Hanbury，cheerfullyconfident，provideshimselfwiththerequisites，storeofbribe—moneyasthechief；——atWarsawwithal，hepicksuponePoniatowski（airysentimentalcoxcomb，ratherofdissolutehabits，handsomestandwindiestofyoungPolacks）:
"GoodforaLovertotheGrand—Duchess，thisone！"thinksHanbury。
Whichprovedtrue，andhaditsusesforHanbury；——Grand—DuchessandGrand—Duke（CatherineandPeter，whomwesawweddedtwelveyearsago，Heirs—ApparentofthisRussianChaos）beinganabstruselysituatedpairofSpouses；wellcapableofsomethingpolitical，inprivateways，insuchasceneofaffairs；andCatherine，whoisanextremelyclevercreature，beingoutofaloverjustnow。AfinescenefortheDiplomatist，thisRussiaatpresent。Nowhereintheworldcanyoudosomuchwithbribery；quiteastandingitem，andfinancialnecessary—of—lifetoOfficialsofthehighestrankthere，asHanburywellknows。[HisLetters（inRaumer），PASSIM。]ThatofPoniatowskiproved，otherwisetoo，anotablestrokeofHanbury’s；
andshotthepoorPolishCoxcombaloftintotragicaltitudes，onthesudden，asweallknow！
Hanbury’simmensedexterities，andincessantlaborsatPetersburg，shallliehiddenintheslop—pails:itisenoughtosay，hisguineas，hisdexteritiesandauxiliaryPoniatowskisdidprevail；
andhetriumphantlysignedhisTreaty（Petersburg，30thSeptember）
"Subsidy—Treatyfor55，000men，15，000ofthemcavalry，"nottospeakof"40to50galleys"andthelike；"toattackwhomsoeverBritannicMajestybids:annualcostamere500，OOOpoundswhileonservice；100，000poundswhilewaiting。"[InAdelung，vii。609。]And，whatismore，andwhatourreadersaretomark，the55，000beginontheinstanttoassemble，——alongtheLivonianFrontierorLithuanian，lookingdirectintoPreussen。
Diligentlyrendezvousingthere；55，000ofthem，naygradually70，000；nostinginessintheCzarinatoherAllyofEngland。Amosttriumphantthing，thinksHanbury:Couldanotherofyouhavedoneit？Signed，readyforratifying，30thSeptember，1755（badBraddocknewsnothindering）；——andbeforeitisratified（thisalsoletreadersmark），theactualTroopsgettingonmarch。
Hanbury’smasterpiece，surely；aglorioustriumphinthecircumstances，andadifficult，thinksHanbury。HadHanburyseentheinsideofthecards，asreadershave，hewouldnothavethoughtitsotriumphant。Foryearspast，——especiallysincethat"Fundamentalmaxim，May14th—15th，1753，"whichweheardof，——theCzarina’slongingshadbeenfixed。Andherenow——scatteringmoneyfrombothhandsofit，andwooinguswithdiplomaticfinessings——istheFulfilmentcome！"Opportunity"uponPreussen；beholdithere。
TheRussianSenateagainholdsdeliberation；declares（ontheheelofthisHanburyTreaty），"inOctober，1755，"whatwereadabove，ThatitsAnti—Prussianintentionsare——truculentindeed。AnditisthecommontalkinPetersburgsociety，throughWinter，whatadosetheambitiousKingofPrussiahasgotbrewedforhim，[MEMOIRE
RAISONNE（inGesammelteNachrichten），i。429，&c。]outofRussianindignationandresources，miraculouslysetafloatbyEnglishguineas。AtriumphantHanbury，forthetimebeing，——thoughatragicalenoughbyandby！
THETRIUMPHANTHANBURYTREATYBECOMES，ITSELF，NOTHING
ORLESS；——BUTPRODUCESAFRIEDRICHTREATY，FOLLOWEDBY
RESULTSWHICHSURPRISEEVERYBODY。
KingFriedrich’soutlooks，onthisconsummation，maywellseemtohimcritical。ThesorelongingofaninfuriatedCzarinaisnowletloose，andinaconditiontofulfilitself！ToFriedrichthesePetersburgnewsarenosecret；nortohimarethePetersburgprivateintentionsathingthatcanbedoubted。ApartfromtheMenzel—Weingartenrevelations，aswenoticedonce，itappearstheGrand—DukePeter（agreatadmirerofFriedrich，poorconfusedsoul）
hadhimselfthrice—secretlywarnedFriedrich，ThatthemysteriousCombination，Russiainthevan，wouldattackhimnextSpring；——"notWeingartenthatbetrayedourGRANDMYSTERE；fromfirsthand，thatwasdone！"saidExcellencyPeubla，onquittingBerlinnotlongafter。[Cogniazzo，GestandnisseeinesOEsterreichischenVeterans（ascitedabove），i。225。"September16th，1756，"PeublaleftBerlin（Rodenbeck，i。298），——threemonthsafterWeingarten’sdisappearance。]TheGrandMysteryisnotuncertaintoFriedrich；anditmaywellbeveryformidable，——coupledwiththoseBraddockexplosions，SeizuresofFrenchships，andEnglish—FrenchWarimminent，andlikelytobecomeageneralEuropeanone；
whicharetheclosingprospectsof1755。TheFrenchKinghereckonsnottobewelldisposedtohim；theiroldTreatyof"twelveyears"
（since1744）isjustaboutrunningout。Notfriendly，theFrenchKing，owingtolittlerubsthathavebeen；stilllessthePompadour；——thoughwhocouldguesshowimplacableshewasat"notbeingknown（NELACONNAISPAS）"！AtVienna，heiswellaware，thehumortowardshimismerecannibalisminrefinedforms。Butmostperilousofall，mostimmediatelyperilous，istheimplacableCzarina，setafloatuponEnglishguineas！
Withahope，asiscrediblysurmised，thattheEnglishmightsootheormuzzlethisimplacableCzarina，Friedrich，directlyafterHanbury’sfeatinPetersburg，appliedatLondon，withanOfferwhichwasverytemptingthere:"SupposeyourBritannicMajestywouldmake，withme，anexpress’NEUTRALITYCONVENTION；’mutualCovenanttokeeptheGermanReichentirelyfreeofthisWarnowthreateningtobreakout？Toattackjointly，andsweephomeagainwithvigor，anyandeveryArmedNon—GermansettingfootontheGermansoil！"AnoffermostwelcometotheHeadsofOpposition，thePittsandothersofthatCountry；whowishdearHanoversafeenough（safeinDavy—Jones’slocker，ifthatwoulddo）；butaretiredofsubsidizing，andfightingandtumulting，alltheworldover，forthathighend。SothatFriedrich’sProposalisgraspedat；
andafteralittlemanipulation，thethingisactuallyconcluded。
Bynomeansmuchmanipulation，bothpartiesbeingwilling。
Therewasuncommonlyrapidsurgeryofanylittledifficultiesanddiscrepancies；rapidclosure，instantsalutarystitchingtogetherofthatlongunhealablePrivateerControversy，asthemainitem:
"20，000poundsallowedtoPrussiaforPrussiandamages；andtoEngland，fromtheotherside，theremainderofSilesiauDebt，painfullyoutstandingfortwoorthreeyearsback，istobepaidoffatonce；"——andinthiswaysuch"NEUTRALITYCONVENTIONOF
PRUSSIAWITHENGLAND"comesforthasaPracticalFactuponmankind。
DoneatWestminster，16thJanuary，1756。Thestepping—stone，asitproved，toacloserTreatyofthesamedatenextYear；ofwhichweshallhearagreatdeal。Thestepping—stone，infact，tomanylargethings；——andtotheruinofourlate"Russian—SubsidyTreaty"
（Hanbury’smasterpiece），foronesmallthing。"ThatisaTreatysigned，sureenough，"answertheyofSt。James’s；"andwewillbehandsomeaboutittoherCzarishMajesty；butastoRATIFYINGit，initspresentform，——ofcourse，never！"
WhataclapofthundertoExcellencyHanbury；hismasterpiecefoundsuddenlyasuperfluity，anincommodity！TheOrthodoxEnglishcoursenowis，"NoforeignsoldiersatalltobeallowedinGermany；"
andtherearethe55，000trampingonwithsuchalacrity。"WecannotratifythatTreaty，ExcellencyHanbury，"writestheMajesty’sMinistry，inatonenotofgratitude:"youmustturnitsomeotherway！"AterribleblowtoHanbury，whohadbeenexpectinggratitudewithoutend。Andnow，tryhowhemight，therewasnoturningitanotherway；this，privately，andthisonly，beingtheCzarina’sownway。ACzarinaobstinatetoadegree；wouldnotconsent，evenwhentheymadehertheliberaloffer，"Keepyour55，000athome；
don’tattacktheKingofPrussiawiththem；youshallhaveyourSubsidyallthesame！""No，Iwon’t！"answeredshe，——toHanbury’samazement。HanburyhadnotreadtheWeingarten—MenzelDocuments；——
whatdoubledoubleoftoilandtroublemightHanburyhavesavedhimselfandothers，couldhehavereadthem！
Hanburycouldnot，stilllesscouldtheMajesty’sMinistry，surmisetheCzarina’ssecretatall，noworforagoodwhilecoming。Andinfact，poorHanbury，busyasaDiplomaticbee，neverdidmoregoodinRussia，oroutofit。BydirectionoftheMajesty’sMinistry，Hanburystilltriedindustriously，cashinbothhands；triedvariousthings:"AssuagetheCzarina’smind；reconcilehertoKingFriedrich；"——allinvain。"UniteAustria，RussiaandEngland，can’tyou，then？——inaTreatyagainsttheDesignsofFrance:"howveryvain！Then，atalaterstage，"GetustheCzarinatomediatebetweenPrussiaandAustria"（soverypossibletosleekthemdownintopeace，thoughtMajesty’sMinistry）:——andunweariedHanbury，cunningeloquenceonhislips，andmoneyinbothhands，triesagain，andeveragain，formanymonths。Andinthewayofmakingropesfromsand，itmustbeownedthereneverwassuchtwistinganduntwisting，asthatappointedHanbury。Whoinfactbrokehisheartbyit；——anddiedmad，byhisownhand，beforelong。[Hanbury’s"Life"（inWorks，vol。iii。）givessadaccount。]Poorsoul，afterall！——HerearesomeRussianNoticesfromhim（andhehasmanycurious，notpertinenthere），whicharestillworthgleaning。
PETERSBURG，2dOCTOBER，1755……"ThehealthoftheEmpress[CzarinaElizabeth，CATINDUNORD，agenowforty—five]isbad。
Sheisaffectedwithspittingofblood，shortnessofbreath，constantcoughing，swelledlegsandwateronthechest；yetshedancedaminuetwithme，"luckyHanbury。"ThereisgreatfermentationatCourt。Peter[Grand—DukePeter]doesnotconcealhisenmitytotheSchuwalofs[paramoursofCATIN，oldandnew]；
Catherine[Grand—Duchess，whoatlengthhasanHeir，unbeautifulCzarPaulthatwillbe，and"miscarriages"notafew]isongoodtermswithBestuchef"（corruptiblestbruteofaChancelloreverknown，friendtoEnglandbyEngland’sgivinghim10，000pounds，andtheliketrifles，prettyfrequently；Friedrich’senemy，chieflyfromdefectofthatoperation）——sheis"ongoodtermswithBestuchef。IthinkitmydutytoinformtheKing[greatGeorge，whowilldrawhisprognosticsfromit]ofmyobservationsuponher；
whichIcanthebetterdo，asIoftenhaveconversationswithherforhourstogether，asatsuppermyrankplacesmealwaysnexttoher，"twice—luckyHanbury。
"SincehercomingtothisCountry，shehas，byeverymethodinherpower，endeavoredtogaintheaffectionsoftheNation:sheappliedherselfwithdiligencetostudytheirlanguage；andspeaksitatpresent，astheRussianstellme，inthegreatestperfection。
Shehasalsosucceededinherotheraim；forsheisesteemedandbelovedhereinahighdegree。Herpersonisveryadvantageous，andhermannersverycaptivating。ShehasgreatknowledgeofthisEmpire；andmakesitheronlystudy。Shehasparts；andGreat—
Chancellor[bruteBestuchef]tellsmethatnobodyhasmoresteadinessandresolution。Shehas，oflate，openlydeclaredherselftomeinrespectoftheKingofPrussia；"——hateshimagooddeal，"naturalandformidableenemyofRussia；""heartcertainlytheworstintheworld[andsoon；butwillseebetterbyandby，havingeyesofherown]:——shenevermentionstheKingofEnglandbutwiththeutmostrespectandhighestregard；isthoroughlysensibleoftheutilityoftheunionbetweenEnglandandRussia；
alwayscallshisMajestytheEmpress’sbestandgreatestAlly[somuchofnourishmentinhimwithal，asinacertainweb—footedChiefofBirds，reckonedchiefbysome]；andhopeshewillalsogivehisfriendshipandprotectiontotheGrand—Dukeandherself。——
AsfortheGrand—Duke，heisweakandviolent；buthisconfidenceintheGrand—Duchessissogreat，thatsometimeshetellspeople，thatthoughhedoesnotunderstandthingshimself，hisWifeunderstandseverything。ShouldtheEmpress，asIfear，soondie，theGovernmentwillquietlydevolveonthem。"[Hanbury’sDespatch，"October2d，1755"（Raumer，pp。223—225）；SubsidyTreatystillatitsfloweriest。]
Catherine’sageistwenty—sixgone；herPeter’stwenty—seven:
oneofthecleverestyoungLadiesintheworld，andofthestoutest—hearted，clearest—eyed；——yokedtoayoungGentlemanmuchthereverse。ThankHanburyforthisglimpseofthem，mostintricatelysituatedPair；whomayconcernusalittleinthesequel。——And，injusticetopoorHanover，thesadsubject—matterofExcellencyHanbury’sProblemsandFutilitiesinRussiaandelsewhere，letussavethisotherFractionbyaverydifferenthand；andclosethatHanburyscene:——
"Friedrichhimselfwassodangerous，"saystheConstitutionalHistorianonce:"Friedrich，inalliancewithFrance，howeasyforhimtocatchHanoverbythethroatataweek’snotice，throwadeath—nooseroundthethroatofpoorHanover，andhandthesametoFrancefortighteningatdiscretion！PoorHanoverindeed；shereapslittleprofitfromherEnglishhonors:whathasshehadtodowiththeseTransatlanticColoniesofEngland？AnunfortunateCountry，iftheEnglishwouldbutthink；liabletobestrangledatanytime，forEngland’squarrels:theAchilles’—heeltoinvulnerableEngland；
asadfunctionforHanover，ifitbeaproudone，andamazinglylucrativetosomeHanoverians。TheCountryisverydeartohisBritannicMajestyinonesense，verydeartoBritaininanother！
NayGermanyitself，throughHanover，istobetornupbyWarforTransatlanticinterests，——outofwhichshedoesnotevengetgoodVirginiatobacco，butgrowsbadofherown。NomoreconcernthantheRingofSaturnwiththeseover—seaquarrels；andcan，throughHanover，betorntopiecesbyWaraboutthem。SuchhonortogiveaKingtotheBritishNation，inastraitforone；andsuchprofitcomingofit:——wehopeallsidesaregratefulfortheblessingsreceived！"
THEREHASBEENACOUNTER—TREATYGOINGONATVERSAILLESINTHE
INTERIM；WHICHHEREUPONSTARTSOUT，ANDTUMBLESTHEWHOLLY
ASTONISHEDEUROPEANDIPLOMACIESHEELS—OVER—HEAD。
Toexpectantmankind，especiallytoViennaandVersailles，thisBritannic—PrussianTreatywasagreatsurprise。AndindeeditprovedthesignalofageneralSystemofNewTreatiesallround。
Thefirstsignal，infact，——thoughbynomeansthefirstcause，——ofatotalcircumgyration，summerset，ortumbleheels—over—headinthePoliticalrelationsofEuropealtogether，whichensuedthereupon；
miraculous，almostastheEarthquakeatLisbon，totheGazetteer，andDiplomaticmind，andincomprehensibleforlongyearsafter。
Firstsignalwesay，bynomeansthatitwasthefirstcause，orindeedthatitwasacauseatall，——thethingbeingdeterminedelsewherelongbefore；eversince1753，whenKaunitzleftitready，waitingonlyitstime。
KaiserFranz，theysay，when（probablyduringthoseKeithurgencies）thejoiningwithFranceandturningagainstpoorBritannicMajestywasproposedinCouncilatVienna，openedhisusuallysilentlips；andopinedwithemphasisagainstsuchacourse，noKaunitzorcreatureabletopersuadeKaiserFranzthatgoodwouldcomeofit；——though，findingSovereignLadyandeverybodyagainsthim，heheldhispeaceagain。Andreturnedtohisprivatebankingoperations，whichweremoreextensivethanever，fromthenewtroublesrising。"LenttheEmpress—Queen，alwaysonsolidsecurities，"saysFriedrich，"largesums，fromtimetotime，inthoseWars；dealtinCommissariatstorestorightandleft；
weourselveshadmostofourmealfromhimthisyear。"
[OEuvresdeFrederic，iv。8。]KaiserFranzwas，andcontinued，oftheoldwayofthinking；butconsummateKaunitz，andtheHighLady’sfixedpassionforherSchlesien，hadchangedeverybodyelse。Theulteriorfactsareasfollows，abbreviatedtotheutmost。
September22d，1755，afewdaysbeforeHanbury’sSubsidy—featatPetersburg，whichtooksuchawhirlforHanbury，therehadmetforthefirsttimeatVersailles，moreespeciallyatBabiole，Pleasure—
HouseofthePompadour，amostSelectCommitteeofThreePersons:
GrafvonStahremberg，AustrianAmbassador；Pompadourherself；andacertaininfinitelyelegantCountandReverencedeBernis（beautifulClerico—MundaneGentleman，withoutrightBeneficehitherto，butmuchinesteemwiththePompadour）；——fordeepestpracticalconsiderationinregardtoclosureofaFrench—AustrianAlliance。
ReverendCount（subsequentlyCardinal）deBernishassenseinDiplomacy；hashisexperiencesinSecularDiplomaticmatters；asoft—goingcautiousman，notyetofficial，buttendingthatway:
whomthePompadourhasbroughtwithherashenchman，orunghostlycounsellor，inthisintricateAdventure。
Stahremberg，instructedfromhome，hasnohesitation；norhasPompadourherself，rememberingthatinsolent"JENELACONNAIS
PAS，"andtheper—contra"MACOUSINE，""PRINCESSEETSOEUR:"——butBernis，Isuppose，looksintothepracticaldifficulties；whichareprobablyveryconsiderable，totheOfficialFrencheye，inthepresentstateofEuropeandofthepublicmind。FromSeptember22d，orautumnalequinox，1755，onwardtothisBritannic—PrussianphenomenonofJanuary，1756，thePompadourConclavehasbeensitting，——difficulties，nodoubt，considerable。Iwillgiveonlythedates，havingmyselfnointerestinsuchaCommitteeatBabiole；butthedatessufficientlybetokenthattherewereintricacies，conflictsbetweenthenewandtheold。Hithertotheaxiomalwayswas，"PrussiatheAdjunctandSatelliteofFrance:"
nowtobeentirelyreversed，yousay？
JULY，1755，thatistwomonthsbeforethisBabioleCommitteemet，aDucdeNivernois，respectableintelligentdilettanteFrenchNobleman，hadbeennamedasAmbassadortoFriedrich，"Go，yourespectablewiseNivernois，NoblemanofLetterssocalled；tryandretainFriedrichforus，asusual！"Andnow，onmeetingoftheBabioleCommittee，Nivernoisdoesnotgo；lingers，saddledandbridled，tilltheveryendoftheYear；arrivesinBerlinJanuary12th，1756。HashisFirstAudienceJanuary14th；amanhighlyamiabletoFriedrich；butwithproposals，——wonderfulindeed。
TheFrench，thisgoodwhileback，areinnodoubtaboutWarwithEngland，arightheartyWar；andhavealwaysexpectedtoretainPrussiaasformerly，——thoughratheronsingularterms。Sometimeago，forinstance，M。deRouille，War—Minister，requestedKnyphausen，PrussianEnvoyatParis:"SuggesttoyourKing’sMajestywhatplunderthereisatHanover。Perfectlyatlibertytokeepitall，ifhewillplunderHanoverforus！"[OEuvresdeFrederic，iv。29。]PleasantmessagetotheproudKing；whoansweredwiththeduebrevity，tothepurport，"Silence，Sir！"——withdidacticeffectsonthesurprisedRouille。Whonowmendshisproposal；thoughagaininaremarkableway。
InstructsNivernois，namely，"ToofferKingFriedrichtheIslandofTobago，ifhewillrenewTreaty，andtakearmsforus。IslandofTobago（adeserted，litigated，butprettyIsland，wereiteverours），willnotthatenticethisKing，intentonCommerce？"
Friedrich，wholikesNivernoisandhispoliteways，answersquizzingly:"IslandofTobago？IslandofBaratariayourLordshipmustbemeaning；IslandofwhichIcannotbetheSanchoPanza！"
[Ib。31。]AndNivernoisfoundhemustnotmentionTobagoagain。
Fortherest，FriedrichmadenosecretofhisEnglishTreaty；
showeditwithallfranknesstoNivernois，inallpoints:
"Isthere，canthemostcaptiousallegethatthereis，anythingagainstFranceinit。Myonewishandaim，thatofPeaceformyself:judge！"NivernoisstayedtillMarch；butseemstohavehad，ofdefinite，onlyTobagoandgoodwords；sothatnothingfarthercameofhim，andtherewasnoRenewalofTreatythenorafter。
Thus，inhisthirdmonth（March，1756），practicalNivernoiswasrecalled，withoutresult；——insteadofwhomfatValoriwassent；
privatelyintending"todonothingbutobserve，inBerlin。"Fromallwhich，weinferthattheBabioleCommitteenowsawland；
andthatBernishimselfhaddecidedintheaffirmative:"Austria，notPrussia；yes，Madame！"TothejoyofMadameandeverybody。
For，itisincredible，sayallwitnesses，whatindignationbrokeoutinPariswhenFriedrichmadethisnew"defection，"sotheytermedit；revoltfromhisLiegeLord（whohadbeensoexemplarytohimonformeroccasions！），andwouldnotbiteatTobagowhenoffered。SothattheBabioleCommitteewenton，henceforth，withflowingsea；andbyMayday（1stMAY，1756）broughtoutitsFrench—
AustrianTreatyinacompletedstate。"Tostandbyoneanother，"
likeCastorandPollux，inamanner；"24，000，reciprocally，tobereadyondemand；"nayIthinksomethingof"subsidies"withal，——TO
Austria，ofcourse。Buttheparticularsarenotworthgiving；
thePerformance，thankstoazealousPompadour，havingquiteoutruntheStipulation，andleftitpracticallyoutofsight，whenthepushcame。OurConstitutionalHistorianmayshadowtherest:——
"FranceandEnglandgoingtoWarinthesesadcircumstances，andFranceandAustriabeingprivatelyprepared[byKaunitzandothers]
tosweareverlastingfriendshipontheoccasion，insteadofeverlastingenmityasheretofore；unexpectedchanges，miraculoustotheGazetteers，becameinevitable；——nothingless，inshort，thanexplosionortopsy—turvyingoftheoldDiplomatic—PoliticalSchemeofEurope。OlddanceoftheConstellationsflungheels—over—headonthesudden；andmuchpirouetting，jigging，setting，beforetheycouldchangepartners，andcontinuetheiraugustdanceagain，whetherinWarorPeace。NoendtotheindustriouswonderoftheGazetteermind，tothedarkdifficultiesoftheDiplomatic。
Whatbafflings，agonisticshufflings，impotentgazingsintothedark；whatseductivefiddling，andbeingfiddledto！AmostsadfunctionofHumanity，ifsometimesaninevitableone；whichoughtsurelyatalltimestobegotoverasbrieflyaspossible。
Tobewrittenof，especially，withamaximumofbrevity；
humannaturebeingjustlyimpatientoftalkaboutit，beyondthestrictlyneedful。"
Mosttrueitis，andwasmostmiraculous，thoughnowquiteforgottenagain，PoliticalEuropehadtomakeacompletewhirl—
roundonthatoccasion。Andnotinaday，andmerelysayingtoitself，"Letmedosummerset！"asidlereaderssuppose，——butwithlongmonthsofagonisticshuffleandstruggleinallplaces，andsuchDiplomaticfiddlingandbeingfiddledto，asseldomwasbefore。Ofwhich，thesetwoinstances，theBernisandtheHanbury，aretoserveasspecimen；twoandnomore:auniverseofextinctfiddlingcompressedintotwonutshells，ifreadershaveanear。
ChapterIII。
FRENCH—ENGLISHWARBREAKSOUT。
TheFrench，inrealityagooddealastonishedatthePrussian—
BritannicTreaty，affectedtotakeiteasy:"TreatyforNeutralityofGermany？"saidthey:"Verygoodindeed。Perhapsthereareplacesnearerus，whereourtroopscanbeemployedtomoreadvantage！"
[Their"Declaration"onit（Adelung，vii。613。]——hintingvocally，ashenceforththeirsilentprocedures，theirdiligenceinthedockyards，movingoftroopscoastwardandthelike，stillmoreclearlydid，ThatanInvasionofEnglanditselfwasthethingnexttobeexpected。
EnglandandFranceare，bythistime，alikefiercelydeterminedonWar；buttheirstatesofpreparationareverydifferent。TheFrenchhaveWar—shipsagain，nottomentionArmieswhichtheyalwayshave；
someskilfulAdmiralswithal，——LaGallisonniere，ouroldCanadafriend，isone，verybusyatpresent；——andmeantotryseriouslytheQuestionofSea—Supremacyoncemore。IfanInvasiondidchancetoland，thestateofEnglandwouldbefoundhandybeyondhope！
HowmanyfightingregimentsEnglandhas，Ineednotinquire，norwithwhatstrategicvirtuetheywouldgotowork；——enoughtomentionthesingularfact（recentlytrue，andstill，Iperceive，toolikethetruth），Thatofalltheirregiments，"onlyThreeareinthisCountry"，orhaveColonelsevennominated。Incredible；
butcertain。Andtheinterestingpointis，hisGraceofNewcastledarenothaveColonels，stilllesshigherOfficersnominated；
becauseRoyalHighnessofCumberlandwouldhavethenamingofthem，andtheywouldbeenemiestohisGrace。[Walpole，GeorgetheSecond，ii。19（date，"March25th，1755；"andhowlongafter，isnotsaid:butseePitt’sSpeeches，ib。，allthrough1756，andfarther）。]InsuchposturestandstheEnvyofsurroundingNationsatthismoment。
"HireHessians，"crythey；"hireHanoverians；ifFrancelandonus，weareundone！"——andcontinuetheirParliamentaryEloquencesinamostdistressfulmanner。"ApplytotheDutch，atanyrate，fortheir6，000asperTreaty"，crieseverybody。Whichisdone。ButtheDutchpiteouslywringtheirhands:"Darenot，yourMajesty；
howdarewe，forFranceandourneglectedBarrier！Oh，generousMajesty，excuseus！"——andthegenerousMajestyhastodoit；
andleavetheDutchinpeace，thistime。Hessians，Hanoverians，aftereloquenceenough，areatlastgotsentfor，toguardusagainstthisterribleInvasion:about10，000ofeachkind；anddoland，——thenativepopulationsverysulkyonthem（"Wewon’tbilletyou，notwe；buildhuts，andbe——！"），withmuchParliamentaryandNewspaperCommentarygoingon，ofadistressfulnature。
"Saturday，15thMay，1756，HessiansdisembarkatSouthampton；
obligedtopitchCampintheneighborhood:Friday，21stMay，theHanoverians，atChatham，whohutthemselvesCanterburyway；"——andhave（whatisthesum—totaloftheirachievementsinthisCountry）
acaseofshoplifting，"pocket—handkerchief，acrossthecounter，inopenday；"onecase（orwhatseemedtobeone，butwasnot）；
["AtMaidstone，13thSeptemher，1756；"Hanoveriansoldier，purchasingahandkerchief，imagineshehaspurchasedtwo（notyetcliptasunder），haberdasherandhehavingnolanguageincommon:
Gentleman’sMagazine，for1756，pp。259，448，&c。；Walpole，SAEPIUS。]"andthefellownottobetriedbyusforit！"whichenragestheconstitutionalheart。Alas，myheavy—ladenconstitutionalheart；butwhatcanwedo？Thesedrilledloutswillguardus，shouldthisterribleInvasionland。Andindeed，aboutthreeweeksBEFOREtheseloutsarrived，theterribleInvasionhaddeclareditselftohavebeenaltogetherafeint；andhadliftedanchor，quiteintheoppositedirection，onanerrandweshallhearofsoon！
Aboutthesamedate，Iobserve，"thefirstregimentofFootguardspractisingthePrussiandrill—exerciseinHydePark；"andhopehisGraceofNewcastleandtheHeroofCulloden（immortalHero，andaiminghighinPoliticsatthistime）will，atleast，havefallenuponsomemethodofgettingColonelsnominated。Butthewide—
welteringchaosofplatitudes，agitatedbyhystericalimbecilities，regulatingEnglandinthisgreatcrisis，fillstheconstitutionalmindwithsorrow；andindeedisdefinable，oncemore，asamazing！
EnglandisastubbornCountry；butitwasnotbyproceduresoftheCumberland—NewcastlekindthatEngland，andherColonies，andSea—
and—LandKingdoms，wasbuilttogether；norbythese，exceptmiracleintervene，thatshecanstandlongagainststress！Lookingatthedismalmatterfromthisdistance，thereisvisibletomeinthefoggyheartofitonelucentelement，andprettymuchoneonly；
theindividualnamedWilliamPitt，asIhavereadhim:ifbymiraclethatroyalsoulcould，evenforatime，gettosomethingofKingshipthere？Courage；miraclesdohappen，letushope！——ThisiswhitherwardthegrandInvasionhadgone:——
TOULON，10thAPRIL，1756。LaGallisonniere，ouroldCanadianfriend，acrookedlittlemanofgreatfaculty，whohasbeenbusyinthedockyardslately，weighsanchorfromToulon；"12sailoftheline，5frigatesandabove100transport—ships；"withthegrandInvasion—of—EnglandArmamentonboard:16，000pickedtroops，completeinallpoints，MarechalDucdeRichelieucommanding。
[Adelung，viii。70。]Weighsanchor；and，singulartosee，steers，notforEngland，andtheHessian—HanoverDefenders（whowouldhavebeeninsuchexcellenttime）；butdirectforMinorca，asthesurerthing！WillseizeMinorca；aso—calledinexpugnablePossessionoftheEnglish，——KeyoftheirMediterraneanSupremacies；——reallyinexpugnableenough；butwhichliesintheusualdilapidatedstate，thoughbychancewithacourageousoldGovernorinit，whowillnotsurrenderquiteatonce。
APRIL18th，LaGallisonnieredisembarkshisRichelieuwithaSixteenThousand，unopposedatPort—Mahon，orFortSt。Philip，inMinorca；whoinstantlycommencesSiegethere。TotheastonishmentofEnglandandhisGraceofNewcastlewho，exceptoldGovernorBlakeney，muchindilapidation（"woodenplatformsrotten，"
"batteriesoutofrepair，"andsoon），havenothingreadyforRichelieuinthatquarter。ThestoryofMinorca；andthefurioushumorsandtragicconsummationsthataroseonit，beingstillwellknown，wewillgivethedatesonly。
FORTST。PHILIP，APRIL18th—MAY20th。Foramonth，Richelieu，skilfulinticklingtheFrenchtroops，hasbeenbesieging，inahighandgrandioseway；LaGallisonnierevigilantlycruising；
oldBlakeney，inspiteoftherottenplatforms，vigorouslyholdingout；when——May19th，LaGallisonnieredescriesanEnglishfleetinthedistance；indisputablyanEnglishfleet；andclearshisdecksforaseriousAffairjustcoming。THURSDAY，20thMAY，AdmiralByngaccordingly（foritishe，sonofthatoldseaworthyByng，whoonce"blewout"aminatorySpanishFleetand"anabsurdFlameofWar"intheStraitsofMessina，andwasmadeLordTorringtoninconsequence，——happilynowdead）——AdmiralByngdoescomeon；
andgainshimselfanamebadlymemorableeversince。AttacksLaGallisonniere，inawide—lying，languid，hovering，uncertainmanner:——"Fartooweak"hesays；"muchdisprovided，destitute，byblameofMinistryandofeverybody"（thoughaboutthestrengthofLaGallisonniere，afterall）；——isalmostratherbeatenbyLaGallisonniere；doesnotintheleast，beathimtotherightdegree:——andsheersoff:inthenight—time，straightforGibraltaragain。ToLaGallisonniere’ssurprise，itissaid；nodoubttooldBlakeneyandhispoorGarrison’s，leftso，totheirrottenplatformsandtheirownshifts。
BlakeneyandGarrisonstoodtotheirgunsinamanfulmanner，foraboveamonthlonger；dayafterday，weekafterweek，lookingoverthehorizonforsomeByngorsomereliefappearing，tonopurpose！
JUNE14th，therearethreeavailablebreaches；thewalls，however，areverysheer（aFortresshewnintherock）:Richelieuscanningthemdubiously，andbatteringhisbest，foraboutafortnightmore，isineffectualonBlakeney。
JUNE27th，Richelieu，takinghismeasureswell，ticklingFrenchhonorwell，hasdeterminedonstorm。Richelieu，givingorderoftheday，"WhosoeverofyouisfounddrunkshallNOTbeofthestorm—
party"（whichproducedsuchateetotalismasnothingelsehaddone），——storms，thatnight，withextremeaudacity。ThePlacehastocapitulate:gloriousvictory；honorabledefence:andMinorcagone。
AndEnglandisrisentoameresmokywhirlwind，ofrage，sorrowanddarkness，againstByngandothers。Smokydarkness，gettingstreakedwithdangerousfire。"Tried？"saidhisGraceofNewcastletotheCityDeputation:"Ohindeedheshallbetriedimmediately；heshallbehangeddirectly！"——assureyourselvesofthat。[Walpole，ii。231:
DetailsoftheSiege，ib。218—225；inGentleman’sMagazine，xxvi。256，312—313，358；inAdelung，vii。；&c。&c。]
AndByng’seffigywasburntalloverEngland。AndmobsattempttoburnhisSeatandPark；andsatiresandcaricaturesandfirebrandsarecomingout:andthepoorConstitutionalCountryisbentonapplyingsurgery，ifitbutknowhow。Surgerytosuchindisputableabominationswascertainlydesirable。ThenewReliefSquadron，whichhadbeendespatchedbyMajesty’sMinistry，wastoolateforBlakeney，butdidbringhomeasupersededByng。
SPITHEAD，TUESDAY，27thJULY，ThesupersededByngarrives；ispunctuallyarrested，onarriving:"Himwewillhangdirectly:——
isthereanythingelsewecantry[except，perhaps，itwerehangingofourselves，andourfinemethodsofprocedure]，bywayofremedyingyou？"——WaragainstFrance，nowaprettyplainthing，hadbeen"declared，"17thMay（Frenchcounter—declaring，9thJune）:
and，underaDukeofNewcastleandaHeroofCulloden，notevenpullingoneway，buttwoways；andaTalking—Apparatusfullofdiscordsatthistime，andpullingwhoshallsayhowmanyways，——
theprospectsofcarryingonsaidWararenoneofthebest。
LordLoudon，aGeneralwithoutskill，andcommanding，asPittdeclares，"ascrollofPaperhitherto"（agoodfewthousandsmarkedonit，andperhapstheirColonelsevennamed），isaboutgoingforAmerica；bynomeansyetgone，alongwayfromgone:and，iftheLawsofNaturebesuspended——Enoughofallthat！
KINGPRIEDRICH’SENIGMAGETSMOREANDMORESTRINGENT。
Friedrich’ssituation，inthosefatefullyquestionablemonthsandformanypast（especiallyfromJanuary16thtoJuly），——readersmustimagineit，forthereisnodescriptionpossible。InmanyintricaciesFriedrichhasbeen；butnever，Ireckon，inanyequaltothis。HimselfcertainwhattheTwoImperialWomenhavevowedagainsthim；selfandWinterfeldcertainofthatsadtruth；andallothermortalsreadytodenyit，andflydeliriousonhintofit，shouldheventuretoactinconsequence！Friedrich’ssituationisnotunimaginable，when（ascannowbedonebycandidinquirerswhowilltaketroubleenough）theoneortwointernalfactsofitaredisengagedfromtheroaringoceanofclamorousdelusionswhichthenenvelopedthemtoeverybody，andareheldsteadilyinview，saidoceanbeingwellrunofftothehomeofitverydeepunderground。
Liesdofallsilent；truthwaitstoberecognized，notalwaysinvain。Noreadereverwillconceivethestranglingperplexityofthatsituation，nowsoremoteandextincttous。AllIcandois，tosetdownwhatfeaturesofithavebecomeindisputable；andleavethemasdetachedtraceries，asfractionsofanoutline，tocoalesceintosomethingofimagewheretheycan。
Winterfeld’sopinionwas，forsometimepast，distinct:
"Attackthem；sinceitiscertaintheyonlywaittoattackus！"
ButFriedrichwouldbynomeanslistentothat。"Wemustnotbetheaggressor，myfriend；thatwouldspoilall。PerhapstheEnglishwillpacifytheRussianCATINforme；tieher，withpackthreads，bribesandintrigues，fromstirring？Wait，watch！"FieryWinterfeld，whohatestheFrench，whodespisestheAustrians，andthinksthePrussianArmyaconsiderableFactinPolitics，hasgreatschemes:fartoogreatforapracticalFriedrich。"PlungeintotheAustrianswithawill:PrussianSoldiery，——canAustriansresistit？
Ruinthem，sincetheyarebentonruiningus。StiruptheHungarianProtestants；tryallthings。Homeuponourimplacableenemies，sworddrawn，scabbardflungaway！AndtheFrench，——whataretheFrench？OurKingshouldbeKaiserofTeutschland；andhecan，andhemay:——theFrenchwouldthenbequieter！"ThesethingsWinterfeldcarriedinhishead；andcomradeshaveheardthemfromhimoverwine。[Retzow，i。43，&c。]ToallwhichFriedrich，ifanywhisperofthemevergottoFriedrich，wouldansweronecanguesshow。
Itisevident，Friedrichhadnotgivenuphishope（indeed，foraboveayearmore，heneverdid）thatEnglandmight，byprofusebribery，——"suchthepowerofbriberyinthatmadcourt！"——assuage，overnetwithbackstairspackthreads，orinsomewaycompescetheRussiandeliriumforhim。AndEngland，hissoleAllyintheworld，stilltenderofAustria，andunabletobelievewhatthefullintentionsofAustriaare；EnglanddemandsmuchwarinessinhisprocedurestowardsAustria；reiteratingalways，"Wait，yourMajesty！Oh，beware！"——
HisownArmy，weneednotsay，isinperfectpreparation。TheArmy——letusguess，150，000regular，ornear200，000ofallarmsandkinds[Archenholtz（i，8）countsvaguely"160，000"atthisdate。]——
neverwassoperfectbeforeorsince。OldCaptainsinit，whomweusedtoknow，aregrayerandwiser；young，whomweheardlessof，aregrownveteransoftrust。Schwerin，muchaCincinnatussincewelastsawhim，haslaiddownhisploughagain，afervid"littleMarlborough"ofseventy—two；——andwillneverseethatbeautifulSchwerinsburg，anditsthrivingwoodsandfarm—fields，anymore。
UglyWalraveisnotnowchiefEngineer；oneBalbi，amuchprettierman，is。UglyWalrave（Winterfeldsuspectingandwatchinghim）wasfoundout；convictedof"falsifiedaccounts，"of"sendingplanstotheEnemy，"ofwhoknowsallwhat；——andsitsinMagdeburg（inathrice—safeprison—cellofhisowncontriving），prisonerforlife。
["ArrestedatPotsdam12thFebruary，1748，andaftertrialputintotheSTERNatMagdeburg；sattheretillhedied，16thJanuary，1773"
（Militalr—Lexikon，iv。150—151）。]TheOldDessauerisaway，longsince；andnottheOldalone。DietrichofDessauisnow"GuardiantohisNephew，"whoisaChildleftHeirthere。DeathhasbeenbusywiththeDessauers:——buthereisPrinceMoritz，"theyoungest，morelikehisFatherthananyofthem。"
DukeFerdinandofBrunswick，MoritzofDessau，Keith，DukeofBrunswick—Bevern:nooneofthesepeoplehasbeenidle，inthetenyearspast。Leastofall，hastheChiefCaptainofthem，——whosediligenceandvigilanceinthatsphere，latterly，werenotlikelytodecline！
Friedrich’sArmyisintheperfectionoforder。Readyatthehour，formanymonthsback；buttheleastmotionhemakeswithitisasubjectofjealousy。Lastyear，onthoseRussianadvancingsandalacrities，hehadmarchedsomeRegimentsintoPommern，withinreachofPreussen，shouldtheRussiansactuallytryastrokethere:
"See！"criedalltheworld:"See！"criedtheenlightenedRussianPublic。Thisyear1756，fromJuneonwardsandearlier，therearestillmorefatalsymptoms，ontheAustrianside:greatandevidentWar—preparations；Magazinesforming；CampsinBohemia，Moravia；
CampatKonigsgratz，CampatPrag，——handyfortheSilesianBorder。
FriedrichknowstheyhavedeliberatedontheirPretextforaWar，andhavefixedonwhatwilldo，——somenewsmallPrussian—
Mecklenburgbrabble，whichtherehaslatelybeen；paltryenoughrecruiting—quarrel，suchasoftenare（andhasbeensettledmutuallysometimeago，thisone，butiscapableofbeingrippedupagain）；——andthat，onthiscobwebofapretext，theymeantodrawswordwhentheylike。RussiatoohasitsPretextready。AndifFriedrichhintofstirring，Englandwhispershoarse，Englandandotherfriends，"Wait，yourMajesty！Oh，beware！"Tokeepone’sswordatitssharpest，and，withaneasypatientair，one’seyesvigilantlyopen:thisisnearlyallthatFriedrichcando，inneighborhoodofsuchportentousimminencies。Hehasmanycritics，nearandfar；——forinstance:——
BERLIN，31stJULY，1756，ExcellencyValoriwritestoVersailles:……"togiveyouaccountofaConversationIhavehad，adayortwoago，withthePrinceofPrussia[AugustWilhelm，Heir—Apparent]，whohonorsmewithaparticularconfidence，"——andwhoappearstobe，privately，likesomeothers，verystrongintheOppositionview。"HetalkedtomeofthepresentconditionoftheKinghisBrother，ofhisBrother’sapprehensions，ofhismilitaryarrangements，ofthelittletrustplacedinhimbyneighbors，oftheirhostilehumortowardshim，andofmanyotherthingswhichthisgoodPrince[littleunderstandingthem，aswouldappear，orthedangeroussecretthatlayunderthem]didnotapproveof。
ThePrincethensaid，"——listentowhatthePrinceofPrussiasaidtoValori，oneofthelastdaysofJuly，1756，——
"’ThereisanAnecdotewhichcontinuallyrecurstome，inthepasseswearegottoatpresent。PuttingthecasewemightbeattackedbyRussia，andperhapsbyAustria，thelateRothenburgwassent[asreadersknow]，ontheKing’spart，toMilordTyrconnel，toknowofhimwhat，insuchcase，werethehelpshemightreckononfromFrance。Milordenumeratedthevarioushelps；andthenadded[beingablusterousIrishman，senthitherforhisilltongue]:
"Helpsenough，youobserve，Monsieur；but，MORBLEU，ifyoudeceiveus，youwillbesquelched（VOUSSEREZECRASES）！"TheKingmy’Brotherwasangryenoughathearingsuchaspeech:but，mydearMarquis，’andthePrinceturnedfulluponmewithafaceofinquiry，’Canthethingactuallycometrue？AnddoyouthinkitcanbetheinterestofyourMaster[andhisScarletWoman]toabandonustothefuryofourenemies？Ah，thatcursedConvention[Neutrality—ConventionwithEngland]！Iwouldgiveafingerfrommyhandthatithadneverbeenconcluded。Ineverapprovedofit；
asktheDucdeNivernois，heknowswhatwesaidofittogether。
Buthowreturnonoursteps？Whowouldnowtrustus？’"ThisPrinceappeared"tobemuchaffectedbytheKinghisBrother’ssituation[ofwhichheunderstoodasgoodasnothing]，andagreedthathe，"
theKinghisBrother，"hadwelldeservedit。"[Valori，ii，129—131。]
Thisisnotthefirstexample，northelast，ofAugustWilhelm’sowningaheedless，good—naturedtongue；considerablypronetotaketheOppositionside，onlightgrounds。Forwhichifhefoundakindofsolacementandfameinsomecircles，itwassurelyatadearrate！TohisBrother，thatbadhabitwould，mostlikely，beknown；
andhisBrother，Isuppose，didnotspeakofitatall；suchhisBrother’scustomincasesofthekind。——JudiciousValori，bywayofanswer，dilatedonthepeculiaresteemofhisMajestyLouisXV。forthePrussianMajesty，——"soasmyInstructionsdirectmetodo；"andwehearnomoreofthePrinceofPrussia’stalk，atthistime；
butshallinfuture；andmayconjectureagreatdealabouttheatmosphereFriedrichhadnowtolivein。AFriedrichundergoing，privately，agreatdealofcriticism:"Madtendencytowar；lustofconquest；contemptforhisneighbors，fortheopinionoftheworld；——noendofirrationaltendencies:"[Ib。ii。124—151（"July27th—August21st"）。]frompersonstowhomthesecretofhisProblemisdeeplyunknown。
OnewisethingtheEnglishhavedone:sentanExcellencyMitchell，amanofloyalty，ofsenseandhonesty，tobetheirResidentatBerlin。Thisisthenoteworthy，notyetmuchnoted，SirAndrewMitchell；byfarthebestExcellencyEnglandeverhadinthatCourt。AnAberdeenScotchman，creditabletohisCountry:
hard—headed，sagacious；scepticalofshows；butcapableofrecognizingsubstanceswithal，andofstandingloyaltothem，stubbornlyifneedful；whogrewtoagreatmutualregardwithFriedrich，andwelldeservedtodoso；constantlyabouthim，duringthenextsevenyears；andwhoseLettersareamongtheperenniallyvaluableDocumentsonFriedrich’sHistory。[HappilysecuredintheBritishMuseum；andnowinthemostperfectorderforconsulting（thankstoSirF。Madden"andthreeyears’labor"wellinvested）；——
shouldcertainly，andwilloneday，bereadtothebottom，andclearedoftheirdarknesses，extrinsicandintrinsic（whichareconsiderable）bysomebodycompetent。]
MitchellisinBerlinsinceJune10th。Mitchell，whoisonthesceneitself，andlookingintoFriedrichwithhisowneyes，findsthereiteratingofthat"Beware，yourMajesty！"whichhadbeenhischieftaskhitherto，amoreandmorequestionablething；
andsuggeststohimatlast:"PlainlyaskherHungarianMajesty，WhatisyourmeaningbythoseBohemianCampings？""Pshaw，"answersFriedrich:"Nothingbutsomeambiguousanswer，perhapswithinsultinit！"——neverthelessthinksbetter；anddeterminestodoso。
[MitchellPapers。]
ChapterIV。
FRIEDRICHPUTSAQUESTIONATVIENNA，TWICEOVER。
July18th，1756，FriedrichdespatchesanExpresstoGrafvonKlinggraf，hisResidentatVienna（anexperiencedman，whomwehaveseenbeforeinoldCarteret，"Conference—of—Hanau"times），TodemandaudienceoftheEmpress；and，inthefittestterms，friendlyandcourteous，briefandclear，toputthatquestionofMitchell’ssuggesting。"ThoseunwontedArmaments，CampsinBohmen，CampsinMahren，andmilitarymovementsandpreparations，"Klinggrafistosay，"havecausedanxietyinherMajesty’speaceableNeighborofPrussia；whodesiresalwaystocontinueinpeace；andwhorequestsherebyawordofassurancefromherMajesty，thatthesehisanxietiesaregroundless。"Friedrichhimselfhopeslittleornothingfromthis；buthehasdoneittosatisfypeopleabouthim，andputanendtoallscruplesinhimselfandothers。TheAnswermaybeexpectedintenortwelvedays。
And，aboutthesametime，——likelyenough，directlyafter，thoughthereisnodategiven，toafactwhichiscuriousandauthentic，——
FriedrichsentfortwoofhischiefGenerals，toPotsdam，forasecretConferencewithWinterfeldandhim。TheGeneralsare，oldSchwerinandGeneralRetzowSenior，——Major—GeneralRetzow，whomweusedtohearofintheSilesianWars，——andwhoseSonreportsonthisoccasion。ConferenceisonthisImminencyofWar，andastowhatshallbedoneinit。FriedrichexplainsingeneraltermshisdangersfromAustriaandRussia，hiscertaintythatAustriawillattackhim；andasks，Wereit，orwereitnot，bettertoattackAustria，asisourPrussianprincipleinsuchcase？SchwerinandRetzow——Schwerinfirst，astheeldest；andafterhimRetzow，"whoprivatelyhaschargefromthePrussianPrincestodoit"——opinestrongly:Thatindicationsareuncertain，thatmuchseemsinevitablewhichdoesnotcome；thatinatimeofsuchtumultuouswhirlingsandunexpectedchanges，thetrueruleis，Watchwell，andwait。
Afterenoughofthis，withWinterfeldlookingdissentbutsayingalmostnothing，FriedrichgivessigntoWinterfeld；——whospreadsout，intheirlucidestprearrangedorder，theprincipalMenzel—
WeingartenDocuments；andbidsthetwoMilitaryGentlemenread。
Theyread；withastonishment，areforcedtobelieve；standgazingatoneanother；——anddonowtakeachangedtone。Schwerin，"afterasilenceofeverybodyforsomeminutes，"——"burstsoutlikeoneinspired；’IfWaristobeandmustbe，letusstartto—morrow；
seizeSaxonyatonce；andinthatrichcornyCountryformMagazinesforourOperationsonBohemia！’"[Retzow，i。39。]
ThatisprivatelyFriedrich’sownfullintention。Saxony，withitsElbeRiverasHighway，ishisindispensablepreliminaryforBohemia:andhewillnot，asecondtime，ashedidin1744withsuchresults，leaveitinanunsecuredcondition。Adieuthen，Messieurs；silent:AUREVOIR，whichmaybesoon！RetzowJunior，arational，sincere，butratherpipe—clayedman，whoiswhollytobetrustedonthisConference，withhisFatherforauthority，hassometouchesofcommentaryonit，whichindicate（datebeing1802）thattilltheendofhislife，orofPrinceHenrihisPatron’s，thereremainedalwaysinsomeheadsadoubtastoFriedrich’swisdominregardtostartingtheSeven—YearsWar，andtoSchwerin’sentiresincerityinthatinspiredspeech。Andstillmorecurious，thattherewasalways，atPotsdamaselsewhere，aMajesty’sOppositionParty；privatelyintenttolookatthewrongside；anddoingitdiligently，——thoughwithlipsstrictlyclosedformostpart；
withoutwords，exceptwell—weighedandtothewise:whichisanexcellentarrangement，foraMajestyandMajesty’sOpposition，wherefeasibleintheworld！——
FromRetzowIlearnfarther，thatWinterfeld，directlyonthebackofthisConference，tookaTourtotheBohemianBaths，"ToKarlsbad，orToplitz，forone’shealth；"andwanderedaboutagooddealinthoseFrontierMountainsofBohemia，takingnotes，takingsketches（notwithapicturesqueview）；andreturnedbytheSaxonPirnaCountry，astrangestonylabyrinth，whichheguessedmightpossiblybeinterestingsoon。TheSaxonCommandantoftheKonigstein，loftyFortressofthoseparts，strongestinSaxony，wasofWinterfeld’sacquaintance:WinterfeldcalledonthisCommandant；
foundhisKonigsteintoohighforcannonadingthoseneighborhoods，butthattherewasatthebaseofitanewWorkgoingon；andthattheSaxonswere，thoughlanguidly，endeavoringtobestirthemselvesinmattersmilitary。TheirentireArmyatpresentisunder20，000；
but，inthecourseofnextWinter，theyexpecttohaveit40，000。
Shallbeofthatforce，againstSeason1757。NodoubtWinterfeld’sgatheringsandcommunicationshadtheirusesatPotsdam，onhisgettinghomefromthisTourtoToplitz。
Meanwhile，KlinggrafhashadhisAudienceatVienna；andhasspedasillascouldhavebeenexpected。TheAnswergivenwasofsuperciliousbrevity；evasive，ineffectnull，andasgoodasanswering，Thatthereisnoanswer。TwoAccountswehave，asFriedrichsuccessivelyhadthem，ofthisfamedpassage:
FIRST，Klinggraf’sown，whichisclear，rapid，andstandsbytheessential；SECOND，anaccountfromtheothersideofthescenes，furnishedbyMenzelofDresden，forFriedrich’sbehoofandours；
whichcuriouslyillustratestheforegoing，andconfirmstheinterpretationFriedrichatoncemadeofit。ThisisMenzel’saccount；inotherwords，theSaxonEnvoyatVienna’s，stolenbyMenzel。
July26th，itappears，Klinggraf——havingappliedtoKaunitzthedaybefore，whonoticedacertainflurryinhim，andhadansweredcarelessly，"Audience？Yes，ofcourse；nayIamthismomentgoingtotheEmpress:onlyyoumusttellmeaboutwhat？"——wasadmittedtotheImperialPresence，hefirstofmanythatwerewaiting。ImperialPresenceheldinitshandasnipofPaper，carefullycomposedbyKaunitzfromthedata，andreadthesewords:"DIEBEDENKLICHEN
UMSTANDE，ThequestionablecircumstancesoftheTimehavemovedmetoconsiderasindispensablynecessarythosemeasureswhich，formyownsecurityandfordefenceofmyAllies，Iamtaking，andwhichotherwisedonottendtheleasttowardsinjuryofanybodywhatsoever；"——andaddingnosyllablemore，gaveasignwithherhand，intimatingtoKlinggrafthattheInterviewwasdone。
KlinggrafstrodethroughtheAntechamber，"visiblyastonished，"sayon—lookers，atsuchanAnswerhad。Answer，infact，"Thatthereisnoanswer，"andthedoorflunginyourface！[Helden—
Geschichte，iii。772。InValori，ii。128，Friedrich’slittlePaperofINSTRUCTIONStoKlinggraf；thisViennaANSWERtoit，ib。138:——seeib。138，162；andGesammelteNachrichten，ii。214—221。]
Friedrich，onarrivalofreportfromKlinggraf，andwithoutwaitingfortheMenzelsideofthescenes，seesthatthethingissettled。
Writesagain，however（August2d，probablythedayafter，orthesameday，Klinggraf’sDespatchreachedhim）；instructingKlinggrafTorequest"alessoracularresponse；"andspecially，"IfherImperialMajesty（AustriaandRussiabeing，asisunderstood，inactiveLeagueagainst，him）willsay，ThatAustriawillnotattackhimthisyearorthenext？"Drawupmemorialofthat，MonsieurKlinggraf；andsendusthesuperciliousNo—Answer:tillwhicharrivewedonotcrosstheFrontier，——butarealreadyeverywhereonmarchtoit，inanindustrious，cunninglydevised，evidentandyetimpenetrablymysteriousmanner。
ExcellencyValorineversawsuchactivityofmilitarypreparation:
suchArtillery，"2，000bigpiecesintheParkhere；"Regiments，Wagon—trains，gettingunderwayeverywhere，nomancanguesswhitherward；"drawnupintheSquarehere，theyknownotbywhatGatetheyaretomarch。"BythreedifferentGates，Ishouldthink；
——mysteriously，inThreeDirections，knownonlytoKingFriedrichandhisAdjutant—General，alltheseRegimentsinBerlinandelsewhereareonmarch。TowardsHalle（Leipzigway）；
towardsBrietzen（WittenbergandTorgauway）；towardsBautzenneighborhood，——towardsThreesettledPointsoftheSaxonFrontier；
willstepacrosstheinstantthesuperciliousNo—Answercomestohand。AretoconvergeaboutDresdenandtheSaxonSwitzerland；——
about65，000strong，equippedasnoArmybeforeorsincehasbeen；
——andtakewhatlucktheremaybe。
BruhlandPolishMajesty’sArmy，stillonlyabout18，000，havetheirapprehensionsofsuchvisit:butwhatcantheydo？TheSaxonArmydrawsoutintoCamp，atsightofthismysteriousmarching；
strongCamp"intheangleofElbeandMuldeRivers；"——thendrawsinagain；beingtooweakforuse。Andisthinking，Menzelinformsus，totakepostinthestonylabyrinthicPirnaCountry:suchtheadviceanExcellencyBrogliohasgiven；——FrenchExcellency，nowinDresden；MarechaldeBroglio’sSon，andoflittlelessexplosivenaturethanhisFatherwas。BruhlandPolishMajesty，guessingthatthehouriscome，areinfinitelyinterested。Interested，notflurried。"Austrian—RussianAnti—PrussianCovenant！"sayBruhlandMajesty，rathercomfortablytothemselves:"Weneversignedit。
WEneverwouldsignanything；whathavewetodowithit？Courage；
steady；ToPirna，iftheycome！ArenotExcellencyBroglio，andFrance，andAustria，andthewholeworldatourback？"
ItwasfullthreeweeksbeforeKlinggraf’sMessageofAnswercouldarriveatBerlin。OfFriedrichintheinterim，launchingsuchaworld—adventure，himselfsilent，inthemidstofabuzzingBerlin，taketheseindications，whichareluminousenough。DukeFerdinandofBrunswickistoheadoneoftheThree"Columns。"DukeFerdinand，GovernorofMagdeburg，isnowcollectinghisColumninthatneighborhood，chieflyatHalle；whitherward，oronwhaterrand，isprofoundlyunknown。UnknowneventoFerdinand，exceptthatitisforactualServiceintheField。HerearetwoFriedrichLetters（ruggedlyOfficial，thefirstofthem，andnotquitepeculiartoFerdinand），whichareworthreading:——
THEKINGTODUKEFERDINANDOFBRUNSWICK。
"POTSDAM，15thAugust，1756。
"FortimeofField—ServiceIhavemadethearrangement，ThatfortheSubalternOfficersofyourregiment，overandabovetheirordinaryEquipage—moneys，thereshall，toeachSubalternOfficer，andonceforall，beEightThalers[twenty—fourshillingssterling]
advanced。Thatsum[eightthalerspersubaltern]shallbepaidtotheCaptainofeveryCompany；andbesidesthisthereshall，monthly，TwoThalersbedeductedfromtheSubaltern’sPay，andbelikewisepaidovertotheCaptain:——inreturnforwhich，HeistofurnishFreeTablefortheSubalternsthroughouttheCampaign，andsolongastheregimentisinthefield。
"OftheTwoBaggage—cartsperCompany，theregimentshalltakeonlyOne，andleavetheotherathome。NoOfficer，lethimbewhoorofwhattitlehewill，Generalsnotexcepted，shalltakewithhimtheleastofSilverPlate，notevenasilverspoon。Whoeverwants，therefore，tokeeptable，greatorsmall（TAFELODERTISCH），mustmanagethesamewithtinutensils；——withoutexception，behewhohewill。
"EachCaptainshalltakewithhimalittleCaskofVinegar；
ofwhich，assoonastheregimentsgettoCamp，hemustgivemereckoning，andIwillthenhavehimrepaid。ThisVinegarshallsolelyandexclusivelybeemployedforthispurpose，Thatinplaceswherethewaterisbad，therebepouredintoit，forthesoldiers，afewdropsofthevinegar，tocorrectthewater，andtherebypreservethemfromillnesses。
"Sosoonastheregimentgetsonmarch，theWomenwhohavepermissiontofollowareputundercommandoftheProfoss；
thattherebyallplunderingsanddisordersmaythemorebeguardedagainst。IftheCaptainsandOfficerstakeGrooms（JAGER）orthelikeDomestics，therecanmusketsbegiventothese，thatusemaybehadofthem，incaseofanattackinquarters，oronmarch，whenaWAGENBURG（wagon—fortress）istobeformed……FRIEDRICH。"
[Preuss，ii。6，7。]
SAMETOSAME（Confidential，thisone）。
"POTSDAH，24thAugust……"MakeasifyouweremeaningtogointoCampatHalle。
ThereasonwhyIstopyouis，thattheCourierfromViennahasnotyetcome。WemustthereforereassuretheSaxonneighborhood……Ihavebeenexpectinganswerfromhourtohour；cannotsuitablybeginaWar—Expeditiontillitcome；dothereforeappriseYourDilection，thoughunderthedeepestsecrecy。
"Anditisnecessary，andmyWillis，That，tillfartherorder，youkeepalltheregimentsandcorpsbelongingtoyourColumnintheplaceswheretheyarewhenthisarrives。Andshall，meanwhile，withyourbestskillmaskallthis，bothfromtheTownofHalle，andfromtheregimentsthemselves；making，inconformitywithwhatI
saidyesterday，asifyouwereaCorpsofObservationcometoencamphere，andwerewaitingthelastorderstogointocamp。
FRIEDRICH。"[Ib。ii。7，8。]
AndinregardtotheViennaCourier，andFriedrich’sattitudetowardsthatPhenomenon，readonlytheseTwoNotes:——
1。FRIEDRICHTOTHEPRINCEOFPRUSSIAANDTHEPRINCESSAMELIA（atBerlin）
POTSDAM，"25thAugust，"1756。
"MYDEARBROTHER，MYDEARSISTER，——Iwritetoyoubothatonce，forwantoftime。Iwillfollowtheadviceyouaresogoodasgiveme；
andwilltakeleaveoftheQueen[ourdearMamma]byLetter。
AndthatthereadingofmyLettermaynotfrightenher，IwillsenditbymySister，tobepresentedinafavorablemoment。
"IhaveyetgotnoAnswerfromVienna；byKlinggraf’saccount，I
shallnotreceiveittillto—morrow[camethisnight]，ButIcountmyselfsurerofWarthanever；astheAustrianshavenamedGenerals，andtheirArmyisorderedtomarch，fromKolintoKonigsgratz"——Schlesienway。"Sothat，expectingnothingbutahaughtyAnswer，oraveryuncertainone，onwhichtherewillbenoreliancepossible，IhavearrangedeverythingforsettingoutonSaturdaynext。To—morrow，sosoonasthenewscomes，Iwillnotfailtoletyouknow。AssuringyouthatIam，withaperfectaffection，mydearBrotherandmydearSister，——Yours，——F。"
[OEuvresdeFrederic，xxvi。155。]
AnswercomesfromKlinggrafthatsamenight。Oncemore，anAnsweralmostworsethancouldhavebeenexpected。"The’LeaguewithRussiaagainstyou’isnonextant，athingofyourimagination:
Havenotwealreadyanswered？"[InGesammelteUrkunden，i。217:Klinggraf’ssecondquestion（donebyLetterthistime），"18thAugust；"MariaTheresa’sAnswer，"21stAugust，"]
Whereupon，2。FRIEDRICHTOTHEPRINCEOFPRUSSIA。
POTSDAM，"26thAugust，"1756。
"MYDEARBROTHER，——IhavealreadywrittentotheQueen；softeningthingsasmuchasIcould[Letterlost]。MySister，towhomI
addresstheLetter，willdeliverit。
"YouhaveseenthePaperIsenttoKlinggraf。TheirAnsweris’ThattheyhavenotmadeanOffensiveAlliancewithRussiaagainstme。’
TheAnswerisimpertinent，highandcontemptuous；andoftheAssurancethatIrequired[astoThisYearandnext]，notoneword。
SothattheswordalonecancutthisGordianKnot。IaminnocentofthisWar；IhavedonewhatIcouldtoavoidit；butwhateverbeone’sloveofpeace，onecannotandmustnotsacrificetothat，one’ssafetyandone’shonor。Such，Ibelieve，willbeyouropiniontoo，fromthesentimentsIknowinyou。Atpresent，ouronethoughtmustbe，TodoWarinsuchawayasmaycureourEnemiesoftheirwishtobreakPeaceagaintoosoon。Iembraceyouwithallmyheart。Ihavehadnoendofbusiness（TERRIBLEMENTAFAIRE）。"——F。
[OEuvres，xxvi。116。]
THEMARCHINTOSAXONY，INTHREECOLUMNS。
AheadofthatlastNote，fromanearlierhourofthesameday，Thursday，26thAugust，thereisspeedingforth，toallThreeGeneralsofDivision，thisOrder（takeDukeFerdinand’scopy}:——
{notinoriginal]^
"IherebyorderthatYourDilection（EW。LIEBDEN），withalltheregimentsandcorpsintheColumnstandingunderyourcommand，Shallnow，withoutmoredelay，getonmarch，onthe29thinst。；
andproceed，accordingtotheMarch—TablesandInstructionsalreadygiven，toexecutewhatYourDilectionhasgotincharge。"——F。
ThesameThursday，26th，ExcellencyMitchell，informedbyPodewilsoftheKing’swishtoseehimatPotsdam，getsunderwayfromBerlin；arrives"justtimeenoughtospeakwiththeKingbeforehesatdowntosupper。"Verymanythingstobeconsultedof，anddeliberativelytouchedupon，withMitchellandEngland；noendofthingsandconsiderations，forEnglandandKingFriedrich，inthisthatisnowabouttoburstforthonanastonishedworld！——OverinLondon，weobserve，justinthehourswhenMitchellwasharnessingforPotsdam，andsomanyOrdersandLetterswerespeedingtheirswiftestinthatquarter，thereisgoingforward，onTower—Hillyonder，thefollowingOperation:——
"LONDON，THURSDAY，26thAUGUST，1756。Aboutfiveintheafternoon，anotedAdmiral[onlyinEffigyasyet；butwhohasbeenheldinmiserabledurance，andtooactualquestionofdeathorlife，eversincehisreturn:"Oh，yesindeed！HangHIMatonce"，——ifthatcanbearemedy！]was，afterhavingbeenprivatelyshowntomanyladiesandgentlemen，brought——inanopensedan，guardedbyanumberofyounggentlemenunderarms，withdrumsbeating，colorsflying——toTower—Hill，whereaGallowshadbeenerectedforhimatsixthesamemorning。Hewasrichlydressed，inablueandgoldcoat，buffwaistcoat，trimmed，&c。infulluniform。WhenbroughtundertheGallows，hestayedasmallspace，tillhisclergyman（achimney—
sweeper）hadgivenhimsomeadmonitions:thatdone，hewasdrawn，bypulleys，tothetopoftheGallows，whichwastwentyfeethigh；
everypersonexpressingasmuchsatisfactionasifithadbeentherealman。
"Heremainedthere，guardedbytheabovevolunteers，withoutanymolestation，twohours；when，uponasuppositionofbeingobstructedbytheGovernoroftheTower，somesailorsappeared，whowantedtopullhimdown，inordertodraghimalongthestreets。