NothingbutburntvillagesandblackwallsforSchwerin，inthatCony—Hillquarter，andallround；andRothsaluteshimwithonetwenty—fourpounder，whichdidnohurt。Andsothecannonadebegins，Sunday，15th；andintermittently，onbothsidesoftheRiver，continues，alwaysburstingoutagainatintervals，tillWednesday；amerepreliminarycannonadeonSchwerin’spart；
makingnoise，doinglittlehurt:intendedmoretoterrify，butwithouteffectthatwayonRothortheTownsfolk。ThepoorBishopdid，ontheseconddayofit，comeout，andmakeapplicationtoSchwerin；waskindlyconductedtohisMajesty，whohappenedtobeoverthere；waskepttodinner；andeasilyhadleavetoretiretoFreywalde，aCountry—Househehas，inthesafedistance。
[Helden—Geschichte，i。683。]Therelethimbequiet，welloutoftheseconfusedbatteringsandburningsofproperty。
"HisMajesty’sHead—quarterisatOttmachau，butintwohourshecanbehereanyday；andlooksintoeverything；sorrythatthecannonadedoesnotyetanswer。Andremnantsofsuburbsarestillcracklingintoflame；highCountry—HousesofKreuzherren，ofJesuits；afanaticpeopleseeminglyallsetagainstus。’IfNeissewillnotyieldofgood—will，needsisitmustbebeatentopowder，’
wrotehisMajestytoJordaninthesecircumstances，aswereadabove。Rothissorrytoobserve，thePrussianshavestillonegoodBishop’s—mansion，inaplacecalledtheKarlau（Karl—Meadow），withtheBishop’swinterfuelallreadystackedthere；butstrivestotakeorderaboutthesame。
"WEDNESDAY，18th。Thisdaytwoprovocationshappened。First，inthemorningbyhisMajesty’sorder，ColonelBorck（thesamewesawatHerstal）hadgonewithaTrumpetertowardsRoth；intendingtoinformRothhowmildthetermswouldbe，howterriblethepenaltyofnotacceptingthem。ButRothorRoth’speoplesingularlydisregardBorckandhisParleyTrumpet；answeritsblastsbymusketry；fireuponit，nayagainfireworsewhenitadvancesastepfarther；onthesetermsBorckandTrumpethadtoreturn。
WhichmuchangeredhisMajestyatOttmachauthatevening；aswasnatural。Sameevening，ourfinequartersintheKarlaucrackledupinflame，theBishop’swinterfirewoodallalongwithit:thiswasprovocationsecond。RothhadtakenorderwiththeKarlau；andgotaresoluteButchertodothefeat，underpretextofbringingusbeef。
Itispiercingcold；onlyblackenedwallsforusnowintheKarlauorelsewhere。HisMajesty，naturallymuchangered，ordersforthemorrowadoseofbomb—shellsandred—hotballs。PlantafewmortarsontheNorthsidetoo，ordershisMajesty。
"THURSDAY，19th。Accordingly，by8oftheclock，cannonbatteriesreawakenwithamightynoise，andred—hotballsarenoticeable；
andat10theactualbombardingburstsout，terribletohearandsee；——firstshellfallinginHaubitztheClothier’sshop，butbeinghappilygotunder。RothhashisCityMilitiacompanies，organizedwithwater—hoseforquenchingofthered—hotballs:inwhichtheybecameexpert。Sothatthoughthefirecaughtmanyhouses，theyalwaysputitout。Lateinthenight，hearingnowordfromRoth，thePrussianswenttobed。
"FRIDAY，20th。Stillnoword；onwhich，about4P。M。，thePrussianbatteriesawakenagain:volcanictorrentofred—hotshotandshells，forsevenhours；stillnowordfromRoth。About11atnighthisMajestyagainsendsaDrum（ParleyTrumpetorwhateveritis）
totheGate；formallysummonsRoth；askshim，’Ifhehaswellconsideredwhatthiscanleadto？Especiallywhathe，Roth，meantbyfiringonourfirstTrumpetonWednesdaylast？’Rothanswered，’ThatastotheTrumpet，hehadnotheardofitbefore。Ontheotherhand，thatthismodeofsiegingbyred—hotballsseemsalittleunusual；fortherest，thathehashimselfnoorderorintentionbutthatofresistingtothelast。’SomesaytheDrumhereuponbyordertalkedof’poundingNeisseintopowder，merechild’s—playhitherto；’towhichRothansweredonlybyrespectfuldumb—show。
"SATURDAY，21st—MONDAY，23d。MidnightofFriday—Saturday，onthisanswercoming，thefire—volcanoesopenagain；——ninehourslong；
shells，andred—hotmaterial，interribleabundance。Whichhitmostlythechurches，Jesuits’SeminariumsandCollegiums；
butproducednochangeinRoth。From9A。M。thebatteriesaresilent。Silentstill，nextmorning:DivineServicemayproceed，ifitlike。Butat4oftheafternoon，thebatteriesawakenworsethanever；fromseventoninebombsgoingatonce。Universalrage，ofnoiseandhorridglare，makingnighthideous，till10oftheclock；
Rothcontinuinginflexible。ThisisthelastnightoftheSiege。"
FriedrichperceivedthatRothwouldnotyield；thattheuttersmashing—downofNeissemightmoreconcernFriedrichthanRoth；
——that，infine，itwouldbebettertodesisttilltheweatheraltered。Nextday，"Monday，23d，betweennoonand1o’clock，"thePrussiansdrewback；——convertedthesiegeintoablockade。
Neissetobemasked，likeBriegandGlogau（Briegonlyhalfdoneyet，Jeetzwithoutcannontillto—morrow，24th，andlittleNamslaustillgesticulating）:"Theonlythingonecouldtryuponitwasbombardment。ANestofPriests（PFAFFEN—NEST）；notmanytroopsinit:butitcannotwellbeforcedatpresent。Ifspringwerehere，itwillcostafortnight’swork。"[FRIEDRICHTOTHEOLDDESSAUER:
FractionofLetter（Ottmachau，16th—21stJanuary，1741）citedbyOrlich，i。51；——fromtheDessauArchives，whereHerrOrlichhasindustriouslybeen。ToallbutstrictlymilitarypeoplethesepiecesofLettersarethevaluablefeatureofOrlich’sBook；andageneralreaderlamentsthatitdoesnotallconsistofsuch，properlyelucidatedandlabelledintoaccessibility。]
Anoisybusiness；"King’shighpersonmuchexposed:abombardierandthenasergeantwerekilledclosebyhim，thoughinallhelostonlyfivemen。"[Helden—Geschichte，
i。680—690。]
BROWNEVANISHESINASLIGHTFLASHOFFIRE。
BrowneallthiswhilehashungontheMountain—side，witnessingthesethings；sendingstorestowardsGlatzsouthwestward，and"ruiningtheways"behindthem；waitingwhatwouldbecomeofNeisse。Neissedone，Schwerinisuponhim；BrownemakesoffSoutheastward，acrosstheMountains，forMoraviaandhome；
Schwerinfollowinghard。AtalittleplacecalledGratz，[Thename，inoldSlavicspeech，signifiesTOWN；andtherearemanyGRATZES:
KONIGINgratz（QUEEN’S，whichforbrevityisnowgenerallycalledKONIGSgratz，inBohemia）；GratzinStyria；WINDISCHgratz（Wendish—town）；&c。]ontheMoravianborder，Brownefacedround，triedtodefendtheBridgeoftheOppa，sharplythoughwithouteffect；andtherecame（January25th）ahotsputterbetweenthemforafewminutes:——afterwhichBrownevanishedintotheinterior，andwehear，intheseparts，comparativelylittlemoreofhimduringthisWar。Friendandfoemustadmitthathehasneglectednothing；andfairlymadethebestofabadbusinesshere。HeisbutaninterimGeneral，too；hisSuccessorjustcoming；andtheViennaBoardofWarisfrequentlytroublesome，——towhosewindyspeculationsBrownereplieswithsagaciousscepticism，andhereandthereatouchofveiledsarcasm，whichwasnotlikelytoconciliateinhighplaces。HadherHungarianMajestybeenabletoretainBrowneinhispost，insteadofpoorNeippergwhowassentinstead，theremighthavebeenaconsiderablydifferentaccounttogiveofthesequel。ButNeippergwasTutor（War—Tutor）totheGrand—Duke；
Browneisstillofyoungstanding（ageonlythirty—five），withatouchofveiledsarcasm；andthingsmustgotheircourse。
InSchlesien，Schwerinisnowtocommandinchief；theKinggoingofftoBerlinforalittle，naturallywithplentyoferrandthere。
ThePrussianTroopsgointoWinter—quarters；spreadthemselveswide；besetthegoodpoints，especiallythePassesoftheHills，——
fromJagerndorf，eastwardtotheJablunkaleadingtowardsHungary；
——naytheycan，andbeforelongdo，spreadintotheMoravianTerritories，ontheotherside；andlevycontributions，theQueenprovingunreasonable。
ItwasMonday，23d，whentheSiegeofNeissewasabandoned:onWednesday，Friedrichhimselfturnshomeward；looksintoSchweidnitz，looksintoLiegnitz；andarrivesatBerlinastheweekends，——muchacclamationgreetinghimfromthemultitude。
ExceptthosethreemaskedFortresses，capableofnodefencetospeakof，wereWinterover，SilesiaisnowallFriedrich’s，——hasfallenwhollytohiminthespaceofaboutSevenWeeks。Theseizurehasbeeneasy；buttheretainingofit，perhapshehimselfbeginstoseemoreclearly，willhavedifficulties！Fromthispoint，thetalkaboutGLOIREnearlyceasesinhisCorrespondence。Inthosesevenweekshehas，withGLOIREorotherwise，cutoutforhimselfsuchalifeoflaborasnomanofhisCenturyhad。
ChapterVII。
ATVERSAILLES，THEMOSTCHRISTIANMAJESTYCHANGESHIS
SHIRT，ANDBELLEISLEISSEENWITHPAPERS。
WhileFriedrichwassobusyinSilesia，theworldwasnotasleeparoundhim；theworldneveris，thoughitoftenseemstobe，roundamanandwhatactionhedoesinit。ThatSundaymorning，FirstDayoftheYear1741，inthosesamehourswhileFriedrich，withenergy，withcaution，wasedginghimselfintoBreslau，therewentonintheCourtofVersaillesaninteriorPhenomenon；ofwhich，havingbychancegotaccesstoitfacetoface，weproposetomakethereaderparticipantbeforegoingfarther。
ReadersarelanguidlyawarethatphenomenadogoonroundtheirFriedrich；thattheirbusyFriedrich，withhisfewVoltairesandrenownedpersons，arenottheonlypopulationoftheirCentury，byanymeans。Everybodyisawareofthatfact；yet，inpractice，almosteverybodyisasgoodasnotaware；andtheWorldallroundone’sHeroisadarkness，adormantvacancy。Howstrangewhen，ashere，someWaste—paperspill（sotospeak）turnsup，whichyoucanKINDLE；and，bythebriefflameofit，bidareaderlookwithhisowneyes！——FromHerrDoctorBusching，whodidtheGEOGRAPHYandaboutaHundredotherBooks，——amanofgreatworth，almostofgenius，couldhehaveelaboratedhisHundredBooksintoTen（ordistilled，intoflasksofaqua—vitae，whatotherwiseliestumblingastanksofmashandwort，nowrunverysourandmal—odorous）；——
itisfromHerrBuschingthatwegainthefollowingroughPiece，illuminativeifonecankindleit:——
TheTitular—HerrBaronAntonvonGeusau，agentlemanofgoodparts，scholasticbyprofession，andofProtestantcreed，wasaccompanyingasTravellingTutor，inthoseyears，ayoungGrafvonReuss。
GrafvonBeussisoneofthoseindistinctCountsReuss，whoalwayscallthemselves"Henry；"and，beingnowattheeightiethandfarther，withuncountablecollateralHenrysintertwisted，arebecomeineffectanonymous，orofnomenclatureinscrutabletomankind。Noristheyoungoneotherwiseoftheleastinteresttous；——exceptthatHerrAnton，theTravellingTutor，punctuallykeptaJournalofeverything。WhichJournal，longafterwards，cameintothehandsofBusching，alsoapunctualman；andwasbyhimabridged，andsetforthinprintinhisBeitrage。Offeringatpresentasingulardaguerrotypeglimpseofthethenactualworld，whereverGrafvonReussandhisGeusauhappenedtobe。Nine—tenthsofit，eveninBusching’sAbridgment，arenowfallenuselessandwearisome；buttoonestudyingthedaysthatthenwere，eventheeffetecommonplaceofitoccasionallybecomesaliveagain。Andhowinterestingtocatch，hereandthere，aHistoricalFigureontheseconditions；HistoricalFigure’sveryself，inhiswork—dayattitude；eatinghisvictuals；writing，receivingletters，talkingtohisfellow—creatures；unawarethatPosterity，miraculouslythroughsomechinkoftheTravellingTutor’sproducing，hasgotitseyeuponhim。
"SUNDAY，1stJANUARY，1741，GeusauandhisyoungGentlemanleaveParis，at5inthemorning，anddriveouttoVersailles；intendingtoseetheceremoniesofNew—year’sdaythere。Verywetweatherithadbeen，allWednesday，andfordaysbefore；[Seein
Barbier（ii。283etseqq。）whatterribleNoah—likeweatherithadbeen；bighouses，longinsoak，tumblingdownatlastintotheSeine；CHASSEofSt。Genevievebroughtout（twodaysago），December30th，totryitbymiracle；&c。&c。]butonthisSunday，New—year’smorning，allisiceandglass；andtheyslidaboutpainfullybylamplight，——withunroughenedhorses，andontheHillyorMeudonroad，havingchosenthatasfittest，thewatersbeingout；——notarrivingatCourttill9。Norfindingverymuchtocomfortthem，exceptonthesideofcuriosity，whenthere。
Ushers，INTRODUCTEURS，CabinetSecretaries，wereindeedassiduoustooblige；andtheKing’sLeveewillbe:butifyoufollowit，totheChapelRoyaltowitnesshighmass，youmustkneelatelevationofthehost；andthis，asreformedChristians，ReussandhisTutorcannotundertaketodo。Theyacceptadinnerinvitation（12thehour）fromsomegoodSamaritanofQuality；and，forsights，willcontentthemselveswiththeKing’sLeveeitself，andgenerallywithwhattheKing’sAntechamberandtheOEil—de—Boeufcanexhibittothem。TheMostChristianKing’sLevee[LEVER，literallyherehisGettingoutofBed]isadailymiracleoftheselocalities，onlygranderonNew—year’sday；anditistothefollowingeffect:——
"TillMajestypleasetoawaken，yousaunterintheSalledesAmbassadeurs；wholecrowdsjostlingoneanotherthere；gossipingtogetherinadiligent，insipidmanner；"gossipallreported；
snatchesofwhichhaveacquiredacertainflavorbylongkeeping；——
whichthereadershallimagine。"MeanwhileyoukeepyoureyeontheGrateoftheInnerCourt，whichasyetisonlyajar，Majestyinaccessibleasyet。Behold，atlast，Grateopensitselfwide；signthatMajestyisoutofbed；thattheprivilegedofmankindmayapproach，andseethemiracles。"Geusaucontinues，abridgedbyBuschingandus:——
"ThewholeAssemblagepassednowintotheKing’sAnteroom；hadtowaitthereabouthalfanhourmore，beforetheKing’sbedroomwasopened。Butthenatlast，loyou，——thereistheKing，visibletoGeusauandeverybody，washinghishands。’Whicheffecteditselfinthisway:’TheKingwasseated；agentleman—in—waitingknelt，beforehim，andheldtheEwer，asquarevesselsilver—gilt，firmupontheKing’sbreast；andanothergentleman—in—waitingpouredwaterontheKing’shands。’Merelyanofficialwashing，weperceive；thereal，itistobehoped，had，inamuchmoreeffectualway，beengoingonduringthehalf—hourjustelapsed。
Afterwashing，theKingroseforaninstant；hadhisdressing—gown，agrandyellowsilkyarticlewithsilverflowerings，pulledoff，andflungroundhisloins；uponwhichhesatdownagain，and，"——
observeit，yeprivilegedofmankind，——"theChangeofShirttookplace！’Theyputthecleanshirtdownoverhishead，’saysAnton，（andpluckedupthedirtyonefromwithin，sothatofthenakedskinyousawlittleornothing。’"Hereisamiracleworthgettingoutofbedtolookat！
"HisMajestynowquittedchairanddressing—gown；stoodupbeforethefire；and，aftergettingontherestofhisclothing，which，onaccountofCzarinaAnne’sdeath[readersrememberthat]，wasofvioletormourningcolor，hehadthepowder—mantlethrownroundhim，andsatdownattheToilettetohavehishairfrizzled。TheToilette，atablewithwhitecovershovedintothemiddleoftheroom，hadonitamirror，apowder—knife，and"——nomortalcareswhat。"TheKing，"whatallmortalsnote，astheydotheheavenlyomens，"issomewhattalky；speakssometimeswiththeDutchAmbassador，sometimeswiththePope’sNuncio，whoseemsajocosekindofgentleman；sometimeswithdifferentFrenchLords，andatlastwiththeCardinalFleuryalso，——towhom，however，hedoesnotlookparticularlygracious，"——notparticularlythistime。Thesearetheomens；happywhocanreadthem！——Majestythendidhismorning—
prayer，assistedonlybythecommonAlmoners—in—waiting（Cardinaltooknohand，muchlessanyother）；Majestykneltbeforehisbed，andfinishedthebusiness’inlessthansixseconds。’AfterwhichmankindcanebbouttotheAnteroomagain；paytheirdevoirtotheQueen’sMajesty，whichalldo；orwaitfortheTransittoMorningChapel，andseeMesdamesofFranceandtheothersflittingpastintheirsedans。
"Queen’sMajestywasalreadyaltogetherdressed，"saysGeusau，almostasifwithsomedisappointment；"allinblack；amostaffablecourteousMajesty；standsconversingwiththeRussianAmbassador，withtheDutchditto，withtheLadiesabouther，andatlast，’inafriendlyandmerrytone，’witholdCardinalFleury。
HerLadies，whentheQueenspokewiththem，showednoconstraintatall；leantlooselywiththeirarmsonthefire—screens，andtookthingseasy。MesdamesofFrance"——GeusausawMesdames。Poorlittlesouls，theyaretheLOQUE，theCOCHON（Rag，Pig，soPapawouldcallthem，dearPapa），whobecometragicallyvisibleagainintheRevolutiontime:——allbloomingyoungchildrenasyet（Queen’sMajestysomethirty—sevengone），andlittledreamingwhatliesfiftyyearsahead！KingLouis’scareerofextraneousgallantries，whichendedintheParc—aux—Cerfs，isnowjustbeginning:thinkofthattoo；andofherMajesty’sfinebehaviorunderit；soaffable，sopatient，silent，nowandalways！——"Inalittlewhile，theirMajestiesgoalongtheGreatGallerytoChapel；"whithertheProtestantmindcannotwithcomfortaccompany。[Busching，
Beitrage，ii。59—78。]
ThisisthedailymiracledoneatVersaillestothebelievingmultitude；onlythatonNew—year’sday，andcertainsupremeoccasions，theshirtishandedbyaPrinceoftheBlood，andthetowelfordryingtheroyalhandsbyaditto，withotherimprovements；andthethingcomesoutinitshighestpowerofeffulgence，——especiallyifyoucouldseehighmasswithal。IntheAntechamberand（OEil—de—Boeuf，Geusau，amonghundredsofphenomenafallendeadtous，sawtheFourfollowing，whichhavestillsomelife:——
1。ManyKnightsoftheHolyGhost（CHEVALIERSDUSAINTESPRIT）areabout；magnificentlypiebaldpeople，indistincttous，andfallendeadtous:butthere，amongthecompany，donotweindisputablysee，"infullCardinal’scostume，"FleurytheancientPrimeMinistertalkingtoherMajesty？Blandlysmiling；softasmilk，yetwithaflavorofalcoholicwitinhimhereandthere。Thatisamanworthlookingat，hadtheypaintedhimatall。Redhat，redstockings；aserenelydefiniteoldgentleman，withsomethingofprudentwisdom，andatouchofimperceptiblejocosityattimes；
mildlyinexpugnableinmanner:thisKing，whoseTutorhewastwentyyearsago，stilllookstohimashisfather；FleuryistherealKingofFranceatpresent。Hisageiseighty—sevengone；theKing’sisthirty（sevenyearsyoungerthanhisQueen）:andtheCardinalhasredstockingsandredhat；veritablythere，successivelyinbothAntechambers，seenbyGeusau，January1st，1741:thatisallIknow。
2。ThePrincedeClermont，aPrinceoftheBlood，"handedtheshirt，"TESTEGeusau。SomeotherPrince，notabletoGeusau，andtousnameless，hadthehonorofthe"towel:"butthisPrincedeClermont，adissolutefellowofwastedparts，kindofPriest，kindofSoldiertoo，isseenvisiblyhandingtheshirtthere；——whomthereaderandI，ifwecaredaboutit，shallagainsee，gettingbeatenbyPrinceFerdinand，atCrefeld，withintwentyyearshence。
Thesearepointsfirstandsecond，slightlynoticeable，slightlyifatall。
Oftheactualtransittohighmass，transitveryvisibleintheGreatGalleryorOEil—de—Boeuf，whyshouldahumanbeingnowsayanything？Queen，poorStanislaus’sDaughter，andherLadies，intheirsublimesedans，onefloodofjewels，sailfirst；nextsailsKingLouis，shirtwarmonhisback，with"thirty—fourChevaliersoftheHolyGhost"escorting；next"theDauphin"（Boyofeleven，LouisXVI。’s。Father），and"MesdamesofFrance，with"——butevenGeusaustopsshort。ProtestantscannotenterthatChapel，withoutperilofidolatry；whereforeGeusauandPupilkeptstrollinginthegeneral（OEil—de—Boeuf，——and"theDutchAmbassadorapprovedofit，"heforone。Andherenowisanotherpoint，slightlynoticeable:——
3。Highmassover，hisMajestysailsbackfromChapel，inthesamemagnificentlypiebaldmanner；andvanishesintotheinterior；
leavinghisKnightsoftheHolyGhost，andotherCourtiermultitude，tosimmerabout，andebbawayastheyfoundgood。
GeusauandhisyoungReusshadnowthehonorofbeingintroducedtovariouspeople；amongothers"tothePrincedeSoubise。"PrincedeSoubise:frivolous，insignificantbeing；ofwhomIhavenoportraitthatisnotnearlyblank，andcontenttobeso；——thoughHerrvonGeusauwouldhaveone，withfeaturesandcostumetoit，whenheheardoftheBeatingatRossbach，longafter！PrincedeSoubiseisprettymuchablanktoeverybody:——andnosoonerarewelooseofhim，than（whateveryreaderwilldowelltonote）4。OurHerrenTravellersareintroducedtoarealNotability:Monseigneur，soontobeMarechal，theComtedeBelleisle；whommyreadersandIaretobemuchconcernedwith，intimecoming。"Atallleanman（LANGER
HAGERERMANN），withoutmuchairofquality，"thinksGeusau；
butwithmuchswiftintellectandenergy，andadistinguishedcharacter，whateverGeusaumightthink。"ComtedeBelleislewasverycivil；butapologized，inacourtlyandkindway，forthehurryhewasin；regrettingtheimpossibilityofdoingthehonorstotheComtedeReussinthisCountry，——his，Belleisle’s，JourneyintoGermany，whichwascloseathand，overwhelminghimwithoccupationsandengagementsatpresent。Andindeed，evenwhilehespoketous，"saysGeusau，"allmannerofPaperswereputintohishand。"[Busching，ii。79；seeBarbier，ii。282，287。]
"JourneytoGermany，Papersputintohishand:"thereisperhapsnoHumanFigureintheworld，thisSunday（excepttheoneFigurenowinthosesamemomentsoveratBreslau，gentlypressinguponthelockedGatesthere），whoissomomentousforourSilesianOperations；andindeedhewillkindleallEuropeintodelirium；andproducemerethunderandlightning，forsevenyearstocome，——withalmostnoresultinit，exceptSilesia！Atallleanman；therestandshe，agenowfifty—six，justaboutsettingoutonsucherrand。Whomoneisthankfultohaveseenforamoment，eveninthatslightmanner。
OFBELLEISLEANDHISPLANS。
CharlesLouisAugusteFouquet，ComtedeBelleisle，isGrandsonofthatIntendantFouquet，sumptuousFinancier，whomLouisXIV。atlastthrewout，andlockedintotheFortressofPignerol，amidtheSavoyAlps，theretomeditateforlife，whichlastedthirtyyearslonger。ItwasneverunderstoodthatthesumptuousFouquethadaltogetherstolenpublicmoneys，norindeedrightlywhathehaddonetomeritPignerol；andalways，thoughfallensomehowintosuchdiredisfavor，hewaspitiedandrespectedbyagoodportionofthepublic。"HasangeredColbert，"saidthepublic；"dangerousrivalrytoColbert；thatiswhathasbroughtPigneroluponhim。"OutofPignerolthatFouquetnevercame；buthisFamilybloomedupintolightagain；haditsadventures，sometimesitstroubles，intheRegencytime，butwasalwaysinarisingway:——andhere，inthistallleanmangettingpapersputintohishand，ithasrisenveryhighindeed。GoingasAmbassadorExtraordinarytotheGermanicDiet，"toassistgoodneighbors，asaneighborandMostChristianMajestyshould，inchoosingtheirnewKaisertothebestadvantage:"thatistheofficialcolorhismissionistohave。
Surelyaproudmission；——andBelleisleintendstoexecuteitinawaythatwillsurprisetheGermanicDietandmankind。Privately，Belleisleintendsthathe，byhisownindustries，shallhimselfchoosetherightKaiser，suchKaiseraswillsuittheMostChristianMajestyandhim；heintendstomakeanewFrenchthingofGermanyingeneral；andcarriesinhisheadplansofanamazingnature！HeandaBrotherhehas，calledtheChevalierdeBelleisle，whoisalsoadistinguishedman，andsecondsM。leComtewitheloquentfireandzealinallthings，aregrandsonsofthatoldFouquet，andthemostshiningmeninFranceatpresent。
Francelittledreamshowmuchbetteritperhapswere，hadtheyalsobeenkeptsafeinPignerol！——
TheCount，leanandgrowingold，isnothealthy；iseverandanontormented，andlaidupforweeks，withrheumatisms，goutsandailments:butotherwiseheisstillaswiftardentelasticspirit；
withgrandschemes，withfierynotionsandconvictions，whichcaptivateandhurryoffmen’smindsmorethaneloquencecould，sointenselytruearetheytotheCounthimself；——andthenhisBrothertheChevalierisalwaystheretoputthemintotheduelanguageandlogic，whereneeded。[Voltaire，xxviii。74；xxix。392；&c。]
Amagnanimoushigh—flownspirit；thoughttobeofsupremeskillbothinWarandinDiplomacy；fitformanythings；andisstillfullofambitiontodistinguishhimself，andtelltheworldatallmoments，"MEVOILA；World，Itooamhere！"——Hisplans，justnow，whicharedimeventohimself，exceptonthehitherskirtofthem，stretchoutimmeasurable，andliepileduphighastheskies。
Thehitherskirtofthem，whichwillsufficethereaderatpresent，is:——
ThatyourGrand—DukeFranz，MariaTheresa’sHusband，shallinnowise，astheworldandDukeFranzexpect，betheKaiserchosen。
Nothe，butanotherwhowillsuitFrancebetter:"Kur—Sachsenperhaps，theso—calledKingofPoland？OrsayitwereKarlAlbertKur—Baiern，thehereditaryfriendanddependentofFrance？Wearenottiedtoaman:only，atanyandatallrates，notGrand—DukeFranz。"Thisisthegrand，essentialandindispensablepoint，alphaandomegaofpoints；veryclearthisonetoBelleisle，——andtowardsthisthefirststeps，ifasyetonlythefirst，arealsocleartohim。Namelythat"the27thofFebruarynext"，——whichisthetimesetbyKur—MainzandthenativeOfficialsfortheactualmeetingoftheirReichstagtobeginElectionBusiness，willbetooearlyatime；andmustbegotpostponed。[Adelung，ii。185（"27thFebruary—
1stMarch，1741，atFrankfurt—on—Mayn，"appointedbyKur—Mainz"Arch—ChancelloroftheREICH，"underdateNovember3d，1740）；——
ib。236（"Delayforamonthortwo，"suggestsKur—Pfalz，onJanuary12th，secondedbyothersintheFrenchinterest）；——uponwhichtheappointment，aftersomearguing，collapsedintothevague，andthereensueddelayenough；actualElectionnottillJanuary24th，1742。]Postponed；whichwillbepossible，perhapsforlong；oneknowsnotforhowlong:thatisafirststepdefinitelycleartoBelleisle。Towardswhich，aspreliminarytoitandtoalltheothersinadimmerstate，thereisasecondthingclear，andhasevenbeenofficiallysettled（allbuttheday）:That，inthemeanwhile，andsurelythesoonerthebetter，he，Belleisle，MostChristianMajesty’sAmbassadorExtraordinarytotheReichstagcoming，——do，inhismostdazzlingandpersuasivemanner，makeaTouramongGermanCourts。Letusvisit，inourhighestandyetinoursoftestsplendor，theaccessibleGermanCourts，especiallythelikelyorwell—disposed:Mainz，Koln，Trier，these，thethreecalledSpiritual，lieonourveryroute；thenPfalz，Baiern，Sachsen:——wewilltourdiligentlyupanddown；trywhether，byopticmachineryandart—magicofthemind，onecannotbringthemround。
Inallthesepreliminarystepsandpoints，andeveninthatalphaandomegaofexcludingGrand—DukeFranz，andgettingaKaiserofhisown，Belleislesucceeded。Withpainfulresultstohimselfandtomillionsofhisfellow—creatures，toreadersofthisHistory，amongothers。Andbecameinconsequencethemostfamousofmankind；
andfilledthewholeworldwithrumorofBelleisle，inthoseyears。——AmanofsuchintrinsicdistinctionasBelleisle，whomFriedrichafterwardsdeliberatelycalledagreatCaptain，andtheonlyFrenchmanwithageniusforwar；andwho，forsometime，playedinEuropeatlargeapartlikethatofWarwicktheKingmaker:howhashefallenintosuchoblivion？Manyofmyreadersneverheardofhimbefore；nor，inwritingorotherwise，istheresymptomthatanylivingmemorynowharborshim，orhastheleastapproachtoanimageofhim！"Forthetimesarebabbly，"saysGoethe，"Andthenagainthetimesaredumb:——
DenngeschwatzigsinddieZeiten，Undsiesindauchwiederstumm。"
Alas，ifamansowonlychaff，inneversosublimeamanner，withthewholeEarthandthelong—earedpopulationslookingon，andchorallysingingapproval，renderingnighthideous，——itwillavailhimnothing。Andthat，toalamentableextent，wasBelleisle’scase。HisschemeofactionwasinmostfelicitouslyjustaccordancewiththenationalsenseofFrance，butbynomeanssowiththeLawsofNatureandofFact；hisaim，grandiose，patriotic，whatyouwill，wasunluckilyfalseandnottrue。Howcould"thetimes"
continuetalkingofhim？Theyfoundtheyhadalreadytalkedtoomuch。NottosaythattheFrenchRevolutionhassincecome；andhasblownallthatintotheair，milesaloft，——whereeventhesolidpartofit，whichmustberecoveredoneday，muchmorethegaseous，whichwetrustisforeverirrecoverable，nowwandersandwhirls；
andmanythingsareabolished，forthepresent，ofmorevaluethanBelleisle！——
Formyownshare，being，asitwere，forcedaccidentallytolookathimagain，IfindinBelleisleareallynotableman；farsuperiortothevulgarofnotedmen，inhistimeorours。Saddestinyforsuchaman！ButwhenthegeneralLife—elementbecomessounspeakablyphantasmalasunderLouisXV。，itisdifficultforanymantobereal；tobeotherthanaplay—actor，moreorlesseminent，andartisticallydressed。Sadenough，surely，whenthetruthofyourrelationtotheUniverse，andthetragicallyearnestmeaningofyourLife，isquiteliedoutofyou，byaworldsunkinlies；andyoucan，witheffort，attaintonothingbuttobeamoreorlesssplendidliealongwithit！Yourveryexistenceallbecomeavesture，ahypocrisy，andhearsay；nothingleftofyoubutthissadfacultyofsowingchaffinthefashionablemanner！
AfterFriedrichandVoltaire，inbothofwhom，underthegivencircumstances，onefindsaperennialreality，moreorless，——
Belleisleisnext；noneFAILStoescapethemournfulcommonlotbyanearermissthanBelleisle。
Beyonddoubt，thereareinthismanthebiggestprojectsanyFrenchheadhascarried，sinceLouisXIV。withhissublimeperiwigfirsttooktostrikingthestars。HowtheindolentLouisXV。andthepacificFleuryhavebeengotintothissublimelyadventurousmood？
ByBelleislechiefly，mensay；——andbyKingLouis’sfirstMistresses，blownuponbyBelleisle；poorLouishavingnow，atlength，lefthispoorQueentoherreflections，andtakenintothatsadline，inwhichbydegreeshecarrieditsofar。Therearethreeofthem，itseems；——thefirstfemalesoulsthatcouldevermanagetokindle，intoflameorintosmoke:inthisoranyotherkind，thatpoortorpidmalesoul:thoseMaillySisters，threeinnumber（Iamshockedtohear），successive，nayinpartsimultaneous！
Theyareproudwomen，especiallythetwoyounger；withambitioninthem，withabravuramagnanimity，ofthetheatricaloroperatickind；ofwhomLouisisveryfond。"ToraiseFrancetoitsplace，yourMajesty；thetopoftheUniverse，namely！""Well；ifitcouldbedone，——andquitewithouttrouble？"thinksLouis。
Bravuramagnanimity，blownuponbyBelleisle，prevailsamongthesehighImproperFemales，andgenerallyintheYoungerCirclesoftheCourt；sothatpooroldFleuryhashadnochoicebuttoobeyitorretire。AndsoBelleislestalksacrosstheOEil—de—Boeufinthatimportantmanner，visiblytoGeusau；andistheshiningobjectinParis，andmuchthetopicthereatpresent。
Afewweekshence，heisfarther——alittleoutofthecommonturn，butnotbeyondhismilitarymeritsorcapabilities——madeMarechaldeFrance；[FastesdeLouisXV。，i。356（12thFebruary，1741）。]bywayofgivinghimanewsplendorintheGermanPoliticalWorld，andassistinginhisoperationsthere，whichdependmuchuponthelawsofvision。Frenchepigramscirculateinconsequence，andtherearewittycriticisms；towhichBelleisle，suchaduskyworldofPossibilitylyingahead，isgrandlyindifferent。MarechaldeFrance；——andGeusauhears（whatisafact）
thattherearetobe"thirtyyoungFrenchLordsinhissuite；"hisvery"Livery，"ormereplushretinue，"toconsistof110persons；"
suchanoutfitformagnificenceaswasneverseenbefore。Andinthisequipment，"earlyinMarch"（exactdaynotgiven），magnificenceofoutsidecorrespondingtograndiosityoffacultyandidea，Belleisle，weshallfind，doespracticallysetofftowardsGermany；——likeakindofFrenchBelus，orGodoftheSun；capabletodazzleweakGermanCourts，byopticalmachinery，andtosetmuchrottenthatchonfire！——
"TherearecuriousdaguerrotypeglimpsesofoldParistobefoundinthatNotebookofGeusau’s"，saysanotherExcerpt；"whichcomestrangelyhometous，likerealityatfirst—hand；——andaratherunexpectedParisitis，tomostreaders；manythingsthenalivethere，whicharenowdeepunderground。MuchJansenistTheologyafloat；grandFrenchLadiespiouslyeagertoconvertayoungProtestantNoblemanlikeReuss；sublimeDorcases，whodonotrouge，ordresshigh，buteschewtheevilworld，andarethriftyforthePoor’ssake，redeemingthetime。ThereisaCardinaldePolignac，venerablesageandex—politicalperson，ofastonishingerudition，collectorofAntiques（withwhomwedined）；thereistheChevalierRamsay，theologicalScotchJacobite，lateTutoroftheyoungTurenne。Somanyshiningpersons，nowfallenindistinctagain。
Andthen，besidesgossip，whichisofmildqualityandinfairproportion，——whattalk，casuisticandother，abouttheMoralDuties，thestillfeasiblePieties，theConstitutionUnigenitus！
Allthisalive，resonantatdinner—tablesofConservativestamp；
theMiraclesofAbbeParismuchatopicthere:——andnotawhisperofInfidelPhilosophies；theverynameofVoltairenotoncementionedintheReusssectionofParisianthings。
"Thereisrumornowandthenofa’ComtedeRothenbourg，’
conspicuousintheParisiancircles；ashiningmilitaryman，butseeminglyinwantofemployment；whohaslostingambling，withinthelastfouryears，upwardsof50，000pounds（1，300，000livres，theexactciphergiven）。ThisistheGrafvonRothenburgwhomFriedrichmadeacquaintancewith，intheRhineCampaignsixyearsago，andhaseversincehadinhiseye；——whom，inafewweekshence，FriedrichbeckonsovertohimintothePrussianStates:
’Hither，andyoushallhavework！’WhichRothenburgaccepts；withmanifoldadvantagetobothparties:——oneofFriedrich’smostdistinguishedfriendsfortherestofhislife。
"OfCardinalPolignacthereismuchsaid，andseveraldinnerswithhimaretransacted，dialoguepartlygiven:apiouswiseoldgentlemanreally，inhiskind（agenoweighty—four）；lookingmildlyforthuponaworldjustabouttooversetitselfandgotopsy—turvy，asheseesitwill。HisANTI—LUCRETIUSwasoncesuchaPoem！——butwementionhimherebecausehisfineCabinetofAntiquescametoBerlinonhisdeath，Friedrichpurchasing；andoneoftenhearsofit（ifonecaredtohear）fromthePrussianDryasdustinsubsequentyears。[CametoCharlottenburg，August，1742（oldPolignachaddiedNovemberlast，tenmonthsafterthoseGeusautimes）:costofthePolignacCabinetwas40，000thalers（6，000pounds）saysome，90，000
livres（under4，000pounds）sayothers；cheapateitherprice；——
and，bychance，cameopportunely，"afirehavingjustburntdowntheAcademyEdifice，"anddestroyedmuchwareofthatkind。
Rodenbeck，i。73；Seyfarth（Anonymous），GeschichteFriedrichsdesAndern，i。236。]
"OfFriedrich’sunexpectedInvasionofSilesiatherearealsotalkingsandsurmisings，butinamildindifferenttone，andmuchinthevague。Andinthebest—informedcirclesitisthoughtBelleislewillmanagetoHAVEGrand—DukeFranz，theQueenofHungary’sHusband，chosenKaiser，and，insomemildgoodway，putanendtoallthat；"——whichisfarindeedfromBelleisle’sintention！
ChapterVIII。
PHENOMENAINPETERSBURG。
IknownotwhetherMajorWinterfeld，whowassenttoPetersburginDecemberlast，hadgotbacktoBerlininFebruary，nowwhileFriedrichisthere:butforcertainthegoodnewsofhimhad，Thathehadbeencompletelysuccessful，andwascomingspeedily，toresumehissoldierdutiesinrighttime。AsWinterfeldisanimportantman（nearlyburiedintodarknessinthedullPrussianBooks），letuspauseforamomentonthisNegotiationofhis；——andonthemadRussianvicissitudeswhichprecededandfollowed，sofarastheyconcernus。Russia，abigdemi—savageneighbornextdoor，withsuchcaprices，suchhumorsandinterests，isalwaysanimportant，ratherdelicateobjecttoFriedrich；andFortune’smadwheelisplungingandcantinginastrangeheadlongwaythere，oflate。CzarinaAnne，weknow，isdead；theAutocratofAlltheRussiasfollowingtheKaiseroftheRomanswithineightdays。
Iwan，herlittleNephew，stillinswaddling—clothes，isnowAutocratofAlltheRussiasifheknewit，poorlittlered—coloredcreature；andAntonUlrichandhisMecklenburgRussianPrincess——
ButletustakeupthematterwhereourNotebooksleftit，inFriedrichWilhelm’stime:——
"CzarinaAnnewiththebigcheek，"continuesthatNotebook，[Supra，p。129。]"wasextremelydelightedtoseelittleIwan；butenjoyedhimonlytwomonths；beingherselfindyingcircumstances。
SheappointedlittleIwanherSuccessor，hisMotherandFathertobeGuardiansoverhim；butoneBieren（whowriteshimselfBiron，and"DukeofCourland，’beingCzarina’sQuasi—Husbandthesemanyyears）tobeGuardian，asitwere，overboththemandhim。SuchhadbeenthetruculentinsatiableBieren’sdemandonhisCzarina。
’Youarerunningonyourdestruction，’saidshe，withtears；
butcomplied，asshehadbeenwont。
"CzarinaAnnedied28thOctober，1740；leavingaCzarinhiscradle；littleCzarIwanoftwomonths，withMotherandFathertopresideoverhim，andtobethemselvespresidedoverbyBieren，inthismanner。[Mannstein，pp。264—267（28thOctober，byRussianorOldStyle，is"17th；"weTRANSLATE，inthisandothercases，RussianorEnglish，intoNewStyle，unlessthecontraryisindicated）。ThiswasthefirstgreatchangeforAntonUlrich；
butothersgreaterarecoming。LittleAnton，readersknow，isFriedrich’sBrother—in—law，muchpatronizedbyAustria；Anton’sspouseistheHalf—RussianPrincessCatherineofMecklenburg（nowwhollyRussian，andcalledPrincessAnne），whomFriedrichatonetimethoughtofapplyingfor，inhisdistressaboutaWife。Thesetwo，willtheysidewithPrussia，willtheysidewithAustria？
Itwashardlyworthinquiry，hadnotFortune’swheelmadesuddenlyagreatcant，andpitchedthemtothetop，forthetimebeing。
"Bierenlastedonlytwentydays。Hewasveryhighandarbitraryuponeverybody；AnneandAntonUlrichsufferingnaturallymostfromhim。TheytookcounselwithFeldmarschallMunnichonthematter；
who，afterstudy，declareditaremediablecase。Friday，18thNovember，Munnichhad，byinvitation，todinewithDukeBieren；
Munnichwentaccordinglythatday，anddined；Dukelookingalittleflurried，theysay:andthesameevening，dinnerbeingquiteover，andmidnightcome，Munnichhadhismeasuresalltaken，soldiersready，warrantinhand；——andarrestedBiereninhisbed；
mereSiberia，beforesunrise，loominguponBieren。Neverwassuchachangeasthisfrom18thdayto19thwithasupremeBieren。
OurfriendMannstein，excellentpunctualAide—de—CampofMunnich，wastheexecutorofthefeat；andhasleftpunctualrecordofit，ashedoesofeverything，———whatBierensaid，andwhatMadamBieren，whowasalittleobstreperousontheoccasion。[Mannstein，p。268。]WhatsideAntonUlrichandSpousewilltakeinaquarrelbetweenPrussiaandAustria，isnowwellworthasking。
"AntonUlrichandWifeAnne，thatistosay，’RegentAnne’and’GeneralissimoAntonUlrich，’nowruled，withMunnichforright—
handman；andthesewerehightimesforAntonUlrich，GeneralissimoandCzar’s—Father；whoindeedwasmodest，anddidnotofteninterfereinwords，thoughgrievedatthefoolishwayshisWifehad。Anindolentflabbykindofcreature，she，unfitforanAutocrat；satinherprivateapartments，allinahuddleofundress；hadfoolishnotions，——especiallyhadsoubretteswholedheraboutbytheear。Andthentherewasa’PrincessElizabeth，’
Cousin—germanofRegentAnne，——daughter，thatistosay，lastchildtherenowwas，ofPetertheGreatandhislittlebrownCatherine:
——whoshouldhavebeenbetterseento。HarmlessfoolishPrincess，notwithoutcunning；young，plump，andfollowingmerelyherflirtationsandherorthodoxdevotions；veryorthodoxandsoft，butcapableofbecomingdangerous，asacentreofthedisaffected。
As’CzarinaElizabeth’beforelong，andultimatelyas’INFAMECATIN
DUNORD，she——"Butletusnotanticipate！
Itwasinthispostureofaffairs，aboutamonthafterithadbegun，thatWinterfeldarrivedinPetersburg；andaddressedhimselftoMunnich，onthePrussianerrand。WinterfeldwasMunnich’sSon—
in—law（properlystepson—in—law，havingmarriedMunnich’sstepdaughter，aFrauleinvonMalzahn，ofgoodPrussiankin）；
wasacquaintedwiththelatitudesandlongitudeshere，andwellequippedfortheoperationinhand。ToMadamMunnich，onceMadamMalzahn，hisMother—in—law，hecarriedadiamondringof1，200
pounds，"smalltestimonyofhisPrussianMajesty’sregardtosohighaPrussianLady；"toMunnich’sSonandMadam’sapresentof3，000poundsonthelikescore:andthewheelsbeingoiledinthisway，andthesteamsostrong（sonWinterfeldanardentman，fatherMunnichthelike，supremeinRussia，andthethingitselfasalutarything），thediplomaticspeedobtainedwasgreat。
WinterfeldhadarrivedinPetersburgDecember19th:TreatyofAlliancetotheeffect，"Firmfriendsandgoodneighbors，weTwo，MajestiesofPrussiaandofAlltheRussias；willhelpeachtheother，ifattacked，with12，000men，"——wassignedonthe27th:
wholeTransaction，soimportanttoFriedrich，completeineightdays。AustrianBotta，directlyontheheelofthoseunsatisfactoryDialoguesaboutSilesianroads，abouttroopsthatwerepretty，buthadneverlookedthewolfintheface，——hadrushedoff，fullspeed，forPetersburg，inhopesofrunningathwartsuchaTreatyasWinterfeld’s，andgettingoneforAustriainstead。Buthearrivedtoolate；andperhapscouldhavedonenothinghadhebeenintime。
Bottatriedhisutmostforyearsafterwards，abovegroundandbelow，toobstructandreversethisthing；butitwastonopurpose，andeventoless；andonly，inresult，broughtBottahimselfintoflagrantdiplomatictroubleandscandal；whichmadenoiseenoughinthethenGazetteerworld，andwasthefinaleofBotta’sRussianefforts，[Adelung，iii。ii。289；Mannstein，p。375
（"LapuschinPlot，"ofBotta’sraising，foundout"August，1743；"——
Bottaputinarrest，&c。）。]thoughnotworthmentioningnow。
TheRussianNotebookcontinues:——
"Munnich，supremeinRussiasinceBieren’sremoval，hadwisecounselsfortheRegentAnneandherHusband；thoughperhaps，beingahigholdmilitarygentleman，hemightbesomewhatabruptinhisways。AndthereweredomesticOstermanns，foreignBottas，LaChetardies，anddangerousIntriguersandOppositionfigures，toimproveanygrudgethatmightarise。Sureenough，inMarch，1741，FeldmarschallMunnichwasforbidtheCourt（someOstermannsucceedinghimthere）:’EvertruetoyourTwoHighnesses，thoughnolongerneeded；’——andwithdrew，inaloftyfriendlystrain；hisSoncontinuingatCourt，thoughPapahadwithdrawn。SupremeMunnichhadlastedaboutfourmonths；SupremeBierenhardlythreeweeks；——andSiberiaisstillagape。
"MunnichbeinggonetohisownTown—Mansion，andRegentAnnesittinginhersinahuddleofundress；littleaccessibletoherlong—headedmelancholicOstermann，andtooaccessibletoherLivonianmaid:withpoorlittleAntonUlrichpoutingandremonstrating，butunabletohelp，——thisstateofmatters，withsuchintriguesunderminingit，couldnotlastforever。AndhadnotPrincessElizabethbeenofindolentluxuriousnature，intentuponherprayersandflirtations，itwouldhaveendedsoonereventhanitdid。PrincessElizabethhadaSurgeoncalledL’Estoc；aMarquisdelaChetardie，ahigh—flownFrenchExcellency（whousedtobeatBerlin，toouryoungFriedrich’sdelight），washer——WhatshallI
say？LaChetardiehimselfhadnoscrupletosayit！Thesetwoplottedforher；thesewereready，——couldshehavebeengotready；
whichwasnotsoeasy。RegentAnnehadhersuspicions；butthePrincesswassoindolent，sogood:atlast，whendirectlytaxedwithsuchathing，thePrincessburstintoingenuousweeping；quitedisarmedRegentAnne’ssuspicions；——butfoundshehadnowbettertakeL’Estoc’sadvice，andproceedatonce。Whichshedid。
"Andso，onthemorrowmorning，5thDecember，1741，byaidofthePreobrazinskyRegiment，andthemotionsusualonsuchoccasions，——
infactbymerelypullingoutthepropsfromanunderminedstateofmatters，——shereducedsaidstategentlytoruin，readyforcartingtoSiberia，likeitsforegoers；andwasherebyCzarinaofAlltheRussias，prosperouslyenoughfortherestofherlife。Twentyyearsorrathermore。Anindolent，orthodox，plumpcreature，disinclinedtocruelty；’notanounceofnun’sfleshinhercomposition，’saidthewits。ShemaintainedtheFriedrichTreaty，indignantatBottaandhisplots；waswellwithFriedrich，ormighthavebeenkeptsobymanagement，fortherewasnocauseofquarrel，butthereverse，betweentheCountries，——couldFriedrichhaveheldhiswittytongue，wheneavesdropperswereby。Buthecouldnotalways；thoughhetried。Andsarcasticquizzing（especiallyifitbetruthtoo），oncertainfemaletopics，whatImproperFemale，CzarinaofAlltheRussias，couldstandit？Thehistoryisbutadistressingone，adisgustingone，inhumanaffairs。Elizabethwasorthodox，too，andFriedricbnot，’thehorridman！’Thefactis，——factdismallyindubitable，thoughitishuddledintodiscreetdimness，andalldetailsofit（astowhatFriedrich’switticismswere，andthelike）arerefusedusinthePrussianBooks，——indignation，owingtosuchdismalcause，becamefixedhateontheCzarina’spart，andtherefollowedterribleresultsatlast:ACzarinarisentothecannibalpitchuponaman，inhisextremeneed；——’INFAMECATINDU
NORD，’thinkstheman！Friedrich’switcosthimdear；him，andhalfamillionothersstilldearer，twentyyearshence。"——TillwhichtimewewillgladlyleavetheCzarinaandit。
MajorvonWinterfeldhadbeeninRussiabeforethis；andhadwooedhisfairMalzahnthere。HeisthesameWinterfeldwhomweoncesawdiningbythewaysidewiththelateFriedrichWilhelm，onthatlastReview—JourneyhisMajestymade。ACaptaininthePotsdamGiantsatthattime；alwaysingreatfavorwiththelateKing；andinstillgreaterwiththepresent，——whofindsinhim，wecandimlydiscover，andprettymuchinhimalone，asoulsomewhatlikehisown；theonereal"peer"hehadabouthim。Amanoflittleeducation；bredincamps；yetofaproudnaturaleminency，andruggednoblenessofgeniusandmind。Letreadersmarkthisfieryhero—spirit，lyingburiedinthosedullBooks，likelightningamongclay。HereisanotheranecdoteofhisRussianbusiness:——
"Winterfeldhadgone，inFriedrichWilhelm’stime，withapartyofPrussiandrill—sergeantsforPetersburg[yearnotgiven]；anddulydeliveredthemthere。HenaturallysawmuchofFeldmarschallMunnich，naturallysawtheStep—daughteroftheFeldmarschall，ashiningbeautyinPetersburg；Winterfeldhimselfamanofshininggifts，andcharacter；andoneofthehandsomesttallmenintheworld。MutuallovebetweentheFrauleinandhimwastherapidresult。Buthowtoobtainmarriage？Winterfeldcannotmarry，withoutleavehadofhissuperiors:you，fairMalzahn，areHof—DameofPrincessElizabeth，allyourfortunethejewelsyouwear；anditistoopossibleshewillnotletyougo！
"Theyagreedtobepatient，tobesilent；towatchwarilytillWinterfeldgothometoPrussia，tilltheFrauleinMalzahncouldalsocontrivetogethome。Winterfeldoncehome，andtheKing’sconsenthad，theFrauleinappliedtoPrincessElizabethforleaveofabsence:’Afewmonths，toseemyfriendsinDeutschland，yourHighness！’PrincessElizabethlookedhardather；answeredevasivelythisandthat。Atlast，beingoftenimportuned，sheansweredplainly，’Ialmostfeelconvincedthouwiltnevercomeback！’ProtestationsfromtheFrauleinwerenotwanting:——
’Wellthen，’saidElizabeth，’ifthouartsosureofit，leavemethyjewelsinpledge。Whynot？’ThepoorFrauleincouldnotsaywhy；hadtoleaveherjewels，whichwereherwholefinefortune，’worth100，000rubles’（20，000pounds）；andisnowthebraveWifeofWinterfeld；——butcouldnever，bydirectentreatyorcircuitousinterestandnegotiation，getbacktheleastitemofherjewels。
Elizabeth，asPrincessandasCzarina，wasalikedeafonthatsubject。NoworhenceforththatprovedanimpossibleprivateenterpriseforWinterfeld，thoughhehadsoeasilysucceededinthepublicone。"[Retzow，CharakteristikdessiebenjahrigenKrieges（Berlin，1802），i。45n。]
ThenewCzarinawasnotunmerciful。MunnichandCompanyweretriedforlife；werecondemnedtodie，anddidappearonthescaffold（29thJanuary，1742），readyforthatextremepenalty；butwerethere，onthesudden，pardonedorhalf—pardonedbyamercifulnewCzarina，andsenttoSiberiaandouterdarkness。WhitherBierenhadprecededthem。Toouterdarknessalso，thoughamilderdestinyhadbeenintendedthematfirst，wentAntonUlrichandhisHousehold。
TowardsnativeGermanyatfirst；theyhadgotasfarasRigaonthewaytoGermany，butweredetainedthere，foralongwhile（owingtosuspicions，toBottaPlots，orIknownotwhat），tillfinallytheywererecalledintoRussianexile。Strictenoughexile，seclusionaboutArchangelandelsewhere；inconvents，inobscureuncomfortableplaces:——littleIwan，aftervicissitudes，evenwentunderground；grewtomanhood，andgotkilled（partlybyaccident，notquitebymurder），sometwenty—threeyearshence，inhisdungeonintheFortressofSchlusselburg，belowtheleveloftheLadogawatersthere。UnluckierHousehold，whichonceseemedtheluckiestoftheworld，wasneverknown。Cantedsuddenly，inthisway，fromtheverytopofFortune’swheeltotheverybottom；nevertorisemore；——anddidnotevendie，atleastnotalldie，forthirtyorfortyyearsafter。[AntonUlrich，nottill15thMay，1775（twoDaughtersofhiswent，afterthis，to"Horstens，apoorCountry—
HouseinJutland，"whitherCatherineII。hadmanumittedthem，withpension；——shehadwishedAntonUlrichtogohome，manyyearsbefore；buthewouldnot，fromshame）。——Iwanhadperished5thAugust，1764（CatherineII。blamedforhisdeath，butwithoutcause）；Iwan’sMother，PrincessAnne，（mercifully）18thMarch，1746。SeeRussianHistories，TOOKE，CASTERA，&c。，——noneofwhich，exceptMANNSTEIN，isgoodformuch，ortobetrustedwithoutscrutiny。]
ThisistheChetardie—L’Estocconspiracy，of5thDecember，1741；
thepitchingupofPrincessElizabeth，andthepitchingdownofAntonUlrichandhisMunnichs，whohadbeforepitchedBierendown。
Afterwhich，mattersremainedmorestationaryatPetersburg:
CzarinaElizabeth，fatindolentsoul，floatedwithacertainnativebuoyancy，withsomethingofbulkysteadiness，intheturbidplungeofthings，anddidnotsink。Onthecontrary，herreign，socalled，wasprosperous，thoughstupid；herbigdarkCountries，kindledalreadyintogrowth，wentongrowingrather。And，forcertain，sheherselfwentongrowing，inorthodoxdevotionsofspiritualtype（andinstrangelyheterodoxdittoofNONspiritual！）；inindolentmansuetudes（fellrages，ifyoucutontheRAWSatall！）；
inperpetualincongruity；and，alas，atlast，inbrandy—and—water，——till，as"INFAMECATINDUNORD，"shebecameterriblyimportanttosomepersons！
Atheraccession，andfortwoyearsfollowing，CzarinaElizabeth，inspiteofrealdisinclinationthatway，hadaWaronherhands:
theSwedishWar（August，1741—August，1743），which，afterlongthreateningontheSwedishside，hadbrokenoutintounwelcomeactuality，inAntonUlrich’stime；andwhichcouldnot，withalltheCzarina’sindustry，begotridoforstavedoff；Swedenbeingbentuponthething，reasonornoreason。Warnottobespokenof，exceptoncompulsion，inthemostvoluminousHistory！Itwastheunwisestofwars，weshouldsay，andinpracticeprobablythecontemptiblest；iftherewerenotoneotherSwedishWarcoming，whichvieswithitintheseparticulars，ofwhichweshallbeobligedtospeak，moreorless，atafuturestage。OfthispresentRussian—Swedishwar，havinghappilyalmostnothingtodowithit，wecan，exceptinthewayoftransientchronology，refrainaltogetherfromspeakingorthinking。
PoorSweden，sinceitshotKarlXII。inthetrenchesatFredericshall，couldnotgetaKingagain；andisveryanarchicunderitsPhantasmKingandfreeNationalPalaver，——SenatewithsubalternHouses；——whichgenerallyhasFrenchgoldinitspocket，andnoiseinsteadofwisdominitshead。Scandaloustothinkoforbehold。TheFrench，desiroustokeepRussiainplayduringthesehighBelleisleadventuresnowonfoot，had，aftermuchegging，bribing，flattering，persuadedvainSwedenintothisWarwithRussia。"AtNarvatheywere80，000，we8，000；andwhatbecameofthem！"crytheSwedesalways。Yes，myfriends，butyouhadaCaptainatNarva；youhadnotyetshotyourCaptainwhenyoudidNarva！"FactionofHats，""FactionofCaps"（thatis，NIGHT—caps，asbeingsomnolentanddisinclinedtoFranceandWar）:seldomdidaonce—valiantfar—shiningNationsinktosuchdepths，sincetheyshottheirCaptain，andsaidtoAnarchy，"THOUartCaptaincy，wesee，andtheDivinething！"OftheWarsandbusinessesofsuchasetofmortalsletusshunspeaking，wherepossible。
Mannsteingivesimpartialaccount，pleasantlyclearandcompact，tosuchasmaybecuriousaboutthisSwedish—RussianWar；and，inthedidacticpointofview，itisnotwithoutvalue。Toustheinterestingcircumstanceis，thatitdoesnotinterferewithourSilesianoperationsatall；andmaybefiguredasamereaccompanimentofrumblingdiscord，orvacantfar—offnoise，goingoninthoseNorthernparts，——towhichthereforewehopetobestrangersintimecoming。Herearesomedates，whichthereadermaytakewithhim，shouldtheychancetoillustrateanything:——
"AUGUST4th，1741。TheSwedesdeclareWar:’WillrecovertheirlostportionsofFinland，will，’&c。&c。Theyhadlongbeenmeditatingit；theyhadTurknegotiationsgoingon，diligentemissariestotheTurk（acertainMajorSinclairforone，whomtheRussianswaylaidandassassinatedtogetsightofhisPapers）duringthelateTurk—
RussianWar；butcouldconcludenothingwhilethatwasinactivity；
concludedonlyafterthatwasdone，——strikingtheironwhengrownCOLD。AchiefpointintheirManifestowastheassassinationofthisSinclair；scandalandatrocity，ofwhichthereisnodoubtnowtheRussianswereguilty。VariouspretextsfortheWar:——primemoverstoit，practically，weretheFrench，intentonkeepingRussiaemployedwhiletheirBelleisleGermanadventurewenton，andwhohadevenbargainedwiththirdpartiestogetupaWarthere，asweshallsee。
"SEPTEMBER3d，1741。AtWilmanstrand，——keyofWyborg，theirfrontierstrongholdinFinland，whichwasunderSiege，——theSwedes（about5，000ofthem，fortheyhadnothingtoliveupon，andlayscatteredaboutinfractions）madefight，orskirmish，againstaRussianattackingparty:Swedes，rathervictoriousontheirhill—
top，rusheddown；andtotallylosttheirbitofvictory，theirWilmanstrand，theirWyborg，andeventheWaritself；——forthiswas，inliteraltruth，theonlyfightingdonebythemintheentirecourseofit，whichlastedneartwoyearsmore。Therestofitwasretreat，capitulation，lossonlosswithoutstrokestruck；tilltheyhadlostallFinland，andwereliketoloseSwedenitself，——
Dalecarlianmutinyburstingout（’Yetraitors，misgovernors，worthyofdeath！’），withinvasiveDanestorearofit；——andhadtocallintheveryRussianstosavethemfromworse。CzarinaElizabethatthetimeofheraccession，sixmonthsafterWilmanstrand，hadmadetruce，waseagertomakepeace:’Bynomeans！’answeredSweden，takingarmsagain，orrathertakinglegsagain；andrushingruin—ward，attheoldrate，stillwithoutstroke。
"JUNE28th，1743。Theydidhalt；madePeaceofAbo（TruceandPreliminariessignedthere，thatday:Peaceitself，August17th）；
CzarinamagnanimouslyrestoringmostoftheirFinland（thinkingtoherself，’Notdoneenoughformeyet；cookitalittleyet！’）；——
andsettlingwhotheirnextKingwastobe，amongotherfriendlythings。AndinNovemberfollowing，Keith，inhisRussiangalleys，withsome10，000Russiansonboard，arrivedinStockholm；
protectiveagainstDanesandmutinousDalecarles:stayedtheretillJuneofnextyear，1744。"[Adelung，ii。445。Mannstein，pp。297
（WilmanstrandAffair，himselfpresent），365（Peace），373（Keith’sRETURNwithhisgalleys）。ComtedeHordt（presentalso，ontheSwedishside，andsubsequentlyaSoldierofFriedrich’s）
Memoires）（Berlin，1789），i。18—88。ThemurderofSinclair（doneby"fourRussiansubalterns，twomilesfromNaumberginSilesia，17thJune，1739，about7P。M。"）isamplydetailedfromDocuments，inalateBook:Weber，AusVierJahrhunderten（Leipzig，1858），i。274—279。]IsnotthisaWar！
OntheRussianside，GeneralKeith，underField—marshalLacyaschiefincommand（thesameKeithwhomwesawatOczakowunderMunnich，sometimeago），hadagreatdealoftheworkandmanagement；whichwasofahighlymiscellaneouskind，commandingfleetsofgunboats，andmuchelse；andreadersofMANNSTEINcanstilljudge，——muchmorecouldKingFriedrich，earnestlywatchingtheaffairitselfasitwenton，——whetherKeithdidnotdoitinasolidandquietlyeminentandvaliantmanner。Sagacious，skilful，imperturbable，withoutfearandwithoutnoise；amanquietlyeverready。Hehadquelled，once，walkingdirectintotheheartofit，aferociousRussianmutiny，oruproarfrombelow，whichwouldhaveruinedeverythinginfewminutesmore。[Mannstein，p。130（nodate，April—May，1742。）Hesuffered，withexcellentsilence，nowandafterwards，muchill—usagefromabovewithal；——tillFriedrichhimself，inthethirdyearhence，wasluckyenoughtogethimasGeneral。Friedrich’sSisterUlrique，themarriageofPrincessUlrique，——thatalso，asitchanced，hadsomethingtodowiththisPeaceofAbo。Butweanticipatetoofar。
ChapterIX。
FRIEDRICHRETURNSTOSILESIA。
Friedrichstayedonlythreeweeksathome；movingabout，fromBerlintoPotsdam，toReinsbergandback:allthegayworldisinBerlin，atthisCarnivaltime；butFriedrichhasmoretodowithbusiness，ofamanifoldandover—earnestnature，thanwithCarnivalgayeties。FrenchValoriishere，"myfatValori，"whoisbeginningtoberatherafavoriteofFriedrich’s:withExcellencyValori，andwiththeotherForeignExcellencies，therewasdiplomaticpassagingintheseweeks；andwegatherfromValori，intheinverseway（Valorifallensulky），thatitwasnotilldoneonFriedrich’spart。HehadsomeprivateconsultationwiththeOldDessauer，too；
"probablyonmilitarypoints，"thinksValori。Atleasttherewasnoticedmoreofthedrill—sergeantthanbefore，inhishandlingoftheArmy，whenhereturnedtoSilesia，continuesthesulkyone。
"Troopsandgeneralsdidnotknowhimagain，"——soexcessivelystrictwashegrown，onthesudden。Andtruly"hegotintodetailswhichwerebeneath，notonlyaPrincewhohasgreatviews，butevenasimpleCaptainofInfantry，"——accordingtomy（Valori’s）militarynotionsandexperiences！[Valori，i。99。]——
Thetruthis，Friedrichbeginstosee，moreclearlythanhedidwithGLOIREdazzlinghim，thathispositionisanexceedinglygraveone，fullofrisk，inthethenmoodandconditionoftheworld；
thathe，inthewholeworld，hasnosurefriendbuthisArmy；
andthatinregardtoIThecannotbetoovigilant！TheworldisominoustothisyoungestoftheKingsmorethantoanother。
SoundsasofgeneralPoliticalEarthquakegrumbleaudiblytohimfromthedeeps:allEuropelikely，inanyevent，togettologgerheadsonthisAustrianPragmaticmatter；theNationsallwatchingHIM，toseewhathewillmakeofit:——fuglemanhetotheEuropeanNations，justaboutburstinguponsuchanadventure。
Itmaybeagloriousposition，oranotglorious；but，forcertain，itisadangerousone，andawfullysolitary！——
FuglementheworldanditsNationsalwayshave，whensimultaneouslybentany—whither，wiselyorunwisely；anditisnaturalthatthemostadventurousspirittakethatpost。Friedrichhasnotsoughtthepost；butfollowinghisownobjects，hasgotit；andwillbeignominiouslylost，andtrampledtoannihilationunderthehoofsoftheworld，ifhedonotmind！Tokeepwellahead；——toberapidaspossible；thatweregood:——tostepasidewerestillbetter！
AndFriedrichwefindisveryanxiousforthat；"wouldbecontentwiththeDuchyofGlogau，andjoinAustria；"butthereisnottheleastchancethatway。HisSpecialEnvoytoVienna，Gotter，andalongwithhimBorcktheregularMinister，arecomehome；
allnegotiationhopelessatVienna；andnothingbutindignantwar—
preparationgoingonthere，withthemostanimateddiligence，andmoresuccessthanhadseemedpossible。ThatisthelawofFriedrich’sSilesianAdventure:"Forward，therefore，ontheseterms；otherstherearenot:wastenowords！"Friedrichrecognizestohimselfwhatthelawis；pushesstifflyforward，withafinesilenceonallthatisnotpractical，reallywithafinesteadinessofhope，andaudacityagainstdiscouragements。Ofhisanxieties，whichcouldnotwellbewanting，butwhichitisroyaltokeepstrictlyunderlockandkey，ofthesethereisnohinttoJordanortoanybody；andonlythroughaccidentalchinks，onclosescrutiny，canwediscoverthattheyexist。Symptomofdespondency，ofmisgivingorrepentingabouthisEnterprise，thereisnoneanywhere，Friedrich’sfinegiftsofSILENCE（whichgodeeperthanthelips）arenoticeablehere，asalways；andhighlytheyavailedFriedrichinleadinghislife，thoughnowinconvenienttoBiographerswritingofthesame！——
Itwasnotonmattersofdrill，asValorisupposes，thatFriedrichhadbeenconsultingwiththeOldDessauer:thistimeitwasonanothermatter。FriedrichhastwonextNeighborsgreatlyinterested，nonemoreso，inthePragmaticQuestion:Kur—Sachsen，PolishKing，afoolishgreedycreature，whoisextremelyuncertainabouthiscourseinit（andindeedalwayscontinuedso，nowagainstFriedrich，nowforhim，andagainagainst）；andKur—Hanover，ourlittleGeorgeofEngland，whosecourseiscertainasthatoftheverystars，anddirectagainstFriedrichatthistime，asindeed，atalltimesnotexceptional，itisapttobe。BoththesePotentatesmustbeattendedto，inone’sabsence；methodtobegentlebuteffectual；theOldDessauertodoit:——andthisiswhattheseconsultingshadturnedupon；andinamonthortwo，readers，andanastonishedGazetteerworld，willseewhatcomesofthem。
ItwasFebruary19thwhenFriedrichleftBerlin；the21sthespendsatGlogau，inspectingtheBlockadethere，andnotillcontentwiththemeasurestaken:"PressthatWallisallyoucan，"enjoinshe:
"Hungerseemstobeslowaboutit！Summonhimagain，wereyournewArtillerycomeup；threatenwithbombardment；butsparetheTown，ifpossible。Artilleryiscoming:letushavedonehere，andsoon！"
Nextdayhearrives，notatBreslauassomehadexpected，butatSchweidnitzsidewards；astronglittleTown，atleastanelaboratelyfortified，ofwhichweshallhearmuchintimecoming。
Itliesaday’sridewestofBreslau:andwillbequieterforbusinessthanabiggazingCapitalwouldbe，——wereBreslauevenone’sowncity；whichitisnot，thoughperhapstendingtobe。
Breslauisintransitioncircumstancesatpresent；alittleuncertainWHOSEitis，underitsMunchowsandnewmanagers:Breslauhedidnotvisitatallonthisoccasion。ToSchweidnitzcertainnewregimentshadbeenordered，theretobedisposedofinreinforcing:there，"intheCountHoberg’sMansion，"heprincipallylodgesforsixweekstocome；shootingoutoncontinualexcursions；
butalwaysreturningtoSchweidnitz，asthecentre，again。
Algarotti，homefromTurin（notmuchofasuccessthere，butalwaysmelodiousfortalk），hadtravelledwithhim；Algarotti，andnotlongafter，JordanandMaupertuis，bearhimcompany，thatthevacantmomentstoobebeautiful。Wecanfancyhehasaverybusy，veryanxious，butnotanunpleasanttime。Hegoesrapidlyabout，visitinghisposts，——chieflyabouttheNeisseValley；Neissebeingtheprimeobject，weretheweatheroncecomeforsiege—work。HeisinmanyTowns（specifiedinRODENBECKandtheBooks，butwhichmaybeanonymoushere）；doubtlessonmanySteeplesandHill—tops；
questioningintelligentnatives，diligentlyusinghisowneyes:
intenttomakepersonalacquaintancewiththisnewCountry，——where，littleasheyetdreamsofit，thedeadlystrugglesofhisLifeliewaitinghim，andwhichhewillknowtogreatperfectionbeforeallisdone！