In February last, we saw him engaged in Russian, Anti-Prus-
sian Partition schemes.
sian Partition schemes.
Thomas Carlyle
"Breslau, 6th September.
* * I am not without hopes
"of succeeding in a project which has occurred to me on this
"occasion, and which seems to be pretty well relished by
"some people" (properly by one individual, Goltz, the King's
Adjutant and factotum), "who are in great confidence about
'' the King of Prussia's person; and I think it is the only thing
"that now remains to be tried; and as it is the least of two
"evils, I hope I shall have the King my Master's approbation
"in attempting it; and if the Court of Vienna will open their
"eyes, they must see it is the only thing left to save them from
"utter destruction;" -- and, finally, here it is:
"Since Mr. Robinson left this place," -- ('Sooner you go,
the better, Sir! '), -- "I have been sounding the people afore
"mentioned," the individual afore hinted at, "Whether the
"King of Prussia would hearken to a Neutrality with respect
"to the Queen of Hungary, and at the same time fulfil his
"engagements to his Majesty with respect to the defence of
"his Majesty's German Dominions, if she would give him the
"Lower Silesia with Breslau? At first they rejected it; say-
"ing it was a thing they dared not propose. However, I have
"reason to believe, by a Letter I saw this day, that it has been
"proposed to the King, and that he is not absolutely averse
"to it. I shall know more in a few days; but if it can be done
* Hyndford Papers (Brit. Mus. Additional Mas. 11,366), ii. fol. 91.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] FRIEDRICH STARTS AGAIN FOR NBISSB. 71
16th Aug. --4th Oct. 1741.
"at all, it must be done in the very greatest secrecy, for
"neither the King nor his Ministers wish to appear in it; and
"I question if his Minister Podewils will be informed of it. "*
3? . Excellency Robinson (in a flutter of excitement, temporary
hope and excitement, about Goltz) to Hyndford at Breslau.
"Presburg, 8th September (n. s. ) 1741. My Lord, I could
"desire your Lordship to summon up, if it were necessary, the
"spirit of all your Lordship's Instructions, and the sense of
"the King, of the Parliament, and of the whole British
"Nation. It is upon this great moment that depends the fate,
"not of the House of Austria, not of the Empire, but of the
"House of Brunswick, of Great Britain, and of all Europe.
"I verily believe the King of Prussia does not himself know
"the extent of the present danger. With whatever motive he
"may act, there is not one, not that of the wildest resentment,
"that can blind him to this degree, of himself perishing in the
"ruin he is bringing upon others. With his concurrence, the
"French will, in less than six weeks, be masters of the German
"Empire. The weak Elector of Bavaria is but their instru-
"ment: Prague and Vienna may, and probably will, be taken
"in that short time. Will even the King of Prussia himself
"be reserved to the last?
"Upon this single transaction" (of your Lordship's affair
with the mysterious individual) "depend the cita mors, or the
"victoria lata of all Europe. Nothing will equal the glory of
"your Lordship, in the latter case, but that to be acquired by
"the King of Prussia in his immediate imitation of the great
"Sobieski" -- reputed 'saviour of Vienna,' 0 your Excellen-
cy! # # "Prince Lichtenstein will, if found in time upon
"his estates in Bohemia, be, I believe, the person to repair
"to the King of Prussia, the moment your Lordship shall
"have signed the Preliminaries. Once again, give me leave,
"my Lord, to express my most ardent wishes, my" -- T. Ro-
BUISON. **.
4o. Excellency Hyndford to Secretary Harrington.
"Breslau, 9th September, * * Received a message to
"meet him," -- him, for we now speak in the singular number,
* Hyndford Papers, fol. 97, i)8. ? * lb. fol. 102.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 72 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book Xm.
9th Sept. 1741.
though still without naming Goltz, -- "one of the persons 1
"mentioned in my former Despatch: in a very unsuspected
"place; for we have agreed to avoid all appearance of fami-
"liarity. He told me he had received a Letter this morning
"from the Camp," -- Prussian Majesty's Camp, or Bivouac
(in the Miinsterberg Hill-Country), on that march towards
Woitz, for crossing the Neisse upon Neipperg, which proved
impracticable, -- "and that he could with pleasure tetl me
"that the King agreed to this last trial, although he would
"not, nor could appear in it. * * Then this person read to
"me a Paper, but I could not see whether it was the King's
"hand or not; for when I desired to take a copy, he said he
"could not show me the original; but dictated as follows:
"lToute la Basse Silesie, la riviere de Neisse pour limite, la
"ville de Neisse a nous, aussi bien que Glaiz; de I'autre cote de
"VOder Vancien limite enlre les' Ditches de Brieg et (TOppeln.
"Namslau a nous. Les affaires de religion in statu quo. Point
"de dependance de laBoheme; cession eternelle. En e'change
"nous n'irons pas plus loin. Nous assiegerons Neisse pro formal:
"le commandant se rendra et sortira. Nous prendrons les quar-
"tiers tranquillement, et Us pourront mener leur Arme'e oil Us
"voudront. Que tout cela soit fini en douze jours. ' That is
to say:
"'The whole of Lower Silesia, Neisse Town included;
"Neisse River for boundary: -- Glatz withal. Beyond the
"Oder, for the Duchies of Brieg and Oppeln the ancient limits.
"Namslau ours. Affairs of Religion to continue in statu quo.
"No dependence" (feudal tie or other, as there used to be)
"on Bohemia; cession of Silesia to be absolute and forever. --
"We, in return, will proceed no further. We will besiege
"Neisse for form; the Commandant shall surrender and de-
"part. We will pass quietly into winter-quarters; and the
"Austrian Army may go whither it will. Bargain to be con-
"eluded within twelve days. '"* -- Canhia Excellency Hynd-
ford get Vienna, get Feldmarshall Neipperg with power from
Vienna, to accept: Yes or no? Excellency Hyndford thinks,
Yes; will try his very utmost! --
"He (Goltz) then tore the Paper in very small pieces; and
"he repeated again, that if the affair should be discovered,
"both the King and he were determined to deny it. * *
* Coxe (iii. 272) gives this Translation, not saying whence he had it.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] FRIEDRICH STARTS AGAIN FOR NEISSE. 73
18th Sept. 1741.
''' But how about engagements with regard to my Master's
"German Dominions; not a word about that? ' He answered,
"' You have not the least to fear from France;' protested the
"King of Prussia's great regard for his Majesty of Eng-
land, &c. I told him these fine words did not satisfy me;
"and that if this affair should succeed, I expected there
"should be some stipulation. "* Yes; and came, about a
month hence, "waylaying his Majesty" to get one, -- as
readers saw above.
Prussian Dryasdust (poor soul, to whom one is
often cruel! ) shall glad himself with the following Two
bits of Autography from Goltz, who had instantly
quitted Breslau again; -- and, to us, they will serve
as date for the actual arrival of Excellency Hyndford
in those fighting regions, and commencement of his
mysterious glidings about between Camp and Camp.
Goltz to the Excellency Hyndford at Breslau (most Private).
". In Camp de Neuendorf, 16me seplombre, a 9 heures an soir.
(1. ) "Milord, -- Vous savez que je suis porte pour la bonne
"cause. Sur ce pied je prends la liberie de vous conseiller en
"ami et serviteur, de venir ici incessamment, el de presser votre
"voyage de sorte que vous puissiez paraitre publiquement lundi"
(18th) "vers midi. Vous trouverez 6 (sic) chevaux de posies a
"Olau et a Grottkau tout prets. Hatez-vous, Milord, tout ce que
"vous pourrez au monde. Xai Vhonneur. " -- Meaning, in brief
English:
"Be at Neundorf here, publicly, on Monday next,
"18th, towards noon. " Things being ripe. "Haste, Milord,
"haste! "-
"Ce 48me d 3 heures cpres-midi.
(2. ) "Je suis au desespoir, Milord, de votre maladie. Void
ille courrier que vous aitendiez. Venez leplutot que vous pourrez
'-au monde; si non, diles au General Marwitz de quoi il s'agit,
"a/in qu'il puisse me le faire savoir. * * Le courrier serait
"arrivequatreheures plutot, si nous ne I'avions renvoyiau Comte
* Hyndford Pupers, fol. 115.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 74 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book XIII.
4th Oct. 1741.
"Neuberg (sic) a cause de voire maladie. " -- " Goltz. " *--That
is to say:
"Distressed inexpressibly by your Lordship's biliary con-
"dition. One cannot travel under colic; -- and things were
"so ripe! Courier would have reached you four hours sooner,
"but we had to send him over to Neipperg first. Come, oh
"come! " -- Which Hyndford, now himself again, at once
does.
This is the Mystery, which, on October 4th, had
arrived at that stage, indicated above: "Tush! Follow
me: Dinner is already falling cold, and there are eyes
upon us! " Five days after that Dinner -- But we
shall have to take the luggage with us, what minimum
of it is indispensable!
? Hyndford Papers, fol. 150-152.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. v. ] FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 75
Uth Sept. --9th Oct. 1741.
CHAPTER V.
KLEIN-SCHNELLENDORF: FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A
FASHION.
While these combined Mysteries and War-move-
ments go on, in Neisse and its Environs, the World-
Phenomena continue, -- in Upper Austria and else-
where. Of which take these select summits, or points
chiefly luminous in the dusk of the forgotten Past:
Linz, September 14th. Karl Albert, being joined some days
ago at Scharding by the first Three French Divisions, 15,000
men in all (the other Four Divisions of them are still in the
Donauworth-Ingolstadt quarter, making their manifold ar-
rangements), has pushed forward, sixty miles (land-marches
south side of the Donau, which makes a bend here), and this
day, September 14th, appears at Linz. Pleasant City of
Linz]; where, as readers may remember, Mr. John Kepler,
long ago, busy discovering the System of the World (grandest
Conquest ever made, or to be made, by the Sons of Adam),
had his poor Camera Obscura set out, to get himself a liveli-
hood in the interim: here now is Karl Albert's flag on the
winds, and, as it were, the Oriflamme with it, on a singularly
different adventure. "Open gates! " demands Karl Albert
with authority: "Admit me to my Capital of Upper Austria! "
Which cannot be denied him, there being nothing but Town-
guards in the place.
Karl Albert continued there some weeks, in a serenely
victorious posture; doing acts of authority; getting homaged
by the Stdnde; pushing out his forces farther and farther
down the Donau, post after post,-- victorious Oriflamme-
Bavarian Army may be 40,000 strong or so, in those parts.
Friedrich urged him much to push on without pause, and take
opportunity by the forelock; sent Schmettau (elder of the
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 76 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book XIII.
14th Sept. --9th Oct. 1741.
Two Schmettaus, who is much employed on such business) to
urge him; wrote an express Paper of Considerations press-
ingly urgent; but he would not, and continued pausing.
Vienna, all in terror, is fortifying itself; citizens toiling
at the earthworks, resolute for making some defence; Con-
stituted Authorities, National Archives even, Court in a
body, and all manner of Noble and Official people, flying
elsewhither to covert: chiefly to Presburg, where her Majesty
already is. The Archives were carried to Gratz; the two
Dowager Empresses (for there are two, Maria Theresa's
Mother, and Maria Thersea's Aunt, Kaiser Joseph's Widow)
fled different ways -- I forget which. An agitated, paralysed
population. Except the diligent wheelbarrows on the ram-
parts, no vehicle is rolling in Vienna but furniture-wagons
loading for flight. General Khevenhiiller with 6,000, who
presides with fine scientific skill, and an iron calmness and
clearness, over these fortifyings, is the only force left. *
Neipperg's, our only Army in the world, is hundreds of miles
away, countermarching and manoeuvring about Woitz, and
Neisse Town and River, -- pretty sure to be beaten in the
end; -- and it is high time there were a Silesian bargain had,
if Hyndford can get us any.
Dresden, Seplemberldth (Excellency Hyndford just recover-
ing from his colic, in Breslau), Kur-Sachsen, after many
waverings, signs Treaty of Copartnery with France and Ba-
varia, seduced by "that Moravia," ana the ticklings of Belle-
isle actingj on a weak mind. ** His troops are 20,000, or
rather more; said to be of good quality, and well equipped.
In February last, we saw him engaged in Russian, Anti-Prus-
sian Partition schemes. In April, as these suddenly (on sight
of the Camp of Gottin) extinguished themselves, he agreed
to go, in the pacific way, with her Hungarian Majesty for
friend (Treaty with her, signed 11th April); but never went
(Treaty never ratified); kept his 20,000 lying about in Camp,
in an enigmatic manner, -- first about Torgau, latterly in the
* Anonymous, Ilisloire de la Derniere Guerre de Bohdme (kFrancfort
1745-47), i. 190. A lively succinct little Book, vague not false; still read-
able, though not now, as then, with complete intelligence, to the unpre-
pared reader. Said to be by Mauvillon Pere, though it resembles nothing
else of his that is known to me.
** Adelung, ii. 469, 304, 503.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. v. ] FRIKDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 77
21st Sept. 1741.
Lausitz, much nearer to the Erzgebirge (Metal-Mountains),
Frontier of Bohemia; -- and now signs as above; intent to
march as soon as possible. Is to have Four Circles of Bohe-
mia, imaginary Kingships of Moravia, and other prizes.
Belleisle has tickled that big trout: Belleisle could now have
the Election as he wishes it, would the Electors but be
speedy; but they will not, and he is obliged to push conti-
nually.
"Moriamur pro Rege nostro Maria Theresia," in the
Poetic, and then also in the Prose Form.
Presburg, September 21st. This is the date (or chief date,
for, alas, there turn out to be two! ) of the world-famous
'Moriamur pro Rege nostro Maria Theresia;' of which there
are now needed Two Narratives; the generally received (in
part mythical) going first, in the following strain:
"The Queen has been in Presburg mainly, where the
"Hungarian Diet is sitting, ever since her Coronation-cere-
"mony. On the 11th September" (or 11th and 21st together),
"the afflicted Lady makes an appearance there which, for
"theatrical reality, has become very celebrated. Alas, it is
"but three months since she galloped to the top of the Konigs-
"berg, and cut defiantly with bright sabre towards the Four
"Points of the Universe; and already it has come to this.
"Hungarian Magnates in high session, the high Queen enters,
"beautiful and sad, -- and among her ministers is noticeable
"a Nurse with the young Archduke, some six months old, a
"fine thriving child, perhaps too wise for his age, who became
"Kaiser Joseph II. in after time.
"The Hungarian Session is not on record for me, Hall of
"meeting, Magyar Parliamentary eloquence unknown; nor
"is any point conspicuously visible exact and certain, except
"these" (alas, not even these): "That it was the 11th of
"September; that her Majesty coming forward to speak, took
"the child in her arms, and there, in a clear and melodiously
"piercing voice, sorrow and courage on her noble face, beau-
"tiful as the Moon riding among wet stormy clouds, spake,
"as the Hungarian Archives still have it, a short Latin
"Harangue; in substance as follows: ** 'Hostile invasion
"'of Austria; imminent peril, to this Kingdom of Hungary, to
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 78 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [BOOK XIII.
21st Sept. 1741.
"' our person, to our children, to our crown. Forsaken by all,
'"--ab omnibus derelicli' (Britannic Majesty himself standing
stock-still, -- blamably, one thinks, the two swords being only
at his throat, and a good way off! ) -- '"I have no resource'but
"'to throw myself on the loyalty and help of Your renowned
"'Body, and invoke the ancient Hungarian virtue to rise
"' swiftly and save me! ' Whereat;the assembled Hungarian
"Synod, their wild Magyar hearts touched to the core, start
"up in impetuous acclaim, flourish aloft their drawn swords,
"and shout unanimously in passionate tenor-voice, 'Moriamur
"(Let us die) for our Rex Maria Theresa! '* Which were
"not vain words. For a general' Insurrection' was thereupon
"decreed; what the Magyars call their 'Insurrection,' which
"is by no means of rebellious nature; and many noblemen,
"old Count Palfy himself a chief among them, though past
"three score and ten, took the field at their own cost; and the
"noise of the Hungarian Insurrection spread like a voice of
"hope over all Pragmatic countries. " --
A very beautiful heroic scene; which has gone about the
world, circulating triumphantly through all hearts for above
a Century past; and has only of late acknowledged itself
mythical, -- not true, except as toned down to the following
stingy prose pitch:
Fresburg, September 21st. Maria Theresa, since that fine
Coronation scene, June 25th, has had a mixed time of it with
her Hungarian Diet; soft passages alternating with hard:
a chivalrous people, most consciously chivalrous; but a con-
stitutional withal, very stiff upon their Charter (Pacta Con-
venta, or whatever the name is); who wrangle much upon
privileges, upon taxes, and are diflicult to keep long in tune.
Ten days ago (September 11th), her Majesty tried them on a
new tack; summoned them to her Palace; threw herself upon
their nobleness, "No allies but you in the world" (and other
fine things, authentically, as above, legible in the Archives
to this day): -- so spake the beautiful young Queen, her eyes
filling with tears as she went on, and yet a noble fire gleaming
through them. Which melted the Hungarian heart a good
deal; and produced fine cheering, some persons even shed-
ding tears, and voices of " Life and Fortune for your Majesty! "
* Maria Thercsiens Leben (which speaks hypothetically), iv. 44; Coxe,
ii. 270 (who is positive, "after examining the Documents").
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. v. ] FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 79
21st Sept. 1741.
being heard in it. In which humour the Diet returned to its
Session-House, and voted the "Insurrection," -- or general
Arming of Hungary, County by County, each according to
its own contingent; -- with all speed, in pursuance of her
Majesty's implied desire. This was voted in rapid manner;
but again, in the detail of executing, it was liable to haggles.
From this day, however, matters did decidedly improve;
Pacta Conventa, or any remainder of them, are got adjusted,
-- the good Queen yielding on many points. So that, Sep-
tember 20th, Grand-Duke Franz is elected Co-regent, -- let
him start from Vienna instantly, for Instalment; -- and it is
hoped the Insurrection will go well, and not prove haggly, or
hang fire in the details.
^At any rate, next day, September 21st, Duke Franz, who
arrived last night, -- and Baby with him, or in the train of
him (to the joy of Mamma! ) -- is in the Palace Audience-
Hall, "at8 a. m. ;" ready for the Diet, and whatHomagings
and mutual Oath, as new Co-regent, are necessary. Grand-
Duke Franz, Mamma by his side, with the suitable function-
aries; and to rearward Nurse and. Baby, not so conspicuous
till needed. Diet enters with the stroke of 8; solemnity pro-
ceeds. At the height of the solemnity, when Duke Franz,
who is really risen now to something of a heroic mood, in these
emergencies and perils, has just taken his Oath, and will have
to speak a fit word or two, -- the Nurse, doubtless on hint
fiven, steps forward; holds up Baby (a fine noticing fellow,
have no doubt, -- "weighed sixteen pounds avoirdupois
when born "); as if Baby too, fine mutual-product of the Two
Co-regents, were mutually swearing and appealing. Enough
to touch any heart. "Life and blood (vitam et sanguinem) for
our Queen and Kingdom! " exclaims the Grand-Duke, among
other things. "Yes, vitam et sanguinem! " reechoes the Diet,
"our life and our blood! " many-voiced, again and again; --
and returns to its own Place of Session, once more in a fine
strain of loyal emotion.
And there, 0 reader, is the naked truth, neither more nor
less. It was some Vienna Pamphleteer of theatrical imagin-
ative turn, finding the thing apt, a year or two afterwards, --
who by kneading different dates and objects into one, boldly
annihilating time and space, and adding a little paint, -- gave
it that seductive mythical form. Prom whom Voltaire adopted
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 80 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book XIII.
27th Sept. 1741.
it, with improvements, especially in the little Harangue; and
from Voltaire gratefully the rest of mankind. * Cut down to
the practical, it stands as above: -- by no means a bad thing
still. That of "bringing in Baby" was a pretty touch in the
domestic-royal way; -- and surely very natural; and has no
"art" in it, or none to blame and not love rather, on the part
of the bright young Mother, now girdled in such tragic out-
looks, and so glad to have Baby back at least, and Papa with
him! It is certain the "Insurrection" was voted with enthu-
siasm; and even became rapidly a fact. And there was, in
few months hence, an immense mounted force of Hungarians
raised, which galloped and plundered (having almost no pay),
and occasionally fenced and fought, very diligently during
all these Wars. Hussars, Croats, Pandours, Tolpatches,
Warasdins, Uscocks, never heard of in war before: who
were found very terrible to look upon once, in the imagina-
tion or with the naked eye; but whose fighting talent,
against regular troops, was next to worthless; and who
gradually became hateful rather than terrible in the military
world.
Hanover, September 21th. Britannic Majesty, reduced to
that frightful pinch, had at last given way. Treaty of Neu-
trality for Hanover; engagement again to stick one's puissant
Pragmatic sword into its scabbard, to be perfectly quiescent
and contemplative in these French-Bavarian Anti-Austrian
undertakings, and digest one's indignation as one can. For
our Paladin of the Pragmatic what a posture! This is the
first of Three Attempts by our puissant little Paladin to draw
sword; -- not till the third could he get his sword out, or do
the least fighting (even foolish fighting) with all the 40,000 he
had kept on pay and subsidy for years back. The Neutrality
was for Hanover only, and had no specific limit as to time.
Opportunities did rise; but something always rose along with
them, -- mainly the impossibility of hoisting those lazy
Dutch, -- and checked one's noble rage. His Majesty has
covenanted to vote for Karl Albert as Kaiser; even he, and
* Voltaire, Steele de Louis XV, c. 6 (CEuvres, xxviii. 78); Coxe, House
of Austria, iii. 270; and innumerable others (who give this Myth); Maria
Theresiens Leben, p. 44n. (who cites the Vienna Pamphleteers, without:
much believing them); Mailath (a Hungarian), Geschiehte des CEsterreichi-
sehen Kaiser-Slaats (Hamburg, 1850), v. 11-13 (who explodes the fable).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. y. ] FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 81
14th Sept. --9th Oct. 1741.
will make the thing unanimous! A thoroughly checkmated
Majesty. Passing home to England, this time in a gloomy
condition of mind. shortly after these humiliations, he was
just issuing from Osnabriick by the Eastern Gate, when
Maillebois's people entered by the Western, -- the ugly shoes
of them insulting his kibes in this manner. And a furious
Anti-Walpole Parliament, most perturbed of National Pala-
vers, is waiting him at St. James's. Heavy-laden little Her-
cules that he is!
Karl Albert lay at Linz for a month longer (till
October 24th, six weeks in all); pausing in uncertain-
ties, in a pleasant dream of victory and sovereignty,
not pouncing on Vienna, as Friedrich urged on the
French and him, to cut the matter by the root. He
does push forward certain troops, Comte de Saxe with
Three Horse Regiments as vanguard, ever nearer to
Vienna; at last to within forty miles of it; nay, light-
horse parties came within twenty-five miles. And
there was skirmishing with Mentzel, a sanguinary
fellow, of whom we shall hear more; who had got
"1,000 Tolpatches" under him, and stood ruggedly
at bay.
Karl Albert has been sending out sovereign messages
from Linz: Letters to Vienna; -- one letter addressed,
"To the Archduchess Maria Theresa;" which came
back unopened, "No such person known here. " October
2d, he is getting homaged at Linz, by the Stande of
the Province, -- on summons sent some time before, --
many of whom attend, with a willing enough appear-
ance; Kur-Baiern rather a favourite in Upper Austria,
say some. Much fine processioning, melodious ha-
ranguing, there now is for Karl Albert, and a pleasant
dream of Sovereignty at Linz: but if he do not pounce
upon Vienna till Khevenhiiller get it fortified? Kheven-
Carlyh, Frederick the Great. VII. 6
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 82 F1RST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book Xiii.
9th Oct. 1741.
huller is drawing home Italian Garrisons, gradually-
gathering something like an Army round him. In
Khevenhiiller's imperturbable military head, one of the
clearest and hardest, there is some hope. Above all,
if Neipperg's Army were to disengage itself, and be
let loose into those parts?
Excellency Hyndford brings about a Meeting at Klein-
Schnellendorf (9th October 1741).
It was the second day after that Homaging at Linz,
when Hyndford (October 4th) with mysterious negotia-
tions, now nearly ripe, for disengaging Neipperg, way-
laid his Prussian Majesty; and was answered, as we-
saw, with "Tush, tush! Dinner is already cold! "
It must be owned, these Friedrich-Hyndford Nego-
tiations, following on an express French-Prussian Treaty
of June 5th, which have to proceed in such threefold
mystery now and afterwards, are of questionable dis-
tressing nature: nor can the fact that they are escorted
copiously enough by a correspondent sort on the French
side, and indeed on the Austrian and on all sides, be
a complete consolation, -- far otherwise, to the in-
genuous reader. Smelfungus indignantly calls it an
immorality and a dishonour, "a playing with loaded
dice;" which in good part it surely was. Nor can
even Friedrich, who has many pleas for himself, obtain
spoken acquittal; unspoken, accompanied with regrets
and pity, is all even Friedrich can aspire to. My own
impression is, Smelfungus, if candid, would on clearer
information and consideration have revoked much of
what he says here in censure of Friedrich. At all
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. V. ]" FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 83
8th Oct. 1741.
events, if asked: Where then is the specifical not
"superstitious" want of "veracity" you ever found in
Friedrich? and How, otherwise than even as Friedrich
did, would you, most veracious Smelfungus, have
plucked out your Silesia from such an Element and
such a Time? -- he would be puzzled 'to answer. I
give his Fragment as I find it, with these deductions:
"What negotiating we have had, and shall have," exclaims
"Smelfungus, my sad foreeoer, -- "fit'rather to be omitted
"from a serious History, which intends to be read by human
"creatures! Bargaining, Promising, Non-performing. False
"in general as dicers' oaths; false on this side and on that,
"from beginning to end. Intercepted Letters from Fleury;
"Letter dropping from Valori's waistcoat-pocket, upon which
"Friedrich claps his foot: alas, alas, we are in the middle of
"a whole world of that. Friedrich knows that the French are
"false to him; he by no means intends to be romantically true
"to them, and that also they know. What is the use to
"human creatures of recording all that melancholy stuff? If
"sovereign persons want their diplomacies not to be swept
"into the ashpit, there are two conditions, especially one
"which is peremptory: First, that they should not be lies; --
"Second, that they should be of some importance, some
"wisdom; which with known lies is not a possible condition.
"To unravel cobwebs, and register laboriously and date and
"sort in the sorrow of your soul the oaths of crowned dicers, --
"what use is it to gods or men? Having well dressed and
"sliced your cucumber, the next clear human duty is: Throw
"it out of window. In that foul Lapland-witch world, of
"seething Diplomacies and monstrous wigged mendacities,
"horribly wicked and despicably unwise, I find nothing no-
"table, memorable even in a small degree, except this aspect
"of a young King who does know what he means in it. Clear
"as a star, sharp as cutting steel (very dangerous to hydrogen
"balloons), he stands in the middle of it, and means to extort
"his own from it by such methods as there are.
"Magnanimous I can by no means call Friedrich to his
"allies and neighbours, nor even superstitiously veracious, in
"this business: but he thoroughly understands, he alone,
6*
?
"of succeeding in a project which has occurred to me on this
"occasion, and which seems to be pretty well relished by
"some people" (properly by one individual, Goltz, the King's
Adjutant and factotum), "who are in great confidence about
'' the King of Prussia's person; and I think it is the only thing
"that now remains to be tried; and as it is the least of two
"evils, I hope I shall have the King my Master's approbation
"in attempting it; and if the Court of Vienna will open their
"eyes, they must see it is the only thing left to save them from
"utter destruction;" -- and, finally, here it is:
"Since Mr. Robinson left this place," -- ('Sooner you go,
the better, Sir! '), -- "I have been sounding the people afore
"mentioned," the individual afore hinted at, "Whether the
"King of Prussia would hearken to a Neutrality with respect
"to the Queen of Hungary, and at the same time fulfil his
"engagements to his Majesty with respect to the defence of
"his Majesty's German Dominions, if she would give him the
"Lower Silesia with Breslau? At first they rejected it; say-
"ing it was a thing they dared not propose. However, I have
"reason to believe, by a Letter I saw this day, that it has been
"proposed to the King, and that he is not absolutely averse
"to it. I shall know more in a few days; but if it can be done
* Hyndford Papers (Brit. Mus. Additional Mas. 11,366), ii. fol. 91.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] FRIEDRICH STARTS AGAIN FOR NBISSB. 71
16th Aug. --4th Oct. 1741.
"at all, it must be done in the very greatest secrecy, for
"neither the King nor his Ministers wish to appear in it; and
"I question if his Minister Podewils will be informed of it. "*
3? . Excellency Robinson (in a flutter of excitement, temporary
hope and excitement, about Goltz) to Hyndford at Breslau.
"Presburg, 8th September (n. s. ) 1741. My Lord, I could
"desire your Lordship to summon up, if it were necessary, the
"spirit of all your Lordship's Instructions, and the sense of
"the King, of the Parliament, and of the whole British
"Nation. It is upon this great moment that depends the fate,
"not of the House of Austria, not of the Empire, but of the
"House of Brunswick, of Great Britain, and of all Europe.
"I verily believe the King of Prussia does not himself know
"the extent of the present danger. With whatever motive he
"may act, there is not one, not that of the wildest resentment,
"that can blind him to this degree, of himself perishing in the
"ruin he is bringing upon others. With his concurrence, the
"French will, in less than six weeks, be masters of the German
"Empire. The weak Elector of Bavaria is but their instru-
"ment: Prague and Vienna may, and probably will, be taken
"in that short time. Will even the King of Prussia himself
"be reserved to the last?
"Upon this single transaction" (of your Lordship's affair
with the mysterious individual) "depend the cita mors, or the
"victoria lata of all Europe. Nothing will equal the glory of
"your Lordship, in the latter case, but that to be acquired by
"the King of Prussia in his immediate imitation of the great
"Sobieski" -- reputed 'saviour of Vienna,' 0 your Excellen-
cy! # # "Prince Lichtenstein will, if found in time upon
"his estates in Bohemia, be, I believe, the person to repair
"to the King of Prussia, the moment your Lordship shall
"have signed the Preliminaries. Once again, give me leave,
"my Lord, to express my most ardent wishes, my" -- T. Ro-
BUISON. **.
4o. Excellency Hyndford to Secretary Harrington.
"Breslau, 9th September, * * Received a message to
"meet him," -- him, for we now speak in the singular number,
* Hyndford Papers, fol. 97, i)8. ? * lb. fol. 102.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 72 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book Xm.
9th Sept. 1741.
though still without naming Goltz, -- "one of the persons 1
"mentioned in my former Despatch: in a very unsuspected
"place; for we have agreed to avoid all appearance of fami-
"liarity. He told me he had received a Letter this morning
"from the Camp," -- Prussian Majesty's Camp, or Bivouac
(in the Miinsterberg Hill-Country), on that march towards
Woitz, for crossing the Neisse upon Neipperg, which proved
impracticable, -- "and that he could with pleasure tetl me
"that the King agreed to this last trial, although he would
"not, nor could appear in it. * * Then this person read to
"me a Paper, but I could not see whether it was the King's
"hand or not; for when I desired to take a copy, he said he
"could not show me the original; but dictated as follows:
"lToute la Basse Silesie, la riviere de Neisse pour limite, la
"ville de Neisse a nous, aussi bien que Glaiz; de I'autre cote de
"VOder Vancien limite enlre les' Ditches de Brieg et (TOppeln.
"Namslau a nous. Les affaires de religion in statu quo. Point
"de dependance de laBoheme; cession eternelle. En e'change
"nous n'irons pas plus loin. Nous assiegerons Neisse pro formal:
"le commandant se rendra et sortira. Nous prendrons les quar-
"tiers tranquillement, et Us pourront mener leur Arme'e oil Us
"voudront. Que tout cela soit fini en douze jours. ' That is
to say:
"'The whole of Lower Silesia, Neisse Town included;
"Neisse River for boundary: -- Glatz withal. Beyond the
"Oder, for the Duchies of Brieg and Oppeln the ancient limits.
"Namslau ours. Affairs of Religion to continue in statu quo.
"No dependence" (feudal tie or other, as there used to be)
"on Bohemia; cession of Silesia to be absolute and forever. --
"We, in return, will proceed no further. We will besiege
"Neisse for form; the Commandant shall surrender and de-
"part. We will pass quietly into winter-quarters; and the
"Austrian Army may go whither it will. Bargain to be con-
"eluded within twelve days. '"* -- Canhia Excellency Hynd-
ford get Vienna, get Feldmarshall Neipperg with power from
Vienna, to accept: Yes or no? Excellency Hyndford thinks,
Yes; will try his very utmost! --
"He (Goltz) then tore the Paper in very small pieces; and
"he repeated again, that if the affair should be discovered,
"both the King and he were determined to deny it. * *
* Coxe (iii. 272) gives this Translation, not saying whence he had it.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IV. ] FRIEDRICH STARTS AGAIN FOR NEISSE. 73
18th Sept. 1741.
''' But how about engagements with regard to my Master's
"German Dominions; not a word about that? ' He answered,
"' You have not the least to fear from France;' protested the
"King of Prussia's great regard for his Majesty of Eng-
land, &c. I told him these fine words did not satisfy me;
"and that if this affair should succeed, I expected there
"should be some stipulation. "* Yes; and came, about a
month hence, "waylaying his Majesty" to get one, -- as
readers saw above.
Prussian Dryasdust (poor soul, to whom one is
often cruel! ) shall glad himself with the following Two
bits of Autography from Goltz, who had instantly
quitted Breslau again; -- and, to us, they will serve
as date for the actual arrival of Excellency Hyndford
in those fighting regions, and commencement of his
mysterious glidings about between Camp and Camp.
Goltz to the Excellency Hyndford at Breslau (most Private).
". In Camp de Neuendorf, 16me seplombre, a 9 heures an soir.
(1. ) "Milord, -- Vous savez que je suis porte pour la bonne
"cause. Sur ce pied je prends la liberie de vous conseiller en
"ami et serviteur, de venir ici incessamment, el de presser votre
"voyage de sorte que vous puissiez paraitre publiquement lundi"
(18th) "vers midi. Vous trouverez 6 (sic) chevaux de posies a
"Olau et a Grottkau tout prets. Hatez-vous, Milord, tout ce que
"vous pourrez au monde. Xai Vhonneur. " -- Meaning, in brief
English:
"Be at Neundorf here, publicly, on Monday next,
"18th, towards noon. " Things being ripe. "Haste, Milord,
"haste! "-
"Ce 48me d 3 heures cpres-midi.
(2. ) "Je suis au desespoir, Milord, de votre maladie. Void
ille courrier que vous aitendiez. Venez leplutot que vous pourrez
'-au monde; si non, diles au General Marwitz de quoi il s'agit,
"a/in qu'il puisse me le faire savoir. * * Le courrier serait
"arrivequatreheures plutot, si nous ne I'avions renvoyiau Comte
* Hyndford Pupers, fol. 115.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 74 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book XIII.
4th Oct. 1741.
"Neuberg (sic) a cause de voire maladie. " -- " Goltz. " *--That
is to say:
"Distressed inexpressibly by your Lordship's biliary con-
"dition. One cannot travel under colic; -- and things were
"so ripe! Courier would have reached you four hours sooner,
"but we had to send him over to Neipperg first. Come, oh
"come! " -- Which Hyndford, now himself again, at once
does.
This is the Mystery, which, on October 4th, had
arrived at that stage, indicated above: "Tush! Follow
me: Dinner is already falling cold, and there are eyes
upon us! " Five days after that Dinner -- But we
shall have to take the luggage with us, what minimum
of it is indispensable!
? Hyndford Papers, fol. 150-152.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. v. ] FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 75
Uth Sept. --9th Oct. 1741.
CHAPTER V.
KLEIN-SCHNELLENDORF: FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A
FASHION.
While these combined Mysteries and War-move-
ments go on, in Neisse and its Environs, the World-
Phenomena continue, -- in Upper Austria and else-
where. Of which take these select summits, or points
chiefly luminous in the dusk of the forgotten Past:
Linz, September 14th. Karl Albert, being joined some days
ago at Scharding by the first Three French Divisions, 15,000
men in all (the other Four Divisions of them are still in the
Donauworth-Ingolstadt quarter, making their manifold ar-
rangements), has pushed forward, sixty miles (land-marches
south side of the Donau, which makes a bend here), and this
day, September 14th, appears at Linz. Pleasant City of
Linz]; where, as readers may remember, Mr. John Kepler,
long ago, busy discovering the System of the World (grandest
Conquest ever made, or to be made, by the Sons of Adam),
had his poor Camera Obscura set out, to get himself a liveli-
hood in the interim: here now is Karl Albert's flag on the
winds, and, as it were, the Oriflamme with it, on a singularly
different adventure. "Open gates! " demands Karl Albert
with authority: "Admit me to my Capital of Upper Austria! "
Which cannot be denied him, there being nothing but Town-
guards in the place.
Karl Albert continued there some weeks, in a serenely
victorious posture; doing acts of authority; getting homaged
by the Stdnde; pushing out his forces farther and farther
down the Donau, post after post,-- victorious Oriflamme-
Bavarian Army may be 40,000 strong or so, in those parts.
Friedrich urged him much to push on without pause, and take
opportunity by the forelock; sent Schmettau (elder of the
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 76 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book XIII.
14th Sept. --9th Oct. 1741.
Two Schmettaus, who is much employed on such business) to
urge him; wrote an express Paper of Considerations press-
ingly urgent; but he would not, and continued pausing.
Vienna, all in terror, is fortifying itself; citizens toiling
at the earthworks, resolute for making some defence; Con-
stituted Authorities, National Archives even, Court in a
body, and all manner of Noble and Official people, flying
elsewhither to covert: chiefly to Presburg, where her Majesty
already is. The Archives were carried to Gratz; the two
Dowager Empresses (for there are two, Maria Theresa's
Mother, and Maria Thersea's Aunt, Kaiser Joseph's Widow)
fled different ways -- I forget which. An agitated, paralysed
population. Except the diligent wheelbarrows on the ram-
parts, no vehicle is rolling in Vienna but furniture-wagons
loading for flight. General Khevenhiiller with 6,000, who
presides with fine scientific skill, and an iron calmness and
clearness, over these fortifyings, is the only force left. *
Neipperg's, our only Army in the world, is hundreds of miles
away, countermarching and manoeuvring about Woitz, and
Neisse Town and River, -- pretty sure to be beaten in the
end; -- and it is high time there were a Silesian bargain had,
if Hyndford can get us any.
Dresden, Seplemberldth (Excellency Hyndford just recover-
ing from his colic, in Breslau), Kur-Sachsen, after many
waverings, signs Treaty of Copartnery with France and Ba-
varia, seduced by "that Moravia," ana the ticklings of Belle-
isle actingj on a weak mind. ** His troops are 20,000, or
rather more; said to be of good quality, and well equipped.
In February last, we saw him engaged in Russian, Anti-Prus-
sian Partition schemes. In April, as these suddenly (on sight
of the Camp of Gottin) extinguished themselves, he agreed
to go, in the pacific way, with her Hungarian Majesty for
friend (Treaty with her, signed 11th April); but never went
(Treaty never ratified); kept his 20,000 lying about in Camp,
in an enigmatic manner, -- first about Torgau, latterly in the
* Anonymous, Ilisloire de la Derniere Guerre de Bohdme (kFrancfort
1745-47), i. 190. A lively succinct little Book, vague not false; still read-
able, though not now, as then, with complete intelligence, to the unpre-
pared reader. Said to be by Mauvillon Pere, though it resembles nothing
else of his that is known to me.
** Adelung, ii. 469, 304, 503.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. v. ] FRIKDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 77
21st Sept. 1741.
Lausitz, much nearer to the Erzgebirge (Metal-Mountains),
Frontier of Bohemia; -- and now signs as above; intent to
march as soon as possible. Is to have Four Circles of Bohe-
mia, imaginary Kingships of Moravia, and other prizes.
Belleisle has tickled that big trout: Belleisle could now have
the Election as he wishes it, would the Electors but be
speedy; but they will not, and he is obliged to push conti-
nually.
"Moriamur pro Rege nostro Maria Theresia," in the
Poetic, and then also in the Prose Form.
Presburg, September 21st. This is the date (or chief date,
for, alas, there turn out to be two! ) of the world-famous
'Moriamur pro Rege nostro Maria Theresia;' of which there
are now needed Two Narratives; the generally received (in
part mythical) going first, in the following strain:
"The Queen has been in Presburg mainly, where the
"Hungarian Diet is sitting, ever since her Coronation-cere-
"mony. On the 11th September" (or 11th and 21st together),
"the afflicted Lady makes an appearance there which, for
"theatrical reality, has become very celebrated. Alas, it is
"but three months since she galloped to the top of the Konigs-
"berg, and cut defiantly with bright sabre towards the Four
"Points of the Universe; and already it has come to this.
"Hungarian Magnates in high session, the high Queen enters,
"beautiful and sad, -- and among her ministers is noticeable
"a Nurse with the young Archduke, some six months old, a
"fine thriving child, perhaps too wise for his age, who became
"Kaiser Joseph II. in after time.
"The Hungarian Session is not on record for me, Hall of
"meeting, Magyar Parliamentary eloquence unknown; nor
"is any point conspicuously visible exact and certain, except
"these" (alas, not even these): "That it was the 11th of
"September; that her Majesty coming forward to speak, took
"the child in her arms, and there, in a clear and melodiously
"piercing voice, sorrow and courage on her noble face, beau-
"tiful as the Moon riding among wet stormy clouds, spake,
"as the Hungarian Archives still have it, a short Latin
"Harangue; in substance as follows: ** 'Hostile invasion
"'of Austria; imminent peril, to this Kingdom of Hungary, to
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 78 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [BOOK XIII.
21st Sept. 1741.
"' our person, to our children, to our crown. Forsaken by all,
'"--ab omnibus derelicli' (Britannic Majesty himself standing
stock-still, -- blamably, one thinks, the two swords being only
at his throat, and a good way off! ) -- '"I have no resource'but
"'to throw myself on the loyalty and help of Your renowned
"'Body, and invoke the ancient Hungarian virtue to rise
"' swiftly and save me! ' Whereat;the assembled Hungarian
"Synod, their wild Magyar hearts touched to the core, start
"up in impetuous acclaim, flourish aloft their drawn swords,
"and shout unanimously in passionate tenor-voice, 'Moriamur
"(Let us die) for our Rex Maria Theresa! '* Which were
"not vain words. For a general' Insurrection' was thereupon
"decreed; what the Magyars call their 'Insurrection,' which
"is by no means of rebellious nature; and many noblemen,
"old Count Palfy himself a chief among them, though past
"three score and ten, took the field at their own cost; and the
"noise of the Hungarian Insurrection spread like a voice of
"hope over all Pragmatic countries. " --
A very beautiful heroic scene; which has gone about the
world, circulating triumphantly through all hearts for above
a Century past; and has only of late acknowledged itself
mythical, -- not true, except as toned down to the following
stingy prose pitch:
Fresburg, September 21st. Maria Theresa, since that fine
Coronation scene, June 25th, has had a mixed time of it with
her Hungarian Diet; soft passages alternating with hard:
a chivalrous people, most consciously chivalrous; but a con-
stitutional withal, very stiff upon their Charter (Pacta Con-
venta, or whatever the name is); who wrangle much upon
privileges, upon taxes, and are diflicult to keep long in tune.
Ten days ago (September 11th), her Majesty tried them on a
new tack; summoned them to her Palace; threw herself upon
their nobleness, "No allies but you in the world" (and other
fine things, authentically, as above, legible in the Archives
to this day): -- so spake the beautiful young Queen, her eyes
filling with tears as she went on, and yet a noble fire gleaming
through them. Which melted the Hungarian heart a good
deal; and produced fine cheering, some persons even shed-
ding tears, and voices of " Life and Fortune for your Majesty! "
* Maria Thercsiens Leben (which speaks hypothetically), iv. 44; Coxe,
ii. 270 (who is positive, "after examining the Documents").
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. v. ] FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 79
21st Sept. 1741.
being heard in it. In which humour the Diet returned to its
Session-House, and voted the "Insurrection," -- or general
Arming of Hungary, County by County, each according to
its own contingent; -- with all speed, in pursuance of her
Majesty's implied desire. This was voted in rapid manner;
but again, in the detail of executing, it was liable to haggles.
From this day, however, matters did decidedly improve;
Pacta Conventa, or any remainder of them, are got adjusted,
-- the good Queen yielding on many points. So that, Sep-
tember 20th, Grand-Duke Franz is elected Co-regent, -- let
him start from Vienna instantly, for Instalment; -- and it is
hoped the Insurrection will go well, and not prove haggly, or
hang fire in the details.
^At any rate, next day, September 21st, Duke Franz, who
arrived last night, -- and Baby with him, or in the train of
him (to the joy of Mamma! ) -- is in the Palace Audience-
Hall, "at8 a. m. ;" ready for the Diet, and whatHomagings
and mutual Oath, as new Co-regent, are necessary. Grand-
Duke Franz, Mamma by his side, with the suitable function-
aries; and to rearward Nurse and. Baby, not so conspicuous
till needed. Diet enters with the stroke of 8; solemnity pro-
ceeds. At the height of the solemnity, when Duke Franz,
who is really risen now to something of a heroic mood, in these
emergencies and perils, has just taken his Oath, and will have
to speak a fit word or two, -- the Nurse, doubtless on hint
fiven, steps forward; holds up Baby (a fine noticing fellow,
have no doubt, -- "weighed sixteen pounds avoirdupois
when born "); as if Baby too, fine mutual-product of the Two
Co-regents, were mutually swearing and appealing. Enough
to touch any heart. "Life and blood (vitam et sanguinem) for
our Queen and Kingdom! " exclaims the Grand-Duke, among
other things. "Yes, vitam et sanguinem! " reechoes the Diet,
"our life and our blood! " many-voiced, again and again; --
and returns to its own Place of Session, once more in a fine
strain of loyal emotion.
And there, 0 reader, is the naked truth, neither more nor
less. It was some Vienna Pamphleteer of theatrical imagin-
ative turn, finding the thing apt, a year or two afterwards, --
who by kneading different dates and objects into one, boldly
annihilating time and space, and adding a little paint, -- gave
it that seductive mythical form. Prom whom Voltaire adopted
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 80 FIRST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book XIII.
27th Sept. 1741.
it, with improvements, especially in the little Harangue; and
from Voltaire gratefully the rest of mankind. * Cut down to
the practical, it stands as above: -- by no means a bad thing
still. That of "bringing in Baby" was a pretty touch in the
domestic-royal way; -- and surely very natural; and has no
"art" in it, or none to blame and not love rather, on the part
of the bright young Mother, now girdled in such tragic out-
looks, and so glad to have Baby back at least, and Papa with
him! It is certain the "Insurrection" was voted with enthu-
siasm; and even became rapidly a fact. And there was, in
few months hence, an immense mounted force of Hungarians
raised, which galloped and plundered (having almost no pay),
and occasionally fenced and fought, very diligently during
all these Wars. Hussars, Croats, Pandours, Tolpatches,
Warasdins, Uscocks, never heard of in war before: who
were found very terrible to look upon once, in the imagina-
tion or with the naked eye; but whose fighting talent,
against regular troops, was next to worthless; and who
gradually became hateful rather than terrible in the military
world.
Hanover, September 21th. Britannic Majesty, reduced to
that frightful pinch, had at last given way. Treaty of Neu-
trality for Hanover; engagement again to stick one's puissant
Pragmatic sword into its scabbard, to be perfectly quiescent
and contemplative in these French-Bavarian Anti-Austrian
undertakings, and digest one's indignation as one can. For
our Paladin of the Pragmatic what a posture! This is the
first of Three Attempts by our puissant little Paladin to draw
sword; -- not till the third could he get his sword out, or do
the least fighting (even foolish fighting) with all the 40,000 he
had kept on pay and subsidy for years back. The Neutrality
was for Hanover only, and had no specific limit as to time.
Opportunities did rise; but something always rose along with
them, -- mainly the impossibility of hoisting those lazy
Dutch, -- and checked one's noble rage. His Majesty has
covenanted to vote for Karl Albert as Kaiser; even he, and
* Voltaire, Steele de Louis XV, c. 6 (CEuvres, xxviii. 78); Coxe, House
of Austria, iii. 270; and innumerable others (who give this Myth); Maria
Theresiens Leben, p. 44n. (who cites the Vienna Pamphleteers, without:
much believing them); Mailath (a Hungarian), Geschiehte des CEsterreichi-
sehen Kaiser-Slaats (Hamburg, 1850), v. 11-13 (who explodes the fable).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. y. ] FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 81
14th Sept. --9th Oct. 1741.
will make the thing unanimous! A thoroughly checkmated
Majesty. Passing home to England, this time in a gloomy
condition of mind. shortly after these humiliations, he was
just issuing from Osnabriick by the Eastern Gate, when
Maillebois's people entered by the Western, -- the ugly shoes
of them insulting his kibes in this manner. And a furious
Anti-Walpole Parliament, most perturbed of National Pala-
vers, is waiting him at St. James's. Heavy-laden little Her-
cules that he is!
Karl Albert lay at Linz for a month longer (till
October 24th, six weeks in all); pausing in uncertain-
ties, in a pleasant dream of victory and sovereignty,
not pouncing on Vienna, as Friedrich urged on the
French and him, to cut the matter by the root. He
does push forward certain troops, Comte de Saxe with
Three Horse Regiments as vanguard, ever nearer to
Vienna; at last to within forty miles of it; nay, light-
horse parties came within twenty-five miles. And
there was skirmishing with Mentzel, a sanguinary
fellow, of whom we shall hear more; who had got
"1,000 Tolpatches" under him, and stood ruggedly
at bay.
Karl Albert has been sending out sovereign messages
from Linz: Letters to Vienna; -- one letter addressed,
"To the Archduchess Maria Theresa;" which came
back unopened, "No such person known here. " October
2d, he is getting homaged at Linz, by the Stande of
the Province, -- on summons sent some time before, --
many of whom attend, with a willing enough appear-
ance; Kur-Baiern rather a favourite in Upper Austria,
say some. Much fine processioning, melodious ha-
ranguing, there now is for Karl Albert, and a pleasant
dream of Sovereignty at Linz: but if he do not pounce
upon Vienna till Khevenhiiller get it fortified? Kheven-
Carlyh, Frederick the Great. VII. 6
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 82 F1RST SILESIAN WAR ENDS. [book Xiii.
9th Oct. 1741.
huller is drawing home Italian Garrisons, gradually-
gathering something like an Army round him. In
Khevenhiiller's imperturbable military head, one of the
clearest and hardest, there is some hope. Above all,
if Neipperg's Army were to disengage itself, and be
let loose into those parts?
Excellency Hyndford brings about a Meeting at Klein-
Schnellendorf (9th October 1741).
It was the second day after that Homaging at Linz,
when Hyndford (October 4th) with mysterious negotia-
tions, now nearly ripe, for disengaging Neipperg, way-
laid his Prussian Majesty; and was answered, as we-
saw, with "Tush, tush! Dinner is already cold! "
It must be owned, these Friedrich-Hyndford Nego-
tiations, following on an express French-Prussian Treaty
of June 5th, which have to proceed in such threefold
mystery now and afterwards, are of questionable dis-
tressing nature: nor can the fact that they are escorted
copiously enough by a correspondent sort on the French
side, and indeed on the Austrian and on all sides, be
a complete consolation, -- far otherwise, to the in-
genuous reader. Smelfungus indignantly calls it an
immorality and a dishonour, "a playing with loaded
dice;" which in good part it surely was. Nor can
even Friedrich, who has many pleas for himself, obtain
spoken acquittal; unspoken, accompanied with regrets
and pity, is all even Friedrich can aspire to. My own
impression is, Smelfungus, if candid, would on clearer
information and consideration have revoked much of
what he says here in censure of Friedrich. At all
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:28 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijj Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. V. ]" FRIEDRICH GETS NEISSE, IN A FASHION. 83
8th Oct. 1741.
events, if asked: Where then is the specifical not
"superstitious" want of "veracity" you ever found in
Friedrich? and How, otherwise than even as Friedrich
did, would you, most veracious Smelfungus, have
plucked out your Silesia from such an Element and
such a Time? -- he would be puzzled 'to answer. I
give his Fragment as I find it, with these deductions:
"What negotiating we have had, and shall have," exclaims
"Smelfungus, my sad foreeoer, -- "fit'rather to be omitted
"from a serious History, which intends to be read by human
"creatures! Bargaining, Promising, Non-performing. False
"in general as dicers' oaths; false on this side and on that,
"from beginning to end. Intercepted Letters from Fleury;
"Letter dropping from Valori's waistcoat-pocket, upon which
"Friedrich claps his foot: alas, alas, we are in the middle of
"a whole world of that. Friedrich knows that the French are
"false to him; he by no means intends to be romantically true
"to them, and that also they know. What is the use to
"human creatures of recording all that melancholy stuff? If
"sovereign persons want their diplomacies not to be swept
"into the ashpit, there are two conditions, especially one
"which is peremptory: First, that they should not be lies; --
"Second, that they should be of some importance, some
"wisdom; which with known lies is not a possible condition.
"To unravel cobwebs, and register laboriously and date and
"sort in the sorrow of your soul the oaths of crowned dicers, --
"what use is it to gods or men? Having well dressed and
"sliced your cucumber, the next clear human duty is: Throw
"it out of window. In that foul Lapland-witch world, of
"seething Diplomacies and monstrous wigged mendacities,
"horribly wicked and despicably unwise, I find nothing no-
"table, memorable even in a small degree, except this aspect
"of a young King who does know what he means in it. Clear
"as a star, sharp as cutting steel (very dangerous to hydrogen
"balloons), he stands in the middle of it, and means to extort
"his own from it by such methods as there are.
"Magnanimous I can by no means call Friedrich to his
"allies and neighbours, nor even superstitiously veracious, in
"this business: but he thoroughly understands, he alone,
6*
?
