InthemeantimetheCourtsofMadridandVersailles,exasperatedandalarmedbythefallofBarcelonaandbytherevoltofthesurroundingcountry,determinedtomakeagreateffort。Alargearmy,nominallycommandedbyPhilip,butreallyundertheordersofMarshalTesse,enteredCatalonia。AfleetundertheCountofToulouse,oneofthenaturalchildrenofLewistheFourteenth,appearedbeforetheportofBarcelona,Thecitywasattackedatoncebyseaandland。ThepersonoftheArchdukewasinconsiderabledanger。Peterborough,attheheadofaboutthreethousandmen,marchedwithgreatrapidityfromValencia。Togivebattle,withsosmallaforce,toagreatregulararmyundertheconductofaMarshalofFrance,wouldhavebeenmadness。TheEarlthereforemadewarafterthefashionoftheMinasandEmpecinadosofourowntime。Hetookhispostontheneighbouringmountains,harassedtheenemywithincessantalarms,cutofftheirstragglers,interceptedtheircommunicationswiththeinterior,andintroducedsupplies,bothofmenandprovisions,intothetown。Hesaw,however,thattheonlyhopeofthebesiegedwasonthesideofthesea。HiscommissionfromtheBritishGovernmentgavehimsupremepower,notonlyoverthearmy,but,wheneverheshouldbeactuallyonboard,overthenavyalso。Heputouttoseaatnightinanopenboat,withoutcommunicatinghisdesigntoanyperson。Hewaspickedupseveralleaguesfromtheshore,byoneoftheshipsoftheEnglishsquadron。Assoonashewasonboard,heannouncedhimselfasfirstincommand,andsentapinnacewithhisorderstotheAdmiral。Hadtheseordersbeengivenafewhoursearlier,itisprobablethatthewholeFrenchfleetwouldhavebeentaken。Asitwas,theCountofToulouseputouttosea。Theportwasopen。Thetownwasrelieved。OnthefollowingnighttheenemyraisedthesiegeandretreatedtoRoussillon。PeterboroughreturnedtoValencia,aplacewhichhepreferredtoeveryotherinSpain;andPhilip,whohadbeensomeweeksabsentfromhiswife,couldendurethemiseryofseparationnolonger,andflewtorejoinheratMadrid。
AtMadrid,however,itwasimpossibleforhimorforhertoremain。ThesplendidsuccesswhichPeterboroughhadobtainedontheeasterncoastofthePeninsulahadinspiredthesluggishGalwaywithemulation。HeadvancedintotheheartofSpain。
Berwickretreated。Alcantara,CiudadRodrigo,andSalamancafell,andtheconquerorsmarchedtowardsthecapital。
PhilipwasearnestlypressedbyhisadviserstoremovetheseatofgovernmenttoBurgos。TheadvanceguardofthealliedarmywasalreadyseenontheheightsaboveMadrid。Itwasknownthatthemainbodywasathand。TheunfortunatePrincefledwithhisQueenandhishousehold。Theroyalwanderers,aftertravellingeightdaysonbadroads,underaburningsun,andsleepingeightnightsinmiserablehovels,oneofwhichfelldownandnearlycrushedthembothtodeath,reachedthemetropolisofOldCastile。InthemeantimetheinvadershadenteredMadridintriumph,andhadproclaimedtheArchdukeinthestreetsoftheimperialcity。
Arragon,everjealousoftheCastilianascendency,followedtheexampleofCatalonia。Saragossarevoltedwithoutseeinganenemy。
ThegovernorwhomPhiliphadsetoverCarthagenabetrayedhistrust,andsurrenderedtotheAlliesthebestarsenalandthelastshipswhichSpainpossessed。
Toledohadbeenforsometimetheretreatoftwoambitious,turbulentandvindicativeintriguers,theQueenDowagerandCardinalPortoCarrero。Theyhadlongbeendeadlyenemies。TheyhadledtheadversefactionsofAustriaandFrance。EachhadinturndomineeredovertheweakanddisorderedmindofthelateKing。Atlengththeimposturesofthepriesthadtriumphedovertheblandishmentsofthewoman;PortoCarrerohadremainedvictorious;andtheQueenhadfledinshameandmortification,fromtheCourtwhereshehadoncebeensupreme。Inherretirementshewassoonjoinedbyhimwhoseartshaddestroyedherinfluence。TheCardinal,havingheldpowerjustlongenoughtoconvinceallpartiesofhisincompetency,hadbeendismissedtohisSee,cursinghisownfollyandtheingratitudeoftheHousewhichhehadservedtoowell。Commoninterestsandcommonenmitiesreconciledthefallenrivals。TheAustriantroopswereadmittedintoToledowithoutopposition。TheQueenDowagerflungoffthatmournfulgarbwhichthewidowofaKingofSpainwearsthroughherwholelife,andblazedforthinjewels。TheCardinalblessedthestandardsoftheinvadersinhismagnificentcathedral,andlighteduphispalaceinhonourofthegreatdeliverance。ItseemedthatthestrugglehadterminatedinfavouroftheArchduke,andthatnothingremainedforPhilipbutapromptflightintothedominionsofhisgrandfather。
SojudgedthosewhowereignorantofthecharacterandhabitsoftheSpanishpeople。ThereisnocountryinEuropewhichitissoeasytooverrunasSpain,thereisnocountryinEuropewhichitismoredifficulttoconquer。NothingcanbemorecontemptiblethantheregularmilitaryresistancewhichSpainofferstoaninvader;nothingmoreformidablethantheenergywhichsheputsforthwhenherregularmilitaryresistancehasbeenbeatendown。
Herarmieshavelongbornetoomuchresemblancetomobs;buthermobshavehad,inanunusualdegree,thespiritofarmies。Thesoldier,ascomparedwithothersoldiers,isdeficientinmilitaryqualities;butthepeasanthasasmuchofthosequalitiesasthesoldier。Innocountryhavesuchstrongfortressesbeentakenbysurprise:innocountryhaveunfortifiedtownsmadesofuriousandobstinatearesistancetogreatarmies。
WarinSpainhas,fromthedaysoftheRomans,hadacharacterofitsown;itisafirewhichcannotberakedout;itburnsfiercelyundertheembers;andlongafterithas,toallseeming,beenextinguished,burstsforthmoreviolentlythanever。Thiswasseeninthelastwar。SpainhadnoarmywhichcouldhavelookedinthefaceanequalnumberofFrenchorPrussiansoldiers;butonedaylaidthePrussianmonarchyinthedust;onedayputthecrownofFranceatthedisposalofinvaders。NoJena,noWaterloo,wouldhaveenabledJosephtoreigninquietatMadrid。
TheconductoftheCastiliansthroughouttheWaroftheSuccessionwasmostcharacteristic。Withalltheoddsofnumberandsituationontheirside,theyhadbeenignominiouslybeaten。
AlltheEuropeandependenciesoftheSpanishcrownwerelost。
Catalonia,Arragon,andValenciahadacknowledgedtheAustrianPrince。Gibraltarhadbeentakenbyafewsailors;Barcelonastormedbyafewdismounteddragoons。TheinvadershadpenetratedintothecentreofthePeninsula,andwerequarteredatMadridandToledo。Whiletheseeventshadbeeninprogress,thenationhadscarcelygivenasignoflife。Therichcouldhardlybeprevailedontogiveortolendforthesupportofwar;thetroopshadshownneitherdisciplinenorcourage;andnowatlast,whenitseemedthatallwaslost,whenitseemedthatthemostsanguinemustrelinquishallhope,thenationalspiritawoke,fierce,proud,andunconquerable。Thepeoplehadbeensluggishwhenthecircumstancesmightwellhaveinspiredhope;theyreservedalltheirenergyforwhatappearedtobeaseasonofdespair。Castile,Leon,Andalusia,Estremadura,roseatonce;
everypeasantprocuredafirelockorapike;theAlliesweremastersonlyofthegroundonwhichtheytrod。Nosoldiercouldwanderahundredyardsfromthemainbodyoftheinvadingarmywithoutimminentriskofbeingponiarded。ThecountrythroughwhichtheconquerorshadpassedtoMadrid,andwhich,astheythought,theyhadsubdued,wasallinarmsbehindthem。TheircommunicationswithPortugalwerecutoff。Inthemeantime,moneybegan,forthefirsttime,toflowrapidlyintothetreasuryofthefugitiveKing。"Thedaybeforeyesterday,"saysthePrincessOrsini,inaletterwrittenatthistime,"thepriestofavillagewhichcontainsonlyahundredandtwentyhousesbroughtahundredandtwentypistolestotheQueen。’Myflock,’saidhe,’areashamedtosendyousolittle;buttheybegyoutobelievethatinthispursethereareahundredandtwentyheartsfaithfuleventothedeath。’Thegoodmanweptashespoke;andindeedwewepttoo。Yesterdayanothersmallvillage,inwhichthereareonlytwentyhouses,sentusfiftypistoles。"
WhiletheCastilianswereeverywherearminginthecauseofPhilip,theAllieswereservingthatcauseaseffectuallybytheirmismanagement。GalwaystaidatMadrid,wherehissoldiersindulgedinsuchboundlesslicentiousnessthatonehalfofthemwereinthehospitals。CharlesremaineddawdlinginCatalonia。
PeterboroughhadtakenRequena,andwishedtomarchfromValenciatowardsMadrid,andtoeffectajunctionwithGalway;buttheArchdukerefusedhisconsenttotheplan。Theindignantgeneralremainedaccordinglyinhisfavouritecity,onthebeautifulshoresoftheMediterranean,readingDonQuixote,givingballsandsuppers,tryinginvaintogetsomegoodsportoutoftheValenciabulls,andmakinglove,notinvain,totheValencianwomen。
AtlengththeArchdukeadvancedintoCastile,andorderedPeterboroughtojoinhim。Butitwastoolate。BerwickhadalreadycompelledGalwaytoevacuateMadrid;and,whenthewholeforceoftheAllieswascollectedatGuadalaxara,itwasfoundtobedecidedlyinferiorinnumberstothatoftheenemy。
Peterboroughformedaplanforregainingpossessionofthecapital。HisplanwasrejectedbyCharles。Thepatienceofthesensitiveandvaingloriousherowaswornout。HehadnoneofthatserenityoftemperwhichenabledMarlboroughtoactinperfectharmonywithEugene,andtoendurethevexatiousinterferenceoftheDutchdeputies。Hedemandedpermissiontoleavethearmy。
Permissionwasreadilygranted;andhesetoutforItaly。Thattheremightbesomepretextforhisdeparture,hewascommissionedbytheArchduketoraisealoaninGenoa,onthecreditoftherevenuesofSpain。
FromthatmomenttotheendofthecampaignthetideoffortuneranstrongagainsttheAustriancause。BerwickhadplacedhisarmybetweentheAlliesandthefrontiersofPortugal。TheyretreatedonValencia,andarrivedinthatProvince,leavingabouttenthousandprisonersinthehandsoftheenemy。
InJanuary1707,PeterborougharrivedatValenciafromItaly,nolongerbearingapubliccharacter,butmerelyasavolunteer。Hisadvicewasasked,anditseemstohavebeenmostjudicious。HegaveitashisdecidedopinionthatnooffensiveoperationsagainstCastileoughttobeundertaken。Itwouldbeeasy,hesaid,todefendArragon,Catalonia,andValencia,againstPhilip。
TheinhabitantsofthosepartsofSpainwereattachedtothecauseoftheArchduke;andthearmiesoftheHouseofBourbonwouldberesistedbythewholepopulation。InashorttimetheenthusiasmoftheCastiliansmightabate。ThegovernmentofPhilipmightcommitunpopularacts。DefeatsintheNetherlandsmightcompelLewistowithdrawthesuccourswhichhehadfurnishedtohisgrandson。Thenwouldbethetimetostrikeadecisiveblow。Thisexcellentadvicewasrejected。Peterborough,whohadnowreceivedformallettersofrecallfromEngland,departedbeforetheopeningofthecampaign;andwithhimdepartedthegoodfortuneoftheAllies。Scarcelyanygeneralhadeverdonesomuchwithmeanssosmall。Scarcelyanygeneralhadeverdisplayedequaloriginalityandboldness。Hepossessed,inthehighestdegree,theartofconciliatingthosewhomhehadsubdued。Buthewasnotequallysuccessfulinwinningtheattachmentofthosewithwhomheacted。HewasadoredbytheCataloniansandValencians;buthewashatedbytheprincewhomhehadallbutmadeagreatking,andbythegeneralswhosefortuneandreputationwerestakedonthesameventurewithhisown。TheEnglishGovernmentcouldnotunderstandhim。Hewassoeccentricthattheygavehimnocreditforthejudgmentwhichhereallypossessed。Onedayhetooktownswithhorse—soldiers;thenagainheturnedsomehundredsofinfantryintocavalryataminute’snotice。Heobtainedhispoliticalintelligencechieflybymeansofloveaffairs,andfilledhisdespatcheswithepigrams。TheministersthoughtthatitwouldbehighlyimpolitictointrusttheconductoftheSpanishwartosovolatileandromanticaperson。TheythereforegavethecommandtoLordGalway,anexperiencedveteran,amanwhowasinwarwhatMoliere’sdoctorswereinmedicine,whothoughtitmuchmorehonourabletofailaccordingtorule,thantosucceedbyinnovation,andwhowouldhavebeenverymuchashamedofhimselfifhehadtakenMonjuichbymeanssostrangeasthosewhichPeterboroughemployed。Thisgreatcommanderconductedthecampaignof1707inthemostscientificmanner。OntheplainofAlmanzaheencounteredthearmyoftheBourbons。Hedrewuphistroopsaccordingtothemethodsprescribedbythebestwriters,andinafewhourslosteighteenthousandmen,ahundredandtwentystandards,allhisbaggageandallhisartillery。ValenciaandArragonwereinstantlyconqueredbytheFrench,and,atthecloseoftheyear,themountainousprovinceofCataloniawastheonlypartofSpainwhichstilladheredtoCharles。
"Doyouremember,child,"saysthefoolishwomanintheSpectatortoherhusband,"thatthepigeon—housefelltheveryafternoonthatourcarelesswenchspiltthesaltuponthetable?""Yes,mydear,"repliesthegentleman,"andthenextpostbroughtusanaccountofthebattleofAlmanza。"TheapproachofdisasterinSpainhadbeenforsometimeindicatedbyomensmuchclearerthanthemishapofthesalt—cellar;anungratefulprince,anundisciplinedarmy,adividedcouncil,envytriumphantovermerit,amanofgeniusrecalled,apedantandasluggardintrustedwithsupremecommand。ThebattleofAlmanzadecidedthefateofSpain。ThelosswassuchasMarlboroughorEugenecouldscarcelyhaveretrieved,andwascertainlynottoberetrievedbyStanhopeandStaremberg。
Stanhope,whotookthecommandoftheEnglisharmyinCatalonia,wasamanofrespectableabilities,bothinmilitaryandcivilaffairs,butfitter,weconceive,forasecondthanforafirstplace。LordMahon,withhisusualcandour,tellsus,whatwebelievewasnotknownbefore,thathisancestor’smostdistinguishedexploit,theconquestofMinorca,wassuggestedbyMarlborough。Staremberg,amethodicaltacticianoftheGermanschool,wassentbytheemperortocommandinSpain。Twolanguidcampaignsfollowed,duringwhichneitherofthehostilearmiesdidanythingmemorable,butduringwhichbothwerenearlystarved。
Atlength,in1710,thechiefsoftheAlliedforcesresolvedtoventureonboldermeasures。Theybeganthecampaignwithadaringmove,pushedintoArragon,defeatedthetroopsofPhilipatAlmenara,defeatedthemagainatSaragossa,andadvancedtoMadrid。TheKingwasagainafugitive。TheCastilianssprangtoarmswiththesameenthusiasmwhichtheyhaddisplayedin1706。
Theconquerorsfoundthecapitaladesert。Thepeopleshutthemselvesupintheirhouses,andrefusedtopayanymarkofrespecttotheAustrianprince。Itwasnecessarytohireafewchildrentoshoutbeforehiminthestreets。Meanwhile,theCourtofPhilipatValladolidwasthrongedbynoblesandprelates。
ThirtythousandpeoplefollowedtheirKingfromMadridtohisnewresidence。Womenofrank,ratherthanremainbehind,performedthejourneyonfoot。Thepeasantsenlistedbythousands。Money,arms,andprovisions,weresuppliedinabundancebythezealofthepeople。ThecountryroundMadridwasinfestedbysmallpartiesofirregularhorse。TheAlliescouldnotsendoffadespatchtoArragon,orintroduceasupplyofprovisionsintothecapital。ItwasunsafefortheArchduketohuntintheimmediatevicinityofthepalacewhichheoccupied。
ThewishofStanhopewastowinterinCastile。Buthestoodaloneinthecouncilofwar;and,indeeditisnoteasytounderstandhowtheAlliescouldhavemaintainedthemselves,throughsounpropitiousaseason,inthemidstofsohostileapopulation。
Charles,whosepersonalsafetywasthefirstobjectofthegenerals,wassentwithanescortofcavalrytoCataloniainNovember;andinDecemberthearmycommenceditsretreattowardsArragon。
ButtheAllieshadtodowithamaster—spirit。TheKingofFrancehadlatelysenttheDukeofVendometocommandinSpain。Thismanwasdistinguishedbythefilthinessofhisperson,bythebrutalityofhisdemeanour,bythegrossbuffooneryofhisconversation,andbytheimpudencewithwhichheabandonedhimselftothemostnauseousofallvices。Hissluggishnesswasalmostincredible。Evenwhenengagedinacampaign,heoftenpassedwholedaysinhisbed。HisstrangetorpidityhadbeenthecauseofsomeofthemostseriousdisasterswhichthearmiesoftheHouseofBourbonhadsustained。Butwhenhewasrousedbyanygreatemergency,hisresources,hisenergy,andhispresenceofmind,weresuchashadbeenfoundinnoFrenchgeneralsincethedeathofLuxembourg。
Atthiscrisis,Vendomewasallhimself。HesetoutfromTalaverawithhistroops,andpursuedtheretreatingarmyoftheAllieswithaspeedperhapsneverequalled,insuchaseason,andinsuchacountry。Hemarchednightandday。Heswam,attheheadofhiscavalry,thefloodedstreamofHenares,and,inafewdays,overtookStanhope,whowasatBrihuegawiththeleftwingoftheAlliedarmy。"Nobodywithme,"saystheEnglishgeneral,imaginedthattheyhadanyfootwithinsomedays’marchofusandourmisfortuneisowingtotheincrediblediligencewhichtheirarmymade。"Stanhopehadbutjusttimetosendoffamessengertothecentreofthearmy,whichwassomeleaguesfromBrihuega,beforeVendomewasuponhim。Thetownwasinvestedoneveryside。Thewallswerebatteredwithcannon。Aminewassprungunderoneofthegates。TheEnglishkeptupaterriblefiretilltheirpowderwasspent。Theythenfoughtdesperatelywiththebayonetagainstoverwhelmingodds。Theyburnedthehouseswhichtheassailantshadtaken。Butallwastonopurpose。TheBritishgeneralsawthatresistancecouldproduceonlyauselesscarnage。Heconcludedacapitulation;andhisgallantlittlearmybecameprisonersofwaronhonourableterms。
ScarcelyhadVendomesignedthecapitulation,whenhelearnedthatStarembergwasmarchingtothereliefofStanhope。
Preparationswereinstantlymadeforageneralaction。OnthedayfollowingthatonwhichtheEnglishhaddelivereduptheirarms,wasfoughttheobstinateandbloodyfightofVillaViciosa。
Starembergremainedmasterofthefield。Vendomereapedallthefruitsofthebattle。TheAlliesspikedtheircannon,andretiredtowardsArragon。ButeveninArragontheyfoundnoplacetorest。
Vendomewasbehindthem。Theguerillapartieswerearoundthem。
TheyfledtoCatalonia;butCataloniawasinvadedbyaFrencharmyfromRoussillon。AtlengththeAustriangeneral,withsixthousandharassedanddispiritedmen,theremainsofagreatandvictoriousarmy,tookrefugeinBarcelona,almosttheonlyplaceinSpainwhichstillrecognisedtheauthorityofCharles。
PhilipwasnowmuchsaferatMadridthanhisgrandfatheratParis。AllhopeofconqueringSpaininSpainwasatanend。ButinotherquarterstheHouseofBourbonwasreducedtothelastextremity。TheFrencharmieshadundergoneaseriesofdefeatsinGermany,inItaly,andintheNetherlands。Animmenseforce,flushedwithvictory,andcommandedbythegreatestgeneralsoftheage,wasonthebordersofFrance。Lewishadbeenforcedtohumblehimselfbeforetheconquerors。Hehadevenofferedtoabandonthecauseofhisgrandson;andhisofferhadbeenrejected。Butagreatturninaffairswasapproaching。
TheEnglishadministrationwhichhadcommencedthewaragainsttheHouseofBourbonwasanadministrationcomposedofTories。
ButthewarwasaWhigwar。ItwasthefavouriteschemeofWilliam,theWhigKing。Lewishadprovokeditbyrecognising,assovereignofEngland,aprincepeculiarlyhatefultotheWhigs。
IthadplacedEnglandinapositionofmarkedhostilitytothatpowerfromwhichalonethePretendercouldexpectefficientsuccour。IthadjoinedEnglandintheclosestuniontoaProtestantandrepublicanState,toaStatewhichhadassistedinbringingabouttheRevolution,andwhichwaswillingtoguaranteetheexecutionoftheActofSettlement。MarlboroughandGodolphinfoundthattheyweremorezealouslysupportedbytheiroldopponentsthanbytheiroldassociates。ThoseministerswhowerezealousforthewarweregraduallyconvertedtoWhiggism。Therestdroppedoff,andweresucceededbyWhigs。CowperbecameChancellor。Sunderland,inspiteoftheveryjustantipathyofAnne,wasmadeSecretaryofState。OnthedeathofthePrinceofDenmarkamoreextensivechangetookplace。WhartonbecameLordLieutenantofIreland,andSomers,PresidentoftheCouncil。AtlengththeadministrationwaswhollyinthehandsoftheLowChurchparty。
Intheyear1710aviolentchangetookplace。TheQueenhadalwaysbeenaToryatheart。HerreligiousfeelingswereallonthesideoftheEstablishedChurch。Herfamilyfeelingspleadedinfavourofherexiledbrother。Herselfishfeelingsdisposedhertofavourthezealotsofprerogative。TheaffectionwhichshefeltfortheDuchessofMarlboroughwasthegreatsecurityoftheWhigs。Thataffectionhadatlengthturnedtodeadlyaversion。
WhilethegreatpartywhichhadlongswayedthedestiniesofEuropewasunderminedbybedchamberwomenatSt。James’s,aviolentstormgatheredinthecountry。AfoolishparsonhadpreachedafoolishsermonagainsttheprinciplesoftheRevolution。ThewisestmembersoftheGovernmentwereforlettingthemanalone。ButGodolphin,inflamedwithallthezealofanew—madeWhig,andexasperatedbyanicknamewhichwasappliedtohiminthisunfortunatediscourse,insistedthatthepreachershouldbeimpeached。TheexhortationsofthemildandsagaciousSomersweredisregarded。Theimpeachmentwasbrought;thedoctorwasconvicted;andtheaccuserswereruined。Theclergycametotherescueofthepersecutedclergyman。Thecountrygentlemencametotherescueoftheclergy。AdisplayofToryfeelings,suchasEnglandhadnotwitnessedsincetheclosingyearsofCharlestheSecond’sreign,appalledtheministersandgaveboldnesstotheQueen。SheturnedouttheWhigs,calledHarleyandSt。Johntopower,anddissolvedtheParliament。TheelectionswentstronglyagainstthelateGovernment。Stanhope,whohadinhisabsence,beenputinnominationforWestminster,wasdefeatedbyaTorycandidate。Thenewministers,findingthemselvesmastersofthenewParliament,wereinducedbythestrongestmotivestoconcludeapeacewithFrance。ThewholesystemofallianceinwhichthecountrywasengagedwasaWhigsystem。ThegeneralbywhomtheEnglisharmieshadconstantlybeenledtovictory,andforwhomitwasimpossibletofindasubstitute,wasnowwhateverhemightformerlyhavebeen,aWhiggeneral。IfMarlboroughwerediscardeditwasprobablethatsomegreatdisasterwouldfollow。Yetifheweretoretainhiscommand,everygreatactionwhichhemightperformwouldraisethecreditofthepartyinopposition。
ApeacewasthereforeconcludedbetweenEnglandandthePrincesoftheHouseofBourbon。OfthatpeaceLordMahonspeaksintermsoftheseverestreprehension。Heis,indeed,anexcellentWhigofthetimeofthefirstLordStanhope。"Icannotbutpauseforamoment,"sayshe,"toobservehowmuchthecourseofacenturyhasinvertedthemeaningofourpartynicknames,howmuchamodernToryresemblesaWhigofQueenAnne’sreign,andaToryofQueenAnne’sreignamodernWhig。"
WegrantonehalfofLordMahon’sproposition:fromtheotherhalfwealtogetherdissent。WeallowthatamodernToryresembles,inmanythings,aWhigofQueenAnne’sreign。Itisnaturalthatsuchshouldbethecase。Theworstthingsofoneageoftenresemblethebestthingsofanother。Amodernshopkeeper’shouseisaswellfurnishedasthehouseofaconsiderablemerchantinAnne’sreign。VeryplainpeoplenowwearfinercloththanBeauFieldingorBeauEdgeworthcouldhaveprocuredinQueenAnne’sreign。WewouldrathertrusttotheapothecaryofamodernvillagethantothephysicianofalargetowninAnne’sreign。A
modernboarding—schoolmisscouldtellthemostlearnedprofessorofAnne’sreignsomethingsingeography,astronomy,andchemistry,whichwouldsurprisehim。
Thescienceofgovernmentisanexperimentalscience;andthereforeitis,likeallotherexperimentalsciences,aprogressivescience。LordMahonwouldhavebeenaverygoodWhiginthedaysofHarley。ButHarley,whomLordMahoncensuressoseverely,wasveryWhiggishwhencomparedevenwithClarendon;
andClarendonwasquiteademocratwhencomparedwithLordBurleigh。IfLordMahonlives,aswehopehewill,fiftyyearslonger,wehavenodoubtthat,ashenowboastsoftheresemblancewhichtheToriesofourtimebeartotheWhigsoftheRevolution,hewillthenboastoftheresemblancebornebytheToriesof1882tothoseimmortalpatriots,theWhigsoftheReformBill。
Society,webelieve,isconstantlyadvancinginknowledge。Thetailisnowwheretheheadwassomegenerationsago。Buttheheadandthetailstillkeeptheirdistance。AnurseofthiscenturyisaswiseasajusticeofthequorumandcustaloruminShallow’stime。ThewoodenspoonofthisyearwouldpuzzleaseniorwranglerofthereignofGeorgetheSecond。AboyfromtheNationalSchoolreadsandspellsbetterthanhalftheknightsoftheshireintheOctoberClub。Butthereisstillaswideadifferenceaseverbetweenjusticesandnurses,seniorwranglersandwoodenspoons,membersofParliamentandchildrenatcharityschools。Inthesameway,thoughaTorymaynowbeverylikewhataWhigwasahundredandtwentyyearsago,theWhigisasmuchinadvanceoftheToryasever。Thestag,intheTreatiseontheBathos,who"fearedhishindfeetwouldo’ertakethefore,"wasnotmoremistakenthanLordMahon,ifhethinksthathehasreallycomeupwiththeWhigs。Theabsolutepositionofthepartieshasbeenaltered;therelativepositionremainsunchanged。Throughthewholeofthatgreatmovement,whichbeganbeforetheseparty—namesexisted,andwhichwillcontinueaftertheyhavebecomeobsolete,throughthewholeofthatgreatmovementofwhichtheCharterofJohn,theinstitutionoftheHouseofCommons,theextinctionofVillanage,theseparationfromtheseeofRome,theexpulsionoftheStuarts,thereformoftheRepresentativeSystem,aresuccessivestages,therehavebeen,undersomenameorother,twosetsofmen,thosewhowerebeforetheirage,andthosewhowerebehindit,thosewhowerethewisestamongtheircontemporaries,andthosewhogloriedinbeingnowiserthantheirgreat—grandfathers。Itisdreadfultothink,that,induetime,thelastofthosewhostraggleintherearofthegreatmarchwilloccupytheplacenowoccupiedbytheadvancedguard。TheToryParliamentof1710wouldhavepassedforamostliberalParliamentinthedaysofElizabeth;andthereareatpresentfewmembersoftheConservativeClubwhowouldnothavebeenfullyqualifiedtositwithHalifaxandSomersattheKit—cat。
Though,therefore,weadmitthatamodernTorybearssomeresemblancetoaWhigofQueenAnne’sreign,wecanbynomeansadmitthataToryofAnne’sreignresembledamodernWhig。HavethemodernWhigspassedlawsforthepurposeofclosingtheentranceoftheHouseofCommonsagainstthenewinterestscreatedbytrade?DothemodernWhigsholdthedoctrineofdivineright?HavethemodernWhigslabouredtoexcludeallDissentersfromofficeandpower?ThemodernWhigsare,indeed,atthepresentmoment,liketheToriesof1712,desirousofpeace,andofcloseunionwithFrance。ButistherenodifferencebetweentheFranceof1712andtheFranceof1832?IsFrancenowthestrongholdofthe"Popishtyranny"andthe"arbitrarypower"
againstwhichourancestorsfoughtandprayed?LordMahonwillfind,wethink,thathisparallelis,inallessentialcircumstances,asincorrectasthatwhichFluellendrewbetweenMacedonandMonmouth,orasthatwhichaningeniousTorylatelydiscoveredbetweenArchbishopWilliamsandArchbishopVernon。
WeagreewithLordMahoninthinkinghighlyoftheWhigsofQueenAnne’sreign。Butthatpartoftheirconductwhichheselectsforespecialpraiseispreciselythepartwhichwethinkmostobjectionable。Wereverethemasthegreatchampionsofpoliticalandofintellectualliberty。Itistruethat,whenraisedtopower,theywerenotexemptfromthefaultswhichpowernaturallyengenders。Itistruethattheyweremenbornintheseventeenthcentury,andthattheywerethereforeignorantofmanytruthswhicharefamiliartothemenofthenineteenthcentury。Buttheywere,whatthereformersoftheChurchwerebeforethem,andwhatthereformersoftheHouseofCommonshavebeensince,theleadersoftheirspeciesinarightdirection。Itistruethattheydidnotallowtopoliticaldiscussionthatlatitudewhichtousappearsreasonableandsafe;buttothemweowetheremovaloftheCensorship。Itistruethattheydidnotcarrytheprincipleofreligiouslibertytoitsfullextent;buttothemweowetheTolerationAct。
Though,however,wethinkthattheWhigsofAnne’sreignwere,asabody,farsuperiorinwisdomandpublicvirtuetotheircontemporariestheTories,webynomeansholdourselvesboundtodefendallthemeasuresofourfavouriteparty。Alifeofaction,ifitistobeuseful,mustbealifeofcompromise。Butspeculationadmitsofnocompromise。Apublicmanisoftenunderthenecessityofconsentingtomeasureswhichhedislikes,lestheshouldendangerthesuccessofmeasureswhichhethinksofvitalimportance。Butthehistorianliesundernosuchnecessity。
Onthecontrary,itisoneofhismostsacreddutiestopointoutclearlytheerrorsofthosewhosegeneralconductheadmires。
Itseemstous,then,that,onthegreatquestionwhichdividedEnglandduringthelastfouryearsofAnne’sreign,theTorieswereintheright,andtheWhigsinthewrong。Thatquestionwas,whetherEnglandoughttoconcludepeacewithoutexactingfromPhiliparesignationoftheSpanishcrown?
Noparliamentarystruggle,fromthetimeoftheExclusionBilltothetimeoftheReformBill,hasbeensoviolentasthatwhichtookplacebetweentheauthorsoftheTreatyofUtrechtandtheWarParty。TheCommonswereforpeace;theLordswereforvigoroushostilities。TheQueenwascompelledtochoosewhichofhertwohighestprerogativesshewouldexercise,whethershewouldcreatePeers,ordissolvetheParliament。
Thetiesofpartysupersededthetiesofneighbourhoodandofblood。Themembersofthehostilefactionswouldscarcelyspeaktoeachother,orbowtoeachother。Thewomenappearedatthetheatresbearingthebadgesoftheirpoliticalsect。TheschismextendedtothemostremotecountiesofEngland。Talents,suchashadseldombeforebeendisplayedinpoliticalcontroversy,wereenlistedintheserviceofthehostileparties。OnonesidewasSteele,gay,lively,drunkwithanimalspiritsandwithfactiousanimosity,andAddison,withhispolishedsatire,hisinexhaustiblefertilityoffancy,andhisgracefulsimplicityofstyle。Inthefrontoftheoppositeranksappearedadarkerandfiercerspirit,theapostatepolitician,theribaldpriest,theperjuredlover,aheartburningwithhatredagainstthewholehumanrace,amindrichlystoredwithimagesfromthedung—hillandthelazar—house。Theministerstriumphed,andthepeacewasconcluded。Thencamethereaction。Anewsovereignascendedthethrone。TheWhigsenjoyedtheconfidenceoftheKingandoftheParliament。TheunjustseveritywithwhichtheTorieshadtreatedMarlboroughandWalpolewasmorethanretaliated。HarleyandPriorwerethrownintoprison;BolingbrokeandOrmondwerecompelledtotakerefugeinaforeignland。Thewoundsinflictedinthisdesperateconflictcontinuedtorankleformanyyears。ItwaslongbeforethemembersofeitherpartycoulddiscussthequestionofthepeaceofUtrechtwithcalmnessandimpartiality。
ThattheWhigministershadsoldustotheDutch;thattheToryministershadsoldustotheFrench;thatthewarhadbeencarriedononlytofillthepocketsofMarlborough;thatthepeacehadbeenconcludedonlytofacilitatethereturnofthePretender;theseimputationsandmanyothers,utterlyungrounded,orgrosslyexaggerated,werehurledbackwardandforwardbythepoliticaldisputantsofthelastcentury。Inourtimethequestionmaybediscussedwithoutirritation。Wewillstate,asconciselyaspossible,thereasonswhichhaveledustotheconclusionatwhichwehavearrived。
Thedangerswhichweretobeapprehendedfromthepeaceweretwo;
first,thedangerthatPhilipmightbeinduced,byfeelingsofprivateaffection,toactinstrictconcertwiththeelderbranchofhishouse,tofavourtheFrenchtradeattheexpenseofEngland,andtosidewiththeFrenchGovernmentinfuturewars;
secondly,thedangerthattheposterityoftheDukeofBurgundymightbecomeextinct,thatPhilipmightbecomeheirbybloodtotheFrenchcrown,andthatthustwogreatmonarchiesmightbeunitedunderonesovereign。
Thefirstdangerappearstousaltogetherchimerical。Familyaffectionhasseldomproducedmucheffectonthepolicyofprinces。ThestateofEuropeatthetimeofthepeaceofUtrechtprovedthatinpoliticsthetiesofinterestaremuchstrongerthanthoseofconsanguinityoraffinity。TheElectorofBavariahadbeendrivenfromhisdominionsbyhisfather—in—law;VictorAmadeuswasinarmsagainsthissons—in—law;Annewasseatedonathronefromwhichshehadassistedtopushamostindulgentfather。ItistruethatPhiliphadbeenaccustomedfromchildhoodtoregardhisgrandfatherwithprofoundveneration。Itwasprobable,therefore,thattheinfluenceofLewisatMadridwouldbeverygreat。ButLewiswasmorethanseventyyearsold;hecouldnotlivelong;hisheirwasaninfantinthecradle。TherewassurelynoreasontothinkthatthepolicyoftheKingofSpainwouldbeswayedbyhisregardforanephewwhomhehadneverseen。
Infact,soonafterthepeace,thetwobranchesoftheHouseofBourbonbegantoquarrel。AclosealliancewasformedbetweenPhilipandCharles,latelycompetitorsfortheCastiliancrown。A
Spanishprincess,betrothedtotheKingofFrance,wassentbackinthemostinsultingmannertohernativecountry;andadecreewasputforthbytheCourtofMadridcommandingeveryFrenchmantoleaveSpain。Itistruethat,fiftyyearsafterthepeaceofUtrecht,anallianceofpeculiarstrictnesswasformedbetweentheFrenchandSpanishGovernments。ButbothGovernmentswereactuatedonthatoccasion,notbydomesticaffection,butbycommoninterestsandcommonenmities。Theircompact,thoughcalledtheFamilyCompact,wasaspurelyapoliticalcompactastheleagueofCambraiortheleagueofPilnitz。
TheseconddangerwasthatPhilipmighthavesucceededtothecrownofhisnativecountry。Thisdidnothappen;butitmighthavehappened;andatonetimeitseemedverylikelytohappen。A
sicklychildalonestoodbetweentheKingofSpainandtheheritageofLewistheFourteenth。Philip,itistrue,solemnlyrenouncedhisclaimtotheFrenchcrown。ButthemannerinwhichhehadobtainedpossessionoftheSpanishcrownhadprovedtheinefficacyofsuchrenunciations。TheFrenchlawyersdeclaredPhilip’srenunciationnull,asbeinginconsistentwiththefundamentallawoftherealm。TheFrenchpeoplewouldprobablyhavesidedwithhimwhomtheywouldhaveconsideredastherightfulheir。SaintSimon,thoughmuchlesszealousforhereditarymonarchythanmostofhiscountrymen,andthoughstronglyattachedtotheRegent,declared,inthepresenceofthatprince,thatheneverwouldsupporttheclaimsoftheHouseofOrleansagainstthoseoftheKingofSpain。"Ifsuch,"hesaid,"bemyfeelings,whatmustbethefeelingsofothers?"
Bolingbroke,itiscertain,wasfullyconvincedthattherenunciationwasworthnomorethanthepaperonwhichitwaswritten,anddemandeditonlyforthepurposeofblindingtheEnglishParliamentandpeople。
Yet,thoughitwasatonetimeprobablethattheposterityoftheDukeofBurgundywouldbecomeextinct,andthoughitisalmostcertainthat,iftheposterityoftheDukeofBurgundyhadbecomeextinct,PhilipwouldhavesuccessfullypreferredhisclaimtothecrownofFrance,westilldefendtheprincipleoftheTreatyofUtrecht。Inthefirstplace,Charleshad,soonafterthebattleofVilla—Viciosa,inherited,bythedeathofhiselderbrother,allthedominionsoftheHouseofAustria。Surely,iftothesedominionshehadaddedthewholemonarchyofSpain,thebalanceofpowerwouldhavebeenseriouslyendangered。TheunionoftheAustriandominionsandSpainwouldnot,itistrue,havebeensoalarminganeventastheunionofFranceandSpain。ButCharleswasactuallyEmperor。Philipwasnot,andnevermightbe,KingofFrance。Thecertaintyofthelessevilmightwellbesetagainstthechanceofthegreaterevil。
But,infact,wedonotbelievethatSpainwouldlonghaveremainedunderthegovernmenteitherofanEmperororofaKingofFrance。ThecharacteroftheSpanishpeoplewasabettersecuritytothenationsofEuropethananywill,anyinstrumentofrenunciation,oranytreaty。ThesameenergywhichthepeopleofCastilehadputforthwhenMadridwasoccupiedbytheAlliedarmies,theywouldhaveagainputforthassoonasitappearedthattheircountrywasabouttobecomeaFrenchprovince。Thoughtheywerenolongermastersabroad,theywerebynomeansdisposedtoseeforeignerssetoverthemathome。IfPhiliphadattemptedtogovernSpainbymandatesfromVersailles,asecondGrandAlliancewouldeasilyhaveeffectedwhatthefirsthadfailedtoaccomplish。TheSpanishnationwouldhaveralliedagainsthimaszealouslyasithadbeforeralliedroundhim。Andofthisheseemstohavebeenfullyaware。Formanyyearsthefavouritehopeofhisheartwasthathemightascendthethroneofhisgrandfather;butheseemsnevertohavethoughtitpossiblethathecouldreignatonceinthecountryofhisadoptionandinthecountryofhisbirth。
Thesewerethedangersofthepeace;andtheyseemtoustobeofnoveryformidablekind。Againstthesedangersaretobesetofftheevilsofwarandtheriskoffailure。Theevilsofthewar,thewasteoflife,thesuspensionoftrade,theexpenditureofwealth,theaccumulationofdebt,requirenoillustration。Thechancesoffailureitisdifficultatthisdistanceoftimetocalculatewithaccuracy。Butwethinkthatanestimateapproximatingtothetruthmay,withoutmuchdifficulty,beformed。TheAllieshadbeenvictoriousinGermany,Italy,andFlanders。ItwasbynomeansimprobablethattheymightfighttheirwayintotheveryheartofFrance。Butatnotimesincethecommencementofthewarhadtheirprospectsbeensodarkinthatcountrywhichwastheveryobjectofthestruggle。InSpaintheyheldonlyafewsquareleagues。Thetemperofthegreatmajorityofthenationwasdecidedlyhostiletothem。Iftheyhadpersisted,iftheyhadobtainedsuccessequaltotheirhighestexpectations,iftheyhadgainedaseriesofvictoriesassplendidasthoseofBlenheimandRamilies,ifParishadfallen,ifLewishadbeenaprisoner,westilldoubtwhethertheywouldhaveaccomplishedtheirobject。Theywouldstillhavehadtocarryoninterminablehostilitiesagainstthewholepopulationofacountrywhichaffordspeculiarfacilitiestoirregularwarfare,andinwhichinvadingarmiessuffermorefromfaminethanfromthesword。
Weare,therefore,forthepeaceofUtrecht。Weareindeednoadmirersofthestatesmenwhoconcludedthatpeace。Harley,webelieve,wasasolemntrifler,St。Johnabrilliantknave。Thegreatbodyoftheirfollowersconsistedofthecountryclergyandthecountrygentry;twoclassesofmenwhoweretheninferiorinintelligencetodecentshopkeepersorfarmersofourtime。ParsonBarnabas,ParsonTrulliber,SirWilfulWitwould,SirFrancisWronghead,SquireWestern,SquireSullen,suchwerethepeoplewhocomposedthemainstrengthoftheTorypartyduringthesixtyyearswhichfollowedtheRevolution。ItistruethatthemeansbywhichtheToriescameintopowerin1710weremostdisreputable。
Itistruethatthemannerinwhichtheyusedtheirpowerwasoftenunjustandcruel。Itistruethat,inordertobringabouttheirfavouriteprojectofpeace,theyresortedtoslanderanddeception,withouttheslightestscruple。ItistruethattheypassedoffontheBritishnationarenunciationwhichtheyknewtobeinvalid。ItistruethattheygaveuptheCatalanstothevengeanceofPhilip,inamannerinconsistentwithhumanityandnationalhonour。ButonthegreatquestionofPeaceorWar,wecannotbutthinkthat,thoughtheirmotivesmayhavebeenselfishandmalevolent,theirdecisionwasbeneficialtotheState。
Butwehavealreadyexceededourlimits。ItremainsonlyforustobidLordMahonheartilyfarewell,andtoassurehimthat,whateverdislikewemayfeelforhispoliticalopinions,weshallalwaysmeethimwithpleasureontheneutralgroundofliterature。
FREDERICTHEGREAT
(April1842)
FrederictheGreatandhisTimes。Edited,withanIntroduction,ByTHOMASCAMPBELL,Esq。2vols。8vo。London:1842。
THISwork,whichhasthehighhonourofbeingintroducedtotheworldbytheauthorofLochielandHohenlinden,isnotwhollyunworthyofsodistinguishedachaperon。Itprofesses,indeed,tobenomorethanacompilation;butitisanexceedinglyamusingcompilation,andweshallbegladtohavemoreofit。ThenarrativecomesdownatpresentonlytothecommencementoftheSevenYears’War,andthereforedoesnotcomprisethemostinterestingportionofFrederic’sreign。
Itmaynotbeunacceptabletoourreadersthatweshouldtakethisopportunityofpresentingthemwithaslightsketchofthelifeofthegreatestkingthathas,inmoderntimes,succeededbyrightofbirthtoathrone。Itmay,wefear,beimpossibletocompresssolongandeventfulastorywithinthelimitswhichwemustprescribetoourselves。Shouldwebecompelledtobreakoff,wemayperhaps,whenthecontinuationofthisworkappears,returntothesubject。
ThePrussianmonarchy,theyoungestofthegreatEuropean,states,butinpopulationandrevenuethefifthamongthem,andinart,science,andcivilisationentitledtothethird,ifnottothesecondplace,sprangfromahumbleorigin。Aboutthebeginningofthefifteenthcentury,themarquisateofBrandenburgwasbestowedbytheEmperorSigismundonthenoblefamilyofHohenzollern。InthesixteenthcenturythatfamilyembracedtheLutherandoctrines。ItobtainedfromtheKingofPoland,earlyintheseventeenthcentury,theinvestitureoftheduchyofPrussia。
Evenafterthisaccessionofterritory,thechiefsofthehouseofHohenzollernhardlyrankedwiththeElectorsofSaxonyandBavaria。ThesoilofBrandenburgwasforthemostpartsterile。
EvenroundBerlin,thecapitaloftheprovince,androundPotsdam,thefavouriteresidenceoftheMargraves,thecountrywasadesert。Insomeplaces,thedeepsandcouldwithdifficultybeforcedbyassiduoustillagetoyieldthincropsofryeandoats。Inotherplaces,theancientforests,whichtheconquerorsoftheRomanEmpirehaddescendedontheDanube,remaineduntouchedbythehandofman。Wherethesoilwasrichitwasgenerallymarshy,anditsinsalubrityrepelledthecultivatorswhomitsfertilityattracted。FredericWilliam,calledtheGreatElector,wastheprincetowhosepolicyhissuccessorshaveagreedtoascribetheirgreatness。HeacquiredbythepeaceofWestphaliaseveralvaluablepossessions,andamongthemtherichcityanddistrictofMagdeburg;andhelefttohissonFredericaprincipalityasconsiderableasanywhichwasnotcalledakingdom。
Fredericaspiredtothestyleofroyalty。Ostentatiousandprofuse,negligentofhistrueinterestsandofhishighduties,insatiablyeagerforfrivolousdistinctions,headdednothingtotherealweightofthestatewhichhegoverned;perhapshetransmittedhisinheritancetohischildrenimpairedratherthanaugmentedinvalue;buthesucceededingainingthegreatobjectofhislife,thetitleofKing。Intheyear1700heassumedthisnewdignity。Hehadonthatoccasiontoundergoallthemortificationswhichfalltothelotofambitiousupstarts。
ComparedwiththeothercrownedheadsofEurope,hemadeafigureresemblingthatwhichaNaboboraCommissary,whohadboughtatitle,wouldmakeintheCompanyofPeerswhoseancestorshadbeenattaintedfortreasonagainstthePlantagenets。TheenvyoftheclasswhichFredericquitted,andthecivilscornoftheclassintowhichheintrudedhimself,weremarkedinverysignificantways。TheElectorofSaxonyatfirstrefusedtoacknowledgethenewMajesty。LewistheFourteenthlookeddownonhisbrotherKingwithanairnotunlikethatwithwhichtheCountinMoliere’splayregardsMonsieurJourdain,justfreshfromthemummeryofbeingmadeagentleman。Austriaexactedlargesacrificesinreturnforherrecognition,andatlastgaveitungraciously。
Fredericwassucceededbyhisson,FredericWilliam,aprincewhomustbeallowedtohavepossessedsometalentsforadministration,butwhosecharacterwasdisfiguredbyodiousvices,andwhoseeccentricitiesweresuchashadneverbeforebeenseenoutofamadhouse。Hewasexactanddiligentinthetransactingofbusiness;andhewasthefirstwhoformedthedesignofobtainingforPrussiaaplaceamongtheEuropeanpowers,altogetheroutofproportiontoherextentandpopulationbymeansofastrongmilitaryorganisation。Stricteconomyenabledhimtokeepupapeaceestablishmentofsixtythousandtroops。Thesetroopsweredisciplinedinsuchamanner,that,placedbesidethem,thehouseholdregimentsofVersaillesandSt。
James’swouldhaveappearedanawkwardsquad。Themasterofsuchaforcecouldnotbutberegardedbyallhisneighboursasaformidableenemyandavaluableally。
ButthemindofFredericWilliamwassoillregulated,thatallhisinclinationsbecamepassions,andallhispassionspartookofthecharacterofmoralandintellectualdisease。Hisparsimonydegeneratedintosordidavarice。Histasteformilitarypompandorderbecameamania,likethatofaDutchburgomasterfortulips,orthatofamemberoftheRoxburgheClubforCaxtons。
WhiletheenvoysoftheCourtofBerlinwereinastateofsuchsqualidpovertyasmovedthelaughterofforeigncapitals,whilethefoodplacedbeforetheprincesandprincessesoftheblood—
royalofPrussiawastooscantytoappeasehunger,andsobadthatevenhungerloathedit,nopricewasthoughttooextravagantfortallrecruits。TheambitionoftheKingwastoformabrigadeofgiants,andeverycountrywasransackedbyhisagentsformenabovetheordinarystature。TheseresearcheswerenotconfinedtoEurope。NoheadthattoweredabovethecrowdinthebazaarsofAleppo,ofCairo,orofSurat,couldescapethecrimpsofFredericWilliam。OneIrishmanmorethansevenfeethigh,whowaspickedupinLondonbythePrussianambassador,receivedabountyofnearthirteenhundredpoundssterling,verymuchmorethantheambassador’ssalary。Thisextravagancewasthemoreabsurd,becauseastoutyouthoffivefeeteight,whomighthavebeenprocuredforafewdollars,wouldinallprobabilityhavebeenamuchmorevaluablesoldier。ButtoFredericWilliam,thishugeIrishmanwaswhatabrassOtho,oraVinegarBible,istoacollectorofadifferentkind。
Itisremarkable,thatthoughthemainendofFredericWilliam’sadministrationwastohaveagreatmilitaryforce,thoughhisreignformsanimportantepochinthehistoryofmilitarydiscipline,andthoughhisdominantpassionwastheloveofmilitarydisplayhewasyetoneofthemostpacificofprinces。
Weareafraidthathisaversiontowarwasnottheeffectofhumanity,butwasmerelyoneofhisthousandwhims。Hisfeelingabouthistroopsseemstohaveresembledamiser’sfeelingabouthismoney。Helovedtocollectthem,tocountthem,toseethemincrease;buthecouldnotfinditinhishearttobreakinupontheprecioushoard。HelookedforwardtosomefuturetimewhenhisPatagonianbattalionsweretodrivehostileinfantrybeforethemlikesheep;butthisfuturetimewasalwaysreceding;anditisprobablethat,ifhislifehadbeenprolongedthirtyyears,hissuperbarmywouldneverhaveseenanyharderservicethanashamfightinthefieldsnearBerlin。Butthegreatmilitarymeanswhichhehadcollectedweredestinedtobeemployedbyaspiritfarmoredaringandinventivethanhisown。