But there was
something of a high proud heart in it, too, if we
examine; and even the Pragmatic Sanction, though in
practice not worth one regiment of iron ramrods, indi-
cates a profoundly fixed determination, partly of loyal
nature, such as the gods more or less reward.
something of a high proud heart in it, too, if we
examine; and even the Pragmatic Sanction, though in
practice not worth one regiment of iron ramrods, indi-
cates a profoundly fixed determination, partly of loyal
nature, such as the gods more or less reward.
Thomas Carlyle
"** These
were pretty days at Reinsberg. This kind of life
lasted seven or eight weeks, -- in spite of interruptions
* Letters of Voltaire (passim, in these months).
** Preuss, Tkronbesteiijung, p. 415.
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? CHAP. VII. ] WITHDRAWS TO REINSBEKG. 137
21th Sept. --25th Oct. 1740.
of subterranean volcanic nature, some of which were
surely considerable. Here, in the very first week,
coming almost volcanically, is one, which indeed is the
sum of them all.
Tuesday forenoon, 25th October 1740, Express ar-
rives at Reinsberg; direct from Vienna five days ago;
finds Friedrich under eclipse, hidden in the interior,
labouring under his ague-fit: question rises, Shall the
Express be introduced, or be held back? The news
he brings is huge, unexpected, transcendent, and may
agitate the sick King. Six or seven heads go wagging
on this point, -- who by accident are nameable, if
readers care: "Prince August Wilhelm," lately be-
trothed; "Graf Truchsess," home from Hanover;
"Colonel Graf von Finkenstein," Old Tutor's Son, a
familiar from boyhood upwards; "Baron Pollnitz,"
kind of chief Goldstick now, or Master of the Cere-
monies, not too witty, but the cause of wit; "Jordan,
Bielfeld," known to us; and lastly "Fredersdorf,"
Majordomo and Factotum, who is grown from Valet to
be Purse-Keeper, confidential Manager, and almost
friend, -- a notable personage in Friedrich's History.
They decide, "Better wait! "
They wait accordingly; and then, after about an
hour, the trembling-fit being over, and Fredersdorf
having cautiously preluded a little, and prepared the
way, the Despatch is delivered, and the King left with
his immense piece of news. News that his Imperial
Majesty Karl VI. died, after short illness, on Thursday
the 20th last. Kaiser dead: House of Hapsburg, and
its Five Centuries of tough wrestling, and uneasy
Dominancy in this world, ended, gone to the distaff:
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? 138 FRIEDEICH TAKES THE REINS IS HAND. [book XI.
24th Sept. --25th Oct. 1740.
,-- the counter-wrestling Ambitions and Cupidities not
dead; and nothing but Pragmatic Sanction left between
the fallen House and them! Friedrich kept silence;
showed no sign how transfixed he was to hear such
tidings; which, he foresaw, would have immeasurable
consequences in the world.
One of the first was, that it cured Friedrich of his
ague. It braced him (it, and perhaps "a little quin-
quina which he now insisted on") into such a tensity
of spirit as drove out his ague like a mere hiccup;
quite gone in the course of next week; and we hear
no more of that importunate annoyance. He summoned
Secretary Eichel, "Be ready in so many minutes hence;"
rose from his bed, dressed himself;* -- and then, by
Eichel's help, sent off expresses for Schwerin his chief
General, and Podewils his chief Minister. A resolution,
which is rising or has risen in the Royal mind, will
be ready for communicating to these Two by the time
they arrive, on the second day hence. This done,
Friedrich, I believe, joined his company in the evening;
and was as light and brilliant as if nothing had hap-
pened.
* Preuss, Thronbcsteigung, p. 416.
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? CHAP. VIII. ] THE KAISER'S DEATH.
139
20th Oct. 1740.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
The Kaiser's death came on the Public unexpect-
edly; though not quite so upon observant persons,
closer at hand. He was not yet fifty-six out; a firm-
built man; had been of sound constitution, of active,
not intemperate habits: but in the last six years, there
had come such torrents of ill-luck rolling down on him,
he had suffered immensely, far beyond what the world
knew of; and to those near him, and anxious for him,
his strength seemed much undermined. Five years
ago, in summer 1735, Robinson reported, from a sure
hand: "Nothing can equal the Emperor's agitation
"under these disasters" (brought upon him by Fleury
and the Spaniards, as afterclap to his Polish-Election
feat). "His good Empress is terrified, many times, he
''will die in the course of the night, when singly with
"her he gives a loose to his affliction, confusion and
"despair. " Sea-Powers will not help; Fleury and mere
ruin will engulf! "What augments this agitation is
"his distrust in every one of his own Ministers, except
"perhaps Bartenstein," * -- who is not much of a
support either, though a gnarled weighty old stick in
his way ("Professor at Strasburg once"): not interest-
ing to us here. The rest his Imperial Majesty con-
siders to be of sublimated blockhead type, it appears.
Prince Eugene had died lately, and with Eugene all
good fortune.
* Robinson to Lord Harrington, 5th July 1735 (in State-Paper Office).
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? 110 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
20th Oct. 174".
And then, close following, the miseries of that Turk
War, crashing down upon a man! They say, Duke
Franz, Maria Theresa's Husband, nominal Commander
in those Campaigns, with the Seckendorfs and Wallises
under him going such a road, was privately eager to
have done with the Business, on any terms, lest the
Kaiser should die first, and leave it weltering. No
wonder the poor Kaiser felt broken, disgusted with the
long Shadow-Hunt of Life; and took to practical field-
sports rather. An Army that cannot fight, War-
Generals good only to be locked in Fortresses, an Ex-
chequer that has no money; after such wagging of the
wigs, and such Privy-Councilling and such War-Coun-
cilling: -- let us hunt wild-swine, and not think of it!
That, thank Heaven, we still have; that, and Pragmatic
Sanction well engrossed, and generally sworn to by
mankind, after much effort! --
The outer Public of that time, and Voltaire among
them more deliberately afterwards, spoke of "mush-
rooms," an "indigestion of mushrooms;" and it is
probable there was something of mushrooms concerned
in the event. Another subsequent Frenchman, still
more irreverent, adds to this of the "excess of mush-
rooms," that the Kaiser made light of it. "When'the
"Doctors told him he had few hours to live, he would
"not believe it; and bantered his Physicians on the
"sad news. 'Look me in the eyes,' said he; 'have I
"the air of one dying? When you see my sight grow-
"ing dim, then let the sacraments be administered,
"whether I order or not. '" Doctors insisting, the Kaiser
replied: "'Since you are foolish fellows, who know
"neither the cause nor the state of my disorder, I
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? MAP. VIII. ]
141
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1740.
"command that, once I am dead, you open my body,
"to know what the matter was; you can then come
"and let me know! '"* -- in which also there is per-
haps a glimmering of distorted truth, though, as
Monsieur mistakes even the day ("18th October," says
he, not 20th), one can only accept it as rumour from
the outside.
Here, by an extremely sombre domestic Gentleman
of great punctuality and great dulness, are the authentic
particulars, such as it was good to mention in Vienna
circles. ** An extremely dull Gentleman, but to appear-
ance an authentic; and so little defective in reverence
that he delicately expresses some astonishment at
Death's audacity this year, in killing so many Crowned
Heads. "This year 1740," says he, "though the weather
''throughout Europe had been extraordinarily fine," or
fine for a cold year, "had already witnessed several
"Deaths of Sovereigns: Pope Clement XII. , Friedrich
"Wilhelm of Prussia, the Queen Dowager of Spain"
(Termagant's old stepmother, not Termagant's self by
a great way). "But that was not enough: unfathom-
able Destiny ventured now on Imperial Heads (war/te
usich auch an Kaiscrkronen): Karl VI. , namely, and
"Russia's great Monarchess:" -- an audacity to be
remarked. Of Russia's great Monarchess (Czarina
Anne, with the big cheek) we will say nothing at
present; but of Karl VI. only, -- abridging much, and
studying arrangement:
"Thursday, October 13th, returning from Halbthurn, a
"Hunting Seat of his," over in Hungary some fifty miles, "to
* Anecdotes Germaniques (Paris, 1769), p. 692.
** (AnonymouB) l)es &c. Homischen Kaiser's Carl VI. Leben und Thaten
iFrankfurt und Leipzig, 1741), pp. 220-227.
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? 142 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
20th Oct. 1710.
"the Palace Favorita at Vienna, his Imperial Majesty felt
"slightly indisposed," -- indigestion of mushrooms or what-
ever it was: had begun at Halbthurn the night before, we
rather understand, and was the occasion of his leaving. "The
"Doctors called it cold on the stomach, and thought it of no
"consequence. In the night of Saturday, it became alarm-
"ing;" inflammation, thought the Doctors, inflammation of
the liver, and used their potent appliances, which only made
the danger come and go; "and on the Tuesday, all day, the
"Doctors did not doubt his Imperial Majesty was dying. "
(' Look me in the eyes; pack of fools; you will have to dissect
me, you will then know:' Any truth in all that? No matter. )
"At noon of that Tuesday he took the Sacrament, the
"Pope's Nuncio administering. His Majesty showed uncom-
"monly great composure of soul, and resignation to the
"Divine Will;" being indeed 'certain,' -- so he expressed it
to "a principal Official Person sunk in grief" (Bartenstein,
shall we guess? ), who stood by him -- 'certain of his cause,'
not afraid in contemplating that dread Judgment now near:
'Look at me! A man that is certain of his cause can enter
'on such a Journey with good courage and a composed mind
'(mit gutem und gelassenem Muth). ' To the Doctors, dubitating
what the disease was, he said, 'If Gazelli,' my late worthy
Doctor, 'were still here, you would soon know; but as it is.
'you will learn it when you dissect me;' -- and once asked
to be shown the Cup where his heart would lie after that
operation.
"Sacrament being over," Tuesday afternoon, "he sent for
"hisFamily, to bless them each separately. He had along
"conversation with Grand Duke Franz," titular of Lorraine,
actual of Tuscany, "who had assiduously attended him, and
"continued to do so, during the whole illness. The Grand
"Duke's Spouse," -- Maria Theresa, the noble-hearted and
the overwhelmed; who is now in an interesting state again
withal; a little Kaiserkin (Joseph II. ) coming in five months;
first child, a little girl, is now two years old; -- "had been
"obliged to take to bed three days ago; laid up of grief and
"terror [vnr Schmerzen xmd Schrecken), ever since Sunday the
"16th. Nor would his Imperial Majesty permit her to enter
"this death-room, on account of her condition, so important
"to the world: but his Majesty, turning towards that side
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? CHAP. VIII. ]
143
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1740.
"where her apartment was, raised his right hand, and com-
"manded her Husband, and the Archduchess her younger
"Sister, to tell his Theresa, That he blessed her herewith,
"notwithstanding her absence. " Poor Kaiser, poor Theresa!
"Most distressing of all was the scene with the Kaiserin. The
"night before, on getting knowledge of the sad certainty, she
"had fainted utterly away (starke Ohnmacht), and had to be
"carried into the Grand Duchess's (Maria Theresa's) "room.
"Being summoned now with her Children, for the last blessing,
"she cried as in despair, 'Do not leave me, Your Dilection,
"do not (Ach Euer Liebden verlassen mich dnch nichl)! '" Poor
good souls! " Her Imperial Majesty would not quit the room
"again, but remained to the last. "
"Wednesday 19th, all day, anxiety, mournful suspense;"
poor weeping Kaiserin and all the world waiting; the
Inevitable visibly struggling on. "And in the night of that
"day" (night of 19th-20th Oct. 1740), "between one and two
"in the morning, Death snatched away this most invaluable
"Monarch (den preiswiirdigsten Monarchen) in the 56th year of
'his life;" and Kaiser Karl VI. , and the House of Hapsburg
and its Five tough Centuries of good and evil in this world had
ended. The poor Kaiserin "closed the eyes" that could now
no more behold her; "kissed his hands; and was carried out
"more dead than alive. "*
A good affectionate Kaiserin, I do believe; honour-
able, truthful, though unwitty of speech, and converted
by Grandpapa in a peculiar manner. For her Kaiser
too, after all, I have a kind of love. Of brilliant
* Anonymous, nt supra, pp. 220-227. -- Adelung, Pragmali*che Staats-
HUchichle (Ootba, 1762-1767), ii. 120. Johan Chrisloph Adelnng: the same
who did the Dictionary and many other deserving Books; here is the pre-
cise Title: "Praumalischc Staalsgeschi ehte Europens" that is, "Documen-
tary "History of Europe, from Kaiser Karl's Death, 1740, till Peace of
"Paris, 1763. " A solid, laborious and meritorious Work, of its kind; ex-
tremely extensive (9 voll. 4to, some of which are double and even treble),
mostly in the undigested, sometimes in the quite uncooked or raw condi-
tion; perhaps about a fifth part of it consists of "Documents" proper,
which are skippable. It cannot help being dull, waste, dreary, but is
everywhere intelligible (excellent Indexes too), -- and offers an unhappy
reader by far. the best resource! attainable for survey of that sad Period.
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? 144 'FRIEDKICH TAKES THE EEINS IN HAND. [boOKXI.
20th Oct. 1740.
articulate intellect there is nothing; nor of inarticulate
(as in Friedrich Wilhelm's case) anything considerable:
in fact his Shadow-Hunting, and Duelling with the
Termagant, seemed the reverse of wise.
But there was
something of a high proud heart in it, too, if we
examine; and even the Pragmatic Sanction, though in
practice not worth one regiment of iron ramrods, indi-
cates a profoundly fixed determination, partly of loyal
nature, such as the gods more or less reward. "He
had been a great builder," say the Histories; "was a
"great musician, fit to lead orchestras, and had com-
"posed an Opera," -- poor Kaiser. There came out
large traits of him, in Maria Theresa again, under an
improved form, which were much admired by the world.
He looks, in his Portraits, intensely serious; a hand-
some man, stoically grave; much the gentleman, much
the Kaiser or Supreme Gentleman. As, in life and
fact, he was; "something solemn in him, even when he
laughs," the people used to say. A man honestly doing
his very best with his poor Kaisership, and dying of
chagrin by it. "On opening the body, the liver-region
"proved to be entirely deranged; in the place where
"the gall-bladder should have been, a stone of the size
"of a pigeon's egg was found grown into the liver,
"and no gall-bladder now there. "
That same morning, with earliest daylight, "Thurs-
day 20th, six a. m. ," Maria Theresa is proclaimed by
her Heralds over Vienna: "According to Pragmatic
"Sanction, Inheritress of all the" &c. &c;--Sovereign
Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia,
for chief items. "At seven her Majesty took the Oath
"from the Generals and Presidents of Tribunals, --
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? chap, vnr. ]
145
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1710.
"said, through her tears, 'All was to stand on the old
"footing, each in his post,'" -- and the other needful
words. Couriers shoot forth towards all Countries; --
one express courier to Eegensburg, and the Enchanted
Wiggeries there, to say That a New Kaiser will be
needed; Reichs-Yicar or Vicars (Kur-Sachsen and who-
ever more, for they are sometimes disagreed about it)
will have to administer in the interim.
, A second courier we saw arrive at Reinsberg; he
likewise may be important. The Bavarian Minister,
Karl Albert Kur-Baiern's man, shot off his express,
like the others: answer is, by return of courier, ors
even earlier (for a messenger was already on the road),
Make protest! "We Kur-Baiern solemnly protest
against Pragmatic Sanction, and the assumption of
such Titles by the Daughter of the late Kaiser. King
of Bohemia, and in good part even of Austria, it is
not you, Madam, but of right we\ as, by Heaven's
help, it is our fixed resolution to make good! " Protest
was presented, accordingly, with all the solemnities,
without loss of a moment. To which Bartenstcin and
the Authorities answered "Pooh-pooh," as if it were
nothing. It is the first ripple of an immeasurable tide
or deluge in that kind, threatening to submerge the
new Majesty of Hungary; -- as had been foreseen at
Reinsberg; though Bartenstein and the Authorities
made light of it, answering "Pooh-pooh," or almost
"Ha-ha," for the present.
Her Hungarian Majesty's chief Generals, Secken-
dorf, Wallis, Neipperg, sit in their respective prison-
wards at this time (from which she soon liberates
them): Kur-Baiern has lodged protest; at Reinsberg
Carljle, Frederick the Great. VI. 10
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? 146 FKIEDKICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
20th Oct. 1740.
there will be an important resolution ready: -- and in
the Austrian Treasury (which employs 40,000 persons,
big and little) there is of cash or available resource,
100,000 florins, that is to say, 10,000/. net* And
unless Pragmatic sheepskin hold tighter than some per-
sons expect, the affairs of Austria and of this young
Archduchess are in a threatening way.
His Britannic Majesty was on the road home, about
Helvoetsluys or on the sea for Harwich, that night the
Kaiser died; of whose illness he had heard nothing.
At London, ten days after, the sudden news struck
dismally upon his Majesty and the Political Circles
there: "No help, then, from that quarter, in our
Spanish War; perhaps far other than help! " -- Nay,
certain Gazetteers were afraid the grand new Anti-
Spanish Expedition itself, which was now, at the long
last, after such confusions and delays, lying ready, in
great strength, Naval and Military, would be counter-
manded, -- on Pragmatic-Sanction considerations, and
the crisis probably imminent. ** But it was not counter-
manded; it sailed all the same, "November 6th"
(seventh day after the bad news); and made towards
-- Shall we tell the reader, what is Officially a dead
secret, though by this time well guessed at by the
Public, English and also Spanish? -- towards Cartha-
gena, to reinforce fiery Vernon, in the tropical latitudes;
and overset Spanish America, beginning with that
important Town!
* Mailath, Geachichle lies Oestreichischen Kaiserstaats (Hamburg, 1850',
v. 8.
** London Newspapers (31st Oct. -- 6th Nov. 17101.
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? CHAP. VIII. ]
147
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1740.
Commodore Anson, he also, after long fatal delays,
is off, several weeks ago;* round Cape Horn; hoping
(or perhaps already not hoping) to cooperate from the
Other Ocean, and be simultaneous with Vernon, -- on
these loose principles of keeping time! Commodore
Anson does, in effect, make a Voyage which is beauti-
ful, and to mankind memorable; but as to keeping
tryste with Vernon, the very gods could not do it on
those terms!
* 29th (18th) September 1740.
10*
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? 148 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
27th Oct 13th Dec. 1710,
CHAPTER IX.
RESOLUTION FORMED AT RETNSBERG IN CONSEQUENCE.
Thursday 27th October, two days after the Ex-
presses went for them, Schwerin and Podewils punctu-
ally arrived at Reinsberg. They were carried into the
interior privacies, "to long conferences with his Majesty
"that day, and for the next four days; Majesty and
"they even dining privately together;" grave business
of state, none guesses how grave, evidently going on.
The resolution Friedrich laid before them, fruit of these
two days since the news from Vienna, was probably
the most important ever formed in Prussia, or in
Europe during that Century: Resolution to make good
our Rights on Silesia, by this great opportunity, the
best that will ever offer. Resolution which had sprung,
I find, and got to sudden fixity in the head of the
young King himself; and which met with little save
opposition from all the other sons of Adam, at the first
blush and for long afterwards. And, indeed, the
making of it good (of it, and of the immense results
that hung by it) was the main business of this young
King's Life henceforth; and cost him Labours like
those of Hercules, and was in the highest degree mo-
mentous to existing and not yet existing millions of
mankind, -- to the readers of this History especially!
It is almost touching to reflect how unexpectedly,
like a bolt out of the blue, all this had come upon
Friedrich; and how it overset his fine program for the
winter at Reinsberg, and for his Life generally. Not
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? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTJON FORMED AT REINSCERG. 149
27th Oct. -- 13th Dec. 1740.
the Peaceable magnanimities, but the Warlike, arc
the thing appointed Friedrich, this winter, and mainly
henceforth. Those "golden or soft radiances" which
we saw in him, admirable to Voltaire and to Friedrich,
and to an esurient philanthropic world, -- it is not
those, it is "the steel-bright or stellar kind," that are
to become predominant in Friedrich's existence: grim
hail-storms, thunders and tornado for an existence to
him, instead of the opulent genialities and halcyon
weather, anticipated by himself and others! Indispu-
tably enough, to us if not yet to Friedrich, "Reinsberg
and Life to the Muses" are done. On a sudden, from
the opposite side of the horizon, see, miraculous Oppor-
tunity, rushing hitherward, -- swift, terrible, clothed
with lightning like a courser of the gods: dare you
clutch him by the thunder-mane, and fling yourself
upon him, and make for the Empyrean by that course
rather? Be immediate about it, then; the time is now,
or else never! -- No fair judge can blame the young
man that he laid hold of the flaming Opportunity in
this manner, and obeyed the new omen. To seize such
an Opportunity, and perilously mount upon it, was the
part of a young magnanimous King, less sensible to
the perils, and more to the other considerations, than
one older would have been.
Schwerin and Podewils were, no doubt, astonished
to learn what the Royal purpose was; and could not
want for commonplace objections many and strong,
had this been the scene for dwelling on them, or
dressing them out at eloquent length. But they knew
well this was not the scene for doing more than, with
eloquent modesty, hint them; that the Resolution, being
already taken, would not alter for commonplace; and
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? 150 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [eookh.
27th Oct. --13th Doc. 1740.
that the question now lying for honourable members
was, How to execute it? It is on this, as I collect,
that Schwerin and Podewils in the King's company
did, with extreme intensity, consult during those four
days; and were, most probably, of considerable use to
the King, though some of their modifications adopted
by him turned out, not as they had predicted, but as
he. On all the Military details and outlines, and
on all the Diplomacies of this business, here are two
Oracles extremely worth consulting by the young
King.
To seize Silesia is easy: a Country open on all but
the south side; open especially on our side, where a
battalion of foot might force it; the three or four for-
tresses, of which only two, Glogau and Neisse, can be
reckoned strong, are provided with nothing as they
ought to be; not above 3,000 fighting men in the
whole Province, and these little expecting fight. Silesia
can be seized: but the maintaining of it? -- We must
try to maintain it, thinks Friedrich.
At Reinsberg it is not yet known that Kur-Baiern
has protested; but it is well guessed he means to do
so, and that France is at his back in some sort. Kur-
Baiern, probably Kur-Sachsen and plenty more, France
being secretly at their back. What low condition
Austria stands in, all its ready resources run to the
lees, is known; and that France, getting lively at
present with its Belleisles and adventurous spirits not
restrainable byFleury, is always on the watch to bring
Austria lower; -- capable, in spite of Pragmatic
Sanction, to snatch the golden moment, and spring
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? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 151
27th Oct. -- 13til Dec. 1740.
hunter-like on a moribund Austria, were the hunting-
dogs once out, and in cry. To Friedrich it seems un-
likely the Pragmatic Sanction will be a Law of Nature
to mankind, in these circumstances. His opinion is,
"the old political system has expired with the Kaiser. "
Here is Europe, burning in one corner of it by
Jenkins's Ear, and such a smoulder of combustible
material awakening nearer hand: will not Europe,
probably, blaze into general War; Pragmatic Sanction
going to waste sheepskin, and universal scramble
ensuing? In which he who has 100,000 good soldiers,
and can handle them, may be an important figure in
urging claims, and keeping what he has got hold
of! --
Friedrich's mind, as to the fact, is fixed; seize
Silesia we will: but as to the manner of doing it,
Sehwerin and Podewils modify him. Their counsel is:
"Do not step out in hostile attitude at the very first,
saying, 'These Duchies, Liegnitz, Brieg, Wohlau,
'"Jagerndorf, are mine, and I will fight for them;' say
"only, 'Having, as is well known, interests of various
"kinds in this Silesia, I venture to take charge of it
"in the perilous times now come, and will keep it safe
"for the real owner. ' Silesia seized in this fashion,"
continue they, "negotiate with the Queen of Hungary;
offer her help, large help in men and money, against
her other enemies; perhaps she will consent to do us
right? "-- "She never will consent," is Friedrich's opi-
nion. "But it is worth trying? " urge the Ministers. --
"Well," answers Friedrich, "be it in that form; that is
the soft-spokeSfe cautious form: any form will do, if the
fact he there. " That is understood to have been the
figure of the deliberation in this conclave at Reinsberg,
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? 152 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [b00KX[.
27th Oct. --13th Dec. 1740.
during the four days* And now it remains only to fix
theMilitary details, to be ready in a minimum of time; and
to keep our preparations and intentions in impenetrable
darkness from all men, in the interim. Adieu, Messieurs.
And so, on the 1st of November, fifth morning
since they came, Schwerin and Podewils, a world of
new business silently ahead of them, return to Berlin,
intent to begin the same. All the Kings will have to
take their resolution on this matter; wisely, or else un-
wisely. King Friedrich's, let it prove the wisest or
not, is notably the rapidest, -- complete, and fairly
entering upon action, on November 1st. At London
the news of the Kaiser's death had arrived the day
before; Britannic Majesty and Ministry, thrown much
into the dumps by it, much into the vague, are nothing
like so prompt with their resolution on it. Somewhat
sorrowfully in the vague. In fact, they will go jum-
bling hither and thither for about three years to come,
before making up their minds to a resolution: so in-
tricate is the affair to the English Nation and them.
Intricate indeed; and even imaginary, -- definable
mainly as a bottomless abyss of nightmare dreams to
the English Nation and them! Productive of strong
somnambulisms, as my friend has it! --
Mystery in Berlin, for Seven Weeks, while the Prepara-
tions go on; Voltaire visits Friedrich to decipher it,
but cannot.
Podewils and Schwerin gone, King Friedrich, though
still very busy in working-hours, returns to his society
* Stenzel (from what sources he does not clearly say, no doubt from
sources of some authenticity) gives this as summary of it, iv. G1-65.
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? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 153
27lh Oct. --13th Dec.
were pretty days at Reinsberg. This kind of life
lasted seven or eight weeks, -- in spite of interruptions
* Letters of Voltaire (passim, in these months).
** Preuss, Tkronbesteiijung, p. 415.
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? CHAP. VII. ] WITHDRAWS TO REINSBEKG. 137
21th Sept. --25th Oct. 1740.
of subterranean volcanic nature, some of which were
surely considerable. Here, in the very first week,
coming almost volcanically, is one, which indeed is the
sum of them all.
Tuesday forenoon, 25th October 1740, Express ar-
rives at Reinsberg; direct from Vienna five days ago;
finds Friedrich under eclipse, hidden in the interior,
labouring under his ague-fit: question rises, Shall the
Express be introduced, or be held back? The news
he brings is huge, unexpected, transcendent, and may
agitate the sick King. Six or seven heads go wagging
on this point, -- who by accident are nameable, if
readers care: "Prince August Wilhelm," lately be-
trothed; "Graf Truchsess," home from Hanover;
"Colonel Graf von Finkenstein," Old Tutor's Son, a
familiar from boyhood upwards; "Baron Pollnitz,"
kind of chief Goldstick now, or Master of the Cere-
monies, not too witty, but the cause of wit; "Jordan,
Bielfeld," known to us; and lastly "Fredersdorf,"
Majordomo and Factotum, who is grown from Valet to
be Purse-Keeper, confidential Manager, and almost
friend, -- a notable personage in Friedrich's History.
They decide, "Better wait! "
They wait accordingly; and then, after about an
hour, the trembling-fit being over, and Fredersdorf
having cautiously preluded a little, and prepared the
way, the Despatch is delivered, and the King left with
his immense piece of news. News that his Imperial
Majesty Karl VI. died, after short illness, on Thursday
the 20th last. Kaiser dead: House of Hapsburg, and
its Five Centuries of tough wrestling, and uneasy
Dominancy in this world, ended, gone to the distaff:
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? 138 FRIEDEICH TAKES THE REINS IS HAND. [book XI.
24th Sept. --25th Oct. 1740.
,-- the counter-wrestling Ambitions and Cupidities not
dead; and nothing but Pragmatic Sanction left between
the fallen House and them! Friedrich kept silence;
showed no sign how transfixed he was to hear such
tidings; which, he foresaw, would have immeasurable
consequences in the world.
One of the first was, that it cured Friedrich of his
ague. It braced him (it, and perhaps "a little quin-
quina which he now insisted on") into such a tensity
of spirit as drove out his ague like a mere hiccup;
quite gone in the course of next week; and we hear
no more of that importunate annoyance. He summoned
Secretary Eichel, "Be ready in so many minutes hence;"
rose from his bed, dressed himself;* -- and then, by
Eichel's help, sent off expresses for Schwerin his chief
General, and Podewils his chief Minister. A resolution,
which is rising or has risen in the Royal mind, will
be ready for communicating to these Two by the time
they arrive, on the second day hence. This done,
Friedrich, I believe, joined his company in the evening;
and was as light and brilliant as if nothing had hap-
pened.
* Preuss, Thronbcsteigung, p. 416.
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? CHAP. VIII. ] THE KAISER'S DEATH.
139
20th Oct. 1740.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
The Kaiser's death came on the Public unexpect-
edly; though not quite so upon observant persons,
closer at hand. He was not yet fifty-six out; a firm-
built man; had been of sound constitution, of active,
not intemperate habits: but in the last six years, there
had come such torrents of ill-luck rolling down on him,
he had suffered immensely, far beyond what the world
knew of; and to those near him, and anxious for him,
his strength seemed much undermined. Five years
ago, in summer 1735, Robinson reported, from a sure
hand: "Nothing can equal the Emperor's agitation
"under these disasters" (brought upon him by Fleury
and the Spaniards, as afterclap to his Polish-Election
feat). "His good Empress is terrified, many times, he
''will die in the course of the night, when singly with
"her he gives a loose to his affliction, confusion and
"despair. " Sea-Powers will not help; Fleury and mere
ruin will engulf! "What augments this agitation is
"his distrust in every one of his own Ministers, except
"perhaps Bartenstein," * -- who is not much of a
support either, though a gnarled weighty old stick in
his way ("Professor at Strasburg once"): not interest-
ing to us here. The rest his Imperial Majesty con-
siders to be of sublimated blockhead type, it appears.
Prince Eugene had died lately, and with Eugene all
good fortune.
* Robinson to Lord Harrington, 5th July 1735 (in State-Paper Office).
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? 110 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
20th Oct. 174".
And then, close following, the miseries of that Turk
War, crashing down upon a man! They say, Duke
Franz, Maria Theresa's Husband, nominal Commander
in those Campaigns, with the Seckendorfs and Wallises
under him going such a road, was privately eager to
have done with the Business, on any terms, lest the
Kaiser should die first, and leave it weltering. No
wonder the poor Kaiser felt broken, disgusted with the
long Shadow-Hunt of Life; and took to practical field-
sports rather. An Army that cannot fight, War-
Generals good only to be locked in Fortresses, an Ex-
chequer that has no money; after such wagging of the
wigs, and such Privy-Councilling and such War-Coun-
cilling: -- let us hunt wild-swine, and not think of it!
That, thank Heaven, we still have; that, and Pragmatic
Sanction well engrossed, and generally sworn to by
mankind, after much effort! --
The outer Public of that time, and Voltaire among
them more deliberately afterwards, spoke of "mush-
rooms," an "indigestion of mushrooms;" and it is
probable there was something of mushrooms concerned
in the event. Another subsequent Frenchman, still
more irreverent, adds to this of the "excess of mush-
rooms," that the Kaiser made light of it. "When'the
"Doctors told him he had few hours to live, he would
"not believe it; and bantered his Physicians on the
"sad news. 'Look me in the eyes,' said he; 'have I
"the air of one dying? When you see my sight grow-
"ing dim, then let the sacraments be administered,
"whether I order or not. '" Doctors insisting, the Kaiser
replied: "'Since you are foolish fellows, who know
"neither the cause nor the state of my disorder, I
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? MAP. VIII. ]
141
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1740.
"command that, once I am dead, you open my body,
"to know what the matter was; you can then come
"and let me know! '"* -- in which also there is per-
haps a glimmering of distorted truth, though, as
Monsieur mistakes even the day ("18th October," says
he, not 20th), one can only accept it as rumour from
the outside.
Here, by an extremely sombre domestic Gentleman
of great punctuality and great dulness, are the authentic
particulars, such as it was good to mention in Vienna
circles. ** An extremely dull Gentleman, but to appear-
ance an authentic; and so little defective in reverence
that he delicately expresses some astonishment at
Death's audacity this year, in killing so many Crowned
Heads. "This year 1740," says he, "though the weather
''throughout Europe had been extraordinarily fine," or
fine for a cold year, "had already witnessed several
"Deaths of Sovereigns: Pope Clement XII. , Friedrich
"Wilhelm of Prussia, the Queen Dowager of Spain"
(Termagant's old stepmother, not Termagant's self by
a great way). "But that was not enough: unfathom-
able Destiny ventured now on Imperial Heads (war/te
usich auch an Kaiscrkronen): Karl VI. , namely, and
"Russia's great Monarchess:" -- an audacity to be
remarked. Of Russia's great Monarchess (Czarina
Anne, with the big cheek) we will say nothing at
present; but of Karl VI. only, -- abridging much, and
studying arrangement:
"Thursday, October 13th, returning from Halbthurn, a
"Hunting Seat of his," over in Hungary some fifty miles, "to
* Anecdotes Germaniques (Paris, 1769), p. 692.
** (AnonymouB) l)es &c. Homischen Kaiser's Carl VI. Leben und Thaten
iFrankfurt und Leipzig, 1741), pp. 220-227.
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? 142 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
20th Oct. 1710.
"the Palace Favorita at Vienna, his Imperial Majesty felt
"slightly indisposed," -- indigestion of mushrooms or what-
ever it was: had begun at Halbthurn the night before, we
rather understand, and was the occasion of his leaving. "The
"Doctors called it cold on the stomach, and thought it of no
"consequence. In the night of Saturday, it became alarm-
"ing;" inflammation, thought the Doctors, inflammation of
the liver, and used their potent appliances, which only made
the danger come and go; "and on the Tuesday, all day, the
"Doctors did not doubt his Imperial Majesty was dying. "
(' Look me in the eyes; pack of fools; you will have to dissect
me, you will then know:' Any truth in all that? No matter. )
"At noon of that Tuesday he took the Sacrament, the
"Pope's Nuncio administering. His Majesty showed uncom-
"monly great composure of soul, and resignation to the
"Divine Will;" being indeed 'certain,' -- so he expressed it
to "a principal Official Person sunk in grief" (Bartenstein,
shall we guess? ), who stood by him -- 'certain of his cause,'
not afraid in contemplating that dread Judgment now near:
'Look at me! A man that is certain of his cause can enter
'on such a Journey with good courage and a composed mind
'(mit gutem und gelassenem Muth). ' To the Doctors, dubitating
what the disease was, he said, 'If Gazelli,' my late worthy
Doctor, 'were still here, you would soon know; but as it is.
'you will learn it when you dissect me;' -- and once asked
to be shown the Cup where his heart would lie after that
operation.
"Sacrament being over," Tuesday afternoon, "he sent for
"hisFamily, to bless them each separately. He had along
"conversation with Grand Duke Franz," titular of Lorraine,
actual of Tuscany, "who had assiduously attended him, and
"continued to do so, during the whole illness. The Grand
"Duke's Spouse," -- Maria Theresa, the noble-hearted and
the overwhelmed; who is now in an interesting state again
withal; a little Kaiserkin (Joseph II. ) coming in five months;
first child, a little girl, is now two years old; -- "had been
"obliged to take to bed three days ago; laid up of grief and
"terror [vnr Schmerzen xmd Schrecken), ever since Sunday the
"16th. Nor would his Imperial Majesty permit her to enter
"this death-room, on account of her condition, so important
"to the world: but his Majesty, turning towards that side
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? CHAP. VIII. ]
143
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1740.
"where her apartment was, raised his right hand, and com-
"manded her Husband, and the Archduchess her younger
"Sister, to tell his Theresa, That he blessed her herewith,
"notwithstanding her absence. " Poor Kaiser, poor Theresa!
"Most distressing of all was the scene with the Kaiserin. The
"night before, on getting knowledge of the sad certainty, she
"had fainted utterly away (starke Ohnmacht), and had to be
"carried into the Grand Duchess's (Maria Theresa's) "room.
"Being summoned now with her Children, for the last blessing,
"she cried as in despair, 'Do not leave me, Your Dilection,
"do not (Ach Euer Liebden verlassen mich dnch nichl)! '" Poor
good souls! " Her Imperial Majesty would not quit the room
"again, but remained to the last. "
"Wednesday 19th, all day, anxiety, mournful suspense;"
poor weeping Kaiserin and all the world waiting; the
Inevitable visibly struggling on. "And in the night of that
"day" (night of 19th-20th Oct. 1740), "between one and two
"in the morning, Death snatched away this most invaluable
"Monarch (den preiswiirdigsten Monarchen) in the 56th year of
'his life;" and Kaiser Karl VI. , and the House of Hapsburg
and its Five tough Centuries of good and evil in this world had
ended. The poor Kaiserin "closed the eyes" that could now
no more behold her; "kissed his hands; and was carried out
"more dead than alive. "*
A good affectionate Kaiserin, I do believe; honour-
able, truthful, though unwitty of speech, and converted
by Grandpapa in a peculiar manner. For her Kaiser
too, after all, I have a kind of love. Of brilliant
* Anonymous, nt supra, pp. 220-227. -- Adelung, Pragmali*che Staats-
HUchichle (Ootba, 1762-1767), ii. 120. Johan Chrisloph Adelnng: the same
who did the Dictionary and many other deserving Books; here is the pre-
cise Title: "Praumalischc Staalsgeschi ehte Europens" that is, "Documen-
tary "History of Europe, from Kaiser Karl's Death, 1740, till Peace of
"Paris, 1763. " A solid, laborious and meritorious Work, of its kind; ex-
tremely extensive (9 voll. 4to, some of which are double and even treble),
mostly in the undigested, sometimes in the quite uncooked or raw condi-
tion; perhaps about a fifth part of it consists of "Documents" proper,
which are skippable. It cannot help being dull, waste, dreary, but is
everywhere intelligible (excellent Indexes too), -- and offers an unhappy
reader by far. the best resource! attainable for survey of that sad Period.
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? 144 'FRIEDKICH TAKES THE EEINS IN HAND. [boOKXI.
20th Oct. 1740.
articulate intellect there is nothing; nor of inarticulate
(as in Friedrich Wilhelm's case) anything considerable:
in fact his Shadow-Hunting, and Duelling with the
Termagant, seemed the reverse of wise.
But there was
something of a high proud heart in it, too, if we
examine; and even the Pragmatic Sanction, though in
practice not worth one regiment of iron ramrods, indi-
cates a profoundly fixed determination, partly of loyal
nature, such as the gods more or less reward. "He
had been a great builder," say the Histories; "was a
"great musician, fit to lead orchestras, and had com-
"posed an Opera," -- poor Kaiser. There came out
large traits of him, in Maria Theresa again, under an
improved form, which were much admired by the world.
He looks, in his Portraits, intensely serious; a hand-
some man, stoically grave; much the gentleman, much
the Kaiser or Supreme Gentleman. As, in life and
fact, he was; "something solemn in him, even when he
laughs," the people used to say. A man honestly doing
his very best with his poor Kaisership, and dying of
chagrin by it. "On opening the body, the liver-region
"proved to be entirely deranged; in the place where
"the gall-bladder should have been, a stone of the size
"of a pigeon's egg was found grown into the liver,
"and no gall-bladder now there. "
That same morning, with earliest daylight, "Thurs-
day 20th, six a. m. ," Maria Theresa is proclaimed by
her Heralds over Vienna: "According to Pragmatic
"Sanction, Inheritress of all the" &c. &c;--Sovereign
Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia,
for chief items. "At seven her Majesty took the Oath
"from the Generals and Presidents of Tribunals, --
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? chap, vnr. ]
145
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1710.
"said, through her tears, 'All was to stand on the old
"footing, each in his post,'" -- and the other needful
words. Couriers shoot forth towards all Countries; --
one express courier to Eegensburg, and the Enchanted
Wiggeries there, to say That a New Kaiser will be
needed; Reichs-Yicar or Vicars (Kur-Sachsen and who-
ever more, for they are sometimes disagreed about it)
will have to administer in the interim.
, A second courier we saw arrive at Reinsberg; he
likewise may be important. The Bavarian Minister,
Karl Albert Kur-Baiern's man, shot off his express,
like the others: answer is, by return of courier, ors
even earlier (for a messenger was already on the road),
Make protest! "We Kur-Baiern solemnly protest
against Pragmatic Sanction, and the assumption of
such Titles by the Daughter of the late Kaiser. King
of Bohemia, and in good part even of Austria, it is
not you, Madam, but of right we\ as, by Heaven's
help, it is our fixed resolution to make good! " Protest
was presented, accordingly, with all the solemnities,
without loss of a moment. To which Bartenstcin and
the Authorities answered "Pooh-pooh," as if it were
nothing. It is the first ripple of an immeasurable tide
or deluge in that kind, threatening to submerge the
new Majesty of Hungary; -- as had been foreseen at
Reinsberg; though Bartenstein and the Authorities
made light of it, answering "Pooh-pooh," or almost
"Ha-ha," for the present.
Her Hungarian Majesty's chief Generals, Secken-
dorf, Wallis, Neipperg, sit in their respective prison-
wards at this time (from which she soon liberates
them): Kur-Baiern has lodged protest; at Reinsberg
Carljle, Frederick the Great. VI. 10
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? 146 FKIEDKICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
20th Oct. 1740.
there will be an important resolution ready: -- and in
the Austrian Treasury (which employs 40,000 persons,
big and little) there is of cash or available resource,
100,000 florins, that is to say, 10,000/. net* And
unless Pragmatic sheepskin hold tighter than some per-
sons expect, the affairs of Austria and of this young
Archduchess are in a threatening way.
His Britannic Majesty was on the road home, about
Helvoetsluys or on the sea for Harwich, that night the
Kaiser died; of whose illness he had heard nothing.
At London, ten days after, the sudden news struck
dismally upon his Majesty and the Political Circles
there: "No help, then, from that quarter, in our
Spanish War; perhaps far other than help! " -- Nay,
certain Gazetteers were afraid the grand new Anti-
Spanish Expedition itself, which was now, at the long
last, after such confusions and delays, lying ready, in
great strength, Naval and Military, would be counter-
manded, -- on Pragmatic-Sanction considerations, and
the crisis probably imminent. ** But it was not counter-
manded; it sailed all the same, "November 6th"
(seventh day after the bad news); and made towards
-- Shall we tell the reader, what is Officially a dead
secret, though by this time well guessed at by the
Public, English and also Spanish? -- towards Cartha-
gena, to reinforce fiery Vernon, in the tropical latitudes;
and overset Spanish America, beginning with that
important Town!
* Mailath, Geachichle lies Oestreichischen Kaiserstaats (Hamburg, 1850',
v. 8.
** London Newspapers (31st Oct. -- 6th Nov. 17101.
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? CHAP. VIII. ]
147
THE KAISER'S DEATH.
20th Oct. 1740.
Commodore Anson, he also, after long fatal delays,
is off, several weeks ago;* round Cape Horn; hoping
(or perhaps already not hoping) to cooperate from the
Other Ocean, and be simultaneous with Vernon, -- on
these loose principles of keeping time! Commodore
Anson does, in effect, make a Voyage which is beauti-
ful, and to mankind memorable; but as to keeping
tryste with Vernon, the very gods could not do it on
those terms!
* 29th (18th) September 1740.
10*
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? 148 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book XI.
27th Oct 13th Dec. 1710,
CHAPTER IX.
RESOLUTION FORMED AT RETNSBERG IN CONSEQUENCE.
Thursday 27th October, two days after the Ex-
presses went for them, Schwerin and Podewils punctu-
ally arrived at Reinsberg. They were carried into the
interior privacies, "to long conferences with his Majesty
"that day, and for the next four days; Majesty and
"they even dining privately together;" grave business
of state, none guesses how grave, evidently going on.
The resolution Friedrich laid before them, fruit of these
two days since the news from Vienna, was probably
the most important ever formed in Prussia, or in
Europe during that Century: Resolution to make good
our Rights on Silesia, by this great opportunity, the
best that will ever offer. Resolution which had sprung,
I find, and got to sudden fixity in the head of the
young King himself; and which met with little save
opposition from all the other sons of Adam, at the first
blush and for long afterwards. And, indeed, the
making of it good (of it, and of the immense results
that hung by it) was the main business of this young
King's Life henceforth; and cost him Labours like
those of Hercules, and was in the highest degree mo-
mentous to existing and not yet existing millions of
mankind, -- to the readers of this History especially!
It is almost touching to reflect how unexpectedly,
like a bolt out of the blue, all this had come upon
Friedrich; and how it overset his fine program for the
winter at Reinsberg, and for his Life generally. Not
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? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTJON FORMED AT REINSCERG. 149
27th Oct. -- 13th Dec. 1740.
the Peaceable magnanimities, but the Warlike, arc
the thing appointed Friedrich, this winter, and mainly
henceforth. Those "golden or soft radiances" which
we saw in him, admirable to Voltaire and to Friedrich,
and to an esurient philanthropic world, -- it is not
those, it is "the steel-bright or stellar kind," that are
to become predominant in Friedrich's existence: grim
hail-storms, thunders and tornado for an existence to
him, instead of the opulent genialities and halcyon
weather, anticipated by himself and others! Indispu-
tably enough, to us if not yet to Friedrich, "Reinsberg
and Life to the Muses" are done. On a sudden, from
the opposite side of the horizon, see, miraculous Oppor-
tunity, rushing hitherward, -- swift, terrible, clothed
with lightning like a courser of the gods: dare you
clutch him by the thunder-mane, and fling yourself
upon him, and make for the Empyrean by that course
rather? Be immediate about it, then; the time is now,
or else never! -- No fair judge can blame the young
man that he laid hold of the flaming Opportunity in
this manner, and obeyed the new omen. To seize such
an Opportunity, and perilously mount upon it, was the
part of a young magnanimous King, less sensible to
the perils, and more to the other considerations, than
one older would have been.
Schwerin and Podewils were, no doubt, astonished
to learn what the Royal purpose was; and could not
want for commonplace objections many and strong,
had this been the scene for dwelling on them, or
dressing them out at eloquent length. But they knew
well this was not the scene for doing more than, with
eloquent modesty, hint them; that the Resolution, being
already taken, would not alter for commonplace; and
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? 150 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [eookh.
27th Oct. --13th Doc. 1740.
that the question now lying for honourable members
was, How to execute it? It is on this, as I collect,
that Schwerin and Podewils in the King's company
did, with extreme intensity, consult during those four
days; and were, most probably, of considerable use to
the King, though some of their modifications adopted
by him turned out, not as they had predicted, but as
he. On all the Military details and outlines, and
on all the Diplomacies of this business, here are two
Oracles extremely worth consulting by the young
King.
To seize Silesia is easy: a Country open on all but
the south side; open especially on our side, where a
battalion of foot might force it; the three or four for-
tresses, of which only two, Glogau and Neisse, can be
reckoned strong, are provided with nothing as they
ought to be; not above 3,000 fighting men in the
whole Province, and these little expecting fight. Silesia
can be seized: but the maintaining of it? -- We must
try to maintain it, thinks Friedrich.
At Reinsberg it is not yet known that Kur-Baiern
has protested; but it is well guessed he means to do
so, and that France is at his back in some sort. Kur-
Baiern, probably Kur-Sachsen and plenty more, France
being secretly at their back. What low condition
Austria stands in, all its ready resources run to the
lees, is known; and that France, getting lively at
present with its Belleisles and adventurous spirits not
restrainable byFleury, is always on the watch to bring
Austria lower; -- capable, in spite of Pragmatic
Sanction, to snatch the golden moment, and spring
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? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 151
27th Oct. -- 13til Dec. 1740.
hunter-like on a moribund Austria, were the hunting-
dogs once out, and in cry. To Friedrich it seems un-
likely the Pragmatic Sanction will be a Law of Nature
to mankind, in these circumstances. His opinion is,
"the old political system has expired with the Kaiser. "
Here is Europe, burning in one corner of it by
Jenkins's Ear, and such a smoulder of combustible
material awakening nearer hand: will not Europe,
probably, blaze into general War; Pragmatic Sanction
going to waste sheepskin, and universal scramble
ensuing? In which he who has 100,000 good soldiers,
and can handle them, may be an important figure in
urging claims, and keeping what he has got hold
of! --
Friedrich's mind, as to the fact, is fixed; seize
Silesia we will: but as to the manner of doing it,
Sehwerin and Podewils modify him. Their counsel is:
"Do not step out in hostile attitude at the very first,
saying, 'These Duchies, Liegnitz, Brieg, Wohlau,
'"Jagerndorf, are mine, and I will fight for them;' say
"only, 'Having, as is well known, interests of various
"kinds in this Silesia, I venture to take charge of it
"in the perilous times now come, and will keep it safe
"for the real owner. ' Silesia seized in this fashion,"
continue they, "negotiate with the Queen of Hungary;
offer her help, large help in men and money, against
her other enemies; perhaps she will consent to do us
right? "-- "She never will consent," is Friedrich's opi-
nion. "But it is worth trying? " urge the Ministers. --
"Well," answers Friedrich, "be it in that form; that is
the soft-spokeSfe cautious form: any form will do, if the
fact he there. " That is understood to have been the
figure of the deliberation in this conclave at Reinsberg,
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? 152 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [b00KX[.
27th Oct. --13th Dec. 1740.
during the four days* And now it remains only to fix
theMilitary details, to be ready in a minimum of time; and
to keep our preparations and intentions in impenetrable
darkness from all men, in the interim. Adieu, Messieurs.
And so, on the 1st of November, fifth morning
since they came, Schwerin and Podewils, a world of
new business silently ahead of them, return to Berlin,
intent to begin the same. All the Kings will have to
take their resolution on this matter; wisely, or else un-
wisely. King Friedrich's, let it prove the wisest or
not, is notably the rapidest, -- complete, and fairly
entering upon action, on November 1st. At London
the news of the Kaiser's death had arrived the day
before; Britannic Majesty and Ministry, thrown much
into the dumps by it, much into the vague, are nothing
like so prompt with their resolution on it. Somewhat
sorrowfully in the vague. In fact, they will go jum-
bling hither and thither for about three years to come,
before making up their minds to a resolution: so in-
tricate is the affair to the English Nation and them.
Intricate indeed; and even imaginary, -- definable
mainly as a bottomless abyss of nightmare dreams to
the English Nation and them! Productive of strong
somnambulisms, as my friend has it! --
Mystery in Berlin, for Seven Weeks, while the Prepara-
tions go on; Voltaire visits Friedrich to decipher it,
but cannot.
Podewils and Schwerin gone, King Friedrich, though
still very busy in working-hours, returns to his society
* Stenzel (from what sources he does not clearly say, no doubt from
sources of some authenticity) gives this as summary of it, iv. G1-65.
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? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 153
27lh Oct. --13th Dec.
