And indeed, about three weeks before these louts
arrived, the terrible Invasion had declared itself to
have been altogether a feint; and had lifted anchor,
quite in the opposite direction, on an errand we shall
hear of soon!
arrived, the terrible Invasion had declared itself to
have been altogether a feint; and had lifted anchor,
quite in the opposite direction, on an errand we shall
hear of soon!
Thomas Carlyle
hathitrust.
org/access_use#pd-google
? 222 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
1755-1756.
"the Empress, as I fear, soon die, the Government will quietly
"devolve on them. " *
Catherine's age is twenty-six gone; her Peter's
twenty-seven: one of the cleverest young Ladies in the
world; and of the stoutest-hearted, clearest-eyed; --
yoked to a young Gentleman much the reverse. Thank
Hanbury for this glimpse of them, most intricately
situated Pair; who may concern us a little, in the
sequel. -- And, in justice to poor Hanover, the sad
subject-matter of Excellency Hanbury's Problems and
Futilities in Eussia and elsewhere, let us save this
other Fraction by a very different hand; and close that
Hanbury scene:
"Friedrich himself was so dangerous," says the Constitu-
tional Historian once: "Friedrich, in alliance with France,
"how easy for him to catch Hanover by the throat at a week's
"notice, throw a death-noose round the throat ofpoorHan-
"over, and hand the same to France for tightening at discre-
"tion! Poor Hanover indeed; she reaps little profit from her
"English honours: what has she had to do with these Trans-
"atlantic Colonies of England? An unfortunate Country, if
"the English would but think; liable to be strangled, at any
"time, for England's quarrels: the Achilles'-heel to invulner-
"able England; a sad function for Hanover, if it be a proud
"one, and amazingly lucrative to some Hanoverians. The
"Country is very dear to his Britannic Majesty in one
"sense, very dear to Britain in another! Nay Germany
"itself, through Hanover, is to be torn up by War for Trans-
atlantic interests, -- out of which she does not even get
"good Virginia tobacco, but grows bad of her own. No more
"concern than the Ring of Saturn with these over-sea
"quarrels; and can, through Hanover, be torn to pieces by
"War about them. Such honour to give a Kingto the British
"Nation, in a strait for one; and such profit coming of it: --
"we hope all sides are grateful for the blessings received! "
>> Hanbury's Despatch, "October 2d, 1755" (Raumer, pp. 223-225); Subsidy Treaty still at its flowriest.
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? CHAP. II. ] ENGLISH DIPLOMACIES IN PEOSPECT OF WAR. 223
1755-1756.
There has been a Counter-Treaty going on at Versailles,
in the Interim; which hereupon starts out, and tumbles
the wholly astonished European Diplomacies heels-over-
head.
To expectant mankind, especially to Vienna and
Versailles, this Britannic-Prussian Treaty was a great
surprise. And indeed it proved the signal of a general
System of New Treaties all round. The first signal,
in fact, -- though by no means the first cause, -- of
a total circumgyration, summerset, or tumble heels-
over-head in the Political relations of Europe alto-
gether, which ensued thereupon; miraculous, almost
as the Earthquake at Lisbon, to the Gazetteer and
Diplomatic mind, and incomprehensible for long years
after. First signal we say, by no means that it was
the first cause, or indeed that it was a cause at all, --
the thing being determined elsewhere long before;
ever since 1753, when Kaunitz left it ready, waiting
only its time.
Kaiser Franz, they say, when (probably during
those Keith urgencies) the joining with France and
turning against poor Britannic Majesty was proposed
in Council at Vienna, opened his usually silent lips;
and opined with emphasis against such a course, no
Kaunitz or creature able to persuade Kaiser Franz that
good would come of it; -- though, finding Sovereign
Lady and everybody against him, he held his peace
again. And returned to his private banking operations,
which were more extensive than ever, from the new
troubles rising. "Lent the Empress-Queen, always on
"solid securities," says Friedrich, "large sums, from
"time to time, in those Wars; dealt in Commissariat
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? 224 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
22d Sept. 1755 --1st May 1756.
"stores to right and left; we ourselves had most of our
"meal from him this year. "* Kaiser Franz was, and
continued, of the old way of thinking; but consummate
Kaunitz, and the High Lady's fixed passion for her
Schlesien, had changed everybody else. The ulterior
facts are as follows, abbreviated to the utmost.
September 22d, 1755, a few days before Hanbury's
Subsidy-feat at Petersburg, which took such a whirl for
Hanbury, there had met for the first time at Versailles,
more specially at Babiole, Pleasure-House of the Pom-
padour, a most Select Committee of Three Persons:
Graf von Stahremberg, Austrian Ambassador; Pom-
padour herself; and a certain infinitely elegant Count
and Reverence de Bernis (beautiful Clerico-Mundane
Gentleman, without right Benefice hitherto, but much
in esteem with the Pompadour); -- for deepest practical
consideration in regard to closure of a French-Austrian
Alliance. Reverend Count (subsequently Cardinal) de
Bernis, has sense in Diplomacy; has his experiences in
Secular Diplomatic matters (years ago at Venice, poor
Jean-Jacques was Legation Secretary to him, as some
readers may remember); a soft-going cautious man, not
yet official, but tending that way: whom the Pompadour
has brought with her as henchman, or anghostly coun-
sellor, in this intricate Adventure.
Stahremberg, instructed from home, has no hesita-
tion; nor has Pompadour herself, remembering that in-
solent "Je ne la connais pas," and the per-contra "Ma
Cousine" "Princesse et Sceur:" -- but Bernis, I suppose,
looks into the practical difficulties; which are probably
very considerable, to the Official French eye, in the
present state of Europe and of the public mind. From
>> (Euvres de Frtde'ric, i\. S.
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? CHAP. n. j ENGLISH DIPLOMACIES IN PROSPECT OP WAR. 225
July 1755 --March 1756.
September 22d, or autumnal equinox, 1755, onward
to the Britannic-Prussian phenomenon of January 1756,
the Pompadour Conclave has been sitting, -- difficulties,
no doubt, considerable. I will give only the dates,
having myself no interest in such a Committee at
Babiole; but the dates sufficiently betoken that there
were intricacies, conflicts between the new and the old.
Hitherto the 'axiom always was, "Prussia the Adjunct
and Satellite of France:" now to be entirely reversed,
you say?
July 1755, that is two months before this Babiole Com-
mittee met, a Due de Nivernois, respectable intelligent dilet-
tante French Nobleman, had been named as Ambassador to
Friedrich, "Go, you respectable wise Nivernois, Nobleman of
"Letters so-called; try and retain Friedrich for us, as usual! "
And now, on meeting of the Babiole Committee, Nivernois
does not go; lingers, saddled and bridled, till the very end of
the Year; arrives in Berlin, January 12th, 1756. Has his
First Audience, January 14th: a man highly amiable to Fried-
rich; but with proposals, -- wonderful indeed.
The French, this good while back, are in no doubt about
War with England, a right hearty War; and have always
expected to retain Prussia as formerly, -- though rather on
singular terms. Some time ago, for instance, M. de RouilW,
War-Minister, requested Knyphausen, Prussian Envoy at
Paris: "Suggest to your King's Majesty what plunder there
"is at Hanover. Perfectly at liberty to keep it all, if he will
"plunder Hanover for us! " * Pleasant message to the proud
King; who answered with the due brevity, to the effect,
"Silence, Sir! " -- with didactic effects on the surprised
Uouille. Who now mends his proposal; though again in a
remarkable way. Instructs Nivernois, namely, "To offer
"King Friedrich the Island of Tobago, if he will renew
"Treaty, and take arms for us. Island of Tobago (a deserted,
"litigated, but pretty Island, were it ever ours), will not that
"entice this King, intent on Commerce? " Friedrich, who
* (Ewres de Frederic, iv. 29.
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. IX. 15
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? 226 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
1st May 1756.
likes Nivernois and his polite ways, answers quizzingly: "Is-
land of Tobago? Island of Barataria your Lordship must
"be meaning; Island of which I cannot be the Sancho
"Panza! " * And Nivernois found he must not mention To-
bago again.
For the rest, Friedrich made no secret of his English
Treaty; showed it with all frankness to Nivernois, in all
points: "Is there, can the most captious allege that there is,
"anything against France in it? My one wish and aim, that
"of Peace for myself: judge! " Nivernois stayed till March;
but seems to have had, ot definite, only Tobago and good
words; so that nothing farther came of him, and there was no
Renewal of Treaty then or after. Thus, in his third month
(March 1756), practical Nivernois was recalled, without
result; -- instead of whom fat Valori was sent; privately
intending "to do nothing but observe, in Berlin. " From all
which, we infer that the Babiole Committee now saw land;
and that Bernis himself had decided in the affirmative:
"Austria, not Prussia; yes, Madame! " To the joy of Madame
and everybody. For, it is incredible, say all witnesses, what
indignation broke out in Paris when Friedrich made this new
"defection," so they termed it; revolt from his Liege Lord
(who had been so exemplary to him on former occasions! ),
and would not bite at Tobago when offered. So that the
Babiole Committee went on, henceforth, with flowing sea;
and by May-day (1st May 1756), brought out its French-
Austrian Treaty in a completed state. "To stand by one
"another," like Castor and Pollux, in a manner; "24,000,
"reciprocally, to be ready on demand;" nay I think some-
thing of "subsidies" withal, -- to Austria, of course. But the
particulars are not worth giving; the Performance, thanks to
a zealous Pompadour, having quite outrun the Stipulation,
and left it practically out of sight, when the push came. Our
Constitutional Historian may shadow the rest:
"France and England going to War in these sad circum-
"stances, and France and Austria being privately prepared"
(byKaunitz and others) "to swear everlasting friendship on
"the occasion, instead of everlasting enmity as heretofore;
"unexpected changes, miraculous to the Gazetteers, became
"inevitable; -- nothing less, in short, than explosion or topsy-
* (Euvres de Fredirie, iv. 31.
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? CHAP. II. ] ENGLISH DIPLOMACIES IN PROSPBCT OP WAR. 227
1756.
"turvying of the old Diplomatic-Political Scheme of Europe.
"Old dance of the Constellations flung heels-over-head, on
"the sudden; and much pirouetting, jigging, setting, before
"they could change partners, and continue their august
"dance again, whether in War or Peace. No end to the
"industrious wonder of the Gazetteer mind, to the dark diffi-
"culties of the Diplomatic. Whatbafflings, agonistic shuf-
"flings, impotent gazings into the dark; what seductive
"fiddling, and being fiddled to! A most sad function of
"Humanity, if sometimes an inevitable one; which ought
"surely at all times to be got over as briefly as possible. To
"be written of, especially, with a maximum of brevity; human
"nature being justly impatient of talk about it, beyond the
"strictly needful. "
Most true it is, and was most miraculous, though
now quite forgotten again, Political Europe had to
make a complete whirl-round, on that occasion. And
not in a day, and merely saying to itself, "Let me do
summerset! " as idle readers suppose, -- but with long
months of agonistic shuffle and struggle, in all places,
and such Diplomatic fiddling and being fiddled to, as
seldom was before. Of which these two instances, the
Bernis and the Hanbury, are to serve as specimen; two
and no more: a universe of extinct fiddling compressed
into two nutshells, if readers have an ear.
15*
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? 228 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book ml.
1756.
CHAPTER III.
FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT.
The French, in reality a good deal astonished at the
Prussian-Britannic Treaty, affected to take it easy:
"Treaty for Neutrality of Germany? " said they:
"Very good indeed. Perhaps there are places nearer
us, where our troops can be employed to more ad-
vantage! "* -- hinting vocally, as henceforth their silent
procedures, their diligence in the dockyards, moving
of troops coastward and the like, still more clearly did,
That an Invasion of England itself was the thing next
to be expected.
England and France are, by this time, alike fiercely
determined on War; but their states of preparation are
very different. The French have War-ships again, not
to mention Armies which they always have; some skil-
ful Admirals withal, -- La Gallisonniere, our old Canada
friend is one, very busy at present; -- and mean to try
seriously the Question of Sea-Supremacy once more.
If an Invasion did chance to land, the state of England
would be found handy beyond hope! How many fighting
regiments England has, I need not inquire, nor with
what strategic virtue they would go to work; -- enough
to mention the singular fact (recently true, and still, I
perceive, too like the truth), That of all their regiments,
"only Three are in this Country," or have Colonels
* Their "Declaration" on it (Adelnnj, vn. 613).
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? CHAP. in. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 229
April --June 1756.
even nominated. Incredible; but certain. And the in-
teresting point is, his Grace of Newcastle dare not have
Colonels, still less higher Officers nominated; because
Royal Higness of Cumberland would have the naming
of them, and they would be enemies to his Grace* In
such posture stands the Envy of surrounding Nations
at this moment.
"Hire Hessians," cry they; "hire Hanoverians; if
France land on us, we are undone! " -- and continue
their Parliamentary Eloquences in a most distressful
manner. "Apply to the Dutch, at any rate, for their
6,000 as per Treaty," cries everybody. Which is done.
But the Dutch piteously wring their hands: "Dare
not, your Majesty; how dare we, for France and our
neglected Barrier! Oh, generous Majesty, excuse us! "
-- and the generous Majesty has to do it; and leave
the Dutch in peace, this time. Hessians, Hanoverians,
after eloquence enough, are at last got sent for, to
guard us against this terrible invasion: about 10,000
of each kind; and do land, -- the native populations
very sulky on them ("We won't billet you, not we;
build huts, and be --! "), with much Parliamentary
and Newspaper Commentary going on, of a distressful
nature. "Saturday, 15th May 1756, Hessians disembark
"at Southampton; obliged to pitch Camp in the neigh-
bourhood: Friday, 21st May, the Hanoverians, at
"Chatham, who hut themselves Canterbury way;" --
and have (what is the sum-total of their achievements
in this Country) a case of shoplifting, "pocket-handker-
"chief, across the counter, in open day;" one case (or
* Walpole, George the Secottd, n. 19 (date, "March 25th, 1755;" and
how long after, is not said: but see Pitt's Speeches, ib. , aU through 1756,
and farther;.
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? 230 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. ' [book XVII.
April -- June 1756.
what seemed to be one, but was not);* "and the
"fellow not to be tried by us for it! " which enrages
the constitutional heart. Alas, my heavy-laden consti-
tutional heart; but what can we do? These drilled
louts will guard us, should this terrible Invasion land.
And indeed, about three weeks before these louts
arrived, the terrible Invasion had declared itself to
have been altogether a feint; and had lifted anchor,
quite in the opposite direction, on an errand we shall
hear of soon!
About the same date, I observe "the first regiment
"of Footguards practising the Prussian drill-exercise
"in Hyde-Park;" and hope his Grace of Newcastle
and the Hero of Culloden (immortal Hero, and aiming
high in Politics at this time) will, at least, have fallen
upon some method of getting Colonels nominated.
But the wide-weltering chaos of platitudes, agitated
by hysterical imbecilities, regulating England in this
great crisis, fills the constitutional mind with sorrow;
and indeed is definable, once more, as amazing!
England is a stubborn Country; but it was not by
procedures of the Cumberland-Newcastle kind that
England, and her Colonies, and Sea-and-Land King-
doms, was built together; nor by these, except miracle
intervene, that she can stand long against stress!
Looking at the dismal matter from this distance, there
is visible to me in the foggy heart of it one lucent
element, and pretty much one only; the individual
named William Pitt, as I have read him: if by miracle
* "At Maidstone, 13th September 1756;" Hanoverian soldier, purchas-
ing a handkerchief, imagines he has purchased two (not yet dipt asunder),
haberdasher and he having no language in common: Gentleman's Magazine
for 1756, pp. 259, 448, &c. ; Walpole, ampins.
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? CHAP. III. ] FRENCH-EHGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 231
April--June 1756.
that royal soul could, even for a time, get to something
of Kingship there? Courage; miracles do happen, let
us hope! -- This is whitherward the grand Invasion
had gone:
Toulon, 10th April 1756. La Gallisonniere, our old Ca-
nadian friend, a crooked little man of great faculty, who has
been busy in the dockyards lately, weighs anchor from
Toulon; "12 sail of the line, 5 frigates, and above 100 trans-
"port-ships;" with the grand Invasion-of-England Armament
on board: 16,000 picked troops, complete in all points,
Mare'chal Due de Richelieu commanding. * Weighs anchor;
and, singular to see, steers, not for England, and the Hessian-
Hanover Defenders (who would have been in such excellent
time); but direct for Minorca, as the surer thing! Will seize
Minorca; a so-called inexpugnable Possession of the English,
-- Key of their Mediterranean Supremacies; -- really in-
expugnable enough; but which lies in the usual dilapidated
state, though by chance with a courageous old Governor in it,
who will not surrender quite at once.
April 18th, La Gallisonniere disembarks his Richelieu with
a Sixteen Thousand, unopposed at Port-Mahon, or Fort St.
Philip, in Minorca; who instantly commences Siege there.
To the astonishment of England and his Grace of Newcastle,
who, except old Governor Blakeney, much in dilapidation
("wooden platform rotten," "batteries out of repair, and so
on), have nothing ready for Richelieu in that quarter. The
story of Minorca; and the furious humours and tragic con- -summations that arose on it, being still well known, we will
give the dates only.
Fort St. Philip, April 18th -- May 20th. For a month,
Richelieu, skilful in tickling the French troops, has been
besieging, in a high and grandiose way; La Gallisonniere
vigilantly cruising; old Blakeney, in spite of the rottenplat-
forms, vigorously holding out; when, -- May 19th, La Galli-
sonniere descries an English fleet in the distance; indisput-
ably an English fleet; and clears his decks for a serious Affair
just coming. Thursday, 20th May, Admiral Byng accordingly
* Adelung, vra. 70.
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? 232 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book xvn.
April--June 1756.
(for it is he, son of that old seaworthy Byng, who once "blew
"out" a minatory Spanish Fleet, and "an absurd Flame of
"War" in the Straits of Messina, and was made Lord Tor-
rington in consequence, -- happily now dead) -- Admiral
Byng does come on; and gains himself a name badly memor-
able ever since. Attacks La Gallisonniere, in a wide-lying,
languid, hovering, uncertain manner: -- "Far too weak," he
says; "much disprovided, destitute, by blame of Ministry and
"of everybody" (though about the strength of La Gallison-
niere, after all); -- is almost rather beaten by La Gallison-
niere; does not, in the least, beat him to the right degree: --
and sheers off, in the night-time, straight for Gibraltar again.
To La Gallisonniere's surprise, it is said; no doubt to old
Blakeney and his poor Garrison's, left so, to their rotten plat-
forms and their own shifts.
Blakeney and Garrison stood to their guns in a manful
manner, for above a month longer; day after day, week after
week, looking over the horizon for some Byng or some relief
appearing, to no purpose! June 14th, there are three available
breaches; the walls, however, are very sheer (a Fortress hewn
in the rock): Richelieu scanning them dubiously, and batter-
ing his best, for about a fortnight more, is ineffectual on
Blakeney.
June 27th, Richelieu, taking his measures well, tickling
French honour well, has determined on storm. Richelieu,
giving order of the day, "Whosoever of you is found drunk
"shall not be of the storm-party" (which produced such a
teetotalism as nothing else had done), -- storms, that night,
with extreme audacity. The Place has to capitulate: glorious
victory; honourable defence: and Minorca gone.
And England is risen to a mere smoky whirlwind, of rage,
sorrow and darkness, against Byng and others. Smoky dark-
ness, getting streaked with dangerous fire. "Tried? " said
his Grace ofNewcastle to the City Deputation: "Oh indeed
"he shall be tried immediately; he shall be hanged directly! "
-- assure yourselves of that. * And Byng's effigy was burnt
all over England. And mobs attempt to burn his Seat and
Park; and satires and caricatures and firebrands are coming
* Walpole, n. 231: Details of the Siege, ib. 218-225; in Gentleman's
Magaiine, xxvi, 256,312-313, 358; in Adelung, vm. ; &c. &c.
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? CHAP, in. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 233
June--Aug. 1756.
out: and the poor Constitutional Country is bent on applying
surgery, if it but knew how. Surgery to such indisputable
abominations was certainly desirable. The new Relief
Squadron, which had been despatched by Majesty's Ministry,
was too late for Blakeney, but did bring home a superseded
Byng-
Spithead, Tuesday, 27th July, The supersededByng arrives;
is punctually arrested, on arriving: "Him we will hang
"directly: -- is there anything else we can try" (exceptper-
haps it were hanging of ourselves, and our fine methods of
procedure), "by way of remedying you? " -- War against
France, now a pretty plain thing, had been "declared," 17th
May (French counter-declaring, 9th June): and, under a
Duke of Newcastle and a Hero of Culloden, not even pulling
oneway, but two ways; and a Talking-Apparatus full of dis-
cords at this time, and pulling who shall say how many ways,
-- the prospects of carrying on said War are none of the best.
Lord Loudon, a General without skill, and commanding, as
Pitt declares, "a scroll of Paper hitherto" (a good few
thousands marked on it, and perhaps their Colonels even
named), is about going for America; by no means yet gone, a
long way from gone: and, if the Laws of Nature be suspended
-- Enough of all that!
King Friedrich's Enigma gets more and more stringent.
Friedrich's situation, in those fatefully questionable
months, and for many past (especially from January
16th to July), -- readers must imagine it, for there is
no description possible. In many intricacies Friedrich
has been; but never, I reckon, in any equal to this.
Himself certain what the Two Imperial Women have
vowed against him; self and Winterfeld certain of that
sad truth; and all other mortals ready to deny it, and
fly delirious on hint of it, should he venture to act in
consequence! Friedrich's situation is not unimaginable,
when (as can now be done by candid inquirers who
will take trouble enough) the one or two internal facts
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? 234 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
June--Aug. 1756
of it are disengaged from the roaring ocean of clamor-
ous delusions which then enveloped them to everybody,
and are held steadily in view, said ocean being well
run off to the home of it very deep underground. Lies
do fall silent; truth waits to be recognised, not always
in vain. No reader ever will conceive the strangling
perplexity of that situation, now so remote and extinct
to us. All I can do is, to set down what features of
it have become indisputable; and leave them as
detached traceries, as fractions of an outline, to co-
alesce into something of image where they can.
Winterfeld's opinion was, for some time past, distinct:
"Attack them; since it is certain they only wait to
attack us! " But Friedrich would by no means listen
to that. "We must not be the aggressor, my friend;
that would spoil all. Perhaps the English will pacify
the Russian Catin for me; tie her, with packthreads,
bribes and intrigues, from stirring? Wait, watch! "
Fiery Winterfeld, who hates the French, who despises
the Austrians, and thinks the Prussian Army a con-
siderable Fact in Politics, has great schemes: far too
great for a practical Friedrich. "Plunge into the
Austrians, with a will: Prussian Soldiery, -- can
Austrians resist it? Ruin them, since they are bent
on ruining us. Stir up the Hungarian Protestants;
try all things. Home upon our implacable enemies,
sword drawn, scabbard flung away! And the French,
-- what are the French? Our King should be Kaiser
of Teutschland; and he can, and he may: -- the
French would then be quieter! " These things Winter-
feld carried in his head; and comrades have heard
them from him over wine. * To all which Friedrich,
* Retzow, i. 43, &c.
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? CHAP, m. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 235
June--Aug. 1756.
if any whisper of them ever got to Friedrich, would
answer one can guess how.
It is evident, Friedrich had not given up his hope
(indeed, for ahove a year more, he never did) that
England might, by profuse bribery, -- "such the power
of bribery in that mad Court! " -- assuage, overnet
with backstairs packthreads, or in some way compesce
the Russian delirium for him. And England, his sole
Ally in the world, still tender of Austria, and unable
to believe what the full intentions of Austria are;
England demands much wariness in his procedures
towards Austria; reiterating always, "Wait, your Ma-
jesty! Oh, beware! " --
His own Army, we need not say, is in perfect pre-
paration. The Army, -- let us guess, 150,000 regular,
or near 200,000 of all arms and kinds, * -- never was
so perfect before or since. Old Captains in it, whom
we used to know, are grayer and wiser; young, whom
we heard less of, are grown veterans of trust. Schwerin,
much a Cincinnatus since we last saw him, has laid
down his plough again, a fervid "little Marlborough"
of seventy-two; -- and will never see that beautiful
Schwerinsburg, and its thriving woods and farm-fields,
any more. Ugly Walrave is not now chief Engineer;
one Gaudi, or one Balbi is. Ugly Walrave (Winter-
feld suspecting and watching him) was found out; con-
victed of "falsified accounts," of "sending plans to the
Enemy," of who knows all what; -- and sits in Magde-
burg (in a thrice-safe prison-cell of his own contriving),
prisoner for life. ** The Old Dessauer is away, long
* Archenholz (i. 8) counts vaguely " 160,000" at this date.
** "Arrested at Potsdam, 12th February 1748, and after trial put into
the 'Stern' at Magdeburg; sat there till he died, 16th January 1773" (Mili-
tair-Lexicon, iv. 150-151).
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? 236 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book Xvn.
July 1756.
since; and not the Old alone. Dietrich of Dessau is
now "Guardian to his Nephew," who is a Child left
Heir there. Death has been busy with the Dessauers:
-- but here is PrinceMoritz, "the youngest, more like
his Father than any of them. " Duke Ferdinand of
Brunswick, Moritz of Dessau, Keith, Duke of Bruns-
wick-Bevern: no one of these people has been idle, in
the ten years past. Least of all, has the Chief Cap-
tain of them, -- whose diligence and vigilance in that
sphere, latterly were not likely to decline!
Friedrich's Army is in the perfection of order.
Ready at the hour, for many months back; but the
least motion he makes with it is a subject of jealousy.
Last year, on those Russian advancings and alacrities,
he had marched some Regiments into Pommem, . within
reach of Preussen, should the Russians actually try a
stroke there: "See! " cried all the world; "See! " cried
the enlightened Russian Public. This year 1756, from
June onwards and earlier, there are still more fatal
symptoms, on the Austrian side: great and evident
War-preparations; Magazines forming; Camps in Bo-
hemia, Moravia; Camp at Konigsgratz, Camp at Prag,
-- handy for the Silesian Border. Friedrich knows they
have deliberated on their Pretext for a War, and have
fixed on what will do, -- some new small Prussian-
Mecklenburg brabble, which there has lately been;
paltry enough recruiting-quarrel, such as often are (and
has been settled mutually, some time ago, this one,
but is capable of being ripped up again); -- and that,
on this cobweb of a Pretext, they mean to draw sword
when they like. Russia too has its Pretext ready.
And if Friedrich hint of stirring, England whispers
hoarse, England and other friends, "Wait, your Ma-
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? CHAP. m. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 237
July 1756.
jesty! Oh, beware! " To keep one's sword at its sharp-
est, and, with an easy patient air, one's eyes vigilantly
open: this is nearly all that Friedrich can do, in
neighbourhood of such portentous imminencies. He
has many critics, near and far; -- for instance:
Berlin, 31st July 1756, Excellency Valori writes to Ver-
sailles: * * "to give you account of a Conversation I have had,
''a day or two ago, with the Prince of Prussia" (August Wil-
helm, Heir-Apparent), "who honours me with a particular
"confidence," -- and who appears to be, privately, like some
others, very strong in the Opposition view. "He talked to me
"of the,present condition of the King his Brother, of his
"Brothers apprehensions, of his military arrangements, of the
"little trust placed in him by neighbours, of their hostile
"humour towards him, and of many otherihings which this
"good Prince" (little understanding them, as would appear,
or the dangerous secret that lay under them) "did not approve
"of. The Prince then said, -- listen to what the Prince
of Prussia said to Valori, one of the last days of July
1756,--
"There is an Anecdote which continually recurs to me, in
"the passes we are got to, at present. Putting the case we
"might be attacked by Russia, and perhaps by Austria, the
"lateRothenburg was sent"(as readers know), "on the King's
"part, to Milord Tyrconnel, to know of him what, in such
"case, were the helps he might reckon on from France. Mi-
"lord enumerated the various helps; and then added" (being
a blusterous Irishman, sent hither for his ill tongue): "'Helps
'"enough, you observe, Monsieur; but, morbleu, if you deceive
"'us, you will be squelched (vous serez ierases)! ' The King
"myBrother was angry enough at hearing such a speech: but,
"my dear Marquis, and the Prince turned full upon me with
a face of inquiry, "Can the thing actually come true? And
"do you think it can be the interest of your Master" (and his
Scarlet Woman) "to abandon us to the fury of our enemies?
"Ah, that cursed Convention" (Neutrality-Convention with
England)! "I would give a finger from my hand that it had
"never been concluded. I never approved of it; ask the Due
"de Nivernois, he knows what we have said of it together.
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? 238 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS.
? 222 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
1755-1756.
"the Empress, as I fear, soon die, the Government will quietly
"devolve on them. " *
Catherine's age is twenty-six gone; her Peter's
twenty-seven: one of the cleverest young Ladies in the
world; and of the stoutest-hearted, clearest-eyed; --
yoked to a young Gentleman much the reverse. Thank
Hanbury for this glimpse of them, most intricately
situated Pair; who may concern us a little, in the
sequel. -- And, in justice to poor Hanover, the sad
subject-matter of Excellency Hanbury's Problems and
Futilities in Eussia and elsewhere, let us save this
other Fraction by a very different hand; and close that
Hanbury scene:
"Friedrich himself was so dangerous," says the Constitu-
tional Historian once: "Friedrich, in alliance with France,
"how easy for him to catch Hanover by the throat at a week's
"notice, throw a death-noose round the throat ofpoorHan-
"over, and hand the same to France for tightening at discre-
"tion! Poor Hanover indeed; she reaps little profit from her
"English honours: what has she had to do with these Trans-
"atlantic Colonies of England? An unfortunate Country, if
"the English would but think; liable to be strangled, at any
"time, for England's quarrels: the Achilles'-heel to invulner-
"able England; a sad function for Hanover, if it be a proud
"one, and amazingly lucrative to some Hanoverians. The
"Country is very dear to his Britannic Majesty in one
"sense, very dear to Britain in another! Nay Germany
"itself, through Hanover, is to be torn up by War for Trans-
atlantic interests, -- out of which she does not even get
"good Virginia tobacco, but grows bad of her own. No more
"concern than the Ring of Saturn with these over-sea
"quarrels; and can, through Hanover, be torn to pieces by
"War about them. Such honour to give a Kingto the British
"Nation, in a strait for one; and such profit coming of it: --
"we hope all sides are grateful for the blessings received! "
>> Hanbury's Despatch, "October 2d, 1755" (Raumer, pp. 223-225); Subsidy Treaty still at its flowriest.
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? CHAP. II. ] ENGLISH DIPLOMACIES IN PEOSPECT OF WAR. 223
1755-1756.
There has been a Counter-Treaty going on at Versailles,
in the Interim; which hereupon starts out, and tumbles
the wholly astonished European Diplomacies heels-over-
head.
To expectant mankind, especially to Vienna and
Versailles, this Britannic-Prussian Treaty was a great
surprise. And indeed it proved the signal of a general
System of New Treaties all round. The first signal,
in fact, -- though by no means the first cause, -- of
a total circumgyration, summerset, or tumble heels-
over-head in the Political relations of Europe alto-
gether, which ensued thereupon; miraculous, almost
as the Earthquake at Lisbon, to the Gazetteer and
Diplomatic mind, and incomprehensible for long years
after. First signal we say, by no means that it was
the first cause, or indeed that it was a cause at all, --
the thing being determined elsewhere long before;
ever since 1753, when Kaunitz left it ready, waiting
only its time.
Kaiser Franz, they say, when (probably during
those Keith urgencies) the joining with France and
turning against poor Britannic Majesty was proposed
in Council at Vienna, opened his usually silent lips;
and opined with emphasis against such a course, no
Kaunitz or creature able to persuade Kaiser Franz that
good would come of it; -- though, finding Sovereign
Lady and everybody against him, he held his peace
again. And returned to his private banking operations,
which were more extensive than ever, from the new
troubles rising. "Lent the Empress-Queen, always on
"solid securities," says Friedrich, "large sums, from
"time to time, in those Wars; dealt in Commissariat
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? 224 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
22d Sept. 1755 --1st May 1756.
"stores to right and left; we ourselves had most of our
"meal from him this year. "* Kaiser Franz was, and
continued, of the old way of thinking; but consummate
Kaunitz, and the High Lady's fixed passion for her
Schlesien, had changed everybody else. The ulterior
facts are as follows, abbreviated to the utmost.
September 22d, 1755, a few days before Hanbury's
Subsidy-feat at Petersburg, which took such a whirl for
Hanbury, there had met for the first time at Versailles,
more specially at Babiole, Pleasure-House of the Pom-
padour, a most Select Committee of Three Persons:
Graf von Stahremberg, Austrian Ambassador; Pom-
padour herself; and a certain infinitely elegant Count
and Reverence de Bernis (beautiful Clerico-Mundane
Gentleman, without right Benefice hitherto, but much
in esteem with the Pompadour); -- for deepest practical
consideration in regard to closure of a French-Austrian
Alliance. Reverend Count (subsequently Cardinal) de
Bernis, has sense in Diplomacy; has his experiences in
Secular Diplomatic matters (years ago at Venice, poor
Jean-Jacques was Legation Secretary to him, as some
readers may remember); a soft-going cautious man, not
yet official, but tending that way: whom the Pompadour
has brought with her as henchman, or anghostly coun-
sellor, in this intricate Adventure.
Stahremberg, instructed from home, has no hesita-
tion; nor has Pompadour herself, remembering that in-
solent "Je ne la connais pas," and the per-contra "Ma
Cousine" "Princesse et Sceur:" -- but Bernis, I suppose,
looks into the practical difficulties; which are probably
very considerable, to the Official French eye, in the
present state of Europe and of the public mind. From
>> (Euvres de Frtde'ric, i\. S.
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? CHAP. n. j ENGLISH DIPLOMACIES IN PROSPECT OP WAR. 225
July 1755 --March 1756.
September 22d, or autumnal equinox, 1755, onward
to the Britannic-Prussian phenomenon of January 1756,
the Pompadour Conclave has been sitting, -- difficulties,
no doubt, considerable. I will give only the dates,
having myself no interest in such a Committee at
Babiole; but the dates sufficiently betoken that there
were intricacies, conflicts between the new and the old.
Hitherto the 'axiom always was, "Prussia the Adjunct
and Satellite of France:" now to be entirely reversed,
you say?
July 1755, that is two months before this Babiole Com-
mittee met, a Due de Nivernois, respectable intelligent dilet-
tante French Nobleman, had been named as Ambassador to
Friedrich, "Go, you respectable wise Nivernois, Nobleman of
"Letters so-called; try and retain Friedrich for us, as usual! "
And now, on meeting of the Babiole Committee, Nivernois
does not go; lingers, saddled and bridled, till the very end of
the Year; arrives in Berlin, January 12th, 1756. Has his
First Audience, January 14th: a man highly amiable to Fried-
rich; but with proposals, -- wonderful indeed.
The French, this good while back, are in no doubt about
War with England, a right hearty War; and have always
expected to retain Prussia as formerly, -- though rather on
singular terms. Some time ago, for instance, M. de RouilW,
War-Minister, requested Knyphausen, Prussian Envoy at
Paris: "Suggest to your King's Majesty what plunder there
"is at Hanover. Perfectly at liberty to keep it all, if he will
"plunder Hanover for us! " * Pleasant message to the proud
King; who answered with the due brevity, to the effect,
"Silence, Sir! " -- with didactic effects on the surprised
Uouille. Who now mends his proposal; though again in a
remarkable way. Instructs Nivernois, namely, "To offer
"King Friedrich the Island of Tobago, if he will renew
"Treaty, and take arms for us. Island of Tobago (a deserted,
"litigated, but pretty Island, were it ever ours), will not that
"entice this King, intent on Commerce? " Friedrich, who
* (Ewres de Frederic, iv. 29.
Carlyle, Frederick the Great. IX. 15
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? 226 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
1st May 1756.
likes Nivernois and his polite ways, answers quizzingly: "Is-
land of Tobago? Island of Barataria your Lordship must
"be meaning; Island of which I cannot be the Sancho
"Panza! " * And Nivernois found he must not mention To-
bago again.
For the rest, Friedrich made no secret of his English
Treaty; showed it with all frankness to Nivernois, in all
points: "Is there, can the most captious allege that there is,
"anything against France in it? My one wish and aim, that
"of Peace for myself: judge! " Nivernois stayed till March;
but seems to have had, ot definite, only Tobago and good
words; so that nothing farther came of him, and there was no
Renewal of Treaty then or after. Thus, in his third month
(March 1756), practical Nivernois was recalled, without
result; -- instead of whom fat Valori was sent; privately
intending "to do nothing but observe, in Berlin. " From all
which, we infer that the Babiole Committee now saw land;
and that Bernis himself had decided in the affirmative:
"Austria, not Prussia; yes, Madame! " To the joy of Madame
and everybody. For, it is incredible, say all witnesses, what
indignation broke out in Paris when Friedrich made this new
"defection," so they termed it; revolt from his Liege Lord
(who had been so exemplary to him on former occasions! ),
and would not bite at Tobago when offered. So that the
Babiole Committee went on, henceforth, with flowing sea;
and by May-day (1st May 1756), brought out its French-
Austrian Treaty in a completed state. "To stand by one
"another," like Castor and Pollux, in a manner; "24,000,
"reciprocally, to be ready on demand;" nay I think some-
thing of "subsidies" withal, -- to Austria, of course. But the
particulars are not worth giving; the Performance, thanks to
a zealous Pompadour, having quite outrun the Stipulation,
and left it practically out of sight, when the push came. Our
Constitutional Historian may shadow the rest:
"France and England going to War in these sad circum-
"stances, and France and Austria being privately prepared"
(byKaunitz and others) "to swear everlasting friendship on
"the occasion, instead of everlasting enmity as heretofore;
"unexpected changes, miraculous to the Gazetteers, became
"inevitable; -- nothing less, in short, than explosion or topsy-
* (Euvres de Fredirie, iv. 31.
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? CHAP. II. ] ENGLISH DIPLOMACIES IN PROSPBCT OP WAR. 227
1756.
"turvying of the old Diplomatic-Political Scheme of Europe.
"Old dance of the Constellations flung heels-over-head, on
"the sudden; and much pirouetting, jigging, setting, before
"they could change partners, and continue their august
"dance again, whether in War or Peace. No end to the
"industrious wonder of the Gazetteer mind, to the dark diffi-
"culties of the Diplomatic. Whatbafflings, agonistic shuf-
"flings, impotent gazings into the dark; what seductive
"fiddling, and being fiddled to! A most sad function of
"Humanity, if sometimes an inevitable one; which ought
"surely at all times to be got over as briefly as possible. To
"be written of, especially, with a maximum of brevity; human
"nature being justly impatient of talk about it, beyond the
"strictly needful. "
Most true it is, and was most miraculous, though
now quite forgotten again, Political Europe had to
make a complete whirl-round, on that occasion. And
not in a day, and merely saying to itself, "Let me do
summerset! " as idle readers suppose, -- but with long
months of agonistic shuffle and struggle, in all places,
and such Diplomatic fiddling and being fiddled to, as
seldom was before. Of which these two instances, the
Bernis and the Hanbury, are to serve as specimen; two
and no more: a universe of extinct fiddling compressed
into two nutshells, if readers have an ear.
15*
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? 228 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book ml.
1756.
CHAPTER III.
FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT.
The French, in reality a good deal astonished at the
Prussian-Britannic Treaty, affected to take it easy:
"Treaty for Neutrality of Germany? " said they:
"Very good indeed. Perhaps there are places nearer
us, where our troops can be employed to more ad-
vantage! "* -- hinting vocally, as henceforth their silent
procedures, their diligence in the dockyards, moving
of troops coastward and the like, still more clearly did,
That an Invasion of England itself was the thing next
to be expected.
England and France are, by this time, alike fiercely
determined on War; but their states of preparation are
very different. The French have War-ships again, not
to mention Armies which they always have; some skil-
ful Admirals withal, -- La Gallisonniere, our old Canada
friend is one, very busy at present; -- and mean to try
seriously the Question of Sea-Supremacy once more.
If an Invasion did chance to land, the state of England
would be found handy beyond hope! How many fighting
regiments England has, I need not inquire, nor with
what strategic virtue they would go to work; -- enough
to mention the singular fact (recently true, and still, I
perceive, too like the truth), That of all their regiments,
"only Three are in this Country," or have Colonels
* Their "Declaration" on it (Adelnnj, vn. 613).
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? CHAP. in. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 229
April --June 1756.
even nominated. Incredible; but certain. And the in-
teresting point is, his Grace of Newcastle dare not have
Colonels, still less higher Officers nominated; because
Royal Higness of Cumberland would have the naming
of them, and they would be enemies to his Grace* In
such posture stands the Envy of surrounding Nations
at this moment.
"Hire Hessians," cry they; "hire Hanoverians; if
France land on us, we are undone! " -- and continue
their Parliamentary Eloquences in a most distressful
manner. "Apply to the Dutch, at any rate, for their
6,000 as per Treaty," cries everybody. Which is done.
But the Dutch piteously wring their hands: "Dare
not, your Majesty; how dare we, for France and our
neglected Barrier! Oh, generous Majesty, excuse us! "
-- and the generous Majesty has to do it; and leave
the Dutch in peace, this time. Hessians, Hanoverians,
after eloquence enough, are at last got sent for, to
guard us against this terrible invasion: about 10,000
of each kind; and do land, -- the native populations
very sulky on them ("We won't billet you, not we;
build huts, and be --! "), with much Parliamentary
and Newspaper Commentary going on, of a distressful
nature. "Saturday, 15th May 1756, Hessians disembark
"at Southampton; obliged to pitch Camp in the neigh-
bourhood: Friday, 21st May, the Hanoverians, at
"Chatham, who hut themselves Canterbury way;" --
and have (what is the sum-total of their achievements
in this Country) a case of shoplifting, "pocket-handker-
"chief, across the counter, in open day;" one case (or
* Walpole, George the Secottd, n. 19 (date, "March 25th, 1755;" and
how long after, is not said: but see Pitt's Speeches, ib. , aU through 1756,
and farther;.
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? 230 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. ' [book XVII.
April -- June 1756.
what seemed to be one, but was not);* "and the
"fellow not to be tried by us for it! " which enrages
the constitutional heart. Alas, my heavy-laden consti-
tutional heart; but what can we do? These drilled
louts will guard us, should this terrible Invasion land.
And indeed, about three weeks before these louts
arrived, the terrible Invasion had declared itself to
have been altogether a feint; and had lifted anchor,
quite in the opposite direction, on an errand we shall
hear of soon!
About the same date, I observe "the first regiment
"of Footguards practising the Prussian drill-exercise
"in Hyde-Park;" and hope his Grace of Newcastle
and the Hero of Culloden (immortal Hero, and aiming
high in Politics at this time) will, at least, have fallen
upon some method of getting Colonels nominated.
But the wide-weltering chaos of platitudes, agitated
by hysterical imbecilities, regulating England in this
great crisis, fills the constitutional mind with sorrow;
and indeed is definable, once more, as amazing!
England is a stubborn Country; but it was not by
procedures of the Cumberland-Newcastle kind that
England, and her Colonies, and Sea-and-Land King-
doms, was built together; nor by these, except miracle
intervene, that she can stand long against stress!
Looking at the dismal matter from this distance, there
is visible to me in the foggy heart of it one lucent
element, and pretty much one only; the individual
named William Pitt, as I have read him: if by miracle
* "At Maidstone, 13th September 1756;" Hanoverian soldier, purchas-
ing a handkerchief, imagines he has purchased two (not yet dipt asunder),
haberdasher and he having no language in common: Gentleman's Magazine
for 1756, pp. 259, 448, &c. ; Walpole, ampins.
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? CHAP. III. ] FRENCH-EHGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 231
April--June 1756.
that royal soul could, even for a time, get to something
of Kingship there? Courage; miracles do happen, let
us hope! -- This is whitherward the grand Invasion
had gone:
Toulon, 10th April 1756. La Gallisonniere, our old Ca-
nadian friend, a crooked little man of great faculty, who has
been busy in the dockyards lately, weighs anchor from
Toulon; "12 sail of the line, 5 frigates, and above 100 trans-
"port-ships;" with the grand Invasion-of-England Armament
on board: 16,000 picked troops, complete in all points,
Mare'chal Due de Richelieu commanding. * Weighs anchor;
and, singular to see, steers, not for England, and the Hessian-
Hanover Defenders (who would have been in such excellent
time); but direct for Minorca, as the surer thing! Will seize
Minorca; a so-called inexpugnable Possession of the English,
-- Key of their Mediterranean Supremacies; -- really in-
expugnable enough; but which lies in the usual dilapidated
state, though by chance with a courageous old Governor in it,
who will not surrender quite at once.
April 18th, La Gallisonniere disembarks his Richelieu with
a Sixteen Thousand, unopposed at Port-Mahon, or Fort St.
Philip, in Minorca; who instantly commences Siege there.
To the astonishment of England and his Grace of Newcastle,
who, except old Governor Blakeney, much in dilapidation
("wooden platform rotten," "batteries out of repair, and so
on), have nothing ready for Richelieu in that quarter. The
story of Minorca; and the furious humours and tragic con- -summations that arose on it, being still well known, we will
give the dates only.
Fort St. Philip, April 18th -- May 20th. For a month,
Richelieu, skilful in tickling the French troops, has been
besieging, in a high and grandiose way; La Gallisonniere
vigilantly cruising; old Blakeney, in spite of the rottenplat-
forms, vigorously holding out; when, -- May 19th, La Galli-
sonniere descries an English fleet in the distance; indisput-
ably an English fleet; and clears his decks for a serious Affair
just coming. Thursday, 20th May, Admiral Byng accordingly
* Adelung, vra. 70.
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? 232 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book xvn.
April--June 1756.
(for it is he, son of that old seaworthy Byng, who once "blew
"out" a minatory Spanish Fleet, and "an absurd Flame of
"War" in the Straits of Messina, and was made Lord Tor-
rington in consequence, -- happily now dead) -- Admiral
Byng does come on; and gains himself a name badly memor-
able ever since. Attacks La Gallisonniere, in a wide-lying,
languid, hovering, uncertain manner: -- "Far too weak," he
says; "much disprovided, destitute, by blame of Ministry and
"of everybody" (though about the strength of La Gallison-
niere, after all); -- is almost rather beaten by La Gallison-
niere; does not, in the least, beat him to the right degree: --
and sheers off, in the night-time, straight for Gibraltar again.
To La Gallisonniere's surprise, it is said; no doubt to old
Blakeney and his poor Garrison's, left so, to their rotten plat-
forms and their own shifts.
Blakeney and Garrison stood to their guns in a manful
manner, for above a month longer; day after day, week after
week, looking over the horizon for some Byng or some relief
appearing, to no purpose! June 14th, there are three available
breaches; the walls, however, are very sheer (a Fortress hewn
in the rock): Richelieu scanning them dubiously, and batter-
ing his best, for about a fortnight more, is ineffectual on
Blakeney.
June 27th, Richelieu, taking his measures well, tickling
French honour well, has determined on storm. Richelieu,
giving order of the day, "Whosoever of you is found drunk
"shall not be of the storm-party" (which produced such a
teetotalism as nothing else had done), -- storms, that night,
with extreme audacity. The Place has to capitulate: glorious
victory; honourable defence: and Minorca gone.
And England is risen to a mere smoky whirlwind, of rage,
sorrow and darkness, against Byng and others. Smoky dark-
ness, getting streaked with dangerous fire. "Tried? " said
his Grace ofNewcastle to the City Deputation: "Oh indeed
"he shall be tried immediately; he shall be hanged directly! "
-- assure yourselves of that. * And Byng's effigy was burnt
all over England. And mobs attempt to burn his Seat and
Park; and satires and caricatures and firebrands are coming
* Walpole, n. 231: Details of the Siege, ib. 218-225; in Gentleman's
Magaiine, xxvi, 256,312-313, 358; in Adelung, vm. ; &c. &c.
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? CHAP, in. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 233
June--Aug. 1756.
out: and the poor Constitutional Country is bent on applying
surgery, if it but knew how. Surgery to such indisputable
abominations was certainly desirable. The new Relief
Squadron, which had been despatched by Majesty's Ministry,
was too late for Blakeney, but did bring home a superseded
Byng-
Spithead, Tuesday, 27th July, The supersededByng arrives;
is punctually arrested, on arriving: "Him we will hang
"directly: -- is there anything else we can try" (exceptper-
haps it were hanging of ourselves, and our fine methods of
procedure), "by way of remedying you? " -- War against
France, now a pretty plain thing, had been "declared," 17th
May (French counter-declaring, 9th June): and, under a
Duke of Newcastle and a Hero of Culloden, not even pulling
oneway, but two ways; and a Talking-Apparatus full of dis-
cords at this time, and pulling who shall say how many ways,
-- the prospects of carrying on said War are none of the best.
Lord Loudon, a General without skill, and commanding, as
Pitt declares, "a scroll of Paper hitherto" (a good few
thousands marked on it, and perhaps their Colonels even
named), is about going for America; by no means yet gone, a
long way from gone: and, if the Laws of Nature be suspended
-- Enough of all that!
King Friedrich's Enigma gets more and more stringent.
Friedrich's situation, in those fatefully questionable
months, and for many past (especially from January
16th to July), -- readers must imagine it, for there is
no description possible. In many intricacies Friedrich
has been; but never, I reckon, in any equal to this.
Himself certain what the Two Imperial Women have
vowed against him; self and Winterfeld certain of that
sad truth; and all other mortals ready to deny it, and
fly delirious on hint of it, should he venture to act in
consequence! Friedrich's situation is not unimaginable,
when (as can now be done by candid inquirers who
will take trouble enough) the one or two internal facts
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? 234 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book XVII.
June--Aug. 1756
of it are disengaged from the roaring ocean of clamor-
ous delusions which then enveloped them to everybody,
and are held steadily in view, said ocean being well
run off to the home of it very deep underground. Lies
do fall silent; truth waits to be recognised, not always
in vain. No reader ever will conceive the strangling
perplexity of that situation, now so remote and extinct
to us. All I can do is, to set down what features of
it have become indisputable; and leave them as
detached traceries, as fractions of an outline, to co-
alesce into something of image where they can.
Winterfeld's opinion was, for some time past, distinct:
"Attack them; since it is certain they only wait to
attack us! " But Friedrich would by no means listen
to that. "We must not be the aggressor, my friend;
that would spoil all. Perhaps the English will pacify
the Russian Catin for me; tie her, with packthreads,
bribes and intrigues, from stirring? Wait, watch! "
Fiery Winterfeld, who hates the French, who despises
the Austrians, and thinks the Prussian Army a con-
siderable Fact in Politics, has great schemes: far too
great for a practical Friedrich. "Plunge into the
Austrians, with a will: Prussian Soldiery, -- can
Austrians resist it? Ruin them, since they are bent
on ruining us. Stir up the Hungarian Protestants;
try all things. Home upon our implacable enemies,
sword drawn, scabbard flung away! And the French,
-- what are the French? Our King should be Kaiser
of Teutschland; and he can, and he may: -- the
French would then be quieter! " These things Winter-
feld carried in his head; and comrades have heard
them from him over wine. * To all which Friedrich,
* Retzow, i. 43, &c.
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? CHAP, m. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 235
June--Aug. 1756.
if any whisper of them ever got to Friedrich, would
answer one can guess how.
It is evident, Friedrich had not given up his hope
(indeed, for ahove a year more, he never did) that
England might, by profuse bribery, -- "such the power
of bribery in that mad Court! " -- assuage, overnet
with backstairs packthreads, or in some way compesce
the Russian delirium for him. And England, his sole
Ally in the world, still tender of Austria, and unable
to believe what the full intentions of Austria are;
England demands much wariness in his procedures
towards Austria; reiterating always, "Wait, your Ma-
jesty! Oh, beware! " --
His own Army, we need not say, is in perfect pre-
paration. The Army, -- let us guess, 150,000 regular,
or near 200,000 of all arms and kinds, * -- never was
so perfect before or since. Old Captains in it, whom
we used to know, are grayer and wiser; young, whom
we heard less of, are grown veterans of trust. Schwerin,
much a Cincinnatus since we last saw him, has laid
down his plough again, a fervid "little Marlborough"
of seventy-two; -- and will never see that beautiful
Schwerinsburg, and its thriving woods and farm-fields,
any more. Ugly Walrave is not now chief Engineer;
one Gaudi, or one Balbi is. Ugly Walrave (Winter-
feld suspecting and watching him) was found out; con-
victed of "falsified accounts," of "sending plans to the
Enemy," of who knows all what; -- and sits in Magde-
burg (in a thrice-safe prison-cell of his own contriving),
prisoner for life. ** The Old Dessauer is away, long
* Archenholz (i. 8) counts vaguely " 160,000" at this date.
** "Arrested at Potsdam, 12th February 1748, and after trial put into
the 'Stern' at Magdeburg; sat there till he died, 16th January 1773" (Mili-
tair-Lexicon, iv. 150-151).
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? 236 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS. [book Xvn.
July 1756.
since; and not the Old alone. Dietrich of Dessau is
now "Guardian to his Nephew," who is a Child left
Heir there. Death has been busy with the Dessauers:
-- but here is PrinceMoritz, "the youngest, more like
his Father than any of them. " Duke Ferdinand of
Brunswick, Moritz of Dessau, Keith, Duke of Bruns-
wick-Bevern: no one of these people has been idle, in
the ten years past. Least of all, has the Chief Cap-
tain of them, -- whose diligence and vigilance in that
sphere, latterly were not likely to decline!
Friedrich's Army is in the perfection of order.
Ready at the hour, for many months back; but the
least motion he makes with it is a subject of jealousy.
Last year, on those Russian advancings and alacrities,
he had marched some Regiments into Pommem, . within
reach of Preussen, should the Russians actually try a
stroke there: "See! " cried all the world; "See! " cried
the enlightened Russian Public. This year 1756, from
June onwards and earlier, there are still more fatal
symptoms, on the Austrian side: great and evident
War-preparations; Magazines forming; Camps in Bo-
hemia, Moravia; Camp at Konigsgratz, Camp at Prag,
-- handy for the Silesian Border. Friedrich knows they
have deliberated on their Pretext for a War, and have
fixed on what will do, -- some new small Prussian-
Mecklenburg brabble, which there has lately been;
paltry enough recruiting-quarrel, such as often are (and
has been settled mutually, some time ago, this one,
but is capable of being ripped up again); -- and that,
on this cobweb of a Pretext, they mean to draw sword
when they like. Russia too has its Pretext ready.
And if Friedrich hint of stirring, England whispers
hoarse, England and other friends, "Wait, your Ma-
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? CHAP. m. ] FRENCH-ENGLISH WAR BREAKS OUT. 237
July 1756.
jesty! Oh, beware! " To keep one's sword at its sharp-
est, and, with an easy patient air, one's eyes vigilantly
open: this is nearly all that Friedrich can do, in
neighbourhood of such portentous imminencies. He
has many critics, near and far; -- for instance:
Berlin, 31st July 1756, Excellency Valori writes to Ver-
sailles: * * "to give you account of a Conversation I have had,
''a day or two ago, with the Prince of Prussia" (August Wil-
helm, Heir-Apparent), "who honours me with a particular
"confidence," -- and who appears to be, privately, like some
others, very strong in the Opposition view. "He talked to me
"of the,present condition of the King his Brother, of his
"Brothers apprehensions, of his military arrangements, of the
"little trust placed in him by neighbours, of their hostile
"humour towards him, and of many otherihings which this
"good Prince" (little understanding them, as would appear,
or the dangerous secret that lay under them) "did not approve
"of. The Prince then said, -- listen to what the Prince
of Prussia said to Valori, one of the last days of July
1756,--
"There is an Anecdote which continually recurs to me, in
"the passes we are got to, at present. Putting the case we
"might be attacked by Russia, and perhaps by Austria, the
"lateRothenburg was sent"(as readers know), "on the King's
"part, to Milord Tyrconnel, to know of him what, in such
"case, were the helps he might reckon on from France. Mi-
"lord enumerated the various helps; and then added" (being
a blusterous Irishman, sent hither for his ill tongue): "'Helps
'"enough, you observe, Monsieur; but, morbleu, if you deceive
"'us, you will be squelched (vous serez ierases)! ' The King
"myBrother was angry enough at hearing such a speech: but,
"my dear Marquis, and the Prince turned full upon me with
a face of inquiry, "Can the thing actually come true? And
"do you think it can be the interest of your Master" (and his
Scarlet Woman) "to abandon us to the fury of our enemies?
"Ah, that cursed Convention" (Neutrality-Convention with
England)! "I would give a finger from my hand that it had
"never been concluded. I never approved of it; ask the Due
"de Nivernois, he knows what we have said of it together.
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? 238 SEVEN-YEARS WAR BEGINS.
