling itself + from end to end, in sequel of Mollwitz Battle; and such a preliminary sea + of negotiating, diplomatic finessing, pulse-feeling, projecting and + palavering, with Friedrich for centre all summer, as—as I wish + readers could imagine without my speaking of it farther! But they cannot. + </p> + <p> + [MAP ON PAGE 75 GOES HEREABOUTS—missing] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XI. — THE BURSTING FORTH OF BEDLAMS: BELLEISLE AND THE + BREAKERS OF PRAGMATIC SANCTION. + </h2> + <p> + The Battle of Mollwitz went off like a signal-shot among the Nations; + intimating that they were, one and all, to go battling. Which they did, + with a witness; making a terrible thing of it, over all the world, for + above seven years to come. Foolish Nations; doomed to settle their jarring + accounts in that terrible manner! Nay, the fewest of them had any + accounts, except imaginary ones, to settle there at all; and they went + into the adventure GRATIS, spurred on by spectralities of the sick brain, + by phantasms of hope, phantasms of terror; and had, strictly speaking, no + actual business in it whatever. + </p> + <p> + Not that Mollwitz kindled Europe; Europe was already kindled for some two + years past;—especially since the late Kaiser died, and his Pragmatic + Sanction was superadded to the other troubles afoot. But ever since that + Image of JENKINS'S EAR had at last blazed up in the slow English brain, + like a fiery constellation or Sign in the Heavens, symbolic of such + injustices and unendurabilities, and had lighted the Spanish-English War, + Europe was slowly but pretty surely taking fire. France "could not see + Spain humbled," she said: England (in its own dim feeling, and also in the + fact of things) could not do at all without considerably humbling Spain. + France, endlessly interested in that Spanish-English matter, was already + sending out fleets, firing shots,—almost, or altogether, putting + forth her hand in it. "In which case, will not, must not, Austria help + us?" thought England,—and was asking, daily, at Vienna (with intense + earnestness, but without the least result), through Excellency Robinson + there, when the late Kaiser died. Died, poor gentleman;—and left his + big Austrian Heritages lying, as it were, in the open market-place; + elaborately tied by diplomatic packthread and Pragmatic Sanction; but not + otherwise protected against the assembled cupidities of mankind! + Independently of Mollwitz, or of Silesia altogether, it was next to + impossible that Europe could long avoid blazing out; especially unless the + Spanish-English quarrel got quenched, of which there was no likelihood. + </p> + <p> + But if not as cause, then as signal, or as signal and cause together + (which it properly was), the Battle of Mollwitz gave the finishing stroke, + and set all in motion. This was "the little stone broken loose from the + mountain;" this, rather than the late Kaiser's Death, which Friedrich + defined in that manner. Or at least, this was the first LEAP it took; + hitting other stones big and little, which again hit others with their + leaping and rolling,—till the whole mountain-side is in motion under + law of gravity, and you behold one wide stone-torrent thundering towards + the valleys; shivering woods, farms, habitations clean away with it: fatal + to any Image of composite Clay and Brass which it may meet! + </p> + <p> + There is, accordingly, from this point, a change in Friedrich's Silesian + Adventure; which becomes infinitely more complicated for him,—and + for those that write of him, no less! Friedrich's business henceforth is + not to be done by direct fighting, but rather by waiting to see how, and + on what side, others will fight: nor can we describe or understand + Friedrich's business, except as in connection with the immense, obsolete, + and indeed delirious Phenomenon called Austrian-Succession War, upon which + it is difficult to say any human word. If History, driven upon Dismal + Swamp with its horrors and perils, can get across unsunk, she will be + lucky! + </p> + <p> + For, directly on the back of Mollwitz, there ensued, first, an explosion + of Diplomatic activity such as was never seen before; Excellencies from + the four winds taking wing towards Friedrich; and talking and insinuating, + and fencing and fugling, after their sort, in that Silesian Camp of his, + the centre being there. A universal rookery of Diplomatists;—whose + loud cackle and cawing is now as if gone mad to us; their work wholly + fallen putrescent and avoidable, dead to all creatures. And secondly, in + the train of that, there ensued a universal European War, the French and + the English being chief parties in it; which abounds in battles and feats + of arms, spirited but delirious, and cannot be got stilled for seven or + eight years to come; and in which Friedrich and his War swim only as an + intermittent Episode henceforth. What to do with such a War; how extricate + the Episode, and leave the War lying? The War was at first a good deal + mad; and is now, to men's imagination, fallen wholly so; who indeed have + managed mostly to forget it; only the Episode (reduced thereby to an + UNintelligible state) retaining still some claims on them. + </p> + <p> + It is singular into what oblivion the huge Phenomenon called + Austrian-Succession War has fallen; which, within a hundred years ago or + little more, filled all mortal hearts! The English were principals on one + side; did themselves fight in it, with their customary fire, and their + customary guidance ("courageous Wooden Pole with Cocked Hat," as our + friend called it); and paid all the expenses, which were extremely + considerable, and are felt in men's pockets to this day: but the English + have more completely forgotten it than any other People. "Battle of + Dettingen, Battle of Fontenay,—what, in the Devil's name, were we + ever doing there?" the impatient Englishman asks; and can give no answer, + except the general one: "Fit of insanity; DELIRIUM TREMENS, perhaps + FURENS;—don't think of it!" Of Philippi and Arbela educated + Englishmen can render account; and I am told young gentlemen entering the + Army are pointedly required to say who commanded at Aigos-Potamos and + wrecked the Peloponnesian War: but of Dettingen and Fontenoy, where is the + living Englishman that has the least notion, or seeks for any? The + Austrian-Succession War did veritably rage for eight years, at a terrific + rate, deforming the face of Earth and Heaven; the English paying the piper + always, and founding their National Debt thereby:—but not even that + could prove mnemonic to them; and they have dropped the + Austrian-Succession War, with one accord, into the general dustbin, and + are content it should lie there. They have not, in their language, the + least approach to an intelligible account of it: How it went on, + whitherward, whence; why it was there at all,—are points dark to the + English, and on which they do not wish to be informed. They have quitted + the matter, as an unintelligible huge English-and-Foreign Delirium (which + in good part it was); Delirium unintelligible to them; tedious, not to say + in parts, as those of the Austrian Subsidies, hideous and disgusting to + them; happily now fallen extinct; and capable of being skipped, in one's + inquiries into the wonders of this England and this World. Which, in fact, + is a practical conclusion not so unwise as it looks. + </p> + <p> + "Wars are not memorable," says Sauerteig, "however big they may have been, + whatever rages and miseries they may have occasioned, or however many + hundreds of thousands they may have been the death of,—except when + they have something of World-History in them withal. If they are found to + have been the travail-throes of great or considerable changes, which + continue permanent in the world, men of some curiosity cannot but inquire + into them, keep memory of them. But if they were travail-throes that had + no birth, who of mortals would remember them? Unless perhaps the feats of + prowess, virtue, valor and endurance, they might accidentally give rise + to, were very great indeed. Much greater than the most were, which came + out in that Austrian-Succession case! Wars otherwise are mere futile + transitory dust-whirlwinds stilled in blood; extensive fits of human + insanity, such as we know are too apt to break out;—such as it + rather beseems a faithful Son of the House of Adam NOT to speak about + again; as in houses where the grandfather was hanged, the topic of ropes + is fitly avoided. + </p> + <p> + "Never again will that War, with its deliriums, mad outlays of blood, + treasure, and of hope and terror, and far-spread human destruction, rise + into visual life in any imagination of living man. In vain shall Dryasdust + strive: things mad, chaotic and without ascertainable purpose or result, + cannot be fixed into human memories. Fix them there by never so many + Documentary Histories, elaborate long-eared Pedantries, and cunning + threads, the poor human memory has an alchemy against such ill usage;—it + forgets them again; grows to know them as a mere torpor, a stupidity and + horror, and instinctively flies from Dryasdust and them." + </p> + <p> + Alive to any considerable degree, in the poor human imagination, this + Editor does not expect or even wish the Austrian-Succession War to be. + Enough for him if it could be understood sufficiently to render his poor + History of Friedrich intelligible. For it enwraps Friedrich like a + world-vortex henceforth; modifies every step of his existence henceforth; + and apart from it, there is no understanding of his business or him. "So + much as sticks to Friedrich:" that was our original bargain! Assist + loyally, O reader, and we will try to make the indispensable a minimum for + you. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHO WAS TO BLAME FOR THE AUSTRIAN-SUCCESSION WAR? + </h2> + <p> + The first point to be noted is, Where did it originate? To which the + answer mainly is, With that lean Gentleman whom we saw with Papers in the + OEil-de-Boeuf on New-year's day last. With Monseigneur the Marechal de + Belleisle principally; with the ambitious cupidities and baseless vanities + of the French Court and Nation, as represented by Belleisle. George II.'s + Spanish War, if you will examine, had a real necessity in it. Jenkins's + Ear was the ridiculous outside figure this matter had: Jenkins's Ear was + one final item of it; but the poor English People, in their wrath and + bellowings about that small item, were intrinsically meaning: "Settle the + account; let us have that account cleared up and liquidated; it has lain + too long!" And seldom were a People more in the right, as readers shall + yet see. + </p> + <p> + The English-Spanish War had a basis to stand on in this Universe. The like + had the Prussian-Austrian one; so all men now admit. If Friedrich had not + business there, what man ever had in an enterprise he ventured on? + Friedrich, after such trial and proof as has seldom been, got his claims + on Schlesien allowed by the Destinies. His claims on Schlesien;—and + on infinitely higher things; which were found to be his and his Nation's, + though he had not been consciously thinking of them in making that + adventure. For, as my poor Friend insists, there ARE Laws valid in Earth + and in Heaven; and the great soul of the world is just. Friedrich had + business in this War; and Maria Theresa VERSUS Friedrich had likewise + cause to appear in court, and do her utmost pleading against him. + </p> + <p> + But if we ask, What Belleisle or France and Louis XV. had to do there? the + answer is rigorously, Nothing. Their own windy vanities, ambitions, + sanctioned not by fact and the Almighty Powers, but by phantasm and the + babble of Versailles; transcendent self-conceit, intrinsically insane; + pretensions over their fellow-creatures which were without basis anywhere + in Nature, except in the French brain alone: it was this that brought + Belleisle and France into a German War. And Belleisle and France having + gone into an Anti-Pragmatic War, the unlucky George and his England were + dragged into a Pragmatic one,—quitting their own business, on the + Spanish Main, and hurrying to Germany,—in terror as at Doomsday, and + zeal to save the Keystone of Nature these. That is the notable point in + regard to this War: That France is to be called the author of it, who, + alone of all the parties, had no business there whatever. And the wages + due to France for such a piece of industry,—the reader will yet see + what wages France and the other parties got, at the tail of the affair. + For that too is apparent in our day. + </p> + <p> + We have often said, the Spanish-English War was itself likely to have + kindled Europe; and again Friedrich's Silesian War was itself likely,—France + being nearly sure to interfere. But if both these Wars were necessary + ones, and if France interfered in either of them on the wrong side, the + blame will be to France, not to the necessary Wars. France could, in no + way, have interfered in a more barefacedly unjust and gratuitous manner + than she now did; nor, on any terms, have so palpably made herself the + author of the conflagration of deliriums that ensued for above Seven years + henceforth. Nay for above Twenty years,—the settlement of this + Silesian Pragmatic-Antipragmatic matter (and of Jenkins's Ear, + incidentally, ALONG with this!) not having fairly completed itself till + 1763. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW BELLEISLE MADE VISIT TO TEUTSCHLAND; AND THERE WAS NO FIT HENRY THE + FOWLER TO WELCOME HIM. + </h2> + <p> + It is very wrong to keep Enchanted Wiggeries sitting in this world, as if + they were things still alive! By a species of "conservatism," which gets + praised in our Time, but which is only a slothful cowardice, base + indifference to truth, and hatred to trouble in comparison with lies that + sit quiet, men now extensively practise this method of procedure;—little + dreaming how bad and fatal it at all times is. When the brains are out, + things really ought to die;—no matter what lovely things they were, + and still affect to be, the brains being out, they actually ought in all + cases to die, and with their best speed get buried. Men had noses, at one + time; and smelt the horror of a deceased reality fallen putrid, of a once + dear verity become mendacious, phantasmal; but they have, to an immense + degree, lost that organ since, and are now living comfortably + cheek-by-jowl with lies. Lies of that sad "conservative" kind,—and + indeed of all kinds whatsoever: for that kind is a general mother; and + BREEDS, with a fecundity that is appalling, did you heed it much!— + </p> + <p> + It was pity that the "Holy Romish Reich, Teutsch by Nation," had not got + itself buried some ages before. Once it had brains and life, but now they + were out. Under the sway of Barbarossa, under our old anti-chaotic friend + Henry the Fowler, how different had it been! No field for a Belleisle to + come and sow tares in; no rotten thatch for a French Sun-god to go sailing + about in the middle of, and set fire to! Henry, when the Hungarian + Pan-Slavonic Savagery came upon him, had got ready in the interim; and a + mangy dog was the "tribute" he gave them; followed by the due extent of + broken crowns, since they would not be content with that. That was the due + of Belleisle too,—had there been a Henry to meet him with it, on his + crossing the marches, in Trier Country, in Spring, 1741: "There, you + anarchic Upholstery-Belus, fancying yourself God of the Sun; there is what + Teutschland owes you. Go home with that; and mind your own business, which + I am told is plentiful, if you had eye for it!" + </p> + <p> + But the sad truth is, for above Four Centuries now,—and especially + for Three, since little Kaiser Karl IV. "gave away all the moneys of it," + in his pressing occasions, this Holy Romish Reich, Teutsch by Nation, has + been more and ever more becoming an imaginary quantity; the Kaisership of + it not capable of being worn by anybody, except a Hapsburger who had + resources otherwise his own. The fact is palpable. And Austria, and + Anti-Reformation Entity, "conservative" in that bad sense, of slothfully + abhorring trouble in comparison with lies, had not found the poison more + mal-odorous in this particular than in many others. And had cherished its + "Holy Romish Reich" grown UNholy, phantasmal, like so much else in + Austrian things; and had held firm grip of it, these Three Hundred years; + and found it a furthersome and suitable thing, though sensible it was more + and more becoming an Enchanted Wiggery pure and simple. Nor have the + consequences failed; they never do. Belleisle, Louis XIV., Henri II., + Francois I.: it is long since the French have known this state of matters; + and been in the habit of breaking in upon it, fomenting internal + discontents, getting up unjust Wars,—with or without advantage to + France, but with endless disadvantage to Germany. Schmalkaldic War; + Thirty-Years War; Louis XIV.'s Wars, which brought Alsace and the other + fine cuttings; late Polish-Election War, and its Lorraine; + Austrian-Succession War: many are the wars kindled on poor Teutschland by + neighbor France; and large is the sum of woes to Europe and to it, + chargeable to that score. Which appears even yet not to be completed?—Perhaps + not, even yet. For it is the penalty of being loyal to Enchanted + Wiggeries; of living cheek-by-jowl with lies of a peaceable quality, and + stuffing your nostrils, and searing your soul, against the accursed odor + they all have!—For I can assure you the curse of Heaven does dwell + in one and all of them; and the son of Adam cannot too soon get quit of + their bad partnership, cost him what it may. + </p> + <p> + Belleisle's Journey as Sun-god began in March,—"end of March, 1741," + no date of a day to be had for that memorable thing:—and he went + gyrating about, through the German Courts, for almost a year afterwards; + his course rather erratic, but always in a splendor as of Belus, with + those hundred and thirty French Lords and Valets, and the glory of Most + Christian King irradiating him. Very diligent for the first six months, + till September or October next, which we may call his SEED-TIME; and by no + means resting after nine or twelve months, while the harrowing and hoeing + went on. In January, 1742, he had the great satisfaction to see a Bavarian + Kaiser got, instead of an Austrian; and everywhere the fruit of his + diligent husbandry begin to BEARD fairly above ground, into a crop of + facts (like armed men from dragon's teeth), and "the pleasure of the"—WHOM + was it the pleasure of?—"prosper in his hands." Belleisle was a + pretty man; but I doubt it was not "the Lord" he was doing the pleasure + of, on this occasion, but a very Different Personage, disguised to + resemble him in poor Belleisle's eyes!— + </p> + <p> + Austria was not dangerous to France in late times, and now least of all; + how far from it,—humbled by the loss of Lorraine; and now as it were + bankrupt, itself in danger from all the world. And France, so far as + express Treaties could bind a Nation, was bound to maintain Austria in its + present possessions. The bitter loss of Lorraine had been sweetened to the + late Kaiser by that solitary drop of consolation;—as his Failure of + a Life had been, poor man: "Failure the most of me has been; but I have + got Pragmatic Sanction, thanks to Heaven, and even France has signed it!" + Loss of Lorraine, loss of Elsass, loss of the Three Bishoprics; since Karl + V.'s times, not to speak of earlier, there has been mere loss on loss:—and + now is the time to consummate it, think Belleisle and France, in spite of + Treaties. + </p> + <p> + Towards humbling or extinguishing Austria, Belleisle has two preliminary + things to do: FIRST, Break the Pragmatic Sanction, and get everybody to + break it; SECOND, Guide the KAISERWAHL (Election of a Kaiser), so that it + issue, not in Grand-Duke Franz, Maria Theresa's Husband, as all expect it + will, but in another party friendly to France:—say in Karl Albert of + Bavaria, whose Family have long been good clients of ours, dependent on us + for a living in the Political World. Belleisle, there is little doubt, had + from the first cast his eye on this unlucky Karl Albert for Kaiser; but is + uncertain as to carrying him. Belleisle will take another if he must; + Kur-Sachsen, for example;—any other, and all others, only not the + Grand-Duke: that is a point already fixed with Belleisle, though he keeps + it well in the background, and is careful not to hint it till the time + come. + </p> + <p> + In regard to Pragmatic Sanction, Belleisle and France found no difficulty,—or + the difficulty only (which we hope must have been considerable) of eating + their own Covenant in behalf of Pragmatic Sanction; and declaring, which + they did without visible blush, That it was a Covenant including, if not + expressly, then tacitly, as all human covenants do, this clause, "SALVO + JURE TERTII (Saving the rights of Third Parties),"—that is, of + Electors of Bavaria, and others who may object, against it! O soul of + honor, O first Nation of the Universe, was there ever such a subterfuge? + Here is a field of flowering corn, the biggest in the world, begirt with + elaborate ring-fence, many miles of firm oak-paling pitched and + buttressed;—the poor gentleman now dead gave you his Lorraine, and + almost his life, for swearing to keep up said paling. And you do keep it + up,—all except six yards; through which the biggest team on the + highway can drive freely, and the paltriest cadger's ass can step in for a + bellyful! + </p> + <p> + It appears, the first Nation of the Universe had, at an early period of + their consultations, hit upon this of SALVO JURE TERTII, as the method of + eating their Covenant, before an enlightened public. [20th January, 1741, + in their Note of Ceremony, recognizing Maria Theresa as Queen of Hungary, + Note which had been due so very long (ADELUNG, ii. 206), there is ominous + silence on Pragmatic Sanction; "beginning of March," there is virtual + avowal of SALVO JURE (ib. 279);—open avowal on Belleisle's advent + (ib. 305).] And they persisted in it, there being no other for them. An + enlightened public grinned sardonically, and was not taken in; but, as so + many others were eating their Covenants, under equally poor subterfuges, + the enlightened public could not grin long on any individual,—could + only gape mutely, with astonishment, on all. A glorious example of + veracity and human nobleness, set by the gods of this lower world to their + gazing populations, who could read in the Gazettes! What is truth, + falsity, human Kingship, human Swindlership? Are the Ten Commandments only + a figure of speech, then? And it was some beggarly Attorney-Devil that + built this sublunary world and us? Questions might rise; had long been + rising;—but now there was about enough, and the response to them was + falling due; and Belleisle himself, what is very notable, had been + appointed to get ready the response. Belleisle (little as Belleisle dreamt + of it, in these high Enterprises) was ushering in, by way of response, a + RAGNAROK, or Twilight of the Gods, which, as "French Revolution, or + Apotheosis of SANSCULOTTISM," is now well known;—and that is + something to consider of! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DOWNBREAK OF PRAGMATIC SANCTION; MANNER OF THE CHIEF ARTISTS IN HANDLING + THEIR COVENANTS. + </h2> + <p> + The operation once accomplished on its own Pragmatic Covenant, France + found no difficulty with the others. Everybody was disposed to eat his + Covenant, who could see advantage in so doing, after that admirable + example. The difficulty of France and Belleisle rather was, to keep the + hungry parties back: "Don't eat your Covenant TILL the proper time; + patience, we say!" A most sad Miscellany of Royalties, coming all to the + point, "Will you eat your Covenant, Will you keep it?"—and eating, + nearly all; in fact, wholly all that needed to eat. + </p> + <p> + On the first Invasion of Silesia, Maria Theresa had indignantly complained + in every Court; and pointing to Pragmatic Sanction, had demanded that such + Law of Nature be complied with, according to covenant. What Maria Theresa + got by this circuit of the Courts, everybody still knows. Except England, + which was willing, and Holland, which was unwilling, all Courts had + answered, more or less uneasily: "Law of Nature,—humph: yes!"—and, + far from doing anything, not one of them would with certainty promise to + do anything. From England alone and her little King (to whom Pragmatic + Sanction is the Palladium of Human Freedoms and the Keystone of Nature) + could she get the least help. The rest hung back; would not open heart or + pocket; waited till they saw. They do now see; now that Belleisle has done + his feat of Covenant-eating!— + </p> + <p> + Eleven great Powers, some count Thirteen, some Twelve, [Scholl, ii. 286; + Adelung, LIST, ii. 127.]—but no two agree, and hardly one agrees + with himself;—enough, the Powers of Europe, from Naples and Madrid + to Russia and Sweden, have all signed it, let us say a Dozen or a + Baker's-Dozen of them. And except our little English Paladin alone, whose + interest and indeed salvation seemed to him to lie that way, and who + needed no Pragmatic Covenant to guide him, nobody whatever distinguished + himself by keeping it. Between December, 1740, when Maria Theresa set up + her cries in all Courts, on to April, 1741, England, painfully dragging + Holland with her, had alone of the Baker's-Dozen spoken word of + disapproval; much less done act of hindrance. Two especially (France and + Bavaria, not to mention Spain) had done the reverse, and disowned, and + declared against, Pragmatic Sanction. And after the Battle of Mollwitz, + when the "little stone" took its first leap, and set all thundering, then + came, like the inrush of a fashion, throughout that high Miscellany or + Baker's-Dozen, the general eating of Covenants (which was again quickened + in August, for a reason we shall see): and before November of that Year, + there was no Covenant left to eat. Of the Baker's-Dozen nobody remained + but little George the Paladin, dragging Holland painfully along with him;—and + Pragmatic Sanction had gone to water, like ice in a June day, and its + beautiful crystalline qualities and prismatic colors were forever vanished + from the world. Will the reader note a point or two, a personage or two, + in this sordid process,—not for the process's sake, which is very + sordid and smells badly, but for his own sake, to elucidate his own course + a little in the intricacies now coming or come upon him and me? + </p> + <p> + 1. ELECTOR OF BAVARIA.—Karl Albert of Baiern is by some counted as a + Signer of the Pragmatic Sanction, and by others not; which occasions that + discrepancy of sum-total in the Books. And he did once, in a sense, sign + it, he and his Brother of Koln; but, before the late Kaiser's death, he + had openly drawn back from it again; and counted himself a Non-signer. + Signer or not, he, for his part, lost no moment (but rather the contrary) + in openly protesting against it, and signifying that he never would + acknowledge it. Of this the reader saw something, at the time of her + Hungarian Majesty's Accession. Date and circumstances of it, which deserve + remembering, are more precisely these: October 20th, 1740, Karl Albert's + Ambassador, Perusa by name, wrote to Karl from Vienna, announcing that the + Kaiser was just dead. From Munchen, on the 21st, Karl Albert, anticipating + such an event, but not yet knowing it, orders Perusa, in CASE of the + Kaiser's decease, which was considered probable at Munchen, to demand + instant audience of the proper party (Kanzler Sinzendorf), and there + openly lodge his Protest. Which Perusa did, punctually in all points,—no + moment LOST, but rather the contrary, as we said! Let poor Karl Albert + have what benefit there is in that fact. He was, of all the Anti-Pragmatic + Covenant-Breakers (if he ever fairly were such), the only one that + proceeded honorably, openly and at once, in the matter; and he was, of + them all, by far the most unfortunate. + </p> + <p> + This is the poor gentleman whom Belleisle had settled on for being Kaiser. + And Kaiser he became; to his frightful sorrow, as it proved: his crown + like a crown of burning iron, or little better! There is little of him in + the Books, nor does one desire much: a tall aquiline type of man; much the + gentleman in aspect; and in reality, of decorous serious deportment, and + the wish to be high and dignified. He had a kind of right, too, in the + Anti-Pragmatic sense; and was come of Imperial kindred,—Kaiser + Ludwig the Bavarian, and Kaiser Rupert of the Pfalz, called Rupert KLEMM, + or Rupert Smith's-vice, if any reader now remember him, were both of his + ancestors. He might fairly pretend to Kaisership and to Austrian + ownership,—had he otherwise been equal to such enterprises. But, in + all ambitions and attempts, howsoever grounded otherwise, there is this + strict question on the threshold: "Are you of weight for the adventure; + are not you far too light for it?" Ambitious persons often slur this + question; and get squelched to pieces, by bringing the Twelve Labors of + Hercules on Unherculean backs! Not every one is so lucky as our Friedrich + in that particular,—whose back, though with difficulty, held out. + Which poor Karl Albert's never had much likelihood to do. Few mortals in + any age have offered such an example of the tragedies which Ambition has + in store for her votaries; and what a matter Hope FULFILLED may be to the + unreflecting Son of Adam. + </p> + <p> + We said, he had a kind of right to Austria, withal. He descended by the + female line from Kaiser Ferdinand I. (as did Kur-Sachsen, though by a + younger Daughter than Karl Albert's Ancestress); and he appealed to Kaiser + Ferdinand's Settlement of the Succession, as a higher than any subsequent + Pragmatic could be. Upon which there hangs an incident; still famous to + German readers. Karl Albert, getting into Public Argument in this way, + naturally instructed Perusa to demand sight of Kaiser Ferdinand's Last + Will, the tenor of which was known by authentic Copy in Munchen, if not + elsewhere among the kindred. After some delay, Perusa (4th November, + 1740), summoning the other excellencies to witness, got sight of the Will: + to his horror, there stood, in the cardinal passage, instead of + "MUNNLICHE" (male descendants), "EHELICHE" (lawfully begotten + descendants),—fatal to Karl Albert's claim! Nor could he PROVE that + the Parchment had been scraped or altered, though he kept trying and + examining for some days. He withdrew thereupon, by order, straightway from + Vienna; testifying in dumb-show what he thought. "It is your Copy that is + false," cried the Vienna people: "it has been foisted on you, with this + wrong word in it; done by somebody (your friend, the Excellency Herr von + Hartmann, shall we guess?), wishing to curry favor with ambitious foolish + persons!" Such was the Austrian story. Perhaps in Munchen itself their + Copyist was not known;—for aught I learn, the Copy was made long + since, and the Copyist dead. Hartmann, named as Copyist by the Vienna + people, made emphatic public answer: "Never did I copy it, or see it!" And + there rose great argument, which is not yet quite ended, as to the + question, "Original falsified, or Copy falsified?"—and the modern + vote, I believe, rather clearly is, That the Austrian Officials had done + it—in a case of necessity. [Adelung, ii. 150-154 (14th-20th + November, 1740), gives the public facts, without commentary. Hormayr (<i>Anemonen + aus dem Tagebuch eines alten Pilgersmannes,</i> Jena, 1845, i. 162-169,—our + old Hormayr of the AUSTRIAN PLUTARCH, but now Anonymous, and in Opposition + humor) considers the case nearly proved against Austria, and that + Bartenstein and one Bessel, a pillar of the Church, were concerned in it.] + Possible? "But you will lose your soul!" said the Parson once to a poor + old Gentlewoman, English by Nation, who refused, in dying, to contradict + some domestic fiction, to give up some domestic secret: "But you will lose + your soul, Madam!"—"Tush, what signifies my poor silly soul compared + with the honor of the family?"— + </p> + <p> + 2. KING FRIEDRICH;—King Friedrich may be taken as the Anti-Pragmatic + next in order of time. He too lost not a moment, and proceeded openly; no + quirking to be charged upon him. His account of himself in this matter + always was: "By the Treaty of Wusterhausen, 1726, unquestionably Prussia + undertook to guarantee Pragmatic Sanction; the late Kaiser undertaking in + return, by the same Treaty, to secure Berg and Julich to Prussia, and to + have some progress made in it within six months from signing. And + unquestionably also, the late Kaiser did thereupon, or even had already + done, precisely the reverse; namely, secured, so far as in him was + possible, Berg and Julich to Kur-Pfalz. Such Treaty, having in this way + done suicide, is dead and become zero: and I am free, in respect of + Pragmatic Sanction, to do whatever shall seem good to me. My wish was, and + would still be, To maintain Pragmatic Sanction, and even to support it by + 100,000 men, and secure the Election of the Grand-Duke to the Kaisership,—were + my claims on Silesia once liquidated. But these have no concern with + Pragmatic Sanction, for or against: these are good against whoever may + fall Heir to the House of Austria, or to Silesia: and my intention is, + that the strong hand, so long clenched upon my rights, shall open itself + by this favorable opportunity, and give them out." That is Friedrich's + case. And in truth the jury everywhere has to find,—so soon as + instructed, which is a long process in some sections of it (in England, + for example),—That Pragmatic Sanction has not, except helpless + lamentations, "Alas that YOU should be here to insist upon your rights, + and to open fists long closed!"—the least, word to say to Friedrich. + </p> + <p> + 3. TERMAGANT OF SPAIN.—Perhaps the most distracted of the + Anti-Pragmatic subterfuges was that used by Spain, when the She-dragon or + Termagant saw good to eat her Covenant; which was at a very early stage. + The Termagant's poor Husband is a Bourbon, not a Hapsburg at all: "But has + not he fallen heir to the Spanish Hapsburgs; become all one as they, an + ALTER-EGO of the Spanish Hapsburgs?" asks she. "And the Austrian Hapsburgs + being out, do not the Spanish Hapsburgs come in? He, I say, this + BOURBON-Hapsburg, he is the real Hapsburg, now that the Austrian Branch is + gone; President he of the Golden Fleece [which a certain "Archduchess," + Maria Theresa, had been meddling with]; Proprietor, he, of Austrian Italy, + and of all or most things Austrian!"—and produces Documentary + Covenants of Philip II. with his Austrian Cousins; "to which Philip," said + the Termagant, "we Bourbons surely, if you consider it, are Heir and + Alter-Ego!" Is not, this a curious case of testamentary right; human greed + obliterating personal identity itself? + </p> + <p> + Belleisle had a great deal of difficulty, keeping the Termagant back till + things were ripe. Her hope practically was, Baby Carlos being prosperous + King of Naples this long while, to get the Milanese for another Baby she + has,—Baby Philip, whom she once thought of making Pope;—and + she is eager beyond measure to have a stroke at the Milanese. "Wait!" + hoarsely whispers Belleisle to her; and she can scarcely wait. Maria + Theresa's Note of Announcement "New Queen of Hungary, may it please you!" + the French, as we saw, were very long in answering. The Termagant did not + answer it at all; complained on the contrary, "What is this, Madam! Golden + Fleece, you?"—and, early in March, informed mankind that she was + Spanish Hapsburg, the genuine article; and sent off Excellency Montijos, a + little man of great expense, to assist at the Election of a proper Kaiser, + and be useful to Belleisle in the great things now ahead. [Spain's + Golden-Fleece pretensions, 17th January, 1741 (Adelung, ii. 233, 234); + "Publishes at Paris," in March (ib. 293); and on the 23d March accredits + Montijos (ib. 293): Italian War, held back by Belleisle and the English + Fleets, cannot get begun till October following.] + </p> + <p> + 4. KING OF POLAND.—The most ticklish card in Belleisle's game, and + probably the greatest fool of these Anti-Pragmatic Dozen, was Kur-Sachsen, + King of Poland. He, like Karl Albert Kur-Baiern, derives from Kaiser + Ferdinand, though by a YOUNGER Daughter, and has a like claim on the + Austrian Succession; claim nullified, however, by that small circumstance + itself, but which he would fain mend by one makeshift or another; and + thinks always it must surely be good for something. This is August III., + this King of Poland, as readers know; son of August the Strong: Papa made + him change to the Catholic religion so called,—for the sake of + getting Poland, which proves a very poor possession to him. Who knows what + damage the poor creature may have got by that sad operation;—which + all Saxony sighed to the heart on hearing of; for it was always hoped he + had some real religion, and would deliver them from that Babylonish + Captivity again! He married Kaiser Joseph I.'s Daughter,—Maria + Theresa's Cousin, and by an Elder Brother;—this, too, ought surely + to be something in the Anti-Pragmatic line? It is true, Kur-Baiern has to + Wife another Daughter of Kaiser Joseph's; but she is the younger: "I am + senior THERE, at least!" thinks the foolish man. + </p> + <p> + Too true, he had finally, in past years, to sign Pragmatic Sanction; no + help for it, no hope without it, in that Polish-Election time. He will + have to eat his Covenant, therefore, as the first step in Anti-Pragmatism; + and he is extremely in doubt as to the How, sometimes as to the Whether. + And shifts and whirls, accordingly, at a great rate, in these months and + years; now on Maria Theresa's side, deluded by shadows from Vienna, and + getting into Russian Partition-Treaties; anon tickled by Belleisle into + the reverse posture; then again reversing. An idle, easy-tempered, yet + greedy creature, who, what with religious apostasy in early manhood, what + with flaccid ambitions since, and idle gapings after shadows, has lost + helm in this world; and will make a very bad voyage for self and country. + </p> + <p> + His Palinurus and chief Counsellor, at present and afterwards, is a Count + von Bruhl, once page to August the Strong; now risen to such height: Bruhl + of the three hundred and sixty-five suits of clothes; whom it has grown + wearisome even to laugh at. A cunning little wretch, they say, and of deft + tongue; but surely among the unwisest of all the Sons of Adam in that day, + and such a Palinurus as seldom steered before. Kur-Sachsen, being + Reichs-Vicar in the Northern Parts,—(Kur-Baiern and Kur-Pfalz, as + friends and good Wittelsbacher Cousins surely ought, in a crisis like + this, have agreed to be JOINT-Vicars in the Southern Parts, and no longer + quarrel upon it),—Kur-Sachsen has a good deal to do in the Election + preludings, formalities and prearrangements; and is capable, as Kur-Pfalz + and Cousin always are, of serving as chisel to Belleisle's mallet, in such + points, which will plentifully turn up. + </p> + <p> + 5. KING OF SARDINIA.—Reichs-Vicar in the Italian Parts is Charles + Amadeus King of Sardinia (tough old Victor's Son, whom we have heard of): + an office mostly honorary; suitable to the important individual who keeps + the Door of the Alps. Charles Amadeus had signed the Pragmatic Sanction; + but eats his Covenant, like the others, on example of France;—having, + as he now bethinks himself, claims on the Milanese. There are two + claimants on the Milanese, then; the Spanish Termagant, and he? Yes; and + they will have their difficulties, their extensive tusslings in Italian + War and otherwise, to make an adjustment of it; and will give Belleisle + (at least the Doorkeeper will) an immensity of trouble, in years coming. + </p> + <p> + In this way do the Pragmatic people eat their own Covenant, one after the + other, and are not ashamed;—till all have eaten, or as good as + eaten; and, almost within year and day, Pragmatic Sanction is a vanished + quantity; and poor Kaiser Karl's life-labor is not worth the sheepskin and + stationery it cost him. History reports in sum, That "nobody kept the + Pragmatic Sanction; that the few [strictly speaking, the one] who acted by + it, would have done precisely the same, though there had never been such a + Document in existence." To George II., it is, was and will be, the + Keystone of Nature, the true Anti-French palladium of mankind; and he, + dragging the unwilling Dutch after him, will do great things for it: but + nobody else does anything at all. Might we hope to bid adieu to it, in + this manner, and never to mention it again!— + </p> + <p> + Document more futile there had not been in Nature, nor will be. Friedrich + had not yet fought at Mollwitz in assertion of his Silesian claim, when + the poor Pope—poor soul, who had no Covenant to eat, but took + pattern by others—claimed, in solemn Allocution, Parma and Piacenza + for the Holy See. [Adelung, ii. 376 (5th April, 1741)] All the world is + claiming. Of the Court of Wurtemberg and its Protestings, and "extensive + Deduction" about nothing at all, we do not speak; [Ib. ii. 195, 403.] nor + of Montmorency claiming Luxemburg, of which he is Titular "Duke;" nor of + Monsignore di Guastalla claiming Mantua; nor of—In brief, the fences + are now down; a broad French gap in those miles of elaborate paling, which + are good only as firewood henceforth, and any ass may rush in and claim a + bellyful. Great are the works of Belleisle!— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCERNING THE IMPERIAL ELECTION (Kaiserwahl) THAT IS TO BE: CANDIDATES + FOR KAISERSHIP. + </h2> + <p> + At equal step with the ruining of Pragmatic Sanction goes on that spoiling + of Grand-Duke Franz's Election to the Kaisership: these two operations run + parallel; or rather, under different forms, they are one and the same + operation. "To assist, as a Most Christian neighbor ought, in picking out + the fit Kaiser," was Belleisle's ostensible mission; and indeed this does + include virtually his whole errand. Till three months after Belleisle's + appearance in the business, Grand-Duke Franz never doubted but he should + be Kaiser; Friedrich's offers to, help him in it he had scorned, as the + offer of a fifth wheel to his chariot, already rushing on with four. "Here + is Kur-Bohmen, Austria's own vote," counts the Grand-Duke; "Kur-Sachsen, + doing Prussian-Partition Treaties for us; Kur-Trier, our fat little + Schonborn, Austrian to the bone; Kur-Mainz, important chairman, regulator + of the Conclave; here are Four Electors for us: then also Kur-Pfalz, he + surely, in return for the Berg-Julich service; finally, and liable to no + question Kur-Hanover, little George of England with his endless guineas + and resources, a little Jack-the-Giantkiller, greater than all Giants, + Paladin of the Pragmatic and us: here are Six Electors of the Nine. Let + Brandenburg and the Bavarian Couple, Kur-Baiern and Kur-Koln, do their + pleasure!" This was Grand-Duke Franz's calculation. + </p> + <p> + By the time Belleisle had been three months in Germany, the Grand-Duke's + notion had changed; and he began "applying to the Sea-Powers," "to + Russia," and all round. In Belleisle's sixth month, the Grand-Duke, after + such demolition of Pragmatic, and such disasters and contradictions as had + been, saw his case to be desperate; though he still stuck to it, + Austrian-like,—or rather, Austria for him stuck to it, the + Grand-Duke being careless of such things;—and indeed, privately, + never did give in, even AFTER the Election, as we shall have to note. + </p> + <p> + The Reich itself being mainly a Phantasm or Enchanted Wiggery, its + "Kaiser-Choosing" (KAISERWAHL),—now getting under way at Frankfurt, + with preliminary outskirts at Regensburg, and in the Chancery of Mainz—is + very phantasmal, not to say ghastly; and forbidding, not inviting, to the + human eye. Nine Kurfursts, Choosers of Teutschland's real Captain, in none + of whom is there much thought for Teutschland or its interests,—and + indeed in hardly more than One of whom (Prussian Friedrich, if readers + will know it) is there the least thought that way; but, in general, much + indifference to things divine or diabolic, and thought for one's own + paltry profits and losses only! So it has long been; and so it now is, + more than usual.—Consider again, are Enchanted Wiggeries a beautiful + thing, in this extremely earnest World?— + </p> + <p> + The Kaiserwahl is an affair depending much on processions, proclamations, + on delusions optical, acoustic; on palaverings, manoeuvrings, holdings + back, then hasty pushings forward; and indeed is mainly, in more senses + than one, under guidance of the Prince of the Power of the Air. + Unbeautiful, like a World-Parliament of Nightmares (if the reader could + conceive such a thing); huge formless, tongueless monsters of that + species, doing their "three readings,"—under Presidency or + chief-pipership as above! Belleisle, for his part, is consummately + skilful, and manages as only himself could. Keeps his game well hidden, + not a hint or whisper of it except in studied proportions; spreads out his + lines, his birdlime; tickles, entices, astonishes; goes his rounds, like a + subtle Fowler, taking captive the minds of men; a Phoebus-Apollo, god of + melody and of the sun, filling his net with birds. + </p> + <p> + I believe, old Kur-Pfalz, for the sake of French neighborhood, and + Berg-and-Julich, were there nothing more, was very helpful to him;—in + March past, when the Election was to have been, when it would have gone at + once in favor of the Grand-Duke, Kur-Pfalz got the Election "postponed a + little." Postponing, procrastinating; then again pushing violently on, + when things are ripe: Belleisle has only to give signal to a fit + Kur-Pfalz. In all Kurfurst Courts, the French Ambassadors sing diligently + to the tune Belleisle sets them; and Courts give ear, or will do, when the + charmer himself arrives. + </p> + <p> + Kur-Sachsen, as above hinted, was his most delicate operation, in the + charming or trout-tickling way. And Kur-Sachsen—and poor Saxony, + ever since—knows if he did not do it well! "Deduct this Kur-Sachsen + from the Austrian side," calculates Belleisle; "add him to ours, it is + almost an equality of votes. Kur-Baiern, our own Imperial Candidate; + Kur-Koln, his Brother; Kur-Pfalz, by genealogy his Cousin (not to mention + Berg-Julich matters); here are three Wittelsbachers, knit together; three + sure votes; King Friedrich, Kur-Brandenburg, there is a fourth; and if + Kur-Sachsen would join?" But who knows if Kur-Sachsen will! The poor soul + has himself thoughts of being Kaiser; then no thoughts, and again some: + thoughts which Belleisle knows how to handle. "Yes, Kaiser you, your + Majesty; excellent!" And sets to consider the methods: "Hm, ha, hm! Think, + your Majesty: ought not that Bohemian Vote to be excluded, for one thing? + Kur-Bohmen is fallen into the distaff, Maria Theresa herself cannot vote. + Surely question will rise, Whether distaff can, validly, hand it over to + distaff's husband, as they are about doing? Whether, in fact, Kur-Bohmen + is not in abeyance for this time?" "So!" answered Kur-Sachsen, + Reichs-Vicarius. And thereupon meetings were summoned; Nightmare + Committees sat on this matter under the Reichs-Vicar, slowly hatching it; + and at length brought out, "Kur-Bohmen NOT transferable by the distaff; + Kur-Bohmen in abeyance for this time." Greatly to the joy of Belleisle; + infinitely to the chagrin of her Hungarian Majesty,—who declared it + a crying injustice (though I believe legally done in every point); and by + and by, even made it a plea of Nullity, destructive to the Election + altogether, when her Hungarian Majesty's affairs looked up again, and the + world would listen to Austrian sophistries and obstinacies. This was an + essential service from Kur-Sachsen. [Began, indistinctly, "in March" + (1741); languid "for some months" (Adelung, ii. 292); "November 4th," was + settled in the negative, "Kur-Bohmen not to have a vote" (<i>Maria + Theresiens Leben,</i> p. 47 n.)]. + </p> + <p> + After which Kur-Sachsen's own poor Kaisership died away into "Hm, ha, hm!" + again, with a grateful Belleisle. Who nevertheless dexterously retained + Kur-Sachsen as ally; tickling the poor wretch with other baits. Of the + Kaiser he had really meant all along, there was dead silence, except + between the parties; no whisper heard, for six months after it had been + agreed upon; none, for two or near three months after formal settlement, + and signing and sealing. Karl Albert's Treaty with Belleisle was 18th May, + 1741; and he did not declare himself a Candidate till 1st-4th July + following. [Adelung, ii. 357, 421.] Belleisle understands the Nightmare + Parliaments, the electioneering art, and how to deal with Enchanted + Wiggeries. More perfect master, in that sad art, has not turned up on + record to one's afflicted mind. Such a Sun-god, and doing such a + Scavengerism! Belleisle, in the sixth month (end of August, 1741), feels + sure of a majority. How Belleisle managed, after that, to checkmate George + of England, and make even George vote for him, and the Kaiserwahl to be + unanimous against Grand-Duke Franz, will be seen. Great are Belleisle's + doings in this world, if they were useful either to God or man, or to + Belleisle himself first of all!— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TEUTSCHLAND TO BE CARVED INTO SOMETHING OF SYMMETRY, SHOULD THE BELLEISLE + ENTERPRISES SUCCEED. + </h2> + <p> + Belleisle's schemes, in the rear of all this labor, are grandiose to a + degree. Men wonder at the First Napoleon's mad notions in that kind. But + no Napoleon, in the fire of the revolutionary element; no Sham-Napoleon, + in the ashes of it: hardly a Parisian Journalist of imaginative turn, + speculating on the First Nation of the Universe and what its place is,—could + go higher than did this grandiose Belleisle; a man with clear thoughts in + his head, under a torpid Louis XV. Let me see, thinks Belleisle. Germany + with our Bavarian for Kaiser; Germany to be cut into, say, Four little + Kingdoms: 1. Bavaria with the lean Kaiserhood; 2. Saxony, fattened by its + share of Austria; 3. Prussia the like; 4. Austria itself, shorn down as + above, and shoved out to the remote Hungarian parts: VOILA. These, not + reckoning Hanover, which perhaps we cannot get just yet, are Four pretty + Sovereignties. Three, or Two, of these hireable by gold, it is to be + hoped. And will not France have a glorious time of it; playing master of + the revels there, egging one against the other! Yes, Germany is then, what + Nature designed it, a Province of France: little George of Hanover + himself, and who knows but England after him, may one day find their fate + inevitable, like the others. O Louis, O my King, is not this an outlook? + Louis le Grand was great; but you are likely to be Louis the Grandest; and + here is a World shaped, at last, after the real pattern! + </p> + <p> + Such are, in sad truth, Belleisle's schemes; not yet entirely hatched into + daylight or articulation; but becoming articulate, to himself and others, + more and more. Reader, keep them well in mind: I had rather not speak of + them again. They are essential to our Story; but they are afflictively + vain, contrary to the Laws of Fact; and can, now or henceforth, in nowise + be. My friend, it was not Beelzebub, nor Mephistopheles, nor + Autolyeus-Apollo that built this world and us; it was Another. And you + will get your crown well rapped, M. le Marechal, for so forgetting that + fact! France is an extremely pretty creature; but this of making France + the supreme Governor and God's-Vicegerent of Nations, is, was, and + remains, one of the maddest notions. France at its ideal BEST, and with a + demi-god for King over it, were by no means fit for such function; nay of + many Nations is eminently the unfittest for it. And France at its WORST or + nearly so, with a Louis XV. over it by way of demi-god—O Belleisle, + what kind of France is this; shining in your grandiose imagination, in + such contrast to the stingy fact: like a creature consisting of two + enormous wings, five hundred yards in potential extent, and no body bigger + than that of a common cock, weighing three pounds avoirdupois. Cock with + his own gizzard much out of sorts, too! + </p> + <p> + It was "early in March" [Adelung, ii. 305.] when Belleisle, the Artificial + Sun-god, quitted Paris on this errand. He came by the Moselle road; called + on the Rhine Kurfursts, Koln, Trier, Mainz; dazzling them, so far as + possible, with his splendor for the mind and for the eye. He proceeded + next to Dresden, which is a main card: and where there is immense + manipulation needed, and the most delicate trout-tickling; this being a + skittish fish, and an important, though a foolish. Belleisle was at + Dresden when the Battle of Mollwitz fell out: what a windfall into + Belleisle's game! He ran across to Friedrich at Mollwitz, to congratulate, + to consult,—as we shall see anon. + </p> + <p> + Belleisle, I am informed, in this preliminary Tour of his, speaks only, or + hints only (except in the proper quarters), of Election Business; of the + need there perhaps is, on the part of an Age growing in liberal ideas, to + exclude the Austrian Grand-Duke; to curb that ponderous, harsh, ungenerous + House of Austria, too long lording it over generous Germany; and to set up + some better House,—Bavaria, for example; Saxony, for example? Of his + plans in the rear of this he is silent; speaks only by hints, by + innuendoes, to the proper parties. But ripening or ripe, plans do lie to + rear; far-stretching, high-soaring; in part, dark even at Versailles; + darkly fermenting, not yet developed, in Belleisle's own head; only the + Future Kaiser a luminous fixed point, shooting beams across the grandiose + Creation-Process going on there. + </p> + <p> + By the end of August, 1741, Belleisle had become certain of his game; 24th + January, 1742, he saw himself as if winner. Before August, 1741, he had + got his Electors manipulated, tickled to his purpose, by the witchery of a + Phoebus-Autolycus or Diplomatic Sun-god; majority secured for a Bavarian + Kaiser, and against an Austrian one. And in the course of that month,—what + was still more considerable!—he was getting, under mild pretexts, + about a hundred thousand armed Frenchmen gently wafted over upon the soil + of Germany. Two complete French Armies, 40,000 each (PLUS their Reserves), + one over the Upper Rhine, one over the Lower; about which we shall hear a + great deal in time coming! Under mild pretexts: "Peaceable as lambs, don't + you observe? Merely to protect Freedom of Election, in this fine neighbor + country; and as allies to our Friend of Bavaria, should he chance to be + new Kaiser, and to persist in his modest claims otherwise." This was his + crowning stroke. Which finished straightway the remnants of Pragmatic + Sanction and of every obstacle; and in a shining manner swept the roads + clear. And so, on January 24th following, the Election, long held back by + Belleisle's manoeuvrings, actually takes effect,—in favor of Karl + Albert, our invaluable Bavarian Friend. Austria is left solitary in the + Reich; Pragmatic Sanction, Keystone of Nature, which Belleisle and France + had sworn to keep in, is openly torn out by Belleisle and by France and + the majority of mankind; and Belleisle sees himself, to all appearance, + winner. + </p> + <p> + This was the harvest reaped by Belleisle, within year and day; after + endless manoeuvring, such as only a Belleisle in the character of + Diplomatic Sun-god could do. Beyond question, the distracted ambitions of + several German Princes have been kindled by Belleisle; what we called the + rotten thatch of Germany is well on fire. This diligent sowing in the + Reich—to judge by the 100,000, armed men here, and the counter + hundreds of thousands arming—has been a pretty stroke of + dragon's-teeth husbandry on Belleisle's part. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BELLEISLE ON VISIT TO FRIEDRICH; SEES FRIEDRICH BESIEGE BRIEG, WITH + EFFECT. + </h2> + <p> + It was April 26th when Marechal de Belleisle, with his Brother the + Chevalier, with Valori and other bright accompaniment, arrived in + Friedrich's Camp. "Camp of Mollwitz" so named; between Mollwitz and Brieg; + where Friedrich is still resting, in a vigilant expectant condition; and, + except it be the taking of Brieg, has nothing military on hand. Wednesday, + 26th April, the distinguished Excellency—escorted for the last three + miles by 120 Horse, and the other customary ceremonies—makes his + appearance: no doubt an interesting one to Friedrich, for this and the + days next following. Their talk is not reported anywhere: nor is it said + with exactitude how far, whether wholly now, or only in part now, + Belleisle expounded his sublime ideas to Friedrich; or what precise + reception they got. Friedrich himself writes long afterwards of the event; + but, as usual, without precision, except in general effect. Now, or some + time after, Friedrich says he found Belleisle, one morning, with brow + clouded, knit into intense meditation: "Have you had bad news, M. le + Marechal?" asks Friedrich. "No, oh no! I am considering what we shall make + of that Moravia?"—"Moravia; Hm!" Friedrich suppresses the glance + that is rising to his eyes: "Can't you give it to Saxony, then? Buy Saxony + into the Plan with it!" "Excellent," answers Belleisle, and unpuckers his + stern brow again. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich thinks highly, and about this time often says so, of the man + Belleisle: but as to the man's effulgencies, and wide-winged Plans, none + is less seduced by them than Friedrich: "Your chickens are not hatched, M. + le Marechal; some of us hope they never will be,—though the + incubation-process may have uses for some of us!" Friedrich knows that the + Kaisership given to any other than Grand-Duke Franz will be mostly an + imaginary quantity. "A grand Symbolic Cloak in the eyes of the vulgar; but + empty of all things, empty even of cash, for the last Two Hundred Years: + Austria can wear it to advantage; no other mortal. Hang it on Austria, + which is a solid human figure,—so." And Friedrich wishes, and hopes + always, Maria Theresa will agree with him, and get it for her Husband. + "But to hang it on Bavaria, which is a lean bare pole? Oh, M. le Marechal!—And + those Four Kingdoms of yours: what a brood of poultry, those! Chickens + happily yet UNhatched;—eggs addle, I should venture to hope:—only + do go on incubating, M. le Marechal!" That is Friedrich's notion of the + thing. Belleisle stayed with Friedrich "a few days," say the Books. After + which, Friedrich, finding Belleisle too winged a creature, corresponded, + in preference, with Fleury and the Head Sources;—who are always + intensely enough concerned about those "aces" falling to him, and how the + same are to be "shared." [Details in <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 912, + 962, 916; in <i>OEuvres de Frederic,</i> ii. 79, 80; &c.] + </p> + <p> + Instead of parade or review in honor of Belleisle, there happened to be a + far grander military show, of the practical kind. The Siege of Brieg, the + Opening of the Trenches before Brieg, chanced to be just ready, on + Belleisle's arrival:—and would have taken effect, we find, that very + night, April 26th, had not a sudden wintry outburst, or "tempest of + extraordinary violence," prevented. Next night, night of the 27th-28th, + under shine of the full Moon, in the open champaign country, on both sides + of the River, it did take effect. An uncommonly fine thing of its sort; as + one can still see by reading Friedrich's strict Program for it,—a + most minute, precise and all-anticipating Program, which still interests + military men, as Friedrich's first Piece in that kind,—and comparing + therewith the Narratives of the performance which ensued. [<i>Ordre und + Dispositiones (SIC), wornach sich der General-Lieutenant von Kalckstein + bei Eroffnung der Trancheen, &c. (Oeuvres de Frederic,</i> xxx. + 39-44): the Program. <i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. 916-928: the Narrative.] + </p> + <p> + Kalkstein, Friedrich's old Tutor, is Captain of the Siege; under him + Jeetz, long used to blockading about Brieg. The silvery Oder has its due + bridges for communication; all is in readiness, and waiting manifold as in + the slip,—and there is Engineer Walrave, our Glogau Dutch friend, + who shall, at the right instant, "with his straw-rope (STROHSEIL) mark out + the first parallel," and be swift about it! There are 2,000 diggers, with + the due implements, fascines, equipments; duly divided, into Twelve equal + Parties, and "always two spademen to one pickman" (which indicates soft + sandy ground): these, with the escorting or covering battalions, Twelve + Parties they also, on both sides of the River, are to be in their several + stations at the fixed moments; man, musket, mattock, strictly exact. They + are to advance at Midnight; the covering battalions so many yards ahead: + no speaking is permissible, nor the least tobacco-smoking; no drum to be + allowed for fear of accident; no firing, unless you are fired on. The + covering battalions are all to "lie flat, so soon as they get to their + ground, all but the Officers and sentries." To rear of these stand Walrave + and assistants, silent, with their straw-rope;—silent, then anon + swift, and in whisper or almost by dumb-show, "Now, then!" After whom the + diggers, fascine-men, workers, each in his kind, shall fall to, silently, + and dig and work as for life. + </p> + <p> + All which is done; exact as clock-work: beautiful to see, or half see, and + speak of to your Belleisle, in the serene moonlight! Half an hour's + marching, half an hour's swift digging: the Town-clock of Brieg was hardly + striking One, when "they had dug themselves in." And, before daybreak, + they had, in two batteries, fifty cannon in position, with a proper set of + mortars (other side the River),—ready to astonish Piccolomini and + his Austrians; who had not had the least whisper of them, all night, + though it was full moon. Graf von Piccolomini, an active gallant person, + had refused terms, some time before; and was hopefully intent on doing his + best. And now, suddenly, there rose round Piccolomini such a tornado of + cannonading and bombardment, day after day, always "three guns of ours + playing against one of theirs," that his guns got ruined; that "his + hay-magazines took fire,"—and the Schloss itself, which was adjacent + to them, took fire (a sad thing to Friedrich, who commanded pause, that + they might try quenching, but in vain):—and that, in short, + Piccolomini could not stand it; but on the 4th of May, precisely after one + week's experience, hung out the white flag, and "beat chamade at 3 of the + afternoon." He was allowed to march out next morning, with escort to + Neisse; parole pledged, Not to serve against us for two years coming. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich in person (I rather guess, Belleisle not now at his side) saw + the Garrison march out;—kept Piccolomini to dinner; a gallant + Piccolomini, who had hoped to do better, but could not. This was a pretty + enough piece of Siege-practice. Torstenson, with his Swedes, had furiously + besieged Brieg in 1642, a hundred years ago; and could do nothing to it. + Nothing, but withdraw again, futile; leaving 1,400 of his people dead. + Friedrich, the Austrian Garrison once out, set instantly about repairing + the works, and improving them into impregnability,—our ugly friend + Walrave presiding over that operation too. + </p> + <p> + Belleisle, we may believe, so long as he continued, was full of polite + wonder over these things; perhaps had critical advices here and there, + which would be politely received. It is certain he came out extremely + brilliant, gifted and agreeable, in the eyes of Friedrich; who often + afterwards, not in the very strictest language, calls him a great man, + great soldier, and by far the considerablest person you French have. It is + no less certain, Belleisle displayed, so far as displayable, his + magnificent Diplomatic Ware to the best advantage. To which, we perceive, + the young King answered, "Magnificent, indeed!" but would not bite all at + once; and rather preferred corresponding with Fleury, on business points, + keeping the matter dexterously hanging, in an illuminated element of hope + and contingency, for the present. + </p> + <p> + Belleisle, after we know not how many days, returned to Dresden; perfected + his work at Dresden, or shoved it well forward, with "that Moravia" as + bait. "Yes, King of Moravia, you, your Polish Majesty, shall be!"—and + it is said the simple creature did so style himself, by and by, in certain + rare Manifestoes, which still exist in the cabinets of the curious. + Belleisle next, after only a few days, went to Munchen; to operate on Karl + Albert Kur-Baiern, a willing subject. And, in short, Belleisle whirled + along incessantly, torch in hand; making his "circuit of the German + Courts,"—details of said circuit not to be followed by us farther. + One small thing only I have found rememberable; probably true, though + vague. At Munchen, still more out at Nymphenburg, the fine Country-Palace + not far off, there was of course long conferencing, long consulting, + secret and intense, between Belleisle with his people and Karl Albert with + his. Karl Albert, as we know, was himself willing. But a certain Baron von + Unertl—heavy-built Bavarian of the old type, an old stager in the + Bavarian Ministries—was of far other disposition. One day, out at + Nymphenburg, Unertl got to the Council-room, while Belleisle and Company + were there: Unertl found the apartment locked, absolutely no admittance; + and heard voices, the Kurfurst's and French voices, eagerly at work + inside. "Admit me, Gracious Herr; UM GOTTES WILLEN, me!" No admission. + Unertl, in despair, rushed round to the garden side of the Apartment; + desperately snatched a ladder, set it up to the window, and conjured the + Gracious Highness: "For the love of Heaven, my ALLERGNADIGSTER, don't! + Have no trade with those French! Remember your illustrious Father, + Kurfurst Max, in the Eugene-Marlborough time, what a job he made of it, + building actual architecture on THEIR big promises, which proved mere + acres of gilt balloon!" [Hormayr, <i>Anemonen</i> (cited above), ii. 152.] + Words terribly prophetic; but they were without effect on Karl Albert. + </p> + <p> + The rest of Belleisle's inflammatory circuitings and extensive + travellings, for he had many first and last in this matter, shall be left + to the fancy of the reader. May 18th, he made formal Treaty with Karl + Albert: Treaty of Nymphenburg, "Karl Albert to be Kaiser; Bavaria, with + Austria Proper added to it, a Kingdom; French armies, French moneys, and + other fine items." [Given in Adelung, ii. 359.] Treaty to be kept dead + secret; King Friedrich, for the present, would not accede. [Given in + Adelung, ii. 421.] June 25th, after some preliminary survey of the place, + Belleisle made his Entry into Frankfurt: magnificent in the extreme. And + still did not rest there; but had to rush about, back to Versailles, to + Dresden, hither, thither: it was not till the last day of July that he + fairly took up his abode in Frankfurt; and—the Election eggs, so to + speak, being now all laid—set himself to hatch the same. A process + which lasted him six months longer, with curious phenomena to mankind. Not + till the middle of August did he bring those 80,000 Armed Frenchmen across + the Rhine, "to secure peace in those parts, and freedom of voting." Not + till November 4th had Kur-Sachsen, with the Nightmares, finished that + important problem of the Bohemian Vote, "Bohemian Vote EXCLUDED for this + time;"—after which all was ready, though still not in the least + hurry. November 20th, came the first actual "Election-Conference + (WAHL-CONFERENZ)" in the Romer at Frankfurt; to which succeeded Two Months + more of conferrings (upon almost nothing at all): and finally, 24th + January, 1742, came the Election itself, Karl Albert the man; poor wretch, + who never saw another good day in this world. + </p> + <p> + Belleisle during those six months was rather high and airy, extremely + magnificent; but did not want discretion: "more like a Kurfurst than an + Ambassador;" capable of "visiting Kur-Mainz, with servants purposely in + OLD liveries,"—where the case needed old, where Kur-Mainz needed + snubbing; not otherwise. [Buchholz, ii. 57 n.] "The Marechal de + Belleisle," says an Eye-witness, of some fame in those days, "comes out in + a variety of parts, among us here; plays now the General, now the + Philosopher, now the Minister of State, now the French Marquis;—and + does them all to perfection. Surely a master in his art. His Brother the + Chevalier is one of the sensiblest and best-trained persons you can see. + He has a penetrating intellect; is always occupied, and full of great + schemes; and has nevertheless a staid kind of manner. He is one of the + most important Personages here; and in all things his Brother's right + hand." [Von Loen, <i>Kleine Schriften</i> (cited in Adelung, ii. 400).] In + Frankfurt, both Belleisle and his Brother were much respected, the Brother + especially, as men of dignified behavior and shining qualities; but as to + their hundred and thirty French Lords and other Valetry, these by their + extravagances and excesses (AUSSCHWEIFUNGEN) made themselves extremely + detestable, it would appear. [Buchholz, ii. 54; in Adelung, ii. 398 n., a + French BROCARD on the subject, of sufficient emphasis.] + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XII. — SORROWS OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY. + </h2> + <p> + George II. did not hear of Mollwitz for above a fortnight after it fell + out; but he had no need of Mollwitz to kindle his wrath or his activity in + that matter. [Mollwitz first heard of in London, April 25th (14th); + Subsidy of 300,000 pounds voted same day. <i>London Gazette</i> (April + 11th-14th, 1741); <i>Commons Journals,</i> xxiii. 705.] George II. had + seen, all along, with natural manifold aversion and indignation, these + high attempts of his Nephew. "Who is this new little King, that will not + let himself be snubbed, and laughed at, and led by the nose, as his Father + did; but seems to be taking a road of his own, and tacitly defying us all? + A very high conduct indeed, for a Sovereign of that magnitude. Aspires + seemingly to be the leader among German Princes; to reduce Hanover and us,—us, + with the gold of England in our breeches-pocket,—to the second + place? A reverend old Bishop of Liege, twitched by the rochet, and shaken + hither and thither, like a reverend old clothes-screen, till he agree to + stand still and conform. And now a Silesia seized upon; a Pragmatic + Sanction kicked to the winds: the whole world to be turned topsy-turvy, + and Hanover and us, with our breeches-pocket, reduced to—?" + </p> + <p> + The emotions, the prognosticatings, and distracted procedures of his + Britannic Majesty, of which we have ourselves seen somewhat, in this + fermentation of the elements, are copiously set down for us by the English + Dryasdust (mostly in unintelligible form): but, except for sane purposes, + one must be careful not to dwell on them, to the sorrow of readers. Seldom + was there such a feat of Somnambulism, as that by the English and their + King in the next twenty Years. To extract the particle of sanity from it, + and see how the poor English did get their own errand done withal, and + Jenkins's Ear avenged,—that is the one interesting point; Dryasdust + and the Nightmares shall, to all time, be welcome to the others. Here are + some Excerpts, a select few; which will perhaps be our readiest expedient. + These do, under certain main aspects, shadow forth the intricate posture + of King George and his Nation, when Belleisle, as Protagonistes or Chief + Bully, stept down into the ring, in that manner; asking, "Is there an + Antagonistes, then, or Chief Defender?" I will label them, number them; + and, with the minimum of needful commentary, leave them to imaginative + readers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + No. 1. SNATCH OF PARLIAMENTARY ELOQUENCE BY MR. VINER (19th April, 1741). + </h2> + <p> + The fuliginous explosions, more or less volcanic, which went on in + Parliament and in English society, against Friedrich's Silesian + Enterprise, for long years from this date, are now all dead and avoidable,—though + they have left their effects among us to this day. Perhaps readers would + like to see the one reasonable word I have fallen in with, of opposite + tendency; Mr. Viner's word, at the first starting of that question: + plainly sensible word, which, had it been attended to (as it was not), + might have saved us so much nonsense, not of idle talk only, but of + extremely serious deed which ensued thereupon! + </p> + <p> + "LONDON, 19th APRIL, 1741. This day [Mollwitz not yet known, Camp of + Gottin too well known!] King George, in his own high person, comes down to + the House of Lords,—which, like the Other House, is sunk painfully + in Walpole Controversies, Spanish-War Controversies, of a merely domestic + nature;—and informs both Honorable Houses, with extreme caution, + naming nobody, That he much wishes they would think of helping him in + these alarming circumstances of the Celestial Balance, ready apparently to + go heels uppermost. To which the general answer is, 'Yes, surely!'—with + a vote of 300,000 pounds for her Hungarian Majesty, a few days hence. From + those continents of Parliamentary tufa, now fallen so waste and mournful, + here is one little piece which ought to be extricated into daylight:— + </p> + <p> + "MR. VINER (on his legs):... 'If I mistake not the true intention of the + Address proposed,' in answer to his Majesty's most gracious Speech from + the Throne, 'we are invited to declare that we will oppose the King of + Prussia in his attempts upon Silesia: a declaration in which I see not how + any man can concur who KNOWS NOT the nature of his Prussian Majesty's + Claim, and the Laws of the German Empire [NOR DO I, MR. V.]! It ought + therefore, Sir, to have been the first endeavor of those by whom this + Address has been so zealously supported, to show that his Prussian + Majesty's Claim, so publicly explained [BY KAUZLER LUDWIG, OF HALLE, WHO, + IT SEEMS, HAS STAGGERED OR CONVINCED MR. VINER], so firmly urged and so + strongly supported, is without foundation and reason, and is only one of + those imaginary titles which Ambition may always find to the dominions of + another.' (HEAR MR VINER!)" [Tindal, xx. 491, gives the Royal Speech (DATE + in a very slobbery condition); see also Coxe, <i>House of Austria,</i> + iii. 365. Viner's Fragment of a Speech is in Thackeray, <i>Life of + Chatham,</i> i. 87.]... + </p> + <p> + A most indispensable thing, surely. Which was never done, nor can ever be + done; but was assumed as either unnecessary or else done of its own + accord, by that Collective Wisdom of England (with a sage George II. at + the head of it); who plunged into Dettingen, Fontenoy, Austrian Subsidies, + Aix-la-Chapelle, and foundation of the English National Debt, among other + strange things, in consequence!— + </p> + <p> + Upon that of Kanzler Ludwig, and the "so public Explanation" (which we + slightly heard of long since), here is another Note,—unless readers + prefer to skip it:— + </p> + <p> + "That the Diplomatic and Political world is universally in travail at this + time, no reader need be told; Europe everywhere in dim anxiety, + heavy-laden expectation (which to us has fallen so vacant); looking + towards inevitable changes and the huge inane. All in travail;—and + already uttering printed Manifestoes, Patents, Deductions, and other + public travail-SHRIEKS of that kind. Printed; not to speak of the + unprinted, of the oral which vanished on the spot; or even of the written + which were shot forth by breathless estafettes, and unhappily did not + vanish, but lie in archives, still humming upon us, "Won't you read me, + then?"—Alas, except on compulsion, No! Life being precious (and + time, which is the stuff of life), No!— + </p> + <p> + "At Reinsberg as elsewhere, at Reinsberg first of all, it had been felt, + in October last, that there would be Manifestoes needed; learned Proof, + the more irrefragable the better, of our Right to Silesia. It was settled + there, Let Ludwig, Kanzler of the University of Halle, do it. [Herr + Kanzler Ludwig, monster of Antiquarian, Legal and other Learning there: + wealthy, too, and close-fisted; whom we have seen obliged to open his + closed fist, and to do building in the Friedrich Strasse, before now; + Nussler, his son-in-law, having no money:—as careless readers have + perhaps forgotten?] Ludwig set about his new task with a proud joy. Ludwig + knows that story, if he know anything. Long years ago he put forth a + Chapter upon it; weighty Chapter; in a Book of weight, said Judges;—Book + weighing, in pounds avoirdupois and otherwise, none of us now knows what: + [Title of this weighty Performance (see Preuss, <i>Thronbesteigung,</i> p. + 432) is, or was (size not given), <i>Germania Princeps</i> (Halae, 1702). + Preuss says farther, "That Book ii. c. 3 handles the Prussian claims: + Jagerndorf being? 13; Liegnitz,? 14; Oppeln and Ratibor,? 16;—and + that Ludwig had sent a Copy of this Argument [weighty Performance + altogether? Or Book ii. c. 3 of it, which would have had a better chance?] + to King Friedrich, on the death of Kaiser Karl VI."]—but, in after + years, it used to be said by flatterers of the Kanzler, 'Herr Kanzler, see + the effect of Learning. It was you, it was your weighty Book, that caused + all this World-tumult, and flung the Nations into one another's hair!' + Upon which the old Kanzler would blush: 'You do me too much honor!' + </p> + <p> + "Ludwig, directly on order given, gathered out his documents again, in the + King's name this time; and promised something weighty by New-year's day at + latest." Doubtless to the joy of Nussler, who has still no regular + appointment, though well deserving one. "And sure enough, on January 7th, + at Berlin, 'in three languages,' Ludwig's DEDUCTION had come out; an eager + Public waiting for it: [Title is, <i>Rechtsgegrundetes Eigenthum</i> (in + the Latin copies, <i>Patrimonium,</i> and <i>Propriete fondee en Droit</i> + in the French copies) <i>des &c.,</i>—that is to say, <i>Legal + Right of Property in the Royal-Electoral House of Brandenburg to the + Duchies and Principalities of Jagerndorf, Liegnitz, Brieg, Wohlau</i> + (Berlin, 7th January, 1741).]—and at Berlin it was generally thought + to be conclusive. I have looked into Ludwig's Deduction, stern duty + urging, in this instance for one: such portions as I read are nothing like + so stupid as was expected; and, in fact, are not to be called stupid at + all, but fit for their purpose, and moderately intelligible to those who + need them,"—which happily we do not in this place. + </p> + <p> + Judicious Mr. Viner availed nothing against the Proposed Address; any more + than he would against the Atlantic Tide, coming in unanimous, under + influence of the Moon itself,—as indeed this Address, and the + triumphant Subsidy which was voted in the rear of it, may be said to have + done. [Coxe, iii. 265.] Subsidy of 300,000 pounds to her Hungarian + Majesty; which, with the 200,000 pounds already gone that road, makes a + handsome Half-million for the present Year. The first gush of the + Britannia Fountain,—which flowed like an Amalthea's Horn for seven + years to come; refreshing Austria, and all thirsty Pragmatic Nations, to + defend the Keystone of this Universe. Unluckily every guinea of it went, + at the same time, to encourage Austria in scorning King Friedrich's offers + to it; which perhaps are just offers, thinks Mr. Viner; which once + listened to, Pragmatic Sanction would be safe. [Mr. Viner was of Pupham, + or Pupholm, in Lincolnshire, for which County he sat then, and for many + years before and after,—from about 1713 till 1761, when he died. A + solid, instructed man, say his contemporaries. "He was a friend of + Bolingbroke's, and had a house near Bolingbroke's Battersea one." He is + Great great-grandfather to the present Mr. Viner, and to the Countess de + Grey and Ripon; which is an interesting little fact.] + </p> + <p> + This Parliament is strong for Pragmatic Sanction, and has high resentments + against Walpole; in both which points the New Parliament, just getting + elected, will rival and surpass it,—especially in the latter point, + that of uprooting Walpole, which the Nation is bent on, with a singular + fury. Pragmatic Sanction like to be ruined; and Walpole furiously thrown + out: what a pair of sorrows for poor George! During his late Caroline's + time, all went peaceably, and that of "governing" was a mere pleasure; + Walpole and Caroline cunningly doing that for him, and making him believe + he was doing it. But now has come the crisis, the collapse; and his poor + Majesty left alone to deal with it!— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + No. 2. CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORIAN ON THE PHENOMENON OF WALPOLE IN ENGLAND. + </h2> + <p> + "For above Ten Years, Walpole himself", says my Constitutional Historian + (unpublished), "for almost Twenty Years, Walpole virtually and through + others, has what they call 'governed' England; that is to say, has + adjusted the conflicting Parliamentary Chaos into counterpoise, by what + methods he had; and allowed England, with Walpole atop, to jumble whither + it would and could. Of crooked things made straight by Walpole, of heroic + performance or intention, legislative or administrative, by Walpole, + nobody ever heard; never of the least hand-breadth gained from the + Night-realm in England, on Walpole's part: enough if he could manage to + keep the Parish Constable walking, and himself float atop. Which task + (though intrinsically zero for the Community, but all-important to the + Walpole, of Constitutional Countries) is a task almost beyond the faculty + of man, if the careless reader knew it! + </p> + <p> + "This task Walpole did,—in a sturdy, deep-bellied, long-headed, + John-Bull fashion, not unworthy of recognition. A man of very forcible + natural eyesight, strong natural heart,—courage in him to all + lengths; a very block of oak, or of oakroot, for natural strength. He was + always very quiet with it, too; given to digest his victuals, and be + peaceable with everybody. He had one rule, that stood in place of many: To + keep out of every business which it was possible for human wisdom to stave + aside. 'What good will you get of going into that? Parliamentary + criticism, argument and botheration? Leave well alone. And even leave ill + alone:—are you the tradesman to tinker leaky vessels in England? You + will not want for work. Mind your pudding, and say little!' At home and + abroad, that was the safe secret. For, in Foreign Politics, his rule was + analogous: 'Mind your own affairs. You are an Island, you can do without + Foreign Politics; Peace, keep Peace with everybody: what, in the Devil's + name, have you to do with those dog-worryings over Seas? Once more, mind + your pudding!' Not so bad a rule; indeed it is the better part of an + extremely good one;—and you might reckon it the real rule for a + pious Rritannic Island (reverent of God, and contemptuous of the Devil) in + times of general Down-break and Spiritual Bankruptcy, when quarrellings of + Sovereigns are apt to be mere dog-worryings and Devil's work, not good to + interfere in. + </p> + <p> + "In this manner, Walpole, by solid John-Bull faculty (and methods of his + own), had balanced the Parliamentary swaggings and clashings, for a great + while; and England had jumbled whither it could, always in a stupid, but + also in a peaceable way. As to those same 'methods of his own' they were—in + fact they were Bribery. Actual purchase of votes by money slipt into the + hand. Go straight to the point. 'The direct real method this,' thinks + Walpole: 'is there in reality any other?' A terrible question to + Constitutional Countries; which, I hear, has never been resolved in the + negative, by the modern improvements of science. Changes of form have + introduced themselves; the outward process, I hear, is now quite + different. According as the fashions and conditions alter,—according + as you have a Fourth Estate developed, or a Fourth Estate still in the + grub stage and only developing,—much variation of outward process is + conceivable. + </p> + <p> + "But Votes, under pain of Death Official, are necessary to your poor + Walpole: and votes, I hear, are still bidden for, and bought. You may buy + them by money down (which is felony, and theft simple, against the poor + Nation); or by preferments and appointments of the unmeritorious man,—which + is felony double-distilled (far deadlier, though more refined), and theft + most compound; theft, not of the poor Nation's money, but of its soul and + body so far, and of ALL its moneys and temporal and spiritual interests + whatsoever; theft, you may say, of collops cut from its side, and poison + put into its heart, poor Nation! Or again, you may buy, not of the Third + Estate in such ways, but of the Fourth, or of the Fourth and Third + together, in other still more felonious and deadly, though refined ways. + By doing clap-traps, namely; letting off Parliamentary blue-lights, to + awaken the Sleeping Swineries, and charm them into diapason for you,—what + a music! Or, without clap-trap or previous felony of your own, you may + feloniously, in the pinch of things, make truce with the evident + Demagogos, and Son of Nox and of Perdition, who has got 'within those + walls' of yours, and is grown important to you by the Awakened Swineries, + risen into alt, that follow him. Him you may, in your dire hunger of + votes, consent to comply with; his Anarchies you will pass for him into + 'Laws,' as you are pleased to term them;—instead of pointing to the + whipping-post, and to his wicked long ears, which are so fit to be nailed + there, and of sternly recommending silence, which were the salutary thing.—Buying + may be done in a great variety of ways. The question, How you buy? is not, + on the moral side, an important one. Nay, as there is a beauty in going + straight to the point, and by that course there is likely to be the + minimum of mendacity for you, perhaps the direct money-method is a shade + less damnable than any of the others since discovered;—while, in + regard to practical damage resulting, it is of childlike harmlessness in + comparison! + </p> + <p> + "That was Walpole's method; with this to aid his great natural faculty, + long-headed, deep-bellied, suitable to the English Parliament and Nation, + he went along with perfect success for ten or twenty years. And it might + have been for longer,—had not the English Nation accidentally come + to wish, that it should CEASE jumbling NO-whither; and try to jumble + SOME-whither, at least for a little while, on important business that had + risen for England in a certain quarter. Had it not been for Jenkins's Ear + blazing out in the dark English brain, Walpole might have lasted still a + long while. But his fate lay there:—the first Business vital to + England which might turn up; and this chanced to be the Spanish War. How + vital, readers shall see anon. Walpole, knowing well enough in what state + his War-apparatus was, and that of all his Apparatuses there was none in a + working state, but the Parliamentary one,—resisted the Spanish War; + stood in the door against it, with a rhinoceros determination, nay almost + something of a mastiff's; resolute not to admit it, to admit death as + soon. Doubtless he had a feeling it would be death, the sagacious man;—and + such it is now proving; the Walpole Ministry dying by inches from it; + dying hard, but irremediably. + </p> + <p> + "The English Nation was immensely astonished, which Walpole was not, any + more than at the other Laws of Nature, to find Walpole's War-apparatus in + such a condition. All his Apparatuses, Walpole guesses, are in no better, + if it be not the Parliamentary one. The English Nation is immensely + astonished, which Walpole again is not, to find that his Parliamentary + Apparatus has been kept in gear and smooth-going by the use of OIL: + 'Miraculous Scandal of Scandals!' thinks the English Nation. 'Miracle? Law + of Nature, you fools!' thinks Walpole. And in fact there is such a storm + roaring in England, in those and in the late and the coming months, as + threatens to be dangerous to high roofs,—dangerous to Walpole's head + at one time. Storm such as had not been witnessed in men's memory; all + manner of Counties and Constituencies, with solemn indignation, charging + their representatives to search into that miraculous Scandal of Scandals, + Law of Nature, or whatever it may be; and abate the same, at their peril. + </p> + <p> + "To the now reader there is something almost pathetic in these solemn + indignations, and high resolves to have Purity of Parliament and thorough + Administrative Reform, in spite of Nature and the Constitutional Stars;—and + nothing I have met with, not even the Prussian Dryasdust, is so + unsufferably wearisome, or can pretend to equal in depth of dull inanity, + to ingenuous living readers, our poor English Dryasdust's interminable, + often-repeated Narratives, volume after volume, of the debatings and + colleaguings, the tossings and tumults, fruitless and endless, in Nation + and National Palaver, which ensued thereupon. Walpole (in about a year + hence), [February 13th (2d), 1742, quitting the House after bad usage + there, said he would never enter it again; nor did: February 22d, resigned + in favor of Pulteney and Company (Tindal, xx. 530; Thackeray, i. 45).] + though he struck to the ground like a rhinoceros, was got rolled out. And + a Successor, and series of Successors, in the bright brand-new state, was + got rolled in; with immense shouting from mankind:—but up to this + date we have no reason to believe that the Laws of Nature were got + abrogated on that occasion, or that the constitutional stars have much + altered their courses since." + </p> + <p> + That Walpole will probably be lost, goes much home to the Royal bosom, in + these troublous Spring months of 1741, as it has done and will do. And + here, emerging from the Spanish Main just now, is a second sorrow, which + might quite transfix the Royal bosom, and drive Majesty itself to despair; + awakening such insoluble questions,—furnishing such proof, that + Walpole and a good few other persons (persons, and also things, and ideas + and practices, deep-rooted in the Country) stand much in need of being + lost, if England is to go a good road! + </p> + <p> + The Spanish War being of moment to us here, we will let our Constitutional + Historian explain, in his own dialect, How it was so vital to England; and + shall even subjoin what he gives as History of it, such being so admirably + succinct, for one quality. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + No. 3. OF THE SPANISH WAR, OR THE JENKINS'S-EAR QUESTION. + </h2> + <p> + "There was real cause for a War with Spain. It is one of the few cases, + this, of a war from necessity. Spain, by Decree of the Pope,—some + Pope long ago, whose name we will not remember, in solemn Conclave, + drawing accurately 'his Meridian Line,' on I know not what Telluric or + Uranic principles, no doubt with great accuracy 'between Portugal and + Spain,'—was proprietor of all those Seas and Continents. And now + England, in the interim, by Decree of the Eternal Destinies, had clearly + come to have property there, too; and to be practically much concerned in + that theoretic question of the Pope's Meridian. There was no reconciling + of theory with fact. 'Ours indisputably,' said Spain, with loud articulate + voice; 'Holiness the Pope made it ours!'—while fact and the English, + by Decree of the Eternal Destinies, had been grumbling inarticulately the + other way, for almost two hundred years past, and no result had. + </p> + <p> + "In Oliver Cromwell's time, it used to be said, 'With Spain, in Europe, + there may be peace or war; but between the Tropics it is always war.' A + state of things well recognized by Oliver, and acted on, according to his + opportunities. No settlement was had in Oliver's brief time; nor could any + be got since, when it was becoming yearly more pressing. Bucaniers, + desperate naval gentlemen living on BOUCAN, or hung beef; who are also + called Flibustiers (FLIBUTIERS, 'Freebooters,' in French pronunciation, + which is since grown strangely into FILIBUSTERS, Fillibustiers, and other + mad forms, in the Yankee Newspapers now current): readers have heard of + those dumb methods of protest. Dumb and furious; which could bring no + settlement; but which did astonish the Pope's Decree, slashing it with + cutlasses and sea-cannon, in that manner, and circuitously forwarded a + settlement. Settlement was becoming yearly more needful: and, ever since + the Treaty of Utrecht especially, there had been an incessant haggle going + on, to produce one; without the least effect hitherto. What embassyings, + bargainings, bargain-breakings; what galloping of estafettes; acres of + diplomatic paper, now fallen to the spiders, who always privately were the + real owners! Not in the Treaty of Utrecht, not in the Congresses of + Cambray, of Soissons, Convention of Pardo, by Ripperda, Horace Walpole, or + the wagging of wigs, could this matter be settled at all. Near two hundred + years of chronic misery;—and had there been, under any of those + wigs, a Head capable of reading the Heavenly Mandates, with heart capable + of following them, the misery might have been briefly ended, by a direct + method. With what immense saving in all kinds, compared with the oblique + method gone upon! In quantity of bloodshed needed, of money, of idle talk + and estafettes, not to speak of higher considerations, the saving had been + incalculable. For it was England's one Cause of War during the Century we + are now upon; and poor England's course, when at last driven into it, went + ambiguously circling round the whole Universe, instead of straight to the + mark. Had Oliver Cromwell lived ten years longer;—but Oliver + Cromwell did not live; and, instead of Heroic Heads, there came in + Constitutional Wigs, which makes a great difference. + </p> + <p> + "The pretensions of Spain to keep Half the World locked up in embargo were + entirely chimerical; plainly contradictory to the Laws of Nature; and no + amount of Pope's Donation Acts, or Ceremonial in Rota or Propaganda, could + redeem them from untenability, in the modern days. To lie like a dog in + the manger over South America, and say snarling, 'None of you shall trade + here, though I cannot!'—what Pope or body of Popes can sanction such + a procedure? Had England had a Head, instead of Wigs, amid its + diplomatists, England, as the chief party interested, would have long + since intimated gently to such dog in the manger: 'Dog, will you be so + obliging as rise! I am grieved to say, we shall have to do unpleasant + things otherwise. Dogs have doors for their hutches: but to pretend + barring the Tropic of Cancer,—that is too big a door for any dog. + Can nobody but you have business here, then, which is not displeasing to + the gods? We bid you rise!' And in this mode there is no doubt the dog, + bark and bite as he might, would have ended by rising; not only England, + but all the Universe being against him. And furthermore, I compute with + certainty, the quantity of fighting needed to obtain such result would, by + this mode, have been a minimum. The clear right being there, and now also + the clear might, why take refuge in diplomatic wiggeries, in Assiento + Treaties, and Arrangements which are NOT analogous to the facts; which are + but wigged mendacities, therefore; and will but aggravate in quantity and + in quality the fighting yet needed? Fighting is but (as has been well + said) a battering out of the mendacities, pretences, and imaginary + elements: well battered-out, these, like dust and chaff, fly torrent-wise + along the winds, and darken all the sky; but these once gone, there remain + the facts and their visible relation to one another, and peace is sure. + </p> + <p> + "The Assiento Treaty being fixed upon, the English ought to have kept it. + But the English did not, in any measure; nor could pretend to have done. + They were entitled to supply Negroes, in such and such number, annually to + the Spanish Plantations; and besides this delightful branch of trade, to + have the privilege of selling certain quantities of their manufactured + articles on those coasts; quantities regulated briefly by this + stipulation, That their Assiento Ship was to be of 600 tons burden, so + many and no more. The Assiento Ship was duly of 600 tons accordingly, + promise kept faithfully to the eye; but the Assiento Ship was attended and + escorted by provision-sloops, small craft said to be of the most + indispensable nature to it. Which provision-sloops, and indispensable + small craft, not only carried merchandise as well, but went and came to + Jamaica and back, under various pretexts, with ever new supplies of + merchandise; converting the Assiento Ship into a Floating Shop, the Tons + burden and Tons sale of which set arithmetic at defiance. This was the + fact, perfectly well known in England, veiled over by mere smuggler + pretences, and obstinately persisted in, so profitable was it. Perfectly + well known in Spain also, and to the Spanish Guarda-Costas and + Sea-Captains in those parts; who were naturally kept in a perennial state + of rage by it,—and disposed to fly out into flame upon it, when a + bad case turned up! Such a case that of Jenkins had seemed to them; and + their mode of treating it, by tearing off Mr. Jenkins's Ear, proved to be—bad + shall we say, or good?—intolerable to England's thick skin; and + brought matters to a crisis, in the ways we saw."... + </p> + <p> + The Jenkins's-Ear Question, which then looked so mad to everybody, how + sane has it now grown to my Constitutional Friend! In abstruse ludicrous + form there lay immense questions involved in it; which were serious + enough, certain enough, though invisible to everybody. Half the World lay + hidden in embryo under it. Colonial-Empire, whose is it to be? Shall Half + the World be England's, for industrial purposes; which is innocent, + laudable, conformable to the Multiplication-table at least, and other + plain Laws? Or shall it be Spain's for arrogant-torpid sham-devotional + purposes, contradictory to every Law? The incalculable Yankee Nation + itself, biggest Phenomenon (once thought beautifulest) of these Ages,—this + too, little as careless readers on either side of the sea now know it, lay + involved. Shall there be a Yankee Nation, shall there not be; shall the + New World be of Spanish type, shall it be of English? Issues which we may + call immense. Among the then extant Sons of Adam, where was he who could + in the faintest degree surmise what issues lay in the Jenkins's-Ear + Question? And it is curious to consider now, with what fierce + deep-breathed doggedness the poor English Nation, drawn by their + instincts, held fast upon it, and would take no denial, as if THEY had + surmised and seen. For the instincts of simple guileless persons (liable + to be counted STUPID, by the unwary) are sometimes of prophetic nature, + and spring from the deep places of this Universe!—My Constitutional + Friend entitles his next Section CARTHAGENA; but might more fitly have + headed it (for such in reality it is, Carthagena proving the evanescent + point of that sad business), + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SUCCINCT HISTORY OF THE SPANISH WAR, WHICH BEGAN IN 1739; AND ENDED—WHEN + DID IT END? + </h2> + <p> + 1. WAR, AND PORTO-BELLO (NOVEMBER, 1739-MARCH, 1740).—"November 4th, + 1739, War was at length (after above four months' obscure quasi-declaring + of it, in the shape of Orders in Council, Letters of Marque, and so on) + got openly declared; 'Heralds at Arms at the usual places' blowing + trumpets upon it, and reading the royal Manifesto, date of which is five + days earlier, 'Kensington, October 30th (19th).' The principal Events that + ensue, arrange themselves under Three Heads, this of Porto-Bello being the + FIRST; and (by intense smelting) are datable as follows:—[<i>Gentleman's + Magazine,</i> ix. 551, x. 124, 142, 144, 350; Tindal, xx. 430-433, 442; + &c.] + </p> + <p> + "Tuesday Evening, 1st December, 1739, Admiral Vernon, our chosen + Anti-Spaniard, finding, a while ago, that he had missed the Azogue Ships + on the Coast of Spain, and must try America and the Spanish Main, in that + view arrives at Porto-Bello. Next day, December 2d, Vernon attacks + Porto-Bello; attacks certain Castles so called, with furious broadsiding, + followed by scalading; gets surrender (on the 3d);—seamen have + allowance instead of plunder;—blows up what Castles there are; and + returns to Port Royal in Jamaica. + </p> + <p> + "Never-imagined joy in England, and fame to Vernon, when the news came: + 'Took it with Six Ships,' cry they; 'the scurvy Ministry, who had heard + him, in the fire of Parliamentary debate, say Six, would grant him no + more: invincible Vernon!' Nay, next Year, I see, 'London was illuminated + on the Anniversary of Porto-Bello:'—day settled in permanence as one + of the High-tides of the Calendar, it would appear. And 'Vernon's + Birthday' withal—how touching is stupidity when loyal!—was + celebrated amazingly in all the chief Towns, like a kind of Christmas, + when it came round; Nature having deigned to produce such a man, for a + poor Nation in difficulties. Invincible Vernon, it is thought by + Gazetteers, 'will look in at Carthagena shortly;' much more important + Place, where a certain Governor Don Blas has been insolent withal, and + written Vernon letters. + </p> + <p> + "2. PRELIMINARIES TO CARTHAGENA (MARCH-NOVEMBER, 1740).—Monday, 14th + March, 1740, Vernon did, accordingly, look in on Carthagena; [<i>Gentleman's + Magazine,</i> x. 350.] cast anchor in the shallow waste of surfs there, + that Monday; and tried some bombarding, with bomb-ketches and the like, + from Thursday till Saturday following. Vernon hopes he did hit the + Jesuits' College, South Bastion, Custom-house and other principal + edifices; but found that there was no getting near enough on that seaward + side. Found that you must force the Interior Harbor,—a big Inland + Gulf or Lake, which gushes in by what they call LITTLE-MOUTH (Boca-Chica), + and has its Booms, Castles and Defences, which are numerous and strongish;—and + that, for this end, you must have seven or eight thousand Land Forces, as + well as an addition of Ships. On Saturday Evening, therefore, Vernon calls + in his bomb-ketches; sails past, examining these things; and goes forth on + other small adventures. For example,— + </p> + <p> + "Sunday, 3d April, 1740, 'about 10 at night' opens cannonade on Chagres + (place often enough taken, by cutlass and pistol, in the Bucanier times); + and, on Tuesday, 5th, gets surrender of Chagres: 'Custom-house crammed + with goods, which we set fire to.' On news of which, there is again, in + England, joy over the day of small things. The poor English People are set + on this business of avenging Jenkins's Ear, and of having the Ocean + Highway unbarred; and hope always it can be done by the Walpole + Apparatuses, which ought to be in working order, and are not. 'Support + this hero, you Walpole and Company, in his Carthagena views: it will be + better for you!" + </p> + <p> + "Walpole and Company, aware of that fact, do take some trouble about it; + and now, may not we say, PAULLO MAJORA CANAMUS? All through that Summer, + 1740,"—while King Friedrich went rushing about, to Strasburg, to + Wesel; doing his Herstals and Practicalities, with a light high hand, in + almost an entertaining manner; and intent, still more, on his Voltaires + and a Life to the Muses,—"there was, in England, serious heavy + tumult of activity, secret and public. In the Dockyards, on the + Drill-grounds, what a stir: Camp in the Isle of Wight, not to mention + Portsmouth and the Sea-Industries; 6,000 Marines are to be embarked, as + well as Land Regiments,—can anybody guess whither? America itself is + to furnish 'one Regiment, with Scotch Officers to discipline it,' if they + can. + </p> + <p> + "Here is real haste and effort; but by no means such speed as could be + wished; multiplex confusions and contradictions occurring, as is usual, + when your machinery runs foul. Nor are the Gazetteers without their + guesses, though they study to be discreet. 'Here is something considerable + in the wind; a grand idea, for certain;'—and to men of discernment + it points surely towards Carthagena and heroic Vernon out yonder? + Government is dumb altogether; and lays occasional embargo; trying hard + (without success), in the delays that occurred, to keep it secret from Don + Blas and others. The outcome of all which was, + </p> + <p> + "3. CARTHAGENA ITSELF (NOVEMBER, 1740—APRIL, 1741).—On + November 6th,—by no means 'July 3d,' as your first fond program + bore; which delay was itself likely to be fatal, unless the Almanac, and + course of the Tropical Seasons would delay along with you!—we say, + On Sunday, 6th November, 1740 [Kaiser Karl's Funeral just over, and great + thoughts going on at Reinsberg], Rear-Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle,—so + many weeks and months after the set time,—does sail from St. Helen's + (guessed, for Carthagena); all people sending blessings with him. + Twenty-five big Ships of the Line, with three Half-Regiments on board; + fireships, bomb-ketches, in abundance; and eighty Transports, with 6,000 + drilled Marines: a Sea-and-Land Force fit to strengthen Hero Vernon with a + witness, and realize his Carthagena views. A very great day at Portsmouth + and St. Helen's for these Sunday folk. [Tindal, xx. 463 (LISTS, &c. + there; date wrong, "31st October," instead of 26th (o.s.),—many + things wrong, and all things left loose and flabby, and not right! As is + poor Tindal's way).] + </p> + <p> + "Most obscure among the other items in that Armada of Sir Chaloner's, just + taking leave of England; most obscure of the items then, but now most + noticeable, or almost alone noticeable, is a young Surgeon's-Mate,—one + Tobias Smollett; looking over the waters there and the fading coasts, not + without thoughts. A proud, soft-hearted, though somewhat stern-visaged, + caustic and indignant young gentleman. Apt to be caustic in speech, having + sorrows of his own under lock and key, on this and subsequent occasions. + Excellent Tobias; he has, little as he hopes it, something considerable by + way of mission in this Expedition, and in this Universe generally. Mission + to take Portraiture of English Seamanhood, with the due grimness, due + fidelity; and convey the same to remote generations, before it vanish. + Courage, my brave young Tobias; through endless sorrows, contradictions, + toils and confusions, you will do your errand in some measure; and that + will be something!— + </p> + <p> + "Five weeks before (29th September, 1740, which was also several months + beyond time set), there had sailed, strictly hidden by embargoes which + were little effectual, another Expedition, all Naval; intended to be + subsidiary to this one: Commodore Anson's, of three inconsiderable Ships; + who is to go round Cape Horn, if he can; to bombard Spanish America from + the other side; and stretch out a hand to Vernon in his grand Carthagena + or ulterior views. Together they may do some execution, if we judge by the + old Bucanier and Queen-Elizabeth experiences? Anson's Expedition has + become famous in the world, though Vernon got no good of it." + </p> + <p> + Well! Here truly was a business; not so ill-contrived. Somebody of head + must have been at the centre of this: and it might, in result, have + astonished the Spaniard, and tumbled him much topsy-turvy in those + latitudes,—had the machinery for executing it been well in gear. + Under Friedrich Wilhelm's captaincy and management, every person, every + item, correct to its time, to its place, to its function, what a thing! + But with mere Walpole Machinery: alas, it was far too wide a Plan for + Machinery of that kind, habitually out of order, and only used to be as + correct as—as it could. Those DELAYS themselves, first to Anson, + then to Ogle, since the Tropical Almanac would not delay along with them, + had thrown both Enterprises into weather such as all but meant + impossibility in those latitudes! This was irremediable;—had not + been remediable, by efforts and pushings here and there. The best of + management, as under Anson, could not get the better of this; worst of + management, as in the other case, was likely to make a fine thing of it! + Let us hasten on:— + </p> + <p> + "January 20th, 1741, We arrive, through much rough weather and other + confused hardships, at Port Royal in Jamaica; find Vernon waiting on the + slip; the American Regiment, tolerably drilled by the Scotch Lieutenants, + in full readiness and equipment; a body of Negroes superadded, by way of + pioneer laborers fit for those hot climates. One sad loss there had been + on the voyage hither: Land forces had lost their Commander, and did not + find another. General Cathcart had died of sickness on the voyage; a + Charles Lord Cathcart, who was understood to possess some knowledge of his + business; and his Successor, one Wentworth, did not happen to have any. + Which was reckoned unlucky, by the more observant. Vernon, though in haste + for Carthagena, is in some anxiety about a powerful French Fleet which has + been manoeuvring in those waters for some time; intent on no good that + Vernon can imagine. The first thing now is, See into that French Fleet. + French Fleet, on our going to look in the proper Island, is found to be + all off for home; men 'mostly starved or otherwise dead,' we hear; so that + now, after this last short delay,—To Carthagena with all sail. + </p> + <p> + "Wednesday Evening, 15th March, 1741, We anchor in the Playa Grande, the + waste surfy Shallow which washes Carthagena seaward: 124 sail of us, big + and little. We find Don Blas in a very prepared posture. Don Blas has been + doing his best, this twelvemonth past; plugging up that Boca-Chica (LITTLE + MOUTH) Ingate, with batteries, booms, great ships; and has castles not a + few thereabouts and in the Interior Lake or Harbor; all which he has put + in tolerable defence, so far as can be judged: not an inactive, if an + insolent Don. We spend the next five days in considering and surveying + these Performances of his: What is to be done with them; how, in the first + place, we may force Boca-Chica; and get in upon his Interior Castles and + him. After consideration, and plan fixed: + </p> + <p> + "Monday, 20th March, Sir Chaloner, with broadsides, sweeps away some small + defences which lie to left of Boca-Chica [to our LEFT, to Boca-Chica's + RIGHT, if anybody cares to be particular]. Whereupon the Troops land, some + of them that same evening; and, within the next two days, are all ashore, + implements, Negroes and the rest; building batteries, felling wood; intent + to capture Boca-Chica Castle, and demolish the War-Ships, Booms, and fry + of Fascine and other Batteries; and thereby to get in upon Don Blas, and + have a stroke at his Interior Castles and Carthagena itself. Till April + 5th, here are sixteen days of furious intricate work; not ill done:—the + physical labor itself, the building of batteries, with Boca-Chica firing + on you over the woods, is scarcely do-able by Europeans in that season; + and the Negroes who are able for it, 'fling down their burdens, and + scamper, whenever a gun goes off.' Furious fighting, too, there was, by + seamen and landsmen; not ill done, considering circumstances. + </p> + <p> + "On the sixteenth day, April 5th [King Friedrich hurrying from the + Mountains that same day, towards Steinau, which took fire with him at + night], Boca-Chica Castle and the intricate War-Ships, Booms, and Castles + thereabouts (Don Blas running off when the push became intense), are at + last got. So that now, through Boca-Chica, we enter the Interior Harbor or + Harbors. 'Harbors' which are of wide extent, and deep enough: being in + fact a Lake, or rather Pair of Lakes, with Castles (CASTILLO GRANDE, + 'Castle Grand,' the chief of them), with War-Ships sunk or afloat, and + miscellaneous obstructions: beyond all which, at the farther shore, some + five miles off, Carthagena itself does at last lie potentially accessible; + and we hope to get in upon Don Blas and it. There ensue five days of + intricate sea-work; not much of broadsiding, mainly tugging out of sunk + War-Ships, and the like, to get alongside of Castle Grand, which is the + chief obstruction. + </p> + <p> + "April 10, Castle Grand itself is got; nobody found in it when we storm. + Don Blas and the Spaniards seem much in terror; burning any Ships they + still have, near Carthagena; as if there were no chance now left." This is + the very day of Mollwitz Battle; near about the hour when Schwerin broke + into field-music, and advanced with thunderous glitter against the evening + sun! Carthagena Expedition is, at length, fairly in contact with its + Problem,—the question rising, 'Do you understand it, then?' + </p> + <p> + "Up to this point, mistakes of management had been made good by obstinate + energy of execution; clear victory had gone on so far, the Capture of + Carthagena now seemingly at hand. One thing was unfortunate: 'the able Mr. + Moor [meritorious Captain of Foot, who, by accident, had spent some study + on his business], the one real Engineer we had,' got killed in that + Boca-Chica struggle: an end to poor Moor! So that the Siege of Carthagena + will have to go on WITHOUT Engineer science henceforth. May be important, + that,—who knows? Another thing was still more palpably important: + Sea-General Vernon had an undisguised contempt for Land-General Wentworth. + 'A mere blockhead, whose Brother has a Borough,' thinks Vernon (himself an + Opposition Member, of high-sniffing, angry, not too magnanimous turn);—and + withdraws now to his Ships; intimating: 'Do your Problem, then; I have set + you down beside it, which was my part of the affair!'—Let us give + the attack of Fort Lazar, and end this sad business. + </p> + <p> + "Sunday, 16th April, Wentworth, once master of the Uppermost Lake or + Harbor (what the Natives call the SURGIDERO, or Anchorage Proper), had + disembarked, high up to the right, a good way south of Carthagena; meaning + to attack there-from a certain Fort Lazar, which stands on a Hill between + Carthagena and him: this Hill and Fort once his, he has Carthagena under + his cannon; Carthagena in his pocket, as it were. 'Fort not to be had + without batteries,' thinks Wentworth; though the sickly rainy season has + set in. 'Batteries? Scaling-ladders, you mean!' answers Vernon, with + undisguised contempt. For the two are, by this time, almost in open + quarrel. Wentworth starts building batteries, in spite of the + rain-deluges; then stops building;—decides to do it by scalade, + after all. And, at two in the morning of this Sunday, April 16th, sets + forth, in certain columns,—by roads ill-known, with arrangements + that do NOT fit like clock-work,—to storm said Hill and Fort. The + English are an obstinate people; and strenuous execution will sometimes + amend defects of plan,—sometimes not. + </p> + <p> + "The obstinate English, nothing in them but sullen fire of valor, which + has to burn UNluminous, did, after mistake on mistake, climb the rocks or + heights of Lazar Hill, in spite of the world and Don Blas's cannonading; + but found, when atop, That Fort Lazar, raining cannon-shot, was still + divided from them by chasms; that the scaling-ladders had not come (never + did come, owing to indiscipline somewhere),—and that, without wings + as of eagles, they could not reach Fort Lazar at all! For about four + hours, they struggled with a desperate doggedness, to overcome the chasms, + to wrench aside the Laws of Nature, and do something useful for + themselves; patiently, though sulkily; regardless of the storm of shot + which killed 600 of them, the while. At length, finding the Laws of Nature + too strong for them, they descended gloomily: 'in gloomy silence' marched + home to their tents again,—in a humor too deep for words. + </p> + <p> + "Yes; and we find they fell sick in multitudes, that night; and, 'in two + days more, were reduced from 6,645 to 3,200 effective;' Vernon, from the + sea, looking disdainfully on:—and it became evident that the big + Project had gone to water; and that nothing would remain but to return + straightway to Jamaica, in bankrupt condition. Which accordingly was set + about. And ten days hence (April 26th)) the final party of them did get on + board,—punctual to take 'three tents,' their last rag of + Siege-furniture, along with them; 'lest Don Blas have trophies,' thinks + poor Wentworth. And sailed away, with their sad Siege finished in such + fashion. Strenuous Siege; which, had the War-Sciences been foolishness, + and the Laws of Nature and the rigors of Arithmetic and Geometry been + stretchable entities, might have succeeded better!" [Smollett's Account, + <i>Miscellaneous Works</i> (Edinburgh, 1806), iv. 445-469, is that of a + highly intelligent Eye-witness, credible and intelligible in every + particular.] + </p> + <p> + "Evening of April 26th:"—I perceive it was in the very hours while + Belleisle arrived in Friedrich's Camp at Mollwitz; eve of that Siege of + Brieg, which we saw performing itself with punctual regard to said Laws + and rigors, and issuing in so different a manner! Nothing that my + Constitutional Historian has said equals in pungent enormity the + matter-of-fact Picture, left by Tobias Smollett, of the sick and wounded, + in the interim which follow&d that attempt on Fort Lazar and the Laws + of Nature:— + </p> + <p> + "As for the sick and wounded", says Tobias, "they were, next day, sent on + board of the transports and vessels called hospital-ships; where they + languished in want of every necessary comfort and accommodation. They were + destitute of surgeons, nurses, cooks and proper provision; they were pent + up between decks in small vessels, where they had not room to sit upright; + they wallowed in filth; myriads of maggots were hatched in the + putrefaction of their sores, which had no other dressing than that of + being washed by themselves with their own allowance of brandy; and nothing + was heard but groans, lamentations and the language of despair, invoking + death to deliver them from their miseries. What served to encourage this + despondence, was the prospect of those poor wretches who had strength and + opportunity to look around them; for there they beheld the naked bodies of + their fellow-soldiers and comrades floating up and down the harbor, + affording prey to the carrion-crows and sharks, which tore them in pieces + without interruption, and contributing by their stench to the mortality + that prevailed. + </p> + <p> + "This picture cannot fail to be shocking to the humane reader, especially + when he is informed, that while those miserable objects cried in vain for + assistance, and actually perished for want of proper attendance, every + ship of war in the fleet could have spared a couple of surgeons for their + relief; and many young gentlemen of that profession solicited their + captains in pain for leave to go and administer help to the sick and + wounded. The necessities of the poor people were well known; the remedy + was easy and apparent; but the discord between the chiefs was inflamed to + such a degree of diabolical rancor, that the one chose rather to see his + men perish than ask help of the other, who disdained to offer his + assistance unasked, though it might have saved the lives of his + fellow-subjects." [Smollett, IBID. (Anderson's Edition), iv. 466.] + </p> + <p> + In such an amazing condition is the English Fighting Apparatus under + Walpole, being important for England's self only; while the Talking + Apparatus, important for Walpole, is in such excellent gearing, so well + kept in repair and oil! By Wentworth's blame, who had no knowledge of war; + by Vernon's, who sat famous on the Opposition side, yet wanted loyalty of + mind; by one's blame and another's, WHOSE it is idle arguing, here is how + your Fighting Apparatus performs in the hour when needed. Unfortunate + General, or General's Cocked-Hat (a brave heart too, they say, though of + brain too vacant, too opaque); unfortunate Admiral (much blown away by + vanity, in-nature and Parliamentary wind);—doubly unfortunate + Nation, that employs such to lead its armaments! How the English Nation + took it? The English Nation has had much of this kind to take, first and + last; and apparently will yet have. "Gloomy silence," like that of the + poor men going home to their tents, is our only dialect towards it. + </p> + <p> + This is a dreadful business, this of the wrecked Carthagena Expedition; + such a force of war-munitions in every kind,—including the rare + kind, human Courage and force of heart, only not human Captaincy, the + rarest kind,—as could have swallowed South America at discretion, + had there been Captains over it. Has gone blundering down into Orcus and + the shark's belly, in that unutterable manner. Might have been didactic to + England, more than it was; England's skin being very thick against lessons + of that nature. Might have broken the heart of a little Sovereign + Gentleman Curator of England, had he gone hypochondriacally into it; which + he was far from doing, brisk little Gentleman; looking out else-whither, + with those eyes A FLEUR DE TETE, and nothing of insoluble admitted into + the brain that dwelt inside. + </p> + <p> + What became subsequently of the Spanish War, we in vain inquire of + History-Books. The War did not die for many years to come, but neither did + it publicly live; it disappears at this point: a River Niger, seen once + flowing broad enough; but issuing—Does it issue nowhere, then? Where + does it issue? Except for my Constitutional Historian, still unpublished, + I should never have known where.—By the time these disastrous + Carthagena tidings reached England, his Britannic Majesty was in Hanover; + involved, he, and all his State doctors, English and Hanoverian, in awful + contemplation on Pragmatic Sanction, Kaiserwahl, Celestial Balance, and + the saving of Nature's Keystone, should this still prove possible to human + effort and contrivance. In which Imminency of Doomsday itself, the small + English-Spanish matter, which the Official people, and his Majesty as much + as any, had bitterly disliked, was quite let go, and dropped out of view. + Forgotten by Official people; left to the dumb English Nation, whose + concern it was, to administer as IT could. + </p> + <p> + Anson—with his three ships gone to two, gone ultimately to one—is + henceforth what Spanish War there officially is. Anson could not meet + those Vernon-Wentworth gentlemen "from the other side of the Isthmus of + Darien," the gentlemen, with their Enterprise, being already bankrupt and + away. Anson, with three inconsiderable ships, which rotted gradually into + one, could not himself settle the Spanish War: but he did, on his own + score, a series of things, ending in beautiful finis of the Acapulco Ship, + which were of considerable detriment, and of highly considerable disgrace, + to Spain;—and were, and are long likely to be, memorable among the + Sea-heroisms of the world. Giving proof that real Captains, taciturn Sons + of Anak, are still born in England; and Sea-kings, equal to any that were. + Luckily, too, he had some chaplain or ship's-surgeon on board, who saw + good to write account of that memorable VOYAGE of his; and did it, in + brief, perspicuous terms, wise and credible: a real Poem in its kind, or + Romance all Fact; one of the pleasantest little Books in the World's + Library at this date. Anson sheds some tincture of heroic beauty over that + otherwise altogether hideous puddle of mismanagement, platitude, disaster; + and vindicates, in a pathetically potential way, the honor of his poor + Nation a little. + </p> + <p> + Apart from Official Anson, the Spanish War fell mainly, we may say, into + the hands of—of Mr. Jenkins himself, and such Friends of his, at + Wapping, Bristol and the Seaports, as might be disposed to go + privateering. In which course, after some crosses at first, and great + complaints of losses to Spanish Privateers, Wapping and Bristol did at + length eminently get the upper hand; and thus carried on this Spanish War + (or Spanish-French, Spain and France having got into one boat), for long + years coming; in an entirely inarticulate, but by no means quite + ineffectual manner,—indeed, to the ultimate clearance of the Seas + from both French and Spaniard, within the next twenty years. Readers shall + take this little Excerpt, dated Three Years hence, and set it twinkling in + the night of their imaginations:— + </p> + <p> + BRISTOL, MONDAY, 21st (10th) SEPTEMBER, 1744.... "Nothing is to be seen + here but rejoicings for the number of French prizes brought into this + port. Our Sailors are in high spirits, and full of money; and while on + shore, spend their whole time in carousing, visiting their mistresses, + going to plays, serenading, &c., dressed out with laced hats, tossels + (SIC), swords with sword-knots, and every other way of spending their + money." [Extract of a Letter from Bristol, in <i>Gentleman's Magazine,</i> + xiv. 504.] + </p> + <p> + Carthagena, Walpole, Viners: here are Sorrows for a Britannic Majesty;—and + these are nothing like all. But poor readers should have some respite; + brief breathing-time, were it only to use their pocket-handkerchiefs, and + summon new courage! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter XIII. — SMALL-WAR: FIRST EMERGENCE OF ZIETHEN THE HUSSAR + GENERAL INTO NOTICE. + </h2> + <p> + After Brieg, Friedrich undertook nothing military, except strict vigilance + of Neipperg, for a couple of months or more. Military, especially + offensive operations, are not the methods just now. Rest on your oars; see + how this seething Ocean of European Politics, and Peace or War, will + settle itself into currents, into set winds; by which of them a man may + steer, who happens to have a fixed port in view. Neipperg, too, is glad to + be quiescent; "my Infantry hopelessly inferior," he writes to + head-quarters: "Could not one hire 10,000 Saxons, think you,"—or do + several other chimerical things, for help? Except with his Pandour people, + working what mischief they can, Neipperg does nothing. But this Hungarian + rabble is extensively industrious, scouring the country far and wide; and + gives a great deal of trouble both to Friedrich and the peaceable + inhabitants. So that there is plenty of Small War always going on:—not + mentionable here, any passage of it, except perhaps one, at a place called + Rothschloss; which concerns a remarkable Prussian Hussar Major, their + famed Ziethen, and is still remembered by the Prussian public. + </p> + <p> + We have heard of Captain, now Major Ziethen, how Friedrich Wilhelm sent + him to the Rhine Campaign, six years ago, to learn the Hussar Art from the + Austrians there. One Baronay (BARONIAY, or even BARANYAI, as others write + him), an excellent hand, taught him the Art;—and how well he has + learned, Baronay now sadly experiences. The affair of Rothschloss (in + abridged form) befell as follows:— + </p> + <p> + "In these Small-War businesses, Baronay, Austrian Major-General of + Hussars, had been exceedingly mischievous hitherto. It was but the other + day, a Prussian regular party had to go out upon him, just in time; and to + RE-wrench 'sixty cart-loads of meal,' wrenched by him from suffering + individuals; with which he was making off to Neisse, when the Prussians + [from their Camp of Mollwitz, where they still are] came in sight. + </p> + <p> + "And now again (May 16th) news is, That Baronay, and 1,400 Hussars with + him, has another considerable set of meal-carts,—in the Village of + Rothschloss, about twenty miles southward, Frankenstein way; and means to + march with them Neisse-ward to-morrow. Two marches or so will bring him + home; if Prussian diligence prevent not. 'Go instantly,' orders Friedrich,—appointing + Winterfeld to do it: Winterfeld with 300 dragoons, with Ziethen and + Hussars to the amount of 600; which is more than one to two of Austrians. + </p> + <p> + "Winterfeld and Ziethen march that same day; are in the neighborhood of + Rothschloss by nightfall; and take their measures,—block the road to + Neisse, and do other necessary things. And go in upon Baronay next + morning, at the due rate, fiery men both of them; sweep poor Baronay away, + MINUS the meal; who finds even his road blocked (bridge bursting into + cannon-shot upon him, at one point), instead of bridge, a stream, or slow + current of quagmire for him,—and is in imminent hazard. Ziethen's + behavior was superlative (details of it unintelligible off the ground); + and Baronay fled totally in wreck;—his own horse shot, and at the + moment no other to be had; swam the quagmire, or swashed through it, 'by + help of a tree;' and had a near miss of capture. Recovering himself on the + other side, Baronay, we can fancy, gave a grin of various expression, as + he got into saddle again: 'The arrow so near killing was feathered from + one's own wing, too!'—And indeed, a day or two after, he wrote + Ziethen a handsome Letter to that effect." [<i>Helden-Geschichte,</i> i. + 927; Orlich, i. 120. <i>The Life of General de Zieten</i> (English + Translation, very ill printed, Berlin, 1803), BY FRAU VON BLUMENTHAL (a + vaguish eloquent Lady, but with access to information, being a connection + of Z.'s), p. 84.] + </p> + <p> + Ziethen, for minor good feats, had been made Lieutenant-Colonel, the very + day he marched; his Commission dates May 16th, 1741; and on the morrow he + handsels it in this pretty manner. He is now forty-two; much held down + hitherto; being a man of inarticulate turn, hot and abrupt in his ways,—liable + always to multifarious obstruction, and unjust contradiction from his + fellow-creatures. But Winterfeld's report on this occasion was emphatic; + and Ziethen shoots rapidly up henceforth; Colonel within the year, General + in 1744; and more and more esteemed by Friedrich during their subsequent + long life together. + </p> + <p> + Though perhaps the two most opposite men in Nature, and standing so far + apart, they fully recognized one another in their several spheres. For + Ziethen too had good eyesight, though in abstruse sort:—rugged + simple son of the moorlands; nourished, body and soul, on orthodox frugal + oatmeal (so to speak), with a large sprinkling of fire and iron thrown in! + A man born poor: son of some poor Squirelet in the Ruppin Country;—"used + to walk five miles into Ruppin on Saturday nights," in early life, "and + have his hair done into club, which had to last him till the week + following." [<i>Militair-Lexikon,</i> iv. 310.] A big-headed, + thick-lipped, decidedly ugly little man. And yet so beautiful in his + ugliness: wise, resolute, true, with a dash of high uncomplaining sorrow + in him;—not the "bleached nigger" at all, as Print-Collectors + sometimes call him! No; but (on those oatmeal terms) the + Socrates-Odysseus, the valiant pious Stoic, and much-enduring man. One of + the best Hussar Captains ever built. By degrees King Friedrich and he grew + to be,—with considerable tiffs now and then, and intervals of gloom + and eclipse,—what we might call sworn friends. On which and on + general grounds, Ziethen has become, like Friedrich himself, a kind of + mythical person with the soldiery and common people; more of a demi-god + than any other of Friedrich's Captains. + </p> + <p> + Friedrich is always eagerly in quest of men like Ziethen; specially so at + this time. He has meditated much on the bad figure his Cavalry made at + Mollwitz; and is already drilling them anew in multiplex ways, during + those leisure days he now has,—with evident success on the next + trial, this very Summer. And, as his wont is, will not rest satisfied + there. But strives incessantly, for a series of summers and years to come, + till he bring them to perfection; or to the likeness of his own thought, + which probably was not far from that. Till at length it can be said his + success became world-famous; and he had such Seidlitzes and Ziethens as + were not seen before or since. + </p> + <p> + [MAP FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND SILESIAN WAR HERE—missing] + </p> + <p> + END OF BOOK 12 <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, +Vol. XII. 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