HumanitiesWeb.org - History of Friedrich II of Prussia - Frederick the Great (Chapter VIII. - Perfect Peace at Berlin, War All Round.) by Thomas Carlyle
History of Friedrich II of Prussia - Frederick the Great Chapter VIII. - Perfect Peace at Berlin, War All Round.
by Thomas Carlyle
Friedrich, with the Spectre of inevitable War daily advancing on
him, to him privately evident and certain if as yet to him only,
neglects in no sort the Arts and business of Peace, but is present,
always with vivid activity, in the common movement, serious or gay
and festive, as the day brings it. During these Winter months of
1743, and still more through Summer 1744, there are important War-
movements going on,--the French vehemently active again, the
Austrians nothing behindhand,--which will require some slight
notice from us soon. But in Berlin, alongside of all this, it is
mere common business, diligent as ever, alternating with Carnival
gayeties, with marryings, givings in marriage; in Berlin there goes
on, under halcyon weather, the peaceable tide of things, sometimes
in a high fashion, as if Berlin and its King had no concern with
the foreign War.
The Plauen Canal, an important navigation-work, canal of some
thirty miles, joining Havel to Elbe in a convenient manner, or even
joining Oder to Elbe, is at its busiest:--"it was begun June 1st,
1743 [all hands diligently digging there, June 27th, while some
others of us were employed at Dettingen,--think of it!], and was
finished June 5th, 1745." [Busching, Erdbeschreibung,
vi. 2192.] This is one of several such works now afoot.
Take another miscellaneous item or two.
January, 1744, Friedrich appoints, and briefly informs all his
People of it, That any Prussian subject who thinks himself
aggrieved, may come and tell his story to the King's own self:
["January, 1744" (Rodenbeck, i. 98).]--better have his story in
firm succinct state, I should imagine, and such that it will hold
water, in telling it to the King! But the King is ready to hear
him; heartily eager to get justice done him. A suitable boon, such
Permission, till Law-Reform take effect. And after Law-Reform had
finished, it was a thing found suitable; and continued to the end,
--curious to a British reader to consider!
Again: on Friedrich's birthday, 24th January, 1744, the new Academy
of Sciences had, in the Schloss of Berlin, its first Session.
But of this,--in the absence of Maupertuis, Flattener of the Earth,
who is still in France, since that Mollwitz adventure; by and for
behoof of whom, when he did return, and become "Perpetual First
President," many changes were made,--I will not speak at present.
Nor indeed afterwards, except on good chance rising;--the new
Academy, with its Perpetual First President, being nothing like so
sublime an object now, to readers and me, as it then was to itself
and Perpetual President and Royal Patron! Vapid Formey is Perpetual
Secretary; more power to him, as the Irish say. Poor Goldstick
Pollnitz is an Honorary Member;--absent at this time in Baireuth,
where those giggling Marwitzes of Wilhelmina's have been contriving
a marriage for the old fool. Of which another word soon: if we have
time. Time cannot be spent on those dim small objects: but there
are two Marriages of a high order, of purport somewhat Historical;
there is Barberina the Dancer, throwing a flash through the
Operatic and some other provinces: let us restrict ourselves to
these, and the like of these, and be brief upon them.
THE SUCCESSION IN RUSSIA, AND ALSO IN SWEDEN, SHALL NOT BE
HOSTILE TO US: TWO ROYAL MARRIAGES, A RUSSIAN AND A
SWEDISH, ARE ACCOMPLISHED AT BERLIN, WITH SUCH VIEW.
Marriage First, of an eminently Historical nature, is altogether
Russian, or German become Russian, though Friedrich is much
concerned in it. We heard of the mad Swedish-Russian War; and how
Czarina Elizabeth was kind enough to choose a Successor to the old
childless Swedish King,--Landgraf of Hessen-Cassel by nature;
who has had a sorry time in Sweden, but kept merry and did not mind
it much, poor old soul. Czarina Elizabeth's one care was, That the
Prince of Denmark should not be chosen to succeed, as there was
talk of his being: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, all grasped in one firm
hand (as in the old "Union-of-Calmar" times, only with better
management), might be dangerous to Russia. "Don't choose him of
Denmark!" said Elizabeth, the victorious Czarina; and made it a
condition of granting Peace, and mostly restoring Finland, to the
infatuated Swedes. The person they did choose,--satisfactory to the
Czarina, and who ultimately did become King of Sweden,--was one
Adolf Friedrich; a Holstein-Gottorp Prince, come of Royal kin, and
cousinry to Karl XII.: he is "Bishop of Lubeck" or of Eutin, so
styled; now in his thirty-third year; and at least drawing the
revenues of that See, though I think, not ecclesiastically given,
but living oftener in Hamburg, the then fashionable resort of those
Northern Grandees. On the whole, a likely young gentleman;
accepted by parties concerned;--and surely good enough for the
Office as it now is. Of whom, for a reason coming, let readers take
note, in this place.
Above a year before this time, Czarina Elizabeth, a provident
female, and determined not to wed, had pitched upon her own
Successor: [7th November, 1742 (Michaelis, ii. 627).] one Karl
Peter Ulrich; who was also of the same Holstein-Gottorp set, though
with Russian blood in him. His Grandfather was full cousin, and
chosen comrade, to Karl XII.; got killed in Karl's Russian Wars;
and left a poor Son dependent on Russian Peter the Great,--who gave
him one of his Daughters; whence this Karl Peter Ulrich, an orphan,
dear to his Aunt the Czarina. A Karl Peter Ulrich, who became
tragically famous as Czar Peter Federowitz, or Czar Peter III., in
the course of twenty years! His Father and Mother are both dead;
loving Aunt has snatched the poor boy out of Holstein-Gottorp,
which is a narrow sphere, into Russia, which is wide enough;
she has had him converted to the Greek Church, named him Peter
Federowitz, Heir and Successor;--and now, wishing to see him
married, has earnestly consulted Friedrich upon it.
Friedrich is decidedly interested; would grudge much to see an
Anti-Prussian Princess, for instance a Saxon Princess (one of whom
is said to Be trying), put into this important station! After a
little thought, he fixes,--does the reader know upon whom?
Readers perhaps, here and there, have some recollection of a
Prussian General, who is Titular Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst on his own
score; and is actual Commandant of Stettin in Friedrich's service,
and has done a great deal of good fortification there and other
good work. Instead of Titular, he has now lately, by decease of an
Elder Brother, become Actual or Semi-Actual (a Brother joined with
him in the poor Heirship); lives occasionally in the Schloss of
Zerbst; but is glad to retain Stettin as a solid supplement.
His Wife, let the reader note farther, is Sister to the above-
mentioned Adolf Friedrich, "Bishop of Lubeck," now Heir-Apparent to
Sweden,--in whom, as will soon appear, we are otherwise interested.
Wife seems to me an airy flighty kind of lady, high-paced, not too
sure-paced,--weak evidently in French grammar, and perhaps in human
sense withal:--but they have a Daughter, Sophie-Frederike, now near
fifteen, and very forward for her age; comely to look upon, wise to
listen to: "Is not she the suitable one?" thinks Friedrich, in
regard to this matter. "Her kindred is of the oldest, old as Albert
the Bear; she has been frugally brought up, Spartan-like, though as
a Princess by birth: let her cease skippiug ropes on the ramparts
yonder, with her young Stettin playmates; and prepare for being a
Czarina of the Russias," thinks he. And communicates his mind to
the Czarina; who answers, "Excellent! How did I never think of
that myself?"
And so, on or about New-year's day, 1744, while the Commandant of
Stettin and his airy Spouse are doing Christmas at their old
Schloss of Zerbst, there suddenly come Estafettes; Expresses from
Petersburg, heralded by Express from Friedrich:--with the
astonishing proposal, "Czarina wishing the honor of a visit from
Madam and Daughter; no doubt, with such and such intentions in the
rear." [Friedrich's Letters to Madam of Zerbst (date of the first
of them, 30th December, 1743), in OEuvres,
xxv. 579-589.] Madam, nor Daughter, is nothing loath;--the old
Commandant grumbles in his beard, not positively forbidding: and in
this manner, after a Letter or two in imperfect grammar, Madam and
Daughter appear in Carnival society at Berlin, charming objects
both; but do not stay long; in fact, stay only till their moneys
and arrangements are furnished them. Upon which, in all silence,
they make for Petersburg, for Moscow; travel rapidly, arrive
successfully, in spite of the grim season. ["At Moscow, 7th (18th)
February, 1744."] Conversion to the Greek Religion, change of name
from Sophie-Frederike to Catherine-Alexiewna ("Let it be
Catherine," said Elizabeth, "my dear mother's name!"--little brown
Czarina's, whom we have seen):--all this was completed by the 12th
of July following. And, in fine, next year (September 1st, 1745),
Peter Federowitz and this same Catherine-Alexiewna, second-cousins
by blood, were vouchsafed the Nuptial Benediction, and, with
invocation of the Russian Heaven and Russian Earth, were declared
to be one flesh, [Ranke, iii. 129; Memoires de Catherine
II. (Catherine's own very curious bit of
Autobiography;--published by Mr. Herzen, London, 1859), pp. 7-46.]
--though at last they turned out to be TWO FLESHES, as my reader
well knows! Some eighteen or nineteen years hence, we may look in
upon them again, if there be a moment to spare. This is Marriage
first; a purely Russian one; built together and launched on its
course, so to say, by Friedrich at Berlin, who had his own interest
in it.
Marriage Second, done at Berlin in the same months, was of still
more interesting sort to Friedrich and us: that of Princess Ulrique
to the above-named Adolf Friedrich, future King of Sweden.
Marriage which went on preparing itself by the side of the other;
and was of twin importance with it in regard to the Russian
Question. The Swedish Marriage was not heard of, except in
important whispers, during the Carnival time; but a Swedish
Minister had already come to Berlin on it, and was busy first in a
silent and examining, then in a speaking and proposing way.
It seems, the Czarina herself had suggested the thing, as a
counter-politeness to Friedrich; so content with him at this time.
A thing welcome to Friedrich. And, in due course ("June, 1744"),
there comes express Swedish Embassy, some Rodenskjold or Tessin,
with a very shining train of Swedes, "To demand Princess Ulrique in
marriage for our Future King."
To which there is assent, by no means denial, in the proper
quarter. Whereupon, after the wide-spread necessary fuglings and
preliminaries, there occurs (all by Procuration, Brother August
Wilhelm doing the Bridegroom's part), "July 17th, 1744," the
Marriage itself: all done, this last act, and the foregoing ones
and the following, with a grandeur and a splendor--unspeakable, we
may say, in short. [ Helden-Geschichte, ii.
1045-1051.] Fantastic Bielfeld taxes his poor rouged Muse to the
utmost, on this occasion; and becomes positively wearisome,
chanting the upholsteries of life;--foolish fellow, spoiling his
bits of facts withal, by misrecollections, and even by express
fictions thrown in as garnish. So that, beyond the general
impression, given in a high-rouged state, there is nothing to be
depended on. One Scene out of his many, which represents to us on
those terms the finale, or actual Departure of Princess Ulrique, we
shall offer,--with corrections (a few, not ALL);--having nothing
better or other on the subject:--
"But, in fine, the day of departure did arrive,"--eve of it did:
25th July, 1744; hour of starting to be 2 A.M. to-morrow. "The King
had nominated Grand-Marshal Graf van Gotter [same Gotter whom we
saw at Vienna once: King had appointed Gotter and two others;
not to say that two of the Princess's Brothers, with her Sister the
Margravine of Schwedt, were to accompany as far as Schwedt: six in
all; though one's poor memory fails one on some occasions!]--to
escort the Princess to Stralsund, where two Swedish Senators and
different high Lords and Ladies awaited her. Her Majesty the Queen-
Mother, judging by the movements of her own heart that the moment
of separation would produce a scene difficult to bear, had ordered
an Opera to divert our chagrin; and, instead of supper, a superb
collation EN AMBIGU [kind of supper-breakfast, I suppose], in the
great Hall of the Palace. Her Majesty's plan was, The Princess, on
coming from the Opera, should, almost on flight, taste a morsel;
take her travelling equipment, embrace her kinsfolk, dash into her
carriage, and go off like lightning. Herr Graf von Gotter was
charged with executing this design, and with hurrying
the departure.
"But all these precautions were vain. The incomparable Ulrique was
too dear to her Family and to her Country, to be parted with
forever, without her meed of tears from them in those cruel
instants. On entering the Opera-Hall, I noticed everywhere
prevalent an air of sorrow, of sombre melancholy. The Princess
appeared in Amazon-dress [riding-habit, say], of rose-color trimmed
with silver; the little vest, turned up with green-blue (CELADON),
and collar of the same; a little bonnet, English fashion, of black
velvet, with a white plume to it; her hair floating, and tied with
a rose-colored ribbon. She was beautiful as Love: but this dress,
so elegant, and so well setting off her charms, only the more
sensibly awakened our regrets to lose her; and announced that the
hour was come, in which all this appeared among us for the last
time. At the second act, young Prince Ferdinand [Youngest Brother,
Father of the JENA Ferdinand] entered the Royal Box; and flinging
himself on the Princess's neck with a burst of tears, said, 'Ah, my
dear Ulrique, it is over, then; and I shall never see you more!'
These words were a signal given to the grief which was shut in all
hearts, to burst forth with the greatest vehemence. The Princess
replied only with sobs; holding her Brother in her arms. The Two
Queens could not restrain their tears; the Princes and Princesses
followed the example: grief is epidemical; it gained directly all
the Boxes of the first rank, where the Court and Nobility were.
Each had his own causes of regret, and each melted into tears.
Nobody paid the least attention farther to the Opera; and for my
own share, I was glad to see it end.
"An involuntary movement took me towards the Palace. I entered the
King's Apartments, and found the Royal Family and part of the Court
assembled. Grief had reached its height; everybody had his
handkerchief out; and I witnessed emotions quite otherwise
affecting than those that Theatric Art can produce. The King had
composed an Ode on the Princess's departure; bidding her his last
adieus in the most tender and touching manner. It begins with
these words:--
'Partez, ma Soeur, partez;
La Suede vous attend, la Suede
vous desire,'
'Go, my Sister, go;
Sweden waits you, Sweden
wishes you.
[Does not now exist (see OEuvres de Frederic,
xiv. 88, and ib. PREFACE p. xv).]
His Majesty gave it her at the moment when she was about to take
leave of the Two Queens. [No, Monsieur, not then; it came to her
hand the second evening hence, at Schwedt; [Her own Letter to
Friedrich ( OEuvres de Frederic, xxvii. 372;
"Schwedt, 28th July, 1744").] most likely not yet written at the
time you fabulously give;--you foolish fantast, and "artist" of the
SHAM-kind!]--The Princess threw her eyes on it, and fell into a
faint [No, you Sham, not for IT]: the King had almost done the
like. His tears flowed abundantly. The Princes and Princesses were
overcome with sorrow. At last, Gotter judged it time to put an end
to this tragic scene. He entered the Hall, almost like Boreas in
the Ballet of THE ROSE; that is to say, with a crash. He made one
or two whirlwinds; clove the press, and snatched away the Princess
from the arms of the Queen-Mother, took her in his own, and whisked
her out of the Hall. All the world followed; the carriages were
waiting in the court; and the Princess in a moment found herself in
hers. I was in such a state, I know not how we got down stairs;
I remember only that it was in a concert of lamentable sobbings.
Madam the Margrafin von Schwedt, who had been named to attend the
Princess to Stralsund [read Schwedt] on the Swedish frontier, this
high Lady and the two Dames d'Atours who were for Sweden itself,
having sprung into the same carriage, the door of it was shut with
a slam; the postillions cracked, the carriage shot away,--and hid
the adorable Ulrique from the eyes of King and Court, who remained
motionless for some minutes, overcome by their feelings."
[Bielfeld, ii. 107-110.]
We said this Marriage was like the other, important for Public
Affairs. In fact, security on the Russian and Swedish side is
always an object with Friedrich when undertaking war. "That the
French bring about, help me to bring about, a Triple Alliance of
Prussia, Russia, Sweden:" this was a thing Friedrich had bargained
to see done, before joining in the War ahead: but by these Two
Espousals Friedrich hopes he has himself as good as done it.
Of poor Princess Ulrique and her glorious reception in Sweden
(after near miss of shipwreck, in the Swedish Frigate from
Stralsund), we shall say nothing more at present: except that her
glories, all along, were much dashed by chagrins, and dangerous
imminencies of shipwreck,--which latter did not quite overtake HER,
but did her sons and grandsons, being inevitable or nearly so, in
that element, in the course of time.
Sister Amelia, whom some thought disappointed, as perhaps, in her
foolish thought, she might a little be, was made Abbess of
Quedlinburg, which opulent benefice had fallen vacant; and, there
or at Berlin, lived a respectable Spinster-life, doubtless on
easier terms than Ulrique's. Always much loved by her Brother, and
loving him (and "taking care of his shirts," in the final times);
noted in society, for her sharp tongue and ways. Concerning whom
Thiebault and his Trenck romances are worth no notice,--if it be
not with horsewhips on opportunity. SCANDALUM MAGNATUM, where your
Magnates are NOT fallen quite counterfeit, was and is always
(though few now reflect on it) a most punishable crime.
GLANCE AT THE BELLIGERENT POWERS; BRITANNIC MAJESTY
NARROWLY MISSES AN INVASION THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS
Princess Ulrique was hardly yet home in Sweden, when her Brother
had actually gone forth upon the Wars again! So different is
outside from interior, now and then. "While the dancing and the
marriage-festivities went on at Court, we, in private, were busily
completing the preparations for a Campaign," dreamed of by no
mortal, "which was on the point of being opened." [ OEuvres
de Frederic, iii. 41.] July 2d, three weeks before
Princess Ulrique left, a certain Adventure of Prince Karl's in the
Rhine Countries had accomplished itself (of which in the following
Book); and Friedrich could discern clearly that the moment drew
rapidly nigh.
On the French side of the War, there has been visible--since those
high attempts of Britannic George and the Hungarian Majesty,
contumeliously spurning the Peace offered them, and grasping
evidently at one's Lorraines, Alsaces, and Three Bishoprics--a
marked change; comfortable to look at from Friedrich's side.
Most Christian Majesty, from the sad bent attitude of insulted
repentance, has started up into the perpendicular one of
indignation: "Come on, then!"--and really makes efforts, this Year,
quite beyond expectation. "Oriflamme enterprises, private
intentions of cutting Germany in Four; well, have not I smarted for
them; as good as owned they were rather mad? But to have my apology
spit upon; but to be myself publicly cut in pieces for them?"
March 15h, 1744, Most Christian Majesty did, as we saw, duly
declare War against England; against Austria, April 26th:
"England," he says, "broke its Convention of Neutrality (signed
27th September, 1741); broke said Convention [as was very natural,
no term being set] directly after Maillebois was gone; England, by
its Mediterranean Admirals and the like, has, to a degree beyond
enduring, insulted the French coasts, harbors and royal Navy:
We declare War on England." And then, six weeks hence, in regard to
Austria: "Austria, refusing to make Peace with a virtuous Kaiser,
whom we, for the sake of peace, had magnanimously helped, and then
magnanimously ceased to help;--Austria refuses peace with him or
us; on the contrary, Austria attempts, and has attempted, to invade
France itself: We therefore, on and from this 26th of April, 1744,
let the world note it, are at War with Austria." [In
Adelung, iv. 78, 90, the two Manifestoes given.]
Both these promises to Friedrich are punctually performed.
Nor, what is far more important, have the necessary preparations
been neglected; but are on a quite unheard-of scale. Such taxing
and financiering there has been, last Winter:--tax on your street-
lamp, on your fire-wood, increased excise on meat and eatables of
all kinds: Be patient, ye poor; consider GLOIRE, and an ORIFLAMME
so trampled on by the Austrian Heathen! Eatables, street-lamps, do
I say? There is 36,000 pounds, raised by a tax on--well, on
GARDEROBES (not translated)! A small help, but a help: NON OLET,
NON OLEAT. To what depths has Oriflamme come down!--The result is,
this Spring of 1744, indignant France does, by land, and even by
sea, make an appearance calculated to astonish Gazetteers and men.
Land-forces 160,000 actually on foot: 80,000 (grows at last into
100,000, for a little while) as "Army of the Netherlands,"--to
prick into Austria, and astonish England and the Dutch Barrier, in
that quarter. Of the rest, 20,000 under Conti are for Italy;
60,000 (by degrees 40,000) under Coigny for defence of the Rhine
Countries, should Prince Karl, as is surmisable, make new attempts
there. [Adelung, iv. 78; Espagnac, ii. 3.]
And besides all this, there are Two strong Fleets, got actually
launched, not yet into the deep sea, but ready for it: one in
Toulon Harbor, to avenge those Mediterranean insults; and burst
out, in concert with an impatient Spanish Fleet (which has lain
blockaded here for a year past), on the insolent blockading
English: which was in some sort done. ["19th February, 1744,"
French and Spanish Fleets run out; 22d Feb. are attacked by
Matthews and Lestock; are rather beaten, not beaten nearly enough
(Matthews and Lestock blaming one another, Spaniards and French
ditto, ditto: Adelung, iv. 32-35); with the endless janglings,
correspondings, court-martialings that ensue (Beatson,
Naval and Military Memoirs, i. 197 et seqq.;
Gentleman's Magazine, and Old Newspapers, for
1744; &c. &c.).] The other strong Fleet, twenty sail of the line,
under Admiral Roquefeuille, is in Brest Harbor,--intended for a
still more delicate operation; of which anon. Surely King Friedrich
ought to admit that these are fine symptoms? King Friedrich has
freely done so, all along; intending to strike in at the right
moment. Let us see, a little, how things have gone; and how the
right moment has been advancing in late months.
JANUARY 17th, 1744, There landed at Antibes on French soil a young
gentleman, by name "Conte di Spinelli," direct from Genoa, from
Rome; young gentleman seemingly of small importance, but
intrinsically of considerable; who hastened off for Paris, and
there disappeared. Disappeared into subterranean consultations with
the highest Official people; intending reappearance with emphasis
at Dunkirk, a few weeks hence, in much more emphatic posture.
And all through February there is observable a brisk diligence of
War-preparation, at Dunkirk: transport-ships in quantity, finally
four war-ships; 15,000 chosen troops, gradually marching in;
nearly all on board, with their equipments, by the end of
the month.
Clearly an Invading Army intended somewhither, England judges too
well whither. Anti-English Armament; to be led by, whom thinks the
reader? That same "Conte di Spinelli," who is Charles Edward the
Young Pretender,--Comte de Saxe commanding under him! This is no
fable; it is a fact, somewhat formidable; brought about, they say,
by one Cardinal Tencin, an Official Person of celebrity in the then
Versailles world; who owes his red hat (whatever such debt really
be) to old Jacobite influence, exerted for him at Rome; and takes
this method of paying his debt and his court at once. Gets, namely,
his proposal, of a Charles-Edward Invasion of England, to dovetail
in with the other wide artilleries now bent on little George in the
way we see. Had not little George better have stayed at home out of
these Pragmatic Wars? Fifteen thousand, aided by the native
Jacobite hosts, under command of Saxe,--a Saxe against a Wade is
fearful odds,--may make some figure in England! We hope always they
will not be able to land. Imagination may conceive the flurry, if
not of Britannic mankind, at least of Britannic Majesty and his
Official People, and what a stir and din they made:--of which this
is the compressed upshot.
"SATURDAY, 1st MARCH, 1744. For nearly a week past, there has been
seen hanging about in the Channel, and dangerously hovering to and
fro [had entered by the Land's-End, was first noticed on Sunday
last "nigh the Eddistone"] a considerable French Fleet, sixteen
great ships; with four or five more, probably belonging to it,
which now lie off Dunkirk: the intention of which is too well known
in high quarters. This is the grand Brest Fleet, Admiral
Roquefeuille's; which believes it can command the Channel, in
present circumstances, the English Channel-Fleets being in a
disjoined condition,--till Comte de Saxe, with his Charles-Edward
and 15,000, do ship themselves across! Great alarm in consequence;
our War-forces, 40,000 of them, all in Germany; not the least
preparation to receive an Invasive Armament. Comte de Saxe is
veritably at Dunkirk, since Saturday, March 1st: busy shipping his
15,000; equipments mostly shipped, and about 10,000 of the men:
all is activity there; Roquefeuille hanging about Dungeness, with
four of his twenty great ships detached for more immediate
protection of Saxe and those Dunkirk industries. To meet which, old
Admiral Norris, off and on towards the Nore and the Forelands, has
been doing his best to rally force about him; hopes he will now be
match for Roquefeuille:--but if he should not?
"THURSDAY, 6th MARCH. Afternoon of March 5th, old Admiral Norris,
hoping he was at length in something like equality, 'tided it round
the South Foreland;' saw Roquefeuille hanging, in full tale, within
few miles;--and at once plunged into him? No, reader; not at once,
nor indeed at all. A great sea-fight was expected; but our old
Norris thought it late in the day;--and, in effect, no fight proved
needful. Daylight was not yet sunk, when there rose from the north-
eastward a heavy gale; blew all night, and by six next morning was
a raging storm; had blown Roquefeuille quite away out of those
waters (fractions of him upon the rocks of Guernsey); had tumbled
Comte de Saxe's Transports bottom uppermost (so to speak), in
Dunkirk Roads;--and, in fact, had blown the Enterprise over the
horizon, and relieved the Official Britannic mind in the usual
miraculous manner.
"M. le Comte de Saxe--who had, by superhuman activity, saved nearly
all his men, in that hideous topsy-turvy of the Transports and
munitions--returned straightway, and much more M. le Comte de
Spinelli with him, to Paris. Comte de Saxe was directly thereupon
made Marechal de France; appointed to be Colleague of Noailles in
the ensuing Netherlands Campaign. 'Comte de Spinelli went to lodge
with his Uncle, the Cardinal Grand-Almoner Fitz-James' [a zealous
gentleman, of influence with the Holy Father], and there in privacy
to wait other chances that might rise. 'The 1,500 silver medals,
that had been struck for distribution in Great Britain,' fell, for
this time, into the melting-pot again. [Tindal, xxi. 22 (mostly a
puddle of inaccuracies, as usual); Espagnac, i. 213;
Gentleman's Magazine, xiv. 106, &c.; Barbier, ii. 382,
385, 388.]
"Great stir, in British Parliament and Public, there had latterly
been on this matter: Arrestment of suspected persons, banishment of
all Catholics ten miles from London; likewise registering of horses
(to gallop with cannon whither wanted); likewise improvising of
cavalry regiments by persons of condition, 'Set our plush people on
our coach-horses; there!' [Yes, THERE will be a Cavalry,--inferior
to General Ziethen's!]; and were actually drilling them in several
places, when that fortunate blast of storm (March 6th) blew
everything to quiet again. Field-marshal Earl of Stair, in regard
to the Scottish populations, had shown a noble magnanimity;
which was recognized: and a General Sir John Cope rode off, post-
haste, to take the chief command in that Country;--where, in about
eighteen months hence, he made a very shining thing of it!"--Take
this other Cutting from the Old Newspapers:--
"FRIDAY, 31st (20th) MARCH, 1744, A general press began for
recruiting his Majesty's regiments, and manning the Fleet;
when upwards of 1,000 men were secured in the jails of London and
Westminster; being allowed sixpence a head per diem, by the
Commissioners of the Land-tax, who examine them, and send those
away that are found fit for his Majesty's service. The same method
was taken in each County." Press ceases; enough being got,--press
no more till farther order: 5th (16th) June. [ Gentleman's
Magazine for 1744, pp. 226, 333.]
Britannic Majesty shaken by such omens, does not in person visit
Germany at all this Year; nor, by his Deputies, at all shine on the
fields of War as lately. He, his English and he, did indeed come
down with their cash in a prompt and manful manner, but showed
little other activity this year. Their troops were already in the
Netherlands, since Winter last; led now by a Field-marshal Wade, of
whom one has heard; to whom joined themselves certain Austrians,
under Duc d'Ahremberg, and certain Dutch, under some other man in
cocked-hat: the whole of whom, under Marshal Wade's chief guidance,
did as good as nothing whatever. "Inferior in force!" cried Marshal
Wade; an indolent incompetent old gentleman, frightful to see in
command of troops: "inferior in force!" cried he, which was not at
first quite the case. And when, by additions to himself, and
deductions (of a most unexpected nature) from his Enemy, he had
become nearly double in force, it was all the same: Marshal Wade
(against whom indeed was Marechal de Saxe, now in sole command, as
we shall see) took shelter in safe places, witnessing therefrom the
swift destruction of the Netherlands, and would attempt nothing.
Which indeed was perhaps prudent on the Marshal's part. Much money
was spent, and men enough did puddle themselves to death on the
clay roads, or bivouacking in the safe swamps; but not the least
stroke of battle was got out of them under this old Marshal.
Had perhaps "a divided command, though nominal Chief," poor old
gentleman;--yes, and a head that understood nothing of his business
withal. One of those same astonishing "Generals" of the English,
now becoming known in Natural History; the like of whom, till
within these hundred and fifty years, were not heard of among sane
Nations. Saxe VERSUS Wade is fearful odds. To judge by the way Saxe
has of handling Wade, may not we thank Heaven that it was not HERE
in England the trial came on! Lift up both your hands, and
bless--not General Wade, quite yet.
THE YOUNG DUKE OF WURTEMBERG GETS A VALEDICTORY ADVICE;
AND POLLNITZ A DITTO TESTIMONIAL (February 6th; April 1st, 1744).
February 7th, 1744, Karl Eugen, the young Duke of Wurtemberg,--
Friedrich having got, from the Kaiser, due Dispensation (VENIA
AETATIS) for the young gentleman, and had him declared Duke
Regnant, though only sixteen,--quitted Berlin with great pomp, for
his own Country, on that errand. Friedrich had hoped hereby to
settle the Wurtemberg matters on a good footing, and be sure of a
friend in Wurtemberg to the Kaiser and himself. Which hope, like
everybody's hopes about this young gentleman, was entirely
disappointed; said young gentleman having got into perverse,
haughty, sulky, ill-conditioned ways, and made a bad Life and Reign
of it,--better to lie mostly hidden from us henceforth, at least
for many years to come. The excellent Parting Letter which
Friedrich gave him got abroad into the world; was christened the
MIRROR OF PRINCES, and greatly admired by mankind. It is indeed an
almost faultless Piece of its kind; comprising, in a flowing yet
precise way, with admirable frankness, sincerity, sagacity,
succinctness, a Whole Duty of Regnant Man; [In OEuvres de
Frederic, ix. 4-7.]--but I fear it would only weary
the reader; perfect ADVICE having become so plentiful in our Epoch,
with little but "pavement" to a certain Locality the consequence!--
There is, of the same months, a TESTIMONIAL TO POLLNITZ, which also
got abroad and had its celebrity: this, as specimen of Friedrich on
the comic side, will perhaps be less afflicting; and it will rid us
of Pollnitz, poor soul, on handsome terms.
Goldstick Pollnitz is at Baireuth in these months; fallen quite
disconsolate since we last heard of him. His fine marriage went
awry,--rich lady, very wisely, drawing back;--and the foolish old
creature has decided on REchanging his religion; which he has
changed already thrice or so, in his vagabond straits; for the
purpose of "retiring to a convent" this time. Friedrich, in candid
brief manner, rough but wise, and not without some kindness for an
old dog one is used to, has answered, "Nonsense; that will never
do!" But Pollnitz persisting; formally demanding leave to demit,
and lay down the goldstick, with that view,--Friedrich does at
length send him Certificate of Leave; "which is drawn out with all
the forms, and was despatched through Eichel to the proper Board;"
but which bears date APRIL FIRST, and though officially valid, is
of quizzical nature:---perhaps already known to some readers;
having got into the Newspapers, and widely abroad, at a subsequent
time. As authentic sample of Friedrich in that kind, here it
accurately is, with only one or two slight abridgments, which
are indicated:--
"Whereas the Baron de Pollnitz, born at Berlin [at Koln, if it made
any matter], of honest parents so far as We know,--after having
served Our Grandfather as Gentleman of the Chamber, Madam d'Orleans
[wicked Regent's Mother, a famed German Lady] in the same rank, the
King of Spain in quality of Colonel, the deceased Kaiser in that of
Captain of Horse, the Pope as Chamberlain, the Duke of Brunswick as
Chamberlain, Duke of Weimar as Ensign, our Father as Chamberlain,
and, in fine, Us as Grand Master of the Ceremonies,"--has, in spite
of such accumulation of honors, become disgusted with the world;
and requests a Parting Testimony, to support his good reputation,--
"We, remembering his important services to the House, in diverting
for nine years long the late King our Father, and doing the honors
of our Court during the now Reign, cannot refuse such request;
but do hereby certify, That the said Baron has never assassinated,
robbed on the highway, poisoned, forcibly cut purses, or done other
atrocity or legal crime at our Court; but has always maintained
gentlemanly behavior, making not more than honest use of the
industry and talents he has been endowed with at birth;
imitating the object of the Drama, that is, correcting mankind by
gentle quizzing; following, in the matter of sobriety, Boerhaave's
counsels; pushing Christian charity so far as often to make the
rich understand that it is more blessed to give than to receive;--
possessing perfectly the anecdotes of our various Mansions,
especially of our worn-out Furnitures; rendering himself, by his
merits, necessary to those who know him; and, with a very bad head,
having a very good heart.
"Our anger the said Baron never kindled but once,"--in atrociously
violating the grave of an Ancestress (or Step Ancestress) of ours.
[Step-Ancestress was Dorothea, the Great Elector's second Wife;
of whom Pollnitz, in his Memoirs and Letters,
repeats the rumor that once she, perhaps, tried to poison her
Stepson Friedrich, First King. (See supra, vol. v. p. 47).] "But as
the loveliest countries have their barren spots, the beautifulest
forms their imperfections, pictures by the greatest masters their
faults, We are willing to cover with the veil of oblivion those of
the said Baron; do hereby grant him, with regret, the Congee he
requires;--and abolish his Office altogether, to blot it from men's
memory, not judging that anybody after the said Baron can be worthy
to fill it.
"Done at Potsdam, this 1st of April, 1744. FREDERIC."
[ OEuvres, xv. 193.]
The Office of Grand Master of the Ceremonies was, accordingly,
abolished altogether. But Pollnitz, left loose in this manner, did
not gallop direct, or go at all, into monkhood, as he had expected;
but, in fact, by degrees, crept home to Berlin again; took the
subaltern post of Chamberlain; and there, in the old fashion
(straitened in finance, making loans, retailing anecdotes, not
witty but the cause of wit), wore out life's gray evening;
till, about thirty years hence, he died; "died as he had lived,
swindling the very night before his decease," writes Friedrich;
[Letter to Voltaire, 13th August, 1775 ( OEuvres de
Frederic, xxiii. 344). See Preuss, v. 241
(URKUNDENBUCH), the Letters of Friedrich to Pollnitz.] who was
always rather kind to the poor old dog, though bantering him a
good deal.
TWO CONQUESTS FOR PRUSSIA, A GASEOUS AND A SOLID:
CONQUEST FIRST, BARBERINA THE DANCER.
Early in May, the Berlin public first saw its Barberina dance, and
wrote ecstatic Latin Epigrams about that miracle of nature and art;
[Rodenbeck, pp. 111, 190.]--miracle, alas, not entirely omissible
by us. Here is her Story, as the Books give it; slightly mythical,
I judge, in some of its non-essential parts; but good enough for
the subject:--
Barberina the Dancer had cost Friedrich some trouble; the pains he
took with her elegant pirouettings and poussettings, and the heavy
salary he gave her, are an unexpected item in his history.
He wished to favor the Arts, yes; but did he reckon Opera-dancing a
chief one among them? He had indeed built an Opera-House, and gave
free admissions, supporting the cost himself; and among his other
governings, governed the dancer and singer troops of that
establishment. Took no little trouble about his Opera:--yet perhaps
he privately knew its place, after all. "Wished to encourage
strangers of opulent condition to visit his Capital," say the
cunning ones. It may be so; and, at any rate, he probably wished to
act the King in such matters, and not grudge a little money.
He really loved music, even opera music, and knew that his people
loved it; to the rough natural man, all rhythm, even of a
Barberina's feet, may be didactic, beneficial: do not higgle, let
us do what is to be done in a liberal style. His agent at Venice--
for he has agents everywhere on the outlook for him--reports that
here is a Female Dancer of the first quality, who has shone in
London, Paris and the Capital Cities, and might answer well, but
whose terms will probably be dear. "Engage her," answers Friedrich.
And she is engaged on pretty terms; she will be free in a month or
two, and then start. [Zimmermann, Fragmente uber Friedrich
den Grossen (Leipzig, 1790), i. 88-92; Collini, ubi
infra; Denina; &c.: compare Rodenbeck, p. 191.]
Well;--but Barberina had, as is usual, subsidiary trades to her
dancing: in particular, a young English Gentleman had followed her
up and down, says Zimmermann, and was still here in Venice
passionately attached to her. Which fact, especially which young
English gentleman, should have been extremely indifferent to me,
but for a circumstance soon to be mentioned. The young English
gentleman, clear against Barberina's Prussian scheme, passionately
opposes the same, passionately renews his own offers;--induces
Barberina to inform the Prussian agent that she renounces her
engagement in that quarter. Prussian agent answers that it is not
renounceable; that he has legal writing on it, and that it must be
kept. Barberina rises into contumacy, will laugh at all writing and
compulsion. Prussian agent applies to Doge and Senate on the
subject, in his King's name; who answer politely, but do nothing:
"How happy to oblige so great a King; but--" And so it lasts for
certain months; Barberina and the young English gentleman
contumacious in Venice, and Doge and Senate merely wishing we may
get her.
Meanwhile a Venetian Ambassador happens to be passing through
Berlin, in his way to or from some Hyperborean State; arrives at
some hotel, in Berlin;--finds, on the morrow, that his luggage is
arrested by Royal Order; that he, or at least IT, cannot get
farther, neither advance nor return, till Barberina do come.
"Impossible, Signor: a bargain is a bargain; and States ought to
have law-courts that enforce contracts entered into in their
territories." The Venetian Doge and Senate do now lay hold of
Barberina; pack her into post-chaises, off towards Berlin, under
the charge of armed men, with the proper transit-papers,--as it
were under the address, "For his Majesty of Prussia, this side
uppermost,"--and thus she actually is conveyed, date or month
uncertain, by Innspruck or the Splugen, I cannot say which, over
mountain, over valley, from country to country, and from stage to
stage, till she arrives at Berlin; Ambassador with baggage having
been let go, so soon as the affair was seen to be safe.
As for the young English gentleman passionately attached, he
followed, it is understood; faithful, constant as shadow to the
sun, always a stage behind; arrived in Berlin two hours after his
Barberina, still passionately attached; and now, as the rumor goes,
was threatening even to marry her, and so save the matter.
Supremely indifferent to my readers and me. But here now is the
circumstance that makes it mentionable. The young English is
properly a young Scotch gentleman; James Mackenzie the name of
him,--a grandson of the celebrated Advocate, Sir George Mackenzie;
and younger Brother of a personage who, as Earl of Bute, became
extremely conspicuous in this Kingdom in after years. That makes it
mentionable,--if only in the shape of MYTH. For Friedrich,
according to rumor, being still like to lose his Dancer in that
manner, warned the young gentleman's friends; and had him
peremptorily summoned home, and the light fantastic toe left free
in that respect. Which procedure the indignant young gentleman
(thinks my Author) never forgave; continuing a hater of Friedrich
all his days; and instilling the same sentiment into the Earl of
Bute at a period which was very critical, as we shall see.
This is my Author's, the often fallacious though not mendacious
Dr. Zimmermann's, rather deliberate account; a man not given to
mendacity, though filled with much vague wind, which renders him
fallacious in historical points.
Readers of Walpole's George the Third know
enough of this Mackenzie, "Earl's Brother, MACKINSY," and the
sorrowful difficulties about his Scotch law-office or benefice;
in which matter "Mackinsy" behaves always in a high way, and only
the Ministerial Outs and Inns higgle pedler-like, vigilant of the
Liberties of England, as they call them. In the end, Mackinsy kept
his law-office or got it restored to him; 3,000 pounds a year
without excess of work; a man much the gentleman, according to the
rule then current: in contemplative rare moments, the man, looking
back through the dim posterns of the mind, might see afar off a
certain pirouetting Figure, once far from indifferent, and not yet
quite melted into cheerless gray smoke, as so much of the rest is--
to Mr. Mackinsy and us. I have made, in the Scotch Mackenzie
circles, what inquiry was due; find no evidence, but various
likelihoods, that this of the Barberina and him is fact, and a
piece of his biography. As to the inference deduced from it, in
regard to Friedrich and the Earl of Bute, on a critical occasion,--
that rests entirely with Zimmermann; and the candid mind inclines
to admit that, probably, it is but rumor and conjecture;
street-dust sticking to the Doctor's shoes, and demanding merely to
be well swept out again. Heigho!--
Barberina, though a dancer, did not want for more essential graces.
Very sprightly, very pretty and intelligent; not without piquancy
and pungency: the King himself has been known to take tea with her
in mixed society, though nothing more; and with passionate young
gentlemen she was very successful. Not long after her coming to
Berlin, she made conquest of Cocceji, the celebrated Chancellor's
Son; who finding no other resource, at length privately married
her. Voltaire's Collini, when he came to Berlin, in 1750,
recommended by a Signora Sister of the Barberina's, found the
Barberina and her Mother dining daily with this Cocceji as their
guest: [Collini, Mon Sejour aupres de Voltaire
(a Paris, 1807), pp. 13-19.] Signora Barberina privately
informed Collini how the matter was; Signorina still dancing all
the same,--though she had money in the English funds withal;
and Friedrich had been so generous as give her the fixing of her
own salary, when she came to him, this-side-uppermost, in the way
we described. She had fixed, too modestly thinks Collini, on 5,000
thalers (about 750 pounds) a year; having heart and head as well as
heels, poor little soul. Perhaps her notablest feat in History,
after all, was her leading this Collini, as she now did, into the
service of Voltaire, to be Voltaire's Secretary. As will be seen.
Whereby we have obtained a loyal little Book, more credible than
most others, about that notable man.
At a subsequent period, Barberina decided on declaring her marriage
with Cocceji; she drew her money from the English funds, purchased
a fine mansion, and went to live with the said Cocceji there,
giving up the Opera and public pirouettes. But this did not answer
either. Cocceji's Mother scorned irreconcilably the Opera alliance;
Friedrich, who did not himself like it in his Chancellor's Son,
promoted the young man to some higher post in the distant Silesian
region. But there, alas, they themselves quarrelled; divorced one
another; and rumor again was busy. "You, Cocceji yourself, are but
a schoolmaster's grandson [Barberina, one easily supposes, might
have a temper withal]; and it is I, if you will recollect, that
drew money from the English funds!" Barberina married again; and to
a nobleman of sixteen quarters this time, and with whom at least
there was no divorce. Successful with passionate gentlemen; having
money from the English funds. Her last name was Grafinn--I really
know not what. Her descendants probably still live, with sixteen
quarters, in those parts. It was thus she did her life-journey,
waltzing and walking; successfully holding her own against the
world. History declares itself ashamed of spending so many words on
such a subject. But the Dancer of Friedrich, and the authoress,
prime or proximate, of Collini's Voltaire,
claims a passing remembrance. Let us, if we can easily help it,
never speak of her more.
CONQUEST SECOND IS OST-FRIESLAND, OF A SOLID NATURE.
May 25th, 1744, just while Barberina began her pirouettings at
Berlin, poor Karl Edzard, Prince of East Friesland, long a weak
malingering creature, died, rather suddenly; childless, and the
last of his House, which had endured there about 300 years.
Our clever Wilhelmina at Baireuth, though readers have forgotten
the small circumstance, had married a superfluous Sister-in-law of
hers to this Karl Edward; and, they say, it was some fond hope of
progeny, suddenly dashed into nothingness, that finished the poor
man, that night of May 25th. In any case, his Territory falls to
Prussia, by Reich's Settlement of long standing (1683-1694);
which had been confirmed anew to the late King, Friedrich Wilhelm:
--we remember how he returned with it, honest man, from that
KLADRUP JOURNEY in 1732, and was sniffed at for bringing nothing
better. And in the interim, his royal Hanover Cousins, coveting
East Friesland, had clapt up an ERBVERBRUDERUNG with the poor
Prince there (Father, I think, of the one just dead): "A thing
ULTRA VIRES," argued Lawyers; "private, quasi-clandestine;
and posterior (in a sense) to Reich's CONCLUSUM, 1694."
On which ground, however, George II. now sued Fricdrich at Reich's
Law,--Friedrich, we need not say, having instantly taken possession
of Ost-Friesland. And there ensued arguing enough between them, for
years coming; very great expenditure of parchment, and of mutual
barking at the moon (done always by proxy, and easy to do);
which doubtless increased the mutual ill-feeling, but had no other
effect. Friedrich, who had been well awake to Ost-Friesland for
some time back, and had given his Official people (Cocceji his
Minister of Justice, Chancellor by and by, and one or two
subordinates) their precise Instructions, laid hold of it, with a
maximum of promptitude; thereby quashing a great deal of much more
dangerous litigation than Uncle George's.
"In all Germany, not excepting even Mecklenburg, there had been no
more anarchic spot than Ost-Friesland for the last sixty or seventy
years. A Country with parliamentary-life in extraordinary vivacity
(rising indeed to the suicidal or internecine pitch, in two or
three directions), and next to no regent-life at all. A Country
that had loved Freedom, not wisely but too well! Ritter Party,
Prince's Party, Towns' Party;--always two or more internecine
Parties: 'False Parliament you: traitors!' 'We? False YOU,
traitors!'--The Parish Constable, by general consent, kept walking;
but for Government there was this of the Parliamentary Eloquences
(three at once), and Freedom's battle, fancy it, bequeathed from
sire to son! 'The late Karl Edzard never once was in Embden, his
chief Town, though he lived within a dozen miles of it.'--And then,
still more questionable, all these energetic little Parties had
applied to the Neighboring Governments, and had each its small
Foreign Battalion, 'To protect US and our just franchises!'
Imperial Reich's-Safeguard Battalion, Dutch Battalion, Danish
Battalion,--Prussian, it first of all was (year 1683, Town of
Embden inviting the Great Elector), but it is not so now.
The Prussians had needed to be quietly swift, on that 25th day of
May, 1744.
"And truly they were so; Cocceji having all things ready;
leading party-men already secured to him, troops within call, and
the like. The Prussians--Embden Town-Councils inviting their
astonished Dutch Battalion not to be at home--marched quietly into
Embden 'next day,' and took possession of the guns. Marched to
Aurich (official metropolis), Danes and Imperial Safeguard saying
nothing; and, in short, within a week had, in their usual exact
fashion, got firm hold of chaotic Ost-Friesland. And proceeded to
manage it, in like sort,--with effects soon sensible, and steadily
continuing. Their Parliamentary-life Friedrich left in its full
vigor: 'Tax yourselves; what revenue you like; and see to the
outlay of it yourselves. Allow me, as LANDES-HERR, some trifle of
overplus: how much, then? Furthermore a few recruits,--or recruit-
money in lieu, if you like better!' And it was astonishing how the
Parliamentary vitality, not shortened of its least franchise, or
coerced in any particular, but merely stroked the right way of the
hair, by a gently formidable hand, with good head guiding, sank
almost straightway into dove-life, and never gave Friedrich any
trouble, whatever else it might do. The management was good;
the opportunity also was good. 'In one sitting, the Prussian Agent,
arbitrating between Embden and the Ritters, settled their
controversy, which had lasted fifty years.' The poor Country felt
grateful, which it might well do; as if for the laying of goblins,
for the ending of long-continued local typhoon! Friedrich's first
Visit, in 1751, was welcomed with universal jubilation; and poor
Ost-Friesland thanked him in still more solid ways, when occasion
rose. [Ranke, iii. 370-382.]
"It is not an important Country:--only about the size of Cheshire;
wet like it, and much inferior to it in cheese, in resources for
leather and live-stock, though it perhaps excels, again, in clover-
seeds, rape-seeds, Flanders horses, and the flax products.
The 'clear overplus' it yielded to Friedrich, as Sovereign
Administrator and Defender, was only 3,200 pounds; for recruit-
MONEY, 6,000 pounds (no recruits in CORPORE); in all, little more
than 9,000 pounds a year. But it had its uses too. Embden, bigger
than Chester, and with a better harbor, was a place of good trade;
and brought Friedrich into contact with sea-matters; in which, as
we shall find, he did make some creditable incipiencies, raising
expectations in the world; and might have carried it farther, had
not new Wars, far worse than this now at hand, interrupted him."
Friedrich was at Pyrmont, taking the waters, while this of
Friesland fell out; he had gone thither May 20th; was just arrived
there, four days before the death of Karl Edzard. [Rodenbeck,
p. 102.] His Officials, well pre-instructed, managed the Ost-
Friesland Question mainly themselves. Friedrich was taking the
waters; ostensibly nothing more. But he was withal, and still more
earnestly, consulting with a French Excellency (who also had felt a
need of the waters), about the French Campaign for this Season:
Whether Coigny was strong enough in the Middle-Rhine Countries;
how their Grand Army of the Netherlands shaped to prosper;
and other the like interesting points. [Ranke, iii. 165, 166.]
Frankfurt Union is just signed (May 22d). Most Christian Majesty is
himself under way to the Netherlands, himself going to command
there, as we shall see. "Good!" answers Friedrich: "But don't
weaken Coigny, think of Prince Karl on that side; don't detach from
Coigny, and reduce his 60,000 to 40,000!"
Plenty of mutual consulting, as they walk in the woods there.
And how profoundly obscure, to certain Official parties much
concerned, judge from the following small Document, preserved
by accident:--
LYTTELTON (our old Soissons Friend, now an Official in Prince Fred's
Household, friend of Pitt, and much else) TO HIS FATHER AT HAGLEY.
ARGYLE STREET, LONDON, "May 5th [16th], 1744.
"DEAR SIR,--Mr. West [Gilbert West, of whom there is still some
memory] comes with us to Hagley; and, if you give me leave, I will
bring our friend Thomson too"--oh Jamie Thamson, Jamie Thamson, oh!
"His SEASONS will be published in about a week's time, and a most
noble work they will be.
"I have no public news to tell you, which you have not had in the
Gazettes, except what is said in Private Letters from Germany, of
the King of Prussia's having drunk himself into direct madness, and
being confined on that account; which, if true, may have a great
effect upon the fate of Europe at this critical time." Yes indeed,
if true. "Those Letters say, that, at a review, he caused two men
to be taken out of the line, and shot, without any cause assigned
for it, and ordered a third to be murdered in the same manner;
but the Major of the regiment venturing to intercede for him, his
Majesty drew his sword, and would have killed the Officer too, if
he, perceiving his madness, had not taken the liberty to save
himself, by disarming the King; who was immediately shut up;
and the Queen, his Mother, has taken the Regency upon herself till
his recovery." PAPAE! "I do not give you this news for certain; but
it is generally believed in town. Lord Chesterfield says, 'He is
only thought to be MAD in Germany, because he has MORE WIT than
other Germans.'
"The King of Sardinia's Retreat from his lines at Villa Franca, and
the loss of that Town [20th April, one of those furious tussles,
French and Spaniard VERSUS Sardinian Majesty, in the COULISSES or
side-scenes of the Italian War-Theatre, neither stage nor side-
scenes of which shall concern us in this place], certainly bear a
very ill aspect; but it is not considered as"--anything to speak
of; nor was it. "We expect with impatience to know what will be the
effect of the Dutch Ambassador to Paris,--[to Valenciennes, as it
turns out, King Louis, on his high errand to the Netherlands, being
got so far; and the "effect" was no effect at all, except good
words on his part, and persistence in the battering down of Menin
and the Dutch Barrier, of which we shall hear ere long].
"I pray God the Summer may be happy to us, by being more easy than
usual to you,"--dear Father, much suffering by incurable ailments.
"It is the only thing wanting to make Hagley Park a Paradise.
"Poor Pope is, I am afraid, going to resign all that can die of him
to death;"--did actually die, 30th May (10th June): a world-tragedy
that too, though in small compass, and acting itself next door, at
Twickenham, without noise; a star of the firmament going out;--
twin-star, Swift (Carteret's old friend), likewise going out, sunk
in the socket, "a driveller and a show." ... "I am, with the truest
respect and affection, dear Sir, your most dutiful Son,--
"GEORGE LYTTELTON."
[Ayscough, Lord Lyttelton's Miscellaneous Works,
(Lond., 1776), iii. 318.]
Friedrich returned from Pyrmont, 11th June; saw, with a grief of
his own, with many thoughts well hidden, his Sister Ulrique whirled
away from him, 26th July, in the gray of the summer dawn.
In Berlin, in Prussia, nobody but one is aware of worse just
coming. And now the War-drums suddenly awaken again; and poor
readers--not to speak of poor Prussia and its King!--must return to
that uncomfortable sphere, till things mend.
