Hisownexertionsweresuchaswerehardlytobeexpectedfromahumanbodyorahumanmind。AtPotsdam，hisordinaryresidence，heroseatthreeinsummerandfourinwinter。Apagesoonappeared，withalargebasketfullofalltheletterswhichhadarrivedfortheKingbythelastcourier，despatchesfromambassadors，reportsfromofficersofrevenue，plansofbuildings，proposalsfordrainingmarshes，complaintsfrompersonswhothoughtthemselvesaggrieved，applicationsfrompersonswhowantedtitles，militarycommissions，andcivilsituations。Heexaminedthesealswithakeeneye;forhewasneverforamomentfreefromthesuspicionthatsomefraudmightbepractisedonhim。Thenhereadtheletters，dividedthemintoseveralpackets，andsignifiedhispleasure，generallybyamark，oftenbytwoorthreewords，nowandthenbysomecuttingepigram。Byeighthehadgenerallyfinishedthispartofhistask。Theadjutant—generalwastheninattendance，andreceivedinstructionsforthedayastoallthemilitaryarrangementsofthekingdom。ThentheKingwenttoreviewhisguards，notaskingsordinarilyreviewtheirguards，butwiththeminuteattentionandseverityofanolddrill—sergeant。InthemeantimethefourcabinetsecretarieshadbeenemployedinansweringthelettersonwhichtheKinghadthatmorningsignifiedhiswill。
　　Theseunhappymenwereforcedtoworkalltheyearroundlikenegroslavesinthetimeofthesugar—crop。Theyneverhadaholiday。Theyneverknewwhatitwastodine。Itwasnecessarythat，beforetheystirred，theyshouldfinishthewholeoftheirwork。TheKing，alwaysonhisguardagainsttreachery，tookfromtheheapahandfuloflettersatrandom，andlookedintothemtoseewhetherhisinstructionshadbeenexactlyfollowed。Thiswasnobadsecurityagainstfoulplayonthepartofthesecretaries;
　　forifoneofthemweredetectedinatrick，hemightthinkhimselffortunateifheescapedwithfiveyearsofimprisonmentinadungeon。Fredericthensignedthereplies，andallweresentoffthesameevening。
　　Thegeneralprinciplesonwhichthisstrangegovernmentwasconducted，deserveattention。ThepolicyofFredericwasessentiallythesameashisfather’s;butFrederic，whilehecarriedthatpolicytolengthstowhichhisfatherneverthoughtofcarryingit，cleareditatthesametimefromtheabsurditieswithwhichhisfatherhadencumberedit。TheKing’sfirstobjectwastohaveagreat，efficient，andwell—trainedarmy。HehadakingdomwhichinextentandpopulationwashardlyinthesecondrankofEuropeanpowers;andyetheaspiredtoaplacenotinferiortothatofthesovereignsofEngland，France，andAustria。ForthatenditwasnecessarythatPrussiashouldbeallsting。LewistheFifteenth，withfivetimesasmanysubjectsasFrederic，andmorethanfivetimesaslargearevenue，hadnotamoreformidablearmy。TheproportionwhichthesoldiersinPrussiaboretothepeopleseemshardlycredible。Ofthemalesinthevigouroflife，aseventhpartwereprobablyunderarms;andthisgreatforcehad，bydrilling，byreviewing，andbytheunsparinguseofcaneandscourge，beentaughttoformallevolutionswitharapidityandaprecisionwhichwouldhaveastonishedVillarsorEugene。TheelevatedfeelingswhicharenecessarytothebestkindofarmywerethenwantingtothePrussianservice。InthoserankswerenotfoundthereligiousandpoliticalenthusiasmwhichinspiredthepikemenofCromwell，thepatrioticardour，thethirstofglory，thedevotiontoagreatleader，whichinflamedtheOldGuardofNapoleon。Butinallthemechanicalpartsofthemilitarycalling，thePrussianswereassuperiortotheEnglishandFrenchtroopsofthatdayastheEnglishandFrenchtroopstoarusticmilitia。
　　ThoughthepayofthePrussiansoldierwassmall，thougheveryrixdollarofextraordinarychargewasscrutinisedbyFredericwithavigilanceandsuspicionsuchasMr。JosephHumeneverbroughttotheexaminationofanarmyestimate，theexpenseofsuchanestablishmentwas，forthemeansofthecountry，enormous。Inorderthatitmightnotbeutterlyruinous，itwasnecessarythateveryotherexpenseshouldbecutdowntothelowestpossiblepoint。AccordinglyFrederic，thoughhisdominionsborderedonthesea，hadnonavy。Heneitherhadnorwishedtohavecolonies。Hisjudges，hisfiscalofficers，weremeanlypaid。
　　Hisministersatforeigncourtswalkedonfoot，ordroveshabbyoldcarriagestilltheaxle—treesgaveway。Eventohishighestdiplomaticagents，whoresidedatLondonandParis，heallowedlessthanathousandpoundssterlingayear。Theroyalhouseholdwasmanagedwithafrugalityunusualintheestablishmentsofopulentsubjects，unexampledinanyotherpalace。TheKinglovedgoodeatinganddrinking，andduringgreatpartofhislifetookpleasureinseeinghistablesurroundedbyguests;yetthewholechargeofhiskitchenwasbroughtwithinthesumoftwothousandpoundssterlingayear。Heexaminedeveryextraordinaryitemwithacarewhichmightbethoughttosuitthemistressofaboarding—
　　housebetterthanagreatprince。Whenmorethanfourrixdollarswereaskedofhimforahundredoysters，hestormedasifhehadheardthatoneofhisgeneralshadsoldafortresstotheEmpressQueen。Notabottleofchampagnewasuncorkedwithouthisexpressorder。Thegameoftheroyalparksandforests，aseriousheadofexpenditureinmostkingdoms，wastohimasourceofprofit。Thewholewasfarmedout;andthoughthefarmerswerealmostruinedbytheircontract，theKingwouldgrantthemnoremission。Hiswardrobeconsistedofonefinegaladress，whichlastedhimallhislife;oftwoorthreeoldcoatsfitforMonmouthStreet，ofyellowwaistcoatssoiledwithsnuff，andofhugebootsembrownedbytime。Onetastealonesometimesalluredhimbeyondthelimitsofparsimony，nay，evenbeyondthelimitsofprudence，thetasteforbuilding。Inallotherthingshiseconomywassuchaswemightcallbyaharshername，ifwedidnotreflectthathisfundsweredrawnfromaheavilytaxedpeople，andthatitwasimpossibleforhim，withoutexcessivetyranny，tokeepupatonceaformidablearmyandasplendidcourt。
　　Consideredasanadministrator，Frederichadundoubtedlymanytitlestopraise。Orderwasstrictlymaintainedthroughouthisdominions。Propertywassecure。Agreatlibertyofspeakingandofwritingwasallowed。Confidentintheirresistiblestrengthderivedfromagreatarmy，theKinglookeddownonmalcontentsandlibellerswithawisedisdain;andgavelittleencouragementtospiesandinformers。Whenhewastoldofthedisaffectionofoneofhissubject，hemerelyasked，"Howmanythousandmencanhebringintothefield？"Heoncesawacrowdstaringatsomethingonawall。Herodeupandfoundthattheobjectofcuriositywasascurrilousplacardagainsthimself。Theplacardhadbeenpostedupsohighthatitwasnoteasytoreadit。
　　Fredericorderedhisattendantstotakeitdownandputitlower。
　　"MypeopleandI，"hesaid，"havecometoanagreementwhichsatisfiesusboth。Theyaretosaywhattheyplease，andIamtodowhatIplease。"NopersonwouldhavedaredtopublishinLondonsatiresonGeorgetheSecondapproachingtotheatrocityofthosesatiresonFrederic，whichthebooksellersatBerlinsoldwithimpunity。Onebooksellersenttothepalaceacopyofthemoststinginglampoonthatperhapswaseverwrittenintheworld，theMemoirsofVoltaire，publishedbyBeaumarchais，andaskedforhisMajesty’sorders。"Donotadvertiseitinanoffensivemanner，"saidtheKing;"butsellitbyallmeans。I
　　hopeitwillpayyouwell。"Evenamongstatesmenaccustomedtothelicenceofafreepress，suchsteadfastnessofmindasthisisnotverycommon。
　　ItisduealsotothememoryofFrederictosaythatheearnestlylabouredtosecuretohispeoplethegreatblessingofcheapandspeedyJustice。Hewasoneofthefirstrulerswhoabolishedthecruelandabsurdpracticeoftorture。Nosentenceofdeath，pronouncedbytheordinarytribunals，wasexecutedwithouthissanction;andhissanction，exceptincasesofmurder，wasrarelygiven。Towardshistroopsheactedinaverydifferentmanner。
　　MilitaryoffenceswerepunishedwithsuchbarbarousscourgingthattobeshotwasconsideredbythePrussiansoldierasasecondarypunishment。Indeed，theprinciplewhichpervadedFrederic’swholepolicywasthis，thatthemoreseverelythearmyisgoverned，thesaferitistotreattherestofthecommunitywithlenity。
　　Religiouspersecutionwasunknownunderhisgovernment，unlesssomefoolishandunjustrestrictionswhichlayupontheJewsmayberegardedasforminganexception。HispolicywithrespecttotheCatholicsofSilesiapresentedanhonourablecontrasttothepolicywhich，underverysimilarcircumstances，EnglandlongfollowedwithrespecttotheCatholicsofIreland。EveryformofreligionandirreligionfoundanasylumintheStates。ThescofferwhomtheparliamentsofFrancehadsentencedtoacrueldeath，wasconsoledbyacommissioninthePrussianservice。TheJesuitwhocouldshowhisfacenowhereelse，whoinBritainwasstillsubjecttopenallaws，whowasproscribedbyFrance，Spain，Portugal，andNaples，whohadbeengivenupevenbytheVatican，foundsafetyandthemeansofsubsistenceinthePrussiandominions。
　　MostofthevicesofFrederic’sadministrationresolveselvesintoonevice，thespiritofmeddling。Theindefatigableactivityofhisintellect，hisdictatorialtemper，hismilitaryhabits，allinclinedhimtothisgreatfault。Hedrilledhispeopleashedrilledhisgrenadiers。Capitalandindustryweredivertedfromtheirnaturaldirectionbyacrowdofpreposterousregulations。
　　Therewasamonopolyofcoffee，amonopolyoftobacco，amonopolyofrefinedsugar。Thepublicmoney，ofwhichtheKingwasgenerallysosparing，waslavishlyspentinploughingbogs，inplantingmulberrytreesamidstthesand，inbringingsheepfromSpaintoimprovetheSaxonwool，inbestowingprizesforfineyarn，inbuildingmanufactoriesofporcelain，manufactoriesofcarpets，manufactoriesofhardware，manufactoriesoflace。
　　Neithertheexperienceofotherrulers，norhisown，couldeverteachhimthatsomethingmorethananedictandagrantofpublicmoneywasrequiredtocreateaLyons，aBrussels，oraBirmingham。
　　Forhiscommercialpolicy，however，therewassomeexcuse。Hehadonhissideillustriousexamplesandpopularprejudice。
　　Grievouslyasheerred，heerredincompanywithhisage。Inotherdepartmentshismeddlingwasaltogetherwithoutapology。Heinterferedwiththecourseofjusticeaswellaswiththecourseoftrade;andsetuphisowncrudenotionsofequityagainstthelawasexpoundedbytheunanimousvoiceofthegravestmagistrates。Itneveroccurredtohimthatmenwhoseliveswerepassedinadjudicatingonquestionsofcivilrightweremorelikelytoformcorrectopinionsonsuchquestionsthanaprincewhoseattentionwasdividedamongathousandobjects，andwhohadneverreadalaw—bookthrough。Theresistanceopposedtohimbythetribunalsinflamedhimtofury。HereviledhisChancellor。Hekickedtheshinsofhisjudges。Hedidnot，itistrue，intendtoactunjustly。Hefirmlybelievedthathewasdoingright，anddefendingthecauseofthepooragainstthewealthy。Yetthiswell—meantmeddlingprobablydidfarmoreharmthanalltheexplosionsofhisevilpassionsduringthewholeofhislongreign。Wecouldmakeshifttoliveunderadebaucheeoratyrant;
　　buttoberuledbyabusybodyismorethanhumannaturecanbear。
　　ThesamepassionfordirectingandregulatingappearedineverypartoftheKing’spolicy。EveryladofacertainstationinlifewasforcedtogotocertainschoolswithinthePrussiandominions。IfayoungPrussianrepaired，thoughbutforafewweeks，toLeydenorGottingenforthepurposeofstudy，theoffencewaspunishedwithcivildisabilities，andsometimeswiththeconfiscationofproperty。Nobodywastotravelwithouttheroyalpermission。Ifthepermissionweregranted，thepocket—
　　moneyofthetouristwasfixedbyroyalordinance。Amerchantmighttakewithhimtwohundredandfiftyrixdollarsingold，anoblewasallowedtotakefourhundred;foritmaybeobserved，inpassing，thatFredericstudiouslykeptuptheolddistinctionbetweenthenoblesandthecommunity。Inspeculation，hewasaFrenchphilosopher，butinaction，aGermanprince。HetalkedandwroteabouttheprivilegesofbloodinthestyleofSieyes;
　　butinpracticenochapterintheempirelookedwithakeenereyetogenealogiesandquarterings。
　　SuchwasFrederictheRuler。ButtherewasanotherFrederic，theFredericofRheinsberg，thefiddlerandflute—player，thepoetasterandmetaphysician。AmidstthecaresofStatetheKinghadretainedhispassionformusic，forreading，forwriting，forliterarysociety。Totheseamusementshedevotedallthetimethathecouldsnatchfromthebusinessofwarandgovernment;andperhapsmorelightisthrownonhischaracterbywhatpassedduringhishoursofrelaxation，thanbyhisbattlesorhislaws。
　　ItwasthejustboastofSchillerthat，inhiscountry，noAugustus，noLorenzo，hadwatchedovertheinfancyofpoetry。TherichandenergeticlanguageofLuther，drivenbytheLatinfromtheschoolsofpedants，andbytheFrenchfromthepalacesofkings，hadtakenrefugeamongthepeople。OfthepowersofthatlanguageFrederichadnonotion。Hegenerallyspokeofit，andofthosewhousedit，withthecontemptofignorance。HislibraryconsistedofFrenchbooks;athistablenothingwasheardbutFrenchconversation。Theassociatesofhishoursofrelaxationwere，forthemostpart，foreigners。Britainfurnishedtotheroyalcircletwodistinguishedmen，borninthehighestrank，anddrivenbycivildissensionsfromthelandtowhich，underhappiercircumstances，theirtalentsandvirtuesmighthavebeenasourceofstrengthandglory。GeorgeKeith，EarlMarischalofScotland，hadtakenarmsfortheHouseofStuartin1715;andhisyoungerbrotherJames，thenonlyseventeenyearsold，hadfoughtgallantlybyhisside。WhenallwaslosttheyretiredtogethertotheContinent，rovedfromcountrytocountry，servedundervariousstandards，andsoborethemselvesastowintherespectandgood—willofmanywhohadnolovefortheJacobitecause。
　　TheirlongwanderingsterminatedatPotsdam;norhadFredericanyassociateswhodeservedorobtainedsolargeashareofhisesteem。Theywerenotonlyaccomplishedmen，butnoblesandwarriors，capableofservinghiminwaranddiplomacy，aswellasofamusinghimatsupper。Aloneofallhiscompanions，theyappearnevertohavehadreasontocomplainofhisdemeanourtowardsthem。SomeofthosewhoknewthepalacebestpronouncedthattheLordMarischalwastheonlyhumanbeingwhomFredericeverreallyloved。
　　ItalysenttothepartiesatPotsdamtheingeniousandamiableAlgarotti，andBastiani，themostcrafty，cautious，andservileofAbbes。ButthegreaterpartofthesocietywhichFrederichadassembledroundhim，wasdrawnfromFrance。MaupertuishadacquiredsomecelebritybythejourneywhichhehadmadetoLapland，forthepurposeofascertaining，byactualmeasurement，theshapeofourplanet。HewasplacedinthechairoftheAcademyofBerlin，ahumbleimitationoftherenownedacademyofParis。BaculardD’Arnaud，ayoungpoet，whowasthoughttohavegivenpromiseofgreatthings，hadbeeninducedtoquithiscountry，andtoresideatthePrussianCourt。TheMarquessD’ArgenswasamongtheKing’sfavouritecompanions，onaccount，asitshouldseem，ofthestrongoppositionbetweentheircharacters。ThepartsofD’Argensweregood，andhismannersthoseofafinishedFrenchgentleman;buthiswholesoulwasdissolvedinsloth，timidity，andself—indulgence。Hewasoneofthatabjectclassofmindswhicharesuperstitiouswithoutbeingreligious。HatingChristianitywitharancourwhichmadehimincapableofrationalinquiry，unabletoseeintheharmonyandbeautyoftheuniversethetracesofdivinepowerandwisdom，hewastheslaveofdreamsandomens，wouldnotsitdowntotablewiththirteenincompany，turnedpaleifthesaltfelltowardshim，beggedhisguestsnottocrosstheirknivesandforksontheirplates，andwouldnotfortheworldcommenceajourneyonFriday。Hishealthwasasubjectofconstantanxietytohim。
　　Wheneverhisheadached，orhispulsebeatquick，hisdastardlyfearsandeffeminateprecautionswerethejestofallBerlin。AllthissuitedtheKing’spurposeadmirably。Hewantedsomebodybywhomhemightbeamused，andwhomhemightdespise。Whenhewishedtopasshalfanhourineasypolishedconversation，D’Argenswasanexcellentcompanion;whenhewantedtoventhisspleenandcontempt，D’Argenswasanexcellentbutt。
　　Withtheseassociates，andothersofthesameclass，Fredericlovedtospendthetimewhichhecouldstealfrompubliccares。
　　Hewishedhissupperpartiestobegayandeasy。Heinvitedhisgueststolayasideallrestraint，andtoforgetthathewasattheheadofahundredandsixtythousandsoldiers，andwasabsolutemasterofthelifeandlibertyofailwhosatatmeatwithhim。Therewas，therefore，atthesepartiestheoutwardshowofease。Thewitandlearningofthecompanywereostentatiouslydisplayed。Thediscussionsonhistoryandliteraturewereoftenhighlyinteresting。Buttheabsurdityofallthereligionsknownamongmenwasthechieftopicofconversation;andtheaudacitywithwhichdoctrinesandnamesveneratedthroughoutChristendomweretreatedontheseoccasionsstartledevenpersonsaccustomedtothesocietyofFrenchandEnglishfreethinkers。Realliberty，however，orrealaffection，wasinthisbrilliantsocietynottobefound。Absolutekingsseldomhavefriends:andFrederic’sfaultsweresuchas，evenwhereperfectequalityexists，makefriendshipexceedinglyprecarious。Hehadindeedmanyqualitieswhich，onafirstacquaintancewerecaptivating。Hisconversationwaslively;hismanners，tothosewhomhedesiredtoplease，wereevencaressing。Nomancouldflatterwithmoredelicacy。Nomansucceededmorecompletelyininspiringthosewhoapproachedhimwithvaguehopesofsomegreatadvantagefromhiskindness。Butunderthisfairexteriorhewasatyrant，suspicious，disdainful，andmalevolent。Hehadonetastewhichmaybepardonedinaboy，butwhich，whenhabituallyanddeliberatelyindulgedbyamanofmatureageandstrongunderstanding，isalmostinvariablythesignofabadheart——atasteforseverepracticaljokes。Ifacourtierwasfondofdress，oilwasflungoverhisrichestsuit。
　　Ifhewasfondofmoney，someprankwasinventedtomakehimdisbursemorethanhecouldspare。Ifhewashypochondriacal，hewasmadetobelievethathehadthedropsy。Ifhehadparticularlysethisheartonvisitingaplace，aletterwasforgedtofrightenhimfromgoingthither。Thesethings，itmaybesaid，aretrifles。Theyareso;buttheyareindications，nottobemistaken，ofanaturetowhichthesightofhumansufferingandhumandegradationisanagreeableexcitement。
　　Frederichadakeeneyeforthefoiblesofothers，andlovedtocommunicatehisdiscoveries。Hehadsometalentforsarcasm，andconsiderableskillindetectingthesoreplaceswheresarcasmwouldbemostacutelyfelt。Hisvanity，aswellashismalignity，foundgratificationinthevexationandconfusionofthosewhosmartedunderhiscausticjests。Yetintruthhissuccessontheseoccasionsbelongedquiteasmuchtothekingastothewit。
　　WereadthatCommodusdescended，swordinhand，intothearena，againstawretchedgladiator，armedonlywithafoiloflead，and，aftersheddingthebloodofthehelplessvictim，struckmedalstocommemoratetheingloriousvictory。ThetriumphsofFredericinthewarofreparteewereofmuchthesamekind。Howtodealwithhimwasthemostpuzzlingofquestions。Toappearconstrainedinhispresencewastodisobeyhiscommands，andtospoilhisamusement。Yetifhisassociateswereenticedbyhisgraciousnesstoindulgeinthefamiliarityofacordialintimacy，hewascertaintomakethemrepentoftheirpresumptionbysomecruelhumiliation。Toresenthisaffrontswasperilous;
　　yetnottoresentthemwastodeserveandtoinvitethem。Inhisview，thosewhomutiniedwereinsolentandungrateful;thosewhosubmittedwerecursmadetoreceivebonesandkickingswiththesamefawningpatience。Itis，indeed，difficulttoconceivehowanythingshortoftherageofhungershouldhaveinducedmentobearthemiseryofbeingtheassociatesoftheGreatKing。Itwasnolucrativepost。HisMajestywasassevereandeconomicalinhisfriendshipsasintheotherchargesofhisestablishment，andasunlikelytogivearixdollartoomuchforhisguestsasforhisdinners。Thesumwhichheallowedtoapoetoraphilosopherwastheverysmallestsumforwhichsuchpoetorphilosophercouldbeinducedtosellhimselfintoslavery;andthebondsmanmightthinkhimselffortunate，ifwhathadbeensogrudginglygivenwasnot，afteryearsofsuffering，rudelyandarbitrarilywithdrawn。
　　Potsdamwas，intruth，whatitwascalledbyoneofitsmostillustriousinmates，thePalaceofAlcina，Atthefirstglanceitseemedtobeadelightfulspot，whereeveryintellectualandphysicalenjoymentawaitedthehappyadventurer。Everynewcomerwasreceivedwitheagerhospitality，intoxicatedwithflattery，encouragedtoexpectprosperityandgreatness。Itwasinvainthatalongsuccessionoffavouriteswhohadenteredthatabodewithdelightandhope，andwho，afterashorttermofdelusivehappiness，hadbeendoomedtoexpiatetheirfollybyyearsofwretchednessanddegradation，raisedtheirvoicestowarntheaspirantwhoapproachedthecharmedthreshold。Somehadwisdomenoughtodiscoverthetruthearly，andspiritenoughtoflywithoutlookingback;otherslingeredontoacheerlessandunhonouredoldage。WehavenohesitationinsayingthatthepoorestauthorofthattimeinLondon，sleepingonabulk，dininginacellar，withacravatofpaper，andaskewerforashirt—
　　pin，wasahappiermanthananyoftheliteraryinmatesofFrederic’sCourt。
　　Butofallwhoenteredtheenchantedgardenintheinebriationofdelight，andquitteditinagoniesofrageandshame，themostremarkablewasVoltaire。Manycircumstanceshadmadehimdesirousoffindingahomeatadistancefromhiscountry。Hisfamehadraisedhimupenemies。Hissensibilitygavethemaformidableadvantageoverhim。Theywere，indeed，contemptibleassailants。
　　Ofallthattheywroteagainsthim，nothinghassurvivedexceptwhathehashimselfpreserved。Buttheconstitutionofhismindresembledtheconstitutionofthosebodiesinwhichtheslightestscratchofabramble，orthebiteofagnat，neverfailstofester。ThoughhisreputationwasratherraisedthanloweredbytheabuseofsuchwritersasFreronandDesfontaines，thoughthevengeancewhichhetookonFreronandDesfontaineswassuch，thatscourging，branding，pillorying，wouldhavebeenatrifletoit，thereisreasontobelievethattheygavehimfarmorepainthanheevergavethem。Thoughheenjoyedduringhisownlifetimethereputationofaclassic，thoughhewasextolledbyhiscontemporariesaboveallpoets，philosophers，andhistorians，thoughhisworkswerereadwithasmuchdelightandadmirationatMoscowandWestminster，atFlorenceandStockholm，asatParisitself，hewasyettormentedbythatrestlessjealousywhichshouldseemtobelongonlytomindsburningwiththedesireoffame，andyetconsciousofimpotence。Tomenofletterswhocouldbynopossibilitybehisrivals，hewas，iftheybehavedwelltohim，notmerelyjust，notmerelycourteous，butoftenaheartyfriendandamunificentbenefactor。Buttoeverywriterwhorosetoacelebrityapproachinghisown，hebecameeitheradisguisedoranavowedenemy。HeslilydepreciatedMontesquieuandBuffon。
　　Hepublicly，andwithviolentoutrage，madewaronRousseau。Norhadhetheheartofhidinghisfeelingsunderthesemblanceofgoodhumourorofcontempt。Withallhisgreattalents，andallhislongexperienceoftheworld，hehadnomoreself—commandthanapettedchild，orahystericalwoman。Wheneverhewasmortified，heexhaustedthewholerhetoricofangerandsorrowtoexpresshismortification。Historrentsofbitterwords，hisstampingandcursing，hisgrimacesandhistearsofrage，werearichfeasttothoseabjectnatures，whosedelightisintheagoniesofpowerfulspiritsandintheabasementofimmortalnames。Thesecreatureshadnowfoundoutawayofgallinghimtotheveryquick。Inonewalk，atleast，ithadbeenadmittedbyenvyitselfthathewaswithoutalivingcompetitor。SinceRacinehadbeenlaidamongthegreatmenwhosedustmadetheholyprecinctofPort—Royalholier，notragicpoethadappearedwhocouldcontestthepalmwiththeauthorofZaire，ofAlzire，andofMerope。Atlengtharivalwasannounced。OldCrebillon，who，manyyearsbefore，hadobtainedsometheatricalsuccess，andwhohadlongbeenforgotten，cameforthfromhisgarretinoneofthemeanestlanesneartheRueSt。Antoine，andwaswelcomedbytheacclamationsofenviousmenofletters，andofacapriciouspopulace。AthingcalledCatiline，whichhehadwritteninhisretirement，wasactedwithboundlessapplause。Ofthisexecrablepieceitissufficienttosay，thattheplotturnsonaloveaffair，carriedoninalltheformsofScudery，betweenCatiline，whoseconfidantisthePraetorLentulus，andTullia，thedaughterofCicero。Thetheatreresoundedwithacclamations。TheKingpensionedthesuccessfulpoet;andthecoffee—housespronouncedthatVoltairewasacleverman，butthattherealtragicinspiration，thecelestialfirewhichhadglowedinCorneilleandRacine，wastobefoundinCrebillonalone。
　　TheblowwenttoVoltaire’sheart。Hadhiswisdomandfortitudebeeninproportiontothefertilityofhisintellect，andtothebrilliancyofhiswit，hewouldhaveseenthatitwasoutofthepowerofallthepuffersanddetractorsinEuropetoputCatilineaboveZaire;buthehadnoneofthemagnanimouspatiencewithwhichMiltonandBentleylefttheirclaimstotheunerringjudgmentoftime。HeeagerlyengagedinanundignifiedcompetitionwithCrebillon，andproducedaseriesofplaysonthesamesubjectswhichhisrivalhadtreated。Thesepieceswerecoollyreceived。Angrywiththecourt，angrywiththecapital，Voltairebegantofindpleasureintheprospectofexile。HisattachmentforMadameduChateletlongpreventedhimfromexecutinghispurpose。Herdeathsethimatliberty;andhedeterminedtotakerefugeatBerlin。
　　ToBerlinhewasinvitedbyaseriesofletters，couchedintermsofthemostenthusiasticfriendshipandadmiration。ForoncetherigidparsimonyofFredericseemedtohaverelaxed。Orders，honourableoffices，aliberalpension，awell—servedtable，statelyapartmentsunderaroyalroof，wereofferedinreturnforthepleasureandhonourwhichwereexpectedfromthesocietyofthefirstwitoftheage。Athousandlouiswereremittedforthechargesofthejourney。NoambassadorsettingoutfromBerlinforacourtofthefirstrank，hadeverbeenmoreamplysupplied。ButVoltairewasnotsatisfied。Atalaterperiod，whenhepossessedanamplefortune，hewasoneofthemostliberalofmen;buttillhismeanshadbecomeequaltohiswishes，hisgreedinessforlucrewasunrestrainedeitherbyjusticeorbyshame。Hehadtheeffronterytoaskforathousandlouismore，inordertoenablehimtobringhisniece，MadameDenis，theugliestofcoquettes，inhiscompany。TheindelicaterapacityofthepoetproduceditsnaturaleffectonthesevereandfrugalKing。Theanswerwasadryrefusal。"Ididnot，"saidhisMajesty，"solicitthehonourofthelady’ssociety。"Onthis，Voltairewentoffintoaparoxysmofchildishrage。"Wasthereeversuchavarice？Hehashundredsoftubsfullofdollarsinhisvaults，andhaggleswithmeaboutapoorthousandlouis。"Itseemedthatthenegotiationwouldbebrokenoff;butFrederic，withgreatdexterity，affectedindifference，andseemedinclinedtotransferhisidolatrytoBaculardD’Arnaud。HisMajestyevenwrotesomebadverses，ofwhichthesensewas，thatVoltairewasasettingsun，andthatD’Arnaudwasrising。Good—naturedfriendssooncarriedthelinestoVoltaire。Hewasinhisbed。Hejumpedoutinhisshirt，dancedabouttheroomwithrage，andsentforhispassportandhispost—horses。Itwasnotdifficulttoforeseetheendofaconnectionwhichhadsuchabeginning。
　　Itwasintheyear1750thatVoltaireleftthegreatcapital，whichhewasnottoseeagaintill，afterthelapseofnearthirtyyears，hereturnedboweddownbyextremeoldage，todieinthemidstofasplendidandghastlytriumph。HisreceptioninPrussiawassuchasmightwellhaveelatedalessvainandexcitablemind。HewrotetohisfriendsatParis，thatthekindnessandtheattentionwithwhichhehadbeenwelcomedsurpasseddescription，thattheKingwasthemostamiableofmen，thatPotsdamwastheparadiseofphilosophers。Hewascreatedchamberlain，andreceived，togetherwithhisgoldkey，thecrossofanorder，andapatentensuringtohimapensionofeighthundredpoundssterlingayearforlife。Ahundredandsixtypoundsayearwerepromisedtohisnieceifshesurvivedhim。Theroyalcooksandcoachmenwereputathisdisposal。HewaslodgedinthesameapartmentsinwhichSaxehadlived，when，attheheightofpowerandglory，hevisitedPrussia。Frederic，indeed，stoopedforatimeeventousethelanguageofadulation。Hepressedtohislipsthemeagrehandofthelittlegrinningskeleton，whomheregardedasthedispenserofimmortalrenown。
　　Hewouldadd，hesaid，tothetitleswhichheowedtohisancestorsandhissword，anothertitle，derivedfromhislastandproudestacquisition。Hisstyleshouldrunthus:Frederic，KingofPrussia，MargraveofBrandenburg，SovereignDukeofSilesia，PossessorofVoltaire。Butevenamidstthedelightsofthehoneymoon，Voltaire’ssensitivevanitybegantotakealarm。Afewdaysafterhisarrival，hecouldnothelptellinghisniecethattheamiableKinghadatrickofgivingaslyscratchwithonehandwhilepattingandstrokingwiththeother。Sooncamehintsnotthelessalarming，becausemysterious。"Thesupperpartiesaredelicious。TheKingisthelifeofthecompany。But——Ihaveoperasandcomedies，reviewsandconcerts，mystudiesandbooks。
　　But——but——Berlinisfine，theprincessescharming，themaidsofhonourhandsome。But——"
　　Thiseccentricfriendshipwasfastcooling。Neverhadtheremettwopersonssoexquisitelyfittedtoplagueeachother。Eachofthemhadexactlythefaultofwhichtheotherwasmostimpatient;
　　andtheywere，indifferentways，themostimpatientofmankind。
　　Fredericwasfrugal，almostniggardly。Whenhehadsecuredhisplaythinghebegantothinkthathehadboughtittoodear。
　　Voltaire，ontheotherhand，wasgreedy，eventotheextentofimprudenceandknavery;andconceivedthatthefavouriteofamonarchwhohadbarrelsfullofgoldandsilverlaidupincellarsoughttomakeafortunewhichareceiver—generalmightenvy。Theysoondiscoveredeachother’sfeelings。Bothwereangry;andawarbegan，inwhichFredericstoopedtothepartofHarpagon，andVoltairetothatofScapin。Itishumiliatingtorelate，thatthegreatwarriorandstatesmangaveordersthathisguest’sallowanceofsugarandchocolateshouldbecurtailed。Itis，ifpossible，astillmorehumiliatingfact，thatVoltaireindemnifiedhimselfbypocketingthewaxcandlesintheroyalantechamber。Disputesaboutmoney，however，werenotthemostseriousdisputesoftheseextraordinaryassociates。ThesarcasmsoftheKingsoongalledthesensitivetemperofthepoet。
　　D’ArnaudandD’Argens，GuichardandLaMetrie，might，forthesakeofamorselofbread，bewillingtobeartheinsolenceofamaster;butVoltairewasofanotherorder。HeknewthathewasapotentateaswellasFrederic，thathisEuropeanreputation，andhisincomparablepowerofcoveringwhateverhehatedwithridicule，madehimanobjectofdreadeventotheleadersofarmiesandtherulersofnations。Intruth，ofalltheintellectualweaponswhichhaveeverbeenwieldedbyman，themostterriblewasthemockeryofVoltaire。Bigotsandtyrants，whohadneverbeenmovedbythewailingandcursingofmillions，turnedpaleathisname。Principlesunassailablebyreason，principleswhichhadwithstoodthefiercestattacksofpower，themostvaluabletruths，themostgeneroussentiments，thenoblestandmostgracefulimages，thepurestreputations，themostaugustinstitutions，begantolookmeanandloathsomeassoonasthatwitheringsmilewasturneduponthem。Toeveryopponent，howeverstronginhiscauseandhistalents，inhisstationandhischaracter，whoventuredtoencounterthegreatscoffer，mightbeaddressedthecautionwhichwasgivenofoldtotheArchangel:
　　"Iforewarnthee，shunHisdeadlyarrow:neithervainlyhopeTobeinvulnerableinthosebrightarms，Thoughtemper’dheavenly;forthatfataldint，SaveHimwhoreignsabove，nonecanresist。"
　　Wecannotpausetorecounthowoftenthatraretalentwasexercisedagainstrivalsworthyofesteem;howoftenitwasusedtocrushandtortureenemiesworthyonlyofsilentdisdain;howoftenitwaspervertedtothemorenoxiouspurposeofdestroyingthelastsolaceofearthlymisery，andthelastrestraintonearthlypower。Neithercanwepausetotellhowoftenitwasusedtovindicatejustice，humanity，andtoleration，theprinciplesofsoundphilosophy，theprinciplesoffreegovernment。ThisisnottheplaceforafullcharacterofVoltaire。
　　Causesofquarrelmultipliedfast。Voltaire，who，partlyfromloveofmoney，andpartlyfromloveofexcitement，wasalwaysfondofstock—jobbing，becameimplicatedintransactionsofatleastadubiouscharacter。TheKingwasdelightedathavingsuchanopportunitytohumblehisguest;andbitterreproachesandcomplaintswereexchanged。Voltaire，too，wassoonatwarwiththeothermenofletterswhosurroundedtheKing;andthisirritatedFrederic，who，however，hadhimselfchieflytoblame:
　　for，fromthatloveoftormentingwhichwasinhimarulingpassion，heperpetuallylavishedextravagantpraisesonsmallmenandbadbooks，merelyinorderthathemightenjoythemortificationandragewhichonsuchoccasionsVoltairetooknopainstoconceal。HisMajesty，however，soonhadreasontoregretthepainswhichhehadtakentokindlejealousyamongthemembersofhishousehold。Thewholepalacewasinafermentwithliteraryintriguesandcabals。Itwastonopurposethattheimperialvoice，whichkeptahundredandsixtythousandsoldiersinorder，wasraisedtoquietthecontentionoftheexasperatedwits。Itwasfareasiertostirupsuchastormthantolullit。NorwasFrederic，inhiscapacityofwit，byanymeanswithouthisownshareofvexations。HehadsentalargequantityofversestoVoltaire，andrequestedthattheymightbereturned，withremarksandcorrections。"See，"exclaimedVoltaire，"whataquantityofhisdirtylinentheKinghassentmetowash！"Talebearerswerenotwantingtocarrythesarcasmtotheroyalear;andFredericwasasmuchincensedasaGrubStreetwriterwhohadfoundhisnameintheDunciad。
　　Thiscouldnotlast。Acircumstancewhich，whenthemutualregardofthefriendswasinitsfirstglow，wouldmerelyhavebeenmatterforlaughter，producedaviolentexplosion。MaupertuisenjoyedasmuchofFrederic’sgoodwillasanymanofletters。HewasPresidentoftheAcademyofBerlin;andhestoodsecondtoVoltaire，thoughatanimmensedistance，intheliterarysocietywhichhadbeenassembledatthePrussianCourt。Frederichad，byplayingforhisownamusementonthefeelingsofthetwojealousandvaingloriousFrenchmen，succeededinproducingabitterenmitybetweenthem。Voltaireresolvedtosethismark，amarknevertobeeffaced，ontheforeheadofMaupertuis，andwrotetheexquisitelyludicrousDiatribeofDoctorAkakia。HeshowedthislittlepiecetoFrederic，whohadtoomuchtasteandtoomuchmalicenottorelishsuchdeliciouspleasantry。Intruth，evenatthistimeofday，itisnoteasyforanypersonwhohastheleastperceptionoftheridiculoustoreadthejokesontheLatincity，thePatagonians，andtheholetothecentreoftheearth，withoutlaughingtillhecries。ButthoughFredericwasdivertedbythischarmingpasquinade，hewasunwillingthatitshouldgetabroad。
　　Hisself—lovewasinterested。HehadselectedMaupertuistofillthechairofhisAcademy。IfallEuropeweretaughttolaughatMaupertuis，wouldnotthereputationoftheAcademy，wouldnoteventhedignityofitsroyalpatron，beinsomedegreecompromised？TheKing，therefore，beggedVoltairetosuppressthisperformance。Voltairepromisedtodoso，andbrokehisword。
　　TheDiatribewaspublished，andreceivedwithshoutsofmerrimentandapplausebyallwhocouldreadtheFrenchlanguage。TheKingstormed。Voltaire，withhisusualdisregardoftruth，assertedhisinnocence，andmadeupsomelieaboutaprinteroranamanuensis。TheKingwasnottobesoimposedupon。Heorderedthepamphlettobeburnedbythecommonhangman，andinsisteduponhavinganapologyfromVoltaire，couchedinthemostabjectterms。VoltairesentbacktotheKinghiscross，hiskey，andthepatentofhispension。Afterthisburstofrage，thestrangepairbegantobeashamedoftheirviolence，andwentthroughtheformsofreconciliation。Butthebreachwasirreparable;andVoltairetookhisleaveofFredericforever。Theypartedwithcoldcivility;buttheirheartswerebigwithresentment。VoltairehadinhiskeepingavolumeoftheKing’spoetry，andforgottoreturnit。Thiswas，webelieve，merelyoneoftheoversightswhichmensettingoutuponajourneyoftencommit。ThatVoltairecouldhavemeditatedplagiarismisquiteincredible。Hewouldnot，weareconfident，forthehalfofFrederic’skingdom，haveconsentedtofatherFrederic’sverses。TheKing，however，whoratedhisownwritingsmuchabovetheirvalue，andwhowasinclinedtoseeallVoltaire’sactionsintheworstlight，wasenragedtothinkthathisfavouritecompositionswereinthehandsofanenemy，asthievishasadawandasmischievousasamonkey。Intheangerexcitedbythisthought，helostsightofreasonanddecency，anddeterminedoncommittinganoutrageatonceodiousandridiculous。
　　VoltairehadreachedFrankfort。Hisniece，MadameDenis，camethithertomeethim。Heconceivedhimselfsecurefromthepowerofhislatemaster，whenhewasarrestedbyorderofthePrussianresident。Thepreciousvolumewasdeliveredup。ButthePrussianagentshad，nodoubt，beeninstructednottoletVoltaireescapewithoutsomegrossindignity。Hewasconfinedtwelvedaysinawretchedhovel。Sentinelswithfixedbayonetskeptguardoverhim。Hisniecewasdraggedthroughthemirebythesoldiers。
　　Sixteenhundreddollarswereextortedfromhimbyhisinsolentgaolers。ItisabsurdtosaythatthisoutrageisnottobeattributedtotheKing。Wasanybodypunishedforit？Wasanybodycalledinquestionforit？WasitnotconsistentwithFrederic’scharacter？Wasitnotofapiecewithhisconductonothersimilaroccasions？Isitnotnotoriousthatherepeatedlygaveprivatedirectionstohisofficerstopillageanddemolishthehousesofpersonsagainstwhomhehadagrudge，chargingthematthesametimetotaketheirmeasuresinsuchawaythathisnamemightnotbecompromised？HeactedthustowardsCountBruhlintheSevenYears’War。WhyshouldwebelievethathewouldhavebeenmorescrupulouswithregardtoVoltaire？
　　Whenatlengththeillustriousprisonerregainedhisliberty，theprospectbeforehimwasbutdreary。Hewasanexilebothfromthecountryofhisbirthandfromthecountryofhisadoption。TheFrenchGovernmenthadtakenoffenceathisjourneytoPrussia，andwouldnotpermithimtoreturntoParis;andinthevicinityofPrussiaitwasnotsafeforhimtoremain。
　　HetookrefugeonthebeautifulshoresofLakeLeman。There，loosedfromeverytiewhichhadhithertorestrainedhim，andhavinglittletohope，ortofearfromcourtsandchurches，hebeganhislongwaragainstallthat，whetherforgoodorevil，hadauthorityoverman;forwhatBurkesaidoftheConstituentAssembly，waseminentlytrueofthisitsgreatforerunner:
　　Voltairecouldnotbuild:hecouldonlypulldown:hewastheveryVitruviusofruin。Hehasbequeathedtousnotasingledoctrinetobecalledbyhisname，notasingleadditiontothestockofourpositiveknowledge。Butnohumanteachereverleftbehindhimsovastandterribleawreckoftruthsandfalsehoods，ofthingsnobleandthingsbase，ofthingsusefulandthingspernicious。FromthetimewhenhissojournbeneaththeAlpscommenced，thedramatist，thewit，thehistorian，wasmergedinamoreimportantcharacter。Hewasnowthepatriarch，thefounderofasect，thechiefofaconspiracy，theprinceofawideintellectualcommonwealth。Heoftenenjoyedapleasuredeartothebetterpartofhisnature，thepleasureofvindicatinginnocencewhichhadnootherhelper，ofrepairingcruelwrongs，ofpunishingtyrannyinhighplaces。Hehadalsothesatisfaction，notlessacceptabletohisravenousvanity，ofhearingterrifiedCapuchinscallhimtheAntichrist。Butwhetheremployedinworksofbenevolence，orinworksofmischief，heneverforgotPotsdamandFrankfort;andhelistenedanxiouslytoeverymurmurwhichindicatedthatatempestwasgatheringinEurope，andthathisvengeancewasathand。
　　Hesoonhadhiswish。MariaTheresahadneverforamomentforgottenthegreatwrongwhichshehadreceivedatthehandofFrederic。Younganddelicate，justleftanorphan，justabouttobeamother，shehadbeencompelledtoflyfromtheancientcapitalofherrace;shehadseenherfairinheritancedismemberedbyrobbers，andofthoserobbershehadbeentheforemost。Withoutapretext，withoutaprovocation，indefianceofthemostsacredengagements，hehadattackedthehelplessallywhomhewasboundtodefend。TheEmpressQueenhadthefaultsaswellasthevirtueswhichareconnectedwithquicksensibilityandahighspirit。Therewasnoperilwhichshewasnotreadytobrave，nocalamitywhichshewasnotreadytobringonhersubjects，oronthewholehumanrace，ifonlyshemightoncetastethesweetnessofacompleterevenge。Revenge，too，presenteditself，tohernarrowandsuperstitiousmind，intheguiseofduty。SilesiahadbeenwrestednotonlyfromtheHouseofAustria，butfromtheChurchofRome。TheconquerorhadindeedpermittedhisnewsubjectstoworshipGodaftertheirownfashion;butthiswasnotenough。TobigotryitseemedanintolerablehardshipthattheCatholicChurch，havinglongenjoyedascendency，shouldbecompelledtocontentitselfwithequality。NorwasthistheonlycircumstancewhichledMariaTheresatoregardherenemyastheenemyofGod。TheprofanenessofFrederic’swritingsandconversation，andthefrightfulrumourswhichwerecirculatedrespectingtheimmoralityofhisprivatelife，naturallyshockedawomanwhobelievedwiththefirmestfaithallthatherconfessortoldher，andwho，thoughsurroundedbytemptations，thoughyoungandbeautiful，thoughardentinallherpassions，thoughpossessedofabsolutepower，hadpreservedherfameunsulliedevenbythebreathofslander。
　　TorecoverSilesia，tohumblethedynastyofHohenzollerntothedust，wasthegreatobjectofherlife。Shetoiledduringmanyyearsforthisend，withzealasindefatigableasthatwhichthepoetascribedtothestatelygoddesswhotiredoutherimmortalhorsesintheworkofraisingthenationsagainstTroy，andwhoofferedtogiveuptodestructionherdarlingSpartaandMycenae，ifonlyshemightonceseethesmokegoingupfromthepalaceofPriam。WithevensuchaspiritdidtheproudAustrianJunostrivetoarrayagainstherfoeacoalitionsuchasEuropehadneverseen。Nothingwouldcontentherbutthatthewholecivilisedworld，fromtheWhiteSeatotheAdriatic，fromtheBayofBiscaytothepasturesofthewildhorsesoftheTanais，shouldbecombinedinarmsagainstonepettyState。
　　SheearlysucceededbyvariousartsinobtainingtheadhesionofRussia。AnampleshareofspoilwaspromisedtotheKingofPoland;andthatprince，governedbyhisfavourite，CountBruhl，readilypromisedtheassistanceoftheSaxonforces。ThegreatdifficultywaswithFrance。ThattheHousesofBourbonandofHapsburgshouldevercordiallyco—operateinanygreatschemeofEuropeanpolicy，hadlongbeenthought，tousethestrongexpressionofFrederic，justasimpossibleasthatfireandwatershouldamalgamate。ThewholehistoryoftheContinent，duringtwocenturiesandahalf，hadbeenthehistoryofthemutualjealousiesandenmitiesofFranceandAustria。SincetheadministrationofRichelieu，aboveall，ithadbeenconsideredastheplainpolicyoftheMostChristianKingtothwartonalloccasionstheCourtofVienna，andtoprotecteverymemberoftheGermanicbodywhostoodupagainstthedictationoftheCaesars。
　　Commonsentimentsofreligionhadbeenunabletomitigatethisstrongantipathy。TherulersofFrance，evenwhileclothedintheRomanpurple，evenpersecutingthehereticsofRochelleandAuvergne，hadstilllookedwithfavourontheLutheranandCalvinisticprinceswhowerestrugglingagainstthechiefoftheempire。IftheFrenchministerspaidanyrespecttothetraditionalruleshandeddowntothemthroughmanygenerations，theywouldhaveactedtowardsFredericasthegreatestoftheirpredecessorsactedtowardsGustavusAdolphus。ThattherewasdeadlyenmitybetweenPrussiaandAustriawasofitselfasufficientreasonforclosefriendshipbetweenPrussiaandFrance。WithFranceFredericcouldneverhaveanyseriouscontroversy。Histerritoriesweresosituatedthathisambition，greedyandunscrupulousasitwas，couldneverimpelhimtoattackherofhisownaccord。HewasmorethanhalfaFrenchman:
　　hewrote，spoke，readnothingbutFrench:hedelightedinFrenchsociety:theadmirationoftheFrenchheproposedtohimselfasthebestrewardofallhisexploits。ItseemedincrediblethatanyFrenchGovernment，howevernotoriousforlevityorstupidity，couldspurnawaysuchanally。
　　TheCourtofVienna，however，didnotdespair。TheAustriandiplomatistspropoundedanewschemeofpolitics，which，itmustbeowned，wasnotaltogetherwithoutplausibility。Thegreatpowers，accordingtothistheory，hadlongbeenunderadelusion。
　　Theyhadlookedoneachotherasnaturalenemies，whileintruththeywerenaturalallies。AsuccessionofcruelwarshaddevastatedEurope，hadthinnedthepopulation，hadexhaustedthepublicresources，hadloadedgovernmentswithanimmenseburdenofdebt;andwhen，aftertwohundredyearsofmurderoushostilityorofhollowtruce，theillustriousHouseswhoseenmityhaddistractedtheworldsatdowntocounttheirgains，towhatdidtherealadvantageoneithersideamount？Simplytothis，thattheyhadkepteachotherfromthriving。ItwasnottheKingofFrance，itwasnottheEmperor，whohadreapedthefruitsoftheThirtyYears’War，oroftheWarofthePragmaticSanction。Thosefruitshadbeenpilferedbystatesofthesecondandthirdrank，which，securedagainstjealousybytheirinsignificance，haddexterouslyaggrandisedthemselveswhilepretendingtoservetheanimosityofthegreatchiefsofChristendom。Whilethelionandtigerweretearingeachother，thejackalhadrunoffintothejunglewiththeprey。TherealgainerbytheThirtyYears’WarhadbeenneitherFrancenorAustria，butSweden。TherealgainerbytheWarofthePragmaticSanctionhadbeenneitherFrancenorAustria，buttheupstartofBrandenburg。Francehadmadegreatefforts，hadaddedlargelytohermilitaryglory，andlargelytoherpublicburdens;andforwhatend？MerelythatFredericmightruleSilesia。ForthisandthisaloneoneFrencharmy，wastedbyswordandfamine，hadperishedinBohemia;andanotherhadpurchasedwithfloodofthenoblestblood，thebarrengloryofFontenoy。Andthisprince，forwhomFrancehadsufferedsomuch，washeagrateful，washeevenanhonestally？HadhenotbeenasfalsetotheCourtofVersaillesastotheCourtofVienna？
　　Hadhenotplayed，onalargescale，thesamepartwhich，inprivatelife，isplayedbythevileagentofchicanewhosetshisneighboursquarrelling，involvesthemincostlyandinterminablelitigation，andbetraysthemtoeachotherallround，certainthat，whoevermayberuined，heshallbeenriched？Surelythetruewisdomofthegreatpowerswastoattack，noteachother，butthiscommonbarrator，who，byinflamingthepassionsofboth，bypretendingtoserveboth，andbydesertingboth，hadraisedhimselfabovethestationtowhichhewasborn。ThegreatobjectofAustriawastoregainSilesia;thegreatobjectofFrancewastoobtainanaccessionofterritoryonthesideofFlanders。Iftheytookoppositesides，theresultwouldprobablybethat，afterawarofmanyyears，aftertheslaughterofmanythousandsofbravemen，afterthewasteofmanymillionsofcrowns，theywouldlaydowntheirarmswithouthavingachievedeitherobject;
　　but，iftheycametoanunderstanding，therewouldbenorisk，andnodifficulty。AustriawouldwillinglymakeinBelgiumsuchcessionsasFrancecouldnotexpecttoobtainbytenpitchedbattles。Silesiawouldeasilybeannexedtothemonarchyofwhichithadlongbeenapart。TheunionoftwosuchpowerfulgovernmentswouldatonceoverawetheKingofPrussia。Ifheresisted，oneshortcampaignwouldsettlehisfate。FranceandAustria，longaccustomedtorisefromthegameofwarbothlosers，would，forthefirsttime，bothbegainers。Therecouldbenoroomforjealousybetweenthem。Thepowerofbothwouldbeincreasedatonce;theequilibriumbetweenthemwouldbepreserved;andtheonlysuffererwouldbeamischievousandunprincipledbuccaneer，whodeservednotendernessfromeither。
　　Thesedoctrines，attractivefromtheirnoveltyandingenuity，soonbecamefashionableatthesupper—partiesandinthecoffee—
　　housesofParis，andwereespousedbyeverygaymarquisandeveryfacetiousabbewhowasadmittedtoseeMadamedePompadour’shaircurledandpowdered。Itwasnot，however，toanypoliticaltheorythatthestrangecoalitionbetweenFranceandAustriaoweditsorigin。TherealmotivewhichinducedthegreatcontinentalpowerstoforgettheiroldanimositiesandtheiroldstatemaximswaspersonalaversiontotheKingofPrussia。ThisfeelingwasstrongestinMariaTheresa;butitwasbynomeansconfinedtoher。Frederic，insomerespectsagoodmaster，wasemphaticallyabadneighbour。Thathewashardinalldealings，andquicktotakealladvantages，wasnothismostodiousfault。Hisbitterandscoffingspeechhadinflictedkeenerwoundsthanhisambition。Inhischaracterofwithewasunderlessrestraintthaneveninhischaracterofruler。SatiricalversesagainstalltheprincesandministersofEuropewereascribedtohispen。InhislettersandconversationhealludedtothegreatestpotentatesoftheageintermswhichwouldhavebettersuitedColle，inawarofreparteewithyoungCrebillonatPelletier’stable，thanagreatsovereignspeakingofgreatsovereigns。Aboutwomenhewasinthehabitofexpressinghimselfinamannerwhichitwasimpossibleforthemeekestofwomentoforgive;and，unfortunatelyforhim，almostthewholeContinentwasthengovernedbywomenwhowerebynomeansconspicuousformeekness。