HANOVER，SEPTEMBER27th。BritannicMajesty，reducedtothatfrightfulpinch，hasatlastgivenway。TreatyofNeutralityforHanover；engagementagaintostickone’spuissantPragmaticswordintoitsscabbard，tobeperfectlyquiescentandcontemplativeintheseFrench—BavarianAnti—Austrianundertakings，anddigestone’sindignationasonecan。ForourPaladinofthePragmaticwhataposture！ThisisthefirstofThreeAttemptsbyourpuissantlittlePaladintodrawsword；——nottillthethirdcouldhegethisswordout，ordotheleastfighting（evenfoolishfighting）withallthe40，000hehadkeptonpayandsubsidyforyearsback。
TheNeutralitywasforHanoveronly，andhadnospecificlimitastotime。Opportunitiesdidrise；butsomethingalwaysrosealongwiththem，——mainlytheimpossibilityofhoistingthoselazyDutch，——andcheckedone’snoblerage。HisMajestyhascovenantadtovoteforKarlAlbertasKaiser；evenhe，andwillmakethethingunanimous！Athoroughlycheck—matedMajesty。PassinghometoEngland，thistimeinagloomyconditionofmind，shortlyafterthesehumiliations，hewasjustissuingfromOsnabruckbytheEasternGate，whenMaillebois’speopleenteredbytheWestern，——
theuglyshoesoftheminsultinghiskibesinthismanner。AndafuriousAnti—WalpoleParliament，mostperturbedofNationalPalavers，iswaitinghimatSt。James’s。Heavy—ladenlittleHerculesthatheis！
KarlAlbertlayatLinzforamonthlonger（tillOctober24th，sixweeksinall）；pausinginuncertainties，inapleasantdreamofvictoryandsovereignty；notpouncingonVienna，asFriedrichurgedontheFrenchandhim，tocutthematterbytheroot。Hedoespushforwardcertaintroops，ComtedeSaxewithThreeHorseRegimentsasvanguard，evernearertoVienna；atlasttowithinfortymilesofit；nay，light—horsepartiescamewithintwenty—fivemiles。
AndtherewasskirmishingwithMentzel，asanguinaryfellow，ofwhomweshallhearmore；whohadgot"1，000Tolpatches"underhim，andstoodruggedlyatbay。
KarlAlberthasbeensendingoutsovereignmessagesfromLinz:
LetterstoVienna；——oneletteraddressed"TotheArch—duchessMariaTheresa；"whichcamebackunopened，"Nosuchpersonknownhere。"
October2d，heisgettinghomagedatLinz，bytheSTANDEoftheProvince，——onsummonssentsometimebefore，——manyofwhomattend，withawillingenoughappearance；Kur—BaiernratherafavoriteinUpperAustria，saysome。Muchfineprocessioning，melodiousharanguing，therenowisforKarlAlbert，andapleasantdreamofSovereigntyatLinz:butifhedonotpounceuponViennatillKhevenhullergetitfortified？KhevenhullerisdrawinghomeItalianGarrisons，graduallygatheringsomethinglikeanArmyroundhim。
InKhevenhuller’simperturbablemilitaryhead，oneoftheclearestandhardest，thereissomehope。Aboveall，ifNeipperg’sArmyweretodisengageitself，andbeletlooseintothoseparts？
EXCELLENCYHYNDFORDBRINGSABOUTAMEETINGAT
KLEIN—SCHNELLENDORF（9thOctober，1741）。
ItwastheseconddayafterthatHomagingatLinz，whenHyndford（Sept。22d）withmysteriousnegotiations，nownearlyripe，fordisengagingNeipperg，waylaidhisPrussianMajesty；andwasanswered，aswesaw，with"Tush，tush！Dinnerisalreadycold！"
Itmustbeowned，theseFriedrich—HyndfordNegotiations，followingonanexpressFrench—PrussianTreatyofJune5th，whichhavetoproceedinsuchthreefoldmysterynowandafterwards，areofquestionabledistressingnature:norcanthefactthattheyareescortedcopiouslyenoughbyacorrespondentsortontheFrenchside，andindeedontheAustrianandonallsides，beacompleteconsolation，——farotherwise，totheingenuousreader。
Smelfungusindignantlycallsitanimmoralityandadishonor，"aplayingwithloadeddice；"whichingoodpartitsurelywas。
NorcanevenFriedrich，whohasmanypleasforhimself，obtainspokenacquittal；unspoken，accompaniedwithregretsandpity，isallevenFriedrichcanaspireto。Myownimpressionis，Smelfungus，ifcandid，wouldonclearerinformationandconsiderationhaverevokedmuchofwhathesayshereincensureofFriedrich。Atallevents，ifasked:Wherethenisthespecificalnot"superstitious"
WANTof"veracity"youeverfoundinFriedrich？andHow，OTHERWISE
thanevenasFriedrichdid，wouldyou，mostveraciousSmelfungus，havepluckedoutyourSilesiafromsuchanElementandsuchaTime？——hewouldbepuzzledtoanswer。IgivehisFragmentasIfindit，withthesedeductions:——
"Whatnegotiatingwehavehad，andshallhave，"exclaimsSmelfungus，mysadforegoer，——"fitrathertobeomittedfromaseriousHistory，whichintendstobereadbyhumancreatures！
Bargaining，Promising，Non—performing。Falseingeneralasdicers’
oaths；falseonthissideandonthat，frombeginningtoend。
InterceptedLettersfromFleury；LetterdroppingfromValori’swaistcoat—pocket，uponwhichFriedrichclapshisfoot:alas，alas，weareinthemiddleofawholeworldofthat。FriedrichknowsthattheFrencharefalsetohim；hebynomeansintendstoberomanticallytruetothem，andthatalsotheyknow。Whatistheusetohumancreaturesofrecordingallthatmelancholystuff？
IfsovereignpersonswanttheirdiplomaciesNOTtobesweptintotheash—pit，therearetwoconditions，especiallyonewhichisperemptory:FIRST，thattheyshouldnotbelies；——SECOND，thattheyshouldbeofsomeimportance，somewisdom；whichwithknownliesisnotapossiblecondition。Tounravelcobwebs，andregisterlaboriouslyanddateandsortinthesorrowofyoursoultheoathsofcrowneddicers，——whatuseisittogodsormen？Havingwelldressedandslicedyourcucumber，thenextclearhumandutyis:
Throwitoutofwindow。InthatfoulLapland—witchworld，ofseethingDiplomaciesandmonstrouswiggedmendacities，horriblywickedanddespicablyunwise，Ifindnothingnotable，memorableeveninasmalldegree，exceptthisaspectofayoungKingwhodoesknowwhathemeansinit。Clearasastar，sharpascuttingsteel（verydangeroustohydrogenballoons），hestandsinthemiddleofit，andmeanstoextorthisownfromitbysuchmethodsasthereare。
"MagnanimousIcanbynomeanscallFriedrichtohisalliesandneighbors，norevensuperstitiouslyveracious，inthisbusiness:
buthethoroughlyunderstands，healone，whatjustthinghewantsoutofit，andwhatanenormouswiggedmendacityitishehasgottodealwith。Fortherest，heisatthegaming—tablewiththesesharpers；theirdiceallcogged；——andheknowsit，andoughttoprofitbyhisknowledgeofit。Andinshort，towinhisstakeoutofthatfoulwelteringmellay，andgohomesafewithitifhecan。"
Verywell，myfriend！LetuskeeptowindwardoftheDiplomaticwizard’s—caldron；letHyndford，ValoriandCompanypresideoverit，throwingintheireyeofnewtandlimboftoad，asoccasionmaybe。
Enough，ifthereadercanbebroughttoconceiveit；andhowtheyoungKing，——whoperhapsalonehadrealbusinessinthisfoulelement，anddidnotvolunteerintoitliketheothers，thoughitnowunexpectedlyenvelopshimlikeaworld—whirlwind（frightfulenough，ifonespokeofthattoanybody），isstrugglingwithhiswholesoultogetwelloutofit。Assupremelyadroit，allreadersalreadyknowhim；hisappearancewhatwecalledstarlike，——alwayssomethingdefinite，fixedandlucidinit。
HeisdexterouslyholdingalooffromHyndfordatpresent，clingingtoFrenchValoriashischosencompanion:wemayfancywhatatimehehasofit，likeapolygamistamidjealouswives。ItwillquickenHyndford，heperceives，intheseulteriorstages，toleavehimwellalone。Hyndfordaccordingly，aswehavenoticed，couldnotseetheKingatall；hadtotryeveryplan，towatch，waylaytheKingforabitofinterview，whenindispensable。However，Hyndford，withhisNeipperginsightoftheperil，managesbetterthanRobinsonwithhisAulicCouncilatadistance:besidesheisalong—headeddoggedkindofman，withasurlyedaciousstrength，notinexpertinnegotiation，noreasilyturnedasidefromanypurposehemayhave。
BetweenthetwoCamps，nearlymidway，liesaHamletcalledKlein—
Schnellendorf，LITTLESchnellendorf，todistinguishitfromanotherSchnellendorfcalledGREAT，whichisamileortwonorthwestward，outofthestraightline。NotfarfromthefirstofthesepoorHamletsliesaSchlossornobleMansion，likewisecalledKlein—
Schnellendorf，belongingtoacertainCountvonSternberg，whoisnotthereatpresent，butwhoseservantsare，andapartyofCroatsoverthemforsomedaysback:apleasantairyMansionamongpleasantgardens，wellshutoutfromtheintrusionoftheworld。
UponthisCastleofKlein—SchnellendorfjudiciousHyndfordhascasthiseye:——andNeipperg，nowcometoastateofreadiness，approvesthesuggestionofHyndford，andpromptlyattheduemomentconvertsitintoafact。Arrestsnamely，onagivenmorning（thelastactofhisCroatsthere，whowithdrewdirectlywiththeirbatchofprisoners），everylivingsoulwithinorabouttheMansion；——
"suspectedoftreason；"onlyforoneday；——andinthisway，hasitreducedtothecomfortablefurnishedsolitudeofSleepingBeauty’sCastle；aplacefitforhighpersonstoholdaMeetingin，whichshallremainsecretasthegrave。Suchathingwasindispensable。
ForFriedrich，keepingshyofHyndford，ashewellmaywithaValoriwatchingeverystep，has，bywords，bysilences，whenHyndfordcouldwaylayhimforamoment，sufficientlyindicatedwhathewillandwhathewillnot；and，foroneindispensablecondition，inthepresentthrice—delicateAdventure，hewillnotsignanything；willgiveandtakewordofhonor，andfullybindhimself，butabsolutelynotputpentopaperatall。Neippergbeingwillingtoo，judiciousHyndfordfindsamedium。LetthepartiesmeetatKlein—Schnellendorf，andjudiciousHyndfordbetherewithpenandpaper。[Orlich，i。146；Helden—Geschichte，
i。1009。]
Monday，9thOctober，1741，accordingly，thereismeetingtobeheld。Hyndford，NeippergwithhisGeneralLentulus（aSwiss—AustrianGeneral，whoseSonservedunderFriedrichafterwards），thesewaitforFriedrich，ontheonehand:——"tofixsomecartelforexchangeofprisoners，"itissaid；——intheseprecinctsofKlein—
Schnellendorf；whicharesilent，vacant，yetcomfortablyfurnished，likeSleepingBeauty’sCastle。AndFriedrich，ontheotherhand，isactuallyridingthatway，withGoltz；——visitingoutposts，reconnoitring，sotospeak。"DineyouwithPrinceLeopold（theYoungDessauer），myfineValori；IfearIshan’tbehometodinner！"hehadsaidwhengoingoff；hoodwinkinghisfineValori，whosuspectsnothing。AtaduedistancefromKlein—Schnellendorf，theverygroomisleftbehind；andFriedrich，withGoltzonly，pushesontotheSchloss。Allreadythere；salutationssoondone；
businesssetabout，perfected:——andHyndfordwithpenandinkinhishand，he，bywayofProtocol，orsummaryofwhathadbsenagreedon，onmutualwordofhonor，mostbriefbutmostclearonthisoccasion，writesaStatePaper，whichbecameratherfamousafterwards。ThisisthePaperincondensedstate；thoughclear，itisverydull！
KLEIN—SCHNELLENDORF，9thOCTOBER，1741。BritannicExcellencyHyndfordtestifies，That，hereandnow，hisMajestyofPrussia，andNeippergonbehalfofherHungarianMajestydo，solemnlythoughonlyverbally，agreetothefollowingFourThings:——
"FIRST，ThatGeneralNeipperg，onthe16thofthemonth[thisdayweek]shallhavelibertytoretirethroughtheMountains，towardsMoravia；unmolested，orwithnothingbutsham—attacksintherearofhim。SECOND，That，inconsequence，hisPrussianMajesty，onmakingsham—siegeofNeisse，shallhavetheplacesurrenderedtohimonthefifteenthday。THIRD，Thatthereshallbe，nayinasense，thereherebyis，aPeacemade；hisMajestyretainingNeisseandSilesia[accordingtothelimitsknowntous:——nothingsaidofGlatz]；andthatacompleteTreatytothateffectshallbeperfected，signedandratified，beforetheYearisout。FOURTH，Thatthesesham—hostilities，butonlysham，shallcontinue；andthathisMajesty，winteringinBohewia，andcarryingonsham—
hostilities[tothesatisfactionoftheFrench]，shallpayhisownexpenses，anddonomischief。"[GiveninHelden—
Geschichte，i。1009；in&c。]
TotheseFourThingstheypledgetheirwordofhonor；andHyndfordsignsanddeliverseachaCopy。UnwrittenaFifthThingissettled，Thatthepresenttransactioninallpartsofitshallbesecretasdeath，——hisMajestyexpresslyinsistingthat，iftheleastinklingofitoozeout，heshallhaverighttodenyit，andrefuseinanywaytobeboundbyit。Whichlikewiseisassentedto。
Hereisaprettypieceofworkdoneforourselfandourallies，whileValoriisquietlydiningwiththePrinceofDessau！TheKingstayedabouttwohours；wasextremelypolite，andevenfrankandcommunicative。"Averyhigh—spiritedyoungKing，"thinksNeipperg，reportingofit；"willnotstandcontradiction；butagreatdealcanbemadeofhim，ifyougointohisideas，andhumorhiminadelicatedexterousway。HedidnottheleasthidehisengagementswithFrance，Bavaria，Saxony；butwouldreally，sofarasI
Neippergcouldjudge，preferfriendshipwithAustria，onthegiventerms；andseemstohavesecretlyakindofpiqueatSaxony，andnofavorfortheFrenchandtheirplans。"[Orlich，i。149（incondensedstate）。]
"Businessbeingdone[thisisHyndford’sreport]，theKing，whohadbeenpolitenessitself，tookNeippergaside，beckoningHyndfordtobeoftheparty，’Iwishyoutoo，myLord，toheareveryword:——hisBritannicMajestyknowsorshouldknowmyintentionsneverweretodohimhurt，butonlytotakecareofmyself；andprayinformhim[whatisthefact]thatIhaveorderedmyArmyinBrandenburgtogointowinter—quarters，andbreakupthatCampatGottin。’
Friedrich’stalktoNeippergis，HowhemayassaulttheFrenchwithadvantage:’JoinLobkowitzandwhatforcehehasinBohmen；
gorightintoyourenemies，beforetheycanunitethere。IftheQueenprosper，Ishall——perhapsIshallhavenoobjectiontojoinherbyandby？IfherMajestyfail；well，everyonemustlooktohimself。’"ThesewordsHyndfordlistenedtowithanedacioussolidcountenance，andgreedilytookthemdown。[Hyndford’sDespatch，Breslau，14thOctober，1741。]
Oncemore，acuriousglimpse（perhapsimprudentlyallowedus，inthecircumstances）intotherealinnermanofFriedrich。Hehad，atthistime，nowthattheBelleisleAdventureisleftinsuchastate，noessentialreasontowishtheFrenchruined，——norprobablydidhe；butonlystatedbothchances，asinthewayofunguardedsoliloquy；andwaswillingtoleaveNeippergasweetmorseltochew。SecretmodeofcorrespondingwiththeCourtofAustriaisagreedupon；notdirect，butthraughcertainCommandants，tillthePeace—Treatybeperfected，——atlatest"byDecember24th，"wehope。
Andso，"BONVOYAGE，andwellacrosstheMountains，M。LEMARECHAL；
tillwemeetagain！Andyou，ExcellencyHyndford，besogoodyouaswritetome，——forValori’sbehoof，——complainingthatIamdeaftoallproposals，thatnothingcanbehadofme。AndotherLetters，pray，oftheliketenor，allround；toPresburg，toEngland，toDresden:——iftheCouriersareseized，itshallbewell。’YourLettertomyself，letatrumpetcomewithitwhileIamatdinner，’
andValoribesideme！"——"Certainly，yourMajesty，"answersHyndford；anddoesit，doesallthis；whichproducesasoothingeffectonValori，poorsoul！
FRIEDRICHTAKESNEISSEBYSHAMSIEGE（CAPTURENOTSHAM）；
GETSHOMAGEDINBRESLAU；ANDRETURNSTOBERLIN。
Thus，iftheAustriansholdtotheirbargain，hasFriedrich，inamostcompendiousmanner，gotdonewithaBusinesswhichthreatenedtobeinfinite:bythisshortcuthe，forhispart，isquiteoutofthewaste—howlingjungleofEnchantedForest，andhisfootagainonthefirmfreeEarth。IfonlytheAustriansholdtotheirbargain！
Butprobablyhedoubtsiftheywill。Well，eveninthatcase，hehasgotNeisse；standspreparedformeetingthemagain；and，inthemeanwhile，hasfreedomtodenythatthereeverwassuchabargain。
OfthePoliticalmoralityofthisgameoffast—and—loose，whathavewetosay，——except，thatthediceonbothsidesseemtobeloaded；
thatlogicmightbechoppeduponitforever；thatacandidmindwillsettlewhatdegreeofwisdom（whichisalwaysessentiallyveracity），andwhatoffolly（whichisalwaysfalsity），therewasinFriedrichandtheothers；whether，ortowhatdegree，therewasabettercourseopentoFriedrichinthecircumstances:——and，infine，itwillhavetobegrantedthatyoucannotworkinpitchandkeephandsevidentlyclean。FriedrichhasgotintotheEnchantedWilderness，populouswithdevilsandtheirworks；——and，alas，itwillbelongbeforehegetoutofitagain，HISlifewaningtowardsnightbeforehegetvictoriouslyout，andbequeathhisconquesttoluckiersuccessors！ItisoneofthetragicelementsofthisKing’slife；littlecontemplatedbyhim，whenhewentlightlyintotheSilesianAdventure，lookingforhonorbright，whathecalled"GLOIRE，"asoneprincipalconsideration，hardlyayearago！——
Neipperg，accordingtocovenant，brokeuppunctuallythatdayweek，October16th；andwentovertheMountains，throughJagerndorf，Troppau，towardsMahren；Prussianshangingonhisrear，andskirmishingabout，butonlyforimaginaryorostensiblepurposes。
Afterathree—weeksmarch，hegetstoaplacecalledFrating，[Espagnac，i。104。]easternmostborderofMahren，ontheslopesoftheMannhartsbergHill—Country，whichiswithinwindofViennaitself；where，aswecanfancy，hispresenceiswelcomeasmorning—
lightinthepresentdarkcircumstances。
Friedrich，onthemorrowafterNeippergwent，investedNeisse（October17th）；setabouttheSiegeofNeissewithallgravity，asifithadbeenthemostearnestoperation；whichnobodyofmankind，exceptthreeorfour，doubtedbutitwas。Beforeopeningofthetrenches，LeopoldyoungDessauertooktheroadforGlatzCountry，andtheadjoiningCirclesofBohemia；theretocantonhimself，peaceablyaccordingtocontract；andespeciallytohaveaneyeuponGlatz，shouldtheKlein—Schnellendorfengagementgoawryinanypoint。TheKinginhisDialoguewithNeipperghadsaidseveralthingsaboutGlatz，andwhatasacrificehemadethereforthesakeofspeedypace，theFrenchhavingguaranteedhimGlatz，thoughhenowforboreit。Leopold，whohaswithhimsome15，000horseandfoot，cantonshimselfjudiciouslyinthoseultramontaneparts，——
"alltheartilleryintheGlatzCountry；"[Helden—
Geschichte，ii。431；Orlich，i。174。]——andweshallhearofhimagain，byandby，inregardtootherbusinessthatrisesthere。
NeisseisaformidableFortress，muchstrengthenedsincelastyear；
buthereisaBesiegerwithmuchbetterchance！Hemarkedoutparallels，sentsummonses，reconnoitred，manoeuvred，——inawaymoreorlesssurprisingtotheeyeofValori，whoismilitary，andknowsaboutsieges。Rathersingular，remarksValori；goodengineersmuchwantedhere！Butthebombardmentdidfinallybegin:nightofOctober26th—27th，thePrussiausopenedfire；and，ataterriblerate，cannonadedandbombardedwithoutintermission。Inpointoffireandnoiseitistremendous；Valoritrustsitmaybeeffective，inspiteoffaults；goestoBreslauinhope:"Yes，gotoBreslau，MONCHERVALORI；waitformethere。Neippergbechased，sayyou？
Shallnothe，——ifwehadgotthisplace！"Andsothefirecontinuesnightandday。[Helden—Geschichte，i。1006。]
FantasticBielfeld，inhissemi—fabulousstyle，hasaLETTERonthisbombardment，attractivetoLoversofthePicturesque，——
（writtenlongafterwards，anddated&c。WRONG）。AsBielfeldisarapidclevercreatureofthecoxcombsort，anddoubtlessdidseeNeisseSiege，andentertainedseeminglyablazingincorrectrecollectionofit，hisPseudo—NeisseLettermaybeworthgiving，torepresentapproximatelywhatkindofsceneitwasthereatNeisseintheOctobernights:——
"MarechalSchwerinwaslodgedinaVillageaboutthree—quartersofamilefromHead—Quarters。Onedayhedidmethehonortoinvitemetodinner；andevenofferedmeahorsetoridethitherwithhim。
Ifoundexcellentcompany；asuperbrepast，andwineofthegods。
Hostandguestswereinhighspirits；andthepleasuresofthetablewerekeptupsolate，thatitwasmidnightwhenwerose。
IwasobligedtoreturntoHead—Quarters，havingstilltowaitupontheKing，asusual。TheMarechalwaskindenoughtolendmeanotherhorse；butthegroommischievouslygavemethechargerwhichtheMarechalrodeattheBattleofMollwitz；averypowerfulanimal，andwhich，fromthatday，hadgrownveryskittish。
"Iwasmadeawareofthiscircumstance，beforewewerefairlyoutoftheVillage；andthenightbeingofthedarkest，Itwentytimesrantheriskofbreakingmyneck。Wehadtopassoverahill，togettoHead—Quarters。WhenIreachedthetop，ashuddercameoverme，andmyhairstoodonend。Ihadnobodywithmebutastrangegroom。Thecountryallaroundwasinfestedwithtroopsandmarauders；Iwasmountedonanunmanageablehorse。Undermyfeet，sotosay，IsawthebombardmentoftheTownofNeisse。Iheardtheroarofcannonanddolefulshrieks。Aboveourbatteriesthewholeatmospherewasinflamed；andtocompletethecalamity，Imissedtheway，andgotlostinthedarkness。Finally，indescendingthehill，myhorse，frightened，madeaterribleswerveorside—jump。Ididnotknowthecause；butafterhaving，withdifficulty，gothimintotheroadagain，Ifoundmyselfoppositetoadeserterwhohadbeenhangedthatday！Iwashorriblydisgustedbythesight；thegallowsbeingverylow，andtheheadofthemalefactoralmostparallelwithmine。Ispurredon，andgallopedawayfromsuchunpleasantnight—
company。AtlastIarrivedatHead—Quarters，allinaperspiration。
Isentmyhorseback；andwentintotheKing，whoaskedmeatonce，whyIwassoheated。ImadehisMajestyafaithfulreportofallmydisasters。Helaughedmuch；andadvisedmeseriouslynotagaintogooutbynight，andalone，beyondthecircuitofHead—Quarters。"[Bielfeld，ii。31，32。]
AfterfourdaysandnightsofthissublimePlayhousethunder（withrealbulletsinit，whichkilledsomemen，andburntconsiderableproperty），theNeisseCommandant（notRoththistime，RothisnowinBrunn），——his"fortnightofsiege，"Ottober17thtoOctober3lst，beingaccomplishedornearlyso，——beatchamade；andwas，aftergraveenoughtreatying，allowedtomarchaway。Marched，accordingly，onthecorrectKlein—Schnellendorfterms；mostofhispoorgarrisondeserting，andtakingPrussianservice。Eversincewhichmoment，Neisse，capturedinthiscuriousmanner，hasbeenFriedrich’sandhisPrussia’s。
November1st，thePrussiansoldiersenteredtheplace；andFriedrich，afterdiligentinspectionandwhatorderswerenecessary，leftforBriegonthefollowingday；——wheregeneralilluminatinganddemonstratingawaitedhim，amidmoreseriousbusiness。Afterstrictexaminations，andapprovalofWalraveandhisworksatBrieg，heagaintakestheroad；entersBreslau，inconsiderablestate（November4th）；wheremanyPersonsofQualityarewaiting，andthegeneralHomagingisstraightwaytobe，——orindeedshouldhavebeensomedaysago，buthasfallenbehindbydelaysintheNeisseaffair。
TheBreslauHULDIGUNG，——Friedrichsworntoandhomagedwiththeduesolemnitiesas"SovereignDukeofLowerSilesia，"——wasaneventtothrowintofinetemporaryfrenzythedescriptiveGazetteers，andBreslauCity，overflowingwithQualitypeoplecometoactandtoseeontheoccasion。Eventwhichcanbelefttothereader’sfancy，atthisdate。TherewereCorporationsoutinquantity，"allincloaks"andwithsublimeAddresses，partlyinpoetry，happilyratherbrief。TherewerebeautifulPrussianLife—guards（"FirstBattalion，"admirabletothesoftersex，nottospeakoftheharder）；muchmilitaryresonanceandsplendor。Friedrichdroveaboutincarriages—and—six，"naycarriage—and—eight，horsescream—
color:"averyhighKingindeed；andaverybusyone，forthosefourdays（November4th—8th）1741），butfullofgraceandcondescension。TheHULDIGUNGitselftookeffectonthe7th；inthefineoldRathhaus，whichTouristsstillknow，——thesurroundingApple—womensweepingthemselvesclearawayforoneday。AncientDucalthroneandproperapparatustherewas；state—swordunluckilywanting:Schwerin，whowastoactGrand—Marshal，couldfindnostate—sword，tillFriedrichdrewhisownandgaveithim。
[Helden—Geschichte，i。1022，1025；ii。349。]
PodewilstheMinistersaidsomething，nottoomuch；towhichonePrittwitz，headofaSilesianFamilyofwhichweshallknowindividuals，madepithyandprettyresponse，beforeswearing。
"TherewereaboveFourHundredofQualitypresent，allingala。"
ThecustomaryFree—GiftoftheSTANDEFriedrichmagnanimouslyrefused:"ImpossibletobeaburdentoourSilesiainsuchharassedwar—circumstances，insteadofbenefactorandprotector，asweintendedandintend！"TheCeremony，swearingandall，wasoverintwohours；hundredsofsilvermedals，nottospeakofthegoldones，flyingabout；andBreslaugivingitselfupjoyfullytodinnerandfestivities。And，afterdinner，thatevening，toIllumination；
followedbyballsandjubilationsfordaysafter，inahighlyharmoniouskey。Ofthelamps—festoons，astonishingtransparencies，andgladsymbolicdevices，Icouldsayagreatdeal；butwillmentiononlytwo，bothofcomfortablyedibleorquasi—edibletendency:——
1。ThatofDavidSchulze，Flesherbyprofession；whohadaTransparencylargeaslife，representinghisownfatPersonintheactoffellingafatOx；towhichwasappendedthisepigraph:——
"WermirwirddenKoniginPreussenverachten，DenwillichwiediesenOchsenschlacten。"
"WhodaresmetheKingofPrussiainsult，HimIwillservelikethisfatheadofnolt。"
Signed"DAVIDSCHULER，ABRANDENBURGER。"——
Andthen，2。How，inanotherquarter，therewassetaloftINRE，bysomePastry—cookofpatrioticturn:"AnactualOxroastedwhole；filledwithpheasants，partridges，grouse，haresandgeese；PrussianEagleatop，madeofroastedfowls，larksandthelike，"——unattainable，I
doubt，exceptformoneydown。[Helden—Geschichte，ii。359。]
Onthefifthmorning，9thNovember，——aftermuchworkdoneduringthisshortvisit，muchceremonialaudiencing，latterly，andraisingtothepeerage，——FriedrichrolledontoGlogau。Tookaccuratesurveyoftheengineeringandotherintereststhere，foracoupleofdays；thencetoBerlin（noonofthellth），joyfullyreceivedbyRoyalFamilyandalltheworld；——and，aswemightfancy，askinghimself:"AmIactuallyhome，then；outoftheenchantedjunglesandtheirdevilries；safehere，andlistening，IaloneinPeace，totheuniversaldinofWar？"Alas，no；thatwasabeautifulhypothesis；toobeautifultobelongcredible！BeforereachingBerlin，——orevenBreslau，asappears，——Friedrich，vigilantlyscanninganddiscerning，hadseenthatfinehopeasgoodasvanish；
andwassilentlybusyupontheoppositeone。
Inafortnighthence，Hyndford，whohadfollowedtoBerlin，gottransientsightoftheKingonemorning，hasteningthroughsomeapartmentorother:"’MyLord，’saidtheKing，（theCourtofViennahasentirelydivulgedoursecret。DowagerEmpressAmelia[KaiserJoseph’swidow，motherofKarlAlbert’swife]hasacquaintedtheCourtofBavariawithit；Wasner[AustrianMinisteratParis]hastoldFleury；Sinzendorf[dittoatPetersburg]hastoldtheCourtofRussia；Robinson，throughMr。Villiers[yourSaxonMinister]，hastoldtheCourtofDresden；andseveralmembersofyourGovernmentinEnglandhavetalkedpubliclyaboutit！’And，withashrugoftheshoulders，heleftme，"——standingsomewhatagapethere。[Hyndford’sDespatch，Berlin，28thNovember，1741；Ib。Breslau，28thOctober（secretalreadyknown）。]
ChapterVI。
NEWMAYOROFLANDSHUTMAKESANINSTALLATIONSPEECH。
ThelategeneralHomagingatBreslau，andsolemnTakingPossessionoftheCountrybyKingFriedrich，undersuchpeaceableomens，hadstraightway，aswegather，broughtabout，overSilesiaatlarge，oratleastwherepressinglyneedful，variouslittlealterations，——
rectifications，bythePrussianmodelandnewrulenowintroduced。
Ofwhich，asitisbetterthatthereaderhavesomedimnotion，ifeasilyprocurable，thannoneatall，Iwillofferhimoneexample；
——itselfdimenough，butcomingatfirst—hand，intheactualorccncreteform，andbeyonddisputinginwhateverlightortwilightitmayyieldus。
AtLandshut，apleasantlittleMountainTown，inthePrincipalityofSchweidnitz，highup，ontheinfantRiverBober，neartheBohemianFrontier——（EnglishreadersmayseeQUINCYADAMS’S
descriptionofit，andofthelongwoodenspoutswhichthrowcataractsonyou，ifwalkingthestreetsinrain[JohnQuincyAdams（afterwardsPresidentoftheUnitedStates），LettersonSilesia（London，1804）。"Thewoodenspoutsarenowgone"（Tourist’sNote，of1858）。]）:atLandshut，asinsomeotherTowns，ithadbeenfoundgoodtoremodeltheTownMagistracyalittle；tomakeitpartlyProtestant，foronething，insteadofCatholic（andAustrian），whichithadformerlybeen。Detailsaboutthe"highcontroversiesanddiscrepancies"
whichhadrisenthere，wehaveabsolutelynone；norhavethespecialfunctionsoftheMagistracy，whatpowerstheyhad，whatworktheydid，intheleastbecomedistincttous:wegatheronlythatacertainnamelessBurgermeister（probablyAustrianandCatholic）had，by"MostgraciousRoyalSpecial—Order，"beenatlengthrelievedfromhislabors，andtherewith"themuchbyhimpersecutedandafflictedHerrTheodorusSpener"beennamedBurgermeisterinstead。WhichrespectableHerrTheodorusSpener，andalongwithhimHerrJohannDavidFischerasRATHS—SENIOR，andHerrJohannCasparRuffer，andalsoHerrJohannJacobUmminger，asnewRaths（howmanyoftheoldbeingleftIcannotsay），wereaccordingly，onthe4thofDecember，1741，publiclyinstalled，andwithpropersolemnitytooktheirplaces；allLandshutlookingon，withtheconceivableinterestandastonishment，almostasatachangeintheobliquityoftheecliptic，——changeprobablyforthebetter。
RespectableHerrTheodorusSpener（wehopeitisSpeNer，fortheyprinthimSPEERinoneofthetwoplaces，andwehavetogobyguess）isreadywithanInstallationSpeechontheoccasion；
andhisSpeechwasjudgedsoexcellent，thattheyhavepreserveditinprint。UsitbynomeansstrikesbyitsDemosthenicorotherqualities:meanwhilewelistentoitwiththeclosestattention；
hoping，inourgreatignorance，togatherfromitsomeglimmeringsofinstructionastotheaffairs，humors，dispositionandgeneraloutlookandconditionofLandshut，andSilesiainthatjuncture；——
andthoughagooddealdisappointed，havemadeanAbstractofitintheEnglishlanguage，whichperhapsthereadertoo，inhisgreatignorance，willaccept，indefectofbetter。SceneisLandshutamongtheGiantMountainsontheBohemianBorderofSilesia:anoldstoneTown，wherethereisfromofoldabusytradeinthreadandlinen；Townconsisting，asiscommonthere，ofvariousnarrowwindingstreetscomparabletospider—legs，andofaroomycentralMarket—placecomparabletothebodyofthespider；wideirregularMarket—placewiththewoodenspouts（dryforthemoment）allprojectingroundit。Time，4thDecember，1741（doubtlessintheforenoon）；unusualcrowdofpopulationsimmeringabouttheMarket—
place，andfullaudienceofthebettersortgravelyattentiveintheinterioroftheRathhaus；BurgermeisterSpenerLOQUITUR
[Helden—Geschichte，ii。416。]（liabletoabridgmenthereandthere，onwarninggiven）:——
"Ienter，then，inthenameoftheMostHolyTrinity，uponanOffice，towhichDivineProvidencehasappointed，andthegraciousandpotenthandofagreatKinghasraisedme。Greatasisthedignity[giddyheightofMayoraltyinLandshut]，thoughundeserved，whichtheEver—Nercifulhasthusconferreduponme，equallygreatandmuchgreateristheburdenconnectedtherewith。Iconfess"——
Heconfesses，inhigh—stalkingearnestwoodenlanguageveryforeigntousineveryway:（1。）Thathisshouldersaretooweak；butthathetrustsinGod。For（2。）itisGod’sdoing；andHethathascalledSpener，willgiveSpenerstrength，theessentialworkbeingtodoGod’swill，topromoteHishonor，andthecommonweal。
（3。）ThathecomesoutofasmallerOffice（Officenotfartherspecified，probablyexteriortotheRATHS—COLLEGE，andsubalterntothelatetyrannousMayorandit），andhastakenuponhimtheMayoraltyofthisTown（anevidentfact！）；butthatthelaborandresponsibilityaredreadfullyincreased；andthatthepointisnotincreaseofhonor，ofrespectabilityorincome，butofheavyduties。（Asonorous，pious—mindedSpener；muchmoreinearnestthanreadersnowthink！）
Itiseasy，intimateshe，togovernaTown，if，assomehaveperhapsdone，youfollowsimplyyourownwill，regardlessofthesighsandcomplaintsyoursubjectsutterforinjusticeundergone，——
indifferenttothethoughtthatthecapriceofoneTownSovereignistobeglorifiedbysomanythousandtears（dimglanceintothepasthistoryofLandshut！）。SuchTownSovereignpersecutesinnocence，stopshisearstoitscry；flourisheshissharpscourge；
——nooneshallcomplain:forisitnotjustice？thinkssuchaTownSovereign。Thereasonis，Hedoesnotknowhimself，poorman；
hashadhiseyealwaysonthedutiesofhissubjectstowardshim，andrarelyorneveronhistowardsthem。ASovereignMayorthatgovernsbyfear，——hemustliveincontinualfearofeveryone，andofhimselfwithal。Aweakbasis:andcapableoftotaloverturninoneday。Onthecontrary，theloveofyourburghersubjects:that，ifyoucankindleit，willgoonlikeahouseonfire（AUSBRUCH
EINESFEURES），andstreamsofwaterwon’tputitout……"And[letusnowtakeSpener’sverywords]ifamankeepthefearofGodbeforehiseyes，therewillbenoneedforanyotherkindoffear。
"Iwilltherefore，youespeciallyHigh—honoredGentlemen，studytodirectallmyjudicialendeavorstothehonorofthegreatGod，andtoinviolablefidelitytowardsmymostgraciousKingandLord[Friedrich，byDecisionofProvidence——atMollwitzandelsewhere]。
"TotheCitizensofthisTown，fromofoldsodeartome，andnowbyRoyalgracecommittedtomycharge，andthereforedoublyandtreblytobehelddear，Imeantodevotemyselfaltogether。Iwill，oneveryoccasionandoccurrence，stillmoreexpresslythanaforetime，standbythem；andwhenneedis，notfailtobringtheircasebeforethejustThroneofourAnointed[Friedrich，byDecisionofProvidence]。JusticeandfairnessIwillendeavor，underwhatevercomplexities，tomakemyloadstar。Yes，Ishallandwill，bymeansofthismyOffice，equipmyselfwithweaponswherebyImaybecapabletodampsuchhumors（INTELLIGENTIEN），shouldsuchstillbe（butIbelievetherearenownonesuch），asmayrepugnagainsttheRoyalinterest，withpossibilityofbeingdangerous；andtoputabridleonmouthsthatareunruly。And，tosaymuchinlitllecompass，IwillbefaithfultoGod，tomyKingandtothisTown。
"HavingnowthehonorandhappinesstobeputintoOfficialfriendshipwiththoseGentlemenwho，asBurgermeisters，andasoldandasnewMembersofCouncil，haveforlongyearsmadethemselvesrenownedamongus，Iwillentertain，inrespectoftheformer[theold]afirmconfidenceThatthezealtheyhavesostronglymanifestedforbehoofofthemostsereneArchducalHouseofAustriawillhenceforthburninthemforourmostBelovedLand’sPrincewhomGodhasnowgivenus；thatthefireoftheirlatelyplightedtruthanddevotion，towardshisRoyalMajesty，shallshinenotinwordsonly，butinworks，andbeextinguishedonlywiththeirlives。[Canthatbe，OSpenerorSpeer？Arewealarm—clocks，thatneedonlytobewoundup，andtoldatwhathour，andforwhom？]
God，whoputsKingsinandcaststhemout，hasgiventousanolesspotentSovereignthansupremelylovingLand’s—Father，who，bytherenownofhismorethanroyalvirtues，hadtakencaptivetheheartsofhisfuturesubjectsandchildrenstillsoonerthanevenbyhisarms，familiarotherwisetovictory，hedidtheLand。
Andwhoshallbepuissantandmightyenough，nowtoleadmen’smindsinacontrarydirection；tocontroltheMostHighPower，ruleroverheartsandLands，whohaddecreeditshouldbeso；
andagaintochangethischange？[HearSpener:hehastakengreatpainswithhisDiscourse，andunderstandscomposition！]
"Thischange，High—honoredGentlemen[oftheCatholicpersuasion]，isalsoforyouanotunhappyone。ForournowaspiousaswiseKingwill，especiallyinonemostvitalpoint，takepatternbytheKingofallKings；andmeanstobelordofhissubjectsonly，notoftheconsciencesofhissubjects。HerequiresnothingfromyoubutwhatyouarealreadyboundbyGod，byconscience，andduty，torender:towit，obedienceandinviolableunbrokenfidelity。Andbythat，andwithoutmoreaskedthanthat，youwillrenderyourselvesworthyofhisprotection，andbecomepartakersoftheRoyalfavor。
Nayyouwillrenderyourselvesalltheworthierinthathighquarter，andthemoremeritorioustowardsourciviccommonweal，themoreyou，High—honoredGentlemen[oftheCatholicpersuasion]，accept，withallfranknessofcolleague—loveandamity，meandtheEvangelicalbrotherRathsnowintroducedbyRoyalgraceandpower；
andmakethenewpositiongenerouslytenableandavailabletous；
——andtherebybindwithusthemorefirmlythebandofpeaceandcolleague—unity，forhelpingupthisdear，andforsomeyearsgreatlyfallen，Townalongwithus。
"We，forourpoorpart，will，oneandall，striveonlytosurpasseachotherinobedienceandfaithtoourMostGraciousKing。
Wewill，asRegentsoftheCitizenrycommittedtous，gobeforethemwithagoodexample；andprovetoallandeveryone，That，littleandinwaruntenableasourLandshutis，itshall，inextentandimpregnabilityoffaithtowardsitsMostDearestLand’s—Prince，approveitselfunconquerable。AswellIas"——Professesnow，inthemostintricatephraseology，thathe，andFischerandUmminger（givingnotonlythetitles，butasuccincthistoryofallthree，inasinglesentence，beforehecomestotheverb！），bringatrueheart，&c。&c。——OrwouldthereaderperhapsliketoseeitIN
NATURA，asaspecimenofGermanhuman—nature，andthearttheseSilesianspinnershaveindrawingouttheiryarns？
"AswellIas[1。]TheTitularHerrJohannDavidFischer，distinguishedtraderandmerchantofthisTown，who，byhistradingsinandbeyondourSilesianCountries，hasmadehimselfrenowned，andbyhismeritandaddressinparticularinstances[delicateinstancesknowntoLandshut，nottous]hasmadehimselfbeloved，whohasnowbeeninstalledasRaths—Senior；andalsoas[2。]TheTitularHerrJohannCasparRuffer，well—respectedCitizen，andRevenue—officeManagerhere，whoformanyyearshaswithmuchfidelityandvigilancemanagedtheRevenue—office，andwhoforhisexperienceintheeconomicconstitutionofthisTownhasbeenall—
graciouslynominatedRaths—Herr；——andnotless[3。]TheTitularJohannJacobUmminger，whilomAdvocateatLawinBreslau，who，forhisgoodstudiesinLaw，andmanifestedskillinthepracticeofLaw，hasbeenanall—graciouslynominatedSupernumeraryCouncillorandNotary’s—Adjunctamongus:——AswellIastheseThreenotonlyassureyou，High—honoredGentlemen，ofallimaginableestimationandreturnofloveonourpart；butdolikewiseassureallandsundrytheserespectableHerrenTown—Jurats[speciallypresent]，representingheretheuniversalwell—belovedCitizenryofourTown，——thatwebringaheartsincere，andintentonlyonaimingatthewelfareofaCitizenrysoloveworthy。WehavethefirmpurposebyGod’sgrace，sotoorderourwalk，andsotoconductourgovernmentthatwemay，oneday，whensummonedfromourjudgment—
seatstoanswerbeforetheUniversalJudgment—seatofChrist，beabletosay，withthatpiousKingandJudgeofIsrael:’Lord，thouknowestifwehavewalkeduprightlybeforethee。’Andwehopetounderstandthattherewardsofjustice，inthatLife，willbemuchmorethanthoseofinjusticeinthis。
"WebelievethattheMostHighwill，insofar，blesstheseourhonestpurposesandwholesomeendeavors，asthattheactualfruitsthereofwillintimecoming，andwhenPeacenowsoonexpected（whichGodgrant）hasreturnedtous，bemanifest；andthatif，inourOffice，asiscommon，weshouldratherhavethornsofpersecutionthanrosesofrecompensetoexpect，yettoeachofustherewillatlastaccruepraiseintheEarthandrewardinHeaven。
[HearSpener！]
"Meanwhilewewilluniteallourwishes，ThattheAlmightymayvouchsafetohisRoyalMajesty，ournowAll—dearestDukeandLand’s—Father，manylongyearsoflifeandofhappyreign；andmaintainthisAll—highestRoyal—PrussianandElector—BrandenburgicHouseinsupremestsplendorandprosperity，undisturbedtotheendofallDays；andalongwithit，ourTown—Council，andwholeMerchantryandCitizenry，safeunderthisPrussianSceptre，inperpetualblessing，peaceandunity[whatamodestprayer！]:toallwhichmayHeavenspeakitspowerfulAmen！"[Helden—
Geschichte，ii。416—422。]——
Whereuponsolemnwavingofhats；indistinctsoughofloyalmurmurfromtheuniversalLandshutPopulation；afterwhich，continuedtothedueextent，theyreturntotheirspindlesandshuttlesagain。
ChapterVII。
FRIEDRICHPURPOSESTOMENDTHEKLEIN—SCHNELLENDORF
FAILURE:FORTUNESOFTHEBELLEISLEARMAMENT。
WeshallnotdwelluponthemovementsoftheFrenchintoGermanyforthepurposeofoverwhelmingAustria，andsettingupfoursubordinatelittleSovereigntiestotaketheirordersfromLouisXV。Theplanwasofthemadsort，notrecognizedbyNatureatall；thediplomacywaswide，expensive，grandiose，butvainandbaseless；nordidthesoldieringthatfollowedtakepermanentholdofmen’smemory。Humannaturecannotaffordtofollowouttheseloudinanities；and，atacertaindistanceoftime，isboundtoforgetthem，asephemeraofnoaccountinthegeneralsum。
Difficulttosaywhatprofithumannaturecouldgetoutofsuchtransaction。TherewasnogoodsoldieringonthepartoftheFrenchexceptbygleamshereandthere；badsoldieringforthemostpart，andthecausewasradicallybad。Letusbebriefwithit；trytosnatchfromit，hugerottenheapofoldexuviaeandforgottennoisesanddeliriums，whatfractionsofperennialmayturnupforus，carefullyforgettingtherest。
Mailleboiswithhis40，000，wehaveseenhowtheygottoOsnabruck，andeffectuallystilledthewar—fervoroflittleGeorgeII。；
senthimhome，infact，toEnglandacheckmatedman，heridingoutofOsnabruckbyonegate，theFrenchatthesamemomentmarchinginbytheother。ThereliesMailleboiseversince；andwilllie，cantonedoverWestphalia，"notnearerthanthreeleaguestotheboundaryofHanover，"forayearandmore。ThereletMailleboislie，tillweseehimcalledawayelse—wither，uponwhichthegallantlittleGeorge，check—matebeinglifted，willgetintonotablemilitaryactivity，andattempttodrawhisswordagain，——
thoughwithoutsuccess，owingtothelaggardDutch。Whichalso，asBritishsubjects，ifnototherwise，thereadersofthisBookwillwishtoseesomethingof。Mailleboisdidnotquitekeephisstipulateddistanceof"threeleaguesfromtheboundary"（beingoftenshortofvictual），andwasotherwisenogoodneighbor。
AmonghisField—Officers，thereisvisible（sometimesintroubleaboutquartersandthelike）aMarquisduChatelet，——who，Ifind，isHusbandorEx—HusbandtothedivineEmilie，ifreaderscaretothinkofthat！[Campagnes（i。45，193）；andFrenchPeerage—Books，？DUCHATELAT。]Otherknownface，orpointofinterestfororagainst，doesnotturnupintheMailleboisOperationinthoseparts。
AsfortheotherstillgranderArmy，ArmyoftheOriflammeaswehavecalledit，——whichwouldbeBelleisle’s，werenothesooverwhelmedwithembassying，andpersuadingthePowersofGermany，——this，sincewelastsawit，hasstruckintoanewcourse，whichitisessentialtoindicate。Themajorpartofit（FourrearDivisions！ifreadersrecollect）layatIngolstadt，itsplaceofarms；whiletheVanwardThreeDivisions，underMauriceComtedeSaxe，flowedonward，joiningwithBavariaatPassau；downtheDonauCountry，toLinzandfarther，terrifyingViennaitself；anddrivingalltheCourttoPresburg，with（fabulous）"MORIAMURPROREGE
NOSTROMARIATHERESIA，"butwithactualarmamentofTolpatches，Pandours，Warasdins，Uscocksandthelikeunsightlybeingsofapredatorycentaurnature。WhichfineHungarianArmament，andothersstillmoreominous，havebeendiligentlygoingon，whileKarlAlbertsatenjoyinghisHomagingsatLinz，hisPisgah—viewsVienna—
ward；andaskinghimself，"Shallweventureforward，andcaptureVienna，then？"
Thequestionisintricate，andtherearemanysecretbiasingsconcernedinthesolutionofit。Friedrich，beforeKlein—
Schnellendorftime，hadwritteneagerly，hadsentSchmettauwitheagermessage，"Pushforward；itisfeasible，eveneasy:cutthematterbytheroot！"This，theysay，wasKarlAlbert’sownnotion，hadnottheFrenchoverruledhim；——notwilling，someguess，heshouldgetAustria，andbecometooindependentofthemallatonce。
Nay，itappearsKarlAlberthadinducementsofhisowntowardsBohemiarather。TheFrenchhavehadKur—Sachsentomanagewithal；
andthereareinterestsinBohemiaofhisandtheirs，——clippingsofBohemiapromisedhimasbribes，besidesthat"KingdomofMoravia，"
togethis21，000setonmarch。"ClippingsofBohemia？InterestsofKur—Sachsen’sinthatCountry？"asksKarlAlbertwithalarm:
andthinksitwillbesafer，werehehimselfpresentthere，whileSaxonyandFrancedotheclippingsinquestion！Sureenough，hedidnotpushon。Belleisle，fromthedistance，stronglyopinedotherwise；KarlAlberthimselfhadjealousfearsaboutBohmen。
Friedrich’simportunitiesandurgencieswereuseless:andtheonechancethereeverwasforKarlAlbert，forBelleisleandtheRuinofAustria，vanishedwithoutreturn。
KarlAlberthasturnedoff，leftwards，towardshisBohemianEnterprises:French，Bavarians，Saxons，bytheirseveralroutes，sincethelastdaysofOctober，areallonmarchthatway。Wewillmarkanexactdatehereandthere，asfixedpointforthereader’sfancy。PoorKarlAlbert，hehadsatsomesixweeksatLinz，——aboutthreeweekssincethatHomagingthere（October2d）；——imaginarySovereignofUpperAustria；lookingovertoViennaandthePromisedLandingeneral。AndthatfinePisgah—viewwasallheeverhadofit。OfAustrianorotherConquestsearthlyorheavenly，therecamenonetohiminthisAdventure；——mereMINUSquantitiestheyallproved。Forafewweeksmore，thereare，blendedwithawfulportents，animaginarygleamortwoinotherquarters；afterwhich，nothingbutblackhorroranddisgrace，deepeningdownwardsintoutterdarkness，forthepoorman。BelleisleisanimaginarySun—god；butthepoorIcarus，temptedaloftinthatmannerintotheearnestelements，andmeltingatonceintoquillsandrags，isatragicreality！——Letustoourdates:——
"OCTOBER24th，TheBavarianTroops，whohadlainatMauternontheDonausometime，fortymilesfromViennaandthePromisedLand，gotunderwayagain；——notFORWARD，butsharptoleft，ornorthward，towardstheBohemianparts。ThitheralltheBelleisleArmamentsarenowbound；andageneralrallyingofthemistobeatPrag；forconquestofthatCountry，asmoreinvitingthanAustriaatpresent。
ComtedeSaxe，whohadlainatSt。Polten，amarchtosouthwardofMautern，hewiththeVanwardofthegreatBelleisleArmy，bestirredhimselfatthesametime；andfollowedsteadily（KarlAlbertinpersonwaswithSaxe），atahandydistancebyparallelroads。
ToPragmaybeabout200miles。AcrosstheMannhartsbergCountry，clearoutofAustria，intoBohmen，towardsPrag。AtBudweis，orbetweenthatandTabor，TownsofouroldfriendZisca’s，ofwhichweshallhearfartherintheseWars；Townsimportantbytheirintricateenvironmentofrockandbog，farupamongthespringsoftheMoldau，——therecantheseBavarians，andthisFrenchVanwardofBelleisle，haltalittle，tilltheotherparties，whoarelikewiseonmarch，getwithindistance。
Forinthesesamedays，ashintedabove，theRearwardoftheBelleisleArmy（FourDivisions，strengthnotaccuratelygiven）
pushesforwardfromDonauworth，wellrested，throughtheBavarianPasses，towardsBohemiaandPrag:thesehavealongermarch（say250miles）？tonortheast；andtheleaderofthemisonePolastron，destinedunhappilytomeetusonafutureoccasion。WiththemgocertainotherBavarians；accompanyingorpreceding，asintheVanwardcase。AndthentheSaxons（21，000strong，afinelittleArmy，allthatSaxonyhas）are，atthesametime，comeacrosstheMetalMountains（ERZGEBIRGE），inquestofthoseBohemianclippings，ofthatKingdomofMoravia:andmarchfromthewestwarduponPrag，——Rutowskyleadingthem。ComtedeRutowsky，ComtedeSaxe’sHalf—
Brother，oneoftheThreeHundredandFifty—four:——withwhomisCHEVALIERdeSaxe，asecondyoungerditto；andIthinkthereisstillathird，whoshallgounnamed。InthisgrandOriflammeExpedition，FouroftheRoyal—SaxonBastardsaltogether。"Whocostusmoredistinguishingthantheyareworth！
ChiefGeneraloftheseSaxons，saysanAuthenticAuthor，isRutowsky；gotfromaPolishmother，Ishouldguess:hecommandsinchiefhere；——oncehadaregimentunderFriedrichWilhelm，forawhile；buthasnotmuchheadforstrategy，itmaybefeared。
ButmarkthatFourthindividualoftheThreeHundredandFifty—
four，whohasagreatdeal。Fourthindividual，calledComtedeSaxe，whoisnowinthatFrenchVanwardagoodwaytoeast，was（mustIagainremindyou！）theproduceofthefairAuroravonKonigsmark，SisteroftheKonigsmarkwhovanishedinstantaneouslyfromthelightofdayatHanoverlongsince，andhasneverreappearedmore。ItwasinsearchofhimthatAurora，whowasindeedashiningcreature（terriblyinsolventallherlife，whosecharmsevenCharlesXII。durstnotfront），cametoDresden；and，——
inthisComtedeSaxe，menseetheresult。Tallenough，restlessenough；mosteupeptic，brisk，withagreatdealofwildfaculty，——
runningtowaste，nearlyall。There，withhisblackarchedeyebrows，blackswiftphysicallysmilingeyes，standsMonseigneurleComte，oneofthestrongest—bodiedandmostdissolute—mindedmennowlivingonourPlanet。Heisnowturnedofforty:nomanhasbeeninsuchadventures，hasswumthroughsuchseasoftranscendenteupepticitydeterminedtohaveitsfill。InthisnewQuasi—sacredFrenchEnterprise，undertheBannerofBelleisleandtheChateauroux，hehasatlast，aftermanytrials，unconsciouslyfoundhisculmination:andwilldoexploitsofawonderfulnature，——veryworthyofsaidBanneranditspatrons。
"Here，then，areThreestreamsorArmamentspouringforwarduponPrag；perhapssome60，000meninall:——agooddealuncertainwhattheyaretodoatPrag，exceptarrivesimultaneouslysofaraspossible。Belleisle，faroff，hasfallensickinthesecriticaldays。ComtedeSaxecannotseehiswayinthematteratall:
’Whatarewetoliveupon，’asksComtedeSaxe，’weretherenothingmore！’——For，simultaneouslywiththeseThreeArmamentsonmarch，thereisanimportantAustrianone，likewiseontheroadforPrag:
thatofGrand—DukeFranz，whohasleftPresburg，withsay30，000
（includingthePandourelement）；anddulymeetstheNeipperg，orlateSilesianArmy；——wellcapable，now，todoastrokeupontheThreeArmaments，ifhebespeedy？’November7th’itwaswhenGrand—
DukeFranzpickedupNeipperg，’atFrating’deepinMoravia（November7th，theverydaywhileFriedrichwasgettinghomagedinBreslau），andturnedhimnorthwestwardagain。TheGrand—Duke，insuchstrength，marchesRag—wardwhathecan；mightbetherebeforetheFrench，wereheswift；andisatanyrateindisagreeableproximitytothatBudmeis—TaborCountry，appointedasone’shalting—place。"
AndBelleisle，inthesecriticaldays，is——considerit！——"PoorBelleisle，hehasalltheElectionVotesready；hehasdoneunspeakablelaborsinthediplomaticway；andleavesEuropeinebullitionandconflagrationbehindhim。HehasalltheseArmiesinmotion，andhasgotridof’thatMoravia，’——givenittoSaxony，whoaddsthetitle’KingofMoravia’tohisotherdignities，andhassetonmarchthose21，000men。’Wouldhewerereadywiththem！’
Belleislehadbeensaying，eversincetheTreatyforthem，——Treatywas，September19th。Belleisle，toexpeditehim，cametoDresden[whatdayisnotsaid，butdeepinOctober]；intendingnextforthePragCountry，theretocommenceGeneral，thediplomaciesbeingsatisfactorilydone。ValoriranoverfromBerlintowaituponhimthere。Alas，theSaxonsareonmarch，ornearlyso；butthegreatmanhimself，worndownwiththeseHerculeanlabors，hasfallenintorheumaticfever；isinbed，outatHubertsburg（sereneCountryPalaceofhisMoravianPolishMajesty）；andcannotgettheleastwell，tomarchinpersonwiththeThreeArmaments，withthefloodofthingshehassetreelingandwhirlingatsuchrate。
"ThesympathiesofValorigodeepatthisspectacle。TheAlcides，whowascarryingtheaxisoftheworld，fallendowninphysicalrheumatism！Butwhatcansympathiesavail？ThegreatmanseestheSaxonsmarchwithouthim。Thegreatman，gettingnoalleviationfromphysicians，determines，inhispatrioticheroism，tosurrendergloryitself；writeshometoCourt，’Thatheislamed，disabledutterly；thattheymustnominateanotherGeneral。’Andtheynominateanother；nominateBroglio，thefatcholericMarshal，ofItalianbreedandphysiognomy，whomwesawatStrasburglastyear，whenFriedrichwasthere。BrogliowillquitStrasburgtoosoon，andcome。Amanfierceinfighting，skilledtoointactics；totallyincompetentinstrategy，ortheartofLEADINGarmies，andmanagingcampaigns；——defectiveinintelligenceindeed，notwisetodiscern；
dimofvision，violentoftemper；subjecttosuddencranks，aheadlong，verypositive，loud，dullandangrykindofman；withwhosetumultuousimbecilitiesthegreatBelleislewillbesoretriedbyandby。’Ireckonthis，’Valorisays，’therootofallourwoes；’thisLetterwhichthegreatBelleislewrotehometoCourt。
Letmenmarkit，therefore，asacardinalpoint，——andsnatchoutthedate，whentheyhaveopportunityupontheArchivesofFrance。
[SeeValori，i。131。]
"MonseigneurtheComtedeSaxe，beforequittingtheViennaCountries，hadleftsome10，000FrenchandBavarians，postedchieflyinLinz，underaComtedeSegur，tomaintainthoseDonauConquests，whichhavecostonlythetroubleofmarchingintothem。
CountKhevenhullerhasceasedworkingattherampartsofVienna，nothingofsiegetobeapprehendednow，civicterrorjoyfullyvanishingagain；andbusieshimselfcollectinganArmyatVienna，withintentoflookingintothosesameFrenchSegurs，beforelong。
Itisprobabletheso—calledConquestsontheDonauwillnotbeverypermanent。
"NOVEMBER19th—21st，TheThreeBelleisleArmaments，KarlAlbert’sfirst，have，simultaneouslyenoughforthecase，arrivedonthreesidesofPrag；andlielookingintoit，——extremelyuncertainwhattodowhenthere。ToComtedeSaxe，toSchmettau，whoisstillhere，theoutlookofthisgrandBelleisleArmy，standingshelterless，provisionless，grimwinterathand，longhundredsofmilesfromhomeorhelp，isinthehighestdegreequestionable，thoughtheothersseemtomakelittleofit:’FighttheGrand—Dukewhenhecomes，’saythey；’beathim，and——’’Orsuppose，hewon’tfight？Orsuppose，wearebeatenbyhim？’answerSaxeandSchmettau，likemenofknowledge，inthesameboatwithmenofnone。（Wehavenostrongplace，orfootinginthisCountry:
whatarewetodo？TakePrag！’advisesComtedeSaxe，withearnestness，dayafterday。[HisLettersonittoKarlAlbertandothers（inEspagnac，i。94—99）。]’TakePrag:buthow？’answerthey。
’Byescalade，bysurprise，andswordinhand，answershe:’OgilvytheirGeneralhasbut3，000，andisperhapsnowizardathistrade:
wecandoit，thusandthus，andthenfartherthus；andIperceivewearealostArmyifwedon’t！’SocounselsMauriceComtedeSaxe，brilliant，ferventinhismilitaryviews；——and，beforeitisquitetoolate，SchmettauandhepersuadeKarlAlbert，persuadeRutowskychiefoftheSaxons；andCountPolastron，GaissonorwhateversubalternCountsthereare，ofFrenchtype，havetoaccede，andbesavedinspiteofthemselves。Andso，"SATURDAYNIGHT，25thNOVEMBER，1741，brightestofmoonshinynights，ourdispositionsareallmade:Severalattacks，threeifI
remember；oneofthemfalse，undersomePolastron，Gaisson，fromthesouthside；acoupleofthemtrue，fromthenorthwestandthesoutheastsides，underMauricewithhisFrench，andRutowskywithhisSaxons，thesetwo。Andthereisgreatmarching’onthesideoftheKarl—Thor（Charles—Gate），’whereRutowskyis；andbyCountMaurice’behindtheWischerad；’——andshortlyaftermidnightthegrandgamebegins。ThatFrench—Polastronattack，false，thoughwithdreadfulcannonadefromthesouth，attractspoorOgilvywithalmostallhisforcestothatquarter；whilethecoupleofSaxonCaptains（Rutowskynotatoncesuccessful，MauricewithhisFrenchcompletelyso）breakinuponOgilvyfromrearward，ontherightflankandontheleft；andruinthepoorman。MilitaryreaderswillfindthewholedetailofitwellgiveninEspagnac。LooseraccountistobehadintheBooktheycallMauvillon’s。"[DerniereGuerredeBoheme，i。252—264。Saxe’sownAccount（LettertoChevalierdeFolard）isinEspagnac，i。89etseqq。]
OnethingIrememberalways:thebrightmoonlight；steeplesofPragtoweringsereneinsilverysilence，andonasuddenthewreathsofvolcanicfirebreakingoutallroundthem。Theoppositionwasbuttrifling，nullinsomeplaces，poorOgilvybeingnothingofawizard，andhisgarrisonverysmall。ItfellchieflyonRutowsky；
whometitwithcreditablevigor，tillrelievedbytheothers。
ComteMaurice，too，didashiftything。CirclingroundbytheoutsideoftheWischerad，byruralroadsinthebrightmoonshine，hehadgottotheWallatlast，hollowslopeandsheerwall；andwasputting—tohisscaling—ladders，——when，byillluck，theyprovedtooshort！Tenfeetorso；hopelesslytooshort。Castinghisheadround，MauricenoticestheGallowshardby:"There，seeyou，areafewshortladders:MESENFANS，bringmethese，andwewillsplicewithrope！"Supplementedbythegallows，Mauricesoongetsin，cutsdowntheonepoorsentry；rushestotheMarket—place，findsallhisBrothersrushing，embracesthemwith"VICTOIRE！"and"YouseeIameldest；boundtobeforemostofyou！"
"NopointinalltheWarmadeafinerblazeintheFrenchimagination，orfiguredbetterintheFrenchgazettes，thanthisoftheScaladeofPrag，25thNovember，1741。AndsurelyitwasimportanttogetholdofPrag；nevertheless，intrinsicallyitisnogreatthing，butanopportunesmallthing，donebytheComtedeSaxe，inspiteofsuchcontradictionaswesaw。"
ItwaswhilenewsofthisexploitwaspostingtowardsBerlin，butnotyetarrivedthere，thatFriedrich，passingthroughtheapartment，intimatedtoHyndford，"Milord，allisdivulged，ourKlein—Schnellendorfmysterypublicasthehouse—tops；"andvanishedwithashrugoftheshoulders，——thinkingdoubtlesstohimself，"WhatisOURnextmovetobe，inconsequence？"TreatywithKur—
Baiern（November4th）hehadalreadysignedinconsequence，expresslydeclaringforKur—Baiern，andtheFrenchintentionstowardshim。ThisnewsfromPrag——Praghandsomelycaptured，ifViennahadbeenfoolishlyneglected——puthimuponanewAdventure，ofwhichinfollowingChaptersweshallhearmore。
THEFRENCHSAFEINPRAG；KAISERWAHLJUSTCOMINGON。
Grand—DukeFranz，withthatrespectableamountofArmyunderhim，oughtsurelytohaveadvancedonPrag，anddonesomestrokeofwarforreliefofit，whiletimeyetwas。Grand—DukeFranz，hisBrotherKarlwithhimandhisoldTutorNeipperg，bothofwhomarethoughttohavesomeskillinwar，didadvanceaccordingly。ButthenwithaltherewasriskatPrag；andhealwayspausedagain，andwaitedtoconsider。FromFrating，onthe16th，[Espagnac，i。87。]hehadgottoNeuhaus，quiteacrossMahrenintoBohemianground，andtherejoinedwithLobkowitzandwhatBohemianforcetherewas；bythistimeanArmywhichyouwouldhavecalledmuchstrongerthantheFrench。Forward，therefore！Yes；butwithpauses，withconsiderations。PauseoftwodaysatNeuhaus；thencetoTabor（famedZisca’sTabor），asafepost，whereagainpausethreedays。
FromTaborisbroadhighwaytoPrag，onlysixtymilesoffnow:——
screwingtheirresolutiontothesticking—point，Grand—DukeandConsortsadvanceatlengthwithfixeddetermination，allFriday，allSaturday（November24th，25th），partofSundaytoo，notthinkingitshallbeonlyPART；andtheirlighttroopsarealmostwithinsightofPrag，when——theylearnthatPragisscaladedthenightbefore，andquitesettled；thatthereisnothingexceptdestructiontobelookedforinPrag！Backagain，therefore，totheTabor—and—Budweisland。TheystrikeintothatboggybrokencountryaboutBudweis，some120milessouthofPrag；andwilltherewaitthesignsofthetimes。
Grand—DukeFranzhadseenwar，underSeckendorf，underWallisandotherwise，inthedisastrousTurkCountries；but，thoughwillingenough，wasnevermuchofasoldier:astoNeipperg，amonghisownmenespecially，theonecryis，HeoughttogoabouthisbusinessoutofAustrianArmies，asanimbecileandevenatraitor。"IsitconceivablethatFriedrichcouldhavebeatenus，inthatmanner，exceptbybuyingNeipperginthefirstplace？Neippergandthegeneralityofthem，inthatlucklessSilesianBusiness？Glogauscaladedwiththelossofhalfadozenmen；Brieggonewithinaweek；Neisseditto:andMollwitz，aboveall，where，inspiteofRomerandsuchHorse—chargingaswasneverseen，wehadtomelt，dissolve，androllawayintheglitteroftheeveningsun。！"
Thecommonnotionis，theyaretraitors，partial—traitors，oneandall。[GuerredeBoheme，saepius。]PoorNeipperghehasseenhardservice，haduglyworktodo:itwashethatgaveawayBelgradetotheTurks（sointerpretinghisorders），andtheGrandVizier，callinghimDogofaGiaour:spatinhisface，notfarfromhanginghim；andtheKaiserandViennapeople，onhiscominghome，threwhimintoprison，andwerenearcuttingoffhishead。Andagain，aftersuchsleetymarchingsthroughtheMountains，hehashadtodissolveatMollwitz；floatawayinmilitarydelugeinthemannerwesaw。Andnow，nextwinter，hereishelodgedamongtheuplandbogsatBudweis，escortedbymerecurses。Whatalifeisthesoldier’s，likeothermen’s；whatamasteristheworld！AulicCabinetisnotall—wise；butmayreadilybewiserthanthevulgar，and，withaMariaTheresaathishead，itisincapableoftruculentimpietylikethat。Neipperg，guiltyofnotbeingaEugene，isnothangedasatraitor；butplacedquietlyasCommandantinLuxemburg，spendstheretheafternoonofhislife，inamorecommodiousmanner。Friedrichhad，oflate，ratheradmiredhismovementsontheNeisseRiver；andfoundhimastiffarticletodealwith。
TheFrench，nowwithPragfortheirplaceofarms，stretchedthemselvesasfarasPisek，someseventymilessouthwestward；
occupiedPisek，PilsenandotherTownsandposts，onthesouthwestside，someseventymilesfromPrag；lookingtowardstheBavarianPassesandhomewardsuccorsthatmightcome:theSaxons，awhileafter，gotasfarasTeutschbrod，eightymilesonthesoutheastwardorMoravianhand。Behindtheseoutposts，PragmaybeconsideredtohangonSilesia，andhaveFriedrichforsecurity。This，infrontorasforecourtofFriedrich’sSilesia，thisinconsiderablesection，wasallofBohemianCountrytheFrenchandConfederateseverheld，andtheydidnotholdthislong。AsforKarlAlbert，hehadhisnewpleasantDreamofSovereigntyatPrag；TitularofUpperAustria，andnowofBohmenaswell；andenjoyedhisFeastoftheBarmecide，andgloriousreposeinthecapturedMetropolis，afterdifficultyovercome。December7th，hewashomaged（agoodfewoftheNobilityattending，forwhichtheysmartedafterwards），withmuchprocessioning，blaringandTE—DEUM—ing:onthe19thherolledoff，hometoMunchen；
theretoawaitstillhigherRomish—Imperialglories，whichitishopedarenowathand。
AdayortwoaftertheCaptureofPrag，MarechaldeBelleisle，partiallycuredofhisrheumatisms，hadhastenedtoappearinthatCity；andforabovefourweekshecontinuedthere，settling，arranging，orderingallthings，inthemostconsummatemanner，withthatfinemilitaryheadofhis。AboutChristmastime，arrivedMarechaldeBroglio，hisunfortunatesuccessororsubstitute；
towhomhemadeeverythingover；andhastenedoffforFrankfurt，wherethefinalcrisisofKAISERWAHLisnowathand，andthetopstoneofhisworkistobebroughtoutwithshouting。
MarechaldeBrogliohadanunquietWinterofitinhisnewcommand；
anddidnotextendhisquarters，butthecontrary。