MariaTheresaherselfhadnotescapedhisscurrilousjests。TheEmpressElizabethofRussiaknewthathergallantriesaffordedhimafavouritethemeforribaldryandinvective。MadamedePompadour，whowasreallytheheadoftheFrenchGovernment，hadbeenevenmorekeenlygalled。Shehadattempted，bythemostdelicateflattery，topropitiatetheKingofPrussia;buthermessageshaddrawnfromhimonlydryandsarcasticreplies。TheEmpressQueentookaverydifferentcourse。Thoughthehaughtiestofprincesses，thoughthemostaustereofmatrons，sheforgotinherthirstforrevengeboththedignityofherraceandthepurityofhercharacter，andcondescendedtoflatterthelowbornandlow—mindedconcubine，who，havingacquiredinfluencebyprostitutingherself，retaineditbyprostitutingothers。MariaTheresaactuallywrotewithherownhandanote，fullofexpressionsofesteemandfriendshiptoherdearcousin，thedaughterofthebutcherPoisson，thewifeofthepublicanD’Etioles，thekidnapperofyounggirlsfortheharamofanoldrake，astrangecousinforthedescendantofsomanyEmperorsoftheWest！Themistresswascompletelygainedover，andeasilycarriedherpointwithLewis，whohad，indeed，wrongsofhisowntoresent。Hisfeelingswerenotquick，butcontempt，saystheEasternproverb，pierceseventhroughtheshellofthetortoise;
　　andneitherprudencenordecorumhadeverrestrainedFredericfromexpressinghismeasurelesscontemptforthesloth，theimbecility，andthebasenessofLewis。Francewasthusinducedtojointhecoalition;andtheexampleofFrancedeterminedtheconductofSweden，thencompletelysubjecttoFrenchinfluence。
　　TheenemiesofFredericweresurelystrongenoughtoattackhimopenly;buttheyweredesiroustoaddtoalltheirotheradvantagestheadvantageofasurprise。Hewasnot，however，amantobetakenoffhisguard。HehadtoolsineveryCourt;andhenowreceivedfromVienna，fromDresden，andfromParis，accountssocircumstantialandsoconsistent，thathecouldnotdoubtofhisdanger。Helearnt，thathewastobeassailedatoncebyFrance，Austria，Russia，Saxony，Sweden，andtheGermanicbody;thatthegreaterpartofhisdominionswastobeportionedoutamonghisenemies;thatFrance，whichfromhergeographicalpositioncouldnotdirectlyshareinhisspoils，wastoreceiveanequivalentintheNetherlands;thatAustriawastohaveSilesia，andtheCzarinaEastPrussia;thatAugustusofSaxonyexpectedMagdeburg;andthatSwedenwouldberewardedwithpartofPomerania。Ifthesedesignssucceeded，theHouseofBrandenburgwouldatoncesinkintheEuropeansystemtoaplacelowerthanthatoftheDukeofWurtembergortheMargraveofBaden。
　　Andwhathopewastherethatthesedesignswouldfail？Nosuchunionofthecontinentalpowershadbeenseenforages。Alessformidableconfederacyhadinaweekconquered，alltheprovincesofVenice，whenVenicewasattheheight，ofpower，wealth，andglory。AlessformidableconfederacyhadcompelledLewistheFourteenthtobowdownhishaughtyheadtotheveryearth。Alessformidableconfederacyhas，withinourownmemory，subjugatedastillmightierempire，andabusedastillproudername。Suchoddshadneverbeenheardofinwar。ThepeoplewhomFredericruledwerenotfivemillions。Thepopulationofthecountrieswhichwereleaguedagainsthimamountedtoahundredmillions，Thedisproportioninwealthwasatleastequallygreat。Smallcommunities，actuatedbystrongsentimentsofpatriotismorloyalty，havesometimesmadeheadagainstgreatmonarchiesweakenedbyfactionsanddiscontents。ButsmallaswasFrederic’skingdom，itprobablycontainedagreaternumberofdisaffectedsubjectsthanweretobefoundinallthestatesofhisenemies。
　　Silesiaformedafourthpartofhisdominions;andfromtheSilesians，bornunderAustrianprinces，theutmostthathecouldexpectwasapathy。FromtheSilesianCatholicshecouldhardlyexpectanythingbutresistance。
　　Somestateshavebeenenabled，bytheirgeographicalposition，todefendthemselveswithadvantageagainstimmenseforce。TheseahasrepeatedlyprotectedEnglandagainstthefuryofthewholeContinent。TheVenetianGovernment，drivenfromitspossessionsontheland，couldstillbiddefiancetotheconfederatesofCambrayfromthearsenalamidstthelagoons。Morethanonegreatandwellappointedarmy，whichregardedtheshepherdsofSwitzerlandasaneasyprey，hasperishedinthepassesoftheAlps。Frederichidnosuchadvantage。Theformofhisstates，theirsituation，thenatureoftheground，allwereagainsthim。
　　Hislong，scattered，stragglingterritoryseemedtohavebeenshapedwithanexpressviewtotheconvenienceofinvaders，andwasprotectedbynosea，bynochainofhills。Scarcelyanycornerofitwasaweek’smarchfromtheterritoryoftheenemy。
　　Thecapitalitself，intheeventofwar，wouldbeconstantlyexposedtoinsult。IntruththerewashardlyapoliticianorasoldierinEuropewhodoubtedthattheconflictwouldbeterminatedinaveryfewdaysbytheprostrationoftheHouseofBrandenburg。
　　NorwasFrederic’sownopinionverydifferent。Heanticipatednothingshortofhisownruin，andoftheruinofhisfamily。Yettherewasstillachance，aslenderchance，ofescape。Hisstateshadatleasttheadvantageofacentralposition;hisenemieswerewidelyseparatedfromeachother，andcouldnotconvenientlyunitetheiroverwhelmingforcesononepoint。Theyinhabiteddifferentclimates，anditwasprobablethattheseasonoftheyearwhichwouldbebestsuitedtothemilitaryoperationsofoneportionoftheLeague，wouldbeunfavourabletothoseofanotherportion。ThePrussianmonarchy，too，wasfreefromsomeinfirmitieswhichwerefoundinempiresfarmoreextensiveandmagnificent。Itseffectivestrengthforadesperatestrugglewasnottobemeasuredmerelybythenumberofsquaremilesorthenumberofpeople。Inthatsparebutwell—knitandwell—exercisedbody，therewasnothingbutsinew，andmuscleandbone。Nopubliccreditorslookedfordividends。Nodistantcoloniesrequireddefence。NoCourt，filledwithflatterersandmistresses，devouredthepayoffiftybattalions。ThePrussianarmy，thoughfarinferiorinnumbertothetroopswhichwereabouttobeopposedtoit，wasyetstrongoutofallproportiontotheextentofthePrussiandominions。Itwasalsoadmirablytrainedandadmirablyofficered，accustomedtoobeyandaccustomedtoconquer。Therevenuewasnotonlyunincumberedbydebt，butexceededtheordinaryoutlayintimeofpeace。AloneofalltheEuropeanprinces，Frederichadatreasurelaidupforadayofdifficulty。Aboveall，hewasone，andhisenemiesweremany。Intheircampswouldcertainlybefoundthejealousy，thedissension，theslacknessinseparablefromcoalitions;onhissidewastheenergy，theunity，thesecrecyofastrongdictatorship。Toacertainextentthedeficiencyofmilitarymeansmightbesuppliedbytheresourcesofmilitaryart。SmallastheKing’sarmywas，whencomparedwiththesixhundredthousandmenwhomtheconfederatescouldbringintothefield，celerityofmovementmightinsomedegreecompensatefordeficiencyofbulk。Itwasthusjustpossiblethatgenius，judgment，resolution，andgoodluckunited，mightprotractthestruggleduringacampaignortwo;andtogainevenamonthwasofimportance。Itcouldnotbelongbeforetheviceswhicharefoundinallextensiveconfederacieswouldbegintoshowthemselves。EverymemberoftheLeaguewouldthinkhisownshareofthewartoolarge，andhisownshareofthespoilstoosmall。
　　Complaintsandrecriminationswouldabound。TheTurkmightstirontheDanube;thestatesmenofFrancemightdiscovertheerrorwhichtheyhadcommittedinabandoningthefundamentalprinciplesoftheirnationalpolicy。Aboveall，deathmightridPrussiaofitsmostformidableenemies。ThewarwastheeffectofthepersonalaversionwithwhichthreeorfoursovereignsregardedFrederic;andthedeceaseofanyoneofthosesovereignsmightproduceacompleterevolutioninthestateofEurope。
　　Inthemidstofahorizongenerallydarkandstormy，Fredericcoulddiscernonebrightspot。ThepeacewhichhadbeenconcludedbetweenEnglandandFrancein1748，hadbeeninEuropenomorethananarmistice;andhadnotevenbeenanarmisticeintheotherquartersoftheglobe。InIndiathesovereigntyoftheCarnaticwasdisputedbetweentwogreatMussulmanhouses;FortSaintGeorgehadtakenoneside，Pondicherrytheother;andinaseriesofbattlesandsiegesthetroopsofLawrenceandClivehadbeenopposedtothoseofDupleix。Astrugglelessimportantinitsconsequences，butnotlesslikelytoproduceirritation，wascarriedonbetweenthoseFrenchandEnglishadventurers，whokidnappednegroesandcollectedgolddustonthecoastofGuinea。
　　ButitwasinNorthAmericathattheemulationandmutualaversionofthetwonationsweremostconspicuous。TheFrenchattemptedtohemintheEnglishcolonistsbyachainofmilitaryposts，extendingfromtheGreatLakestothemouthoftheMississippi。TheEnglishtookarms。ThewildaboriginaltribesappearedoneachsidemingledwiththePale—Faces。Battleswerefought;fortswerestormed;andhideousstoriesaboutstakes，scalpings，anddeath—songsreachedEurope，andinflamedthatnationalanimositywhichtherivalryofageshadproduced。ThedisputesbetweenFranceandEnglandcametoacrisisattheverytimewhenthetempestwhichhadbeengatheringwasabouttoburstonPrussia。ThetastesandinterestsofFredericwouldhaveledhim，ifhehadbeenallowedanoption，tosidewiththeHouseofBourbon。ButthefollyoftheCourtofVersailleslefthimnochoice。FrancebecamethetoolofAustria;andFredericwasforcedtobecometheallyofEngland。Hecouldnot，indeed，expectthatapowerwhichcoveredtheseawithitsfleets，andwhichhadtomakewaratonceontheOhioandtheGanges，wouldbeabletosparealargenumberoftroopsforoperationsinGermany。ButEngland，thoughpoorcomparedwiththeEnglandofourtime，wasfarricherthananycountryontheContinent。Theamountofherrevenue，andtheresourceswhichshefoundinhercredit，thoughtheymaybethoughtsmallbyagenerationwhichhasseenherraiseahundredandthirtymillionsinasingleyear，appearedmiraculoustothepoliticiansofthatage。Averymoderateportionofherwealth，expendedbyanableandeconomicalprince，inacountrywherepriceswerelow，wouldbesufficienttoequipandmaintainaformidablearmy。
　　SuchwasthesituationinwhichFredericfoundhimself。Hesawthewholeextentofhisperil。Hesawthattherewasstillafaintpossibilityofescape;and，withprudenttemerity，hedeterminedtostrikethefirstblow。ItwasinthemonthofAugust1756，thatthegreatwaroftheSevenYearscommenced。TheKingdemandedoftheEmpressQueenadistinctexplanationofherintentions，andplainlytoldherthatheshouldconsiderarefusalasadeclarationofwar。"Iwant，"hesaid，"noanswerinthestyleofanoracle。"Hereceivedanansweratoncehaughtyandevasive。InaninstanttherichelectorateofSaxonywasoverflowedbysixtythousandPrussiantroops。AugustuswithhisarmyoccupiedastrongpositionatPirna。TheQueenofPolandwasatDresden。InafewdaysPirnawasblockadedandDresdenwastaken。ThefirstobjectofFredericwastoobtainpossessionoftheSaxonStatepapers;forthosepapers，hewellknew，containedampleproofsthat，thoughapparentlyanaggressor，hewasreallyactinginself—defence。TheQueenofPoland，aswellacquaintedasFredericwiththeimportanceofthosedocuments，hadpackedthemup，hadconcealedtheminherbed—chamber，andwasabouttosendthemofftoWarsaw，whenaPrussianofficermadehisappearance。Inthehopethatnosoldierwouldventuretooutragealady，aqueen，adaughterofanemperor，themother—in—lawofadauphin，sheplacedherselfbeforethetrunk，andatlengthsatdownonit。Butallresistancewasvain。ThepaperswerecarriedtoFrederic，whofoundinthem，asheexpected，abundantevidenceofthedesignsofthecoalition。Themostimportantdocumentswereinstantlypublished，andtheeffectofthepublicationwasgreat。Itwasclearthat，ofwhateversinstheKingofPrussiamightformerlyhavebeenguilty，hewasnowtheinjuredparty，andhadmerelyanticipatedablowintendedtodestroyhim。
　　TheSaxoncampatPirnawasinthemeantimecloselyinvested;butthebesiegedwerenotwithouthopesofsuccour。AgreatAustrianarmyunderMarshalBrownwasabouttopourthroughthepasseswhichseparateBohemiafromSaxony。FredericleftatPirnaaforcesufficienttodealwiththeSaxons，hastenedintoBohemia，encounteredBrownatLowositz，anddefeatedhim。ThisbattledecidedthefateofSaxony。AugustusandhisfavouriteBruhlfledtoPoland。ThewholearmyoftheElectoratecapitulated。Fromthattimetilltheendofthewar，FrederictreatedSaxonyasapartofhisdominions，or，rather，heactedtowardstheSaxonsinamannerwhichmayservetoillustratethewholemeaningofthattremendoussentence，"subjectostanquamsuos，vilestanquamalienos。"SaxonywasasmuchinhispowerasBrandenburg;andhehadnosuchinterestinthewelfareofSaxonyashehadinthewelfareofBrandenburg。Heaccordinglyleviedtroopsandexactedcontributionsthroughouttheenslavedprovince，withfarmorerigourthaninanypartofhisowndominions。SeventeenthousandmenwhohadbeeninthecampatPirnawerehalfcompelled，halfpersuadedtoenlistundertheirconqueror。Thus，withinafewweeksfromthecommencementofhostilities，oneoftheconfederateshadbeendisarmed，andhisweaponswerenowpointedagainsttherest。
　　Thewinterputastoptomilitaryoperations。Allhadhithertogonewell。Buttherealtugofwarwasstilltocome。Itwaseasytoforeseethattheyear1757wouldbeamemorableerainthehistoryofEurope。
　　TheKing’sschemeforthecampaignwassimple，bold，andjudicious。TheDukeofCumberlandwithanEnglishandHanoverianarraywasinWesternGermany，andmightbeabletopreventtheFrenchtroopsfromattackingPrussia。TheRussians，confinedbytheirsnows，wouldprobablynotstirtillthespringwasfaradvanced。Saxonywasprostrated。Swedencoulddonothingveryimportant。DuringafewmonthsFredericwouldhavetodealwithAustriaalone。Eventhustheoddswereagainsthim。Butabilityandcouragehaveoftentriumphedagainstoddsstillmoreformidable。
　　Earlyin1757thePrussianarmyinSaxonybegantomove。ThroughfourdefilesinthemountainstheycamepouringintoBohemia。
　　PraguewastheKing’sfirstmark;buttheulteriorobjectwasprobablyVienna。AtPraguelayMarshalBrownwithonegreatarmy。
　　Daun，themostcautiousandfortunateoftheAustriancaptains，wasadvancingwithanother。FredericdeterminedtooverwhelmBrownbeforeDaunshouldarrive。OnthesixthofMaywasfought，underthosewallswhich，ahundredandthirtyyearsbefore，hadwitnessedthevictoryoftheCatholicleagueandtheflightoftheunhappyPalatine，abattlemorebloodythananywhichEuropesawduringthelongintervalbetweenMalplaquetandEylau。TheKingandPrinceFerdinandofBrunswickweredistinguishedonthatdaybytheirvalourandexertions。ButthechiefglorywaswithSchwerin。WhenthePrussianinfantrywavered，thestoutoldmarshalsnatchedthecoloursfromanensign，and，wavingthemintheair，ledbackhisregimenttothecharge。Thusatseventy—twoyearsofagehefellinthethickestbattle，stillgraspingthestandardwhichbearstheblackeagleonthefieldargent。ThevictoryremainedwiththeKing;butithadbeendearlypurchased。
　　Wholecolumnsofhisbravestwarriorshadfallen。Headmittedthathehadlosteighteenthousandmen。Oftheenemy，twenty—fourthousandhadbeenkilled，wounded，ortaken。
　　PartofthedefeatedarmywasshutupinPrague。Partfledtojointhetroopswhich，underthecommandofDaun，werenowcloseathand。FredericdeterminedtoplayoverthesamegamewhichhadsucceededatLowositz。HeleftalargeforcetobesiegePrague，andattheheadofthirtythousandmenhemarchedagainstDaun。
　　ThecautiousMarshal，thoughhehadagreatsuperiorityinnumbers，wouldrisknothing。HeoccupiedatKolinapositionalmostimpregnable，andawaitedtheattackoftheKing。
　　ItwastheeighteenthofJune，adaywhich，iftheGreeksuperstitionstillretaineditsinfluence，wouldbeheldsacredtoNemesis，adayonwhichthetwogreatestprincesofmoderntimesweretaught，byaterribleexperience，thatneitherskillnorvalourcanfixtheinconstancyoffortune。Thebattlebeganbeforenoon;andpartofthePrussianarmymaintainedthecontesttillafterthemidsummersunhadgonedown。ButatlengththeKingfoundthathistroops，havingbeenrepeatedlydrivenbackwithfrightfulcarnage，couldnolongerbeledtothecharge。Hewaswithdifficultypersuadedtoquitthefield。Theofficersofhispersonalstaffwereunderthenecessityofexpostulatingwithhim，andoneofthemtookthelibertytosay，"DoesyourMajestymeantostormthebatteriesalone？"Thirteenthousandofhisbravestfollowershadperished。Nothingremainedforhimbuttoretreatingoodorder，toraisethesiegeofPrague，andtohurryhisarmybydifferentroutesoutofBohemia。
　　Thisstrokeseemedtobefinal。Frederic’ssituationhadatbestbeensuch，thatonlyanuninterruptedrunofgoodluckcouldsavehim，asitseemed，fromruin。Andnow，almostintheoutsetofthecontesthehadmetwithacheckwhich，eveninawarbetweenequalpowers，wouldhavebeenfeltasserious。HehadowedmuchtotheopinionwhichallEuropeentertainedofhisarmy。Sincehisaccession，hissoldiershadinmanysuccessivebattlesbeenvictoriousovertheAustrians。Butthegloryhaddepartedfromhisarms。Allwhomhismalevolentsarcasmshadwounded，madehastetoavengethemselvesbyscoffingatthescoffer。Hissoldiershadceasedtoconfideinhisstar。Ineverypartofhiscamphisdispositionswereseverelycriticised。Eveninhisownfamilyhehaddetractors。Hisnextbrother，William，heir—
　　presumptive，orrather，intruth，heir—apparenttothethrone，andgreat—grandfatherofthepresentKing，couldnotrefrainfromlamentinghisownfateandthatoftheHouseofHohenzollern，oncesogreatandsoprosperous，butnow，bytherashambitionofitschief，madeaby—wordtoallnations。Thesecomplaints，andsomeblunderswhichWilliamcommittedduringtheretreatfromBohemia，calledforththebitterdispleasureoftheinexorableKing。Theprince’sheartwasbrokenbythecuttingreproachesofhisbrother;hequittedthearmy，retiredtoacountryseat，andinashorttimediedofshameandvexation。
　　ItseemedthattheKing’sdistresscouldhardlybeincreased。YetatthismomentanotherblownotlessterriblethanthatofKolinfelluponhim。TheFrenchunderMarshalD’EstreeshadinvadedGermany。TheDukeofCumberlandhadgiventhembattleatHastembeck，andhadbeendefeated。InordertosavetheElectorateofHanoverfromentiresubjugation，hehadmade，atClosterSeven，anarrangementwiththeFrenchGenerals，whichleftthematlibertytoturntheirarmsagainstthePrussiandominions。
　　ThatnothingmightbewantingtoFrederic’sdistress，helosthismotherjustatthistime;andheappearstohavefeltthelossmorethanwastobeexpectedfromthehardnessandseverityofhischaracter。Intruth，hismisfortuneshadnowcuttothequick。Themocker，thetyrant，themostrigorous，themostimperious，themostcynicalofmen，wasveryunhappy。Hisfacewassohaggard，andhisformsothin，thatwhenonhisreturnfromBohemiahepassedthroughLeipsic，thepeoplehardlyknewhimagain。Hissleepwasbroken;thetears，inspiteofhimself，oftenstartedintohiseyes;andthegravebegantopresentitselftohisagitatedmindasthebestrefugefrommiseryanddishonour。Hisresolutionwasfixednevertobetakenalive，andnevertomakepeaceonconditionofdescendingfromhisplaceamongthepowersofEurope。Hesawnothingleftforhimexcepttodie;andhedeliberatelychosehismodeofdeath。Healwayscarriedaboutwithhimasureandspeedypoisoninasmallglasscase;andtothefewinwhomheplacedconfidence，hemadenomysteryofhisresolution。
　　ButweshouldveryimperfectlydescribethestateofFrederic’smind，ifweleftoutofviewthelaughablepeculiaritieswhichcontrastedsosingularlywiththegravity，energy，andharshnessofhischaracter。Itisdifficulttosaywhetherthetragicorthecomicpredominatedinthestrangescenewhichwasthenacting。InthemidstofallthegreatKing’scalamities，hispassionforwritingindifferentpoetrygrewstrongerandstronger。Enemiesallroundhim，despairinhisheart，pillsofcorrosivesublimatehiddeninhisclothes，hepouredforthhundredsuponhundredsoflines，hatefultogodsandmen，theinsipiddregsofVoltaire’sHippocrene，thefaintechoofthelyreofChaulieu。Itisamusingtocomparewhathedidduringthelastmonthsof1757，withwhathewroteduringthesametime。ItmaybedoubtedwhetheranyequalportionofthelifeofHannibal，ofCaesar，orofNapoleon，willbearacomparisonwiththatshortperiod，themostbrilliantinthehistoryofPrussiaandofFrederic。Yetatthisverytimethescantyleisureoftheillustriouswarriorwasemployedinproducingodesandepistles，alittlebetterthanCibber’s，andalittleworsethanHayley’s。
　　HereandthereamanlysentimentwhichdeservestobeinprosemakesitsappearanceincompanywithPrometheusandOrpheus，ElysiumandAcheron，thePlaintivePhilomel，thepoppiesofMorpheus，andalltheotherfripperywhich，likearobetossedbyaproudbeautytoherwaitingwoman，haslongbeencontemptuouslyabandonedbygeniustomediocrity。Wehardlyknowanyinstanceofthestrengthandweaknessofhumannaturesostriking，andsogrotesque，asthecharacterofthishaughty，vigilant，resolute，sagaciousblue—stocking，halfMithridatesandhalfTrissotin，bearingupagainstaworldinarms，withanounceofpoisoninonepocketandaquireofbadversesintheother。
　　FrederichadsometimebeforemadeadvancestowardsareconciliationwithVoltaire;andsomecivillettershadpassedbetweenthem。AfterthebattleofKolintheirepistolaryintercoursebecame，atleastinseeming，friendlyandconfidential。WedonotknowanycollectionofLetterswhichthrowssomuchlightonthedarkestandmostintricatepartsofhumannature，asthecorrespondenceofthesestrangebeingsaftertheyhadexchangedforgiveness。Bothfeltthatthequarrelhadloweredtheminthepublicestimation。Theyadmiredeachother。
　　Theystoodinneedofeachother。ThegreatKingwishedtobehandeddowntoposteritybythegreatWriter。ThegreatWriterfelthimselfexaltedbythehomageorthegreatKing。Yetthewoundswhichtheyhadinflictedoneachotherweretoodeeptobeeffaced，orevenperfectlyhealed。Notonlydidthescarsremain;
　　thesoreplacesoftenfesteredandbledafresh。Thelettersconsistedforthemostpartofcompliments，thanks，offersofservice，assurancesofattachment。ButifanythingbroughtbacktoFrederic’srecollectionthecunningandmischievouspranksbywhichVoltairehadprovokedhim，someexpressionofcontemptanddispleasurebrokeforthinthemidstofeulogy。ItwasmuchworsewhenanythingrecalledtothemindofVoltairetheoutrageswhichheandhiskinswomanhadsufferedatFrankfort。Allatoncehisflowingpanegyricwasturnedintoinvective。"Rememberhowyoubehavedtome。ForyoursakeIhavelostthefavourofmynativeKing。ForyoursakeIamanexilefrommycountry。Ilovedyou。I
　　trustedmyselftoyou。Ihadnowishbuttoendmylifeinyourservice。Andwhatwasmyreward？Strippedofallthatyouhadbestowedonme，thekey，theorder，thepension，Iwasforcedtoflyfromyourterritories。IwashuntedasifIhadbeenadeserterfromyourgrenadiers。Iwasarrested，insulted，plundered。MyniecewasdraggedthroughthemudofFrankfortbyyoursoldiers，asifshehadbeensomewretchedfollowerofyourcamp。Youhavegreattalents。Youhavegoodqualities。Butyouhaveoneodiousvice。Youdelightintheabasementofyourfellow—creatures。Youhavebroughtdisgraceonthenameofphilosopher。Youhavegivensomecolourtotheslandersofthebigots，whosaythatnoconfidencecanbeplacedinthejusticeorhumanityofthosewhorejecttheChristianfaith。"ThentheKinganswers，withlessheatbutequalseverity——"YouknowthatyoubehavedshamefullyinPrussia。ItwaswellforyouthatyouhadtodealwithamansoindulgenttotheinfirmitiesofgeniusasIam。Yourichlydeservedtoseetheinsideofadungeon。Yourtalentsarenotmorewidelyknownthanyourfaithlessnessandyourmalevolence。Thegraveitselfisnoasylumfromyourspite。
　　Maupertuisisdead;butyoustillgooncalumniatingandderidinghim，asifyouhadnotmadehimmiserableenoughwhilehewasliving。Letushavenomoreofthis。And，aboveall，letmehearnomoreofyourniece。Iamsicktodeathofhername。Icanbearwithyourfaultsforthesakeofyourmerits;butshehasnotwrittenMahometorMerope。"
　　Anexplosionofthiskind，itmightbesupposed，wouldnecessarilyputanendtoallamicablecommunication。Butitwasnotso。Aftereveryoutbreakofillhumourthisextraordinarypairbecamemorelovingthanbefore，andexchangedcomplimentsandassurancesofmutualregardwithawonderfulairofsincerity。
　　Itmaywellbesupposedthatmenwhowrotethustoeachother，werenotveryguardedinwhattheysaidofeachother。TheEnglishambassador，Mitchell，whoknewthattheKingofPrussiawasconstantlywritingtoVoltairewiththegreatestfreedomonthemostimportantsubjects，wasamazedtohearhisMajestydesignatethishighlyfavouredcorrespondentasabad—heartedfellow，thegreatestrascalonthefaceoftheearth。AndthelanguagewhichthepoetheldabouttheKingwasnotmuchmorerespectful。
　　ItwouldprobablyhavepuzzledVoltairehimselftosaywhatwashisrealfeelingtowardsFrederic。Itwascompoundedofallsentiments，fromenmitytofriendship，andfromscorntoadmiration;andtheproportionsinwhichtheseelementsweremixed，changedeverymoment。Theoldpatriarchresembledthespoiledchildwhoscreams，stamps，cuffs，laughs，kisses，andcuddleswithinonequarterofanhour。Hisresentmentwasnotextinguished;yethewasnotwithoutsympathyforhisoldfriend。
　　AsaFrenchman，hewishedsuccesstothearmsofhiscountry。Asaphilosopher，hewasanxiousforthestabilityofathroneonwhichaphilosophersat。HelongedbothtosaveandtohumbleFrederic。Therewasoneway，andonlyone，inwhichallhisconflictingfeelingscouldatoncebegratified。IfFredericwerepreservedbytheinterferenceofFrance，ifitwereknownthatforthatinterferencehewasindebtedtothemediationofVoltaire，thiswouldindeedbedeliciousrevenge;thiswouldindeedbetoheapcoalsoffireonthathaughtyhead。Nordidthevainandrestlesspoetthinkitimpossiblethathemight，fromhishermitageneartheAlps，dictatepeacetoEurope。D’EstreeshadquittedHanover，andthecommandoftheFrencharmyhadbeenintrustedtotheDukeofRichelieu，amanwhosechiefdistinctionwasderivedfromhissuccessingallantry。Richelieuwasintruththemosteminentofthatraceofseducersbyprofession，whofurnishedCrebillontheyoungerandLaCloswithmodelsfortheirheroes。Inhisearlierdaystheroyalhouseitselfhadnotbeensecurefromhispresumptuouslove。HewasbelievedtohavecarriedhisconquestsintothefamilyofOrleans;andsomesuspectedthathewasnotunconcernedinthemysteriousremorsewhichembitteredthelasthoursofthecharmingmotherofLewistheFifteenth。ButtheDukewasnowsixtyyearsold。Withaheartdeeplycorruptedbyvice，aheadlongaccustomedtothinkonlyontrifles，animpairedconstitution，animpairedfortune，and，worstofall，averyrednose，hewasenteringonadull，frivolous，andunrespectedoldage。Withoutonequalificationformilitarycommand，exceptthatpersonalcouragewhichwascommonbetweenhimandthewholenobilityofFrance，hehadbeenplacedattheheadofthearmyofHanover;andinthatsituationhedidhisbesttorepair，byextortionandcorruption，theinjurywhichhehaddonetohispropertybyalifeofdissoluteprofusion。
　　TheDukeofRichelieutotheendofhislifehatedthephilosophersasasect，notforthosepartsoftheirsystemwhichagoodandwisemanwouldhavecondemned，butfortheirvirtues，fortheirspiritoffreeinquiry，andfortheirhatredofthosesocialabusesofwhichhewashimselfthepersonification。Buthe，likemanyofthosewhothoughtwithhim，exceptedVoltairefromthelistofproscribedwriters。HefrequentlysentflatteringletterstoFerney。Hedidthepatriarchthehonourtoborrowmoneyofhim，andevencarriedthiscondescendingfriendshipsofarastoforgettopaytheinterest。VoltairethoughtthatitmightbeinhispowertobringtheDukeandtheKingofPrussiaintocommunicationwitheachother。Hewroteearnestlytoboth;andhesofarsucceededthatacorrespondencebetweenthemwascommenced。
　　ButitwastoverydifferentmeansthatFredericwastoowehisdeliverance。AtthebeginningofNovember，thenetseemedtohaveclosedcompletelyroundhim。TheRussianswereinthefield，andwerespreadingdevastationthroughhiseasternprovinces。SilesiawasoverrunbytheAustrians。AgreatFrencharmywasadvancingfromthewestunderthecommandofMarshalSoubise，aprinceofthegreatArmoricanhouseofRohan。BerlinitselfhadbeentakenandplunderedbytheCroatians。SuchwasthesituationfromwhichFredericextricatedhimself，withdazzlingglory，intheshortspaceofthirtydays。
　　HemarchedfirstagainstSoubise。OnthefifthofNovemberthearmiesmetatRosbach。TheFrenchweretwotoone;buttheywereill—disciplined，andtheirgeneralwasadunce。ThetacticsofFrederic，andthewell—regulatedvalourofthePrussiantroopsobtainedacompletevictory。Seventhousandoftheinvadersweremadeprisoners。Theirguns，theircolours，theirbaggage，fellintothehandsoftheconquerors。Thosewhoescapedfledasconfusedlyasamobscatteredbycavalry。VictoriousintheWest，theKingturnedhisarmstowardsSilesia。Inthatquartereverythingseemedtobelost。Breslauhadfallen;andCharlesofLorraine，withamightypower，heldthewholeprovince。OnthefifthofDecember，exactlyonemonthafterthebattleofRosbach，Frederic，withfortythousandmen，andPrinceCharles，attheheadofnotlessthansixtythousand，metatLeuthen，hardbyBreslau。TheKing，whowas，ingeneral，perhapstoomuchinclinedtoconsiderthecommonsoldierasameremachine，resorted，onthisgreatday，tomeansresemblingthosewhichBonaparteafterwardsemployedwithsuchsignalsuccessforthepurposeofstimulatingmilitaryenthusiasm。Theprincipalofficerswereconvoked。Fredericaddressedthemwithgreatforceandpathos;
　　anddirectedthemtospeaktotheirmenashehadspokentothem。Whenthearmiesweresetinbattlearray，thePrussiantroopswereinastateoffierceexcitement;buttheirexcitementshoweditselfafterthefashionofagravepeople。Thecolumnsadvancedtotheattackchanting，tothesoundofdrumsandfifes，therudehymnsoftheoldSaxonSternholds。Theyhadneverfoughtsowell;norhadthegeniusoftheirchiefeverbeensoconspicuous。"Thatbattle，"saidNapoleon，"wasamasterpiece。OfitselfitissufficienttoentitleFrederictoaplaceinthefirstrankamonggenerals。"Thevictorywascomplete。
　　Twenty—seventhousandAustrianswerekilled，wounded，ortaken;fiftystandofcolours，ahundredguns，fourthousandwaggons，fellintothehandsofthePrussians。Breslauopeneditsgates;Silesiawasreconquered;CharlesofLorraineretiredtohidehisshameandsorrowatBrussels;andFredericallowedhistroopstotakesomereposeinwinterquarters，afteracampaign，tothevicissitudesofwhichitwillbedifficulttofindanyparallelinancientormodernhistory。
　　TheKing’sfamefilledalltheworld。Hehadduringthelastyear，maintainedacontest，ontermsofadvantage，againstthreepowers，theweakestofwhichhadmorethanthreetimeshisresources。Hehadfoughtfourgreatpitchedbattlesagainstsuperiorforces。Threeofthesebattleshehadgained:andthedefeatofKolin，repairedasithadbeen，ratherraisedthanloweredhismilitaryrenown。ThevictoryofLeuthenis，tothisday，theproudestontherollofPrussianfame。Leipsicindeed，andWaterloo，producedconsequencesmoreimportanttomankind。
　　ButthegloryofLeipsicmustbesharedbythePrussianswiththeAustriansandRussians;andatWaterlootheBritishinfantryboretheburdenandheatoftheday。ThevictoryofRosbachwas，inamilitarypointofview，lesshonourablethanthatofLeuthen;foritwasgainedoveranincapablegeneral，andadisorganisedarmy;
　　butthemoraleffectwhichitproducedwasimmense。AlltheprecedingtriumphsofFrederichadbeentriumphsoverGermans，andcouldexcitenoemotionsofnationalprideamongtheGermanpeople。ItwasimpossiblethataHessianoraHanoveriancouldfeelanypatrioticexultationathearingthatPomeranianshadslaughteredMoravians，orthatSaxonbannershadbeenhunginthechurchesofBerlin。Indeed，thoughthemilitarycharacteroftheGermansjustlystoodhighthroughouttheworld，theycouldboastofnogreatdaywhichbelongedtothemasapeople;ofnoAgincourt，ofnoBannockburn。Mostoftheirvictorieshadbeengainedovereachother;andtheirmostsplendidexploitsagainstforeignershadbeenachievedunderthecommandofEugene，whowashimselfaforeigner。ThenewsofthebattleofRosbachstirredthebloodofthewholeofthemightypopulationfromtheAlpstotheBaltic，andfromthebordersofCourlandtothoseofLorraine。WestphaliaandLowerSaxonyhadbeendelugedbyagreathostofstrangers，whosespeechwasunintelligible，andwhosepetulantandlicentiousmannershadexcitedthestrongestfeelingsofdisgustandhatred。ThatgreathosthadbeenputtoflightbyasmallbandofGermanwarriors，ledbyaprinceofGermanbloodonthesideoffatherandmother，andmarkedbythefairhairandtheclearblueeyeofGermany。NeversincethedissolutionoftheempireofCharlemagne，hadtheTeutonicracewonsuchafieldagainsttheFrench。ThetidingscalledforthageneralburstofdelightandpridefromthewholeofthegreatfamilywhichspokethevariousdialectsoftheancientlanguageofArminius。ThefameofFredericbegantosupply，insomedegree，theplaceofacommongovernmentandofacommoncapital。
　　ItbecamearallyingpointforalltrueGermans，asubjectofmutualcongratulationtotheBavarianandtheWestphalian，tothecitizenofFrankfort，andtothecitizenofNuremberg。ThenfirstitwasmanifestthattheGermansweretrulyanation。Thenfirstwasdiscerniblethatpatrioticspiritwhich，in1813，achievedthegreatdeliveranceofcentralEurope，andwhichstillguards，andlongwillguard，againstforeignambitiontheoldfreedomoftheRhine。
　　Norweretheeffectsproducedbythatcelebrateddaymerelypolitical。ThegreatestmastersofGermanpoetryandeloquencehaveadmittedthat，thoughthegreatKingneithervaluednorunderstoodhisnativelanguage，thoughhelookedonFranceastheonlyseatoftasteandphilosophy，yet，inhisowndespite，hedidmuchtoemancipatethegeniusofhiscountrymenfromtheforeignyoke;andthat，intheactofvanquishingSoubise，hewas，unintentionally，rousingthespiritwhichsoonbegantoquestiontheliteraryprecedenceofBoileauandVoltaire。Sostrangelydoeventsconfoundalltheplansofman。AprincewhoreadonlyFrench，whowroteonlyFrench，whoaspiredtorankasaFrenchclassic，became，quiteunconsciously，themeansofliberatinghalftheContinentfromthedominionofthatFrenchcriticismofwhichhewashimself，totheendofhislife，aslave。YeteventheenthusiasmofGermanyinfavourofFrederichardlyequalledtheenthusiasmofEngland。Thebirthdayofourallywascelebratedwithasmuchenthusiasmasthatofourownsovereign;andatnightthestreetsofLondonwereinablazewithilluminations。PortraitsoftheHeroofRosbach，withhiscockedhatandlongpigtail，wereineveryhouse。Anattentiveobserverwill，atthisday，findintheparloursofold—fashionedinns，andintheportfoliosofprint—sellers，twentyportraitsofFredericforoneofGeorgetheSecond。Thesign—painterswereeverywhereemployedintouchingupAdmiralVernonintotheKingofPrussia。Thisenthusiasmwasstrongamongreligiouspeople，andespeciallyamongtheMethodists，whoknewthattheFrenchandAustrianswerePapists，andsupposedFrederictobetheJoshuaorGideonoftheReformedFaith。OneofWhitfield’shearers，onthedayOnwhichthanksforthebattleofLeuthenwerereturnedattheTabernacle，madethefollowingexquisitelyludicrousentryinadiary，partofwhichhascomedowntous:"TheLordstirreduptheKingofPrussiaandhissoldierstopray。Theykeptthreefastdays，andspentaboutanhourprayingandsingingpsalmsbeforetheyengagedtheenemy。O！howgooditistoprayandfight！"SomeyoungEnglishmenofrankproposedtovisitGermanyasvolunteers，forthepurposeoflearningtheartofwarunderthegreatestofcommanders。ThislastproofofBritishattachmentandadmiration，Fredericpolitelybutfirmlydeclined。Hiscampwasnoplaceforamateurstudentsofmilitaryscience。ThePrussiandisciplinewasrigorouseventocruelty。Theofficers，whileinthefield，wereexpectedtopractiseanabstemiousnessandself—denialsuchaswashardlysurpassedbythemostrigidmonasticorders。Howevernobletheirbirth，howeverhightheirrankintheservice，theywerenotpermittedtoeatfromanythingbetterthanpewter。Itwasahighcrimeeveninacountandfield—marshaltohaveasinglesilverspoonamonghisbaggage。
　　GayyoungEnglishmenoftwentythousandayear，accustomedtolibertyandluxury，wouldnoteasilysubmittotheseSpartanrestraints。TheKingcouldnotventuretokeeptheminorderashekepthisownsubjectsinorder。SituatedashewaswithrespecttoEngland，hecouldnotwellimprisonorshootrefractoryHowardsandCavendishes。Ontheotherhand，theexampleofafewfinegentlemen，attendedbychariotsandliveryservants，eatinginplates，anddrinkingchampagneandTokay，wasenoughtocorrupthiswholearmy。Hethoughtitbesttomakeastandatfirst，andcivillyrefusedtoadmitsuchdangerouscompanionsamonghistroops。
　　ThehelpofEnglandwasbestowedinamannerfarmoreusefulandmoreacceptable。AnannualsubsidyofnearsevenhundredthousandpoundsenabledtheKingtoaddprobablymorethanfiftythousandmentohisarmy。Pitt，nowattheheightofpowerandpopularity，undertookthetaskofdefendingWesternGermanyagainstFrance，andaskedFredericonlyfortheloanofageneral。ThegeneralselectedwasPrinceFerdinandofBrunswick，whohadattainedhighdistinctioninthePrussianservice。Hewasputattheheadofanarmy，partlyEnglish，partlyHanoverian，partlycomposedofmercenarieshiredfromthepettyprincesoftheempire。HesoonvindicatedthechoiceofthetwoalliedCourts，andprovedhimselfthesecondgeneraloftheage。
　　FredericpassedthewinteratBreslau，inreading，writing，andpreparingforthenextcampaign。Thehavocwhichthewarhadmadeamonghistroopswasrapidlyrepaired;andinthespringof1758
　　hewasagainreadyfortheconflict。PrinceFerdinandkepttheFrenchincheck。TheKinginthemeantime，afterattemptingagainsttheAustrianssomeoperationswhichledtonoveryimportantresult，marchedtoencountertheRussians，who，slaying，burning，andwastingwherevertheyturned，hadpenetratedintotheheartofhisrealm。HegavethembattleatZorndorf，nearFrankfortontheOder。Thefightwaslongandbloody。Quarterwasneithergivennortaken;fortheGermansandScythiansregardedeachotherwithbitteraversion，andthesightoftheravagescommittedbythehalfsavageinvaders，hadincensedtheKingandhisarmy。TheRussianswereoverthrownwithgreatslaughter;andforafewmonthsnofurtherdangerwastobeapprehendedfromtheeast。
　　AdayofthanksgivingwasproclaimedbytheKing，andwascelebratedwithprideanddelightbyhispeople。TherejoicingsinEnglandwerenotlessenthusiasticorlesssincere。ThismaybeselectedasthepointoftimeatwhichthemilitarygloryofFredericreachedthezenith。Intheshortspaceofthreequartersofayearhehadwonthreegreatbattlesoverthearmiesofthreemightyandwarlikemonarchies，France，Austria，andRussia。
　　Butitwasdecreedthatthetemperofthatstrongmindshouldbetriedbybothextremesoffortuneinrapidsuccession。Closeuponthisseriesoftriumphscameaseriesofdisasters，suchaswouldhaveblightedthefameandbrokentheheartofalmostanyothercommander。YetFrederic，inthemidstofhiscalamities，wasstillanobjectofadmirationtohissubjects，hisallies，andhisenemies。Overwhelmedbyadversity，sickoflife，hestillmaintainedthecontest，greaterindefeat，in，flight，andinwhatseemedhopelessruin，thanonthefieldsofhisproudestvictories。
　　HavingvanquishedtheRussians，hehastenedintoSaxonytoopposethetroopsoftheEmpressQueen，commandedbyDaun，themostcautious，andLaudohn，themostinventiveandenterprisingofhergenerals。Thesetwocelebratedcommandersagreedonascheme，inwhichtheprudenceoftheoneandthevigouroftheotherseemtohavebeenhappilycombined。AtdeadofnighttheysurprisedtheKinginhis，campatHochkirchen。Hispresenceofmindsavedhistroopsfromdestruction;butnothingcouldsavethemfromdefeatandsevereloss。MarshalKeithwasamongtheslain。Thefirstroarofthegunsrousedthenobleexilefromhisrest，andhewasinstantlyinthefrontofthebattle。Hereceivedadangerouswound，butrefusedtoquitthefield，andwasintheactofrallyinghisbrokentroops，whenanAustrianbulletterminatedhischequeredandeventfullife。
　　Themisfortunewasserious。ButofallgeneralsFredericunderstoodbesthowtorepairdefeat，andDaununderstoodleasthowtoimprovevictory。InafewdaysthePrussianarmywasasformidableasbeforethebattle。Theprospectwas，however，gloomy。AnAustrianarmyunderGeneralHarschhadinvadedSilesia，andinvestedthefortressofNeisse。Daun，afterhissuccessatHochkirchen，hadwrittentoHarschinveryconfidentterms:——"GoonwithyouroperationsagainstNeisse。BequiteateaseastotheKing。Iwillgiveagoodaccountofhim。"Intruth，thepositionofthePrussianswasfullofdifficulties。
　　BetweenthemandSilesia，laythevictoriousarmyofDaun。ItwasnoteasyforthemtoreachSilesiaatall。Iftheydidreachit，theyleftSaxonyexposedtotheAustrians。ButthevigourandactivityofFredericsurmountedeveryobstacle。Hemadeacircuitousmarchofextraordinaryrapidity，passedDaun，hastenedintoSilesia，raisedthesiegeofNiesse，anddroveHarschintoBohemia。DaunavailedhimselfoftheKing’sabsencetoattackDresden。ThePrussiansdefendeditdesperately。Theinhabitantsofthatwealthyandpolishedcapitalbeggedinvainformercyfromthegarrisonwithin，andfromthebesiegerswithout。Thebeautifulsuburbswereburnedtotheground。Itwasclearthatthetown，ifwonatall，wouldbewonstreetbystreetbythebayonet。Atthisconjuncturecamenews，thatFrederic，havingclearedSilesiaofhisenemies，wasreturningbyforcedmarchesintoSaxony。DaunretiredfrombeforeDresden，andfellbackintotheAustrianterritories。TheKing，overheapsofruins，madehistriumphantentryintotheunhappymetropolis，whichhadsocruellyexpiatedtheweakandperfidiouspolicyofitssovereign。
　　ItwasnowthetwentiethofNovember。Thecoldweathersuspendedmilitaryoperations;andtheKingagaintookuphiswinterquartersatBreslau。
　　Thethirdoftheseventerribleyearswereover;andFredericstillstoodhisground。Hehadbeenrecentlytriedbydomesticaswellasbymilitarydisasters。OnthefourteenthofOctober，thedayonwhichhewasdefeatedatHochkirchen，thedayontheanniversaryofwhich，forty—eightyearslater，adefeatfarmoretremendouslaidthePrussianmonarchyinthedust，diedWilhelmina，MargravineofBareuth。Fromtheaccountswhichwehaveofher，byherownhand，andbythehandsofthemostdiscerningofhercontemporaries，weshouldpronouncehertohavebeencoarse，indelicate，andagoodhater，butnotdestituteofkindandgenerousfeelings。Hermind，naturallystrongandobservant，hadbeenhighlycultivated;andshewas，anddeservedtobe，Frederic’sfavouritesister。Hefeltthelossasmuchasitwasinhisironnaturetofeelthelossofanythingbutaprovinceorabattle。
　　AtBreslau，duringthewinter，hewasindefatigableinhispoeticallabours。Themostspiritedlines，perhaps，thatheeverwrote，are，tobefoundinabitterlampoononLewisandMadamedePompadour，whichhecomposedatthistime，andsenttoVoltaire。Theverseswere，indeed，sogood，thatVoltairewasafraidthathemighthimselfbesuspectedofhavingwrittenthem，oratleastofhavingcorrectedthem;andpartlyfromfright，partly，wefear，fromloveofmischief，sentthemtotheDukeofChoiseul，thenprimeministerofFrance。ChoiseulverywiselydeterminedtoencounterFredericatFrederic’sownweapons，andappliedforassistancetoPalissot，whohadsomeskillasaversifier，andsomelittletalentforsatire。PalissotproducedsomeverystinginglinesonthemoralandliterarycharacterofFrederic，andtheselinestheDukesenttoVoltaire。
　　Thiswarofcouplets，followingcloseonthecarnageofZorndorfandtheconflagrationofDresden，illustrateswellthestrangelycompoundedcharacteroftheKingofPrussia。
　　Atthismomenthewasassailedbyanewenemy。BenedicttheFourteenth，thebestandwisestofthetwohundredandfiftysuccessorsofSt。Peter，wasnomore。DuringtheshortintervalbetweenhisreignandthatofhisdiscipleGanganelli，thechiefseatintheChurchofRomewasfilledbyRezzonico，whotookthenameofClementtheThirteenth。ThisabsurdpriestdeterminedtotrywhattheweightofhisauthoritycouldeffectinfavouroftheorthodoxMariaTheresaagainstahereticking。AtthehighmassonChristmas—day，aswordwitharichbeltandscabbard，ahatofcrimsonvelvetlinedwithermine，andadoveofpearls，themysticsymboloftheDivineComforter，weresolemnlyblessedbythesupremepontiff，andweresentwithgreatceremonytoMarshalDaun，theconquerorofKolinandHochkirchen。ThismarkoffavourhadmorethanoncebeenbestowedbythePopesonthegreatchampionsofthefaith。Similarhonourshadbeenpaid，morethansixcenturiesearlier，byUrbantheSecondtoGodfreyofBouillon。SimilarhonourshadbeenconferredonAlbafordestroyingthelibertiesoftheLowCountries，andonJohnSobieskyafterthedeliveranceofVienna。ButthepresentswhichwerereceivedwithprofoundreverencebytheBaronoftheHolySepulchreintheeleventhcentury，andwhichhadnotwhollylosttheirvalueevenintheseventeenthcentury，appearedinexpressiblyridiculoustoagenerationwhichreadMontesquieuandVoltaire。Fredericwrotesarcasticversesonthegifts，thegiver，andthereceiver。Butthepublicwantednoprompter;andanuniversalroaroflaughterfromPetersburgtoLisbonremindedtheVaticanthattheageofcrusadeswasover。
　　Thefourthcampaign，themostdisastrousofallthecampaignsofthisfearfulwar，hadnowopened。TheAustriansfilledSaxonyandmenacedBerlin。TheRussiansdefeatedtheKing’sgeneralsontheOder，threatenedSilesia，effectedajunctionwithLaudohn，andintrenchedthemselvesstronglyatKunersdorf。Frederichastenedtoattackthem。Agreatbattlewasfought。DuringtheearlierpartofthedayeverythingyieldedtotheimpetuosityofthePrussians，andtotheskilloftheirchief。Thelineswereforced。HalftheRussiangunsweretaken。TheKingsentoffacouriertoBerlinwithtwolines，announcingacompletevictory。
　　But，inthemeantime，thestubbornRussians，defeatedyetunbroken，hadtakenuptheirstandinanalmostimpregnableposition，onaneminencewheretheJewsofFrankfortwerewonttoburytheirdead。Herethebattlerecommenced。ThePrussianinfantry，exhaustedbysixhoursofhardfightingunderasunwhichequalledthetropicalheat，wereyetbroughtuprepeatedlytotheattack，butinvain。TheKingledthreechargesinperson。
　　Twohorseswerekilledunderhim。Theofficersofhisstafffellallroundhim。Hiscoatwaspiercedbyseveralbullets。Allwasinvain。Hisinfantrywasdrivenbackwithfrightfulslaughter。
　　Terrorbegantospreadfastfrommantoman。Atthatmoment，thefierycavalryofLaudohn，stillfresh，rushedonthewaveringranks。Thenfollowedanuniversalrout。Frederichimselfwasonthepointoffallingintothehandsoftheconquerors，andwaswithdifficultysavedbyagallantofficer，who，attheheadofahandfulofHussars，madegoodadiversionofafewminutes。
　　Shatteredinbody，shatteredinmind，theKingreachedthatnightavillagewhichtheCossackshadplundered;andthere，inaruinedanddesertedfarm—house，flunghimselfonaheapofstraw。
　　HehadsenttoBerlinaseconddespatchverydifferentfromthefirst:——"LettheroyalfamilyleaveBerlin。SendthearchivestoPotsdam。Thetownmaymaketermswiththeenemy。"
　　Thedefeatwas，intruth，overwhelming。Offiftythousandmenwhohadthatmorningmarchedundertheblackeagles，notthreethousandremainedtogether。TheKingbethoughthimagainofhiscorrosivesublimate，andwrotetobidadieutohisfriends，andtogivedirectionsastothemeasurestobetakenintheeventofhisdeath:—"Ihavenoresourceleft"——suchisthelanguageofoneofhisletters——"allislost。Iwillnotsurvivetheruinofmycountry。——Farewellforever。"
　　Butthemutualjealousiesoftheconfederatespreventedthemfromfollowinguptheirvictory。Theylostafewdaysinloiteringandsquabbling;andafewdays，improvedbyFrederic，wereworthmorethantheyearsofothermen。Onthemorningafterthebattle，hehadgottogethereighteenthousandofhistroops。Verysoonhisforceamountedtothirtythousand。Gunswereprocuredfromtheneighbouringfortresses;andtherewasagainanarmy。Berlinwasforthepresentsafe;butcalamitiescamepouringontheKinginuninterruptedsuccession。Oneofhisgenerals，withalargebodyoftroops，wastakenatMaxen;anotherwasdefeatedatMeissen;