Which promise also was
accurately
kept, the hoped-
"tor time having come.
"tor time having come.
Thomas Carlyle
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? 198 FIRST SILESIAN WAH. [book xn.
18th-19th Dec. 1740.
"never learn it: such a Silesian could not want for reflections.
"Voiceless, hopeless, but heavy; and dwelling secretly, as
"under nightmare, in a million hearts. Austrian Officiality,
"wilfully unjust, or not wilfully so, is admitted to be in a
"most heavy-footed condition; can administer nothing well.
"Good Government in any kind is not known here: Possibly
"the Prussian will be better; who can say?
"The secret joy of these populations, as Friedrich ad-
vances among them, becomes more and more a manifest
"one. Catholic Officials do not venture on any definite hope,
"or definite balance of hope and fear; but adopt the Mayor
"of Griinbere's course, and study to be passive and silent.
"The Jesuit-Priest kind are clear in their minds for Austria;
"but think, Perhaps Prussia itself will not prove very tyran-
"nous? At all events, be silent; it is unsafe to stir. We
"notice generally, it is only in the Southern or Mountain re-
"gions of Silesia, where the Catholics are in majority, that
"the population is not ardently on the Prussian side. Passive,
"if they are on the other side; accurately passive'at lowest,
"this it is prescribed all prudent men to be. "
On the 18th, while divine service went on at Weichau,
there was at Breslau another phenomenon observable.
Provincial Government in Breslau had, at length, after
intense study, and across such difficulties as we have
no idea of, got its "Patent," or carefully worded Pro-
testation against Prussia, brought to paper; and does,
this day, with considerable solemnity, affix it to the
Rathhaus door there, for the perusal of mankind;
despatching a Copy for his Prussian Majesty . withal,
by two Messengers of dignity. It has needed, courage
screwed to the sticking-place to venture on such a step,
without instruction from Headquarters; and the utmost
powers of the Official mind have been taxed to couch
this Document in language politely ambiguous, and
yet strong enough; -- too strong, some of us now think
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? CHAP, n. ] FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON GLOGAU. 199
19th Dee. 1740.
it. In any case, here it now is; Provincial Govern-
ment's bolt, so to speak, is shot. The affixing took
place under dark 'weather-symptoms; actual outburst of
thunder and rain at the moment, not to speak of the
other surer omens. So that, to the common mind at
Breslau, it did not seem there would much fruit come
of this difficult performance. Breslau is secretly a
much agitated City; and Prussian Hussar Parties,
shooting forth to great distances ahead, were, this day
for the first time, observed within sight of it.
And on the same Sunday we remark further, what
is still more important: Herr von Gotter, Friedrich's
special Envoy to Vienna, has his first interview with
the Queen of Hungary, or with Grand-Duke Franz the
Queen's Husband and Co-Regent; and presents there,
from Friedrich's own hand, written we remember when,
brief distinct Note of his Prussian Majesty's actual
Proposals and real meaning in regard to this Silesian
Affair. Proposals anxiously conciliatory in tone, but
the heavy purport of which is known to us: Gotter had
been despatched, time enough, with these Proposals
(written above a month ago); but was instructed not to
arrive with them, till after the actual entrance into
Silesia. And now the response to them is --? As
good as nothing; perhaps worse. Let that suffice us
at present. Readers, on march for Glogau, would
grudge to pause over State-papers, though we shall
have to read this of Friedrich's at some freer mo-
ment.
Monday 19th, before daybreak, the Army is astir
again, simultaneously wending forward; spread over
wide areas, like a vast cloud (potential thunder in it)
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? 200
[book m
FIRST SILESIAN WAR.
20th Dec. 1740.
steadily advancing on the winds. Length of the Army,
artistically portioned out, may be ten or fifteen miles,
breadth already more, and growing more; Schwerin
always on the right or western wing, close by the
Bober River as yet, through Naumburg and the Towns
on that side, -- Liegnitz and other important Towns
lying ahead for Schwerin, still farther apart from tie
main Body, were Glogau once settled.
So that the march is in Two Columns; Schwerin,
with the westernmost small column, intending towards
Liegnitz, and thence ever farther southward, with his
right leaning on the high lands which rise more and
more into mountains as you advance. Friedrich him-
self commands the other column, has his left upon the
Oder, in a country mounting continually towards the
South, but with less irregularity of level, and generally
flat as yet. From beginning to end, the entire field of
march lies between the Oder and its tributary the
Bober; climbing slowly towards the sources of both.
Which two rivers, as the reader may observe, form
here a rectangular or trapezoidal space, ever widening
as we go southward. Both rivers, coming from the
Giant Mountains, hasten directly north; but Oder,
bulging out easterly in his sandy course, is obliged to
turn fairly westward again; and at Glogau, and a good
space farther, flows in that direction; -- till once
Bober strikes in, almost at right angles, carrying Oder
with him, though he is but a branch, straight north-
ward again. Northward, but ever slower, to the swollen
Pommern regions, and sluggish exit into the Baltic
there.
One of the worst features is the state of the weather.
On Sunday, at Breslau, we noticed thunder bursting
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? CHAP, n. ] FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON GLOGAU. 201
20th-22d Dec. 1740.
out on an important occasion; "ominous," some men
thought; -- omen, for one thing, that the weather was
breaking. At Weichau, that same day, rain began, --
the young Herr of Weichau, driving home to Papa
from dinner with Majesty, would get his share of it;--
and on Monday 19th, there was such a pour of rain
as kept most wayfarers, though it could not the Prus-
sian Army, within doors. Rain in plunges, fallen and
falling, through that blessed day; making roads into
mere rivers of mud. The Prussian hosts marched on,
all the same. Headquarters, with the Van of the wet
Army, that night, were at Milkau; -- from which
place we have a Note of Friedrich's for Friend Jordan,
perhaps producible by and by. His Majesty lodged in
some opulent Jesuit Establishment there. And indeed
he continued there, not idle, under shelter, for a couple
of days. The Jesuits, by their two head men, had
welcomed him with their choicest smiles; to whom the
King was very gracious, asking the two to dinner as
usual, and styling them "Your Reverence. " Willing
to ingratiate himself with persons of interest in this
Country; and likes talk, even with Jesuits of dis-
cernment.
On the morrow (20th), came to him, here at Milkau,
-- probably from some near stage, for the rain was
pouring worse than ever, -- that Breslau "Patent," or
strongish Protestation, by its two Messengers of dignity.
The King looked over it, "without visible anger" or
change of countenance; "handed it," we expressly see,
"to a Page to reposit" in the proper waste-basket; --
spoke politely to the two gentlemen; asked each or one
of them, "Are you of the Ober-Amt at Breslau, then? "
-- using the style of Er (He). -- "No, your Majesty;
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? 202
[book XII.
FIRST SILESIAN WAR.
20th Dec. 1740.
we are only of the Land-St&nde" (Provincial Parlia-
ment, such as it is). "Upon which" (do you mark! )
"his Majesty became still more polite; asked them to
"dinner, and used the style of Sie. " For their Patent,
now lying safe in its waste-basket, he gave them signed
receipt; no other answer.
Rain still heavier, rain as of Noah, continued through
this Tuesday, and for days afterwards: but the Prussian
hosts, hastening towards Glogau, marched still on. This
Tuesday's march, for the rearward of the Army, 10,000
foot, and 2,000 horse; march of ten hours long, from
Weichau to the hamlet Milkau (where his Majesty sits
busy and affable), -- is thought to be the wettest on
record. Waters all out, bridges down, the Country
one wild lake of eddying mud. Up to the knee for
many miles together; up to the middle for long spaces;
sometimes even up to the chin or deeper, where your
bridge was washed away. The Prussians marched
through it, as if they had been slate or iron. Rank
and file, nobody quitted his rank, nobody looked sour
in the face; they took the pouring of the skies, and
the red seas of terrestrial liquid, as matters that must be;
cheered one another with jocosities, with choral snatches
(tobacco, I consider, would not burn); and swashed
unweariedly forward. Ten hours some of them were
out, their march being twenty or twenty-five miles;
ten to fifteen was the average distance come. Nor,
singular to say, did any loss occur; except of almost
one poor Army-Chaplain, and altogether of one poor
Soldier's Wife; -- sank dangerously both of them,
beyond redemption she, taking the wrong side of some
bridge-parapet. Poor Soldier's Wife, she is not named
to me at all; and has no history save this, and that
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? CHAP, n. ] FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON GLOGAU. 203
B2d Dec. 1740.
"she was of the regiment Bredow. " But I perceive
she washed herself away in a World-Transaction; and
there was one rough Bredower, who probably sat sad
that night on getting to quarters. His Majesty surveyed
the damp battalions on the morrow (21st), not without
sympathy, not without satisfaction; allowed them a
rest-day here at Milkau, to get dry and bright again;
and gave them "fifteen thalers a company," which is
about nine-pence apiece, with some words of praise. *
Next day, Thursday 22d, his Majesty and they
marched on to Herrendorf; which is only five miles
from Grlogau, and near enough for Headquarters, in
the now humour of the place. Wallis has his mes-
senger at Herrendorf, "Sorry to warn your Majesty,
That if there be the least hostility committed, I shall
have to resist it to the utmost. " Headquarters continue
six days at Herrendorf, Army (main body, or left Co-
lumn, of the Army) cantoned all round, till we con-
sider what to do.
As to the right Column, or Schwerin's Division,
that, after a rest-day or two, gathers itself into more
complete separation here, tucking-in its eastern skirts;
and gets on march again, by its own route. Steadily
southward; -- and from Liegnitz, and the upland
Countries, there will be,news of Schwerin and it be-
fore long. Rain ending, there ensued a ringing frost;
-- not favourable for Siege-operations on Glogau: --
and Silesia became all of flinty glass, with white peak
to the South-west, whither Schwerin is gone.
* Helden-Geschichle, i. 482.
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? 204
FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookxe.
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
CHAPTER III.
PROBLEM OP GLOGAU.
Friedrich was over from Herrendorf with the first
daylight, "reconnoitring Glogau, and rode np to tk
very glacis;" scanning it on all sides. * Since Wallis
is so resolute, here is an intricate little problem for
Friedrich, with plenty of corollaries and conditions
hanging to it. Shall we besiege Glogau, then? We
have no siege-cannon here. Time presses, Breslau and
all things in such crisis; and it will take time. By
what methods could Glogau be besieged? -- Readers
can consider what a blind many-threaded coil of things,
heaping itself here in wide welters round Glogau, and
straggling to the world's end, Friedrich has on hand:
probably those six days, of Headquarters at Herren-
dorf, were the busiest he had yet had.
One thing is evident, there ought to be siege-can-
non got straightway; and, still more immediate, tlie
right posts and battering-places should be ready against
its coming. -- "Let the Young Dessauer with that
Rearguard, or Reserve of 10,000, which is now at
Crossen, come up and assist here," orders Friedricli;
"and let him be swift, for the hours are pregnant! '
On farther reflexion, perhaps on new rumours from
Breslau, Friedrich perceives that there can be no be-
sieging of Glogau at this point of time; that the Ee-
serve, Half of the Reserve, must be left to "mask" it;
* Helden-Geschkhie, i. 484.
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? CHAP, in. ] PROBLEM OF GLOGAU. 205
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
to hold it in strict blockade, with starvation daily ad-
vancing as an ally to us, and with capture by bom-
barding possible when we like. That is the ultimate
decision; -- arrived at through a welter of dubieties,
counter-poisings and perilous considerations, which we
now take no account of. A most busy week; Friedrich
incessantly in motion, now here now there; and a great
deal of heavy work got well and rapidly done. The
details of which, in these exuberant Manuscripts, would
but weary the reader. Choosing of the proper posts
and battering-places (post "on the other side of the
River," "on this side of it," "on the Island in the
middle of it"), and obstinate entrenching and preparing
of the same in spite of frost; "wooden bridge built"
farther up; with "regulation of the river-boats, the
Polish Ferry," and much else: all this we omit; and
will glance only at one pregnant point, by way of
sample:
* * "Most indispensable of all, the King. has to provide
"Subsistences; -- and enters now upon the new plan, which
"will have to be followed henceforth. The Provincial Chief-
"men (Landes-JEliesten, Jj&mi's-Eldest*, their title) aresum-
"moned, from nine or ten Circles which are likely to be inter-
"ested: they appear punctually, and in numbers, -- lest con-
"tumacy worsen the inevitable. King dines them, to start
"with; as many as'ninety-five covers,' -- day not given, but
"probably one of the first in Herrendorf; not Christmas itself,
"one hopes!
"Dinner done,the ninety-fiveLand's-Eldest are instructed
"by proper parties, What the Infantry's ration is, in meat, in
"bread, exact to the ounce; what the Cavalry's is, and that
"of the Cavalry's Horse. Tabular statement, succinct, cor-
"rect, clear to the simplest capacity, shows what quotities of
"men on foot, and of men on horseback, or men with draught-
"cattle, will march through their respective Circles; Land's-
"Eldests conclude what amount of meal and butcher's meat it
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? 206
FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [book HI.
22d-28th Dec. 1710.
"will be indispensable to have in readiness; -- what Land's-
"Eldest can deny the fact? These Papers still exist', at least
"the long-winded Summary of them does: and I own the
"reading of it far less insupportable than that of the moun-
"tains of Proclamatory, Manifesto and Diplomatic matter,
"Nay it leaves a certain wholesome impression on the mind,
"as of business thoroughly well done; and a matter, capable
"if left in the chaotic state, of running to all manner of depths
"and heights, compendiously forced to become cosmic in this
"manner.
"These Land's-Eldest undertake, in a mildly resigned or
"even hopeful humour. They will manage as required, in
"their own Circles; will communicate with the Circles farther
"on; and everywhere the due proviants, prestations, further-
"ances, shall be got together by fair apportionment on the
"Silesian Community, and be punctually ready as the Army
"advances. Book-keeping there is to be, legible record of
"everything; on all hands 'quittance' for everything turn-
"ished: and a time is coming, when such quittance, pre-
'' sented by any Silesian man, will be counted money paid bv
"him, and remitted at the next tax-day, or otherwise made
"j*ood.
Which promise also was accurately kept, the hoped-
"tor time having come. It must be owned the Prussian Army
"understands business; and, with brevity, reduces to a minimum
"its own trouble, and that of other people, non-fighters, who
"have to do with it. Non-fighters, Isay; to fighters we hope. it
'' will give a respectable maximum of trouble when applied to! "*
The Gotter Negotiation at Vienna, which we saw
begin there that wet Sunday, is now fast ending, as
good as ended; without result except of a negative
kind. Gutter's Proposals, -- would the reader wish to
hear these Proposals, which were so intensely interest-
ing at one time? They are fivefold; given with great
brevity by Friedrich, by us with still greater:
1o. "Will fling myself heartily into the Austrian scale,and
"endeavourfortheinterest of Austriain this Pragmatic matter,
"with my whole strength against every comer.
* Helden-Geschichle, i. 492-499.
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? CHAP. III. ] TROBLEM OP GLOGAU. 207
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
2o. "Will make treaty with Vienna, with Russia and the
"Sea-Powers, to that effect.
3? . "Will help by vote, and with whole amount of interest
"will endeavour, to have Grand-Duke Franz, the Queen's Hus-
"band, chosen Kaiser; and to maintain such choice against all
"and sundry. Feel myself strong enough to accomplish this
"result; and may, without exaggeration, venture to say it shall
"be done.
4o. '' To help the Court of Vienna in getting its affairs into
"good order and fencible condition,--will present to it, on the
"shortest notice, Two Million Gulden (200,0001. ) ready
"money. " -- Infinitely welcome this Fourth Proposition; and
indeed all the other Three are welcome: but they are saddled
with a final condition, which pulls down all again. This,
which is studiously worded, politely evasive in phrase, and
would fain keep old controversies asleep, though in sub-
stance it is so fatally distinct, -- we give in the King's own
words:
5o. "For such essential services as those to which I bind
"myself by the above very onerous conditions, I naturally re-
"quire a proportionate recompense; some suitable assurance,
"as indemnity for all the dangers I risk, and for the part (role)
"I am ready to play: in short, I require hereby the entire and
"complete cession of all Silesia, as reward for my labours and
"dangers which I take upon myself in this course now to be
"entered upon for the preservation and renown of the House
"of Austria;" -- Silesia all and whole; and we gay nothing of
our "rights" to it; politely evasive to her Hungarian Majesty,
though in substance we are so fatally distinct. *
These were Friedrich's Proposals; written down
with his own hand at Reinsberg, five or six weeks ago
(November 17th is the date of it); in what mood, and
how wrought upon by Schwerin and Podewils, we saw
above. Gotter has fulfilled his instructions 'in regard
to this important little Document; and now the effect
of it is --? -- Gotter can report no good effect what-
* Preuss, Thronbexleignnfi, p. 451; "from Olenscblager, Geschichte
ieshleireijni" IFrankfurt, 1746), "i. 134. "
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? 208 FIRST SIXESIAN WAR. [book XII.
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
ever. "Be cautious," Friedrich instructs him farther;
"modify that Fifth Proposal; I will take less than the
whole, 'if attention is paid to my just claims on Schle-
sien. '" To that effect writes Friedrich once or twice.
But it is to no purpose; nor can Gotter, with all his
industry, report other than worse and worse. Nay, he
reports before long, not refusal only, but refusal with
mockery: "How strange that his Prussian Majesty,
"whose official post in Germany, as Kur-Brandenburg
"and Kaiser's Chamberlain, has been to present ewer
"and towel to the House of Austria, should now set up
"for prescribing rules to it! " A piece of wit, which
could not but provoke Friedrich; and warn him that
negotiation on this matter might as well terminate.
Such had been his own thought, from the first; but in
compliance with Schwerin and Podewils he was willing
to try.
Better for Maria Theresa, and for all the world
how much better, could she have accepted this Fifth
Proposition! But how could she, -- the high Imperial
Lady, keystone of Europe, though by accident with
only a few pounds of ready money at present? Twenty
years of bitter fighting, and agony to herself and all
the world, were necessary first; a new Fact of Nature
having turned up, a new European Kingdom with real
King to it; not recognisable as such, by the young
Queen of Hungary or by any other person, till it do
its proofs.
What Berlin is saying; what Friedrich is thinking.
What Friedrich's own humour is, what Friedrich's
own inner man is saying to him, while all the world
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? CHAP, in. ] PROBLEM OF GLOGAU. 209
22d-2Sth Doc. 1740.
so babbles about his Silesian Adventure? Of this too
there are, though in diluted state, some glimmerings
to be had, -- chiefly in the Correspondence with
Jordan.
Ingenious Jordan, Inspector of the Poor at Berlin,
-- his thousand old women at their wheels humming
pleasantly in the background of our imaginations,
though he says nothing of that,--writes twice a week
to his Majesty: pleasant gossipy Letters, with an easy
respectfulness not going into sycophancy anywhere;
which keep the campaigning King well abreast of the
Berlin news and rumours: something like the essence
of an Old Newspaper; not without worth in our present
Enterprise. One specimen, if we had room!
Jordan to the King (successively from Berlin -- somewhat
abridged).
No. 1. "Berlin, 14dh DecemberlliO" (day after his Majesty
left). "Everybody here is on tiptoe for the Event; of which
"both origin and end are a riddle to the most. I am charmed
"to see a part of your Majesty's Dominions in a state of Pyr-
rhonism; the disease is epidemical here at present. Those
"who, in the style of theologians, consider themselves en-
"titled to be certain, maintain That your Majesty is expected
"with religious impatience by the Protestants, and that the
"Catholics hope to see themselves delivered from a multitude
"of imposts which cruelly tear up the beautiful bosom of their
"Church. You cannot but succeed in your valiant and stoical
"Enterprise, since both religion and worldly interest rank
"themselves under your flag.
"Wallis," Austrian Commandant in Grlogau, "they say,
"has punished a Silesian Heretic of enthusiastic turn, as
"blasphemer, for announcing that a new Messiah is just
"coming. I have a taste for that kind of martyrdom. --
"Critical persons consider the present step as directly op-
"posed to certain maxims in the Anti-Macchiavel.
"The word Manifesto" -- (your Majesty's little Patent on
Urlyle, Frederick the Great. VI, 14
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? 210 FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookXH.
22d-2Sth Dec. 1740.
entering Silesia, which no reader shall be troubled with at
present) -- "is the burden of every conversation. Rumour
"goes, there is a short Piece of the kind to come out to-day, by
"way of preface to a large complete exposition, which a
"certain Jurisconsult is now busy with. People crowd to the
"Bookshops for it, as if looking out for a celestial pheno-
"menon that had been predicted. -- This is the beginning of
'' my Gazette; can only come out twice a week, owing to the
"arrangement of the Posts. Friday, the day your Majesty
"crosses into Silesia, I shall spend in prayer and devotional
"exercises: Astronomers pretend that Mars will that day
"enter" -- no matter what.
Note, The above Manifesto rumour is correct; Jurisconsult
is ponderous Herr Ludwig, Kanzler (Chancellor) of Halle
University, monster of law learning, -- who has money also,
and had to help once with a House in Berlin for one Nussler,
a son-in-law of his, transiently known to us; -- ponderous
Ludwig, matchless or difficult to match in learning of this
kind, will write ample enough Deductions (which lie in print
still, to the extent of tons weight), and explain the Erbver-
briiderung and violence done upon it, so that he who runs may
read. Postpone him to a calmer time.
No. 2. "Berlin, Saturday, Vilh December. Manifesto has
f appeared," -- can be seen, under thick strata of cobwebs,
in many Books;* is not worth reading now: Incontestable
rights which our House has for ages had on Schlesien, and
which doubtless the Hungarian Majesty will recognise; not
the slightest injury intended, far indeed from that; and so
on! -- "people are surprised at its brevity; and, studying it
"as theologians do a passage of Scripture, can make almost
"nothing of it. Clear as crystal, says one; dextrously obscure
"by design, says another.
"Rumour that the Grand-Duke of Lorraine," Maria The-
resa's Husband, "was at Reinsberg, incognito lately," --
Grand-Duke a concerting party, think people looking into
the thing with strong spectacles on their nose! "M. de
"Beauvau" (French Ambassador Extraordinary , to whom
the aces were promised if they came) "said one thing that sur-
* In Helden-Geschichte, i. 448,453 (what Jordan now alludes to); &
559-592 ("Deduction" itself, Ludwig in all his strength, some three week
hence); in Olenschlayer (doubtless); in &c. &c.
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? CHAP, in. ] PROBLEM OF GLOaAU. 211
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
"prised me: 'What put the King on taking this step, I do not
'"know, but perhaps it is not such a bad one. ' Surprising
"news that the Elector of Saxony, King of Poland, is fallen
"into inconsolable remorse for changing his religion" (to
Papistry, on Papa's hest, many long years ago); "andthat
"it is not to the Pope, but to the King of Prussia, that he
"opens his heart to steady his staggering orthodoxy. " Very
astonishing to Jordan. "One thing is certain, all Paris rings
"with your Majesty's change of religion" (over to Catho-
licism, say those astonishing people, first conjurors of the
universe)!
No. 3. "Berlin, 20tk December. M. de Beauvau," French
Ambassador, "is gone. Ended, yesterday, his survey of the
"Cabinet of Medals ', charmed with the same: charmed too,
"as the public is, with the rich present he has got from said
"Cabinet" (coronation medal or medals in gold, I could
guess): "people say the King of France's Medal given to our
"M. de Camas is nothing to it.
"Rumour of alliance between your Majesty and France
"with Sweden," -- premature rumour. Item "Queen of
"Hungary dead in child-birth;" -- ditto with still more em-
phasis! "The day before yesterday, in all churches, was
"prayer to Heaven for success to your Majesty's arms; mter-
"est of the Protestant religion being the one cause of the War,
"or the only one assigned by the reverend gentlemen. At
"sound of these words, the zeal of the people kindles: 'Bless
"God for raising such a Defender! Who dared suspect our
"King's indifference to Protestantism? '"
A right clever thing this last (O le beau coup d'etat)! ex-
claims Jordan, -- though it is not clever or the contrary, not
being dramatically prearranged, as Jordan exults to think.
Jordan, though there are dregs of old devotion lying asleep
in him, which will start into new activity when stirred again,
is for the present a very unbelieving little gentleman, I can
perceive. -- This is the substance of public rumour at Berlin
for one week. Friedrich answers:
"To M. Jordan, at Berlin.
"Quarter at Milkau, towards Glogau, 19th December 1740"
(comfortable Jesuit-Establishment at Milkau, Friedrich just
got in, out of the rain). -- "Seigneur Jordan, thy Letter has
14*
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? 212
FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookxii.
22d-28tli Dec. 1740.
"given me a deal of pleasure, in regard to all these talkings
"thoureportest. Tomorrow" (not tomorrow, nornextday;
wet troops need a rest) "I arrive at our last station this side
"Glogau, which place I hope to get in a-few days. All
"favours my designs; and I hope to return to Berlin, after
"executing them gloriously and in a way to be content with.
"Let the ignorant and the envious talk; it is not they that
"shall ever serve as loadstar to my designs; not they, but
"Glory" (laGloire; Fame, depending not on them): "with
"the love of that I am penetrated more than ever; my troops
"have their hearts big with it, and I answer to thee for suc-
"cess. Adieu, dear Jordan. Write me all the ill that the
"public says of thy Friend, and be persuaded that I love and
"will esteem thee always. " -- F.
Jordan to the King.
No. 4. "Berlin, 24^ December. Your Majesty's Letter
"fills me with joy and contentment. The Town declared
"your Majesty to be already in Breslau; founding on some
"Letter to a Merchant here. Ever since they think of your
"Majesty acting for Protestantism, they make you step along
"with strides of Achilles to the ends of Silesia. -- Foreign
"Courts are all rating their Ambassadors here for not finding
"you out.
"Wolf," his negotiations concluded at last, "has entered
"Halle almost like the triumphant Entry to Jerusalem. Acon-
"course of pedants escorted him to his house. Lange" (his
old enemy, who accused him of Atheism and other things)
"has called to see him, and loaded him with civilities, to the
"astonishment of the old Orthodox. " There let him rest, well
buttoned in gaiters, and avoiding to mount stairs. * *
"Madame de Roucoulle has sent me the three objects ad-
joined, for your Majesty's behoof," -- woollen achievements,
done by the needle, good against the winter weather for one
she nursed. The good old soul. Enough now of Jordan. *
Voltaire, who left Berlin 2d or 3d December, seems
to have been stopt by overflow of rivers about Cleve,
then to have taken boat; and is, about this very time,
. * CEuvres de Frederic, xvii. 75-78.
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?
? 198 FIRST SILESIAN WAH. [book xn.
18th-19th Dec. 1740.
"never learn it: such a Silesian could not want for reflections.
"Voiceless, hopeless, but heavy; and dwelling secretly, as
"under nightmare, in a million hearts. Austrian Officiality,
"wilfully unjust, or not wilfully so, is admitted to be in a
"most heavy-footed condition; can administer nothing well.
"Good Government in any kind is not known here: Possibly
"the Prussian will be better; who can say?
"The secret joy of these populations, as Friedrich ad-
vances among them, becomes more and more a manifest
"one. Catholic Officials do not venture on any definite hope,
"or definite balance of hope and fear; but adopt the Mayor
"of Griinbere's course, and study to be passive and silent.
"The Jesuit-Priest kind are clear in their minds for Austria;
"but think, Perhaps Prussia itself will not prove very tyran-
"nous? At all events, be silent; it is unsafe to stir. We
"notice generally, it is only in the Southern or Mountain re-
"gions of Silesia, where the Catholics are in majority, that
"the population is not ardently on the Prussian side. Passive,
"if they are on the other side; accurately passive'at lowest,
"this it is prescribed all prudent men to be. "
On the 18th, while divine service went on at Weichau,
there was at Breslau another phenomenon observable.
Provincial Government in Breslau had, at length, after
intense study, and across such difficulties as we have
no idea of, got its "Patent," or carefully worded Pro-
testation against Prussia, brought to paper; and does,
this day, with considerable solemnity, affix it to the
Rathhaus door there, for the perusal of mankind;
despatching a Copy for his Prussian Majesty . withal,
by two Messengers of dignity. It has needed, courage
screwed to the sticking-place to venture on such a step,
without instruction from Headquarters; and the utmost
powers of the Official mind have been taxed to couch
this Document in language politely ambiguous, and
yet strong enough; -- too strong, some of us now think
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? CHAP, n. ] FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON GLOGAU. 199
19th Dee. 1740.
it. In any case, here it now is; Provincial Govern-
ment's bolt, so to speak, is shot. The affixing took
place under dark 'weather-symptoms; actual outburst of
thunder and rain at the moment, not to speak of the
other surer omens. So that, to the common mind at
Breslau, it did not seem there would much fruit come
of this difficult performance. Breslau is secretly a
much agitated City; and Prussian Hussar Parties,
shooting forth to great distances ahead, were, this day
for the first time, observed within sight of it.
And on the same Sunday we remark further, what
is still more important: Herr von Gotter, Friedrich's
special Envoy to Vienna, has his first interview with
the Queen of Hungary, or with Grand-Duke Franz the
Queen's Husband and Co-Regent; and presents there,
from Friedrich's own hand, written we remember when,
brief distinct Note of his Prussian Majesty's actual
Proposals and real meaning in regard to this Silesian
Affair. Proposals anxiously conciliatory in tone, but
the heavy purport of which is known to us: Gotter had
been despatched, time enough, with these Proposals
(written above a month ago); but was instructed not to
arrive with them, till after the actual entrance into
Silesia. And now the response to them is --? As
good as nothing; perhaps worse. Let that suffice us
at present. Readers, on march for Glogau, would
grudge to pause over State-papers, though we shall
have to read this of Friedrich's at some freer mo-
ment.
Monday 19th, before daybreak, the Army is astir
again, simultaneously wending forward; spread over
wide areas, like a vast cloud (potential thunder in it)
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? 200
[book m
FIRST SILESIAN WAR.
20th Dec. 1740.
steadily advancing on the winds. Length of the Army,
artistically portioned out, may be ten or fifteen miles,
breadth already more, and growing more; Schwerin
always on the right or western wing, close by the
Bober River as yet, through Naumburg and the Towns
on that side, -- Liegnitz and other important Towns
lying ahead for Schwerin, still farther apart from tie
main Body, were Glogau once settled.
So that the march is in Two Columns; Schwerin,
with the westernmost small column, intending towards
Liegnitz, and thence ever farther southward, with his
right leaning on the high lands which rise more and
more into mountains as you advance. Friedrich him-
self commands the other column, has his left upon the
Oder, in a country mounting continually towards the
South, but with less irregularity of level, and generally
flat as yet. From beginning to end, the entire field of
march lies between the Oder and its tributary the
Bober; climbing slowly towards the sources of both.
Which two rivers, as the reader may observe, form
here a rectangular or trapezoidal space, ever widening
as we go southward. Both rivers, coming from the
Giant Mountains, hasten directly north; but Oder,
bulging out easterly in his sandy course, is obliged to
turn fairly westward again; and at Glogau, and a good
space farther, flows in that direction; -- till once
Bober strikes in, almost at right angles, carrying Oder
with him, though he is but a branch, straight north-
ward again. Northward, but ever slower, to the swollen
Pommern regions, and sluggish exit into the Baltic
there.
One of the worst features is the state of the weather.
On Sunday, at Breslau, we noticed thunder bursting
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? CHAP, n. ] FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON GLOGAU. 201
20th-22d Dec. 1740.
out on an important occasion; "ominous," some men
thought; -- omen, for one thing, that the weather was
breaking. At Weichau, that same day, rain began, --
the young Herr of Weichau, driving home to Papa
from dinner with Majesty, would get his share of it;--
and on Monday 19th, there was such a pour of rain
as kept most wayfarers, though it could not the Prus-
sian Army, within doors. Rain in plunges, fallen and
falling, through that blessed day; making roads into
mere rivers of mud. The Prussian hosts marched on,
all the same. Headquarters, with the Van of the wet
Army, that night, were at Milkau; -- from which
place we have a Note of Friedrich's for Friend Jordan,
perhaps producible by and by. His Majesty lodged in
some opulent Jesuit Establishment there. And indeed
he continued there, not idle, under shelter, for a couple
of days. The Jesuits, by their two head men, had
welcomed him with their choicest smiles; to whom the
King was very gracious, asking the two to dinner as
usual, and styling them "Your Reverence. " Willing
to ingratiate himself with persons of interest in this
Country; and likes talk, even with Jesuits of dis-
cernment.
On the morrow (20th), came to him, here at Milkau,
-- probably from some near stage, for the rain was
pouring worse than ever, -- that Breslau "Patent," or
strongish Protestation, by its two Messengers of dignity.
The King looked over it, "without visible anger" or
change of countenance; "handed it," we expressly see,
"to a Page to reposit" in the proper waste-basket; --
spoke politely to the two gentlemen; asked each or one
of them, "Are you of the Ober-Amt at Breslau, then? "
-- using the style of Er (He). -- "No, your Majesty;
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? 202
[book XII.
FIRST SILESIAN WAR.
20th Dec. 1740.
we are only of the Land-St&nde" (Provincial Parlia-
ment, such as it is). "Upon which" (do you mark! )
"his Majesty became still more polite; asked them to
"dinner, and used the style of Sie. " For their Patent,
now lying safe in its waste-basket, he gave them signed
receipt; no other answer.
Rain still heavier, rain as of Noah, continued through
this Tuesday, and for days afterwards: but the Prussian
hosts, hastening towards Glogau, marched still on. This
Tuesday's march, for the rearward of the Army, 10,000
foot, and 2,000 horse; march of ten hours long, from
Weichau to the hamlet Milkau (where his Majesty sits
busy and affable), -- is thought to be the wettest on
record. Waters all out, bridges down, the Country
one wild lake of eddying mud. Up to the knee for
many miles together; up to the middle for long spaces;
sometimes even up to the chin or deeper, where your
bridge was washed away. The Prussians marched
through it, as if they had been slate or iron. Rank
and file, nobody quitted his rank, nobody looked sour
in the face; they took the pouring of the skies, and
the red seas of terrestrial liquid, as matters that must be;
cheered one another with jocosities, with choral snatches
(tobacco, I consider, would not burn); and swashed
unweariedly forward. Ten hours some of them were
out, their march being twenty or twenty-five miles;
ten to fifteen was the average distance come. Nor,
singular to say, did any loss occur; except of almost
one poor Army-Chaplain, and altogether of one poor
Soldier's Wife; -- sank dangerously both of them,
beyond redemption she, taking the wrong side of some
bridge-parapet. Poor Soldier's Wife, she is not named
to me at all; and has no history save this, and that
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? CHAP, n. ] FRIEDRICH MARCHES ON GLOGAU. 203
B2d Dec. 1740.
"she was of the regiment Bredow. " But I perceive
she washed herself away in a World-Transaction; and
there was one rough Bredower, who probably sat sad
that night on getting to quarters. His Majesty surveyed
the damp battalions on the morrow (21st), not without
sympathy, not without satisfaction; allowed them a
rest-day here at Milkau, to get dry and bright again;
and gave them "fifteen thalers a company," which is
about nine-pence apiece, with some words of praise. *
Next day, Thursday 22d, his Majesty and they
marched on to Herrendorf; which is only five miles
from Grlogau, and near enough for Headquarters, in
the now humour of the place. Wallis has his mes-
senger at Herrendorf, "Sorry to warn your Majesty,
That if there be the least hostility committed, I shall
have to resist it to the utmost. " Headquarters continue
six days at Herrendorf, Army (main body, or left Co-
lumn, of the Army) cantoned all round, till we con-
sider what to do.
As to the right Column, or Schwerin's Division,
that, after a rest-day or two, gathers itself into more
complete separation here, tucking-in its eastern skirts;
and gets on march again, by its own route. Steadily
southward; -- and from Liegnitz, and the upland
Countries, there will be,news of Schwerin and it be-
fore long. Rain ending, there ensued a ringing frost;
-- not favourable for Siege-operations on Glogau: --
and Silesia became all of flinty glass, with white peak
to the South-west, whither Schwerin is gone.
* Helden-Geschichle, i. 482.
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? 204
FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookxe.
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
CHAPTER III.
PROBLEM OP GLOGAU.
Friedrich was over from Herrendorf with the first
daylight, "reconnoitring Glogau, and rode np to tk
very glacis;" scanning it on all sides. * Since Wallis
is so resolute, here is an intricate little problem for
Friedrich, with plenty of corollaries and conditions
hanging to it. Shall we besiege Glogau, then? We
have no siege-cannon here. Time presses, Breslau and
all things in such crisis; and it will take time. By
what methods could Glogau be besieged? -- Readers
can consider what a blind many-threaded coil of things,
heaping itself here in wide welters round Glogau, and
straggling to the world's end, Friedrich has on hand:
probably those six days, of Headquarters at Herren-
dorf, were the busiest he had yet had.
One thing is evident, there ought to be siege-can-
non got straightway; and, still more immediate, tlie
right posts and battering-places should be ready against
its coming. -- "Let the Young Dessauer with that
Rearguard, or Reserve of 10,000, which is now at
Crossen, come up and assist here," orders Friedricli;
"and let him be swift, for the hours are pregnant! '
On farther reflexion, perhaps on new rumours from
Breslau, Friedrich perceives that there can be no be-
sieging of Glogau at this point of time; that the Ee-
serve, Half of the Reserve, must be left to "mask" it;
* Helden-Geschkhie, i. 484.
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? CHAP, in. ] PROBLEM OF GLOGAU. 205
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
to hold it in strict blockade, with starvation daily ad-
vancing as an ally to us, and with capture by bom-
barding possible when we like. That is the ultimate
decision; -- arrived at through a welter of dubieties,
counter-poisings and perilous considerations, which we
now take no account of. A most busy week; Friedrich
incessantly in motion, now here now there; and a great
deal of heavy work got well and rapidly done. The
details of which, in these exuberant Manuscripts, would
but weary the reader. Choosing of the proper posts
and battering-places (post "on the other side of the
River," "on this side of it," "on the Island in the
middle of it"), and obstinate entrenching and preparing
of the same in spite of frost; "wooden bridge built"
farther up; with "regulation of the river-boats, the
Polish Ferry," and much else: all this we omit; and
will glance only at one pregnant point, by way of
sample:
* * "Most indispensable of all, the King. has to provide
"Subsistences; -- and enters now upon the new plan, which
"will have to be followed henceforth. The Provincial Chief-
"men (Landes-JEliesten, Jj&mi's-Eldest*, their title) aresum-
"moned, from nine or ten Circles which are likely to be inter-
"ested: they appear punctually, and in numbers, -- lest con-
"tumacy worsen the inevitable. King dines them, to start
"with; as many as'ninety-five covers,' -- day not given, but
"probably one of the first in Herrendorf; not Christmas itself,
"one hopes!
"Dinner done,the ninety-fiveLand's-Eldest are instructed
"by proper parties, What the Infantry's ration is, in meat, in
"bread, exact to the ounce; what the Cavalry's is, and that
"of the Cavalry's Horse. Tabular statement, succinct, cor-
"rect, clear to the simplest capacity, shows what quotities of
"men on foot, and of men on horseback, or men with draught-
"cattle, will march through their respective Circles; Land's-
"Eldests conclude what amount of meal and butcher's meat it
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? 206
FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [book HI.
22d-28th Dec. 1710.
"will be indispensable to have in readiness; -- what Land's-
"Eldest can deny the fact? These Papers still exist', at least
"the long-winded Summary of them does: and I own the
"reading of it far less insupportable than that of the moun-
"tains of Proclamatory, Manifesto and Diplomatic matter,
"Nay it leaves a certain wholesome impression on the mind,
"as of business thoroughly well done; and a matter, capable
"if left in the chaotic state, of running to all manner of depths
"and heights, compendiously forced to become cosmic in this
"manner.
"These Land's-Eldest undertake, in a mildly resigned or
"even hopeful humour. They will manage as required, in
"their own Circles; will communicate with the Circles farther
"on; and everywhere the due proviants, prestations, further-
"ances, shall be got together by fair apportionment on the
"Silesian Community, and be punctually ready as the Army
"advances. Book-keeping there is to be, legible record of
"everything; on all hands 'quittance' for everything turn-
"ished: and a time is coming, when such quittance, pre-
'' sented by any Silesian man, will be counted money paid bv
"him, and remitted at the next tax-day, or otherwise made
"j*ood.
Which promise also was accurately kept, the hoped-
"tor time having come. It must be owned the Prussian Army
"understands business; and, with brevity, reduces to a minimum
"its own trouble, and that of other people, non-fighters, who
"have to do with it. Non-fighters, Isay; to fighters we hope. it
'' will give a respectable maximum of trouble when applied to! "*
The Gotter Negotiation at Vienna, which we saw
begin there that wet Sunday, is now fast ending, as
good as ended; without result except of a negative
kind. Gutter's Proposals, -- would the reader wish to
hear these Proposals, which were so intensely interest-
ing at one time? They are fivefold; given with great
brevity by Friedrich, by us with still greater:
1o. "Will fling myself heartily into the Austrian scale,and
"endeavourfortheinterest of Austriain this Pragmatic matter,
"with my whole strength against every comer.
* Helden-Geschichle, i. 492-499.
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? CHAP. III. ] TROBLEM OP GLOGAU. 207
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
2o. "Will make treaty with Vienna, with Russia and the
"Sea-Powers, to that effect.
3? . "Will help by vote, and with whole amount of interest
"will endeavour, to have Grand-Duke Franz, the Queen's Hus-
"band, chosen Kaiser; and to maintain such choice against all
"and sundry. Feel myself strong enough to accomplish this
"result; and may, without exaggeration, venture to say it shall
"be done.
4o. '' To help the Court of Vienna in getting its affairs into
"good order and fencible condition,--will present to it, on the
"shortest notice, Two Million Gulden (200,0001. ) ready
"money. " -- Infinitely welcome this Fourth Proposition; and
indeed all the other Three are welcome: but they are saddled
with a final condition, which pulls down all again. This,
which is studiously worded, politely evasive in phrase, and
would fain keep old controversies asleep, though in sub-
stance it is so fatally distinct, -- we give in the King's own
words:
5o. "For such essential services as those to which I bind
"myself by the above very onerous conditions, I naturally re-
"quire a proportionate recompense; some suitable assurance,
"as indemnity for all the dangers I risk, and for the part (role)
"I am ready to play: in short, I require hereby the entire and
"complete cession of all Silesia, as reward for my labours and
"dangers which I take upon myself in this course now to be
"entered upon for the preservation and renown of the House
"of Austria;" -- Silesia all and whole; and we gay nothing of
our "rights" to it; politely evasive to her Hungarian Majesty,
though in substance we are so fatally distinct. *
These were Friedrich's Proposals; written down
with his own hand at Reinsberg, five or six weeks ago
(November 17th is the date of it); in what mood, and
how wrought upon by Schwerin and Podewils, we saw
above. Gotter has fulfilled his instructions 'in regard
to this important little Document; and now the effect
of it is --? -- Gotter can report no good effect what-
* Preuss, Thronbexleignnfi, p. 451; "from Olenscblager, Geschichte
ieshleireijni" IFrankfurt, 1746), "i. 134. "
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? 208 FIRST SIXESIAN WAR. [book XII.
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
ever. "Be cautious," Friedrich instructs him farther;
"modify that Fifth Proposal; I will take less than the
whole, 'if attention is paid to my just claims on Schle-
sien. '" To that effect writes Friedrich once or twice.
But it is to no purpose; nor can Gotter, with all his
industry, report other than worse and worse. Nay, he
reports before long, not refusal only, but refusal with
mockery: "How strange that his Prussian Majesty,
"whose official post in Germany, as Kur-Brandenburg
"and Kaiser's Chamberlain, has been to present ewer
"and towel to the House of Austria, should now set up
"for prescribing rules to it! " A piece of wit, which
could not but provoke Friedrich; and warn him that
negotiation on this matter might as well terminate.
Such had been his own thought, from the first; but in
compliance with Schwerin and Podewils he was willing
to try.
Better for Maria Theresa, and for all the world
how much better, could she have accepted this Fifth
Proposition! But how could she, -- the high Imperial
Lady, keystone of Europe, though by accident with
only a few pounds of ready money at present? Twenty
years of bitter fighting, and agony to herself and all
the world, were necessary first; a new Fact of Nature
having turned up, a new European Kingdom with real
King to it; not recognisable as such, by the young
Queen of Hungary or by any other person, till it do
its proofs.
What Berlin is saying; what Friedrich is thinking.
What Friedrich's own humour is, what Friedrich's
own inner man is saying to him, while all the world
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? CHAP, in. ] PROBLEM OF GLOGAU. 209
22d-2Sth Doc. 1740.
so babbles about his Silesian Adventure? Of this too
there are, though in diluted state, some glimmerings
to be had, -- chiefly in the Correspondence with
Jordan.
Ingenious Jordan, Inspector of the Poor at Berlin,
-- his thousand old women at their wheels humming
pleasantly in the background of our imaginations,
though he says nothing of that,--writes twice a week
to his Majesty: pleasant gossipy Letters, with an easy
respectfulness not going into sycophancy anywhere;
which keep the campaigning King well abreast of the
Berlin news and rumours: something like the essence
of an Old Newspaper; not without worth in our present
Enterprise. One specimen, if we had room!
Jordan to the King (successively from Berlin -- somewhat
abridged).
No. 1. "Berlin, 14dh DecemberlliO" (day after his Majesty
left). "Everybody here is on tiptoe for the Event; of which
"both origin and end are a riddle to the most. I am charmed
"to see a part of your Majesty's Dominions in a state of Pyr-
rhonism; the disease is epidemical here at present. Those
"who, in the style of theologians, consider themselves en-
"titled to be certain, maintain That your Majesty is expected
"with religious impatience by the Protestants, and that the
"Catholics hope to see themselves delivered from a multitude
"of imposts which cruelly tear up the beautiful bosom of their
"Church. You cannot but succeed in your valiant and stoical
"Enterprise, since both religion and worldly interest rank
"themselves under your flag.
"Wallis," Austrian Commandant in Grlogau, "they say,
"has punished a Silesian Heretic of enthusiastic turn, as
"blasphemer, for announcing that a new Messiah is just
"coming. I have a taste for that kind of martyrdom. --
"Critical persons consider the present step as directly op-
"posed to certain maxims in the Anti-Macchiavel.
"The word Manifesto" -- (your Majesty's little Patent on
Urlyle, Frederick the Great. VI, 14
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? 210 FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookXH.
22d-2Sth Dec. 1740.
entering Silesia, which no reader shall be troubled with at
present) -- "is the burden of every conversation. Rumour
"goes, there is a short Piece of the kind to come out to-day, by
"way of preface to a large complete exposition, which a
"certain Jurisconsult is now busy with. People crowd to the
"Bookshops for it, as if looking out for a celestial pheno-
"menon that had been predicted. -- This is the beginning of
'' my Gazette; can only come out twice a week, owing to the
"arrangement of the Posts. Friday, the day your Majesty
"crosses into Silesia, I shall spend in prayer and devotional
"exercises: Astronomers pretend that Mars will that day
"enter" -- no matter what.
Note, The above Manifesto rumour is correct; Jurisconsult
is ponderous Herr Ludwig, Kanzler (Chancellor) of Halle
University, monster of law learning, -- who has money also,
and had to help once with a House in Berlin for one Nussler,
a son-in-law of his, transiently known to us; -- ponderous
Ludwig, matchless or difficult to match in learning of this
kind, will write ample enough Deductions (which lie in print
still, to the extent of tons weight), and explain the Erbver-
briiderung and violence done upon it, so that he who runs may
read. Postpone him to a calmer time.
No. 2. "Berlin, Saturday, Vilh December. Manifesto has
f appeared," -- can be seen, under thick strata of cobwebs,
in many Books;* is not worth reading now: Incontestable
rights which our House has for ages had on Schlesien, and
which doubtless the Hungarian Majesty will recognise; not
the slightest injury intended, far indeed from that; and so
on! -- "people are surprised at its brevity; and, studying it
"as theologians do a passage of Scripture, can make almost
"nothing of it. Clear as crystal, says one; dextrously obscure
"by design, says another.
"Rumour that the Grand-Duke of Lorraine," Maria The-
resa's Husband, "was at Reinsberg, incognito lately," --
Grand-Duke a concerting party, think people looking into
the thing with strong spectacles on their nose! "M. de
"Beauvau" (French Ambassador Extraordinary , to whom
the aces were promised if they came) "said one thing that sur-
* In Helden-Geschichte, i. 448,453 (what Jordan now alludes to); &
559-592 ("Deduction" itself, Ludwig in all his strength, some three week
hence); in Olenschlayer (doubtless); in &c. &c.
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? CHAP, in. ] PROBLEM OF GLOaAU. 211
22d-28th Dec. 1740.
"prised me: 'What put the King on taking this step, I do not
'"know, but perhaps it is not such a bad one. ' Surprising
"news that the Elector of Saxony, King of Poland, is fallen
"into inconsolable remorse for changing his religion" (to
Papistry, on Papa's hest, many long years ago); "andthat
"it is not to the Pope, but to the King of Prussia, that he
"opens his heart to steady his staggering orthodoxy. " Very
astonishing to Jordan. "One thing is certain, all Paris rings
"with your Majesty's change of religion" (over to Catho-
licism, say those astonishing people, first conjurors of the
universe)!
No. 3. "Berlin, 20tk December. M. de Beauvau," French
Ambassador, "is gone. Ended, yesterday, his survey of the
"Cabinet of Medals ', charmed with the same: charmed too,
"as the public is, with the rich present he has got from said
"Cabinet" (coronation medal or medals in gold, I could
guess): "people say the King of France's Medal given to our
"M. de Camas is nothing to it.
"Rumour of alliance between your Majesty and France
"with Sweden," -- premature rumour. Item "Queen of
"Hungary dead in child-birth;" -- ditto with still more em-
phasis! "The day before yesterday, in all churches, was
"prayer to Heaven for success to your Majesty's arms; mter-
"est of the Protestant religion being the one cause of the War,
"or the only one assigned by the reverend gentlemen. At
"sound of these words, the zeal of the people kindles: 'Bless
"God for raising such a Defender! Who dared suspect our
"King's indifference to Protestantism? '"
A right clever thing this last (O le beau coup d'etat)! ex-
claims Jordan, -- though it is not clever or the contrary, not
being dramatically prearranged, as Jordan exults to think.
Jordan, though there are dregs of old devotion lying asleep
in him, which will start into new activity when stirred again,
is for the present a very unbelieving little gentleman, I can
perceive. -- This is the substance of public rumour at Berlin
for one week. Friedrich answers:
"To M. Jordan, at Berlin.
"Quarter at Milkau, towards Glogau, 19th December 1740"
(comfortable Jesuit-Establishment at Milkau, Friedrich just
got in, out of the rain). -- "Seigneur Jordan, thy Letter has
14*
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? 212
FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookxii.
22d-28tli Dec. 1740.
"given me a deal of pleasure, in regard to all these talkings
"thoureportest. Tomorrow" (not tomorrow, nornextday;
wet troops need a rest) "I arrive at our last station this side
"Glogau, which place I hope to get in a-few days. All
"favours my designs; and I hope to return to Berlin, after
"executing them gloriously and in a way to be content with.
"Let the ignorant and the envious talk; it is not they that
"shall ever serve as loadstar to my designs; not they, but
"Glory" (laGloire; Fame, depending not on them): "with
"the love of that I am penetrated more than ever; my troops
"have their hearts big with it, and I answer to thee for suc-
"cess. Adieu, dear Jordan. Write me all the ill that the
"public says of thy Friend, and be persuaded that I love and
"will esteem thee always. " -- F.
Jordan to the King.
No. 4. "Berlin, 24^ December. Your Majesty's Letter
"fills me with joy and contentment. The Town declared
"your Majesty to be already in Breslau; founding on some
"Letter to a Merchant here. Ever since they think of your
"Majesty acting for Protestantism, they make you step along
"with strides of Achilles to the ends of Silesia. -- Foreign
"Courts are all rating their Ambassadors here for not finding
"you out.
"Wolf," his negotiations concluded at last, "has entered
"Halle almost like the triumphant Entry to Jerusalem. Acon-
"course of pedants escorted him to his house. Lange" (his
old enemy, who accused him of Atheism and other things)
"has called to see him, and loaded him with civilities, to the
"astonishment of the old Orthodox. " There let him rest, well
buttoned in gaiters, and avoiding to mount stairs. * *
"Madame de Roucoulle has sent me the three objects ad-
joined, for your Majesty's behoof," -- woollen achievements,
done by the needle, good against the winter weather for one
she nursed. The good old soul. Enough now of Jordan. *
Voltaire, who left Berlin 2d or 3d December, seems
to have been stopt by overflow of rivers about Cleve,
then to have taken boat; and is, about this very time,
. * CEuvres de Frederic, xvii. 75-78.
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