首页 >出版文学> History of Friedrich II of Prussia>第81章
  "HERAN!"stormtheotherswithhottears;AdjutantvonPlatentakestheflag;Platen,too,isinstantlyshot;butanothertakesit。
  "HERAN,On!"inwildstormofrageandgrief:——inaword,theymanagetodotheworkatSterbohol,theyandtherest。Firstline,Secondline,Infantry,Cavalry(andeventheveryHorses,I
  suppose),fightinginexpressibly;conqueringoneoftheworstproblemseverseeninWar。FortheAustrianstoo,especiallytheirgrenadiersthere,stoodtoittoughly,andfoughtlikemen;——and"everygrenadierthatsurvivedofthem,"asIreadafterwards,"gotdoublepayforlife。"
  Done,thatSterboholwork;——thoseFoot—chargings,Horse—chargings;
  thatbatteryofHomolyHill;and,hanginguponthat,allmannerofredoubtsandbatteriestotherightwardandrearward:——buthowitwasdonenopencandescribe,noranyintellectinclearsequenceunderstand。AnenormousMELEEthere:newPrussianbattalionscharging,andevernew,irrepressiblebycase—shot,astheysuccessivelygetup;MarshalBrownetoosendingfornewbattalionsatdouble—quickfromhisleft,disputingstifflyeveryinchofhisground。Tillatlength(hournotgiven),acannon—shottoreawayhisfoot;andhehadtobecarriedintoPrag,mortallywounded。
  Whichprobablywasamostimportantcircumstance,orthemostimportantofall。
  Importanttoo,Igraduallysee,wasthatofthePrussianHorseoftheLeftWing。PrussianHorseoftheextremeleft,asalreadynoticed,had,inthemeanwhile,fallenin,wellsouthward,roundbycertainlakeletsaboutMichelup,onBrowne’sextremeright;
  furiouslychargingtheAustrianHorse,whichstoodrankedthereinmanylines;breakingit,thenagainhalfbrokenbyit;butagainrallying,chargingitasecondtime,thenathirdtime,"bothtofrontandflank,amidwhirlwindsofdust"(Ziethenbusythere,nottomentionindignantWarneryandothers);——andatlength,drivingitwhollytothewinds:"beyondNussel,towardstheSazawaCountry;"neverseenagainthatday。PrinceKarl(afterBrowne’sdeath—wound,orbefore,Ineverknow)camegallopingtorallythatimportantRightWingofhorse。PrinceKarldidhisveryutmostthere;obtesting,praying,raging,threatening:——buttonopurpose;
  theZiethenersandotherssoheavyontherearofthem:——andatlasttherecameacramp,orintolerabletwingeofspasm,throughPrinceKarl’sownperson(breastorheart),liketotakethelifeofhim:sothathetoohadtobecarriedintoPragtothedoctors。
  AndhisCavalryfledatdiscretion;chasedbyZiethen,onFriedrich’sexpressorder,andsentquiteoverthehorizon。
  Enough,"byabouthalf—pastone,"Sterboholworkisthoroughlydone:andtheAustrianBattle,bothitsCommandersgone,hasheeledfairlydownwards,andisinanominousway。
  ThewholeofthisAustrianRightWing,horseandfoot,batteriesandredoubts,whichwasputENPOTENCE,orsquare—wise,tothemainbattle,isbecomearuin;gonetoconfusion;hoversindistractedclouds,seekingroadstorunawayby,whichitultimatelyfound。
  Doneallthissurelywas;andpoorBrowne,mortallywounded,isbeingcarriedofftheground;butinwhatsequencedone,underwhatexactvicissitudesofaspect,specialstepsofcauseandeffect,nomancansay;andonlyimagination,guidedbythesefewdata,canpainttoitself。Suchachaoticwhirlwindofblood,dust,mud,artillery—thunder,sulphurousrage,andhumandeathandvictory,——
  whoshallpretendtodescribeit,ordraw,exceptinthegross,thescientificplanofit?
  For,inthemeantime,——IthinkwhilethedisputeatSterbohol,ontheextremeoftheAustrianrightwing"injoiner’s—squareform,"
  waspastthehottest(butnobodywillgivethehour),——therehasoccurredanotherthing,muchcalculatedtosettlethat。
  And,indeed,tosettleeverything;——asitdid。Thiswasavolunteerexploit,upontheveryelboworangleofsaid"joiner’s—square;"inthewetgroundsbetweenHlaupetinandKyge,agoodwaynorthofSterbohol。Volunteerexploit;onthepartofGeneralMannstein,ouroldRussianfriend;whichFriedrich,alongwayofffromit,blamesasarashfaultofMannstein’s,madegoodbyPrinceHenriandFerdinandofBrunswickrunninguptomendit;butwhichWinterfeld,andsubsequentgoodjudges,admittohavebeenhighlysalutary,andtohavefinishedeverything。Itwent,ifIreadright,somewhatasfollows。
  IntheKyge—Hlaupetinquarter,atthecornerofthatAustrianrightwingENPOTENCE,therehad,muchcontrarytoBrowne’sintention,aperceptiblegapoccurred;thecornerisopenthere;nothinginitbutbatteriesandswamps。TheAustrianrightwing,wheelingsouthward,theretoformPOTENCE;andscramblingandmarching,thenandsubsequently,throughsuchgroundatdouble—quick,hadgonetoofar(hadthinnedandlengtheneditself,asiscommon,insuchscrambling,anddouble—quickmovement,thinksTempelhof),andleftalittlegapatelbow;whichalwaysratherwidenedasthestressatSterboholwenton。Certainenough,agapthereis,coveredonlybysomehalf—moonbatteryinadvance:intothis,GeneralMannsteinhasbeenlookingwistfullyalongtime:"AustrianLinefallenoutatelbowyonder;cloutedbysomebatteryinadvance?"——andatlengthcannothelpdashinglooseonitwithhisDivision。Amanliabletoberash,andalwaystooimpetuousinbattle—time。
  Hewouldhavefaredill,thinksFriedrich,hadnotHenriandFerdinand,inpainforMannstein(somethink,privatelyinpreconcertwithhim),hastenedintohelp;anddoneitaltogetherinashiningway;surmountingperilousdifficultiesnotafew。
  Hardfightinginthatcorner,partlyontheSterboholterms;
  batteries,mud—tanks;chargings,rechargings:"Comrades,youhavegothonorenough,KAMERADEN,IHRHABTEHREGENUG[thesecondmanofyoulyingdead];letusnowtry!"saidacertainRegimenttoacertainother,inthisbusiness。[Archenholtz,i。75;Tempelhof,&c。]PrinceHenrishoneespecially,thegallantlittlegentleman:
  comingupononeofthosemud—tankswithbatterybeyond,hismenwerespreadingfile—wise,tocrossitonthedams;"BURSCHE,thisway!"criedthePrince,andplungedinmiddle—deep,rightuponthebattery;andoverit,andvictoriouslytookpossessionofit。Inaword,theyallplungeforward,inashiningmanner;rushonthosehalf—moonbatteries,regardlessofresults;rushoverthem,seizeandsecurethem。Rush,inaword,fairlyintothatAustrianhole—
  at—elbow,torrentsmorefollowingthem,——andirretrievablyruinbothfore—armandshoulder—armoftheAustriansthereby。
  Fore—arm(Austrianrightwing,ifstillstrugglingandwrigglingaboutSterbohol)istakeninflank;shoulder—arm,ormainline,thelike;wehavethembothinflank;withtheirownbatteriestoscourthemtodestructionhere:——theAustrianLine,throughout,isbecomearuin。Hastohurlitselfrapidlytorightwards,torearwards,saysTempelhof,behindwhatredoubtsandstrongpointsitmayhaveinthoseparts;andthen,bysurestages(Tempelhofguessesthree,orperhapsfour),asoneredoubtafteranotheristornfromtheloosegraspofit,andthestandmadebecomeseverweaker,andtheconfusionworse,——torollpell—mellintoPrag,andhastilyclosethedoorbehindit。ThePrussians,Sterboholpeople,Mannstein—
  Henripeople,leftwingandright,arequiteacrosstheZiscaBack,onbyNussel(PrinceEarl’shead—quarterthatwas),andattheMoldauBrinkagain,whenthethingends。Ziethen’sHussarshavebeenatNussel,verybusyplunderingthere,eversincethatfinalchargeandchasefromSterbohol。Plundering;and,Iamashamedtosay,mostlydrunk:"YourMajesty,Icannotrankahundredsober,"
  answeredZiethen(doubtlesswithakindofblush),whentheKingappliedforthem。TheKinghimselfhasgottoBranik,fartherupstream。PartoftheAustrianfootfled,leftwards,southwards,astheirrightwingofhorsehadalldone,uptheMoldau。About16,000
  Austriansaredistractedlyonflightthatway。Towards,theSazawaCountry;tounitewithDaun,asthenowadvisablething。
  Near40,000ofthemaregettingcrammedintoPrag;inspiteofPrinceKarl,nowrecoveredofhiscramp,andrisentothefranticpitch;whovainlystrugglesattheGateagainstsuchinrush,andhadevengotthroughtheGate,conjuringandcommauding,butwashimselfswuminagainbythosepanictorrentsofebb—tide。
  Rallyingwithin,heagainattempted,twiceover,attwodifferentpoints,togetout,anduptheMoldau,withhisbrokenpeople;
  butthePrussians,Nussel—Branikway,wereawaketohim:
  "NoretreatuptheMoldauforyou,Austriangentlemen!"TheytriedbyanotherGate,ontheothersideoftheRiver;butKeithwasawaketoo:"Inagain,yeAustriangentlemen!Closedgatesheretoo。
  Whatelse?"Browne,fromhisbedofpain(death—bed,asitproved),wasforamuchmoredeterminedoutrush:"Inthedeadofnight,rank,deliberatelyadjustyourselves;stormout,oneandall,andcutyourway,nightfavoring!"ThatwasBrowne’slastcounsel;
  butthatalsowasnottaken。AreallynobleBrowne,sayalljudges;
  diedhereinaboutsixweeks,——andgotawayfromKriegs—HofrathsandPrinceKarls,andthestupidityofneighbors,andtheotherillsthatfleshisheirto,altogether。
  AtBranikthevictoriousKinghadonegreatdisappointment:
  PrinceMoritzofDessau,whoshouldhavebeenherelonghoursago,withKeith’srightwing,afresh15,000,tofallupontheenemy’srear;——noMoritzvisible;notevennow,whenthebusinessistochase!"Howisthis?""Illluck,yourMajesty!"Moritz’sPontoonBridgewouldnotreachacross,whenhetriedit。Thatiscertain:
  "justthreepoorpontoonswanting,"Rumorsays:——threeormore;
  spoiled,Iamtold,insomenarrowroad,someshort—cutwhichMoritzhadcommandedforthem:andnowtheyarenot;anditisasifthreehundredhadbeenspoiled。Moritz,wouldhedieforit,cannotgethisBridgetoreach:hisfresh15,000standfutilethere;notevenSeidlitzwithhislighthorsecouldreallyswimacross,thoughhetriedhard,andisfabledtohavedoneso。
  Bewareofshort—cuts,myPrince:yourFatherthatisgone,whatwouldhesayofyouhere!ItwastheworstmistakePrinceMoritzevermade。TheAustrianArmymighthavebeenannihilated,sayjudges(ofasanguinetemper),hadMoritzbeenready,athishour,tofallonfromrearward;——andwherehadtheirretreatbeen?Asitis,theAustrianArmyisnotannihilated;onlybottledintoPrag,andwillneedsieging。Thebrightesttriumphhasabarofblackinit,andmightalwayshavebeenbrighter。HereisaflyingNote,whichIwillsubjoin:——
  Friedrich’sdispositionsfortheBattle,thisday,areallowedtohavebeenmasterly;buttherewasonesignalfault,thinksRetzow:
  Thathedidnot,asSchwerincounselled,waittillthemorrow。
  Faultwhichbroughtmanyinthetrainofit;thatofhis"tiredsoldiers,"saysRetzow,beingonlyafirstitem,andsmallincomparison。"Hadhewaitedtillthemorrow,thosefish—pondsofSterbohol,examinedintheinterim,neednothavebeenmistakenforgreenmeadows;PrinceMoritz,withhis15,000,wouldhavebeenafact,insteadofafalsehope;theKingmighthavedonehismarchingdownuponSterboholinthenight—time,andbeenreadyfortheAustrians,flank,orevenrear,atdaybreak:theKingmight"——
  Inreality,thisfaultseemstohavebeenconsiderable;tohavemadethevictoryfarmorecostlytohim,andfarlesscomplete。
  Nodoubthehadhisreasonsformakinghaste:Daun,advancingPrag—
  wardwith30,000,waswithinthreemarchesofhim;GeneralBeck,Daun’svanguard,witha10,000ofirregulars,didakindoffeatatBrandeis,onthePrussianpostthere(ourSaxonsdesertingtohim,intheheatofaction),thisveryday,May6th;andmight,iflucky,havetakenpartatZiscabergnextday。Andbesidesthesesolidreasons,therewasperhapsanother。Retzow,whoissecretlyoftheOpposition—party,andwellworthhearing,knowspersonallyacuriousthing。Hesays:——
  "Beingthen[inMarchorApril,weeksbeforeweleftSaxony]
  employedtotranslatethePLANOFOPERATIONSintoFrench,forMarshalKeith’suse,whodidnotunderstandGerman,Iwellknowthatitcontainedthefollowingthreemainobjects:1。’AllRegimentscantoninginSilesiaaswellasSaxonymarchforBohemiaononeandthesameday。2。WholeArmyarrivesatPragMay4th[Schwerinwasadaylater,andgotscoldedinconsequence];iftheEnemystand,heisattackedMay6th,andbeaten。3。SosoonasPragisgot,Schwerin,withthegrossoftheArmy,pushesintoMahren,’
  andtheheartofAustriaitself;’Kinghastenswith40,000tohelpoftheAlliedArmy,’"——RoyalHighnessofCumberland’s;whowillmuchneeditbythattime![Retzow,i。84n。]
  Hereisaverycuriousfactandconsideration。ThattheKinghadsoprophesiedandpreordained:"May4th,FourColumnsarriveatPrag;
  May6th,attacktheAustrians,beatthem,"——andnowwishedtokeephisword!Thisisanaerialreason,whichIcansuspecttohavehaditsweightamongothers。ThereweretwirlsofthatkindinFriedrich;intricateweakplaces;knotsinthesoundstraight—
  fibredmindhehad(asinwhosemindaretheynot?),——whichnowandthencosthimdear!TheAnecdote—Bookssayhewasveryillofbody,thatday,May6th;andcalledforsomethingofdrugnature,andswallowedit(drugnotnamed),aftergettingonhorseback。
  TheEveningAnecdoteisprettier:How,intherushingabout,Austriansnowflying,hegoteyeonBrotherHenri(clayeytoadegree);andsatdownwithhim,intheblessedsunset,foraminuteortwo,andbewailedhissadlossesofSchwerinandothers。
  Certainitis,thevictorywasboughtbyhardfighting;andbutforthequalityofhistroops,hadnotbeenthere。ButthebraveryofthePrussianswasexemplary,andcoveredallmistakesthatweremade。Noblerfire,whendiditburninanyArmy?MoreperfectsoldiersIhavenotreadof。Platt—Teutschfire——whichIlikentoanthracite,incontradistinctiontoGaelicblazeofkindledstraw——
  isthricenoble,when,bystrictsterndiscipline,youareaboveitwithal;andwieldyourfire—element,asJovehisthunder,byrule!
  Otherwiseitisbuthalf—admirable:Turk—Janissarieshaveitotherwise;anditcomestocomparativelylittle。
  ThisisthefamedBattleofPrag;foughtMay6th,1757;
  whichsoundedthroughalltheworld,——andusedtodeafenusindrawing—roomswithinman’smemory。Resultsofitwere:OnthePrussianside,killed,woundedandmissing,12,500men;ontheAustrian,13,000(prisonersincluded),withmanyflags,cannon,tents,muchwar—geargonethewrongroad;——andaverygreathumiliationanddispiritment;thoughtheyhadfoughtwell:
  "NolongertheoldAustrians,byanymeans,"asFriedrichsees;
  buthaveironramrods,allmannerofPrussianimprovements,andare"learningtomarch,"asheoncesays,withsurprisenotquitepleasant。
  Friedrichgivesthecipherofloss,onbothsides,muchhigher:
  "ThisBattle,"sayshe,"whichbegantowardsnineinthemorning,andlasted,chaseincluded,tilleightatnight,wasoneofthebloodiestoftheage。TheEnemylost24,000men,ofwhomwere5,000
  prisoners;thePrussianlossamountedto18,000fightingmen,——
  withoutcountingMarshalSchwerin,whoalonewasworthabove10,000。""ThisdaysawthepillarsofthePrussianInfantrycutdown,"sayshemournfully,seemingalmosttothinkthe"laurelsofvictory"werepurchasedtoodear。HisaccountoftheBattle,asifithadbeenapainfulobject,ratheravoidedinhisafter—thoughts,isunusuallyindistinct;——andhelpsuslittleintheextremeconfusionthatreignsotherwise,bothinthethingitselfandinthereportersofthething。HereisawordfromWinterfeld,someprivateLetter,twodaysafter;whichiswellworthreadingforthosewhowouldunderstandthisBattle。
  "TheenemyhadhisLeftWingleaningontheCity,closebytheMoldau,"atNussel;"andstretchedwithhisRightWingacrossthehighHill[ofZisca]tothevillageofLieben[soheHADstood,lookingintoPrag;butfacedabout,onhearingthatFriedrichwasacrosstheRiver];havingbeforehimthoseterribleDefiles[DIE
  TERRIBLENDEFILEES,"Horse—shoeoftheMoldau,"aswecallit],andthevillageofProssik,whichwascrammedwithPandours。Itwasabouthalf—pastsixinthemorning,whenourSchwerinArmy[myselfpartofit,atthistime]joinedwiththetwentybattalionsandtwentysquadrons,whichtheKinghadbroughtacrosstounitewithus,andwhichformedourrightwingofbattlethatday[ourleftwingwereSchweriners,SterboholandthefightingdonebySchwerinersaftertheirlongmarch]。TheKingwasatoncedeterminedtoattacktheEnemy;asalsowereSchwerin[saynothingofthearguing]andyourhumbleservant(MEINEWENIGKEIT):butthefirstthingwas,tofindaholewherebytogetathim。
  "Thistoowasselected,anddecidedon,myproposalbeingfoundgood;andtookeffectinmannerfollowing:We[Schweriners]hadmarchedoffleft—wise,foremost;andwenow,withouthalt,continuedmarchingsowiththeLeftWing"ofhorse,"whichhadthevan(TETE);andmovedon,keepingtheroadforHlaupetin,andeverthenceonwardsalongforKyge,roundthePondsofUnter—
  Podschernitz,withoutneedingtopassthese,andsoastogettheminourrear。
  "TheEnemy,whoatfirsthadexpectednothingbad,andneversupposedthatwewouldattackhimatonce,FLAGRANTEDELICTO,andleastofallinthispoint;anddidnotbelieveitpossible,asweshouldhavetowade,breast—deepinpart,throughtheditches,anddragourcannon,——wasatfirstquitetranquil。Butashebegantoperceiveourrealdesign(inwhich,theysay,PrinceKarlwasthefirsttoopenMarshalBrowne’seyes),hedrewhiswholeCavalryovertowardsus,asfastasitcouldbedone,andstretchedthemoutasRightWing;tocompletewhich,hisGrenadiersandHungarianRegularsofFootrankedthemselvesastheygotup[makeshisPOTENCE,HAKEN,orjoiner’s—square,outmostendofitHorse。]
  "TheEnemy’sintentionwastoholdwiththeRightWingofhisinfantryontheFarmsteadwhichtheycallSterbaholy[Sterbohol,averydirtyFarmsteadatthisday];I,however,hadthegoodluck,plungingon,headforemost,withsixbattalionsofourLeftWingandtwooftheFlank,togettoitbeforehim。AlthoughourSecondLinewasnotyetcomeforward,yet,asthebattalionsoftheFirstweretolerablywelltogether,Idecided,withGeneralFouquet,whohadchargeoftheFlank,tobeginatonce;and,thattheEnemymightnothavetimetoposthimselfstillbetter,Ipushedforward,quickstep,outoftheFarmstead"ofSterbohol"tomeethim,——sofast,thatevenourcannonhadnottimetofollow。Hedid,accordingly,begintowaver;andIcouldobservethathispeoplehere,onthisWing,weremakingright—about。
  "Meanwhile,hisfireofcase—shotopened[fromHomolyHill,onourleft],andwewerestillpushingon,——mightnowbeabouttwohundredstepsfromtheEnemy’sLine,whenIhadthemisfortune,attheheadofRegimentSchwerin,togetwounded,and,swooningaway(VORTOD),fellfrommyhorsetotheground。Awakeningaftersomeminutes,andraisingmyheadtolookabout,Ifoundnobodyofourpeoplenowherebesideorroundme;butallwerealreadybehind,infullfloodofretreat(HOCHANSCHLAGEN)。TheEnemy’sGrenadierswereperhapseightypacesfromme;buthadhalted,andhadnottheconfidencetofollowus。Istruggledtomyfeet,asfastas,forweakness,Ipossiblycould;andgotuptoourconfusedmass[CONFUSENKLUMPEN,——exactplace,where?]:butcouldnot,byentreatiesorbythreats,persuadeasinglemanofthemtoturnhisfaceontheEnemy,muchlesstohaltandtryagain。
  "InthisembarrassmentthedeceasedFeldmarschallfoundme,andnoticedthatthebloodwasflowingstream—wisefrommyneck。AsI
  wasonfoot,andnoneofmypeoplenownear,hebadegivemehisledhorsewhichhestillhad[andsentmehomeforsurgery?
  Winterfeld,handsomelyeffacinghimselfwhennolongergoodforanything,hurriesontotheCatastrophe,leavingustoguessthathewasNOTaneye—witnessfarther]——badegivemetheledhorsewhichhestillhad;AND[asifthathadhappeneddirectlyafter,whichsurelyitdidnot?AND]snatchedtheflagfromCaptainRohr,whohadtakenituptomaketheBurscheturn,androdeforwardwithithimself。’Butbeforehecouldsucceedintheattempt,thisexcellentman,almostinaminute,washitwithfivecase—shotballs,andfelldeadontheground;asalsohisbraveAdjutantvonPlatenwassowoundedthathediednextday。
  "Duringthisconfusionandrepulse,bywhich,asalreadymentioned,theEnemyhadnotthehearttoprofit,notonlywasourSecondLinecomeon,butthoseoftheFirst,whohadnotsuffered,wentvigorously(FRISCH)attheEnemy,"——andincourseoftime(perhapstwohoursyet),andbydintofeffort,wedidmanageSterboholanditsbatteries:——"Likeas[stillinonesentence,andwithouttheleastpunctuation;Winterfeldbeinglittleofagrammarian,andinhastefortheclose],LikeasPrinceHenri’sRoyalHighnesswithourRightWing,"Mannsteinandhe,"withoutwaitingfororder,attackedsoPROMPTandwithsuchFERMOTE,"inthatelbow—holefarnorthofUS,"thateverywheretheEnemy’sLinebegantogiveway;
  andinsteadofcontinuingasLine,soughtcorps—wisetogaintheHeights,andtherepostitself。Andas,withoutwinningsaidHeights,wecouldnotwintheBattle,wehadtostormthemall,oneaftertheother;andthisitwasthatcostusthebest,mostandbravestpeople。
  "ThelateColonelvonGoltz[ifweglancebacktoSterboholitself],who,withtheregimentFouquet,wasadvancing,right—handofSchwerinregiment"andyourservant,"hadlikewisegotquiteclosetotheEnemy;andhadhenot,attheveryinstantwhenhewaslevellingbayonets,beenshotdown,Ithinkthathe,withmyselfandtheSchwerinregiment,wouldhavegotin,"——andperhapshavetheredonethejob,specialandgeneral,withmuchlessexpense,andsooner![Preuss,ii。45—47(inWinterfeld’shand;dated"CampatPrag,8thMay,1757:"addressedtooneknowsnotwhom;
  firstprintedbyPreuss)。]
  ThisiswhatwegetfromWinterfeld;arugged,notmuchgrammaticalman,but(asIcanperceive)withexcellenteyesinhishead,andinteriortalentfortwentygrammaticalpeople,hadthatbeenhisline。These,faithfullyrenderedhere,withoutchangebutofpointing,aretheonlywordsIeversawofhis:tomyregret,——
  whichsurelythePrussianDryasdustmightstillamendalittle?——inrespectofsodistinguishedaperson,andchosenPeerofFriedrich’s。ThishisbrieftheoryofPragBattle,ifintenselyread,Ifindtobeofapiecewithhispracticethere。
  SchwerinwasmuchlamentedintheArmy;andhasbeendulyhonoredeversince。HisbodyliesinSchwerinsburg,athome,faraway;
  hisMonument,finaleofaseriesofMonuments,stands,nowunderspecialguardianship,nearSterboholonthespotwherehefell。
  AlateTouristsays:——
  "Atfirsttherewasamonumentofwood[TREEplanted,Iwillhope],whichisnowallgone;roundthisKaiserJosephII。once,intheyear1776,holdingsomereviewthere,madehisgrenadierbattalionsandartilleriesformcircle,frontingtheskyallround,andgivethreevolleysofgreatarmsandsmall,Kaiserinthecentredoffinghatateachvolley,inhonorofthehero。WhichwasthoughtaveryprettythingontheKaiser’spart。In1824,thetree,Isuppose,beinggonetoastump,certainsubscribingPrussianOfficershaditrootedout,andamodestPyramidofred—veinedmarblebuiltinitsroom。WhichlatterthethenKingofPrussia,FriedrichWilhelmIII。,determinedtoimproveupon;andso,in1839,builtasecondPyramidcloseby,bigger,finer,andofPrussianiron,thisone;——
  purchasingalso,fromtheAustrianGovernment,aroodortwoofgroundforsite;andappointingsomeperpetualPeculium,orincreaseofPensiontoanAustrianVeteranofmeritfortakingchargethere。Allwhich,perfectlyinorder,isinitsplaceatthisday。TheactualAustrianPensionerofmeritisaloud—voiced,hard—faced,verylimited,buthonestlittlefellow;whohasworkedalittlepolygonditchandminiaturehedgeroundthetwoMonuments;
  keepshisowncottage,littlegarden,andself,respectablyclean;
  andleadsstoicallyalonelife,——nocompany,Ishouldthink,buttheSterboholhinds,whoprobablyareCzechsandcannotspeaktohim。Hewasonce’oftheregimentHohenlohe;’sufferssomewhatfromcold,inthewinter—time,inthoseuplandparts(the’cordsofwood’allowedhimbeinglimited);butcomplainsofnothingelse。
  TwoEnglishnameswereinhisAlbum,amilitarytwo,andnomore。
  ’EHRETDENHELD(HonortheHero)!’wesaidtohim,atparting。
  ’Don’tI?’answeredhe;glancingathismuddybarelegsandlittlespade,withwhichhehadbeenworkinginthePolygonDitchwhenwearrived。Icouldwishhimanadditional’KLAFTERHOLZ’(cordmoreoffirewood)nowandthen,inthecoldmonths!——
  "SterboholFarmsteadhasbeennewbuilt,inman’smemory,butisdirtyasever。Agriculture,alloverthistable—landoftheZiscaberg,Ishouldjudgetobebad。Notsotheprospect;whichischeerfullyextensive,picturesqueinparts,andtothestudentofFriedrichoffersgoodcommentary。Roads,mansions,villages:
  Prossik,Kyge,Podschernitz,fromtheHeightsofChaberroundtoNusselandbeyond:fromanyknoll,allFriedrich’sVillages,andmanymore,lieroundyouasonamap,——theirdirtallhidden,nothingwantingtothelandscape,wereitbettercarpetedwithgreen(greeninsteadofrusset),andshadedhereandtherewithwood。Asmallwildpink,bright—red,andofthesizeofastar,growsextensivelyabout;ofwhichyouaretemptedtopluckspecimens,asmemorialofaFieldsofamousinWar。"[Tourist’sNote(September,1858)。]
  ChapterIII。
  PRAGCANNOTBEGOTATONCE。
  WhatFriedrich’semotionsaftertheBattleofPragwere,wedonotmuchknow。Theyarenotinconceivable,ifwereadhissituationwell;butinthewayofspeech,thereis,asusual,nexttonothing。Herearetwostrayutterances,worthgatheringfromamansouncommunicativeinthatform。
  FRIEDRICHAMONTHBEFOREPRAG(FromLockwitz,25thMarch,toPrincessAmelia,atBerlin)。——"MydearestSister,IgiveyouathousandthanksforthehintsyouhavegotmefromDr。EllerontheillnessofourdearMother。Thrice—welcomethis;andreassuresme[alas,notongoodbasis!]againstamisfortunewhichIshouldhaveconsideredverygreatforme。
  "Astousandourpostureofaffairs,politicalandmilitary,——
  placeyourself,Iconjureyou,aboveeveryevent。ThinkofourCountryandrememberthatone’sfirstdutyistodefendit。Ifyoulearnthatamisfortunehappenstooneofus,ask,’Didhediefighting?’andifYes,givethankstoGod。Victoryorelsedeath,thereisnothingelseforus;oneortheotherwemusthave。
  Alltheworldhereisofthattemper。What!youwouldeverybodysacrificehislifefortheState,andyouwouldnothaveyourBrothersgivetheexample?Ah,mydearSister,atthiscrisis,thereisnoroomforbargaining。Eitheratthesummitofglorioussuccess,orelseabolishedaltogether。ThisCampaignnowcomingislikethatofPharsaliaforRome,orthatofLeuctrafortheGreeks,"——aCampaignweverilyshallhavetowin,orgotowreckupon![OEuvresdeFrederic,xxvii。i。391。]
  FRIEDERICHSHORTLYAFTERPRAG(TohisMother,LetterstillextantinAutograph,withoutdate)。——"MyBrothersandIarestillwell。
  ThewholeCampaignrunsriskofbeinglosttotheAustrians;andI
  findmyselffree,with150,000men。Addtothis,thatwearemastersofaKingdom[Bohemiahere],whichisobligedtofurnishuswithtroopsandmoney。TheAustriansaredispersedlikestrawbeforethewind。IwillsendapartofmytroopstocomplimentMessieurstheFrench;andamgoing[ifIoncehadPrag!]topursuetheAustrianswiththerestofmyArmy。"[Ib。xxvi。75。]
  Friedrich,whokeepshisemotionsgenerallytohimself,doesnot,aswillbeseen,remainquitesilenttousthroughoutthisgreatYear;but,byaccident,hasleftussomeratherimpressivegleaningsinthatkind;——andcertainlyinnoyearcouldsuchaccidenthavebeenluckiertous;thisof1757being,inseveralrespects,thegreatestofhisLife。Fromnearlythetopmostheightsdowntothelowestdeeps,hisfortunesoscillatedthisyear;
  andprobably,ofallthesonsofAdam,nobody’soutlooksandreflectionshadinthem,successiveandsimultaneous,moregiganticformsoffearandofhope。Heisonaveryhighpeakatthismoment;suddenlyemergingfromhisthickcloud,intothunderousvictoryofthatkind;andwarningallPythonswhattheygetbymeddlingwiththeSun—god!Loudenough,far—clanging,isthesoundofthesilverbow;gazetteersandmenallonpauseatsuchnewPhoebusApolloriseninhiswrath;——theVictoryatPragconsideredtobemuchmoreannihilativethanitreallywas。AtLondon,LordHoldernesshadhisTower—gunsinreadiness,waitingforsomethingofthekind;and"thejoyofthepeoplewasfrantic。"
  [MitchellPapersandMemoirs(i。ethePRINTEDSelection,2vols。London,1850;——whichwillbetheoftenestcitedbyus,"PapersANDMEMOIRS"),i。249:"HoldernesstoMitchell,20thMay,1757。"MitchellisnowattendingFriedrich;
  hisLetterfromKeith’sCamp,duringthethunderof"Friday,May6th,"isgiven,ib。i。248。]
  Verydominant,our"ProtestantChampion"yonder,onhisZiscaberg;
  biddingtheenormousPompadour—Theresacombinations,theFrench,Austrian,Swedish,Russianpopulationsanddreadsovereigns,checktheirproudwaves,andholdatmid—flood。Itisthought,hadheineffect,"annihilated"theAustrianforceatPrag,thatday(Friday,6thMay,ashemighthavedonebywaitingtillSaturday,7th),hecouldthen,withtheduerapidity,rapiditybeingindispensableintheaffair,havebecomemasterofPrag,whichmeantofBohemiaaltogether;andhavestormedforward,ashisprogrambore,intotheheart,ofanAustriastillterror—stricken,unrallied;——inwhichcase,itiscalculated,theFrench,theRussians,Swedes,muchmoretheReichandsuchlike,wouldallhavedrawnbridle;andAustriaitselfhavecondescendedtomakePeacewithaNeighborofsuchquality,andconsenttohisreallymodestdesireofbeingletalone!Possible,allthis,——thinkRetzowandothers。[SeeRETZOW,i。100—108;&c。]ButtheKinghadnotwaitedtillto—morrow;
  nopersuasioncouldmakehimwait:anditisidlespeculatingonthesmallturnswhichhere,aseverywhere,canproducesuchdeflectionsofcourse。
  Beyondquestion,Pragisnotcaptured,andmay,asnowgarrisoned,requireagreatdealofcapturing:——andperhapsitisbutaPEAK,thishighdominancyofFriedrich’s,notasolidtable—land,tillmuchmorehavebeendone!FriedrichhasnothingoftheGascon:
  buttheremaywellbeconceivableatthistimeacertainglowofinternalpride,likethatofPhoebusamidthepiledtempests,——likethatoftheOneManprevailing,ifbutforashortseason,againsttheDevilandAllMen:"Ihavemadegoodmybit,ofresolutionsofar:herearetheAustriansbeatenatthesetday,andPragsummonedtosurrender,asperprogram!"——
  Intrinsically,PragisnotastrongCity:wehaveseenit,takeninfewdays;inonenight;——andagain,asinBelleisle’stime,wehaveseenitmakingtoughdefenceforaseriesofweeks。Itdependsonthegarrison,whatextentofgarrison(thecircuitofitbeingsoimmense),andwhatheightofhumor。Therearenow46,000mencagedinit,knowntohaveconsiderablemagazines;andFriedrich,awarethatitwillcosttrouble,bendsallhisstrengthuponit,andfromhistwocamps,Ziscaberg,Weissenberg,dueBridgesuniting,Keithandhebatterit,violently,aimingchieflyattheMagazines(whicharenotallbomb—proof);andhopetheymaysucceedbeforeitistoolate。
  TheViennapeopleareinthedepthsofamazementanddiscouragement;almostofterror,haditnotbeenforafew,orespeciallyforonehighheartamongthem。FeldmarschallDaun,onthenewsofMay6th,hastilyfellback,joinedbythewrecksoftherightwing,whichfledSazawaway。Brunswick—Bevern,witha20,000,isdetachedtolookafterDaun;findsDaunstillontheretreat;
  greedilycollectingreinforcementsfromthehomewardquarter;
  andhangingback,thoughnowdoubleorsoofBevern’sstrength。
  AmazementanddiscouragementarethegeneralfeelingamongFriedrich’senemies。Notabletoseehowthewholehostileworldmarchinginuponhim,——French,Russians,muchmoretheReich,poorfalteringentity,——pauses,aswithitsbreathtakenaway,atnewsofPrag;and,arrestedonthesudden,withliftedfoot,ceasestostrideforward;andmerelytramp—trampsonthesameplace(nayinpart,intheReichpart,visiblytrampsbackward),foraboveamonthensuing!Whoknowswhether,practically,anyofthemwillcomeon;[SeeCORRESPONDANCEDUCOMTEDESAINT—GERMAIN,anEye—witness,i。108(citedinPreuss,ii。50);&c。&c。]andnotleaveAustriabyitselftodotheduelwithFriedrich?IfPragwerebutgot,andthe46,000welllockedaway,itwouldbeverysalutaryforFriedrich’saffairs!——Weekafterweek,theCityholdsout;
  andthereseemsnohopeofit,exceptbyhunger,andburningtheirMagazinesbyred—hotballs。
  COLONELMAYERWITHHIS"FREE—CORPS"PARTYMAKESAVISIT,OFDIDACTICNATURE,TOTHEREICH。
  Friedrich,aswesaw,onenteringBohmen,hadshotoffaLightDetachmentunderColonelMayer,southward,toseizeanyAustrianMagazinestherewere,especiallyonebigMagazineatPilsen:——whichMayerhashandsomelydone,May2d(Pilsen"abiggerMagazinethanJung—Bunzlau,even");afterwhichMayerisnowoffwestward,intotheOber—Pfalz,intotheNurnbergCountries;toteachtheReichasmalllesson,sincetheywillnotlistentoPlotho。PragBattle,ashappens,hadalreadymuchchilledtheardoroftheReich!MayerhastwoFree—Corps,hisownandanother;about1,300offoot;towhichareaddeda200ofhussars。Theyhave5cannon,carryotherwiseaminimumofbaggage;areswiftwildfellows,sharpofstroke;
  anddo,forthetime,provedidactictotheReich;bringinghometoitsverybosomthelategreatlessonoftheZiscaberg,inanappliedform。Mayermadeaprettycourseofit,intotheOber—PfalzCountries;scatteringthepoorExecutionDrill—Sergeantsandincipienciesofpreparation,thedeliberativeCountyMeetings,KREIS—Convents:ransomingCities,Nurnbergforonecity,whosecrieswenttoFriedrichontheZiscaberg,andwideovertheworld。
  [InHelden—Geschichte,iv。360—367,theNurnbergLetterandResponse(3lstMay—5thJune,1757):inPauli,LebengrosserHelden(iii。159etseq。),AccountoftheMayerExpedition;alsoinMilitair—Lexikon,iii。29(quotingfromPauli)。]Nurnbergwouldhavebeenbuttoohappyto"refuseitscontingenttotheReich’sArmy,"
  asmanyotherswouldhavebeen(poorKur—BaiernhurryingoffakindofEmbassytoFriedrich,greatterrorreigningamongthewigsofRegensburg,andeverybodydrawingbackthatcould),——hadnotImperialmenaces,andanEventthatfelloutbyandbyinPragCountry,forcedcompliance。
  Mayer’sExpeditionmadealoudnoiseintheNewspapers;andwastrulyofashiningnatureinitskind;veryperfectlymanagedonMayer’spart,andhastraitsinitwhichareamusingtoread,hadonetime。TakeonesmallglancefromPauli:——
  "AtFurthinAnspach,1stJune[aftersixdays’screwingofNurnbergfromwithout,whichwehadnocannontotake],aGratuityforthePrussiantroops[amountnotstated]wasdemandedandgiven:
  atSchwabach,fartheruptheRegnitzRiver,theytookquarters;
  noexemptionmade,clergyandlaityalikegettingsoldiersbilleted。Meatanddrinkhadtobegiventhem:asalso100
  carolines[guineasandbetter],andtwentynewuniforms。
  Uponwhich,nextday,theymarchedtoZirndorf,andtheReichsgrafPuckler’sMansion,theSchlossofFarrenbachthere。MayertookquarterintheSchlossitself。HerethenobleownersgotupaballforMayer’sentertainment;anddidalltheycouldcontrivetoinducealighttreatmentfromhim。"Figureit,theneighboringnobilityandgentryingala;Mayertooinhisbestuniform,andsmilingpolitely,withthose"brightlittleblackeyes"ofhis!
  Forhewasabrilliantairykindoffellow,andhadmuchofthechevalier,aswellasofthepartisan,whenrequisite!
  "OutofFarrenbach,theMayerpeoplecirculateduponalltheneighboringLordships;atWilhelmsdorf,theReichs—FurstvonHohenlohe[atoobusyAnti—Prussian]hadtheworstbrunttobear。
  TheadjacentBaireuthlands[dearWilhelmina,fancyhertooinsuchneighborhood!]weretotheutmostsparedallbilleting,andevenalltransit,"——thoughwanderingsergeantsoftheReich’sForce,"onesergeantwiththeWurzburgHerrCommissariusandeightcommonmen,didgetpickeduponBaireuthground:andthisortheotherAnspachOfficial(Anspachbeingdisaffected),toobusyonthewrongside,foundhimselfsuddenlyPrisonerofWar;butwasgivenup,atWilhelmina?sgraciousrequest。OnBamberghewassharpasflint;
  andhadtobe;theBambergers,reinforcedatlastby’Circle—
  Militias(KREIS—TRUPPEN)’inquantity,beingcalledoutinmassagainsthim;andatVachanactualPassageofFighthadoccurred。"
  Ofthe"AffairatVach,"prettylittleDrawn—Battle(mostlyanaffairofart),MayerVERSUS"Kreis—troopstotheamountof6,000,withtwelvecannon,orsomesaytwenty—four"(whichtheycouldn’thandle);andhowMayercunninglytookapositionunassailable,"burntBridgesoftheRegnitzRiver,"and,plyinghisfivecannonagainsttheseardentawkwardpeople,stoodcheerfulontheotherside;andthenatlast,ingoodtime,whiskedhimselfofftotheHillofCulmbach,withallhisbaggage,inexpugnablethereforthreedays:——ofallthis,thoughitissetdownatfulllength,wecansaynothing。[Pauli,iii。159,&c。(whogivesMayer’sownLETTER,andothers,uponVach)。]Andwilladdonly,that,havinggirthimselfandmadehispackages,MayerlefttheHillofCulmbach;anddeliberatelywendedhome,byCoburgandotherCountrieswherehehadbusiness,eatinghisway;andearlyinJulywassafeintheMetalMountainsagain;havingflutteredtheVolsciansintheirFrankenlandCoriolitoanunexpectedextent。
  ItisoneoffiveorsixsuchsalliesFriedrichmadeupontheReich,sometimesupontheAustriansandReichtogether,totumbleuptheirmagazinesandpreparations。Rapidunexpectedinroads,yearafteryear;donechieflybytheFree—Corps;andfamousenoughtothethenGazetteers。Ofwhich,oroftheirdoers,aswecanintimecomingaffordlittleornonotice,letusaddthissmallNoteontheFree—Corpstopic,whichisalargeoneintheBooks,butmustnotinterruptusagain:——
  "BeforethisWarwasdone,"saymyAuthorities,"therecamegraduallytobetwenty—onePrussianFree—Corps,"——footalmostall;
  therebeingalreadyHussarsinquantity,eversincethefirstSilesianexperiences。"NotableAggregatestheywereofloosewanderingfellows,brokenSaxons,Prussians,French;’Hungarian—
  Protestant’someofthem,’DesertersfromalltheArmies’notafew;attractedbythefameofFriedrich,——astheColonelsenlistingthemhadbeen;Mayerhimself,forinstance,wasbybirthaViennaman;andhadbeeninmanyservicesandwars,fromhisfifteenthyearandonwards。Mostmiscellaneous,thesePrussianFree—Corps;
  aswiftfacultytheindispensablething,bynomeansaparticularcharacter:butwell—disciplined,well—captained;whogenerallymanagedtheirworkwell。
  "Theywere,byorigin,ofAnti—Tolpatchnature,gotuponthediamond—cut—diamondprinciple;theystoleagooddeal,withordersometimes,andoftenerwithout;buttherewasnothingoftheoldMentzel—Trenckatrocitypermittedthem,oreverimputedtothem;
  andtheydid,usuallywithgoodmilitarytalent,sometimesconspicuouslygood,whatwasrequiredofthem。RegularGenerals,ofahighmerit,oneortwooftheirCaptainscametobe:Wunsch,forexample;Werner,insomesort;and,butforhissuddendeath,thisMayerhimself。Othersofthem,asVonHordt(HardishisSwedishname);and’QuintusIcilius’(bynatureGUICHARD,ofwhomweshallhearagreatdealintheFriedrichcirclebyandby),aredistinguishedashonorablyintellectualandcultivatedpersons。
  [CountdeHordt’sMemoirs(autobiographical,orinthefirstperson:EnglishTranslation,London,1806;
  TWOFrenchOriginals,aworsein1789,andabetternowatlast),Preface,i—xii。InHelden—Geschichte,
  v。102—104,93,adetailed"ListoftheFree—Corpsin1758"(twelveoffoot,twoofhorse,atthattime):seePreuss,ii。372n。;
  Pauli(ubisupra),LifeofMayer。]
  "PoorMayerdiedwithintwoyearshence(5thJanuary,1759);offever,caughtbyunheard—ofexertionsandoverfatigues;aftermanyexploits,andwiththehighestprospect,openingonhim。Amanofmanyadventures,ofmanyqualities;awilddashofchivalryinhimallalong,andmuchmilitaryandothertalentcrossedinthegrowing。InthedulloldBooksIreadoneotherfactwhichisvividtome,ThatWilhelmina,assequelofthosefirstFranconianexploitsandprocedures,’hadgivenhimherOrderofKnighthood,ORDEROFSINCERITYANDFIDELITY,’"——poordearPrincess,whataninteresttoWilhelmina,thisflashofherBrother’sthunderthrownintothoseFranconianparts,andacrossherownpungentanxietiesandsorrowfullyaffectionatethoughts,intheseweeks!——
  ShortlyafterMayer,aboutthetimewhenMayerwaswendinghomeward,GeneralvonOldenburg,averyvaliantpunctualoldGeneral,waspushedoutwestwarduponErfurt,aCityofKur—
  Mainz’s,togiveKur—Mainzasimilarmonition。Anddidithandsomely,impressivelyupontheGazetteerworldatleastandtheErfurtpopulations,——thoughwecanafforditnoroominthisplace。
  Oldenburg’sforcewasbutsome2,000;PirnaSaxonsmostofthem:
  ——suchawinterOldenburghashadwiththeseSaxons;burstingoutintoactualmusketryuponhimonce;Oldenburg,volcanicallysteady,summoningthePrussianpart,"Tome,truePrussianBursche!"——andhangingnineofthemutinousSaxons。Andhascoercedandcompescedthem(allthatdidnotcontrivetodesert)intosoldierlyobedience;and,20thJune,appearsattheGateofErfurtwiththem,todohisdelicateerrandthere。Sharplyconclusive,thoughpoliteandpunctual。"SendtoKur—Mainzsayyou?Well,astoyourCitadel,andthose1,400soldiersallmovingpeaceablyoffthither,——Yes。
  AstoyourCity:withinonehour,Gateopentous,orweopenit!"
  [InHelden—Geschichte(v。371—384)copiousAccount,withtheMissivestoandfrom,theReichs—Pleadingsthatfollowed,the&c。&c。Militair—Lexikon,?
  Oldenburg。]AndOldenburgmarchesin,asvice—sovereignforthetime:——but,indeed,hassoontoleaveagain;owingtowhatEventinthedistancewillbeseen!
  IfPragSiegegowell,theseMayer—OldenburgexpeditionswillhaveaneffectontheReich:butifitgoill,whatarethey,againstAustriawithitsforceofsteadypressure?AllturnsontheissueofPragSiege:——afactextremelyevidenttoFriedrichtoo!
  Butthesearewhatintheinterimcanbedone。Oneneglectsnoopportunity,triesbyeverymethod。
  OFTHESINGULARQUASI—BEWITCHEDCONDITIONOFENGLAND;
  ANDWHATISTOBEHOPEDFROMITFORTHECOMMONCAUSE,IFPRAGGOAMISS。
  OntheBritannicside,too,theoutlooksarenotgood;——muchneedFriedrichwerethroughhisPragaffair,and"hasteningwithfortythousandtohelphisAllies,"——thatis,RoyalHighnessofCumberlandandBritannicPurse,hisonlyalliesatthismoment。
  RoyalHighnessandArmyofObservation(shouldhavebeen67,000,are50to60,000,hiredGermans;troopsgoodenough,weretheytolerablyled)findstheHanoverProgramasbadasSchmettauandFriedricheverrepresentedit;and,already,——unlessPraggowell,——wears,totheunderstandingeye,averycontingentaspect。
  D’Estreesoutnumbershim;D’Estrees,too,issomethingofasoldier,——averyconsiderableadvantageinaffairsofwar。
  D’Estrees,sinceApril,isinWesel;gatheringintherevenues,changingtheOfficialities:muchoutofdiscipline,theysay;——"hanging"gradually"1,000marauders;"inroundnumbers1,000
  thisYear。[Stenzel,v。65;Retzow,i。173。]D’Estreesdoesnotyetpushforward,owingtoPrag。Ifhedo——ItiswellknownhowRoyalHighnessfaredwhenhedid,andwhataCampaignRoyalHighnessmadeofitthisYear1757!HowtheWeserdidprovewadable,asSchmettauhadsaidtonopurpose;wadable,bridgable;andRoyalHighnesshadtowriggleback,everback;nostandtobemade,orfarworsethannone:back,everback,tillhegotintotheSea,forthatmatter,andtotheENDofmorethanonething!Poorman,friendssayhehasanincurableHanoverMinistry,aProgramthatisinexecutable。
  Asyethehasnotlosthead,anyheadheeverhad:butheiswonderful,he;——andhisEnglandis!Weshallhavetolookathimonceagain;andhappilyonceonly。Here,frommyConstitutionalHistorian,aresomePassageswhichwemayaswellreadinthepresentinterimofexpectation。Ilabel,andtrytoarrange:——
  1。ENGLANDINCRISIS。"EnglandisindignantwithitsHeroofCullodenandhisCampaign1757;butreallyhasnobusinesstocomplain。RoyalHighnessofCumberland,wrigglinghelplesslyinthatmanner,isafairrepresentativeoftheEnglandthatnowis。
  Foryearsback,therehasbeen,inregardtoallthingsForeignorDomestic,inthatCountry,bywayofNationalaction,themiserablesthagglingastowhichofvariouslittle—competentpersonsshallactfortheNation。Amelancholyconditionindeed!——
  "Butthefactis,hisGraceofNewcastle,eversincehispoorBrotherPelhamdied(whowasalwaysasolid,loyalkindofman,thoughadull;andhadalways,withpatientaffection,furnishedhisGrace,muchUNsuppliedotherwise,withCommonsensehitherto),isquiteinsecureinParliament,andknowsnotwhathandtoturnto。Foxiscontemptuousofhim;Pittentirelyimpatientofhim;
  DukeofCumberland(greatinthegloryofCulloden)isaimingtoousthim,andbearrulewithhisYoungNephew,thenewRisingSun,asthepoorPapaandGrandfathergetsold。EvenCarteret(EarlGranvilleastheynowcallhim,aCarteretmuchchangedsincethosehigh—soaringWorms—Hanautimes!)wasappliedto。Buttheanswerwas——whatcouldtheanswerbe?High—soaringCarteret,scandalouslyoversetandhurledoutinthatHanautime,hadalreadytriedonce(longago,andwithsuchresult!)tospringinagain,and’deliverhisMajestyfromfactions;’andactuallyhadmadea’GranvilleMinistry;’Ministrywhichfellagaininoneday。["11thFebruary,1746"(Thackeray,LifeofChatham,i。146)。]
  TothecompletedisgustofCarteret—Granville;——who,eversince,sitsponderouslydormant(kindofFixtureinthePrivyCouncil,thislongwhileback);andisresigned,inabigcontemptuousway,tohavehadhisreallyconsiderablecareercloseduponhimbythesmallestofmankind;and,exceptoccasionalblurtsofstrongruggedspeechwhichcomefromhim,andagooddealofwinetakenintohim,disdainsmakingfartherdebatewiththeworldanditselectNewcastles。Carteret,atthiscrisis,wasagainappliedto,’Cannotyou?InbehalfofanafflictedoldKing?’ButCarteretanswered,No。[Ib。i。464。]
  "Inshort,itisadmittedandbewailedbyeverybody,seldomwasthereseensuchaGovernmentofEngland(andEnglandhasseensomestrangeGovernments),asintheselastThreeYears。
  ChaoticImbecilityreigningprettysupreme。Ruler’sWork,——policy,administration,governance,guidance,performanceinanykind,——
  whereisittobefound?ForifevenaWalpole,whenhisTalking—
  Apparatusgetsoutofgearuponhim,isreducedtoextremities,thoughthestoutestofmen,——fancywhatitwillbe,inlikecase,andhowtheActing—ApparatusesandAffairsgenerallywillgo,withapoorhystericalNewcastle,nowwhenhisCommonSenseisfatallywithdrawn!Thepoormanhasnoresourcebuttoshuffleaboutinaimlessperpetualfidget;endeavoringvainlytosayYesandNotoallquestions,ForeignandDomestic,thatmayrise。Whereby,intheAffairsofEngland,therehas,asitwere,universalSt。—Vitus’sdancesupervened,atanimportantcrisis:andthePreparationsforAmerica,andforadownrightLife—and—DeathWrestlewithFranceontheJENKINS’S—EARQUESTION,arequiteinabadway。Inanominouslybad。Whycannotwedrawaveiloverthesethings!"——
  2。PITT,ANDTHEHOUROFTIDE。"Thefidgetingsandshufflings,thesubtleties,inanetrickeries,andfutilehitheringsandthitheringsofNewcastlemaybeimagined:amannotincapableoftrick;
  butanxioustobewellwitheverybody;andtoanswerYesandNotoalmosteverything,——andnotalittlepuzzled,poorsoul,togetthrough,inthatimpossibleway!SuchaparalysisofwrigglingimbecilityfallenoverEngland,inthisgreatcrisisofitsfortunes,asisstillpainfultocontemplate:andindeedithasbeenmostlyshakenoutofmindbythemodernEnglishman;whotriestolaughatit,insteadofweepingandconsidering,whichwouldbetterbeseem。Pittspeakswithatragicalvivacity,inallingeniousdialects,livelythoughserious;andwithadepthofsadconviction,whichisapttobeslurredoverandmissedaltogetherbyamodernreader。SpeaksasifthisbraveEnglishNationwereaboutended;littleornohopeleftforit;hereagleamofpossibility,andthereagleam,whichsoonvanishesagaininthefatalmurkofimpotencies,do—nothingisms。VerysadtotheheartofPitt。AoncebraveNationarrivedatitscriticalpoint,anddoomedtohiggleandpuddletheretillitdrowninthegutters:
  considerablytragicaltoPitt;whoislively,ingenious,and,thoughnotquittingtheParliamentarytonefortheHebrew—
  Prophetic,farmoreseriousthanthemodernreaderthinks。
  "InWalpole’sBook[MemoirsoftheLastTenYearsofGeorgeII。]thereistheliveliestPictureofthisdismalParliamentaryHellbroth,——suchaMotherofDeadDogsasonehasseldomlookedinto!FortheHourisgreat;andtheHonorableGentlemen,Imustsay,aresmall。Thehour,littleasyoudreamofit,myHonorableFriends,ispregnantwithquestionsthatareimmense。WideContinents,longEpochsandAEonshangonthispoorjargoningofyours;theEternalDestiniesareaskingtheirmuch—
  favoredNation,’Willyou,canyou?’——much—favoredNationisansweringinthatmanner。Astonishedatitsownstupidity,andtakingrefugeinlaughter。TheEternalDestiniesareverypatientwithsomeNations;andcandisregardtheirfollies,foralongwhile;andhavetheirCromwell,havetheirPitt,orwhatelseisessential,readyforthepoorNation,inagrandlysilentway!
  "Certainitis,——thoughhowcouldpoorNewcastleknowitatall!——
  hereisagainthehouroftideforEngland。Tideisfullagain;
  hasbeenflowinglonghundredsofyears,andisfull:certain,too,thattimeandtidewaitonnomanornation。InadialectdifferentfromCromwell’sorPitt’s,butwithasensetruetotheirs,IcallittheEternalDestiniesknockingatEngland’sdooragain:’Areyoureadyforthecrisis,birth—pointoflongAgestoyou,whichisnowcome?’Greaterquestionhadnotbeen,forcenturiespast。NonetobenamedwithitsincethathighSpiritualQuestion(trulyamuchhigher,andwhichwasinfactthePARENTofthisandofallofhighandgreatthatlayahead),whichEnglandandOliverCromwellweretheretoanswer:’WillyouholdbyConsecratedFormulas,then,youEnglish,andexpectsalvationfromtraditionsoftheelders;orareyouforDivineRealities,astheonesacredandindispensablething?’Whichtheydidanswer,inwhatwayweknow。TrulytheHighestQuestion;whichifaNationcananswerWELL,itwillgrowinthisworld,andmaycometobeconsiderable,andtohavemanyhighQuestionstoanswer,——thisofPitt’s,forexample。AndtheAnswersgivendoalwaysextendthroughcomingages;anddoalwaysbearharvests,accursedorelseblessed,accordingastheAnswerswere。Athingawfullytrue,ifyouhaveeyeforit;——athingtomakeHonorableGentlemenserious,evenintheageofpercussion—
  caps!No,myfriend,Newcastleisms,impiousPoltrooneries,inaNation,donotdie:——neither(thankGod)doCromwellismsandpiousHeroisms;butarealiveforthepoorNation,eveninitssomnambulancies,initsstupidestdreams。ForNationshavetheirsomnambulancies;and,atanyrate,thequestionsputtoNations,indifferentages,varymuch。Notinanyage,orturning—pointinHistory,hadEnglandansweredtheDestiniesinsuchadialectasnowunderitsNewcastleandNationalPalaver。"
  3。OFWALPOLE,ASRECORDINGANGEL。"Walpole’sGeorgetheSecondisaBookoffarmoreworththaniscommonlyascribedtoit;almosttheoneoriginalEnglishBookyetwrittenonthosetimes,——which,bytheaccidentofPitt,arestillmemorabletous。ButforWalpole,——burninglikeasmallsteadylightthere,shiningfaithfully,ifstingily,ontheevilandthegood,——thatsordidmuddleofthePelhamParliaments,whichchancedtobetheelementofthingsnowrecognizableenoughasgreat,wouldbeforeverunintelligible。Heisunusuallyaccurate,punctual,lucid;
  anirrefragableauthorityonEnglishpoints。Andif,inregardtoForeign,hecannotbecalledanunderstandingwitness,hehasreadthebestDocumentsaccessible,hasconversedwithselectAmbassadors(Mitchellandthelike,aswecanguess);andhasinformedhimselftoadegreefarbeyondmostofhiscontemporaries。
  InregardtoPitt’sSpeeches,inparticular,hisbriefjottings,donerapidlywhilethematterwasstillshiningtohim,aretheonlyReportsthathavetheleasthumanresemblance。WemaythankWalpolethatPittisnotdumbtous,aswellasdark。Verycuriouslittlescratchingsandetchings,thoseofWalpole;frugal,swift,butpunctualandexact;hastypen—and—inkoutlines;atfirstview,allbarren;baldasaninvoice,seemingly;butwhichyieldyou,afterlongstudythereandelsewhere,aconceivablenotionofwhatandhowexcellentthesePittSpeechesmayhavebeen。Airy,winged,likearrow—flightsofPhoebusApollo;verysuperlativeSpeechesindeed。Walpole’sBookiscarefullyprinted,——fewerrorsinitlikethat’Chapeau’forCHASOT,"whichreadersremember:——"but,inrespecttoediting,maybecharacterizedasstillwantinganEditor。ABookUNedited;littlebutlazyignoranceofaveryhopelesstype,thickcontenteddarkness,traceablethroughoutinthemarginalpart。NoattemptatanIndex,oratanyofthenaturalhelpstoareadernowatsuchdistancefromit。Nay,tillyouhaveatleastmarked,onthetopofeachpage,whatMonthandYearitactuallyis,theBookcannotbereadatall,——exceptbyanidlecreature,doingworsethannothingunderthenameofreading!"
  4。PITT’SSPEECHES,FORESHADOWINGWHAT。"ItisakindofepochinyourstudiesofmodernEnglishHistorywhenyougettounderstandofPitt’sSpeeches,thattheyarenotParliamentaryEloquences,butthingswhichwithhiswholesoulhemeans,andisintenttoDO。
  Thissurprisingcircumstance,whenatlastbecomeundeniable,makes,onthesudden,animmensedifferencefortheSpeechesandyou!SpeechesarenotathingofhighmomenttothisEditor;itistheThingspoken,andhowfarthespeakermeanstodoit,thatthisEditorinquiresfor。ToomanySpeechesthereare,whichhehearsadmiredallround,andhasprivatelytoentertainaveryhorridnotionof!Speeches,thefinestinquality(werequalityreally’fine’conceivableinsuchcase),whichWANTacorrespondingfinenessofsourceandintention,correspondingnoblenessofpurport,conviction,tendency;these,ifwewillreflect,arefrightfulinsteadofbeautiful。Yes;——andalwaysthefrightfuler,the’finer’theyare;andthefasterandfarthertheygo,sowingthemselvesinthedimvacancyofmen’sminds。ForSpeeches,likeallhumanthings,thoughthefactisnowlittleremembered,doalwaysrankthemselvesasforeverblessed,orasforeverunblessed。
  Sheeporgoats;ontherighthandoftheFinalJudge,orelseontheleft。ThereareSpeecheswhichcanbecalledtrue;and,again,Speecheswhicharenottrue:——Heavens,onlythinkwhattheselatterare!Sackedwind,whichyouareintendedtoSOW,——thatyoumayreapthewhirlwind!Afterlongreading,IfindChatham’sSpeechestobewhathepretendstheyare:true,andworthspeakingthenandthere。
  Nobleindeed,Icancallthemwithyou:thehighlynobleForeshadow,necessaryprefaceandaccompanimentofActionswhicharestillnobler。Averysingularphenomenonwithinthosewalls,orwithout!
  "Pitt,thoughnoblyeloquent,isaManofAction,notofSpeech;
  anauthenticallyRoyalkindofMan。AndiftherewereaPlutarchinthesetimes,withagooddealofleisureonhishands,hemightrunaParallelbetweenFriedrichandChatham。TworadiantKings:veryshiningMenofActionboth;bothofthemhardbested,asthecaseoftenis。ForyourbornKingwillgenerallyhave,ifnot"allEuropeagainsthim,"atleastprettymuchalltheUniverse。
  Chatham’scoursetoKingshipwasnotstraightorsmooth,——asFriedrich,too,hadhiswell—nighfataldifficultiesontheroad。
  Again,saysthePlutarch,theyareverybravemenboth;andofaclearnessandveracitypeculiaramongtheircontemporaries。
  InChatham,too,thereissomethingoftheflashofsteel;averysharp—cutting,penetrative,rapidindividual,hetoo;andshapedforaction,firstofall,thoughhehastotalksomuchintheworld。Fastidious,proud,noKingcouldbeprouder,thoughhiselementisthatofFree—SenateandDemocracy。Andhehasabeautifulpoeticdelicacy,withal;greattendernessinhim,playfulness,grace;inallways,anairyaswellasasolidloftinessofmind。NotbornaKing,——alas,no,notofficiallyso,onlynaturallyso;hashiskingdomtoseek。TheConqueringofSilesia,theConqueringofthePelhamParliaments——ButwewillshutupthePlutarchwithtimeonhishands。
  "Pitt’sSpeeches,asIspellthemfromWalpoleandtheotherfainttracingsleft,arefullofgeniusinthevocalkind,farbeyondanySpeechesdeliveredinParliament:seriousalways,andtheverytruth,suchashehasit;butgoinginmanydialectsandmodes;
  fullofairyflashings,twinklesandcoruscations。Sport,asofsheet—lightningglancingabout,theboltlyingunderthehorizon;
  boltHIDDEN,asisfit,undersuchahorizonashehad。
  Asingularlyradiantman。CouldhavebeenaPoet,too,insomesmallmeasure,hadhegoneonthatline。Therearemanytouchesofgenius,comic,tragic,lyric,somethingofhumoreven,tobereadinthoseShadowsofSpeechestakendownforusbyWalpole……
  "Inoneword,Pitt,shininglikeagleamofsharpsteelinthatmurkofcontemptibilities,iscarefullysteeringhiswaytowardsKingshipoverit。Tragicalitis(especiallyinPitt’scase,firstandlast)toseeaRoyalMan,orBornKing,wadingtowardshisthroneinsuchanelement。But,alas,theBornKing(evenwhenhetries,whichItaketobetherarercase)soseldomcanarrivethereatall;——sinfulEpochsthereare,whenHeaven’scursehasbeenspoken,anditisthatawfulBeing,theBornSham—King,thatarrives!Pitt,however,doesit。Yes;andthemorewestudyPitt,themoreweshallfindhedoesitinapeculiarlyhigh,manfulandhonorableaswellasdexterousmanner;andthatEnglishHistoryhasarighttocallhim’theacmeandhighestmanofConstitutionalParliaments;thelikeofwhomwasnotinanyParliamentcalledConstitutional,norwillagainbe。’"
  Well,probablyenough;tooprobably!Butwhatitmoreconcernsustorememberhere,isthefact,Thatinthesedismalshufflingswhichhavebeen,Pitt——inspiteofRoyaldislikesandNewcastlepeddlingsandchicaneries——hasbeenactuallyinOffice,intheduetopmostplace,thepoorEnglishNationardentlydemandinghim,inwhatwaysitcould。BeeninOffice;——andisactuallyoutagain,inspiteoftheNation。WaswithoutrealpowerintheRoyalCouncils;
  thoughofnoblepromise,andplantinghimselfdown,hero—like,evidentlybentonwork,andonendingthatunutterable"St。—Vitus’s—dance"thathadgonesohighallroundhim。
  Withoutrealpower,wesay;andhashadnopermanency。Cameinllth—19thNovember,1756;thrownout5thApril,1757。Aftersixmonths’trial,theSt。Vitusfindsthatitcannotdowithhim;
  andwillprefergoingonagain。ThelastacthisRoyalHighnessofCumberlanddidinEnglandwastodisplacePitt:"Downyou,Iamtheman!"saidRoyalHighness;andwenttotheWeserCountriesonthoseterms。
  Wouldthereaderwishtosee,insummary,whatPitt’sOfficeshavebeen,sinceheenteredonthiscareeraboutthirtyyearsago?
  Here,fromourHistorian,istheListoftheminorderoftime;
  STAGESOFPITT’SCOURSE,hecallsit:——
  1。"DECEMBER,1734,ComesintoParliament,agenowtwenty—six;
  CornetintheBluesaswell;beingpoor,andinabsoluteneedofsomecareerthatwillsuit。APRIL,1736,makeshisFirstSpeech:——
  PrinceFrederickthesubject,——whowasmuchusedasbattering—rambytheOpposition;whomperhapsPittadmiredforhismadrigals,forhisLiterarypatronizings,andfavortotheWest—Wickhamset。
  Speech,fullofairylightning,wasmuchadmired。Followedbymany,withthelightninggettingdenseranddenser;alwaysontheOppositionside[onceontheJENKINS’S—EARQUESTION,aswesaw,whentheGazetteerEditorspelthimMr。Pitts]:sothatMajestywasveryangry,sulkyPublicmuchapplausive;andWalpolewasheardtosay,’Wemustmuzzle,insomeway,thatterribleCornetofHorse!’
  ——butcouldnot,ontrial;thisman’s’price,’aswouldseem,beingawfullyhigh!AUGUST—OCTOBER,1744,SarahDuchessofMarlboroughbequeathedhim10,000poundsasCommissariatequipmentinthishisCampaignagainsttheMud—gods,[Thackeray,i。138。]——glorytotheoldHeroineforsodoing!WhichliftedPittoutoftheCornetcyorHorse—guardselement,Ifancy;andwasasthenailingofhisParliamentarycolorstothemast。
  2。"FEBRUARY14th,1746,Vice—TreasurerforIreland:onoccasionofthatPelham—Granville’As—you—were!’(CarteretMinistry,whichlastedOneDay),andtheslightshufflingsthatwerenecessary。
  NowfirstinOffice,——aftersuchTenYearsofcollidingandconflicting,andfinesteeringindifficultwaters。
  Vice—TreasurerforIreland:and’soonafter,onLordWilmington’sdeath,’PAYMASTEROFTHEFORCES。ContinuedPaymasteraboutnineyears。Rejects,quietlyandtotally,thebigincomederivablefromInterestofGovernmentMoneyslyingdelayedinthePaymaster’shand(’Dishonest,Itellyou!’)——andwillnoneofit,thoughpoor。
  Notyethigh,stilllowoverthehorizon,butshiningbrighterandbrighter。GreatlycontemptuousofNewcastleandthePlatitudesandPoltrooneries;andstillagooddealintheOppositionstrain,andNOTalwaystemperingthewindtotheshornlamb。Forexample,Pitt(stillPaymaster)toNewcastleonKingoftheRomansQuestion(1752
  orso):’YouengageforSubsidies,notknowingtheirextent;
  forTreaties,notknowingtheterms!’——’Whatabashaw!’moanNewcastleandthetopOfficials。’Bestwayis,don’tmindit,’saidMr。Stone[oneoftheirterriers,——ahard—headedfellow,whosebrotherbecamePrimateofIrelandbyandby]。
  3。"NOVEMBER20th,1755,Thrownout:——onPelham’sdeath,andthegeneralhurly—burlyinOfficialregions,andchangeofpartnerswithnolittledifficulty,whichhadthenensued!SirThomasRobinson,"ouroldfriend,"madeSecretary,——notfoundtoanswer。
  PittsulkilylookingonAmerica,onMinorca;onthingsGerman,onthingsingeneral;warilysetonreturning,asisthought;butHow?
  FOXtoPitt:’WillyoujoinME?’——PITT:’No,’——withsuchpoliteness,butinanunmistakableway!TenmonthsofconsummatesteeringonthepartofPitt;ChancellorHardwickecomingasmessenger,heamongothers;Pitt’sanswertohimdexterous,modestlyroyal。Pitt’sbearing,inthisgrandjunctureandcrisis,isroyal,hisspeakingsandalsohissilencesnotablyfine。
  OCTOBER20th,1756:toNewcastlefacetoface,’IwillacceptnosituationunderyourGrace!’——and,aboutthatdaymonth,comesIN,onhisownfooting。Thatistosay,"NOVEMBER19th,1756,toEngland’sgreatcomfort,SeeshimselfSecretaryofState(agenowjustforty—eight)。HasprettymuchallEnglandathisback;buthas,infaceofhim,Fox,NewcastleandCompany,offeringmereimpedimentanddiscouragement;
  RoyalHighnessofCumberlandlookingdeadlysour。Tillfinally,"APRIL5th,1757,Kingbidshimresign;RoyalHighnesssettingoffforGermanytheseconddayafter。PitthadbeenINrathermorethanFourmonths。England,atthattimeasilentCountryincomparison,knewnotwellwhattodo;tooktoofferinghimFreedomsofCorporationsinverygreatquantity。TownafterTown,fromallthefourwinds,sympatheticallyfiringoff,uponamisguidedSacredMajesty,itslittleBox,inthisobliqueway,withextraordinarydiligence。Whereby,aftersixmonthsbombardmentbyBoxes,andalsobyEvents,JUNE29th,1757"——WewillexpectJune29th。
  [Thackeray,i。231,264;Almon,AnecdotesofPitt(London,1810),i。151,182,218。]
  Inthesesadcircumstances,PreparationssocalledhavebeenmakingforHanover,forAmerica;——suchpreparationsaswereneverseenbefore。Takeonlyoneinstance;letonebeenough:——
  "BytheLondonGazette,welloninFebruary,1756,welearnthatLordLoudon,amilitarygentlemanofsmallfaculty,butofgoodconnections,hasbeennominatedtocommandtheForcesinAmerica;