ThePrussianstaketheirpostatandroundHennersdorfthatnight；
——bivouacking，thoughonlyinsacktrousers，ablanketeachman:——
"Weworkhard，mymen，andsufferallthingsforadayortwo，thatitmaysavemuchworkafterwards，"saidtheKingtothem；andtheycheerfullybivouacked。
ThiswastheActionofKatholisch—Hennersdorf，foughtonTuesday，23dNovember，1745；andstillcelebratedinthePrussianAnnals，andreckonedabrilliantpassageofwar。KATHOLISCH—Hennersdorf，sometenmilessouthwestofNaumburgONTHEQUEISS（forthereare，tomyknowledge，Twenty—fiveotherVillagescalledHennersdorf，andThreeseveralTownsofNaumburg，andmanyCastlesandHamletssonamedindearGermanyoftheNomenclatures）:——Katholisch—
Hennersdorfistheplace，andTuesdayaboutduskthetime。Asharpbrushoffighting；notgreatinquantity，butlaidinattherightmoment，intherightplace。Liketheprickofaneedle，dulysharp，intothespinalmarrowofagiganticobject；totallyruinoustosuchobject。Never，orrarely，intheAnnalsofWar，wasasmuchgoodgotofsolittlefighting。Youmay，withlaborandperil，plungeahundreddirksintoyourboaconstrictor；hackhimwithaxes，brayhimwithsledge—hammers；thatisnotuncommon:buttheonetrueprickinthespinalmarrow，andtheArtistthatcanguideyouwelltothat，heanditarethenotableandbeneficentphenomena。
PRINCEKARL，CUTINTWO，TUMBLESHOMEAGAINDOUBLE—QUICK。
Nextmorning，Wednesday，24th，thePrussiansareearlyastiragain；
groping，onallmannerofroads，tofindwhatPrinceKarlisdoing，inaworldallcoveredinthickmist。Theycanfindnothingofhim，butbrokentumbrils，leftbaggage—wagons，rumorofuniversalmarchinghitherandmarchingthither；——evidencesofanArmyfallenintouniversalSt。Vitus’s—Dance；distractedlyhurryingtoandfro，notknowingwhitherwardforthemoment，exceptthatitmustbehomewards，homewardswithvelocity。
PrinceKarl’sfarthermovementsarenotworthparticularizing。
Orderingandcross—ordering；marchthisway；no，backagain:suchasceneinthatmist。PrinceKarlisflowinghomeward；confusedlydelugingandgurglingsouthward，thebesthecan。Nextafternoon，nearGorlitz，andagainoneothertime，heappearsdrawnup，asifforfighting；buthashimselfnosuchthought；fliesagain，withoutashot；leavesGorlitztocapitulate，thatafternoon；allplacestocapitulate，orbeevacuated。WehearheisforZittau；
Winterfeldwithlighthorsehastensafterhim，getssightofhimontheHeightsatZittauyonder，[OEuvresdeFrederic，iii。157；Orlich，ii。296。]"abouttwointhemorning:"
butthePrincehasnottheleastnotiontofight。PrinceleavesZittautocapitulate，——quitssilentlytheHeightsofZittauattwoA。M。（Winterfeld，verylivelyintherearofhim，cuttingoffhisbaggage）；——andsotumbles，pell—mell，throughthePassesofGabel，hometoBohemiaagain。LetussavethispoorNotefromthefire:
"OnSaturdaynight，November27th，thePrussians，pursuingPrinceKarl，werecantonedintheHerrnhuthneighborhood，——myinformant’sregimentintheTownofHerrnhuthitself。[Feldzuge，i。ubisupra。]Yes，therelaythePrussiansoverSunday；
andmighthearsomeweightyexpounder，iftheyliked。
Considerablytheological，manyofthesepoorPrussiansoldiers；
carryingaBibleintheirknapsack，anddevoutPsalmsintheheartofthem。Two—thirdsofeveryregimentareLANDESKINDER，nativePrussians；eachregimentfromaspecialcanton，——generallyratherreligiousmen。Theotherthirdarerecruits，gatheredintheFreeTownsoftheReich，orwheretheycanbegot；notdistinguishedbydevotionthese，wemayfancy，onlytrainedtotheuttermostbySpartandrill。"
Beforetheweekisdone，that"firstleg"ofthegrandEnterprise（thePrince—Karlleg）issuchalegaswesee。"Silesiainthelump，"——fonddreamagain，whatadream！OldDessauergettingsignal，wherenow，tooprobably，isSaxonyitself？——RankingagainatAussiginBohemia，PrinceKarl——5，000ofhismenlost，andallimpetusandfiregone——fallsgentlydowntheElbe，tojoinRutowskiatleast；andwillreappearwithinfourweeks，outofSaxonSwitzerland，stillratherindismalhumor。
ThePrussianTroops，infourgreatDivisions，arecantonedinthatLausitzCountry，nowsoquiet；inandaboutBautzenandthreeotherTownsoftheneighborhood；torestandbereadyfortheoldDessauer，whenwehearofhim。The"MagazineatGubenin138
wagons，"theGorlitzandotherMagazinesofPrinceKarlintheduenumberofwagons，supplythemwithcomfortabIeunexpectedprovender。Thustheyliecantoned；andhavewithdespatcheffectuallysettledtheirpartoftheproblem。Questionnowis，HowwillitstandwiththeOldDessauerandhispart？Or，betterstill，WouldnotperhapstheSaxons，inthishumiliatedstate，acceptPeace，andfinishthematter？
ChapterXIV。
BATTLEOFKESSELSDORF。
A"Correspondence"ofacertainExcellencyVilliers，EnglishMinisteratDresden，——SirThomasVilliers，GrandfatherofthepresentEarlofClarendon，——wasveryfamousinthoseweeks；andisstillworthmention，asatraitofFriedrich’sprocedureinthiscrisis。Friedrich，notintoxicatedwithhisswifttriumphoverPrinceKarl，butcalculatingtheperilsandthechancesstillahead，——miserablyoffformoneytoo，——admitstohimselfthatnotrevengeortriumph，thatPeaceistheonethingneedfultohim。
November29th，OldLeopoldisenteringSaxony；andinthesamehours，PodewilsatBerlin，byorderofFriedrich，writestoVillierswhoisinDresden，aboutPeace，aboutmediatingforPeace:
"MyKingreadyanddesirous，nowasatalltimes，forPeace；thetermsofitknown；termsnotaltered，notalterable，nobargainingorhigglingneededorallowable。CONVENTIONOFHANOVER，lethisPolishMajestyaccedehonestlytothat，andallthesemiseriesareended。"["CORRESPONDANCEDUROIAVECSIRTHOMASVILLIERS；"
commences，onPodewils’spart，28thNovember；onFriedrich’s，4thDecember；ends，onVillier’s，18thDecember；fourteenPiecesinall，fourofthemFriedrich’s:GiveninOEuvresdeFrederic，iii。183—216（seeIB，158），andinmanyotherBooks。]
Villiersstartsinstantlyonthisbeneficentbusiness；"goestoCourt，onit，thatverynight；"Villiersshowshimselfreallydiligent，reasonable，loyal；doinghisverybestnowandafterwards；buthasnosuccessatall。PolishMajestyisobstinate，——Ialwaysthink，inthewaysheepare，whentheyfeelthemselvestoomuchputupon；——andisdeaftoeverybodybutBruhl。
Bruhlanswers:"LethisPrussianMajestyretirefromourTerritory；——whatishedoingintheLausitzjustnow！RetirefromourTerritory；THENwewilltreat！"Bruhlstillrefusestobedesperateofhisbadgame；——atanyrate，Bruhl’srageisyellowerthanever。That，veryevening，whiletalkingtoVilliers，hehashadpreparationsgoingon；——andnextmorningtakeshisMaster，PolishMajestyAugustIII。，withsomecomfortableminimumofapparatus（cigar—boxesnotforgotten），offtoPrag，wheretheycanbeoutofdangertillthethingdecideitself。VilliersfollowstoPrag；desistsnotfromhiseloquentLetters，andearnestpersuasionsatPrag；butbeginstoperceivethatthemeansofpersuadingBruhlwillbeamuchheavierkindofartillery。
Onthewhole，negotiationshaveyetdonelittle。BritannicGeorge，thoughPurseholder，whatishissuccesshere？AslittleistheRussianBugbearpersuasiveonFriedrichhimself。TheCzarinaoftheRussias，aluxuriouslady，offarmoreweightthaninsight，hasjustnotifiedtohim，withmoreemphasisthanever，ThatheshallnotattackSaxony；thatifhedo，shewithconsiderablevigorwillattackhim！ThathasalwaysbeenaformidablepuzzleforFriedrich:
however，hereflectsthattheRussiansnevercoulddrawsword，orbereadywiththeirArmy，inlessthansixmonths，probablynotintwelve；andhasanswered，translatingitintopoliteofficialterms:"Fee—faw—fum，yourCzarishMajesty！Questionisnotnowofattacking，butofbeingmyselfattacked！"——andsoisnowrunninghisriskswiththeCzarina。
StillworsewastheresulthegotfromLouisXV。Lately，"forform’ssake，"ashetellsus，"andnotexpectinganything，"hehad（November15th）madeanewappealtoFrance:"RuinmenacingyourMostChristianMajesty’sAlly，inthishugesuddencrisisofinvasiveAustrian—Saxons；andforyourMajesty’ssake，mayInotinsomemeasuresay？"TowhichLouis’sAnswerisalsogiven。Averysickly，unpleasantDocument；testifyingtoconsiderablepiqueagainstFriedrich；——Rankesays，itwasajointproduction，alltheMinistersgraduallycontributingeachhislittlepinchofironytomakeitspicier，andLouissigningwhenitwasenough；——veryconsiderablepiqueagainstFriedrich；andsomethingofthestupidsulkinessasofafatbadboy，almostgladthatthehouseisonfire，becauseitwillburnhisnimbleyoungerbrother，whomeverybodycallssoclever:"Sorryindeed，SirmyBrother，mostsorry:——andsoyouhaveactuallysignedthatHANOVERCONVENTION
withourworstEnemy？Franceisfarfromhavingdoneso；Francehasdone，andwilldo，greatthings。OurRoyalheartgrievesmuchatyoursituation；butisnotalarmed；no，YourMajestyhassuchinvention，vigorandability，superiortoanycrisis，ourcleveryoungerBrother！AndherewithweprayGodtohaveyouinhisholykeeping。"ThisisthepurportofKingLouis’sLetter；——whichFriedrichfoldstogetheragain，lookingupfromperusalofit，wemayfancywithwhataglanceofthoseeyes。[Louis’sOriginal，inOEuvresdeFrederic，iii。173，174（withamuchmoresatiricalparaphrasethantheabove），andFriedrich’sAnsweradjoined，——aftertheeventshadcome。]
Heisgettinginstructed，thisyoungKing，astoalliances，grandcombinations，Frenchandother。HisthirdNotetoVilliersintimates，"ItbeingevidentthathisPolishMajestywillhavenothingfromusbutfighting，wemusttrytogiveithimofthebestkindwehave。"["Bautzen，11thDecember，1745"（UBISUPRA）。]
Yestruly；itistheULTIMATEpersuasive，that。Here，incondensedform，aretheessentialdetailsofthecourseitwent，inthisinstance:——
GeneralGrune，ontheroadtoBerlin，hearingoftheroutatHennersdorf，haltedinstantly，——hastenedbacktoSaxony，tojoinRutowskithere，andstandonthedefensive。NotnowinthatHalle—
Frontierregion（Rutowskihasquittedthat，andalltheintrenchmentsandmarshyimpregnabilitiesthere）；notonthatHalle—Frontier，buthoveringaboutintheinterior，RutowskiandGruneareinjunction；gravitatingtowardsDresden；——expectingPrinceKarl’sadvent；whooughttoemergefromtheSaxonSwitzerlandinfewdays，werehesharp；andagainenableustomakeaformidablefigure。Bespeedy，OldDessauer:youmustsettletheGrune—Rutowskiaccountbeforethatjunction，notafterit！
TheOldDessauerhasbeentolerablysuccessful，andbynomeansthinkshehasbeenlosingtime。November29th，"atthreeinthemorning，"hesteptoverintoSaxonywithitsimpregnablecamps；
droveRutowski’srear—guard，orremnant，outofthequagmires，canalsandintrenchments，beforedaylight；droveit，thatsameevening，orbeforedawnofthemorrow，outofLeipzig:hasseizedthatTown，——laysheavycontributiononit，nearly50，000pounds（suchourstraitforfinance），"andbesureyoutakeonlysubstantialmenassureties！"[Orlich，ii。308。]——andwill，anddoesafteratwodays’rest，advancewithdecentcelerityinwards；
though"Onemustfirstknowexactlywhither；onemusthavebread，andpreparationsandprecautions；doallthingssolidlyandinorder，"thinkstheOldDessauer。Friedrichwellknowsthewhither；
andthatDresdenitselfis，ormaybemade，theplaceforfallinginwithRutowski。Friedrichisnowhimselfreadytojoin，fromtheBautzenregion；thedaysandhoursprecioustohim；andspurstheOldDessauerwiththesharpestremonstrances。"Allsolidlyandinorder，yourMajesty！"answerstheOldDessauer:solidstrong—bonedoldcoach—horse，whohashisownmodesoftrotting，havingdonemanyaheavymileofitinhistime；andwhoseskin，onehopes，isoftheduethicknessagainstunduespurring。
OldDessauerwishestwothings:breadtoliveupon；andasureBridgeovertheElbewherebyFriedrichmayjoinhim。OldDessauermakesforTorgau，farnorth，whereisbothanElbeBridgeandaMagazine；whichhetakes；Torgauandpertinentsnowhis。ButitisfardowntheElbe，farofffromBautzenandFriedrich:"AnearerBridgeandrendezvous，yourHighness！Meissen[wheretheymakethechina，onlyfiftymilesfromme，andtwentyfromDresden]，letthatbetheBridge，nowthatyouhavegotvictual。Andspeedy；
forHeaven’ssake，speedy！"FriedrichpushesoutGeneralLehwaldfromBautzen，with4，000men，towardsMeissenBridge；LehwalddoesnothimselfmeddlewiththeBridge，onlyfiresshotacrossupontheSaxonparty，tilltheOldDessauer，ontheotherbank，comeup；——
andtheOldDessauer，impatiencethinks，willnevercome。"ThreedaysinTorgau，yes，YourMajesty:Ihadbreadtobake，andtheveryovenshadtobebuilt。"Asolidoldroadster，withhisownmodesoftrotting；needsthicknessofskin。[Friedrich’sLetterstoLeopold，inOrlich，ii。431，435（6th—10thDecember，1745）。]
Atlonglast，onSunday，12thDecember，abouttwoP。M。，theOldDessauerdoesappear；orGeneralGessler，hisvanguard，doesappear，——Gesslerofthesixty—sevenstandards，——"alwaysaboutanhourahead。"GesslerhassummonedMeissen；hasnotgotit，ishagglingwithitaboutterms，when，towardssunsetoftheshortday，OldDessauerhimselfarrives。WhereupontheSaxonCommandantquitstheBridge（notmuchbreakingit）；andglidesoffinthedark，clearoutofMeissen，towardsDresden，——chased，butsuccessfullydefendinghimself。[SeePlan，p。10。]"Hadhebutstoodoutfortwodays！"saytheSaxons，——"PrinceKarlhadthenbeenup，andmuchmighthavebeendifferent。"Well，Friedrichtoowouldhavebeenup，andithadmostlikelybeenthesameonalargerscale。ButtheSaxonCommandantdidnotstandout；heglidedoff，safe；joinedRutowskiandGrune，whoarelyingaboutWilsdruf，sixorsevenmilesonthehithersideofDresden，andeagerlywaitingforPrinceKarl。"BridgeandTownofMeissenareyourMajesty’s，"reportstheOldDessauerthatnight:uponwhichFriedrichinstantlyrises，hasteningthitherward。LehwaldcomesacrossMeissenBridge，effectsthedesiredjunction；andallMondaytheOldDessauerdefilesthroughMeissentownandterritory；
continuallyadvancestowardsDresden，theSaxonsharassingtheflanksofhimalittle，——nayinonedefile，beingsharpstrenuousfellows，theythrewhisrearintosomeconfusion；cutoffcertaincartsandprisoners，andthelifeofonebraveGeneral，Lieutenant—
GeneralRoel，whohadchargethere。"Spurringone’strotintoagallop！Thiscomesofyourfastmarching，ofyourspurringbeyondtherulesofwar！"thinksOldLeopold；andFriedrich，whoknowsotherwise，isveryangryforamoment。
Butindeedthecrisisispressing。PrinceKarlisacrosstheMetalMountains，nearingDresdenfromtheeast；FriedrichstrikesintomarchforthesamepointbyMeissen，sosoonastheBridgeishis。
OldLeopoldisadvancingthitherfromthewestward，——steadilyhourbyhour；DresdenCitythefatefulgoal。There，——inthesemiddledaysofDecember，1745（HighlandRebellionjustwhirlingbackfromDerbyagain，"theLondonshopsshutforoneday"），——itiscleartherewillbeabigandbloodygameplayedbeforewearemucholder。Verysadindeed:butCountBruhlisnotpersuadableotherwise。Byslumberingandsluggarding，overtheirmoney—tillsandflesh—pots；tryingtotakeevilforgood，andtosay，"Itwilldo，"whenitwillnotdo，respectableNationscomeatlasttobegovernedbyBruhls；cannothelpthemselves；——andgettheirbacksbrokeninconsequence。Whynot？WouldyouhaveaNationliveforeverthatiscontenttobegovernedbyBruhls？Thegodsarewiser！——Itisnowthe13th；OldDessauertrampingforward，hourbyhour，towardsDresdenandsomefieldofFate。
OnTuesday，14th，bybreakofday，OldDessauergetsonmarchagain；infourcolumns，inbattleorder；steadyallday，——hardwinterweather，groundcrisp，andfleckedwithsnow。ThePassatNeustadt，"hiscavalrywentintoitatfullgallop；"butfoundnobodythere。ThatnightheencampsataplacecalledRohrsdorf；
whichmaybeeightmileswest—by—northfromDresden，asthecrowflies；andtenormore，ifyoufollowthehighwayroundbyWilsdrufonyourright。TherealdirectHighwayfromMeissentoDresdenisontheothersideoftheElbe，andkeepsbytheRiver—bank，afinelevelroad；butonthiswesternside，whereLeopoldnowis，theroadisinland，andgoeswithabend。Leopold，ofcourse，keepscommandofthisroad；hiscolumnsareonbothsidesofit，Riverontheirleftatsomemilesdistance；andincessantlyexpecttofindRutowski，drawnoutonfavorablegroundsomewhere。Thecountryisoffertile，butverybrokencharacter；intersectedbymanybrooks，makingobliquelytowardstheElbe（obliquely，withaleaningMeissen—wards）；countryalwaysmounting，tillhereaboutRohrsdorfweseemtohavealmostreachedthewatershed，andthebrooksmakefortheElbe，leaningDresdenway。Goodpostsaboundinsuchbrokencountry，withitsvillagesandbrooks，withitsthickets，hedgesandpatchesofswamp。ButRutowskihasnotappearedanywhere，duringthisTuesday。
Ourfourcolumns，therefore，lieallnight，underarms，aboutRohrsdorf:andagainbymorrow’sdawnareastirintheoldorder，crunchingfarandwidethefrozenground；andadvance，chargedtothemuzzlewithpotentialbattle。Slightlyupwardsalways，totheactualwatershedofthecountry；leavingWilsdrufalittletotheirright。Wilsdrufishardlypast，whensee，fromthisbroadtable—
land，topofthecountry:"YonderisRutowski，atlast；——andthisnewWednesdaywillbeaday！"Yonder，sureenough:drawnoutthreeorfourmileslong；withhisrighttotheElbe，hislefttothatintricateVillageofKesselsdorf；bristlingwithcannon；
deepgulletandswampybrookinfrontofhim:thestrongestpostamancouldhavechoseninthoseparts。
TheVillageofKesselsdorfitselfliesratherinahollow；intheslightbeginning，oruppermostextremity，ofalittleValleyorDell，calledtheTschonengrund，——which，withits，quaggybrookofaTschone，wendsnortheastwardintotheElbe，acourseoffourorfivemiles:alittleValleyverydeepforitslength，andgettingaltogetherchasmyandprecipitoustowardstheElbe—wardorlowerend。Kesselsdorfitself，aswesaid，ismainlyinakindofhollow:
betweenOldLeopoldandKesselsdorfthegroundrathermounts；
andthereisperceptiblyaflatknollorriseattheheadofit，wheretheVillagebegins。Sometreesthere，andabundanceofcannonandgrenadiersatthismoment。Itisthesouthwesternorleft—mostpointofRutowski’sline；impregnablewithitscannon—batteriesandgrenadiers。RightwardRutowskiextendsinlonglines，withthequaggy—dellofTschonengrundinfrontofhim，paralleltohim；
Delleverdeepeningasitgoes。Northeastward，attheextremeright，orElbepointofit，whereGruneandtheAustriansstand，ithasgrownsochasmy，wejudgethatGrunecanneitheradvancenorbeMAP/PLANGOESHERE——book15continuation——page10——
advancedupon:soweleavehimstandingthere，——whichhedidallday，inapurelymeditativeposture。Rutowskinumbers35，000，nowonthisground，withimmensityofcannon；32，000we，withonlytheusualfield—artillery，andsuchaTschonengrund，withitshalf—
frozenquagmiresahead。Aticklishcasefortheoldman，ashegrimlyreconnoitresit，inthewintermorning。
GrimOldDessauerhavingreconnoitred，andrapidlyconsidered，decidestotryit，——whatelse？——willrangehimselfonthewestsideofthatTschonengrund，horseandfoot；twolines，wideasRutowskioppositehim；butmeanstodirecthismainandprimeeffortagainstKesselsdorf，whichisclearlythekeyoftheposition，ifitcan。
betaken。ForwhichendtheOldDessauerlengthenshimselfouttorightward，soastooutflankKesselsdorf；——neglectingGrune（refusingGrune，asthesoldierssay）:——"ourhorseoftherightwingreachedfromtheWoodcalledLerchenbusoh（LARCH—BUSH）
rightwardasfarasFreybergroad；footallbetweenthatLerchenbuschandthebigBirch—treeontheroadtoWilsdruf；
horseoftheleftwing，fromtheretoRoitsch。"[Stille（p。181），whowaspresent。SeePlan。]ItwasabouttwoP。M。beforetheoldmangotallhisdeploymentscompleted；whatcorpsofhis，deployingthiswayorthat，camewithinwindofKesselsdorf，weresalutedwithcannon，thirtypiecesormore，whichareinbattery，inthreebatteries，ontheknollthere；butotherwisenofightingasyet。
Attwo，theOldDessaueriscomplete；hereverentlydoffshishat，ashadalwaysbeenhiswont，inprayertoGod，beforegoingin。
Agrimfervorofprayerisinhisheart，doubtless；thoughthewordsasreportedarenotveryregularororthodox:"OHERRGOTT，helpmeyetthisonce；letmenotbedisgracedinmyolddays！
Orifthouwiltnothelpme，don’thelpthoseHUNDSVOGTE[damnedScoundrels，sotospeak]，butleaveustotryitourselves！"
ThatistheOldScandinavianofaDessauer’sprayer；akindofGODURhetoo，PriestaswellasCaptain:Prayermythicallytrueasgiven；mythically，nototherwise。[Ranke，iii。334n。]Whichdone，hewaveshishatonce，"On，inGod’sname！"andthestormisloose。
Prussianrightwingpushinggrandlyforward，bentinthatmanner，totakeKesselsdorfanditsfire—throatsinflank。
ThePrussianstramponwiththeusualgrim—browedresolution，footinfront，horseinrear；buttheyhaveaterribleproblematthatKesselsdorf，withitsretrenchedbatteries，andnumerousgrenadiersfightingundercover。Theverygroundissoreagainstthem；
uphill，andthetrampledsnowwearingintoaslide，sothatyousprawlandstaggersadly。Thirty—onebigguns，andabout9，000
small，pouringoutmeredeathonyou，fromthatknoll—head。
ThePrussiansstagger；cannotstandit；bendtorightwards，andgetoutofshot—range；cannotmanageitthisbout。Rally，reinforce；
tryitagain。Again，withawill；butagainthereisnotaway。
ThePrussiansareagainrepulsed；fallback，downthisslipperycourse，inmoredisorderthanthefirsttime。HadtheSaxonsstoodstill，steadilyhandlingarms，how，onsuchterms，couldthePrussianseverhavemanagedit？
Butatsightofthissecondrepulse，theSaxongrenadiers，andespeciallyonebattalionofAustrianswhowerethere（theonlyAustrianswhofoughtthisday），gaveashout"Victory！"——andintheheightoftheirenthusiasm，rushedout，thisAustrianbattalionfirstandtheSaxonsafterthem，tochargethesePrussians，andsweeptheworldclearofthem。Itwastheruinoftheirbattle；
afatalhollaingbeforeyouareoutofthewoods。OldLeopold，quickasthought，noticingthething，hurlscavalryonthesevictoriousdown—plunginggrenadiers；slashesthemasunder，intomererecoilingwhirlpoolsofruin；sothat"fewofthemgotbackunwounded；"andthePrussiansstorminginalongwiththem，——aidedbyevernewPrussians，frombeyondtheTschonengrundeven，——theplacewasatlengthcarried；andtheSaxonbattlebecamehopeless。
For，theirrightbeinginsuchhurricane，thePrussiansfromthecentre，aswehint，stormforwardwithal；willnotbeheldbackbytheTschonengrund。TheyfindtheTschonengrundquaggyintheextreme，"brookfrozenatthesides，butwaist—deepofliquidmudinthecentre；"crossit，nevertheless，towardstheupperpartofit，——youngMoritzofDessauleadingtheway，tohelphisoldFatherinextremity。Theyclimbtheoppositeside，——quiteslipperyinplaces，but"helpingoneanotherup；"——noSaxonstheretillyougetfairlyatop，whichwasanoversightontheSaxonpart。Fairlyatop，MoritzissalutedbytheSaxonswithdiligentmusket—volleys；
butMoritzalsohasmusket—volleysinhim，bayonet—chargesinhim；
eagertohelphisoldPapaatthishardpinch。OldPapahastheSaxonsinflank；sendsmoreandevermoreothercavalryinonthem；
andinfact，therightwingaltogetherstormsviolentlythroughKesselsdorf，andsweepsitclean。WholeregimentsoftheSaxonsaremadeprisoners；Roel’sLightHorseweseethere，takingstandards；
cuttingviolentlyintoavengeRoel’sdeath，andtheaffronttheyhadatMeissenlately。FuriousMoritzontheirfront，fromacrosstheTschonengrund；furiousRoel（GHOSTofRoel）andothersintheirflank，throughKesselsdorf:nostandingfortheSaxonslonger。
Aboutnightfall，——theirhorsehavingmadepoorishfight，thoughthefoothadstoodtoitlikemen，——theyrolluniversallyaway。
ThePrussianleftwingofhorsearesummonedthroughtheTschonengrundtochase:hadthereremainedanotherhourofdaylight，theSaxonArmyhadbeenonewideruin。Hiddenindarkness，theSaxonArmyebbedconfusedlytowardsDresden:withthelossof6，000prisonersand3，000killedandwounded:acompletelybeatenArmy。ItisthelastbattletheSaxonsfoughtasaNation，——
orprobablywillfight。BattlecalledofKesselsdorf:Wednesday，15thDecember，1745。
PrinceKarlhadarrivedatDresdenthenightbefore；heardallthisvolleyingandcannonading，fromthedistance；butdidnotseegoodtointerfereatall。Toowideapart，somesay；quarteredatunreasonablydistantvillages，bysomeirrefragableignorantWar—
clerkofBruhl’sappointing，——fatalBruhl。Otherssay，hisHighnesshadhimselfnomind；andmadeexcusesthathistroopsweretired，disheartenedbythetwobeatingslately，——whatwillbecomeofusincaseofathirdorfourth！Itiscertain，PrinceKarldidnothing。
NorhasGrime’scorps，therightwing，doneanythingexceptmeditate:——itstoodthereunattacked，unattacking；tilldeepinthedarknight，whenRutowskirememberedit，andsentitordertocomehome。OneAustrianbattalion，thatofgrenadiersontheknollatKesselsdorf，didactuallyfight；——anddidbeginthatfataloutbreak，andquittingofthepostthere；"whichlosttheBattletous！"saytheSaxons。
Hadthosegrenadiersstoodintheirplace，thereisnoPrussianbutadmitsthatitwouldhavebeenaterriblebusinesstotakeKesselsdorfanditsbatteries。Buttheydidnotstand；theyrushedout，shouting"Victory；"andlostusthebattle。AndthatisthegoodwehavegotofthesublimeAustrianAlliance；andthatisthepassourgrandschemeofPartitioningPrussiahascometo？
FatallittleBruhlofthethreehundredandsixty—fiveclothes—
suits；ValetfatallybecomedivineinValet—hood，——arenotyoucostingyourCountrydear！
OldDessauer，gloriousinthelastofhisfields，layonhisarmsallnightinthepostsabout；threebulletsthroughhisroquelaure，noscratchofwoundupontheoldman。YoungMoritztoo"hadabulletthroughhiscoat—skirt，andthreehorsesshotunderhim；
butnohurt，theAlmighty’sgracepreservinghim。"
[Feldzuge，i。434。]ThisMoritzistheThirdoftheBrothers，agenowthirty—three；andweshallhearconsiderablyabouthimintimescoming。Alean，tall，austereman；
and，"ofalltheBrothers，mostresembledhisFatherinhisways。"
PrinceDietrichisinLeipzigatpresent；lookingtothatcontributionof50，000pounds；tothat，andtoothercontributionsandnecessarymatters；——andhasdoneallhisfighting（asitchanced），thoughhesurvivedhisBrothersmanyyears。OldPapawillnowgethisdischargebeforelong（quitesuddenly，onemorning，byparalyticstroke，7thApril，1747）；andresthonorablywiththeSonsofThor。[YoungLeopold，thesuccessor，died16thDecember，1751，agefifty—two；Dietrich（whohadthereuponquittedsoldiering，totakechargeofhisNephewleftminor，anddidnotresumeit），died2dDecember，1769；Moritz（soldiertothelast），11thApril，1760。SeeMilitair—Lexikon，i。
43，34，38，47。]
ChapterXV。
PEACEOFDRESDEN:FRIEDRICHDOESMARCHHOME。
FriedrichhimselfhadgottoMeissen，Tuesday，l4th；noenemyonhisroad，ornonetospeakof:Friedrichwasthere，ornotyetfaracross，allWednesday；collectinghimself，waiting，ontheslip，forasignalfromOldLeopold。Soundofcannon，uptheElbeDresden—ward，isreportedtheretoFriedrich，thatafternoon:
cannon，sureenough，notesFriedrich；anddeepdim—rollingpeals，asofvolleyingsmall—arms；"theskyallonfireoverthere，"asthehoar—frostyeveningfell。OldLeopoldbusyatit，seemingly。
ThatistheglareoftheOldDessauer’scountenance；whoisgivingvoice，inthatmanner，totheearthlyandtheheavenlypowers；
conqueringPeaceforus，letushope！
Friedrich，asmaybesupposed，madehisbestspeednextmorning:
"Allwell！"saythemessengers；allwell，saysOldLeopold，whomhemeetsatWilsdruf，andwelcomeswithajoyfulembrace；
"dismountingfromhishorse，atsightofLeopold，andadvancingtomeethimwithdoffedhatandopenarms，"——andsuchwordsandtreatments，thatday，asmadetheoldman’sfacevisiblyshine。
"YourHighnessshallconductme！"AndthetwomadesurveytogetheroftheactualFieldofKesselsdorf；strewnwiththeghastlywrecksofbattle，——manycitizensofDresdenstrollingabout，orsorrowfullyseekingfortheirlostonesamongthewoundedanddead。
Nohurttothesepoorcitizens，whodreadnone；helptothemrather:suchisFriedrich’smind，——concerningwhich，intheAnecdote—Books，thereareNarratives（notworthgiving）ofavapidlyromanticcharacter，crediblethoughinexact。[Fortheindisputablepart，seeOrlich，ii。343，344；andOEuvresdeFrederic，iii。170。]Friedrich，whomaywellbeprofuseofthanksandpraises，charmstheOldDessauerwhiletheywalktogether；braveoldmanwithhisholedroquelaure。
Forcertain，hehasdonetheworkthere，——agreatdealofworkinhistime！Joylooksthroughhisoldroughface，ofgunpowdercolor:
theHerrGotthasnotdeliveredhimtothosedamnedScoundrelsintheendofhisdays。——Onthemorrow，Friday，LeopoldrolledgrandlyforwarduponDresden；RutowskiandPrinceKarlvanishingintotheMetalMountains，byPirna，forBohemia，atsoundofhim，——ashehadscarcelyhopedtheywould。
OntheSaturdayevening，Dresden，capableofnottheleastdefence，hasopenedallitsgates，andFriedrichandthePrussiansareinDresden；AustriansandwreckedSaxonsfallingbackdiligentlytowardstheMetalMountainsforBohemia，diligenttocleartheroadforhim。QueenandJuniorPrincesarehere；towhom，astoallmen，Friedrichiscourtesyitself；makingpersonalvisittotheRoyalties，appointingguardsofhonor，sacredrespecttotheRoyalHouses；himselfwilllodgeatthePrincessLubomirski’s，aprivatemansion。
"Thatferocious，false，ambitiousKingofPrussia"——Well，heisnottoberuinedinopenfight，onthecontraryisruinousthere；
norbythecunningestambuscades，andsecretcombinations，infieldorcabinet:ouroverwhelmingWinterInvasionofhim——seewhereithasended！BruhlandPolishMajesty——thenocturnalskyallonfireinthoseparts，andloudgeneraldoomsdaycome——areamuch—
illuminatedpairofgentlemen。
FromthetimeMeissenBridgewaslost，PrinceKarltooshowinghimselfsolanguid，evenBruhlhaddiscernedthatthecasewasdesperate。OntheverydayofKesselsdorf，——notthedayBEFORE，whichwouldhavebeensuchathrifttoBruhlandothers！——FriedrichhadaNotefromVilliers，signifyingjoyfullythathisPolishMajestywouldacceptPeace。ThankstohisPolishMajesty:——andafterKesselsdorf，perhapstheEmpress—Queentoowill！
Friedrich’soffersarepreciselywhattheywere，whattheyhavealwaysbeen:"ConventionofHanover；that，inallitsparts；
oldtreatyofBreslau，tobeguaranteed，tobeactuallykept。TomeSilesiasure；——fromyou，PolishMajesty，onemillioncrownsasdamagesforthetroubleandcostthisTripleAmbuscadeofyourshasgivenme；onemillioncrowns，150，000poundswewillsay；andallotherrequisitionstoceaseonthedayofsignature。Thesearemyterms:acceptthese；thenwholly，Asyouwere，Empress—Queenandyou，andallsurvivingcreatures:andImarchhomewithinaweek。"
VilliersspeedsrapidlyfromPrag，withthedueolive—branch；
withCountHarrach，experiencedAustrian，andfullpowers。
Harrachcannotbelievehissenses:"Suchthetermstobestillgranted，afterallthesebeatingsandrebeatings！"——thenatlastdoesbelieve，withstiffthankfulnessandAustrianbows。
TheNegotiationneednotoccupymanyhours。
"HisMajestyofPrussiawasfartoohastywiththisPeace，"saysValori:"hehadtakenathreapthathewouldhaveitfinishedbeforetheYearwasdone:"——infact，heknowshisownmind，MON
GROSVALORI，andthatiswhatfewdo。Youshearthroughnoendofcobwebswiththatfineimplement，awiselyfixedresolutionofyourown。APeaceslowenoughforValoriandtheFrench:wherecouldthatbelookedfor？——ValoriisatBerlin，incompletedisgrace；
hisMostChristianKinghavingbehavedsolikeaTurkoflate。
Valori，horror—struckatsuchPeace，whatshallhedotopreventit，toretardit？Oneeffortatleast。D’ArgethisSecretary，stolenatJaromirz，issafebacktohim；ingenious，ingenuousD’ArgetwasalwaysafavoritewithFriedrich:despatchD’Argettohim。D’Argetisdespatched；withreasons，withremonstrances，withconsiderations。D’Arget’sNarrativeisgiven:aningenuousoff—handPiece；——poorlittlecrevice，throughwhichthereisstilltobehad，singularlyclear，andcredibleineverypoint，adirectglimpseofFriedrich’sownthoughts，inthatmany—soundingDresden，——soloud，thatweek，withdinner—parties，withoperas，balls，Prussianwar—drums，grand—paradesandPeace—negotiations。
THESIEURD’ARGETTOEXCELLENCYVALORI（atBerlin）。
"DRESDEN，1745"（datelessotherwise，mustbeDecember，between18thand25th）。
"MONSEIGNEUR，——Iarrivedyesterdayat7P。M。；asIhadthehonorofforewarningyou，bythewordIwrotetotheAbbe[nevermindwhatAbbe；anotherValori—Clerk]fromSonnenwalde[myhalf—wayhousebetweenBerlinandthisCity]。Iwent，firstofall，toM。deVaugrenand，"ourEnvoyhere；"whohadthegoodnesstoopenhimselftomeontheBusinessnowonhand。Inmyopinion，nothingcanbeaddedtotheexcellentconsiderationshehasbeenurgingontheKingofPrussiaandtheCountdePodewils。
"Athalf—past8，IwenttohisPrussianMajesty’s；IfoundhewasengagedwithhisConcert，"——lodgesintheLubomirskiPalace，hashissnatchofmelodyintheeveningofsuchdiscordantdays，——
"andIcouldnotseehimtillafterhalf—past9。IannouncedmyselftoM。Eichel；hewastoooverwhelmedwithaffairstogivemeaudience。IaskedforCountRothenburg；hewasatcardswiththePrincessLubomirski。Atlast，IdidgettotheKing:whoreceivedmeinthemostagreeableway；butwasjustgoingtoSupper；saidhemustputoffansweringtillto—morrowmorning，morningofthisday。
M。deVaugrenandhadbeensogoodaspreparemeontherumorsofaPeacewithSaxonyandtheQueenofHungary。IwenttoM。Podewils；
whosaidagreatmanykindthingstomeforyou。Icouldonlysketchoutthematter，atthattime；andrepresentedtoPodewilsthebrilliantpositionofhisMaster，whohadbecomeArbiterofthePeaceofEurope；thatthemomentwascomeformakingthisPeaceaGeneralOne，andthatperhapstherewouldberoomforrepentanceafterwards，iftheopportunitywereslighted。Hesaid，hisMaster’sobjectwasthatsame；andthusclosedtheconversationbygeneralquestions。
"Thismorning，IagainpresentedmyselfattheKingofPrussia’s。
Ihadtowait，andwait；infine，itwasnottillhalf—past5intheeveningthathereturned，orgavemeadmittance；andIstayedwithhimtillafter7，"——whenConcert—timewasathandagain。
ListentoaremarkableDialogue，oftheConqueringHerowithahumbleFriendwhomhelikes。"HisMajestycondescended（ADAIGNE）
toenterwithmeintoallmannerofdetails；andbeganbytellingme，"ThatM。deValorihaddoneadmirablynottocome，himself，withthatLetterfromtheKing[MostChristian，OURKing；Letter，thesicklyDocumentabovespokenof]；thattherecouldnothavebeenanAnswerexpected，——theLetterbeingalmostofironicalstrain；
hisMajesty[MostChristian]notgivinghimtheleasthope，butmerelytalkingofhisfinegenius，andhowthatwouldextricatehimfromtheperilousentanglement，andinspirehimwithawiseresolutioninthematter！Thathehad，ineffect，takenaresolutionthewisesthecould；andwasmakinghisPeacewithSaxonyandtheQueenofHungary。Thathehadfeltallthedangersofthedifficultsituationshehadbeenin，"——sheerdestructionyawningallroundhim，inhugeimminency，morethanonce，andnofriendheeding；——"that，wearyofplayingalwaysdouble—or—quits，hehaddeterminedtoendit，andgetintoastateoftranquillity，whichbothhimselfandhisPeoplehadsuchneedof。ThatFrancecouldnot，withoutdifficulty，haveremediedhismishaps；andthathesawbytheKing’sLetter，therewasnoteventhewishtodoit。
Thathis，Friedrich’s，militarycareerwascompleted，"——sofarasHEcouldforeseeordecide！"ThathewouldnotagainexposehisCountrytotheCapricesofFortune，whosepastconstancytohimwassufficientlyastonishingtoraisefearsofareverse（HEAR！）。
Thathisambitionswerefulfilled，inhavingcompelledhisEnemiestoaskPeacefromhimintheirownCapital，withtheChancellorofBohemia[Harrach，typifyingfallenAustrianpride]obligedtoco—operate。
"ThathewouldalwaysbeattachedtoourKing’sinterests，andsetallthevalueintheworldonhisfriendship；butthathehadnotbeensufficientlyassistedtobecontent。That，observinghenceforthanexactneutrality，hemightbeenabledtodoofficesofmediation；andtocarry，totheonesideandtotheother，wordsofpeace。Thatheofferedhimselfforthatobject，andwouldbecharmedtohelpinit；butthathewasfixedtostopthere。ThatinregardtothebasisofGeneralPeace，hehadTwoIdeas[whichthereadercanattendto，andseewheretheydifferedfromtheEvent，andwherenot]:——Onewas，ThatFranceshouldkeepYpres，Furnes，Tournay[whichFrancedidnot]，givinguptheNetherlandsotherwise，withOstend，totheEnglish[totheEnglish！]inexchangeforCapeBreton。Theotherwas，TogiveupmoreofourConquests[wegavethemallup，andgotonlytheglory，andourCod—fishery，CapeBreton，back，theEnglishbeingequallygenerous]，andbargainforlibertytore—establishDunkirkinitsoldcondition[notawordofyourDunkirk；thereisyourCapeBreton，andwealsowillgohomewithwhatglorythereis，——notdifficulttocarry！]。ButthatitwasbyEnglandwemustmaketheovertures，withoutaddressingourselvestotheCourtofVienna；
andputitinhis，Friedrich’s，powertoproposeareceivableProjectofPeace。ThathewellconceivedthegreatpointwastheQueenofSpain[TermagantandJenkins’sEar；Termagant’sHusband，stillliving，isalappetofTermagant’sself]:butthatshemustcontentherselfwithParmaandPiacenzafortheInfant，DonPhilip[whichtheTermagantdid]；andgivebackherholdofSavoy[partialhold，ofnousetoherwithoutthePasses]totheKingofSardinia。"AndoftheJENKINS’S—EARquestion，generousEnglandwillsaynothing？Nexttonothing；hopesamodicumofputtyanddiplomaticvarnishmayclosethattroublesomequestion，——whichsprings，meanwhile，inthecentreoftheworld！——
"ThesekindcondescensionsofhisMajestyemboldenedmetorepresenttohimthebrilliantpositionhenowheld；andhownobleitwouldbe，afterhavingbeentheHeroofGermany，tobecome，insteadofone’sownpacificator，thePacificatorofEurope。
’Igrantyou，’saidhe，（MONCHERD’Arget；butitistoodangerousapartforplaying。Areversebringsmetotheedgeofruin:IknowtoowellthemoodofmindIwasin，lasttimeIleftBerlin[withthatThree—leggedImmensityofAtropos，NOTyetmowndownatHennersdorfbyaluckycut]，evertoexposemyselftoitagain！
Ifluckhadbeenagainstmethere，IsawmyselfaMonarchwithoutthrone；andmysubjectsinthecruelestoppression。Abadgamethat:always，mereCHECKTOYOURKING；noothermove；——Ireferittoyou，friendD’Arget:——infine，Iwishtobeatpeace。’
"IrepresentedtohimthattheHouseofAustriawouldnever，withatranquileye，seehisHouseinpossessionofSilesia。’Thosethatcomeafterme，’saidhe，’willdoastheylike；theFutureisbeyondman’sreach。Thosethatcomeafterwilldoastheycan。
Ihaveacquired；itistheirstopreserve。IamnotinalarmabouttheAustrians；——andthisismyanswertowhatyouhavebeensayingabouttheweaknessofmyguarantees。TheydreadmyArmy；theluckthatIhave。Iamsureoftheirsittingquietforthedozenyearsorsowhichmayremaintomeoflife；——quiettillIhave，mostlikely，donewithit。What！Arewenevertohaveanygoodofourlife，then（NEDOIS—JEDONCJAMAISJOUIR）？Thereismoreformeinthetruegreatnessoflaboringforthehappinessofmysubjects，thaninthereposeofEurope。IhaveputSaxonyoutofaconditiontodohurt。Sheowes14，775，000crownsofdebt[twomillionsandaquartersterling]；andbytheDefensiveAlliancewhichIformwithher，Iprovidemyself[butaskBruhlwithal！]ahelpagainstAustria。Iwouldnothenceforthattackacat，excepttodefendmyself。’["Thesearehisverywords，"addsD’Arget；——andwellworthnoting。]（Ambition（GLOIRE）andmyinterestsweretheoccasionofmyfirstCampaigns。ThelateKaiser’ssituation，andmyzealforFrance[nottomentioninterestsagain]，gaverisetothesesecond:
andIhavebeenfightingalwayssinceformyownhearths，——formyveryexistence，Imightsay！Oncemore，IknowthestateIhadgotinto:——ifIsawPrinceKarlatthegatesofParis，Iwouldnotstir。’——’AndusatthegatesofVienna，’answeredIpromptly，’withthesameindifference？’——’Yes；andIswearittoyou，D’Arget。Inaword，Iwanttohavesomegoodofmylife（VEUXJOUIR）。Whatarewe，poorhumanatoms，togetupprojectsthatcostsomuchblood？
Letuslive，andhelptolive。’
"Therestoftheconversationpassedingeneraltalk，aboutLiterature，Theatresandsuchobjects。Myreasoningsandobjectings，onthegreatmatter，Ineednotfartherdetail:bythefrankdiscoursehisPrussianMajestywaskindenoughtogointo，youmaygatherperhapsthatmyargumentswerevarious，andnotill—
chosen；——anditistooevidenttheyhaveallbeeninvain。"——
YourExcellency’s（reallyinaveryfaithfulway）——D’ARGET。
[Valori，i。290—294（nodate，except"Dresden，1745，"——sleepyEditorfeelingnowantofany）。]
D’Arget，aboutamonthafterthis，wastakenintoFriedrich’sservice；Valoriconsenting，whoseoccupationwasnowgone；——andweshallhearofD’Argetagain。TakethissmallNote，assummaryofhim:"D’Arget（18thJanuary，1746）hadsometitle，’SecretaryatOrders（SECRETAIREDESCOMMANDEMENTS），’bitofpension；andcontinuedinthecharacterofreader，ormiscellaneousliteraryattendantandagent，verymuchlikedbyhisMaster，forsixyearscoming。Amanmuchheardof，duringthoseyearsofoffice。
March，1752，havinglosthisdearlittlePrussianWife，andgotintoillhealthandspirits，heretiredonleavetoParis；andnextyearhadtogiveupthethoughtofreturning；——thoughhestill，andtotheend，continuedloyallyattachedtohisoldMaster，andmoreorlessincorrespondencewithhim。Hadgot，beforelong，notthroughFriedrich’sinfluenceatParis，somesmallAppointmentintheECOLEMILITAIREthere。Heis，ofalltheFrenchmenFriedrichhadabouthim，withtheexceptionofD’Argensalone，themosthonest—hearted。TheaboveLetter，lucid，innocent，modest，altogetherrationalandpractical，isafairspecimenofD’Arget:
addtoitthepromptself—sacrifice（andinthatfinesilentway）
atJaromirzforValori，andreadersmayconceivetheman。HelivedatParis，inmeagrebutcontentedfashion，RUEDEL’ECOLE
MILITAIRE，till1778；andseems，ofalltheEx—PrussianFrenchmen，tohaveknownmostaboutFriedrich；andtohaveneverspokenanyfalsityagainsthim。Duvernet，the’M————’BiographerofVOLTAIRE，frequentedhimagooddeal；andanytruenotions，orglimmeringsofsuch，thathehasaboutPrussia，areprobablyascribabletoD’Arget。"[SeeOEuvresdeFrederic，xx。
（p。xiiofPREFACEtotheD’ARGETCORRESPONDENCEthere）。]
TheTreatyofDresdencanbereadinScholl，Flassan，Rousset，Adelung；but，exceptoncompulsion，nocreaturewillnowreadit，——
nordidthisEditor，evenhe，finditpay。Peaceismade。PeaceofDresdenissigned，ChristmasDay，1745:"TomeSilesia，withoutfarthertreacheryortrick；you，whollyasyouwere。"Europeatlarge，asFriedrichhaddone，sees"theskyallonfireaboutDresden。"Thefiercebigbattlesdoneagainstthismanhave，oneandallofthem，becomebigdefeats。Thestrenuousmachinations，high—builtplanscunninglydevised，——theutmostsum—totalofwhattheImperialandRoyalPotenciescan，forthelifeofthem，do:
behold，ithasalltumbleddownhere，inloudcrash；thefinalpealofitatKesselsdorf；andtheconsummationisflameandsmoke，conspicuousoveralltheNations。Youwilllethimkeephisownhenceforth，then，willyou？Silesia，whichwasNOTyoursnorevershallbe？Silesiaandnoafterthought？TheSaxonssign，thehighPlenipotentiariesall；intheeyesofVilliers，Iamtold，wereseensublimelypioustears。Harrach，bowingwithstiff，almostincredulous，gratitude，swearsandsigns；——hurrieshometohisSovereignLady，withPeace，andsuchasmileonhisface；andonherImperialMajesty’ssuchasmile！——readersshallconceiveit。
TherearebutTwonewpointsintheTreatyofDresden，——nayproperlythereisbutOnepoint，aboutwhichposteritycanhavetheleastcareorinterest；forthatother，concerning"TheTollofSchidlo，"andsettlementofhagglesontheNavigationoftheElbethere，wasnotkeptbytheSaxons，butcontinuedahagglestill:
thisOnepointistheEleventhArticle。Inconceivablysmall；
butliabletoturnuponusagain，inamemorablemanner。Thatletustranslate，——forM。deVoltaire’ssake，andtimecoming！
STEUERmeansLand—Tax；OBER—STEUER—EINNAHMEwillbesomethinglikeRoyalExchequer，therefore；andSTEUER—SCHEINwillbeapproximatelyequivalenttoExchequerBill。ArticleEleventhstipulates:
"AllsubjectsandservantsofhisMajestytheKingofPrussiawhoholdbondsoftheSaxonOBER—STEUER—EINNAHMEshallbepaidinfull，capitalandinterest，atthetimes，andtotheamount，specifiedinsaidSTEUER—SCHEINEorBonds。"ThatisArticleEleventh。——
"TheSaxonExchequer，"saysanoldNoteonit，"thankstoBruhl’sextravagance，hasbeenasgoodasbankrupt，payingwithinconvertiblepaper，withSCHEINE（ThingstobeSHOWN），forsometimepast；whichpaperhasaccordinglysunk，letussay，25percentbelowitsnominalamountingold。AllPrussiansubjects，whoholdtheseBonds，aretobepaidingold；Saxons，andothers，willhavetobecontentwithpapertillthingscomeroundagain，ifthingseverdo。"Yes；——and，byillchance，thematterwillattractM。deVoltaire’skeeneyeintheinterim！
FriedrichstayedeightdaysinDresden，theloudthemeofGazetteersandrumors；theadmiredoftwoclasses，inallCountries:ofthemanywhoadmiresuccess，andalsoofthefewwhocanunderstandwhatitistodeservesuccess。AmonghisownCountrymen，thislastWinterhaskindledalltheiradmirationstotheflamingpitch。Savedbyhimfromimminentdestruction；
theirenemiesswepthomeasifbyoneinvincible；nay，senthomeinakindofnobleshame，conqueredbygenerosity。Thesefeelings，thoughnotencouragedtospeak，runveryhigh。TheDresdenersinprivatesocietyfoundhimdelightful；thehighladiesespecially:
"Couldyouhavethoughtit；terrificMarstobecomeradiantApollointhismanner！"FromconsiderableCollectionsofAnecdotesillustratingthisfact，inawaynowfallenvapidtous，——IselectonlytheIntroduction:——
"DoreadersrecollectFriedrich’sfirstvisittoDresden[in1728]，seventeenyearsago；andacertaincharmingyoungCountessFlemming，atthattimeonlyfourteen；who，likeaHebeasshewas，contrivedbeautifulsurprisesforhim，andamongotherthingspresentedhim，sogracefully，onthepartofAugusttheStrong，withhisfirstflute？"——NoreaderofthisHistorycanrecollectit；
norindeed，exceptinamythicsense，believeit！AyoungCountessFlemming（daughterofoldFeldmarschallFlemming）doubtlesstheremightbe，whopresentedhimaflute；butastoHISFIRSTflute——？
"ThatsamecharmingyoungCountessFlemmingisstillhere，agenowthirty—one；charming，morethanever，thoughnowunderachangedname；havingweddedaVonRacknitz（SupremeGentleman—Usher，orsomesuchthing）afewyearsago，andbroughthimchildrenandtheusualfelicities。Howmuchischanged！AugusttheStrong，whereishe；andhisfamousThreeHundredandFifty—four，EnchantressOrzelskaandtheothers，wherearethey？EnchantressOrzelskawedded，quarrelled，andisinaconvent:hercharmingdestinyconcluded。RutowskiisnotnowinthePrussianArmy:hegotbeaten，Wednesdaylast，atKesselsdorf，fightingagainstthatArmy。AndtheChevalierdeSaxe，hetoowasbeatenthere；——clamberingnowacrosstheMetalMountains，asknotofhim。AndtheMarechaldeSaxe，hetakesCities，fightsBattlesofFontenoy，’mumblingaleadbulletallday；’beingdropsical，nearlydeadofdebaucheries；themostdissolute（orprobablyso）ofalltheSonsofAdaminhisday。
AugustthePhysicallyStrongisdead。AugusttheSpirituallyWeakisfledtoPragwithhisBruhl。Andwedonotcome，thistime，togetaflute；buttosettletheaccountofVictories，andgivePeacetoNations。Strange，hereasalways，tolookback，——tolookroundorforward，——inthemadhugewhirlofthatloud—roaringLoomofTime！——OneofCountessRacknitz’sSonshappenedtoleaveMANUSCRIPT
DIARIES[ratherfeeble，nottooexact—looking]，andgivesus，fromMamma’sreminiscences"……Notawordmore。[Rodenbeck，
Beitrage，i。440，etseq。]
ThePeace，wesaid，wassignedonChristmas—day。Nextday，Sunday，FriedrichattendedSermonintheKreuzkirche（ProtestantHigh—
ChurchofDresden），attendedOperawithal；andonMondaymorninghadvanishedoutofDresden，asallhispeoplehaddone，orwerediligentlydoing。Tuesday，hedinedbrieflyatWusterhausen（aplaceweonceknewwell），withthePrinceofPrussia，whoseitnowis；gotintohisopencarriageagain，withthesaidPrinceandhisotherBrotherFerdinand；anddroveswiftlyhomeward。Berlin，drunkwithjoy，wasalloutonthestreets，waiting。OntheHeathofBritz，fourorfivemileshitherwardofBerlin，abodyofyounggentlemen（"Merchantsmostly，whohadriddenoutsofar"）salutedhimwith"VIVATFRIEDRICHDERGROSSE（LongliveFriedrichTHE
GREAT）！"thriceover；——asdid，inalessarticulatemanner，Berlinwithonevoice，onhisarrivalthere；BurgherCompaniesliningthestreets；Populationvigorouslyshouting；PupilsoftheKolnGymnasium，withClericalandSchoolFunctionariesinmass，breakingoutintoLatinSong:——
"VIVAT，VIVATFRIDERICUSREX；
VIVATAUGUSTUS，MAGNUS，FELIX，PATER，PATRI—AE——！"
——andwhatnot。[Preuss，i。220；whocitesBeschreibung（"DescriptionofhisMajesty’sTriumphantEntry，onthe"&c。）andotherContemporaryPamphlets。Rodenbeck，i。124。]
OnreachingthePortalofthePalace，hisMajestysteptdown；
and，glancingroundtheSchloss—Platzandthecrowdedwindowsandsimmeringmultitudes，saluted，takingoffhishat；whichproducedsuchashout，——naturallytheloudestofall。AndsoEXITKing，intohisinterior。Tuesday，2—3P。M。，28thDecember，1745:aKingnew—
christenedintheabovemanner，sofaraspeoplecould。
IlluminatedBerlinshonelikenoon，allthatnight（thebeginningofaGAUDEAMUSwhichlastedmiscellaneouslyforweeks）:——buttheKingstoleawaytoseeafriendwhowasdying；thatpoorDuhandeJaudun，hisearlySchoolmaster，whohadsufferedmuchforhim，andwhomhealwaysmuchloved。Duhandied，inadayortwo。
PoorJordan，poorKeyserling（the"Cesarion"ofyoungdays）:
themalsohehaslost；andoftenlaments，inthisotherwisebrighttime。{InOEuvres，xvii。288；xviii。141；
IB。142（painfullytenderLetterstoFrauvonCamasandothers，ontheseevents）。
ENDOFBOOKXV
HistoryofFriedrichIIofPrussiaV16
ByThomasCarlyleBOOKXVI。
THETENYEARSOFPEACE。
1746—1756。
ChapterI。
SANS—SOUCI。
Friedrichhasnowclimbedtheheights，andseeshimselfontheuppertable—landofVictoryandSuccess；hisdesperatelife—and—
deathstrugglestriumphantlyended。Whatmaybeahead，nobodyknows；buthereisfairoutlookthathisenemiesandAustriaitselfhavehadenoughofhim。NowringingofhisSilesiafromthis"badMan。"Nottobeoverset，thisone，byneversuchexertions；
oversetsUS，onthecontrary，plungesusheels—over—headintotheditch，sooftenasweliketoapplytohim；nothingbutheavybeatings，disastrousbreakingofcrowns，tobehadontryingthere！
"FiveVictories！"asVoltairekeepscountingonhisfingers，withupturnedeyes，——Mollwitz，Chotusitz，Striegau，Sohr，Kesselsdorf（thelastdonebyAnhalt；butomittingHennersdorf，andthatsuddenslittingofthebigSaxon—AustrianProjectsintoacloudoffeathers，asfineafeatasany），——"FiveVictories！"countsVoltaire；callingoneverybody（oreverybodybutFriedrichhimself，whoiseasilysatedwiththatkindofthing）toadmire。IntheworldaremanyopinionsaboutFriedrich。InAustria，forinstance，whatanopinion；sinister，gloomyintheextreme:orinEngland，whichderivesfromAustria，——onlywithadditionaldimness，andwithgloomynewprovocationsofitsownbeforelong！ManyopinionsaboutFriedrich，alldimenough:butthis，thatheisaverydemonforfighting，andthestoutestKingwalkingtheEarthjustnow，maywellbeauniversalone。Amanbetternotbemeddledwith，ifhewillbeatpeace，asheprofessestowishbeing。
Friedrichaccordinglyisnotmeddledwith，ornotopenlymeddledwith；andhas，fortheTenorElevenYearscoming，atimeofperfectexternalPeace。Hehimselfisdecided"nottofightwithacat，"ifhecangetthepeacekept；andforabouteightyearshopesconfidentlythatthis，bygoodmanagement，willcontinuepossible；
——till，inthelastthreeyears，electricsymptomsdidagaindisclosethemselves，andsuchhopemoreandmorediedaway。ItiswellknowntherelayinthefatesaThirdSilesianWarforhim，worsethanboththeothers；whichisnowthemainsegmentofhisHistorystilllyingaheadforus，werethisHalcyonPerioddone。
HalcyonPeriodcountsfromChristmas—day，Dresden，1745，——"fromthisday，Peacetotheendofmylife！"hadbeenFriedrich’sfondhope。Butonthe9thdayofSeptember，1756，FriedrichwasagainenteringDresden（Saxonysometwelvedaysbefore）；andtheCrowningStruggleofhisLifewas，beyondallexpectation，foundtobestilllyingaheadforhim，awfullydubiousforSevenYearsthereafter！——
Friedrich’sHistoryduringthisinterveningHalcyonorPeacePeriodmust，insomeway，bemadeknowntoreaders:butforagreatmanyreasons，especiallyatpresent，itbehoovestobegivenincompressedform；riddleddown，toanimmenseextent，outofthosesadPrussianRepositories，wherethegrainofperennial，ofsignificantandstillmemorable，liesoverwhelmedunderrubbish—
mountainsofthefairlyextinct，thepoisonouslydustyandforgettable；——ACHHIMMEL！Whichindispensablepreliminaryprocess，howcananEnglishEditor，atthistime，doit；noPrussian，atanytime，havingthoughtoftryingit！FromapainfulPredecessorofmine，Icollect，rummagingamonghisdismalPaper—masses，thefollowingThreeFragments，worthreadinghere:——
1。"Friedrichwasasbusy，inthoseYears，asinthegeneralityofhislife；andhisactions，andsalutaryconquestsoverdifficulties，weremany，profitabletoPrussiaandtohimself。
Verywellworthkeepinginmind。ButnotfitforHistory；oratleastonlyfitinthesummaryform；tobedelineatedinlittle，withlargegenericstrokes，——ifwehadthemeans；——suchdetailsbelongingtothePrussianAntiquary，ratherthantotheEnglishHistorianofFriedrichinourday。AhappyTenYearsoftime。
PerhapsthetimeforMontesquieu’saphorism，’HappythePeoplewhoseAnnalsareblankinHistory—Books！’ThePrussianAntiquary，hadheoncegotanyimageformedtohimselfofFriedrich，andofFriedrich’sHistoryinitshumanlineamentsandorganicsequences，willgleanmanymemorabiliainthoseYears:whichhisreadersthen（andnottillthen）willbeabletointercalateintheirplaces，andgethumangoodof。Butalas，whilethereisnointelligiblehumanimage，nothingoflineamentsororganicsequences，orotherthanajumbledmassofHistoricalMarine—Stores，presidedoverbyDryasdustandHumanStupor（unsorted，unlabelled，tiedupinblindsacks），theveryAntiquarywillhaveuphillworkofit，andhisreaderswilloftenturnroundonhimwithagloomyexpressionofcountenance！"
2。"Friedrich’sLife——littleasheexpectedit，thatdaywhenhestartedupfromhisague—fitatReinsberg，andgraspedthefieryOpportunitythatwasshootingpast——isaLifeofWar。ThechiefmemorythatwillremainofhimisthatofaKingandmanwhofoughtconsummatelywell。NotPeaceandtheMuses；no，thatisdeniedhim，——thoughhewassounwilling，always，tothinkitdenied！ButhisLife—TaskturnedouttobeaBattleforSilesia。ItconsistsofThreegrandStrugglesofWar。AndnotforSilesiaonly；——
unconsciously，forwhatfargreaterthingstohisNationandtohim！
"Deeplyunconsciousofit，theywerepassingtheir’Trials，’hisNationandhe，inthegreatCivil—Service—ExaminationHallofthisUniverse:’Areyouabletodefendyourselves，then；andtohangtogethercoherent，againstthewholeworldanditsincoherenciesandrages？’AquestionwhichhastobeaskedofNations，beforetheycanberecognizedassuch，andbebaptizedintothegeneralcommonwealth；theyaremereHordesoraccidentalAggregates，tillthatQuestioncome。QuestionwhichthisNationhadlongbeengettingreadyfor；whichnow，underthisKing，itansweredtothesatisfactionofgodsandmen:’Yes，Heavenassisting，wecanstandonourdefence；andinthelong—run（aswithairwhenyoutrytoannihilateit，orcrushittoNOTHING）thereisevenaninfiniteforceinus；andthewholeworlddoesnotsucceedinannihilatingus！’UponwhichhasfollowedwhatwetermNationalBaptism；——orratherthiswastheNationalBaptism，thisfuriousoneintorrentwhirlwindsoffire；donethreetimesover，tillingodsormentherewasnodoubtleft。ThatwasFriedrich’sfunctionintheworld；andagreatandmemorableone；——nottohisownPrussianNationonly，buttoTeutschlandatlarge，forevermemorable。
"’IsTeutschlandaNation；isthereinTeutschlandstillaNation？’
Austria，notdishonestly，butmuchsunkinsuperstitionsandinvoluntarymendacities，andliabletosinkmuchfarther，answersalways，ingloomyproudtone，’Yes，IamtheNationofTeutschland！’——butismistaken，asturnsout。Foritisnotmendacities，consciousorother，butveracities，thattheDivinePowerswillpatronize，orevenintheendwillputupwithatall。
Whichyououghttounderstandbetterthanyoudo，myfriend。
For，onthegreatscaleandonthesmall，andinallseasons，circumstances，scenesandsituationswhereaSonofAdamfindshimself，thatistrue，andevenasovereigntruth。Andwhoeverdoesnotknowit，——humancharitytohim（weresuchalwayspossible）
wouldbe，thatHEwerefurnishedwithhandcuffsasapartofhisoutfitinthisworld，andputunderguidanceofthosewhodo。
Yes；tohim，Ishouldsay，aprivatepairofhandcuffsweremuchusefulerthanaballot—box，——werethetimesoncesettledagain，whichtheyarefarfrombeing！"……
"Sothat，iftherebeonlyAustriaforNation，Teutschlandisinominouscase。Trulyso。ButthereisinTeutschlandwithal，veryirrecognizabletoTeutschland，yetauthenticallypresent，aManoftheproperlyunconquerabletype；thereisalsoaselectPopulationdrilledforhim:thesetwotogetherwillprovetoyouthatthereisaNation。ConquestofSilesia，ThreeSilesianWars；laborsandvalorsasofAlcides，invindicationofoneselfandone’sSilesia:
——secretly，howunconsciously，thatotherandhigherQuestionofTeutschland，andofitshavinginitaNation，wasFriedrich’ssoretaskandhisPrussia’satthattime。AsTeutschlandmaybeperhapsnow，inourday，beginningtorecognize；withhope，withastonishment，poorTeutschland！"……
3。"Andinfine，leavingallthat，thereisonethingundeniable:
InallhumanNarrative，itisthebattleonly，andnotthevictory，thatcanbedweltuponwithadvantage。Friedrichhasnow，byhisSecondSilesianWar，achievedGreatness:’FriedrichtheGreat；’
expresslysodenominated，byhisPeopleandothers。ThestruggleupwardsistheRomance；yourherooncewedded，——toGLORY，orwhoevertheBridemaybe，——theRomanceends。Precisecriticsdoobject，Thattheremaystillliedifficulties，newperilsandadventuresahead:——whichprovesconspicuouslytrueinthiscaseofours。Andaccordingly，ourBooknotbeingaRomancebutaHistory，letus，withallfidelity，lookoutwhattheseare，andhowtheymodifyourRoyalGentlemanwhohasgothisweddingdone。Withallfidelity；butwithallbrevity，noless。For，inasmuchas"——
Well，brevityinmostcasesisdesirable。And，privately，itmustbeownedthereisanotherconsiderationofnosmallweight:
That，ourPrussianresourcesfallingaltogetherintobankruptcyduringPeace—Periods，Natureherselfhassoorderedit，inthisinstance！PartlyitisourBooks（thePrussianDryasdustreachinghisacmeonthoseoccasions），butinparttooitistheEventsthemselves，thataresmallandwantimportance；thathavefallendeadtous，inthehugenewTimeanditsuproars。Eventsnotofflagrantnotability（likebattlesorwar—passages），tobridleDryasdust，andguidehiminsomesmallmeasure。Eventsratherwhich，exceptascharacteristicofonememorableManandKing，aremostlynowofnomemorabilitywhatever。Crowdalltheseindiscriminatelyintosacks，andshakethemoutpell—mellonus:
thatisDryasdust’ssweetway。AsifthelargestMarine—StoresEstablishmentinalltheworldhadsuddenly，onhestofsomeNecromancerormaleficentperson，takenwinguponyou；andweredancing，inboundlessmadwhirl，roundyourdevotedhead；——
simmeringanddancing，verymuchatitsease；no—whither；
askingYOUcheerfully，"Whatisyourcandidopinion，then？"
"Opinion，"Heavens！——
Youhavetoretiremanyyards，andgazewithadesperatesteadiness；assuringyourself:"Well，itdoes，rightindisputably，shadowforthSOMEthing。ThiswasaThingAlive，anddidatonetimesticktogether，asanorganicFactontheEarth，thoughitnowdancesinDryasdustatsucharate！"Itisonlybyself—helpofthissort，andlongsurvey，withrigorousselection，andextremelyextensiveexclusionandoblivion，thatyougaintheleastlightinsuchanelement。"Brevity"——littlesaid，whenlittlehasbeengottobeknown——isanevidentrule！Courage，reader；bygoodeyesight，youwillstillcatchsomefeaturesofFriedrichaswegoalong。
ToSAYourlittleinanotunintelligiblemanner，andkeeptherestwellhidden，itisallwecandoforyou！——
FRIEDRICHDECLINESTHECAREEROFCONQUERINGHERO；GOESINTO
LAW—REFORM；ANDGETSREADYACOTTAGERESIDENCEFORHIMSELF。
Friedrich’sJourneytoPyrmontisthefirstthingrecordedofhimbytheNewspapers。Gonetotakethewaters；ashedidafterhisformerWar。HereiswhatIhadnotedofthatsmallOccurrence，andofoneortwootherscontiguousindate，whichprovetobeofsignificanceinFriedrich’sHistory。
"MAY12—17th，1746，"saytheoldBooks，"hisMajestysetsoutforPyrmont，takingBrunswickbytheway；arrivesatPyrmontMay17th；
staystillJune8th；"threeweeksgood。"IsbusycorrespondingwiththeKingofFranceaboutaGeneralPeace；but，owingtotheembittermentofbothparties，itwasnotpossibleatthistime。"