With Voltaire,
Friedrich
himself had no
* Holle, Stadt Bayreulh, (Bayreuth, 1833), p.
* Holle, Stadt Bayreulh, (Bayreuth, 1833), p.
Thomas Carlyle
org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 147
20th Jane --7th July 1753.
such taking. Terrified Freytag has to "throw on his coat;"
order out three men to gallop by various routes; jump into
some Excellency's coach (kind Excellency lent it), which is
luckily standing yoked near by; and shoot with the velocity
of life and death towards Mainz Gate. Voltaire, whom the
well-affected Porter, suspecting something, has rather been
retarding, is still there: "Arrested, in the King's name! " --
and there is such a scene! For Freytag, too, is now raging,
ignited by such percussion of the terrors; and speaks, not
like what they call "a learned sergeant," but like a drilled
sergeant in heat of battle: Voltaire^ tongue, also, and Col-
lini s, -- "YourExcellenz never heard such brazen-faced lies
"thrown on a man; that I had offered, for 1,000 thalers, to
"let them go; that I had" -- In short, the thing has caught
fire; broken into flaming chaos come again.
"Freytag" (to give one snatch from Collini's side) "got
"into the carriage along with us, and led us, in this way,
"across the mob of people to Schmidt's" (to see what was to
be done with us). "Sentries were put at the gate to keep out
"the mob; we are led into a kind of counting-room; clerk,
"maid- and man-servants are about; Madam Schmidt passes
"before Voltaire with a disdainful air, to listen to Freytag,
"recounting," in the tone not of a learned sergeant, whatthe
matter is. They seize our effects; under violent protest, worse
than vain. "Voltaire demands to have at least his snuffbox,
"cannot do without snuff; they answer, 'It is usual to take
"'everything. '
"His," Voltaire's, "eyes were sparkling with fury; from
"time to time he lifted them on mine, as if to interrogate me.
"All on a sudden, noticing a door half-open, he dashes
"through it, and is out. Madam Schmidt forms her squad,
"shopmen and three maid-servants; and, at their head,rushes
"after. 'What? ' cries he, 'cannot I be allowed to -- to
"'vomit, then? '" They form circle round him, till he do it;
call out Collini, who finds him "bent down, with his fingers in
"his throat, attempting to vomit; and is terrified; 'Mon Dieu,
'"are you ill, then? ' He answered in a low voice, tears in
"his eyes, iFingo, fingo (I pretend),'" and Collini leads him
back, reinfecta. "The Author of the Henriade and Me'rope; "what a spectacle! " f * * "Not for two hours had they
+ Collini, p. 81, 86.
10*
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? 148 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June --7th July 1753.
"done with their writings and arrangings. Our portfolios
"and cassette (money-box) were thrown into an empty trunk"
(what else could they be thrown into? ) -- "which was locked
"with a padlock, and sealed with a paper, Voltaire's arms on
"the one end, and Schmidt's cipher on the other. Dorn,
"Freytag's Clerk, was bidden lead us away. Sign of the
"Bouc" (orBilly-Goat; there henceforth; LiondOr refusing
to be concerned with us farther); twelve soldiers; Madame
Denis with curtains of bayonets, -- and other well-known
flagrancies. * * The 7th of July, Voltaire did actually
go; and then in an extreme hurry, -- by his own blame,
again.
These final passages we touch only in the lump;
Voltaire's own Narrative of these being so copious,
flamingly impressive, and still known to everybody.
How much better for Voltaire and us, had nobody ever
known it; had it never been written; had the poor
hubbub, no better than a chance street-riot all of it,
after amusing old Frankfurt for a while, been left to
drop into the gutters forever! To Voltaire and various
others (me and my poor readers included), that was
the desirable thing.
Had there but been, among one's resources, a little
patience and practical candour, instead of all that vitu-
perative eloquence, and power of tragicomic description!
Nay, in that case, this wretched street-riot hubbub
need not have been at all. Truly M. de Voltaire had
a talent for speech, but lamentably wanted that of
silence! -- We have now only the sad duty of point-
ing out the principal mendacities contained in M. de
Voltaire's world-famous Account (for the other side has
been heard since that); and so of quitting a painful
business. The principal mendacities, -- deducting all
that about "Poe'shies" and the like, which we will define
as poetic fiction, -- are:
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MOKE TRAGICAL. 149
20th June--7th July 1753.
1? . That of the considerable files of soldiers (almost a
Company of Musketeers, one would think) stuck up round
M. de Voltaire and Party, in The Billy-Goat; Madame Denis's
bed-curtains being a screen of bayonets, and the like. The
exact number of soldiers I cannot learn: "a Schildwache of
the Townguard" (means one; surely does not mean Four? )
"for each prisoner," reports the arithmetical Freytag; which,
in the extreme case, would have been twelve in whole (as
Collini gives it); and "next day we reduced them to two,"
says Freytag.
2? . That of the otherwise frightful night Madame Denis
had; "the fellow Dorn" (Freytag's Clerk, a poor, hard-
worked frugal creature, with frugal wife and family not far
off) "insisting to sit in the Lady's bedroom; there emptying
"bottle after bottle; nay at last" (as Voltaire bethinks him,
after a few days) "threatening to" -- Plainly to excel all
belief! A thing not to be spoken of publicly: indeed, what
Lady could speak of it at all, except in hints to an Uncle of
advanced years? -- Proved fact being, that Madame Denis,
all in a flutter, that first night at The Billy-Goat, had engaged
Dorn, "for a louis-d'or, to sit in her bed-room; and did
actually pay him a louis-d'or for doing so! This is a very
bad mendacity; clearly conscious on M. de Voltaire's part,
and even constructed by degrees.
3? . Very bad also is that of the moneys stolen from him by
those Official people. M. de Voltaire knows well enough
how he failed to get his moneys, and quitted Frankfurt in a
hurry! Here, inexorably certain from the Documents, and
testimonies on both parts, is that final Passage of the long
Firework; last crackle of the rocket before it dropped per-
pendicular:
July 6th, complete Open-Sesame having come, Freytag
and Schmidt duly invited Voltaire to be present at the open-
ing of seals (his and theirs), and to have his moneys and
effects returned from that "old trunk" he speaks of. But
Voltaire had by this time taken a higher flight. July 6th,
Voltaire was protesting before Notaries, about the unheard-
of violence done him, the signal reparations due; and dis-
dained, for the moment, to concern himself with moneys or
opening of seals: "Seals, moneys? Ye atrocious Highway-
men! "
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? 150 THE TEN YEARS OP PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June --7th July 1753.
Upon which, they sent poor Dorn with the sealed trunk
in corpore, to have it opened Dy Voltaire himself. Collini, in
The Billy-Goat, next morning (July 7th), says, he (Collini) had
just loaded two journey-pistols, part of the usual carriage
furniture, and they lay on the table. At sight of poor Dorn
darkening his chamber-door, Voltaire, the prey of various
flurries and highflown vehemences, snatched one of the
pistols ("pistol without powder, withoutflint, without lock,"
says Voltaire; "efficient pistol just loaded," testifies Collini);
-- snatched said pistol; and clicking it to the cock, plunged
Dorn-ward, with furious exclamations: not quite unlikely to
have shot Dorn (in the fleshy parts), -- had not Collini hur-
riedly struck up his hand, "Mon Dieu, Monsieur! " and Dorn,
with trunk, instantly vanished. Dorn, naturally, ran to a
Lawyer. Voltaire, dreading Trial for Intended Homicide,
instantly gathered himself; and shot away, self and Pucelle
with Collini, clear off; -- leaving Niece Denis, leaving
moneys and other things, to wait till tomorrow, and settle as
they could.
After due lapse of days, in the due legal manner, the
Trunk was opened; "the 19/. of expenses (19/. and odd
shillings, not 100/. or more, as Voltaire variously gives it) was
accurately taken from it by Schmidt and Freytag, to be paid
where due, -- (in exact liquidation, "Landlord of The Billy-
Goat" so much, "Hackney-Coachmen, Riding Constables
sent in chase," so much, as per bill); -- and the rest, 7&1. 10s.
was punctually locked up again, till Voltaire should apply
for it. "Send it after him," Friedrich answered, when in-
quired of; "Send it after him; butnot" (reflects he) "unless
there is somebody to take his Receipt for it," -- our gentle-
man being the man he is. Which case, or any application
from Voltaire, never turned up. "Robbed by those highway-
men of Prussian Agents! " exclaimed Voltaire everywhere,
instead of applying. Never applied; nor ever forgot. Would
fain have engaged Collini to apply, -- especially when the
French Armies had got into Frankfurt, -- but Collini did not
see his way. *
* Three Letters to Collini on the subject ("January--May 1759), Collini pp. 208-211.
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 151
20th June --7th July 1753.
So that, except as consolatory scolding-stock for
the rest of his life, Voltaire got nothing of his 76/.
10*. , "with jewels and snuffbox," always lying ready
in the Trunk for him. And it had, I suppose, at the
long last, to go by Right of Windfall to somebody or
other: -- unless, perhaps, it still lie, overwhelmed
under dust and lumber, in the garrets of the old Rath-
haus yonder, waiting for a legal owner? What became
of it, no man knows; but that no doit of it ever went
Freytag's or King Friedrich's way, is abundantly evi-
dent. On the whole, what an entertaining Narrative
is that of Voltaire's; but what a pity he had ever
written it!
This was the finishing Catastrophe, tragical exceed-
ingly; which went loud-sounding through the world,
and still goes, -- the more is the pity. Catastrophe
due throughout to three causes: First, That Freders-
dorf, not Eichel, wrote the Order; and introduced the
indefinite phrase Scripturen, instead of sticking by the
(Euvre de Poesies, the one essential point. Second,
That Freytag was of heavy pipe-clay nature. Third,
That Voltaire was of impatient explosive nature; and,
in calamities, was wont, not to be silent and consider,
but to lift up his voice (having such a voice), and
with passionate melody appeal to the Universe, and to
worse, by way of helping himself! --
"The poor Voltaire, after all! " ejaculates Smelfungus.
"Lean, of no health, but melodious extremely (in a shallow
"sense); and truly very lonely, old and weak, in this world.
"What an end to Visit Fifth; began in Olympus, terminates
"in the Lock-up! His conduct, except in the Jew Case, has
"nothing of bad, at least of unprovokedly bad. 'Lost my
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? 152 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June--7th July 1753.
"'teeth,' said he, when things were at zenith. 'ThoughtI
"' should never weep again,' -- now when they are at nadir.
"A sore blow to one s Vanity, in presence of assembled man-
"kind; and made still more poignant by noises of one's own
"adding. France forbidden to him" (by expressive signal-
lings); "miraculous Goshen of Prussia shut: 'these old eyes,
'"which I thought would continue dry till they closed for-
"' ever, were streaming in tears;'" * -- but soon brightened
up again: Courage!
How Voltaire now wanders about for several years,
doing his Annates, and other Works; now visiting Lyon
City (which is all in gaudeamus round him, though
Cardinal Tencin does decline him as dinner-guest);
now lodging with Dom Calmet in the Abbey of Senones
(ultimately in one's own first-floor, in Colmar near by),
digging, in Calmet's Benedictine Libraries, stuff for his
Annates; --wandering about (chiefly in Elsass, latterly
on the Swiss Border), till he find rest for the sole of
his foot:** all this may be known to readers; and we
must say nothing of it. Except only that, next year,
in his tent, or hired lodgings at Colmar, the Angels
visited him (Abraham-like, after a sort). Namely, that
one evening (late in October 1754), a knock came to
his door, "Her Serene Highness of Baireuth wishes to
see you, at the Inn over there! " "Inn, Baireuth, say
you? Heavens, what? " -- Or, to take it in the prose
form:
* Letter from "Mainz, 9th July," third day of route or flight; To Niece
Denis, left behind ((Euvres, lxxv. 220).
** Purchased Les Delices (The Delights), as he named it, a glorious
Summer-Residence, on the Lake, near Geneva (supplemented by a Winter
ditto, Movrion, near Lausanne), "in February 1755" ((Euvres, xvn. 243 n. );
-- then purchased Ferney, not far off, "in October 1758;" and continued
there, still more glorious, for almost twenty years thenceforth (ib. Lxxvn.
398, xxxix. 307: thank the exact "Clog. " for both these Notes).
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 153
20th June--7th July 1753.
"January 26th, 1753, about eight p. m. " (while Voltaire sat
desolate in Francheville's, far away), "the Palace at Bai-
"reuth, -- Margraf with candle at an open window, and
"gauze curtains near, -- had caught fire; inexorably flamed
"up, and burnt itself to ashes, it and other fine edifices ad-
joining. * Wilhelmina is always very ill in health; they are
"now rebuilding their Palace: Margraf has suggested,'Why
"'not try Montpellier; let us have a winter there! ' On that
"errand they are (end of October 1754) got the length of
"Colmar; and do the Voltaire miracle in passing. Very
"charming to the poor man, in his rustication nere.
"'Eight hours in a piece, with the Sister of the King of
"'Prussia,'writes he: think of that, my friends! 'She loaded
'"me with bounties; made me a most beautiful present. In-
'"sisted to see my Niece; would have me go with them to
"' Montpellier. ' ** Other interviews and meetings they had,
"there and further on: Voltaire tried for the Montpellier;
"but could not. *** Wilhelmina wintered at Montpellier,
"without Voltaire ('Thank your stars! ' writes Friedrich to
"her. The Friedrich-Wilhelmina Letters are at their best,
"during this Journey; here unfortunately very fewf).
"Winter done, Wilhelmina went still South, to Italy, to
"Naples, back by Venice: -- at Naples, undergoing the
"Grotto del Cane and neighbourhood, Wilhelmina plucked
"a Sprig of Laurel from Virgil's Grave, and sent it to her
"Brother in the prettiest manner; -- is home at Baireuth,
"new Palace ready, August 1755. "
These points, hurriedly put down, careful readers
will mark, and perhaps try to keep in mind. Wilhel-
mina's Tourings are not without interest to her friends.
Of her Voltaire acquaintanceship, especially, we shall
hear again.
With Voltaire, Friedrich himself had no
* Holle, Stadt Bayreulh, (Bayreuth, 1833), p. 178.
** Letters (In (Euvres, lxxv. 450, 452), "Colmar, 23d October, &c, 1754. "
*** Wrote to Friedrich about it (one of his first Letters after the Explo-
sion), applying to Friedrich "for a Passport" or Letter of Protection;
which Friedrich answers by De Prades, openly laughing at it {(Euvres,
xxim. 6).
t (Euvres de Frederic, xxm. in. 248-273 (September 1754, and onwards).
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? 154 THE TEN YEARS OP PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June --7th July 1753.
farther Correspondence, or as good as none, for four
years and more. What Voltaire writes to him (with
Gifts of Books and the like, in the tenderest regretful
pathetically cooing tone, enough to mollify rocks),
Friedrich usually answers by De Prades, if at all, --
in a quite discouraging manner. In the end of 1757,
on what hint we shall see, the Correspondence recom-
menced, and did not cease again so long as they both
lived.
Voltaire at Potsdam is a failure, then. Nothing to
be made of that. Law is reformed; Embden has its
Shipping Companies; Industry flourishes: but as to the
Trismegistus of the Muses coming to our Hearth--!
Some Eight of Friedrich's years were filled by these
Three grand Heads of Effort; perfect Peace in all his
borders: and in 1753 we see how the celestial one of
them has gone to wreck. "Understand at last, your
Majesty, that there is no Muses'-Heaven possible on
Telluric terms; and cast that notion out of your
head! "
Friedrich does cast it out, more and more, hence-
forth, -- "Ach, mein lieber Sulzer, what was your know-
ledge, then, of that damned race? " Casts it out, we
perceive, -- and, in a handsome silently stoical way.
Cherishing no wrath in his heart against any poor devil;
still, in some sort, loving this and the other of them;
Chasot, Algarotti, Voltaire even, who have gone from
him, too weak for the place: "Too weak, alas, yes;
and I, was I wise to try them, then? " With a fine
humanity, new hope inextinguishably welling up; really
with a loyalty, a modesty, a cheery brother-manhood
unexpected by readers.
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 155
20th June --7th July 1753.
Eight of the Eleven Peace Years are gone in these
courses. The next three, still silent and smooth to the
outward eye, were defaced by subterranean mutterings,
electric heralds of coming storm. "Meaning battle and
wrestle again? " thinks Friedrich, listening intent. A
far other than welcome message to Friedrich. A mes-
sage ominous; thrice unwelcome, not to say terrible.
Requires to be scanned with all one's faculty; to be
interpreted; to be obeyed, in spite of one's reluctances
and lazinesses. To plunge again into the Mahlstrom,
into the clash of Chaos, and dive for one's Silesia, the
third time; -- horrible to lazy human nature: but if
the facts are so, it must be done! --
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? 156 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
1750-1753.
CHAPTEE XIII.
ROMISH-KING QUESTION; ENGLISH-PRIVATEER QUESTION.
The Public Events so-called, which have been oc-
cupying mankind during this Voltaire Visit, require now
mainly to be forgotten; -- and may, for our purposes,
be conveniently riddled down to Three. First, King
of the Romans Question; Second, English-Privateer
Question; and then, hanging curiously related to these
Two, a Third, or "English-French Canada-Question. "
Of some importance all of them; extremely important
to Friedrich, especially that Third and least expected
of them.
Witty Hanbury Williams, the English Excellency
at Berlin, busy intriguing little creature, became dis-
tasteful there, long since; and they had to take him
away: "recalled," say the Documents, "22d January
1751. " Upon which, no doubt, he made a noise in
Downing Street; and got, it appears, "re-credentials
to Berlin, 4th March 1751;"* but I think did not
much reside, nor intend to reside; having all manner
of wandering Continental duties to do; and a world of
petty businesses, and wide-spread intrigues, Russian,
German and other, on hand. Robinson, too, is now
home; returned, 1748 (Treaty of Aix in his pocket);
and a Sir Robert Murray Keith (first of that name;
* Manuscript List in State-Paper-Office.
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? CHAP. XIII. ] ROMISH-KING QUESTION. 157
1750-1753.
for there came afterwards another, Son of the first),
had succeeded him in that Austrian post. Busy people,
these and others; now legationing in Foreign parts:
able in their way; but whose work proved to be that
of spinning ropes from sand, and must not detain us
at this time.
The errand of all these Britannic Excellencies is
upon a notable scheme, which Royal George and his
Newcastle have devised, Of getting all made tight,
and the Peace of Aix double-rivetted, so to speak,
and rendered secure against every contingency, -- by
having Archduke Joseph at once elected "King of the
Romans. " King of the Romans straightway; whereby
he follows at once as Kaiser, should his Father die;
and is liable to no French or other intriguing; and
we have taken a bond of Fate that the Balance cannot
be canted again. Excellent scheme, think both these
heads; and are stirring Germany with all their might,
purse in hand, to cooperate, and do it. Inconceivable
what trouble these prescient minds are at, on this
uncertain matter. It was Britannic Majesty's and
Newcastle's main problem in this world, for perhaps
four years (1749--1753): -- "My own child," as a
fond Noodle of Newcastle used to call it; though I
rather think it was the other that begot the wretched
object, but had tired sooner of nursing it under dif-
ficulties.
Unhappily there needs unanimity of all the Nine
Electors. The poorer you can buy; "Bavarian Sub-
sidy," or annual pension, is only 45,000/. , for this
invaluable object; Koln's is only -- a mere trifle:*
* Debate on "Bavarian Subsidy" (inWalpole, George theSecond, i. 49):
endless Correspondence between Newcastle and his Brother (curious to
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? 158 THE TEN TEAKS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
1750-1753.
trifles all, in comparison of the sacred Balance, and
dear Hanover kept scathless. But unfortunately Fried-
rich, whom we must not think of buying, is not enthu-
siastic in the cause! Far from it. The now Kaiser
has never yet got him, according to bargain, a Reichs-
Guarantee for the Peace of Dresden; and needs end-
less flagitating to do it* The chase of security and
aggrandisement to the House of Austria is by no means
Friedrich's chief aim! This of King of the Romans
never could be managed by Britannic Majesty and his
Newcastle.
It was very triumphant, and I think at its hope-
fullest, in 1750, soon after starting, -- when Excel-
lency Hanbury first appeared at Berlin on behalf of it.
That was Excellency Hanbury's first journey on this
errand; and he made a great many more, no man
readier; a stirring, intriguing creature (and always
with such moneys to distribute); had victorious hopes
now and then, -- which one and all proved fatuous. **
In 1751 and 1752, the darling Project met cross tides,
foul winds, political whirlpools ("Such a set are those
German Princes! ") -- and swam, indomitable, though
near desperate, as Project seldom did; till happily, in
1753, it sank drowned: -- and left his Grace of New-
castle asking, "Well-a-day! And is not England
drowned too? " We hope not.
read, though of the most long-eared description on the Duke's part), in
Coxe's Pelham, u. 338-465 ("31st May 1750 --3d November 1752"): precise
Account (if anybody now wanted it), in Adelung, vii. 146, 149,154, et seq.
* Does it, at length, by way of furtherance to this Romish-King Busi-
ness, "23d January--14th May 1751" (Adelung, vn. 217).
** "June 1750," Hanbury for Berlin (Britannic Majesty much anxious Hanbury were there): Hanbury to Warsaw next (hiring Polish Majesty
there); at Dresden, does make victorious Treaty, September 1751; at
Vienna, 1753 (still on the same quest). Coxe's Pelham, n. 339, 196, 469.
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? CHAP. XIII. ] ROMISH-KING QUESTION. 159
1750-1753.
"Owing mainly to Friedrich's opposition! " ex-
claimed Noodle and the Political Circles. Which, --
(though it was not the fact; Friedrich's opposition,
once that Reichs-Guarantee of his own was got, being
mostly passive, "Push it through the stolid element,
then, you stolid fellows, it you can! ") -- awoke con-
siderable outcry in England. Lively suspicion there,
of treasonous intentions to the Cause of Liberty, on
his Prussian Majesty's part; and, -- coupled with
other causes that had risen, -- a great deal of ill-
nature, in very dark condition, against his Prussian
Majesty. And it was not Friedrich's blame, chiefly
or at all. If indeed Friedrich would have forwarded
the Enterprise: -- but he merely did not; and the
element was viscous, stolid. Austria itself had wished
the thing; but with nothing like such enthusiasm as
King George; -- to whom the refusal, by Friedrich
and Fate, was a bitter disappointment. Poor Britannic
Majesty: Archduke Joseph came to be King of the
Romans, in due course, right enough. And long be-
fore that event (almost before George had ended his
vain effort to hasten it), Austria turned on its pivot;
and had clasped, not England to its bosom, but France
(thanks to that exquisite Kaunitz); and was in arms
against England, dear Hanover, and the Cause of Li-
berty! Vain to look too far ahead, -- especially with
those fish-eyes. Smelfungus has a Note on Kaunitz;
readable, though far too irreverent to that superlative
Diplomatist, and unjust to the real human merits he
had.
"The struggles of Britannic George tofget a King of the
"Romans elected were many. Friedrich never would bite at
"this salutary scheme for strengthening the House of Austria:
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? 160 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [bOOKXVI.
1750-1753.
'"A bad man, is not he? ' And all the while, the Court of
"Austria seemed indifferent, in comparison; -- and Graf von
"Kaunitz-Rietberg, Ambassador at Paris, was secretly busy,
"wheeling Austria round on its axis, France round on its;
"and bringing them to embrace in political wedlock! Feat
"accomplished by his Excellency Kaunitz (Paris, 1752-3); --
"accomplished, not consummated; left ready for consuna-
"mating when he, Kaunitz, now home as Prime Minister, or
"helmsman on the new tack, should give signal. Thought
"to be one of the cleverest feats ever done by-Diplomatic art.
"Admirable feat, for the Diplomatic art which it needed;
"not, that I can see, for any other property it had. Feat
"which brought, as it was intended to do, a Third Silesian
"War; death of about a million fighting men, and endless
"woes to France and Austria in particular. An exquisite
"Diplomatist this Kaunitz; came to be Prince, almost to be
"God-Brahma in Austria, and to rule the Heavens and Earth
"(having skill with his Sovereign Lady, too), in an exquisite
"and truly surprising manner. Sits there sublime, like a
"gilt crockery Idol, supreme over the populations, for near
"forty years.
"One reads all Biographies and Histories of Kaunitz:*
"one catches evidence of his well knowing his Diplomatic
"element, and how to rule it and impose on it. Traits there
"are of human cunning, shrewdness of eye; -- of the loftiest
"silent human pride, stoicism, perseverance of determina-
"tion, -- but not, to my remembrance, of any conspicuous
'' human wisdom whatever. One asks, Where is his wisdom?
"Enumerate, then, do me the pleasure of enumerating, What
"he contrived that the Heavens answered Yes to, and not No
"to? All silent! A man to give one thoughts. Sits like a
"God-Brahma, human idol of gilt crockery, with nothing in
"the belly of it (but a portion of boiled chicken daily, very
"ill-digested); and such a prostrate worship, from those
"around him, as was hardly seen elsewhere. Grave, inwardly
"unhappy-looking; but impenetrable,uncomplaining. Seems
"to have passed privately an Act of Parliament: 'Kaunitz-
"'Kietberg here, as you see him, is the greatest now alive; he,
"'I privately assure you! ' -- and, by continued private de-
"termination, to have got all men about him to ratify the
* Hormayr's (in Oesterreichischer Plutarch, iv. 3tcs, 231-283); &c. &c.
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? CHAP, m] ENGLISH-PKIVATEER QUESTION. 161
1750-1753.
"same, and accept it as valid. Much can be done in that way
"with stupidish populations; nor is BeauBrummel the only
"instance of it, among ourselves, in the later epochs.
"Kaunitz is a man of long hollow face, nose naturally
"rather turned into the air, till artificially it got altogether
"turned thither. Rode beautifully; but always under cover;
"day by day, under glass roof in the riding-school, so many
"hours or minutes, watch in hand. Hated, or dreaded, fresh-
"air above everything: so that the Kaiserinn, a noble lover
"of it, would always good-humouredly hasten to shut her
"windows when he made her a visit. Sumptuous suppers,
"soirees, he had; the pink of Nature assembling in his
"house; galaxy, domestic and foreign, of all the Vienna
"Stars. Through which he would walk one turn; glancing
"stoically, over his nose, at the circumambient whirlpool of
"nothings, -- happy the nothing to whom he would deign a
"word, and make him something. Oh my friends! -- In
"short, it was he who turned Austria on its axis, and France
"on its, and brought them to the kissing pitch. Pompadour
"and Maria Theresa kissing mutually, like Righteousness
"and -- notPeace, at any rate! iMa chb-e Cousine,' could I
"have believed it, at one time? "
A Second Prussian-English cause of offence had
arisen, years ago, and was not yet settled; nay is now
(Spring 1753) at its height or crisis: Offence in regard
to English Privateering.
? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 147
20th Jane --7th July 1753.
such taking. Terrified Freytag has to "throw on his coat;"
order out three men to gallop by various routes; jump into
some Excellency's coach (kind Excellency lent it), which is
luckily standing yoked near by; and shoot with the velocity
of life and death towards Mainz Gate. Voltaire, whom the
well-affected Porter, suspecting something, has rather been
retarding, is still there: "Arrested, in the King's name! " --
and there is such a scene! For Freytag, too, is now raging,
ignited by such percussion of the terrors; and speaks, not
like what they call "a learned sergeant," but like a drilled
sergeant in heat of battle: Voltaire^ tongue, also, and Col-
lini s, -- "YourExcellenz never heard such brazen-faced lies
"thrown on a man; that I had offered, for 1,000 thalers, to
"let them go; that I had" -- In short, the thing has caught
fire; broken into flaming chaos come again.
"Freytag" (to give one snatch from Collini's side) "got
"into the carriage along with us, and led us, in this way,
"across the mob of people to Schmidt's" (to see what was to
be done with us). "Sentries were put at the gate to keep out
"the mob; we are led into a kind of counting-room; clerk,
"maid- and man-servants are about; Madam Schmidt passes
"before Voltaire with a disdainful air, to listen to Freytag,
"recounting," in the tone not of a learned sergeant, whatthe
matter is. They seize our effects; under violent protest, worse
than vain. "Voltaire demands to have at least his snuffbox,
"cannot do without snuff; they answer, 'It is usual to take
"'everything. '
"His," Voltaire's, "eyes were sparkling with fury; from
"time to time he lifted them on mine, as if to interrogate me.
"All on a sudden, noticing a door half-open, he dashes
"through it, and is out. Madam Schmidt forms her squad,
"shopmen and three maid-servants; and, at their head,rushes
"after. 'What? ' cries he, 'cannot I be allowed to -- to
"'vomit, then? '" They form circle round him, till he do it;
call out Collini, who finds him "bent down, with his fingers in
"his throat, attempting to vomit; and is terrified; 'Mon Dieu,
'"are you ill, then? ' He answered in a low voice, tears in
"his eyes, iFingo, fingo (I pretend),'" and Collini leads him
back, reinfecta. "The Author of the Henriade and Me'rope; "what a spectacle! " f * * "Not for two hours had they
+ Collini, p. 81, 86.
10*
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? 148 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June --7th July 1753.
"done with their writings and arrangings. Our portfolios
"and cassette (money-box) were thrown into an empty trunk"
(what else could they be thrown into? ) -- "which was locked
"with a padlock, and sealed with a paper, Voltaire's arms on
"the one end, and Schmidt's cipher on the other. Dorn,
"Freytag's Clerk, was bidden lead us away. Sign of the
"Bouc" (orBilly-Goat; there henceforth; LiondOr refusing
to be concerned with us farther); twelve soldiers; Madame
Denis with curtains of bayonets, -- and other well-known
flagrancies. * * The 7th of July, Voltaire did actually
go; and then in an extreme hurry, -- by his own blame,
again.
These final passages we touch only in the lump;
Voltaire's own Narrative of these being so copious,
flamingly impressive, and still known to everybody.
How much better for Voltaire and us, had nobody ever
known it; had it never been written; had the poor
hubbub, no better than a chance street-riot all of it,
after amusing old Frankfurt for a while, been left to
drop into the gutters forever! To Voltaire and various
others (me and my poor readers included), that was
the desirable thing.
Had there but been, among one's resources, a little
patience and practical candour, instead of all that vitu-
perative eloquence, and power of tragicomic description!
Nay, in that case, this wretched street-riot hubbub
need not have been at all. Truly M. de Voltaire had
a talent for speech, but lamentably wanted that of
silence! -- We have now only the sad duty of point-
ing out the principal mendacities contained in M. de
Voltaire's world-famous Account (for the other side has
been heard since that); and so of quitting a painful
business. The principal mendacities, -- deducting all
that about "Poe'shies" and the like, which we will define
as poetic fiction, -- are:
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MOKE TRAGICAL. 149
20th June--7th July 1753.
1? . That of the considerable files of soldiers (almost a
Company of Musketeers, one would think) stuck up round
M. de Voltaire and Party, in The Billy-Goat; Madame Denis's
bed-curtains being a screen of bayonets, and the like. The
exact number of soldiers I cannot learn: "a Schildwache of
the Townguard" (means one; surely does not mean Four? )
"for each prisoner," reports the arithmetical Freytag; which,
in the extreme case, would have been twelve in whole (as
Collini gives it); and "next day we reduced them to two,"
says Freytag.
2? . That of the otherwise frightful night Madame Denis
had; "the fellow Dorn" (Freytag's Clerk, a poor, hard-
worked frugal creature, with frugal wife and family not far
off) "insisting to sit in the Lady's bedroom; there emptying
"bottle after bottle; nay at last" (as Voltaire bethinks him,
after a few days) "threatening to" -- Plainly to excel all
belief! A thing not to be spoken of publicly: indeed, what
Lady could speak of it at all, except in hints to an Uncle of
advanced years? -- Proved fact being, that Madame Denis,
all in a flutter, that first night at The Billy-Goat, had engaged
Dorn, "for a louis-d'or, to sit in her bed-room; and did
actually pay him a louis-d'or for doing so! This is a very
bad mendacity; clearly conscious on M. de Voltaire's part,
and even constructed by degrees.
3? . Very bad also is that of the moneys stolen from him by
those Official people. M. de Voltaire knows well enough
how he failed to get his moneys, and quitted Frankfurt in a
hurry! Here, inexorably certain from the Documents, and
testimonies on both parts, is that final Passage of the long
Firework; last crackle of the rocket before it dropped per-
pendicular:
July 6th, complete Open-Sesame having come, Freytag
and Schmidt duly invited Voltaire to be present at the open-
ing of seals (his and theirs), and to have his moneys and
effects returned from that "old trunk" he speaks of. But
Voltaire had by this time taken a higher flight. July 6th,
Voltaire was protesting before Notaries, about the unheard-
of violence done him, the signal reparations due; and dis-
dained, for the moment, to concern himself with moneys or
opening of seals: "Seals, moneys? Ye atrocious Highway-
men! "
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? 150 THE TEN YEARS OP PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June --7th July 1753.
Upon which, they sent poor Dorn with the sealed trunk
in corpore, to have it opened Dy Voltaire himself. Collini, in
The Billy-Goat, next morning (July 7th), says, he (Collini) had
just loaded two journey-pistols, part of the usual carriage
furniture, and they lay on the table. At sight of poor Dorn
darkening his chamber-door, Voltaire, the prey of various
flurries and highflown vehemences, snatched one of the
pistols ("pistol without powder, withoutflint, without lock,"
says Voltaire; "efficient pistol just loaded," testifies Collini);
-- snatched said pistol; and clicking it to the cock, plunged
Dorn-ward, with furious exclamations: not quite unlikely to
have shot Dorn (in the fleshy parts), -- had not Collini hur-
riedly struck up his hand, "Mon Dieu, Monsieur! " and Dorn,
with trunk, instantly vanished. Dorn, naturally, ran to a
Lawyer. Voltaire, dreading Trial for Intended Homicide,
instantly gathered himself; and shot away, self and Pucelle
with Collini, clear off; -- leaving Niece Denis, leaving
moneys and other things, to wait till tomorrow, and settle as
they could.
After due lapse of days, in the due legal manner, the
Trunk was opened; "the 19/. of expenses (19/. and odd
shillings, not 100/. or more, as Voltaire variously gives it) was
accurately taken from it by Schmidt and Freytag, to be paid
where due, -- (in exact liquidation, "Landlord of The Billy-
Goat" so much, "Hackney-Coachmen, Riding Constables
sent in chase," so much, as per bill); -- and the rest, 7&1. 10s.
was punctually locked up again, till Voltaire should apply
for it. "Send it after him," Friedrich answered, when in-
quired of; "Send it after him; butnot" (reflects he) "unless
there is somebody to take his Receipt for it," -- our gentle-
man being the man he is. Which case, or any application
from Voltaire, never turned up. "Robbed by those highway-
men of Prussian Agents! " exclaimed Voltaire everywhere,
instead of applying. Never applied; nor ever forgot. Would
fain have engaged Collini to apply, -- especially when the
French Armies had got into Frankfurt, -- but Collini did not
see his way. *
* Three Letters to Collini on the subject ("January--May 1759), Collini pp. 208-211.
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 151
20th June --7th July 1753.
So that, except as consolatory scolding-stock for
the rest of his life, Voltaire got nothing of his 76/.
10*. , "with jewels and snuffbox," always lying ready
in the Trunk for him. And it had, I suppose, at the
long last, to go by Right of Windfall to somebody or
other: -- unless, perhaps, it still lie, overwhelmed
under dust and lumber, in the garrets of the old Rath-
haus yonder, waiting for a legal owner? What became
of it, no man knows; but that no doit of it ever went
Freytag's or King Friedrich's way, is abundantly evi-
dent. On the whole, what an entertaining Narrative
is that of Voltaire's; but what a pity he had ever
written it!
This was the finishing Catastrophe, tragical exceed-
ingly; which went loud-sounding through the world,
and still goes, -- the more is the pity. Catastrophe
due throughout to three causes: First, That Freders-
dorf, not Eichel, wrote the Order; and introduced the
indefinite phrase Scripturen, instead of sticking by the
(Euvre de Poesies, the one essential point. Second,
That Freytag was of heavy pipe-clay nature. Third,
That Voltaire was of impatient explosive nature; and,
in calamities, was wont, not to be silent and consider,
but to lift up his voice (having such a voice), and
with passionate melody appeal to the Universe, and to
worse, by way of helping himself! --
"The poor Voltaire, after all! " ejaculates Smelfungus.
"Lean, of no health, but melodious extremely (in a shallow
"sense); and truly very lonely, old and weak, in this world.
"What an end to Visit Fifth; began in Olympus, terminates
"in the Lock-up! His conduct, except in the Jew Case, has
"nothing of bad, at least of unprovokedly bad. 'Lost my
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? 152 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June--7th July 1753.
"'teeth,' said he, when things were at zenith. 'ThoughtI
"' should never weep again,' -- now when they are at nadir.
"A sore blow to one s Vanity, in presence of assembled man-
"kind; and made still more poignant by noises of one's own
"adding. France forbidden to him" (by expressive signal-
lings); "miraculous Goshen of Prussia shut: 'these old eyes,
'"which I thought would continue dry till they closed for-
"' ever, were streaming in tears;'" * -- but soon brightened
up again: Courage!
How Voltaire now wanders about for several years,
doing his Annates, and other Works; now visiting Lyon
City (which is all in gaudeamus round him, though
Cardinal Tencin does decline him as dinner-guest);
now lodging with Dom Calmet in the Abbey of Senones
(ultimately in one's own first-floor, in Colmar near by),
digging, in Calmet's Benedictine Libraries, stuff for his
Annates; --wandering about (chiefly in Elsass, latterly
on the Swiss Border), till he find rest for the sole of
his foot:** all this may be known to readers; and we
must say nothing of it. Except only that, next year,
in his tent, or hired lodgings at Colmar, the Angels
visited him (Abraham-like, after a sort). Namely, that
one evening (late in October 1754), a knock came to
his door, "Her Serene Highness of Baireuth wishes to
see you, at the Inn over there! " "Inn, Baireuth, say
you? Heavens, what? " -- Or, to take it in the prose
form:
* Letter from "Mainz, 9th July," third day of route or flight; To Niece
Denis, left behind ((Euvres, lxxv. 220).
** Purchased Les Delices (The Delights), as he named it, a glorious
Summer-Residence, on the Lake, near Geneva (supplemented by a Winter
ditto, Movrion, near Lausanne), "in February 1755" ((Euvres, xvn. 243 n. );
-- then purchased Ferney, not far off, "in October 1758;" and continued
there, still more glorious, for almost twenty years thenceforth (ib. Lxxvn.
398, xxxix. 307: thank the exact "Clog. " for both these Notes).
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 153
20th June--7th July 1753.
"January 26th, 1753, about eight p. m. " (while Voltaire sat
desolate in Francheville's, far away), "the Palace at Bai-
"reuth, -- Margraf with candle at an open window, and
"gauze curtains near, -- had caught fire; inexorably flamed
"up, and burnt itself to ashes, it and other fine edifices ad-
joining. * Wilhelmina is always very ill in health; they are
"now rebuilding their Palace: Margraf has suggested,'Why
"'not try Montpellier; let us have a winter there! ' On that
"errand they are (end of October 1754) got the length of
"Colmar; and do the Voltaire miracle in passing. Very
"charming to the poor man, in his rustication nere.
"'Eight hours in a piece, with the Sister of the King of
"'Prussia,'writes he: think of that, my friends! 'She loaded
'"me with bounties; made me a most beautiful present. In-
'"sisted to see my Niece; would have me go with them to
"' Montpellier. ' ** Other interviews and meetings they had,
"there and further on: Voltaire tried for the Montpellier;
"but could not. *** Wilhelmina wintered at Montpellier,
"without Voltaire ('Thank your stars! ' writes Friedrich to
"her. The Friedrich-Wilhelmina Letters are at their best,
"during this Journey; here unfortunately very fewf).
"Winter done, Wilhelmina went still South, to Italy, to
"Naples, back by Venice: -- at Naples, undergoing the
"Grotto del Cane and neighbourhood, Wilhelmina plucked
"a Sprig of Laurel from Virgil's Grave, and sent it to her
"Brother in the prettiest manner; -- is home at Baireuth,
"new Palace ready, August 1755. "
These points, hurriedly put down, careful readers
will mark, and perhaps try to keep in mind. Wilhel-
mina's Tourings are not without interest to her friends.
Of her Voltaire acquaintanceship, especially, we shall
hear again.
With Voltaire, Friedrich himself had no
* Holle, Stadt Bayreulh, (Bayreuth, 1833), p. 178.
** Letters (In (Euvres, lxxv. 450, 452), "Colmar, 23d October, &c, 1754. "
*** Wrote to Friedrich about it (one of his first Letters after the Explo-
sion), applying to Friedrich "for a Passport" or Letter of Protection;
which Friedrich answers by De Prades, openly laughing at it {(Euvres,
xxim. 6).
t (Euvres de Frederic, xxm. in. 248-273 (September 1754, and onwards).
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? 154 THE TEN YEARS OP PEACE. [book XVI.
20th June --7th July 1753.
farther Correspondence, or as good as none, for four
years and more. What Voltaire writes to him (with
Gifts of Books and the like, in the tenderest regretful
pathetically cooing tone, enough to mollify rocks),
Friedrich usually answers by De Prades, if at all, --
in a quite discouraging manner. In the end of 1757,
on what hint we shall see, the Correspondence recom-
menced, and did not cease again so long as they both
lived.
Voltaire at Potsdam is a failure, then. Nothing to
be made of that. Law is reformed; Embden has its
Shipping Companies; Industry flourishes: but as to the
Trismegistus of the Muses coming to our Hearth--!
Some Eight of Friedrich's years were filled by these
Three grand Heads of Effort; perfect Peace in all his
borders: and in 1753 we see how the celestial one of
them has gone to wreck. "Understand at last, your
Majesty, that there is no Muses'-Heaven possible on
Telluric terms; and cast that notion out of your
head! "
Friedrich does cast it out, more and more, hence-
forth, -- "Ach, mein lieber Sulzer, what was your know-
ledge, then, of that damned race? " Casts it out, we
perceive, -- and, in a handsome silently stoical way.
Cherishing no wrath in his heart against any poor devil;
still, in some sort, loving this and the other of them;
Chasot, Algarotti, Voltaire even, who have gone from
him, too weak for the place: "Too weak, alas, yes;
and I, was I wise to try them, then? " With a fine
humanity, new hope inextinguishably welling up; really
with a loyalty, a modesty, a cheery brother-manhood
unexpected by readers.
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? CHAP. XII. ] AFTERPIECE STILL MORE TRAGICAL. 155
20th June --7th July 1753.
Eight of the Eleven Peace Years are gone in these
courses. The next three, still silent and smooth to the
outward eye, were defaced by subterranean mutterings,
electric heralds of coming storm. "Meaning battle and
wrestle again? " thinks Friedrich, listening intent. A
far other than welcome message to Friedrich. A mes-
sage ominous; thrice unwelcome, not to say terrible.
Requires to be scanned with all one's faculty; to be
interpreted; to be obeyed, in spite of one's reluctances
and lazinesses. To plunge again into the Mahlstrom,
into the clash of Chaos, and dive for one's Silesia, the
third time; -- horrible to lazy human nature: but if
the facts are so, it must be done! --
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? 156 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
1750-1753.
CHAPTEE XIII.
ROMISH-KING QUESTION; ENGLISH-PRIVATEER QUESTION.
The Public Events so-called, which have been oc-
cupying mankind during this Voltaire Visit, require now
mainly to be forgotten; -- and may, for our purposes,
be conveniently riddled down to Three. First, King
of the Romans Question; Second, English-Privateer
Question; and then, hanging curiously related to these
Two, a Third, or "English-French Canada-Question. "
Of some importance all of them; extremely important
to Friedrich, especially that Third and least expected
of them.
Witty Hanbury Williams, the English Excellency
at Berlin, busy intriguing little creature, became dis-
tasteful there, long since; and they had to take him
away: "recalled," say the Documents, "22d January
1751. " Upon which, no doubt, he made a noise in
Downing Street; and got, it appears, "re-credentials
to Berlin, 4th March 1751;"* but I think did not
much reside, nor intend to reside; having all manner
of wandering Continental duties to do; and a world of
petty businesses, and wide-spread intrigues, Russian,
German and other, on hand. Robinson, too, is now
home; returned, 1748 (Treaty of Aix in his pocket);
and a Sir Robert Murray Keith (first of that name;
* Manuscript List in State-Paper-Office.
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? CHAP. XIII. ] ROMISH-KING QUESTION. 157
1750-1753.
for there came afterwards another, Son of the first),
had succeeded him in that Austrian post. Busy people,
these and others; now legationing in Foreign parts:
able in their way; but whose work proved to be that
of spinning ropes from sand, and must not detain us
at this time.
The errand of all these Britannic Excellencies is
upon a notable scheme, which Royal George and his
Newcastle have devised, Of getting all made tight,
and the Peace of Aix double-rivetted, so to speak,
and rendered secure against every contingency, -- by
having Archduke Joseph at once elected "King of the
Romans. " King of the Romans straightway; whereby
he follows at once as Kaiser, should his Father die;
and is liable to no French or other intriguing; and
we have taken a bond of Fate that the Balance cannot
be canted again. Excellent scheme, think both these
heads; and are stirring Germany with all their might,
purse in hand, to cooperate, and do it. Inconceivable
what trouble these prescient minds are at, on this
uncertain matter. It was Britannic Majesty's and
Newcastle's main problem in this world, for perhaps
four years (1749--1753): -- "My own child," as a
fond Noodle of Newcastle used to call it; though I
rather think it was the other that begot the wretched
object, but had tired sooner of nursing it under dif-
ficulties.
Unhappily there needs unanimity of all the Nine
Electors. The poorer you can buy; "Bavarian Sub-
sidy," or annual pension, is only 45,000/. , for this
invaluable object; Koln's is only -- a mere trifle:*
* Debate on "Bavarian Subsidy" (inWalpole, George theSecond, i. 49):
endless Correspondence between Newcastle and his Brother (curious to
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? 158 THE TEN TEAKS OF PEACE. [book XVI.
1750-1753.
trifles all, in comparison of the sacred Balance, and
dear Hanover kept scathless. But unfortunately Fried-
rich, whom we must not think of buying, is not enthu-
siastic in the cause! Far from it. The now Kaiser
has never yet got him, according to bargain, a Reichs-
Guarantee for the Peace of Dresden; and needs end-
less flagitating to do it* The chase of security and
aggrandisement to the House of Austria is by no means
Friedrich's chief aim! This of King of the Romans
never could be managed by Britannic Majesty and his
Newcastle.
It was very triumphant, and I think at its hope-
fullest, in 1750, soon after starting, -- when Excel-
lency Hanbury first appeared at Berlin on behalf of it.
That was Excellency Hanbury's first journey on this
errand; and he made a great many more, no man
readier; a stirring, intriguing creature (and always
with such moneys to distribute); had victorious hopes
now and then, -- which one and all proved fatuous. **
In 1751 and 1752, the darling Project met cross tides,
foul winds, political whirlpools ("Such a set are those
German Princes! ") -- and swam, indomitable, though
near desperate, as Project seldom did; till happily, in
1753, it sank drowned: -- and left his Grace of New-
castle asking, "Well-a-day! And is not England
drowned too? " We hope not.
read, though of the most long-eared description on the Duke's part), in
Coxe's Pelham, u. 338-465 ("31st May 1750 --3d November 1752"): precise
Account (if anybody now wanted it), in Adelung, vii. 146, 149,154, et seq.
* Does it, at length, by way of furtherance to this Romish-King Busi-
ness, "23d January--14th May 1751" (Adelung, vn. 217).
** "June 1750," Hanbury for Berlin (Britannic Majesty much anxious Hanbury were there): Hanbury to Warsaw next (hiring Polish Majesty
there); at Dresden, does make victorious Treaty, September 1751; at
Vienna, 1753 (still on the same quest). Coxe's Pelham, n. 339, 196, 469.
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? CHAP. XIII. ] ROMISH-KING QUESTION. 159
1750-1753.
"Owing mainly to Friedrich's opposition! " ex-
claimed Noodle and the Political Circles. Which, --
(though it was not the fact; Friedrich's opposition,
once that Reichs-Guarantee of his own was got, being
mostly passive, "Push it through the stolid element,
then, you stolid fellows, it you can! ") -- awoke con-
siderable outcry in England. Lively suspicion there,
of treasonous intentions to the Cause of Liberty, on
his Prussian Majesty's part; and, -- coupled with
other causes that had risen, -- a great deal of ill-
nature, in very dark condition, against his Prussian
Majesty. And it was not Friedrich's blame, chiefly
or at all. If indeed Friedrich would have forwarded
the Enterprise: -- but he merely did not; and the
element was viscous, stolid. Austria itself had wished
the thing; but with nothing like such enthusiasm as
King George; -- to whom the refusal, by Friedrich
and Fate, was a bitter disappointment. Poor Britannic
Majesty: Archduke Joseph came to be King of the
Romans, in due course, right enough. And long be-
fore that event (almost before George had ended his
vain effort to hasten it), Austria turned on its pivot;
and had clasped, not England to its bosom, but France
(thanks to that exquisite Kaunitz); and was in arms
against England, dear Hanover, and the Cause of Li-
berty! Vain to look too far ahead, -- especially with
those fish-eyes. Smelfungus has a Note on Kaunitz;
readable, though far too irreverent to that superlative
Diplomatist, and unjust to the real human merits he
had.
"The struggles of Britannic George tofget a King of the
"Romans elected were many. Friedrich never would bite at
"this salutary scheme for strengthening the House of Austria:
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? 160 THE TEN YEARS OF PEACE. [bOOKXVI.
1750-1753.
'"A bad man, is not he? ' And all the while, the Court of
"Austria seemed indifferent, in comparison; -- and Graf von
"Kaunitz-Rietberg, Ambassador at Paris, was secretly busy,
"wheeling Austria round on its axis, France round on its;
"and bringing them to embrace in political wedlock! Feat
"accomplished by his Excellency Kaunitz (Paris, 1752-3); --
"accomplished, not consummated; left ready for consuna-
"mating when he, Kaunitz, now home as Prime Minister, or
"helmsman on the new tack, should give signal. Thought
"to be one of the cleverest feats ever done by-Diplomatic art.
"Admirable feat, for the Diplomatic art which it needed;
"not, that I can see, for any other property it had. Feat
"which brought, as it was intended to do, a Third Silesian
"War; death of about a million fighting men, and endless
"woes to France and Austria in particular. An exquisite
"Diplomatist this Kaunitz; came to be Prince, almost to be
"God-Brahma in Austria, and to rule the Heavens and Earth
"(having skill with his Sovereign Lady, too), in an exquisite
"and truly surprising manner. Sits there sublime, like a
"gilt crockery Idol, supreme over the populations, for near
"forty years.
"One reads all Biographies and Histories of Kaunitz:*
"one catches evidence of his well knowing his Diplomatic
"element, and how to rule it and impose on it. Traits there
"are of human cunning, shrewdness of eye; -- of the loftiest
"silent human pride, stoicism, perseverance of determina-
"tion, -- but not, to my remembrance, of any conspicuous
'' human wisdom whatever. One asks, Where is his wisdom?
"Enumerate, then, do me the pleasure of enumerating, What
"he contrived that the Heavens answered Yes to, and not No
"to? All silent! A man to give one thoughts. Sits like a
"God-Brahma, human idol of gilt crockery, with nothing in
"the belly of it (but a portion of boiled chicken daily, very
"ill-digested); and such a prostrate worship, from those
"around him, as was hardly seen elsewhere. Grave, inwardly
"unhappy-looking; but impenetrable,uncomplaining. Seems
"to have passed privately an Act of Parliament: 'Kaunitz-
"'Kietberg here, as you see him, is the greatest now alive; he,
"'I privately assure you! ' -- and, by continued private de-
"termination, to have got all men about him to ratify the
* Hormayr's (in Oesterreichischer Plutarch, iv. 3tcs, 231-283); &c. &c.
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? CHAP, m] ENGLISH-PKIVATEER QUESTION. 161
1750-1753.
"same, and accept it as valid. Much can be done in that way
"with stupidish populations; nor is BeauBrummel the only
"instance of it, among ourselves, in the later epochs.
"Kaunitz is a man of long hollow face, nose naturally
"rather turned into the air, till artificially it got altogether
"turned thither. Rode beautifully; but always under cover;
"day by day, under glass roof in the riding-school, so many
"hours or minutes, watch in hand. Hated, or dreaded, fresh-
"air above everything: so that the Kaiserinn, a noble lover
"of it, would always good-humouredly hasten to shut her
"windows when he made her a visit. Sumptuous suppers,
"soirees, he had; the pink of Nature assembling in his
"house; galaxy, domestic and foreign, of all the Vienna
"Stars. Through which he would walk one turn; glancing
"stoically, over his nose, at the circumambient whirlpool of
"nothings, -- happy the nothing to whom he would deign a
"word, and make him something. Oh my friends! -- In
"short, it was he who turned Austria on its axis, and France
"on its, and brought them to the kissing pitch. Pompadour
"and Maria Theresa kissing mutually, like Righteousness
"and -- notPeace, at any rate! iMa chb-e Cousine,' could I
"have believed it, at one time? "
A Second Prussian-English cause of offence had
arisen, years ago, and was not yet settled; nay is now
(Spring 1753) at its height or crisis: Offence in regard
to English Privateering.
