"Botta
"urged and entreated that at least there should be
"some delay in executing this project.
"urged and entreated that at least there should be
"some delay in executing this project.
Thomas Carlyle
161
2d Dee. 1740.
does; Country bordering on our frontier, and with the Oder
running through it as a sure highroad for everything. Fourth,
"What suddenly turned the balance," or at least what kept it
steady in that posture, -- "news of the Czarina's death ar-
"rives:" Russia has ceased to count against us; and become
a manageable quantity. On, therefore! --
"Add to these reasons," says the King, with a candour
which has not been well treated in the History Books, "Add to
"these reasons, an Army ready for acting; Funds, Supplies
"allfound" (lying barrelled in the Schloss atBerlin); -- "and
"perhaps the desire of making oneself a name," from which
few of mortals able to achieve it are exempt in their young
time: "all this was cause of the War which the King now en-
"teredupon. "*
"Desire to make himself a name; how shocking! "
exclaim several Historians. "Candour of confession that
"lie may have had some such desire; ? how honest! " is
what they do not exclaim. As to the justice of his
Silesian Claims, or even to his own belief about their
justice, Friedrich affords not the least light which can
be new to readers here. He speaks, when business
requires it, of "those known rights" of his, and with
the air of a man who expects to be believed on his
word; but it is cursorily, and in the business way
only; and there is not here or elsewhere the least
pleading: '--, a man, you would say, considerably in-
different to our belief on that head; his eye set on the
practical merely. "Just Rights? What are rights,
never so just, which you cannot make valid? The
world is full of such. If you have rights and can assert
them into facts, do it; that is worth doing! " --
We must add two Notes, two small absinthine
drops, bitter but wholesome, administered by him to
the Old Dessauer; whose gloomy wonder over all this
* (Enures de Frederic (Histoire de mon Temps), i. 128.
Cattle, Frederick the Great. VI. 11
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:22 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 162 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [boOKXI.
2d Dec. 1740.
military whirl of Prussian things, and discontent that
he, lately the head authority, has never once been
spoken to on it, have been great. Guessing, at last,
that it was meant for Austria, a Power rather dear to
Leopold, he can suppress himself no longer; but breaks
out into Cassandra prophesyings, which have piqued
the young King, and provoke this return::
1. "Reinsberg, 24/A November 1740. -- I have received your
"Letter, and seen with what inquietude you view the ap-
proaching march of my Troops. I hope you will set your
"mind at ease on that score; and wait with patience what I in-
"tend with them and you. I have made all my dispositions;
"and Your Serenity will learn, time enough, what my orders
"are, without disquieting yourself about them, as nothing has
"been forgotten or delayed. " -- Friedbich.
Old Dessauef, cut to the bone, perceives he will
have to quit that method and never resume it; writes
next how painful it is to an old General to see himself
neglected, as if good for nothing, while his scholars
are allowed to gather laurels. Friedrich's answer is of
soothing character:
2. "Berlin, 2d December 1740. -- You may be assured I
"honour your merits and capacity as a young Officer ought to
"honour an old one, who has given the world so many proofs
"of his talent (Dexteritat); nor will I neglect Your Serenity on
"any occasion when you can help me by your good counsel
"and cooperation. " But it is a mere "bagatelle " this that I
am now upon; though, next year, it may become serious.
For the rest, Saxony being a neighbour whose intentions
one does not know, I have privately purposed Your Serenity
should keep an outlook that way, in my absence. Plenty of
employment coming for Your Serenity. "But as to this pre-
"sent Expedition, I reserve it for myself alone; that the world
"may not think the King of Prussia marches with a Tutor to
"the Field. " -- Friedbich. *
* Orlich: Geschichte ier Schleeischen Kriege (Berlin, 1841), i. 38, 39.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP, n. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 163
6th Dec. 1740.
And therewith Leopold, eagerly complying, has to rest
satisfied; and beware of too much freedom with this
young King again.
"Berlin, December 2d," is the date of that last
Note to the Dessauer; date also of Voltaire's Adieu
with the Eesponse; -- on which same day, "Friday,
December 2d," as I find from the Old Books, his
Majesty, quitting the Reinsberg sojourn, "had arrived
in Berlin about 2 p. m. ; accompanied by Prince
August Wilhelm" (betrothed at Brunswick lately);
"such a crowd on the streets as if they had never seen
"him before. " He continued at Berlin or in the neigh-
bourhood thenceforth. Busy days these; and Berlin a
much-whispering City, as Regiment after Regiment
marches away. King soon to follow, as is thought,--
"who himself sometimes deigns to take the Regiments
"into highest own eye-shine, Hochst-eigcnen Augen-
"schein" (that is, to review them), say the reverential
Editors. December 6th -- But let us follow the strict
sequence of Phenomena at Berlin.
Excellency Botta has Audience; then Excellency Dickens,
and others: December 6th, the Mystery is out.
Of course her Hungarian Majesty, and her Barten-
steins and Ministries, heard enough of those Prussian
rumours, interior Military activities, and enigmatic
movements; but they seem strangely supine on the
matter; indeed they seem strangely supine on such
matters; and lean at ease upon the Sea-Powers, upon
Pragmatic Sanction and other Laws of Nature. But at
length even they become painfully interested as to
Friedrich's intentions; and despatch an Envoy to sift
n*
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 164 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [boOKXI.
6tb. Dec. 1740.
him a little: an expert Marchese di Botta, Genoese by
birth, skilful in the Russian and other intricacies; who
was here at Berlin lately, doing the Accession Compli-
ment (rather ill received at that time), and is fit for
the job. Perhaps Botta will penetrate him? That is
becoming desirable, in spite of the gay Private
Theatricals at Reinsberg, and the Berlin Carnival Balls
he is so occupied with.
England is not less interested, and the diligent Sir
Guy is doing his best; but can make out nothing satis-
factory; -- much the reverse indeed; and falls into
angry black anticipations. "Nobody here, great or
"small," says his Excellency, "dares make any repre-
sentation to this young Prince against the measures
"he is pursuing; though all are sensible of the con-
"fusion which must follow. A Prince who had the
"least regard to honour, truth and justice, could not
"act the part he is going to do. " Alas, no, Excellency
Dickens! "But it is plain his only view was, to
"deceive us all, and conceal for a while his ambitious
"and mischievous designs. "* "Never was such dis-
"simulation! " exclaims the Diplomatic world every-
where, being angered at it, as if it were a vice on the
part of a King about to invade Silesia. Dissimulation,
if that mean mendacity, is not the name of the thing;
it is the art of wearing a polite cloak of darkness, and
the King is little disturbed what name they call it.
Botta did not get to Berlin till December 1st, had
no Audience till the 5th; -- by which time it is be-
coming evident to Excellency Dickens, and to every-
body, that Silesia is the thing meant. Botta hints as
much in that first Audience, December 5th: "Terrible
* Despatch, 29th November -- 3d December 1740: Raumer, p. 58.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. 'ix. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 165
6th Dec. 1740.
roads, those Silesian ones, your Majesty! " says Botta,
as if historically merely, but with a glance of the eye.
"Hm," answers his Majesty in the same tone, "the
worst that comes of them is a little mud! " -- Next day,
Dickens had express Audience, "Berlin, Tuesday 6th:"
a smartish, somewhat flurried Colloquy with the King;
which, well abridged, may stand as follows:
Dickens. * * "Indivisibility of the Austrian Monarchy,
Sire! " -- King. "Indivisibility? What do you mean? " --
Dickens. "The maintenance of the Pragmatic Sanction. " --
King. "Do you intend to support it? I hope not; for such is
not my intention. " (There is for you! ) * * *
Dickens. "England and Holland will much wonder at the
measures your Majesty was taking, at the moment when your
Majesty proposed to join with them, and were making
friendly proposals! " (Has been a deceitful man, Sir Guy, at
least an impenetrable; -- but this latter is rather strong on
your part! ) 'What shall I write to England? ' ("When I
"mentioned this," says Dickens, "the King grew red in the
"face," eyes considerably flashing, I should think. )
King. "You can have no instructions to ask that question!
And if you had, I have an answer ready for you. England has
no right to inquire into my designs. Your great Sea-Arma-
ments, did I ask you any questions about them? No; I was
and am silent on that head; only wishing you good luck, and
that you may not get beaten by the Spaniards. " (Dickens
hastily draws in his rash horns again; after a pass or two,
King's natural colour returns. ) * *
King. "Austria as a Power is necessary against the Turks.
But in Germany, what need of Austria being so superlative?
Why should not, say, Three Electors united be able to oppose
her? * * * Monsieur, I find it is your notion in England,
as well as theirs in France, to bring other Sovereigns under
your tutorage, and lead them about. Understand that I will
not be led by either. * * Tush, you are like the Athenians,
who, when Philip of Macedon was ready to invade them,
spent their time in haranguing! "
Dickens. * * "Berg and Jiilich, if we were to guarantee
them? " King. "Hm. Don't so much nundthatKhineCountry:
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 166 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [bookn.
10th Dec. 1710.
difficulties there, -- Dutch always jealous of one. But, on the
other Frontier, neither England nor Holland could take
umbrage," -- points clearly to Silesia then, your Excellency
Dickens? *
Alas, yes! Troops and military equipments are, for
days past, evidently wending towards Frankfurt, to-
wards Crossen, and even the Newspapers now hint that
something is on hand in that quarter. Nay, this same
day, Tuesday 6th December, there has come out brief
Official Announcement, to all the Foreign Ministers at
Berlin, Excellency Dickens among them, "That his
"Royal Majesty, our most all-gracious Herr, has taken
"the resolution to advance a Body of Troops into
"Schlesien," -- rather out of friendly views towards
Austria (much business lying between us about Schle-
sien), not out of hostile views by any means, as all
Excellencies shall assure their respective Courts. ** An-
nouncement which had thrown the Excellency Dickens
into such a frame of mind, before he got his Audience
to-day! --
Saturday following, which was December 10th,
Marquis de Beauvau had his Audience of leave; in-
tending for Paris shortly: Audience very gracious;
covertly hinting, on both sides, more than it said; end-
ing in these words, on the King's side, which have
become famous: "Adieu, then, M. le Marquis. I believe
"I am going to play your game; if the aces fall to me,
"we will share (Je vais, je crois, jouer votre jeu: si let
"as me viennent, nous partagerons)! " ***
To Botta, all this while, Friedrich strove to be
specially civil; took him out to Charlottenburg, that
* Raumer (from State-Paper Office), pp. 63, 64.
** Copy of the Paper, in Helden-Geschichle, i. 447.
*** Voltaire, CEuvres (Siecle de Louis XV, c. 6), xxviii. 74.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 167
llth Dec. 1740.
same Saturday, with the Queen and other guests; but
Botta, and all the world, being now certain about
Silesia, and that no amount of mud, or other terror on
the roads, would be regarded, Botta's thoughts in this
evening party are not of cheerful nature. Next day,
Sunday, December 11th, he too gets his Audience of
leave; and cannot help bursting out, when the King
plainly tells him what is now afoot, and that the
Prussian Ambassador has got instructions what to offer
upon it at Vienna. "Sire, you are going to ruin the
"House of Austria," cried Botta, "and to plunge your-
self into destruction (vous abtmer) at the same time! "
-- "Depends on the Queen," said Friedrich, "to accept
"the Offers I have made her. " Botta sank silent,
seemed to reflect, but gathering himself again, added
with an ironical air and tone of voice, "They are fine
"Troops, those of yours, Sire. Ours have not the
"same splendour of appearance; but they have looked
"the wolf in the face. Think, I conjure you, what you
"are getting into! " Friedrich answered with vivacity,
a little nettled at the ironical tone of Botta, and his
mixed sympathy and menace: "You find my troops are
"beautiful; perhaps I shall convince you they are
"good too. " Yes, Excellency Botta, goodish troops;
and very capable "to look the wolf in the face," --
or perhaps in the tail too, before all end!
"Botta
"urged and entreated that at least there should be
"some delay in executing this project. But the King
"gave him to understand that it was now too late, and
"that the Rubicon was passed. " *
The secret is now out, therefore; Invasion of
Silesia certain and close at hand. "A day or two
* Friedrich's own Account ((Emm, ii. 57).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 168 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book SI.
ISthDec. mn.
before marching," may have been this very day when
Botta got his audience, the King assembled his Chief
Generals, all things ready out in the Frankfurt-Crossen
region yonder; and spoke to them as follows; briefly
and to the point:
"Gentlemen, I am undertaking a War, in which I have no
"allies but your valour and your goodwill. My cause is just;
"my resources are what we ourselves can do; and the issue lies
"in Fortune. Kemember continually the glory which your
"Ancestors acquired in the plains of Warsaw, at Fehrbellin,
"and in the Expedition to Preussen" (across the Frische Haf
"on ice, that time). "Your lot is in your own hands: dis-
"tinctionsand rewards wait upon your fine actions which shall
"merit them.
"But what need have I to excite you to glory? It is the one
"thing you keep before your eyes; the sole object worthy of
'' your labours. We are going to front troops who, under Prince
"Eugene, had the highest reputation. Though Prince Eugene
"is gone, we shall have to measure our strength against brave
"soldiers: the greater will be the honour if we can conquer.
"Adieu, go forth. I will follow you straightway, to the rendez-
vous of glory which awaits us. " *
Masked Ball, at Berlin, llth-lSth, December.
On the evening of Tuesday 12th, there was, as
usual, Masked (or Half-Masked) Ball, at the Palace.
As usual; but this time it has become mentionable in
World-History. Bielfeld, personally interested, gives
us a vivid glance into it; -- which, though pretending
to be real and contemporaneous, is unfortunately
mythical only, and done at a great interval of years
(dates, and even slight circumstances of fact, refusing
to conform); -- which, however, for the truth there is
in it, we will give, as better than nothing. Bielfeld's
pretended date is, "Berlin, 15th December;" should
* (Euvres de FrMeric, ii. 58.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 169
13th Dec. 1740.
Lave been 14th, -- wrong by a day, after one's best
effort!
"Berlin, Iblh December 1740. As for me, dear Sister, I am
"like a shuttlecock whom the Kings of Prussia and of England
"hit with their rackets, and knock to and fro. The night be-
"fore last, I was at the Palace Evening Party (Assemblee)\
"which is a sort of Ball, where you go in domino, but without
"mask on the face. The Queen was there, and all the Court.
"About eight o'clock the King also made his appearance. His
"Majesty, noticingM. de G* *" (that is de Guidiken, or Guy
Dickens), "English Minister, addressed him; led him into the
"embrasure of a window, and talked alone with him for more
"than an hour" (uncertain, probably apocryphal this). "I
"threw, from time to time, a stolen glance at this dialogue,
"which appeared to me to be very lively. A moment after,
"being just dancing with Madame the Countess de -- Three-
"Asterisks, -- I felt myself twitched by the domino; and turn-
"ing, was much surprised to see that it was the King; who
"took me aside, and said, 'Are your boots oiled (Vos boites
"sont-elles graissees, Are you ready for a journey)? ' I replied,
"'Sire, they will always be so for your Majesty's service. ' --
"'Well, then, Truchsess and you are for England; the day
"'after tomorrow you go. Speak to M. de Podewils! ' --
"This was said like a flash of lightning. His Majesty passed
"into another apartment; and I, I went to finish my minuet
"with the Lady; who had been not less astonished to see me
"disappear from her eyes, in the middle of the dance, than I
"was at what the King said to me. " * Next morning, I --
The fact is, next morning, Truchsess and I began
preparation for the Court of London, -- and we did
there, for many months afterwards, strive our best to
keep the Britannic Majesty in some kind of tune, amid
the prevailing discord of events; -- fact interesting to
some. And the other fact, interesting to everybody,
though Bielfeld has not mentioned it, is, That King
Friedrich, the same next morning, punctually "at the
* Bielfeld, i. 167, 168.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 170 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book u
13th. Dec. 1740.
stroke of 9," rolled away Frankfurt-ward, -- into the
First Silesian War! Tuesday, "13th December, this
"morning the King, privately quitting the Ball, has
"gone" (after some little snatch of sleep, we will hope)
"for Frankfurt, to put himself at the head of his
"Troops. "* Bellona his companion for long years hence-
forth, instead of Minerva and the Muses, as he had
been anticipating.
Hereby is like to be fulfilled (except that Friedrich
himself is perhaps this "little stone") what Friedrich
prophesied to his Voltaire, the day after hearing of the
Kaiser's Death: "I believe there will, by June next,
"be more talk of cannon, soldiers, trenches, than of
"actresses, and dancers for the ballet. This small
"Event changes the entire system of Europe. It is
"the little stone which Nebuchadnezzar saw, in his
"dream, loosening itself, and rolling down on the
"Image made of Four Metals, which it shivers to
"ruin. " **
* Dickens (in State-Paper Office), 13th December 1740; see also/fei-
den-Gcschichle, i. 452; &c. &c.
** Friedrich to Voltaire, busy gathering actors at that time, 26th Oct.
1740 ((Enures de Frederic, xxii. 49).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? BOOK XII.
FIKST SILESIAN WAR, AWAKENING A GENERAL
EUROPEAN ONE, BEGINS.
December 1740--May 1741.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 13th-16thDec. 1740.
CHAPTER L
OF SCHLESIEN', OR SILESIA.
Schlesien, what we call Silesia, lies in elliptic
shape, spread on the top of Europe, partly girt with
mountains, like the crown or crest to that part of the
Earth; -- highest table-land of Germany or of the
Cisalpine Countries; and sending rivers into all the
seas. The summit or highest level of it is in the
south-west; longest diameter is from north-west to
south-east. From Crossen, whither Friedrich is now
driving, to the Jablunka Pass, which issues upon
Hungary, is above 250 miles; the axis, therefore, or
longest diameter, of our Ellipse we may call 250
English miles; -- its shortest or conjugate diameter,
from Friedland in Bohemia (Wallenstein's old Fried-
land), by Breslau across the Oder to the Polish
frontier, is about 100. The total area of Schlesien is
counted to be some 20,000 square miles, nearly the
third of England Proper.
Schlesien, -- will the reader learn to call it by
that name, on occasion? for in these sad Manuscripts
of ours the names alternate, -- is a fine, fertile, useful
and beautiful Country. It leans sloping, as we hinted,
to the East and to the North; a long curved buttress
of Mountains (" Biesengebirge, Giant Mountains," is their
best-known name in foreign countries) holding it up on
the South and West sides. This Giant-Mountain Kange,
-- which is a kind of continuation of the Saxon-
Bohemian "Metal Mountains (Erzgebirge)" and of the
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 174 FIRST SILESIAN WAH. [book m
13th-16th Dec. 1740.
straggling Lausitz Mountains, to westward of these, --
shapes itself like a bill-hook (or elliptically, as was
said): handle and hook together may be some 200
miles in length. The precipitous side of this is, in
general, turned outwards, towards Bohmen, Mahren,
TJngarn (Bohemia, Moravia, Hungary, in our dialects);
and Schlesien lies inside, irregularly sloping down, to-
wards the Baltic and towards the utmost East. From
the Bohemian side of these Mountains there rise Two
Rivers: Elbe, tending for the West; Morawa for the
South; -- Morawa, crossing Moravia, gets into the
Donau, and thence into the Black-Sea; while Elbe,
after intricate adventures among the mountains, and
then prosperously across the plains, is out, with its
many ships, into the Atlantic. Two rivers, we say,
from the Bohemian or steep side: and again, from the
Silesian side, there rise other Two, the Oder and the
Weichsel (Vistula); which start pretty near one another
in the South-East, and, after wide windings, get both
into the Baltic, at a good distance apart.
For the first thirty, or in parts, fifty miles from
the Mountains, Silesia slopes somewhat rapidly; and is
still to be called a Hill-country, rugged extensive
elevations diversifying it: but after that, the slope is
gentle, and at length insensible, or noticeable only by
the way the waters run. From the central part of tit,
Schlesien pictures itself to you as a plain; growing
ever flatter, ever sandier, as it abuts on the monotonous
endless sand-flats of Poland, and the Brandenburg
territories; nothing but Boundary Stones with their
brass inscriptions marking where the transition is; and
only some Fortified Town, not far off, keeping the
door of the Country secure in that quarter.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. I. ]
175
OF SCHLESIEN.
13th-16tli Dec. 1740.
On the other hand, the Mountain part of Schlesien
is [very picturesque; not of Alpine height anywhere
(the Schnee-Koppe itself is under 5,000 feet), so that
verdure and forest wood fail almost nowhere among
the Mountains; and multiplex industry, besung by
rushing torrents and the swift young rivers, nestles
itself high up; and from wheat-husbandry, madder and
maize husbandry, to damask-weaving, metallurgy,
charcoal-burning, tar-distillery, Schlesien has many
trades, and has long been expert and busy at them to
a high degree. A very pretty Ellipsis, or irregular
Oval, on the summit of the European Continent; --
"like the palm of a left-hand well stretched-out, with
the Eiesengebirge for thumb! " said a certain Herr to
me, stretching out his arm in that fashion towards the
north-west. Palm, well stretched-out, measuring 250
miles; and the cross way 100. There are still beavers
in Schlesien; the Katzbach River has gold grains in
*it, a kind of Pactolus not now worth working; and in
the scraggy lonesome pine-woods, grimy individuals,
with kindled mounds of pine-branches and smoke care-
fully kept down by sods, are sweating out a substance
which they inform you is to be tar.
Historical Epochs of Schlesien; -- after the Quads
and Marchmen.
Who first lived in Schlesien, or lived long since in
it, there is no use in asking, nor in telling if one
knew. "The Quadi and the Lygii," says Dryasdust,
in a groping manner: Quadi and consorts, in the fifth
or sixth Century, continues he with more confidence,
shifted Rome-ward, following the general track of con-
temporaneous mankind; weak remnant of Quadi was
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 176 FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookID.
13th-lCth Dec. 1740.
thereupon overpowered by Slavic populations, and their
Country became Polish, which the eastern rim of it
still essentially is. That was the end of the Quadi in
those parts, says History. But they cannot speak nor
appeal for themselves; History has them much at
discretion. Rude burial urns, with a handful of ashes
in them, have been dug up in different places; these
are all the Archives and Histories the Quadi now
have. It appears their name signifies Wicked. They
are those poor Quadi (Wicked People) who always go
along with the Marcomanni (Marchmen), in the beadroll
Histories one reads; and I almost guess they must have
been of the same stock: "Wickeds and Borderers;''
considered, on both sides of the Border, to belong to
the Dangerous Classes in those times. Two things are
certain: First, quad and its derivatives have, to this
day, in the speech of rustic Germans, something of that
meaning, -- "nefarious," at least "injurious," "hate-
ful, and to be avoided:" for example, quad&el, "a*
nettle-burn;" quetschen, "to smash" (say, your thumb
while hammering); &c. &c. And then a second thing:
The Polish equivalent word is Zle (Biisching says
Zlezi); hence Zlezien, Schlesien, meaning merely Batl-
land, Quadland, what we might call Damagitis. , or
Country where you get into Trouble. That is the
etymology, or what passes for such. As to the History
of Schlesien, hitherwards of these burial urns dug up
in different places, I notice, as not yet entirely buriable,
Three Epochs.
First Epoch; Christianity: a. d. 966. Introduction of Chris-
tianity; to the length of founding a Bishoprick that year, so
hopeful were the aspects; "Bishoprick of Schmoger"
(Schmnyram, dim little Village still discoverable on the Polish
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? chap, i. ]
177
OF SCHLESIEN.
Uth-lCth Dec.
2d Dee. 1740.
does; Country bordering on our frontier, and with the Oder
running through it as a sure highroad for everything. Fourth,
"What suddenly turned the balance," or at least what kept it
steady in that posture, -- "news of the Czarina's death ar-
"rives:" Russia has ceased to count against us; and become
a manageable quantity. On, therefore! --
"Add to these reasons," says the King, with a candour
which has not been well treated in the History Books, "Add to
"these reasons, an Army ready for acting; Funds, Supplies
"allfound" (lying barrelled in the Schloss atBerlin); -- "and
"perhaps the desire of making oneself a name," from which
few of mortals able to achieve it are exempt in their young
time: "all this was cause of the War which the King now en-
"teredupon. "*
"Desire to make himself a name; how shocking! "
exclaim several Historians. "Candour of confession that
"lie may have had some such desire; ? how honest! " is
what they do not exclaim. As to the justice of his
Silesian Claims, or even to his own belief about their
justice, Friedrich affords not the least light which can
be new to readers here. He speaks, when business
requires it, of "those known rights" of his, and with
the air of a man who expects to be believed on his
word; but it is cursorily, and in the business way
only; and there is not here or elsewhere the least
pleading: '--, a man, you would say, considerably in-
different to our belief on that head; his eye set on the
practical merely. "Just Rights? What are rights,
never so just, which you cannot make valid? The
world is full of such. If you have rights and can assert
them into facts, do it; that is worth doing! " --
We must add two Notes, two small absinthine
drops, bitter but wholesome, administered by him to
the Old Dessauer; whose gloomy wonder over all this
* (Enures de Frederic (Histoire de mon Temps), i. 128.
Cattle, Frederick the Great. VI. 11
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:22 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 162 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [boOKXI.
2d Dec. 1740.
military whirl of Prussian things, and discontent that
he, lately the head authority, has never once been
spoken to on it, have been great. Guessing, at last,
that it was meant for Austria, a Power rather dear to
Leopold, he can suppress himself no longer; but breaks
out into Cassandra prophesyings, which have piqued
the young King, and provoke this return::
1. "Reinsberg, 24/A November 1740. -- I have received your
"Letter, and seen with what inquietude you view the ap-
proaching march of my Troops. I hope you will set your
"mind at ease on that score; and wait with patience what I in-
"tend with them and you. I have made all my dispositions;
"and Your Serenity will learn, time enough, what my orders
"are, without disquieting yourself about them, as nothing has
"been forgotten or delayed. " -- Friedbich.
Old Dessauef, cut to the bone, perceives he will
have to quit that method and never resume it; writes
next how painful it is to an old General to see himself
neglected, as if good for nothing, while his scholars
are allowed to gather laurels. Friedrich's answer is of
soothing character:
2. "Berlin, 2d December 1740. -- You may be assured I
"honour your merits and capacity as a young Officer ought to
"honour an old one, who has given the world so many proofs
"of his talent (Dexteritat); nor will I neglect Your Serenity on
"any occasion when you can help me by your good counsel
"and cooperation. " But it is a mere "bagatelle " this that I
am now upon; though, next year, it may become serious.
For the rest, Saxony being a neighbour whose intentions
one does not know, I have privately purposed Your Serenity
should keep an outlook that way, in my absence. Plenty of
employment coming for Your Serenity. "But as to this pre-
"sent Expedition, I reserve it for myself alone; that the world
"may not think the King of Prussia marches with a Tutor to
"the Field. " -- Friedbich. *
* Orlich: Geschichte ier Schleeischen Kriege (Berlin, 1841), i. 38, 39.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP, n. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 163
6th Dec. 1740.
And therewith Leopold, eagerly complying, has to rest
satisfied; and beware of too much freedom with this
young King again.
"Berlin, December 2d," is the date of that last
Note to the Dessauer; date also of Voltaire's Adieu
with the Eesponse; -- on which same day, "Friday,
December 2d," as I find from the Old Books, his
Majesty, quitting the Reinsberg sojourn, "had arrived
in Berlin about 2 p. m. ; accompanied by Prince
August Wilhelm" (betrothed at Brunswick lately);
"such a crowd on the streets as if they had never seen
"him before. " He continued at Berlin or in the neigh-
bourhood thenceforth. Busy days these; and Berlin a
much-whispering City, as Regiment after Regiment
marches away. King soon to follow, as is thought,--
"who himself sometimes deigns to take the Regiments
"into highest own eye-shine, Hochst-eigcnen Augen-
"schein" (that is, to review them), say the reverential
Editors. December 6th -- But let us follow the strict
sequence of Phenomena at Berlin.
Excellency Botta has Audience; then Excellency Dickens,
and others: December 6th, the Mystery is out.
Of course her Hungarian Majesty, and her Barten-
steins and Ministries, heard enough of those Prussian
rumours, interior Military activities, and enigmatic
movements; but they seem strangely supine on the
matter; indeed they seem strangely supine on such
matters; and lean at ease upon the Sea-Powers, upon
Pragmatic Sanction and other Laws of Nature. But at
length even they become painfully interested as to
Friedrich's intentions; and despatch an Envoy to sift
n*
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 164 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [boOKXI.
6tb. Dec. 1740.
him a little: an expert Marchese di Botta, Genoese by
birth, skilful in the Russian and other intricacies; who
was here at Berlin lately, doing the Accession Compli-
ment (rather ill received at that time), and is fit for
the job. Perhaps Botta will penetrate him? That is
becoming desirable, in spite of the gay Private
Theatricals at Reinsberg, and the Berlin Carnival Balls
he is so occupied with.
England is not less interested, and the diligent Sir
Guy is doing his best; but can make out nothing satis-
factory; -- much the reverse indeed; and falls into
angry black anticipations. "Nobody here, great or
"small," says his Excellency, "dares make any repre-
sentation to this young Prince against the measures
"he is pursuing; though all are sensible of the con-
"fusion which must follow. A Prince who had the
"least regard to honour, truth and justice, could not
"act the part he is going to do. " Alas, no, Excellency
Dickens! "But it is plain his only view was, to
"deceive us all, and conceal for a while his ambitious
"and mischievous designs. "* "Never was such dis-
"simulation! " exclaims the Diplomatic world every-
where, being angered at it, as if it were a vice on the
part of a King about to invade Silesia. Dissimulation,
if that mean mendacity, is not the name of the thing;
it is the art of wearing a polite cloak of darkness, and
the King is little disturbed what name they call it.
Botta did not get to Berlin till December 1st, had
no Audience till the 5th; -- by which time it is be-
coming evident to Excellency Dickens, and to every-
body, that Silesia is the thing meant. Botta hints as
much in that first Audience, December 5th: "Terrible
* Despatch, 29th November -- 3d December 1740: Raumer, p. 58.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. 'ix. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 165
6th Dec. 1740.
roads, those Silesian ones, your Majesty! " says Botta,
as if historically merely, but with a glance of the eye.
"Hm," answers his Majesty in the same tone, "the
worst that comes of them is a little mud! " -- Next day,
Dickens had express Audience, "Berlin, Tuesday 6th:"
a smartish, somewhat flurried Colloquy with the King;
which, well abridged, may stand as follows:
Dickens. * * "Indivisibility of the Austrian Monarchy,
Sire! " -- King. "Indivisibility? What do you mean? " --
Dickens. "The maintenance of the Pragmatic Sanction. " --
King. "Do you intend to support it? I hope not; for such is
not my intention. " (There is for you! ) * * *
Dickens. "England and Holland will much wonder at the
measures your Majesty was taking, at the moment when your
Majesty proposed to join with them, and were making
friendly proposals! " (Has been a deceitful man, Sir Guy, at
least an impenetrable; -- but this latter is rather strong on
your part! ) 'What shall I write to England? ' ("When I
"mentioned this," says Dickens, "the King grew red in the
"face," eyes considerably flashing, I should think. )
King. "You can have no instructions to ask that question!
And if you had, I have an answer ready for you. England has
no right to inquire into my designs. Your great Sea-Arma-
ments, did I ask you any questions about them? No; I was
and am silent on that head; only wishing you good luck, and
that you may not get beaten by the Spaniards. " (Dickens
hastily draws in his rash horns again; after a pass or two,
King's natural colour returns. ) * *
King. "Austria as a Power is necessary against the Turks.
But in Germany, what need of Austria being so superlative?
Why should not, say, Three Electors united be able to oppose
her? * * * Monsieur, I find it is your notion in England,
as well as theirs in France, to bring other Sovereigns under
your tutorage, and lead them about. Understand that I will
not be led by either. * * Tush, you are like the Athenians,
who, when Philip of Macedon was ready to invade them,
spent their time in haranguing! "
Dickens. * * "Berg and Jiilich, if we were to guarantee
them? " King. "Hm. Don't so much nundthatKhineCountry:
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 166 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [bookn.
10th Dec. 1710.
difficulties there, -- Dutch always jealous of one. But, on the
other Frontier, neither England nor Holland could take
umbrage," -- points clearly to Silesia then, your Excellency
Dickens? *
Alas, yes! Troops and military equipments are, for
days past, evidently wending towards Frankfurt, to-
wards Crossen, and even the Newspapers now hint that
something is on hand in that quarter. Nay, this same
day, Tuesday 6th December, there has come out brief
Official Announcement, to all the Foreign Ministers at
Berlin, Excellency Dickens among them, "That his
"Royal Majesty, our most all-gracious Herr, has taken
"the resolution to advance a Body of Troops into
"Schlesien," -- rather out of friendly views towards
Austria (much business lying between us about Schle-
sien), not out of hostile views by any means, as all
Excellencies shall assure their respective Courts. ** An-
nouncement which had thrown the Excellency Dickens
into such a frame of mind, before he got his Audience
to-day! --
Saturday following, which was December 10th,
Marquis de Beauvau had his Audience of leave; in-
tending for Paris shortly: Audience very gracious;
covertly hinting, on both sides, more than it said; end-
ing in these words, on the King's side, which have
become famous: "Adieu, then, M. le Marquis. I believe
"I am going to play your game; if the aces fall to me,
"we will share (Je vais, je crois, jouer votre jeu: si let
"as me viennent, nous partagerons)! " ***
To Botta, all this while, Friedrich strove to be
specially civil; took him out to Charlottenburg, that
* Raumer (from State-Paper Office), pp. 63, 64.
** Copy of the Paper, in Helden-Geschichle, i. 447.
*** Voltaire, CEuvres (Siecle de Louis XV, c. 6), xxviii. 74.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 167
llth Dec. 1740.
same Saturday, with the Queen and other guests; but
Botta, and all the world, being now certain about
Silesia, and that no amount of mud, or other terror on
the roads, would be regarded, Botta's thoughts in this
evening party are not of cheerful nature. Next day,
Sunday, December 11th, he too gets his Audience of
leave; and cannot help bursting out, when the King
plainly tells him what is now afoot, and that the
Prussian Ambassador has got instructions what to offer
upon it at Vienna. "Sire, you are going to ruin the
"House of Austria," cried Botta, "and to plunge your-
self into destruction (vous abtmer) at the same time! "
-- "Depends on the Queen," said Friedrich, "to accept
"the Offers I have made her. " Botta sank silent,
seemed to reflect, but gathering himself again, added
with an ironical air and tone of voice, "They are fine
"Troops, those of yours, Sire. Ours have not the
"same splendour of appearance; but they have looked
"the wolf in the face. Think, I conjure you, what you
"are getting into! " Friedrich answered with vivacity,
a little nettled at the ironical tone of Botta, and his
mixed sympathy and menace: "You find my troops are
"beautiful; perhaps I shall convince you they are
"good too. " Yes, Excellency Botta, goodish troops;
and very capable "to look the wolf in the face," --
or perhaps in the tail too, before all end!
"Botta
"urged and entreated that at least there should be
"some delay in executing this project. But the King
"gave him to understand that it was now too late, and
"that the Rubicon was passed. " *
The secret is now out, therefore; Invasion of
Silesia certain and close at hand. "A day or two
* Friedrich's own Account ((Emm, ii. 57).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 168 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book SI.
ISthDec. mn.
before marching," may have been this very day when
Botta got his audience, the King assembled his Chief
Generals, all things ready out in the Frankfurt-Crossen
region yonder; and spoke to them as follows; briefly
and to the point:
"Gentlemen, I am undertaking a War, in which I have no
"allies but your valour and your goodwill. My cause is just;
"my resources are what we ourselves can do; and the issue lies
"in Fortune. Kemember continually the glory which your
"Ancestors acquired in the plains of Warsaw, at Fehrbellin,
"and in the Expedition to Preussen" (across the Frische Haf
"on ice, that time). "Your lot is in your own hands: dis-
"tinctionsand rewards wait upon your fine actions which shall
"merit them.
"But what need have I to excite you to glory? It is the one
"thing you keep before your eyes; the sole object worthy of
'' your labours. We are going to front troops who, under Prince
"Eugene, had the highest reputation. Though Prince Eugene
"is gone, we shall have to measure our strength against brave
"soldiers: the greater will be the honour if we can conquer.
"Adieu, go forth. I will follow you straightway, to the rendez-
vous of glory which awaits us. " *
Masked Ball, at Berlin, llth-lSth, December.
On the evening of Tuesday 12th, there was, as
usual, Masked (or Half-Masked) Ball, at the Palace.
As usual; but this time it has become mentionable in
World-History. Bielfeld, personally interested, gives
us a vivid glance into it; -- which, though pretending
to be real and contemporaneous, is unfortunately
mythical only, and done at a great interval of years
(dates, and even slight circumstances of fact, refusing
to conform); -- which, however, for the truth there is
in it, we will give, as better than nothing. Bielfeld's
pretended date is, "Berlin, 15th December;" should
* (Euvres de FrMeric, ii. 58.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. IX. ] RESOLUTION FORMED AT REINSBERG. 169
13th Dec. 1740.
Lave been 14th, -- wrong by a day, after one's best
effort!
"Berlin, Iblh December 1740. As for me, dear Sister, I am
"like a shuttlecock whom the Kings of Prussia and of England
"hit with their rackets, and knock to and fro. The night be-
"fore last, I was at the Palace Evening Party (Assemblee)\
"which is a sort of Ball, where you go in domino, but without
"mask on the face. The Queen was there, and all the Court.
"About eight o'clock the King also made his appearance. His
"Majesty, noticingM. de G* *" (that is de Guidiken, or Guy
Dickens), "English Minister, addressed him; led him into the
"embrasure of a window, and talked alone with him for more
"than an hour" (uncertain, probably apocryphal this). "I
"threw, from time to time, a stolen glance at this dialogue,
"which appeared to me to be very lively. A moment after,
"being just dancing with Madame the Countess de -- Three-
"Asterisks, -- I felt myself twitched by the domino; and turn-
"ing, was much surprised to see that it was the King; who
"took me aside, and said, 'Are your boots oiled (Vos boites
"sont-elles graissees, Are you ready for a journey)? ' I replied,
"'Sire, they will always be so for your Majesty's service. ' --
"'Well, then, Truchsess and you are for England; the day
"'after tomorrow you go. Speak to M. de Podewils! ' --
"This was said like a flash of lightning. His Majesty passed
"into another apartment; and I, I went to finish my minuet
"with the Lady; who had been not less astonished to see me
"disappear from her eyes, in the middle of the dance, than I
"was at what the King said to me. " * Next morning, I --
The fact is, next morning, Truchsess and I began
preparation for the Court of London, -- and we did
there, for many months afterwards, strive our best to
keep the Britannic Majesty in some kind of tune, amid
the prevailing discord of events; -- fact interesting to
some. And the other fact, interesting to everybody,
though Bielfeld has not mentioned it, is, That King
Friedrich, the same next morning, punctually "at the
* Bielfeld, i. 167, 168.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 170 FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND. [book u
13th. Dec. 1740.
stroke of 9," rolled away Frankfurt-ward, -- into the
First Silesian War! Tuesday, "13th December, this
"morning the King, privately quitting the Ball, has
"gone" (after some little snatch of sleep, we will hope)
"for Frankfurt, to put himself at the head of his
"Troops. "* Bellona his companion for long years hence-
forth, instead of Minerva and the Muses, as he had
been anticipating.
Hereby is like to be fulfilled (except that Friedrich
himself is perhaps this "little stone") what Friedrich
prophesied to his Voltaire, the day after hearing of the
Kaiser's Death: "I believe there will, by June next,
"be more talk of cannon, soldiers, trenches, than of
"actresses, and dancers for the ballet. This small
"Event changes the entire system of Europe. It is
"the little stone which Nebuchadnezzar saw, in his
"dream, loosening itself, and rolling down on the
"Image made of Four Metals, which it shivers to
"ruin. " **
* Dickens (in State-Paper Office), 13th December 1740; see also/fei-
den-Gcschichle, i. 452; &c. &c.
** Friedrich to Voltaire, busy gathering actors at that time, 26th Oct.
1740 ((Enures de Frederic, xxii. 49).
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? BOOK XII.
FIKST SILESIAN WAR, AWAKENING A GENERAL
EUROPEAN ONE, BEGINS.
December 1740--May 1741.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 13th-16thDec. 1740.
CHAPTER L
OF SCHLESIEN', OR SILESIA.
Schlesien, what we call Silesia, lies in elliptic
shape, spread on the top of Europe, partly girt with
mountains, like the crown or crest to that part of the
Earth; -- highest table-land of Germany or of the
Cisalpine Countries; and sending rivers into all the
seas. The summit or highest level of it is in the
south-west; longest diameter is from north-west to
south-east. From Crossen, whither Friedrich is now
driving, to the Jablunka Pass, which issues upon
Hungary, is above 250 miles; the axis, therefore, or
longest diameter, of our Ellipse we may call 250
English miles; -- its shortest or conjugate diameter,
from Friedland in Bohemia (Wallenstein's old Fried-
land), by Breslau across the Oder to the Polish
frontier, is about 100. The total area of Schlesien is
counted to be some 20,000 square miles, nearly the
third of England Proper.
Schlesien, -- will the reader learn to call it by
that name, on occasion? for in these sad Manuscripts
of ours the names alternate, -- is a fine, fertile, useful
and beautiful Country. It leans sloping, as we hinted,
to the East and to the North; a long curved buttress
of Mountains (" Biesengebirge, Giant Mountains," is their
best-known name in foreign countries) holding it up on
the South and West sides. This Giant-Mountain Kange,
-- which is a kind of continuation of the Saxon-
Bohemian "Metal Mountains (Erzgebirge)" and of the
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 174 FIRST SILESIAN WAH. [book m
13th-16th Dec. 1740.
straggling Lausitz Mountains, to westward of these, --
shapes itself like a bill-hook (or elliptically, as was
said): handle and hook together may be some 200
miles in length. The precipitous side of this is, in
general, turned outwards, towards Bohmen, Mahren,
TJngarn (Bohemia, Moravia, Hungary, in our dialects);
and Schlesien lies inside, irregularly sloping down, to-
wards the Baltic and towards the utmost East. From
the Bohemian side of these Mountains there rise Two
Rivers: Elbe, tending for the West; Morawa for the
South; -- Morawa, crossing Moravia, gets into the
Donau, and thence into the Black-Sea; while Elbe,
after intricate adventures among the mountains, and
then prosperously across the plains, is out, with its
many ships, into the Atlantic. Two rivers, we say,
from the Bohemian or steep side: and again, from the
Silesian side, there rise other Two, the Oder and the
Weichsel (Vistula); which start pretty near one another
in the South-East, and, after wide windings, get both
into the Baltic, at a good distance apart.
For the first thirty, or in parts, fifty miles from
the Mountains, Silesia slopes somewhat rapidly; and is
still to be called a Hill-country, rugged extensive
elevations diversifying it: but after that, the slope is
gentle, and at length insensible, or noticeable only by
the way the waters run. From the central part of tit,
Schlesien pictures itself to you as a plain; growing
ever flatter, ever sandier, as it abuts on the monotonous
endless sand-flats of Poland, and the Brandenburg
territories; nothing but Boundary Stones with their
brass inscriptions marking where the transition is; and
only some Fortified Town, not far off, keeping the
door of the Country secure in that quarter.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CHAP. I. ]
175
OF SCHLESIEN.
13th-16tli Dec. 1740.
On the other hand, the Mountain part of Schlesien
is [very picturesque; not of Alpine height anywhere
(the Schnee-Koppe itself is under 5,000 feet), so that
verdure and forest wood fail almost nowhere among
the Mountains; and multiplex industry, besung by
rushing torrents and the swift young rivers, nestles
itself high up; and from wheat-husbandry, madder and
maize husbandry, to damask-weaving, metallurgy,
charcoal-burning, tar-distillery, Schlesien has many
trades, and has long been expert and busy at them to
a high degree. A very pretty Ellipsis, or irregular
Oval, on the summit of the European Continent; --
"like the palm of a left-hand well stretched-out, with
the Eiesengebirge for thumb! " said a certain Herr to
me, stretching out his arm in that fashion towards the
north-west. Palm, well stretched-out, measuring 250
miles; and the cross way 100. There are still beavers
in Schlesien; the Katzbach River has gold grains in
*it, a kind of Pactolus not now worth working; and in
the scraggy lonesome pine-woods, grimy individuals,
with kindled mounds of pine-branches and smoke care-
fully kept down by sods, are sweating out a substance
which they inform you is to be tar.
Historical Epochs of Schlesien; -- after the Quads
and Marchmen.
Who first lived in Schlesien, or lived long since in
it, there is no use in asking, nor in telling if one
knew. "The Quadi and the Lygii," says Dryasdust,
in a groping manner: Quadi and consorts, in the fifth
or sixth Century, continues he with more confidence,
shifted Rome-ward, following the general track of con-
temporaneous mankind; weak remnant of Quadi was
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 176 FIRST SILESIAN WAR. [bookID.
13th-lCth Dec. 1740.
thereupon overpowered by Slavic populations, and their
Country became Polish, which the eastern rim of it
still essentially is. That was the end of the Quadi in
those parts, says History. But they cannot speak nor
appeal for themselves; History has them much at
discretion. Rude burial urns, with a handful of ashes
in them, have been dug up in different places; these
are all the Archives and Histories the Quadi now
have. It appears their name signifies Wicked. They
are those poor Quadi (Wicked People) who always go
along with the Marcomanni (Marchmen), in the beadroll
Histories one reads; and I almost guess they must have
been of the same stock: "Wickeds and Borderers;''
considered, on both sides of the Border, to belong to
the Dangerous Classes in those times. Two things are
certain: First, quad and its derivatives have, to this
day, in the speech of rustic Germans, something of that
meaning, -- "nefarious," at least "injurious," "hate-
ful, and to be avoided:" for example, quad&el, "a*
nettle-burn;" quetschen, "to smash" (say, your thumb
while hammering); &c. &c. And then a second thing:
The Polish equivalent word is Zle (Biisching says
Zlezi); hence Zlezien, Schlesien, meaning merely Batl-
land, Quadland, what we might call Damagitis. , or
Country where you get into Trouble. That is the
etymology, or what passes for such. As to the History
of Schlesien, hitherwards of these burial urns dug up
in different places, I notice, as not yet entirely buriable,
Three Epochs.
First Epoch; Christianity: a. d. 966. Introduction of Chris-
tianity; to the length of founding a Bishoprick that year, so
hopeful were the aspects; "Bishoprick of Schmoger"
(Schmnyram, dim little Village still discoverable on the Polish
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-11-14 09:23 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. hwiijk Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? chap, i. ]
177
OF SCHLESIEN.
Uth-lCth Dec.
