HumanitiesWeb.org - History of Friedrich II of Prussia - Frederick the Great (Chapter V. - Klein-Schnellendorf: Friedrich Gets Neisse, in a Fashion.) by Thomas Carlyle
History of Friedrich II of Prussia - Frederick the Great Chapter V. - Klein-Schnellendorf: Friedrich Gets Neisse, in a Fashion.
by Thomas Carlyle
While these combined Mysteries and War-movements go on, in Neisse
and its Environs, the World-Phenomena continue,--in Upper Austria
and elsewhere. Of which take these select summits, or points
chiefly luminous in the dusk of the forgotten Past:--
LINZ, SEPTEMBER 14th. Karl Albert, being joined some days ago at
Scharding by the first three French Divisions, 15,000 men in all
(the other four Divisions of them are still in the Donauworth-
Ingolstadt quarter, making their manifold arrangements), has pushed
forward, sixty miles (land-marches, south side of the Donau, which
makes a bend here), and this day, September 14th, appears at Linz.
Pleasant City of Linz; where, as readers may remember, Mr. John
Kepler, long ago, busy discovering the System of the World
(grandest Conquest ever made, or to be made, by the Sons of Adam),
had his poor CAMERA OBSCURA set out, to get himself a livelihood in
the interim: here now is Karl Albert's flag on the winds, and, as
it were, the Oriflamme with it, on a singularly different
Adventure. "Open Gates!" demands Karl Albert with authority:
"Admit me to my Capital of Upper Austria!" Which cannot be denied
him, there being nothing but Town-guards in the place.
Karl Albert continued there some weeks, in a serenely victorious
posture; doing acts of authority; getting homaged by the STANDE;
pushing out his forces farther and farther down the Donau, post
after post,--victorious Oriflamme-Bavarian Army may be 40,000
strong or so, in those parts. Friedrich urged him much to push on
without pause, and take opportunity by the forelock; sent Schmettau
(elder of the two Schmettaus, who is much employed on such
business) to urge him; wrote an express Paper of Considerations
pressingly urgent: but he would not, and continued pausing.
Vienna, all in terror, is fortifying itself; citizens toiling at
the earthworks, resolute for making some defence; Constituted
Authorities, National Archives even, Court in a body, and all
manner of Noble and Official people, flying else-whither to covert:
chiefly to Presburg, where her Majesty already is. The Archives
were carried to Gratz; the two Dowager Empresses (for there are
two, Maria Theresa's Mother, and Maria Theresa's Aunt, Kaiser
Joseph's Widow) fled different ways,--I forget which. An agitated,
paralyzed population. Except the diligent wheelbarrows on the
ramparts, no vehicle is rolling in Vienna but furniture-wagons
loading for flight. General Khevenhuller with 6,000, who pesides
with fine scientific skill, and an iron calmness and clearness,
over these fortifyings, is the only force left. [Anonymous,
Histoire de la Derniere Guerre de Boheme
(a Francfort, 1745-1747, 4 tomes), i. 190. A lively succinct little
Book, vague not false; still readable, though not now, as then,
with complete intelligence, to the unprepared reader. Said, in
Dictionaries, to be by Mauvillon PERE, though it resembles nothing
else of his that is known to me.]' Neipperg's, our only Army in the
world, is hundreds of miles away, countermarching and manoeuvring
about Woitz, and Neisse Town and River,--pretty sure to be beaten
in the end,--and it is high time there were a Silesian bargain had,
if Hyndford can get us any.
DRESDEN, SEPTEMBER 19th (Excellency Hyndford just recovering from
his colic, in Breslau), Kur-Sachsen, after many waverings, signs
Treaty of Copartnery with France and Bavaria, seduced by "that
Moravia," and the ticklings of Belleisle acting on a weak mind.
[Adelung, ii. 469, 304, 503.] His troops are 20,000, or rather
more; said to be of good quality, and well equipped. In February
last we saw him engaged in Russian, Anti-Prussian Partition
schemes. In April, as these suddenly (on sight of the Camp of
Gottin) extinguished themselves, he agreed to go, in the pacific
way, with her Hungarian Majesty for friend (Treaty with her, signed
11th April); but never went (Treaty never ratified); kept his
20,000 lying about in Camp, in an enigmatic manner,--first about
Torgau, latterly in the Lausitz, much nearer to the ERZGEBIRGE
(Metal-Mountains), Frontier of Bohemia;--and now signs as above;
intent to march as soon as possible. Is to have Four Circles of
Bohemia, imaginary Kingships of Moravia, and other prizes.
Belleisle has tickled that big trout: Belleisle could now have the
Election as he wishes it, would the Electors but be speedy;
but they will not, and he is obliged to push continually.
"Moriamur pro Rege nostro Maria Theresia," IN THE POETIC,
AND THEN ALSO IN THE PROSE FORM.
PRESBURG, SEPTEMBER 21st. This is the date (or chief date, for,
alas, there turn out to be two!) of the world-famous "MORIAMUR PRO
REGE NOSTRO MARIA THERESIA;" of which there are now needed Two
Narratives; the generally received (in part mythical) going first,
in the following strain:--
"The Queen has been in Presburg mainly, where the Hungarian Diet is
sitting, ever since her Coronation-ceremony. On the 11th September
[or 11th and 21st together], the afflicted Lady makes an appearance
there, which, for theatrical reality, has become very celebrated.
Alas, it is but three months since she galloped to the top of the
Konigsberg, and cut defiantly with bright sabre towards the Four
Points of the Universe; and already it has come to this.
Hungarian Magnates in high session, the high Queen enters,
beautiful and sad,--and among her Ministers is noticeable a Nurse
with the young Archduke, some six months old, a fine thriving
child, perhaps too wise for his age, who became Kaiser Joseph II.
in after time.
"The Hungarian Session is not on record for me, Hall of meeting,
Magyar Parliamentary eloquence unknown; nor is any point
conspicuously visible, exact and certain, except these [alas, not
even these]: That it was the 11th of September; that her Majesty
coming forward to speak, took the child in her arms, and there, in
a clear and melodiously piercing voice, sorrow and courage on her
noble face, beautiful as the Moon riding among wet stormy clouds,
spake, as the Hungarian Archives still have it, a short Latin
Harangue; in substance as follows: ... 'Hostile invasion of
Austria; imminent peril, to this Kingdom of Hungary, to our person,
to our children, to our crown. Forsaken by all,--AB OMNIBUS
DERELICTI [Britannic Majesty himself standing stock-still,--
blamably, one thinks, the two swords being only at HIS throat, and
a good way off!]--I have no resource but to throw myself on the
loyalty and help of Your renowned Body, and invoke the ancient
Hungarian virtue to rise swiftly and save me!' Whereat the
assembled Hungarian Synod, their wild Magyar hearts touched to the
core, start up in impetuous acclaim, flourish aloft their drawn
swords, and shout unanimously in passionate tenor-voice, 'MORIAMUR
(Let us die) for our Rex Maria Theresa!' [ Maria Theresiens
Leben (which speaks hypothetically), iv, 44; Coxe, iii. 270 (who is
positive, "after examining the Documents").] Which were not vain
words. For a general 'Insurrection' was thereupon decreed; what the
Magyars call their 'Insurrection,' which is by no means of
rebellious nature; and many noblemen, old Count Palfy himself a
chief among them, though past threescore and ten, took the field at
their own cost; and the noise of the Hungarian Insurrection spread
like a voice of hope over all Pragmatic countries."--
A very beautiful heroic scene; which has gone about the world,
circulating triumphantly through all hearts for above a Century
past; and has only of late acknowledged itself mythical,--not true,
except as toned down to the following stingy prose pitch:--
PRESBURG, SEPTEMBER 21st. Maria Theresa, since that fine
Coronation-scene, June 2Sth, has had a mixed time of it with her
Hungarian Diet; soft passages alternating with hard: a chivalrous
people, most consciously chivalrous; but a constitutional withal,
very stiff upon their Charter (PACTA CONVENTA, or whatever the name
is); who wrangle much upon privileges, upon taxes, and are
difficult to keep long in tune. Ten days ago (September 11th), her
Majesty tried them on a new tack; summoned them to her Palace;
threw herself upon their nobleness, "No allies but you in the
world" (and other fine things, authentically, as above, legible in
the Archives to this day):--so spake the beautiful young Queen, her
eyes filling with tears as she went on, and yet a noble fire
gleaming through them. Which melted the Hungarian heart a good
deal; and produced fine cheering, some persons even shedding tears,
and voices of "Life and Fortune to your Majesty!" being heard in
it. In which humor the Diet returned to its Session-House, and
voted the "Insurrection,"--or general Arming of Hungary, County by
County, each according to its own contingent;--with all speed, in
pursuance of her Majesty's implied desire. This was voted in rapid
manner; but again, in the detail of executing, it was liable to
haggles. From this day, however, matters did decidedly improve;
PACTA CONVENTA, or any remainder of them, are got adjusted,--the
good Queen yielding on many points. So that, September 20th,
Grand-Duke Franz is elected Co-regent,--let him start from Vienna
instantly, for Instalment;--and it is hoped the Insurrection will
go well, and not prove haggly, or hang fire in the details.
At any rate, next day, September 21st, Duke Franz, who arrived last
night,--and Baby with him, or in the train of him (to the joy of
Mamma!)--is in the Palace Audience-Hall, "at 8 A.M.;" ready for the
Diet, and what Homagings aud mutual Oath, as new Co-regent, are
necessary. Grand-Duke Franz, Mamma by his side, with the suitable
functionaries; and to rearward Nurse and Baby, not so conspicuous
till needed. Diet enters with the stroke of 8; solemnity proceeds.
At the height of the solemnity, when Duke Franz, who is really
risen now to something of a heroic mood, in these emergencies and
perils, has just taken his Oath, and will have to speak a fit word
or two,--the Nurse, doubtless on hint given, steps forward; holds
up Baby (a fine noticing fellow, I have no doubt,--"weighed sixteen
pounds avoirdupois when born"); as if Baby too, fine mutual product
of the Two Co-regents, were mutually swearing and appealing.
Enough to touch any heart. "Life and blood (VITAM ET SANGUINEM) for
our Queen and Kingdom.!" exclaims the Grand-Duke, among other
things. "Yes, VITAM ET SANGUINEM!" re-echoes the Diet, "our life
and our blood!" many-voiced, again and again;--and returns to its
own Place of Session, once more in a fine strain of loyal emotion.
And there, O reader, is the naked truth, neither more nor less. It
was some Vienna Pamphleteer of theatrical imaginative turn, finding
the thing apt, a year or two afterwards--who by kneading different
dates and objects into one, boldly annihilating time and space, and
adding a little paint,--gave it that seductive mythical form.
From whom Voltaire adopted it, with improvements, especially in the
little Harangue; and from Voltaire gratefully the rest of mankind.
[Voltaire, Siecle de Louis XV., c. 6
( OEuvres, xxviii. 78); Coxe, House
of Austria, iii. 270; and innumerable others (who give
this Myth); Maria Theresiens Leben, p. 44 n.
(who cites the Vienna Pamphleteers, without much believing them);
Mailath (a Hungarian), Geschichte des OEsterrichischen
Kaiser-Staats (Hamburg, 1850), v. 11-13 (who explodes
the fable). Cut down to the practical, it stands as above:--by no
means a bad thing still. That of "bringing in Baby" was a pretty
touch in the domestic-royal way;--and surely very natural; and has
no "art" in it, or none to blame and not love rather, on the part
of the bright young Mother, now girdled in such tragic outlooks,
and so glad to have Baby back at least, and Papa with him! It is
certain the "Insurrection" was voted with enthusiasm; and even
became rapidly a fact. And there was, in few months hence, an
immense mounted force of Hungarians raised, which galloped and
plundered (having almost no pay), and occasionally fenced and
fought, very diligently during all these Wars. Hussars, Croats,
Pandours, Tolpatches, Warasdins, Uscocks, never heard of in war
before: who were found very terrible to look upon once, in the
imagination or with the naked eye; but whose fighting talent,
against regular troops, was next to worthless; and who gradually
became hateful rather than terrible in the military world.
HANOVER, SEPTEMBER 27th. Britannic Majesty, reduced to that
frightful pinch, has at last given way. Treaty of Neutrality for
Hanover; engagement again to stick one's puissant Pragmatic sword
into its scabbard, to be perfectly quiescent and contemplative in
these French-Bavarian Anti-Austrian undertakings, and digest one's
indignation as one can. For our Paladin of the Pragmatic what a
posture! This is the first of Three Attempts by our puissant little
Paladin to draw sword;--not till the third could he get his sword
out, or do the least fighting (even foolish fighting) with all the
40,000 he had kept on pay and subsidy for years back.
The Neutrality was for Hanover only, and had no specific limit as
to time. Opportunities did rise; but something always rose along
with them,--mainly the impossibility of hoisting those lazy Dutch,
--and checked one's noble rage. His Majesty has covenantad to vote
for Karl Albert as Kaiser; even he, and will make the thing
unanimous! A thoroughly check-mated Majesty. Passing home to
England, this time in a gloomy condition of mind, shortly after
these humiliations, he was just issuing from Osnabruck by the
Eastern Gate, when Maillebois's people entered by the Western,--
the ugly shoes of them insulting his kibes in this manner. And a
furious Anti-Walpole Parliament, most perturbed of National
Palavers, is waiting him at St. James's. Heavy-laden little
Hercules that he is!
Karl Albert lay at Linz for a month longer (till October 24th, six
weeks in all); pausing in uncertainties, in a pleasant dream of
victory and sovereignty; not pouncing on Vienna, as Friedrich urged
on the French and him, to cut the matter by the root. He does push
forward certain troops, Comte de Saxe with Three Horse Regiments as
vanguard, ever nearer to Vienna; at last to within forty miles of
it; nay, light-horse parties came within twenty-five miles.
And there was skirmishing with Mentzel, a sanguinary fellow, of
whom we shall hear more; who had got "1,000 Tolpatches" under him,
and stood ruggedly at bay.
Karl Albert has been sending out sovereign messages from Linz:
Letters to Vienna;--one letter addressed "To the Arch-duchess Maria
Theresa;" which came back unopened, "No such person known here."
October 2d, he is getting homaged at Linz, by the STANDE of the
Province,--on summons sent some time before,--many of whom attend,
with a willing enough appearance; Kur-Baiern rather a favorite in
Upper Austria, say some. Much fine processioning, melodious
haranguing, there now is for Karl Albert, and a pleasant dream of
Sovereignty at Linz: but if he do not pounce upon Vienna till
Khevenhuller get it fortified? Khevenhuller is drawing home Italian
Garrisons, gradually gathering something like an Army round him.
In Khevenhuller's imperturbable military head, one of the clearest
and hardest, there is some hope. Above all, if Neipperg's Army were
to disengage itself, and be let loose into those parts?
EXCELLENCY HYNDFORD BRINGS ABOUT A MEETING AT
KLEIN-SCHNELLENDORF (9th October, 1741).
It was the second day after that Homaging at Linz, when Hyndford
(Sept. 22d) with mysterious negotiations, now nearly ripe, for
disengaging Neipperg, waylaid his Prussian Majesty; and was
answered, as we saw, with "Tush, tush! Dinner is already cold!"
It must be owned, these Friedrich-Hyndford Negotiations, following
on an express French-Prussian Treaty of June 5th, which have to
proceed in such threefold mystery now and afterwards, are of
questionable distressing nature: nor can the fact that they are
escorted copiously enough by a correspondent sort on the French
side, and indeed on the Austrian and on all sides, be a complete
consolation,--far otherwise, to the ingenuous reader.
Smelfungus indignantly calls it an immorality and a dishonor,
"a playing with loaded dice;" which in good part it surely was.
Nor can even Friedrich, who has many pleas for himself, obtain
spoken acquittal; unspoken, accompanied with regrets and pity, is
all even Friedrich can aspire to. My own impression is, Smelfungus,
if candid, would on clearer information and consideration have
revoked much of what he says here in censure of Friedrich. At all
events, if asked: Where then is the specifical not "superstitious"
WANT of "veracity" you ever found in Friedrich? and How, OTHERWISE
than even as Friedrich did, would you, most veracious Smelfungus,
have plucked out your Silesia from such an Element and such a
Time?--he would be puzzled to answer. I give his Fragment as I find
it, with these deductions:--
"What negotiating we have had, and shall have," exclaims
Smelfungus, my sad foregoer,--"fit rather to be omitted from a
serious History, which intends to be read by human creatures!
Bargaining, Promising, Non-performing. False in general as dicers'
oaths; false on this side and on that, from beginning to end.
Intercepted Letters from Fleury; Letter dropping from Valori's
waistcoat-pocket, upon which Friedrich claps his foot: alas, alas,
we are in the middle of a whole world of that. Friedrich knows that
the French are false to him; he by no means intends to be
romantically true to them, and that also they know. What is the use
to human creatures of recording all that melancholy stuff?
If sovereign persons want their diplomacies NOT to be swept into
the ash-pit, there are two conditions, especially one which is
peremptory: FIRST, that they should not be lies;--SECOND, that they
should be of some importance, some wisdom; which with known lies is
not a possible condition. To unravel cobwebs, and register
laboriously and date and sort in the sorrow of your soul the oaths
of crowned dicers,--what use is it to gods or men? Having well
dressed and sliced your cucumber, the next clear human duty is:
Throw it out of window. In that foul Lapland-witch world, of
seething Diplomacies and monstrous wigged mendacities, horribly
wicked and despicably unwise, I find nothing notable, memorable
even in a small degree, except this aspect of a young King who does
know what he means in it. Clear as a star, sharp as cutting steel
(very dangerous to hydrogen balloons), he stands in the middle of
it, and means to extort his own from it by such methods as
there are.
"Magnanimous I can by no means call Friedrich to his allies and
neighbors, nor even superstitiously veracious, in this business:
but he thoroughly understands, he alone, what just thing he wants
out of it, and what an enormous wigged mendacity it is he has got
to deal with. For the rest, he is at the gaming-table with these
sharpers; their dice all cogged;--and he knows it, and ought to
profit by his knowledge of it. And in short, to win his stake out
of that foul weltering mellay, and go home safe with it if he can."
Very well, my friend! Let us keep to windward of the Diplomatic
wizard's-caldron; let Hyndford, Valori and Company preside over it,
throwing in their eye of newt and limb of toad, as occasion may be.
Enough, if the reader can be brought to conceive it; and how the
young King,--who perhaps alone had real business in this foul
element, and did not volunteer into it like the others, though it
now unexpectedly envelops him like a world-whirlwind (frightful
enough, if one spoke of that to anybody), is struggling with his
whole soul to get well out of it. As supremely adroit, all readers
already know him; his appearance what we called starlike,--always
something definite, fixed and lucid in it.
He is dexterously holding aloof from Hyndford at present, clinging
to French Valori as his chosen companion: we may fancy what a time
he has of it, like a polygamist amid jealous wives. It will quicken
Hyndford, he perceives, in these ulterior stages, to leave him well
alone. Hyndford accordingly, as we have noticed, could not see the
King at all; had to try every plan, to watch, waylay the King for a
bit of interview, when indispensable. However, Hyndford, with his
Neipperg in sight of the peril, manages better than Robinson with
his Aulic Council at a distance: besides he is a long-headed dogged
kind of man, with a surly edacious strength, not inexpert in
negotiation, nor easily turned aside from any purpose he may have.
Between the two Camps, nearly midway, lies a Hamlet called Klein-
Schnellendorf, LITTLE Schnellendorf, to distinguish it from another
Schnellendorf called GREAT, which is a mile or two northwestward,
out of the straight line. Not far from the first of these poor
Hamlets lies a Schloss or noble Mansion, likewise called Klein-
Schnellendorf, belonging to a certain Count von Sternberg, who is
not there at present, but whose servants are, and a party of Croats
over them for some days back: a pleasant airy Mansion among
pleasant gardens, well shut out from the intrusion of the world.
Upon this Castle of Klein-Schnellendorf judicious Hyndford has cast
his eye:--and Neipperg, now come to a state of readiness, approves
the suggestion of Hyndford, and promptly at the due moment converts
it into a fact. Arrests namely, on a given morning (the last act of
his Croats there, who withdrew directly with their batch of
prisoners), every living soul within or about the Mansion;--
"suspected of treason;" only for one day;--and in this way, has it
reduced to the comfortable furnished solitude of Sleeping Beauty's
Castle; a place fit for high persons to hold a Meeting in, which
shall remain secret as the grave. Such a thing was indispensable.
For Friedrich, keeping shy of Hyndford, as he well may with a
Valori watching every step, has, by words, by silences, when
Hyndford could waylay him for a moment, sufficiently indicated what
he will and what he will not; and, for one indispensable condition,
in the present thrice-delicate Adventure, he will not sign
anything; will give and take word of honor, and fully bind himself,
but absolutely not put pen to paper at all. Neipperg being willing
too, judicious Hyndford finds a medium. Let the parties meet at
Klein-Schnellendorf, and judicious Hyndford be there with pen and
paper. [Orlich, i. 146; Helden-Geschichte,
i. 1009.]
Monday, 9th October, 1741, accordingly, there is meeting to be
held. Hyndford, Neipperg with his General Lentulus (a
Swiss-Austrian General, whose Son served under Friedrich
afterwards), these wait for Friedrich, on the one hand:--"to fix
some cartel for exchange of prisoners," it is said;--in these
precincts of Klein-
Schnellendorf; which are silent, vacant, yet comfortably furnished,
like Sleeping Beauty's Castle. And Friedrich, on the other hand, is
actually riding that way, with Goltz;--visiting outposts,
reconnoitring, so to speak. "Dine you with Prince Leopold (the
Young Dessauer), my fine Valori; I fear I shan't be home to
dinner!" he had said when going off; hoodwinking his fine Valori,
who suspects nothing. At a due distance from Klein-Schnellendorf,
the very groom is left behind; and Friedrich, with Goltz only,
pushes on to the Schloss. All ready there; salutations soon done;
business set about, perfected:--and Hyndford with pen and ink in
his hand, he, by way of Protocol, or summary of what had bsen
agreed on, on mutual word of honor, most brief but most clear on
this occasion, writes a State Paper, which became rather famous
afterwards. This is the Paper in condensed state; though clear, it
is very dull!
KLEIN-SCHNELLENDORF, 9th OCTOBER, 1741. Britannic Excellency
Hyndford testifies, That, here and now, his Majesty of Prussia, and
Neipperg on behalf of her Hungarian Majesty do, solemnly though
only verbally, agree to the following Four Things:--
"FIRST, That General Neipperg, on the 16th of the month [this day
week] shall have liberty to retire through the Mountains, towards
Moravia; unmolested, or with nothing but sham-attacks in the rear
of him. SECOND, That, in consequence, his Prussian Majesty, on
making sham-siege of Neisse, shall have the place surrendered to
him on the fifteenth day. THIRD, That there shall be, nay in a
sense, there hereby is, a Peace made; his Majesty retaining Neisse
and Silesia [according to the limits known to us:--nothing said of
Glatz]; and that a complete Treaty to that effect shall be
perfected, signed and ratified, before the Year is out. FOURTH,
That these sham-hostilities, but only sham, shall continue; and
that his Majesty, wintering in Bohewia, and carrying on sham-
hostilities [to the satisfaction of the French], shall pay his own
expenses, and do no mischief." [Given in Helden-
Geschichte, i. 1009; in &c.]
To these Four Things they pledge their word of honor; and Hyndford
signs and delivers each a Copy. Unwritten a Fifth Thing is settled,
That the present transaction in all parts of it shall be secret as
death,--his Majesty expressly insisting that, if the least inkling
of it ooze out, he shall have right to deny it, and refuse in any
way to be bound by it. Which likewise is assented to.
Here is a pretty piece of work done for ourself and our allies,
while Valori is quietly dining with the Prince of Dessau! The King
stayed about two hours; was extremely polite, and even frank and
communicative. "A very high-spirited young King," thinks Neipperg,
reporting of it; "will not stand contradiction; but a great deal
can be made of him, if you go into his ideas, and humor him in a
delicate dexterous way. He did not the least hide his engagements
with France, Bavaria, Saxony; but would really, so far as I
Neipperg could judge, prefer friendship with Austria, on the given
terms; and seems to have secretly a kind of pique at Saxony, and no
favor for the French and their plans." [Orlich, i. 149 (in
condensed state).]
"Business being done [this is Hyndford's report], the King, who had
been politeness itself, took Neipperg aside, beckoning Hyndford to
be of the party, 'I wish you too, my Lord, to hear every word:--his
Britannic Majesty knows or should know my intentions never were to
do him hurt, but only to take care of myself; and pray inform him
[what is the fact] that I have ordered my Army in Brandenburg to go
into winter-quarters, and break up that Camp at Gottin.'
Friedrich's talk to Neipperg is, How he may assault the French with
advantage: 'Join Lobkowitz and what force he has in Bohmen;
go right into your enemies, before they can unite there. If the
Queen prosper, I shall--perhaps I shall have no objection to join
her by and by? If her Majesty fail; well, every one must look to
himself.'" These words Hyndford listened to with an edacious solid
countenance, and greedily took them down. [Hyndford's Despatch,
Breslau, 14th October, 1741.]
Once more, a curious glimpse (perhaps imprudently allowed us, in
the circumstances) into the real inner man of Friedrich. He had, at
this time, now that the Belleisle Adventure is left in such a
state, no essential reason to wish the French ruined,--nor probably
did he; but only stated both chances, as in the way of unguarded
soliloquy; and was willing to leave Neipperg a sweet morsel to
chew. Secret mode of corresponding with the Court of Austria is
agreed upon; not direct, but thraugh certain Commandants, till the
Peace-Treaty be perfected,--at latest "by December 24th," we hope.
And so, "BON VOYAGE, and well across the Mountains, M. LE MARECHAL;
till we meet again! And you, Excellency Hyndford, be so good you as
write to me,--for Valori's behoof,--complaining that I am deaf to
all proposals, that nothing can be had of me. And other Letters,
pray, of the like tenor, all round; to Presburg, to England, to
Dresden:--if the Couriers are seized, it shall be well. 'Your
Letter to myself, let a trumpet come with it while I am at dinner,'
and Valori beside me!"--"Certainly, your Majesty," answers
Hyndford; and does it, does all this; which produces a soothing
effect on Valori, poor soul!
FRIEDRICH TAKES NEISSE BY SHAM SIEGE (CAPTURE NOT SHAM);
GETS HOMAGED IN BRESLAU; AND RETURNS TO BERLIN.
Thus, if the Austrians hold to their bargain, has Friedrich, in a
most compendious manner, got done with a Business which threatened
to be infinite: by this short cut he, for his part, is quite out of
the waste-howling jungle of Enchanted Forest, and his foot again on
the firm free Earth. If only the Austrians hold to their bargain!
But probably he doubts if they will. Well, even in that case, he
has got Neisse; stands prepared for meeting them again; and, in the
mean while, has freedom to deny that there ever was such a bargain.
Of the Political morality of this game of fast-and-loose, what have
we to say,--except, that the dice on both sides seem to be loaded;
that logic might be chopped upon it forever; that a candid mind
will settle what degree of wisdom (which is always essentially
veracity), and what of folly (which is always falsity), there was
in Friedrich and the others; whether, or to what degree, there was
a better course open to Friedrich in the circumstances:--and, in
fine, it will have to be granted that you cannot work in pitch and
keep hands evidently clean. Friedrich has got into the Enchanted
Wilderness, populous with devils and their works;--and, alas, it
will be long before he get out of it again, HIS life waning towards
night before he get victoriously out, and bequeath his conquest to
luckier successors! It is one of the tragic elements of this King's
life; little contemplated by him, when he went lightly into the
Silesian Adventure, looking for honor bright, what he called
"GLOIRE," as one principal consideration, hardly a year ago!--
Neipperg, according to covenant, broke up punctually that day week,
October 16th; and went over the Mountains, through Jagerndorf,
Troppau, towards Mahren; Prussians hanging on his rear, and
skirmishing about, but only for imaginary or ostensible purposes.
After a three-weeks march, he gets to a place called Frating,
[Espagnac, i. 104.] easternmost border of Mahren, on the slopes of
the Mannhartsberg Hill-Country, which is within wind of Vienna
itself; where, as we can fancy, his presence is welcome as morning-
light in the present dark circumstances.
Friedrich, on the morrow after Neipperg went, invested Neisse
(October 17th); set about the Siege of Neisse with all gravity, as
if it had been the most earnest operation; which nobody of mankind,
except three or four, doubted but it was. Before opening of the
trenches, Leopold young Dessauer took the road for Glatz Country,
and the adjoining Circles of Bohemia; there to canton himself,
peaceably according to contract; and especially to have an eye upon
Glatz, should the Klein-Schnellendorf engagement go awry in any
point. The King in his Dialogue with Neipperg had said several
things about Glatz, and what a sacrifice he made there for the sake
of speedy pace, the French having guaranteed him Glatz, though he
now forbore it. Leopold, who has with him some 15,000 horse and
foot, cantons himself judiciously in those ultramontane parts,--
"all the artillery in the Glatz Country;" [ Helden-
Geschichte, ii. 431; Orlich, i. 174.]--and we shall
hear of him again, by and by, in regard to other business that
rises there.
Neisse is a formidable Fortress, much strengthened since last year;
but here is a Besieger with much better chance! He marked out
parallels, sent summonses, reconnoitred, manoeuvred,--in a way more
or less surprising to the eye of Valori, who is military, and knows
about sieges. Rather singular, remarks Valori; good engineers much
wanted here! But the bombardment did finally begin: night of
October 26th-27th, the Prussiaus opened fire; and, at a terrible
rate, cannonaded and bombarded without intermission. In point of
fire and noise it is tremendous; Valori trusts it may be effective,
in spite of faults; goes to Breslau in hope: "Yes, go to Breslau,
MON CHER VALORI; wait for me there. Neipperg be chased, say you?
Shall not he,--if we had got this place!" And so the fire continues
night and day. [ Helden-Geschichte, i. 1006.]
Fantastic Bielfeld, in his semi-fabulous style, has a LETTER on
this bombardment, attractive to Lovers of the Picturesque,--
(written long afterwards, and dated &c. WRONG). As Bielfeld is a
rapid clever creature of the coxcomb sort, and doubtless did see
Neisse Siege, and entertained seemingly a blazing incorrect
recollection of it, his Pseudo-Neisse Letter may be worth giving,
to represent approximately what kind of scene it was there at
Neisse in the October nights:--
"Marechal Schwerin was lodged in a Village about three-quarters of
a mile from Head-Quarters. One day he did me the honor to invite me
to dinner; and even offered me a horse to ride thither with him.
I found excellent company; a superb repast, and wine of the gods.
Host and guests were in high spirits; and the pleasures of the
table were kept up so late, that it was midnight when we rose.
I was obliged to return to Head-Quarters, having still to wait upon
the King, as usual. The Marechal was kind enough to lend me another
horse; but the groom mischievously gave me the charger which the
Marechal rode at the Battle of Mollwitz; a very powerful animal,
and which, from that day, had grown very skittish.
"I was made aware of this circumstance, before we were fairly out
of the Village; and the night being of the darkest, I twenty times
ran the risk of breaking my neck. We had to pass over a hill, to
get to Head-Quarters. When I reached the top, a shudder came over
me, and my hair stood on end. I had nobody with me but a strange
groom. The country all around was infested with troops and
marauders; I was mounted on an unmanageable horse. Under my feet,
so to say, I saw the bombardment of the Town of Neisse. I heard the
roar of cannon and doleful shrieks. Above our batteries the whole
atmosphere was inflamed; and to complete the calamity, I missed the
way, and got lost in the darkness. Finally, in descending the hill,
my horse, frightened, made a terrible swerve or side-jump. I did
not know the cause; but after having, with difficulty, got him into
the road again, I found myself opposite to a deserter who had been
hanged that day! I was horribly disgusted by the sight; the gallows
being very low, and the head of the malefactor almost parallel with
mine. I spurred on, and galloped away from such unpleasant night-
company. At last I arrived at Head-Quarters, all in a perspiration.
I sent my horse back; and went in to the King, who asked me at
once, why I was so heated. I made his Majesty a faithful report of
all my disasters. He laughed much; and advised me seriously not
again to go out by night, and alone, beyond the circuit of
Head-Quarters." [Bielfeld, ii. 31, 32.]
After four days and nights of this sublime Playhouse thunder (with
real bullets in it, which killed some men, and burnt considerable
property), the Neisse Commandant (not Roth this time, Roth is now
in Brunn),--his "fortnight of siege," Ottober 17th to October 3lst,
being accomplished or nearly so,--beat chamade; and was, after
grave enough treatying, allowed to march away. Marched,
accordingly, on the correct Klein-Schnellendorf terms; most of his
poor garrison deserting, and taking Prussian service. Ever since
which moment, Neisse, captured in this curious manner, has been
Friedrich's and his Prussia's.
November 1st, the Prussian soldiers entered the place; and
Friedrich, after diligent inspection and what orders were
necessary, left for Brieg on the following day;--where general
illuminating and demonstrating awaited him, amid more serious
business. After strict examinations, and approval of Walrave and
his works at Brieg, he again takes the road; enters Breslau, in
considerable state (November 4th); where many Persons of Quality
are waiting, and the general Homaging is straightway to be,--or
indeed should have been some days ago, but has fallen behind by
delays in the Neisse affair.
The Breslau HULDIGUNG,--Friedrich sworn to and homaged with the due
solemnities as "Sovereign Duke of Lower Silesia,"--was an event to
throw into fine temporary frenzy the descriptive Gazetteers, and
Breslau City, overflowing with Quality people come to act and to
see on the occasion. Event which can be left to the reader's fancy,
at this date. There were Corporations out in quantity, "all in
cloaks" and with sublime Addresses, partly in poetry, happily
rather brief. There were beautiful Prussian Life-guards ("First
Battalion," admirable to the softer sex, not to speak of the
harder); much military resonance and splendor. Friedrich drove
about in carriages-and-six, "nay carriage-and-eight, horses cream-
color:" a very high King indeed; and a very busy one, for those
four days (November 4th-8th) 1741), but full of grace and
condescension. The HULDIGUNG itself took effect on the 7th; in the
fine old Rathhaus, which Tourists still know,--the surrounding
Apple-women sweeping themselves clear away for one day. Ancient
Ducal throne and proper apparatus there was; state-sword unluckily
wanting: Schwerin, who was to act Grand-Marshal, could find no
state-sword, till Friedrich drew his own and gave it him.
[ Helden-Geschichte, i. 1022, 1025; ii. 349.]
Podewils the Minister said something, not too much; to which one
Prittwitz, head of a Silesian Family of which we shall know
individuals, made pithy and pretty response, before swearing.
"There were above Four Hundred of Quality present, all in gala."
The customary Free-Gift of the STANDE Friedrich magnanimously
refused: "Impossible to be a burden to our Silesia in such harassed
war-circumstances, instead of benefactor and protector, as we
intended and intend!" The Ceremony, swearing and all, was over in
two hours; hundreds of silver medals, not to speak of the gold
ones, flying about; and Breslau giving itself up joyfully to dinner
and festivities. And, after dinner, that evening, to Illumination;
followed by balls and jubilations for days after, in a highly
harmonious key. Of the lamps-festoons, astonishing transparencies,
and glad symbolic devices, I could say a great deal; but will
mention only two, both of comfortably edible or quasi-edible
tendency:--
1. That of David Schulze, Flesher by profession; who had a
Transparency large as life, representing his own fat Person in the
act of felling a fat Ox; to which was appended this epigraph:--
"Wer mir wird den Konig in Preussen verachten,
Den will ich wie diesen Ochsen schlacten."
"Who dares me the King of Prussia insult,
Him I will serve like this fat head of nolt."
Signed "DAVID SCHULER, A BRANDENBURGER."--
And then,
2. How, in another quarter, there was set aloft IN RE, by some
Pastry-cook of patriotic turn: "An actual Ox roasted whole; filled
with pheasants, partridges, grouse, hares and geese; Prussian Eagle
atop, made of roasted fowls, larks and the like,"--unattainable, I
doubt, except for money down. [ Helden-Geschichte,
ii. 359.]
On the fifth morning, 9th November,--after much work done during
this short visit, much ceremonial audiencing, latterly, and raising
to the peerage,--Friedrich rolled on to Glogau. Took accurate
survey of the engineering and other interests there, for a couple
of days; thence to Berlin (noon of the llth), joyfully received by
Royal Family and all the world;--and, as we might fancy, asking
himself: "Am I actually home, then; out of the enchanted jungles
and their devilries; safe here, and listening, I alone in Peace, to
the universal din of War?" Alas, no; that was a beautiful
hypothesis; too beautiful to be long credible! Before reaching
Berlin,--or even Breslau, as appears,--Friedrich, vigilantly
scanning and discerning, had seen that fine hope as good as vanish;
and was silently busy upon the opposite one.
In a fortnight hence, Hyndford, who had followed to Berlin, got
transient sight of the King one morning, hastening through some
apartment or other: "'My Lord,' said the King, (the Court of Vienna
has entirely divulged our secret. Dowager Empress Amelia [Kaiser
Joseph's widow, mother of Karl Albert's wife] has acquainted the
Court of Bavaria with it; Wasner [Austrian Minister at Paris] has
told Fleury; Sinzendorf [ditto at Petersburg] has told the Court of
Russia; Robinson, through Mr. Villiers [your Saxon Minister], has
told the Court of Dresden; and several members of your Government
in England have talked publicly about it!' And, with a shrug of the
shoulders, he left me,"--standing somewhat agape there. [Hyndford's
Despatch, Berlin, 28th November, 1741; Ib. Breslau, 28th October
(secret already known).]