Friedrich, with the Spectre of inevitable War daily advancing on him, to
him privately evident and certain if as yet to him only, neglects in no
sort the Arts and business of Peace, but is present, always with vivid
activity, in the common movement, serious or gay and festive, as the day
brings it. During these Winter months of 1743, and still more through
Summer 1744, there are important War-movements going on,--the French
vehemently active again, the Austrians nothing behindhand,--which will
require some slight notice from us soon. But in Berlin, alongside of
all this, it is mere common business, diligent as ever, alternating with
Carnival gayeties, with marryings, givings in marriage; in Berlin there
goes on, under halcyon weather, the peaceable tide of things, sometimes
in a high fashion, as if Berlin and its King had no concern with the
foreign War.
The Plauen Canal, an important navigation-work, canal of some thirty
miles, joining Havel to Elbe in a convenient manner, or even joining
Oder to Elbe, is at its busiest:--"it was begun June 1st, 1743 [all
hands diligently digging there, June 27th, while some others of us were
employed at Dettingen,--think of it!], and was finished June 5th, 1745."
[Busching, _Erdbeschreibung,_ vi. 2192.] This is one of several such
works now afoot. Take another miscellaneous item or two.
January, 1744, Friedrich appoints, and briefly informs all his People of
it, That any Prussian subject who thinks himself aggrieved, may come and
tell his story to the King's own self: ["January, 1744" (Rodenbeck, i.
98).]--better have his story in firm succinct state, I should imagine,
and such that it will hold water, in telling it to the King! But the
King is ready to hear him; heartily eager to get justice done him. A
suitable boon, such Permission, till Law-Reform take effect. And after
Law-Reform had finished, it was a thing found suitable; and continued to
the end,--curious to a British reader to consider!
Again: on Friedrich's birthday, 24th January, 1744, the new Academy
of Sciences had, in the Schloss of Berlin, its first Session. But of
this,--in the absence of Maupertuis, Flattener of the Earth, who is
still in France, since that Mollwitz adventure; by and for behoof of
whom, when he did return, and become "Perpetual First President," many
changes were made,--I will not speak at present. Nor indeed afterwards,
except on good chance rising;--the new Academy, with its Perpetual First
President, being nothing like so sublime an object now, to readers and
me, as it then was to itself and Perpetual President and Royal Patron!
Vapid Formey is Perpetual Secretary; more power to him, as the Irish
say. Poor Goldstick Pollnitz is an Honorary Member;--absent at this time
in Baireuth, where those giggling Marwitzes of Wilhelmina's have been
contriving a marriage for the old fool. Of which another word soon: if
we have time. Time cannot be spent on those dim small objects: but there
are two Marriages of a high order, of purport somewhat Historical; there
is Barberina the Dancer, throwing a flash through the Operatic and some
other provinces: let us restrict ourselves to these, and the like of
these, and be brief upon them.
THE SUCCESSION IN RUSSIA, AND ALSO IN SWEDEN, SHALL NOT BE HOSTILE TO
US: TWO ROYAL MARRIAGES, A RUSSIAN AND A SWEDISH, ARE ACCOMPLISHED AT
BERLIN, WITH SUCH VIEW.
Marriage First, of an eminently Historical nature, is altogether
Russian, or German become Russian, though Friedrich is much concerned in
it. We heard of the mad Swedish-Russian War; and how Czarina Elizabeth
was kind enough to choose a Successor to the old childless Swedish
King,--Landgraf of Hessen-Cassel by nature; who has had a sorry time in
Sweden, but kept merry and did not mind it much, poor old soul. Czarina
Elizabeth's one care was, That the Prince of Denmark should not be
chosen to succeed, as there was talk of his being: Sweden, Denmark,
Norway, all grasped in one firm hand (as in the old "Union-of-Calmar"
times, only with better management), might be dangerous to Russia.
"Don't choose him of Denmark!" said Elizabeth, the victorious Czarina;
and made it a condition of granting Peace, and mostly restoring Finland,
to the infatuated Swedes. The person they did choose,--satisfactory
to the Czarina, and who ultimately did become King of Sweden,--was
one Adolf Friedrich; a Holstein-Gottorp Prince, come of Royal kin, and
cousinry to Karl XII.: he is "Bishop of Lubeck" or of Eutin, so styled;
now in his thirty-third year; and at least drawing the revenues of that
See, though I think, not ecclesiastically given, but living oftener in
Hamburg, the then fashionable resort of those Northern Grandees. On the
whole, a likely young gentleman; accepted by parties concerned;--and
surely good enough for the Office as it now is. Of whom, for a reason
coming, let readers take note, in this place.
Above a year before this time, Czarina Elizabeth, a provident female,
and determined not to wed, had pitched upon her own Successor: [7th
November, 1742 (Michaelis, ii. 627).] one Karl Peter Ulrich; who was
also of the same Holstein-Gottorp set, though with Russian blood in him.
His Grandfather was full cousin, and chosen comrade, to Karl XII.; got
killed in Karl's Russian Wars; and left a poor Son dependent on Russian
Peter the Great,--who gave him one of his Daughters; whence this Karl
Peter Ulrich, an orphan, dear to his Aunt the Czarina. A Karl Peter
Ulrich, who became tragically famous as Czar Peter Federowitz, or Czar
Peter III., in the course of twenty years! His Father and Mother
are both dead; loving Aunt has snatched the poor boy out of
Holstein-Gottorp, which is a narrow sphere, into Russia, which is wide
enough; she has had him converted to the Greek Church, named him Peter
Federowitz, Heir and Successor;--and now, wishing to see him married,
has earnestly consulted Friedrich upon it.
Friedrich is decidedly interested; would grudge much to see an
Anti-Prussian Princess, for instance a Saxon Princess (one of whom is
said to Be trying), put into this important station! After a little
thought, he fixes,--does the reader know upon whom? Readers perhaps,
here and there, have some recollection of a Prussian General, who
is Titular Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst on his own score; and is actual
Commandant of Stettin in Friedrich's service, and has done a great deal
of good fortification there and other good work. Instead of Titular,
he has now lately, by decease of an Elder Brother, become Actual or
Semi-Actual (a Brother joined with him in the poor Heirship); lives
occasionally in the Schloss of Zerbst; but is glad to retain Stettin as
a solid supplement. His Wife, let the reader note farther, is Sister
to the above-mentioned Adolf Friedrich, "Bishop of Lubeck," now
Heir-Apparent to Sweden,--in whom, as will soon appear, we are otherwise
interested. Wife seems to me an airy flighty kind of lady, high-paced,
not too sure-paced,--weak evidently in French grammar, and perhaps in
human sense withal:--but they have a Daughter, Sophie-Frederike, now
near fifteen, and very forward for her age; comely to look upon, wise to
listen to: "Is not she the suitable one?" thinks Friedrich, in regard to
this matter. "Her kindred is of the oldest, old as Albert the Bear;
she has been frugally brought up, Spartan-like, though as a Princess
by birth: let her cease skipping ropes on the ramparts yonder, with
her young Stettin playmates; and prepare for being a Czarina of the
Russias," thinks he. And communicates his mind to the Czarina; who
answers, "Excellent! How did I never think of that myself?"
And so, on or about New-year's day, 1744, while the Commandant of
Stettin and his airy Spouse are doing Christmas at their old Schloss
of Zerbst, there suddenly come Estafettes; Expresses from Petersburg,
heralded by Express from Friedrich:--with the astonishing proposal,
"Czarina wishing the honor of a visit from Madam and Daughter; no doubt,
with such and such intentions in the rear." [Friedrich's Letters to
Madam of Zerbst (date of the first of them, 30th December, 1743), in
_OEuvres,_ xxv. 579-589.] Madam, nor Daughter, is nothing loath;--the
old Commandant grumbles in his beard, not positively forbidding: and
in this manner, after a Letter or two in imperfect grammar, Madam and
Daughter appear in Carnival society at Berlin, charming objects
both; but do not stay long; in fact, stay only till their moneys and
arrangements are furnished them. Upon which, in all silence, they make
for Petersburg, for Moscow; travel rapidly, arrive successfully, in
spite of the grim season. ["At Moscow, 7th (18th) February, 1744."]
Conversion to the Greek Religion, change of name from Sophie-Frederike
to Catherine-Alexiewna ("Let it be Catherine," said Elizabeth, "my dear
mother's name!"--little brown Czarina's, whom we have seen):--all this
was completed by the 12th of July following. And, in fine, next
year (September 1st, 1745), Peter Federowitz and this same
Catherine-Alexiewna, second-cousins by blood, were vouchsafed the
Nuptial Benediction, and, with invocation of the Russian Heaven
and Russian Earth, were declared to be one flesh, [Ranke, iii. 129;
_Memoires de Catherine II._ (Catherine's own very curious bit
of Autobiography;--published by Mr. Herzen, London, 1859), pp.
7-46.]--though at last they turned out to be TWO FLESHES, as my reader
well knows! Some eighteen or nineteen years hence, we may look in upon
them again, if there be a moment to spare. This is Marriage first; a
purely Russian one; built together and launched on its course, so to
say, by Friedrich at Berlin, who had his own interest in it.
Marriage Second, done at Berlin in the same months, was of still more
interesting sort to Friedrich and us: that of Princess Ulrique to the
above-named Adolf Friedrich, future King of Sweden. Marriage which went
on preparing itself by the side of the other; and was of twin importance
with it in regard to the Russian Question. The Swedish Marriage was not
heard of, except in important whispers, during the Carnival time; but a
Swedish Minister had already come to Berlin on it, and was busy first in
a silent and examining, then in a speaking and proposing way. It seems,
the Czarina herself had suggested the thing, as a counter-politeness
to Friedrich; so content with him at this time. A thing welcome to
Friedrich. And, in due course ("June, 1744"), there comes express
Swedish Embassy, some Rodenskjold or Tessin, with a very shining train
of Swedes, "To demand Princess Ulrique in marriage for our Future King."
To which there is assent, by no means denial, in the proper quarter.
Whereupon, after the wide-spread necessary fuglings and preliminaries,
there occurs (all by Procuration, Brother August Wilhelm doing the
Bridegroom's part), "July 17th, 1744," the Marriage itself: all done,
this last act, and the foregoing ones and the following, with a grandeur
and a splendor--unspeakable, we may say, in short. [_Helden-Geschichte,_
ii. 1045-1051.] Fantastic Bielfeld taxes his poor rouged Muse to the
utmost, on this occasion; and becomes positively wearisome, chanting
the upholsteries of life;--foolish fellow, spoiling his bits of facts
withal, by misrecollections, and even by express fictions thrown in as
garnish. So that, beyond the general impression, given in a high-rouged
state, there is nothing to be depended on. One Scene out of his many,
which represents to us on those terms the finale, or actual Departure
of Princess Ulrique, we shall offer,--with corrections (a few, not
ALL);--having nothing better or other on the subject:--
"But, in fine, the day of departure did arrive,"--eve of it did: 25th
July, 1744; hour of starting to be 2 A.M. to-morrow. "The King had
nominated Grand-Marshal Graf van Gotter [same Gotter whom we saw at
Vienna once: King had appointed Gotter and two others; not to say
that two of the Princess's Brothers, with her Sister the Margravine of
Schwedt, were to accompany as far as Schwedt: six in all; though one's
poor memory fails one on some occasions!]--to escort the Princess to
Stralsund, where two Swedish Senators and different high Lords and
Ladies awaited her. Her Majesty the Queen-Mother, judging by the
movements of her own heart that the moment of separation would produce
a scene difficult to bear, had ordered an Opera to divert our
chagrin; and, instead of supper, a superb collation EN AMBIGU [kind
of supper-breakfast, I suppose], in the great Hall of the Palace. Her
Majesty's plan was, The Princess, on coming from the Opera, should,
almost on flight, taste a morsel; take her travelling equipment, embrace
her kinsfolk, dash into her carriage, and go off like lightning.
Herr Graf von Gotter was charged with executing this design, and with
hurrying the departure.
"But all these precautions were vain. The incomparable Ulrique was
too dear to her Family and to her Country, to be parted with forever,
without her meed of tears from them in those cruel instants. On entering
the Opera-Hall, I noticed everywhere prevalent an air of sorrow, of
sombre melancholy. The Princess appeared in Amazon-dress [riding-habit,
say], of rose-color trimmed with silver; the little vest, turned up with
green-blue (CELADON), and collar of the same; a little bonnet, English
fashion, of black velvet, with a white plume to it; her hair floating,
and tied with a rose-colored ribbon. She was beautiful as Love: but this
dress, so elegant, and so well setting off her charms, only the more
sensibly awakened our regrets to lose her; and announced that the hour
was come, in which all this appeared among us for the last time. At the
second act, young Prince Ferdinand [Youngest Brother, Father of the JENA
Ferdinand] entered the Royal Box; and flinging himself on the Princess's
neck with a burst of tears, said, 'Ah, my dear Ulrique, it is over,
then; and I shall never see you more!' These words were a signal given
to the grief which was shut in all hearts, to burst forth with the
greatest vehemence. The Princess replied only with sobs; holding her
Brother in her arms. The Two Queens could not restrain their tears; the
Princes and Princesses followed the example: grief is epidemical; it
gained directly all the Boxes of the first rank, where the Court and
Nobility were. Each had his own causes of regret, and each melted into
tears. Nobody paid the least attention farther to the Opera; and for my
own share, I was glad to see it end.
"An involuntary movement took me towards the Palace. I entered the
King's Apartments, and found the Royal Family and part of the Court
assembled. Grief had reached its height; everybody had his handkerchief
out; and I witnessed emotions quite otherwise affecting than those that
Theatric Art can produce. The King had composed an Ode on the Princess's
departure; bidding her his last adieus in the most tender and touching
manner. It begins with these words:--
'Partez, ma Soeur, partez;
La Suede vous attend, la Suede
vous desire,'
'Go, my Sister, go;
Sweden waits you, Sweden
wishes you.
[Does not now exist (see OEuvres de Frederic,
xiv. 88, and ib. PREFACE p. xv).]
His Majesty gave it her at the moment when she was about to take leave
of the Two Queens. [No, Monsieur, not then; it came to her hand the
second evening hence, at Schwedt; [Her own Letter to Friedrich (_OEuvres
de Frederic,_ xxvii. 372; "Schwedt, 28th July, 1744").] most likely not
yet written at the time you fabulously give;--you foolish fantast, and
"artist" of the SHAM-kind!]--The Princess threw her eyes on it, and fell
into a faint [No, you Sham, not for IT]: the King had almost done the
like. His tears flowed abundantly. The Princes and Princesses were
overcome with sorrow. At last, Gotter judged it time to put an end to
this tragic scene. He entered the Hall, almost like Boreas in the
Ballet of THE ROSE; that is to say, with a crash. He made one or two
whirlwinds; clove the press, and snatched away the Princess from the
arms of the Queen-Mother, took her in his own, and whisked her out of
the Hall. All the world followed; the carriages were waiting in the
court; and the Princess in a moment found herself in hers. I was in such
a state, I know not how we got down stairs; I remember only that it was
in a concert of lamentable sobbings. Madam the Margrafin von Schwedt,
who had been named to attend the Princess to Stralsund [read Schwedt] on
the Swedish frontier, this high Lady and the two Dames d'Atours who were
for Sweden itself, having sprung into the same carriage, the door of
it was shut with a slam; the postillions cracked, the carriage shot
away,--and hid the adorable Ulrique from the eyes of King and Court,
who remained motionless for some minutes, overcome by their feelings."
[Bielfeld, ii. 107-110.]
We said this Marriage was like the other, important for Public Affairs.
In fact, security on the Russian and Swedish side is always an object
with Friedrich when undertaking war. "That the French bring about, help
me to bring about, a Triple Alliance of Prussia, Russia, Sweden:" this
was a thing Friedrich had bargained to see done, before joining in the
War ahead: but by these Two Espousals Friedrich hopes he has himself as
good as done it. Of poor Princess Ulrique and her glorious reception
in Sweden (after near miss of shipwreck, in the Swedish Frigate from
Stralsund), we shall say nothing more at present: except that her
glories, all along, were much dashed by chagrins, and dangerous
imminencies of shipwreck,--which latter did not quite overtake HER,
but did her sons and grandsons, being inevitable or nearly so, in that
element, in the course of time.
Sister Amelia, whom some thought disappointed, as perhaps, in her
foolish thought, she might a little be, was made Abbess of Quedlinburg,
which opulent benefice had fallen vacant; and, there or at Berlin, lived
a respectable Spinster-life, doubtless on easier terms than Ulrique's.
Always much loved by her Brother, and loving him (and "taking care of
his shirts," in the final times); noted in society, for her sharp tongue
and ways. Concerning whom Thiebault and his Trenck romances are worth
no notice,--if it be not with horsewhips on opportunity. SCANDALUM
MAGNATUM, where your Magnates are NOT fallen quite counterfeit, was and
is always (though few now reflect on it) a most punishable crime.
GLANCE AT THE BELLIGERENT POWERS; BRITANNIC MAJESTY NARROWLY MISSES AN
INVASION THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS
Princess Ulrique was hardly yet home in Sweden, when her Brother had
actually gone forth upon the Wars again! So different is outside from
interior, now and then. "While the dancing and the marriage-festivities
went on at Court, we, in private, were busily completing the
preparations for a Campaign," dreamed of by no mortal, "which was on the
point of being opened." [_OEuvres de Frederic,_ iii. 41.] July 2d, three
weeks before Princess Ulrique left, a certain Adventure of Prince
Karl's in the Rhine Countries had accomplished itself (of which in the
following Book); and Friedrich could discern clearly that the moment
drew rapidly nigh.
On the French side of the War, there has been visible--since those high
attempts of Britannic George and the Hungarian Majesty, contumeliously
spurning the Peace offered them, and grasping evidently at one's
Lorraines, Alsaces, and Three Bishoprics--a marked change; comfortable
to look at from Friedrich's side. Most Christian Majesty, from the
sad bent attitude of insulted repentance, has started up into the
perpendicular one of indignation: "Come on, then!"--and really makes
efforts, this Year, quite beyond expectation. "Oriflamme enterprises,
private intentions of cutting Germany in Four; well, have not I smarted
for them; as good as owned they were rather mad? But to have my apology
spit upon; but to be myself publicly cut in pieces for them?"
March 15th, 1744, Most Christian Majesty did, as we saw, duly declare War
against England; against Austria, April 26th: "England," he says, "broke
its Convention of Neutrality (signed 27th September, 1741); broke said
Convention [as was very natural, no term being set] directly after
Maillebois was gone; England, by its Mediterranean Admirals and the
like, has, to a degree beyond enduring, insulted the French coasts,
harbors and royal Navy: We declare War on England." And then, six weeks
hence, in regard to Austria: "Austria, refusing to make Peace with
a virtuous Kaiser, whom we, for the sake of peace, had magnanimously
helped, and then magnanimously ceased to help;--Austria refuses peace
with him or us; on the contrary, Austria attempts, and has attempted,
to invade France itself: We therefore, on and from this 26th of April,
1744, let the world note it, are at War with Austria." [In _Adelung,_
iv. 78, 90, the two Manifestoes given.] Both these promises to Friedrich
are punctually performed.
Nor, what is far more important, have the necessary preparations
been neglected; but are on a quite unheard-of scale. Such taxing and
financiering there has been, last Winter:--tax on your street-lamp, on
your fire-wood, increased excise on meat and eatables of all kinds: Be
patient, ye poor; consider GLOIRE, and an ORIFLAMME so trampled on by
the Austrian Heathen! Eatables, street-lamps, do I say? There is 36,000
pounds, raised by a tax on--well, on GARDEROBES (not translated)!
A small help, but a help: NON OLET, NON OLEAT. To what depths has
Oriflamme come down!--The result is, this Spring of 1744, indignant
France does, by land, and even by sea, make an appearance calculated
to astonish Gazetteers and men. Land-forces 160,000 actually on foot:
80,000 (grows at last into 100,000, for a little while) as "Army of the
Netherlands,"--to prick into Austria, and astonish England and the Dutch
Barrier, in that quarter. Of the rest, 20,000 under Conti are for
Italy; 60,000 (by degrees 40,000) under Coigny for defence of the Rhine
Countries, should Prince Karl, as is surmisable, make new attempts
there. [Adelung, iv. 78; Espagnac, ii. 3.]
And besides all this, there are Two strong Fleets, got actually
launched, not yet into the deep sea, but ready for it: one in Toulon
Harbor, to avenge those Mediterranean insults; and burst out, in concert
with an impatient Spanish Fleet (which has lain blockaded here for a
year past), on the insolent blockading English: which was in some sort
done. ["19th February, 1744," French and Spanish Fleets run out; 22d
Feb. are attacked by Matthews and Lestock; are rather beaten, not beaten
nearly enough (Matthews and Lestock blaming one another, Spaniards and
French ditto, ditto: Adelung, iv. 32-35); with the endless janglings,
correspondings, court-martialings that ensue (Beatson, _Naval and
Military Memoirs,_ i. 197 et seqq.; _Gentleman's Magazine,_ and Old
Newspapers, for 1744; &c. &c.).] The other strong Fleet, twenty sail of
the line, under Admiral Roquefeuille, is in Brest Harbor,--intended for
a still more delicate operation; of which anon. Surely King Friedrich
ought to admit that these are fine symptoms? King Friedrich has freely
done so, all along; intending to strike in at the right moment. Let us
see, a little, how things have gone; and how the right moment has been
advancing in late months.
JANUARY 17th, 1744, There landed at Antibes on French soil a young
gentleman, by name "Conte di Spinelli," direct from Genoa, from Rome;
young gentleman seemingly of small importance, but intrinsically
of considerable; who hastened off for Paris, and there disappeared.
Disappeared into subterranean consultations with the highest Official
people; intending reappearance with emphasis at Dunkirk, a few weeks
hence, in much more emphatic posture. And all through February there
is observable a brisk diligence of War-preparation, at Dunkirk:
transport-ships in quantity, finally four war-ships; 15,000 chosen
troops, gradually marching in; nearly all on board, with their
equipments, by the end of the month.
Clearly an Invading Army intended somewhither, England judges too well
whither. Anti-English Armament; to be led by, whom thinks the reader?
That same "Conte di Spinelli," who is Charles Edward the Young
Pretender,--Comte de Saxe commanding under him! This is no fable; it is
a fact, somewhat formidable; brought about, they say, by one Cardinal
Tencin, an Official Person of celebrity in the then Versailles world;
who owes his red hat (whatever such debt really be) to old Jacobite
influence, exerted for him at Rome; and takes this method of paying
his debt and his court at once. Gets, namely, his proposal, of a
Charles-Edward Invasion of England, to dovetail in with the other wide
artilleries now bent on little George in the way we see. Had not little
George better have stayed at home out of these Pragmatic Wars? Fifteen
thousand, aided by the native Jacobite hosts, under command of Saxe,--a
Saxe against a Wade is fearful odds,--may make some figure in England!
We hope always they will not be able to land. Imagination may conceive
the flurry, if not of Britannic mankind, at least of Britannic Majesty
and his Official People, and what a stir and din they made:--of which
this is the compressed upshot.
"SATURDAY, 1st MARCH, 1744. For nearly a week past, there has been seen
hanging about in the Channel, and dangerously hovering to and fro [had
entered by the Land's-End, was first noticed on Sunday last "nigh the
Eddistone"] a considerable French Fleet, sixteen great ships; with four
or five more, probably belonging to it, which now lie off Dunkirk: the
intention of which is too well known in high quarters. This is the grand
Brest Fleet, Admiral Roquefeuille's; which believes it can command the
Channel, in present circumstances, the English Channel-Fleets being in
a disjoined condition,--till Comte de Saxe, with his Charles-Edward
and 15,000, do ship themselves across! Great alarm in consequence; our
War-forces, 40,000 of them, all in Germany; not the least preparation
to receive an Invasive Armament. Comte de Saxe is veritably at Dunkirk,
since Saturday, March 1st: busy shipping his 15,000; equipments
mostly shipped, and about 10,000 of the men: all is activity there;
Roquefeuille hanging about Dungeness, with four of his twenty great
ships detached for more immediate protection of Saxe and those Dunkirk
industries. To meet which, old Admiral Norris, off and on towards the
Nore and the Forelands, has been doing his best to rally force about
him; hopes he will now be match for Roquefeuille:--but if he should not?
"THURSDAY, 6th MARCH. Afternoon of March 5th, old Admiral Norris, hoping
he was at length in something like equality, 'tided it round the
South Foreland;' saw Roquefeuille hanging, in full tale, within few
miles;--and at once plunged into him? No, reader; not at once, nor
indeed at all. A great sea-fight was expected; but our old Norris
thought it late in the day;--and, in effect, no fight proved needful.
Daylight was not yet sunk, when there rose from the north-eastward a
heavy gale; blew all night, and by six next morning was a raging storm;
had blown Roquefeuille quite away out of those waters (fractions of
him upon the rocks of Guernsey); had tumbled Comte de Saxe's Transports
bottom uppermost (so to speak), in Dunkirk Roads;--and, in fact,
had blown the Enterprise over the horizon, and relieved the Official
Britannic mind in the usual miraculous manner.
"M. le Comte de Saxe--who had, by superhuman activity, saved nearly
all his men, in that hideous topsy-turvy of the Transports and
munitions--returned straightway, and much more M. le Comte de Spinelli
with him, to Paris. Comte de Saxe was directly thereupon made Marechal
de France; appointed to be Colleague of Noailles in the ensuing
Netherlands Campaign. 'Comte de Spinelli went to lodge with his
Uncle, the Cardinal Grand-Almoner Fitz-James' [a zealous gentleman,
of influence with the Holy Father], and there in privacy to wait other
chances that might rise. 'The 1,500 silver medals, that had been struck
for distribution in Great Britain,' fell, for this time, into the
melting-pot again. [Tindal, xxi. 22 (mostly a puddle of inaccuracies,
as usual); Espagnac, i. 213; _ Gentleman's Magazine,_ xiv. 106, &c.;
Barbier, ii. 382, 385, 388.]
"Great stir, in British Parliament and Public, there had latterly been
on this matter: Arrestment of suspected persons, banishment of all
Catholics ten miles from London; likewise registering of horses (to
gallop with cannon whither wanted); likewise improvising of cavalry
regiments by persons of condition, 'Set our plush people on our
coach-horses; there!' [Yes, THERE will be a Cavalry,--inferior to
General Ziethen's!]; and were actually drilling them in several places,
when that fortunate blast of storm (March 6th) blew everything to
quiet again. Field-marshal Earl of Stair, in regard to the Scottish
populations, had shown a noble magnanimity; which was recognized: and a
General Sir John Cope rode off, post-haste, to take the chief command
in that Country;--where, in about eighteen months hence, he made a
very shining thing of it!"--Take this other Cutting from the Old
Newspapers:--
"FRIDAY, 31st (20th) MARCH, 1744, A general press began for recruiting
his Majesty's regiments, and manning the Fleet; when upwards of 1,000
men were secured in the jails of London and Westminster; being allowed
sixpence a head per diem, by the Commissioners of the Land-tax, who
examine them, and send those away that are found fit for his Majesty's
service. The same method was taken in each County." Press ceases;
enough being got,--press no more till farther order: 5th (16th) June.
[_Gentleman's Magazine_ for 1744, pp. 226, 333.]
Britannic Majesty shaken by such omens, does not in person visit Germany
at all this Year; nor, by his Deputies, at all shine on the fields of
War as lately. He, his English and he, did indeed come down with their
cash in a prompt and manful manner, but showed little other activity
this year. Their troops were already in the Netherlands, since Winter
last; led now by a Field-marshal Wade, of whom one has heard; to whom
joined themselves certain Austrians, under Duc d'Ahremberg, and certain
Dutch, under some other man in cocked-hat: the whole of whom, under
Marshal Wade's chief guidance, did as good as nothing whatever.
"Inferior in force!" cried Marshal Wade; an indolent incompetent old
gentleman, frightful to see in command of troops: "inferior in force!"
cried he, which was not at first quite the case. And when, by additions
to himself, and deductions (of a most unexpected nature) from his Enemy,
he had become nearly double in force, it was all the same: Marshal Wade
(against whom indeed was Marechal de Saxe, now in sole command, as we
shall see) took shelter in safe places, witnessing therefrom the swift
destruction of the Netherlands, and would attempt nothing. Which indeed
was perhaps prudent on the Marshal's part. Much money was spent, and men
enough did puddle themselves to death on the clay roads, or bivouacking
in the safe swamps; but not the least stroke of battle was got out of
them under this old Marshal. Had perhaps "a divided command, though
nominal Chief," poor old gentleman;--yes, and a head that understood
nothing of his business withal. One of those same astonishing "Generals"
of the English, now becoming known in Natural History; the like of whom,
till within these hundred and fifty years, were not heard of among sane
Nations. Saxe VERSUS Wade is fearful odds. To judge by the way Saxe
has of handling Wade, may not we thank Heaven that it was not HERE
in England the trial came on! Lift up both your hands, and bless--not
General Wade, quite yet.
THE YOUNG DUKE OF WURTEMBERG GETS A VALEDICTORY ADVICE; AND POLLNITZ A
DITTO TESTIMONIAL (February 6th; April 1st, 1744).
February 7th, 1744, Karl Eugen, the young Duke of Wurtemberg,--Friedrich
having got, from the Kaiser, due Dispensation (VENIA AETATIS) for
the young gentleman, and had him declared Duke Regnant, though only
sixteen,--quitted Berlin with great pomp, for his own Country, on that
errand. Friedrich had hoped hereby to settle the Wurtemberg matters on
a good footing, and be sure of a friend in Wurtemberg to the Kaiser and
himself. Which hope, like everybody's hopes about this young gentleman,
was entirely disappointed; said young gentleman having got into
perverse, haughty, sulky, ill-conditioned ways, and made a bad Life and
Reign of it,--better to lie mostly hidden from us henceforth, at least
for many years to come. The excellent Parting Letter which Friedrich
gave him got abroad into the world; was christened the MIRROR OF
PRINCES, and greatly admired by mankind. It is indeed an almost
faultless Piece of its kind; comprising, in a flowing yet precise way,
with admirable frankness, sincerity, sagacity, succinctness, a Whole
Duty of Regnant Man; [In _OEuvres de Frederic,_ ix. 4-7.]--but I fear it
would only weary the reader; perfect ADVICE having become so plentiful
in our Epoch, with little but "pavement" to a certain Locality the
consequence!--There is, of the same months, a TESTIMONIAL TO POLLNITZ,
which also got abroad and had its celebrity: this, as specimen of
Friedrich on the comic side, will perhaps be less afflicting; and it
will rid us of Pollnitz, poor soul, on handsome terms.
Goldstick Pollnitz is at Baireuth in these months; fallen quite
disconsolate since we last heard of him. His fine marriage went
awry,--rich lady, very wisely, drawing back;--and the foolish old
creature has decided on REchanging his religion; which he has changed
already thrice or so, in his vagabond straits; for the purpose of
"retiring to a convent" this time. Friedrich, in candid brief manner,
rough but wise, and not without some kindness for an old dog one is
used to, has answered, "Nonsense; that will never do!" But Pollnitz
persisting; formally demanding leave to demit, and lay down the
goldstick, with that view,--Friedrich does at length send him
Certificate of Leave; "which is drawn out with all the forms, and was
despatched through Eichel to the proper Board;" but which bears
date APRIL FIRST, and though officially valid, is of quizzical
nature:---perhaps already known to some readers; having got into the
Newspapers, and widely abroad, at a subsequent time. As authentic sample
of Friedrich in that kind, here it accurately is, with only one or two
slight abridgments, which are indicated:--
"Whereas the Baron de Pollnitz, born at Berlin [at Koln, if it made any
matter], of honest parents so far as We know,--after having served
Our Grandfather as Gentleman of the Chamber, Madam d'Orleans [wicked
Regent's Mother, a famed German Lady] in the same rank, the King of
Spain in quality of Colonel, the deceased Kaiser in that of Captain of
Horse, the Pope as Chamberlain, the Duke of Brunswick as Chamberlain,
Duke of Weimar as Ensign, our Father as Chamberlain, and, in fine, Us as
Grand Master of the Ceremonies,"--has, in spite of such accumulation
of honors, become disgusted with the world; and requests a Parting
Testimony, to support his good reputation,--
"We, remembering his important services to the House, in diverting for
nine years long the late King our Father, and doing the honors of our
Court during the now Reign, cannot refuse such request; but do hereby
certify, That the said Baron has never assassinated, robbed on the
highway, poisoned, forcibly cut purses, or done other atrocity or legal
crime at our Court; but has always maintained gentlemanly behavior,
making not more than honest use of the industry and talents he has
been endowed with at birth; imitating the object of the Drama, that
is, correcting mankind by gentle quizzing; following, in the matter
of sobriety, Boerhaave's counsels; pushing Christian charity so far as
often to make the rich understand that it is more blessed to give than
to receive;--possessing perfectly the anecdotes of our various Mansions,
especially of our worn-out Furnitures; rendering himself, by his merits,
necessary to those who know him; and, with a very bad head, having a
very good heart.
"Our anger the said Baron never kindled but once,"--in atrociously
violating the grave of an Ancestress (or Step Ancestress) of ours.
[Step-Ancestress was Dorothea, the Great Elector's second Wife; of whom
Pollnitz, in his _Memoirs and Letters,_ repeats the rumor that once she,
perhaps, tried to poison her Stepson Friedrich, First King. (See supra,
vol. v. p. 47).] "But as the loveliest countries have their barren
spots, the beautifulest forms their imperfections, pictures by the
greatest masters their faults, We are willing to cover with the veil of
oblivion those of the said Baron; do hereby grant him, with regret, the
Congee he requires;--and abolish his Office altogether, to blot it
from men's memory, not judging that anybody after the said Baron can be
worthy to fill it." "Done at Potsdam, this 1st of April, 1744. FREDERIC."
[_OEuvres,_ xv. 193.]
The Office of Grand Master of the Ceremonies was, accordingly, abolished
altogether. But Pollnitz, left loose in this manner, did not gallop
direct, or go at all, into monkhood, as he had expected; but, in fact,
by degrees, crept home to Berlin again; took the subaltern post of
Chamberlain; and there, in the old fashion (straitened in finance,
making loans, retailing anecdotes, not witty but the cause of wit), wore
out life's gray evening; till, about thirty years hence, he died; "died
as he had lived, swindling the very night before his decease,"
writes Friedrich; [Letter to Voltaire, 13th August, 1775 (_OEuvres de
Frederic,_ xxiii. 344). See Preuss, v. 241 (URKUNDENBUCH), the Letters
of Friedrich to Pollnitz.] who was always rather kind to the poor old
dog, though bantering him a good deal.
TWO CONQUESTS FOR PRUSSIA, A GASEOUS AND A SOLID: CONQUEST FIRST,
BARBERINA THE DANCER.
Early in May, the Berlin public first saw its Barberina dance, and
wrote ecstatic Latin Epigrams about that miracle of nature and art;
[Rodenbeck, pp. 111, 190.]--miracle, alas, not entirely omissible by us.
Here is her Story, as the Books give it; slightly mythical, I judge, in
some of its non-essential parts; but good enough for the subject:--
Barberina the Dancer had cost Friedrich some trouble; the pains he took
with her elegant pirouettings and poussettings, and the heavy salary he
gave her, are an unexpected item in his history. He wished to favor the
Arts, yes; but did he reckon Opera-dancing a chief one among them? He
had indeed built an Opera-House, and gave free admissions, supporting
the cost himself; and among his other governings, governed the dancer
and singer troops of that establishment. Took no little trouble about
his Opera:--yet perhaps he privately knew its place, after all. "Wished
to encourage strangers of opulent condition to visit his Capital," say
the cunning ones. It may be so; and, at any rate, he probably wished to
act the King in such matters, and not grudge a little money. He really
loved music, even opera music, and knew that his people loved it; to
the rough natural man, all rhythm, even of a Barberina's feet, may be
didactic, beneficial: do not higgle, let us do what is to be done in a
liberal style. His agent at Venice--for he has agents everywhere on
the outlook for him--reports that here is a Female Dancer of the first
quality, who has shone in London, Paris and the Capital Cities, and
might answer well, but whose terms will probably be dear. "Engage her,"
answers Friedrich. And she is engaged on pretty terms; she will be
free in a month or two, and then start. [Zimmermann, _Fragmente uber
Friedrich den Grossen_ (Leipzig, 1790), i. 88-92; Collini, ubi infra;
Denina; &c.: compare Rodenbeck, p. 191.]
Well;--but Barberina had, as is usual, subsidiary trades to her dancing:
in particular, a young English Gentleman had followed her up and down,
says Zimmermann, and was still here in Venice passionately attached to
her. Which fact, especially which young English gentleman, should have
been extremely indifferent to me, but for a circumstance soon to be
mentioned. The young English gentleman, clear against Barberina's
Prussian scheme, passionately opposes the same, passionately renews his
own offers;--induces Barberina to inform the Prussian agent that she
renounces her engagement in that quarter. Prussian agent answers that it
is not renounceable; that he has legal writing on it, and that it must
be kept. Barberina rises into contumacy, will laugh at all writing and
compulsion. Prussian agent applies to Doge and Senate on the subject,
in his King's name; who answer politely, but do nothing: "How happy
to oblige so great a King; but--" And so it lasts for certain months;
Barberina and the young English gentleman contumacious in Venice, and
Doge and Senate merely wishing we may get her.
Meanwhile a Venetian Ambassador happens to be passing through Berlin,
in his way to or from some Hyperborean State; arrives at some hotel,
in Berlin;--finds, on the morrow, that his luggage is arrested by Royal
Order; that he, or at least IT, cannot get farther, neither advance
nor return, till Barberina do come. "Impossible, Signor: a bargain is
a bargain; and States ought to have law-courts that enforce contracts
entered into in their territories." The Venetian Doge and Senate do now
lay hold of Barberina; pack her into post-chaises, off towards Berlin,
under the charge of armed men, with the proper transit-papers,--as
it were under the address, "For his Majesty of Prussia, this side
uppermost,"--and thus she actually is conveyed, date or month uncertain,
by Innspruck or the Splugen, I cannot say which, over mountain, over
valley, from country to country, and from stage to stage, till she
arrives at Berlin; Ambassador with baggage having been let go, so soon
as the affair was seen to be safe.
As for the young English gentleman passionately attached, he followed,
it is understood; faithful, constant as shadow to the sun, always a
stage behind; arrived in Berlin two hours after his Barberina, still
passionately attached; and now, as the rumor goes, was threatening
even to marry her, and so save the matter. Supremely indifferent to
my readers and me. But here now is the circumstance that makes it
mentionable. The young English is properly a young Scotch gentleman;
James Mackenzie the name of him,--a grandson of the celebrated Advocate,
Sir George Mackenzie; and younger Brother of a personage who, as Earl of
Bute, became extremely conspicuous in this Kingdom in after years. That
makes it mentionable,--if only in the shape of MYTH. For Friedrich,
according to rumor, being still like to lose his Dancer in that manner,
warned the young gentleman's friends; and had him peremptorily summoned
home, and the light fantastic toe left free in that respect. Which
procedure the indignant young gentleman (thinks my Author) never
forgave; continuing a hater of Friedrich all his days; and instilling
the same sentiment into the Earl of Bute at a period which was very
critical, as we shall see. This is my Author's, the often fallacious
though not mendacious Dr. Zimmermann's, rather deliberate account; a
man not given to mendacity, though filled with much vague wind, which
renders him fallacious in historical points.
Readers of Walpole's _George the Third_ know enough of this Mackenzie,
"Earl's Brother, MACKINSY," and the sorrowful difficulties about his
Scotch law-office or benefice; in which matter "Mackinsy" behaves
always in a high way, and only the Ministerial Outs and Inns higgle
pedler-like, vigilant of the Liberties of England, as they call them. In
the end, Mackinsy kept his law-office or got it restored to him;
3,000 pounds a year without excess of work; a man much the gentleman,
according to the rule then current: in contemplative rare moments, the
man, looking back through the dim posterns of the mind, might see afar
off a certain pirouetting Figure, once far from indifferent, and not yet
quite melted into cheerless gray smoke, as so much of the rest is--to
Mr. Mackinsy and us. I have made, in the Scotch Mackenzie circles, what
inquiry was due; find no evidence, but various likelihoods, that this of
the Barberina and him is fact, and a piece of his biography. As to the
inference deduced from it, in regard to Friedrich and the Earl of Bute,
on a critical occasion,--that rests entirely with Zimmermann; and
the candid mind inclines to admit that, probably, it is but rumor and
conjecture; street-dust sticking to the Doctor's shoes, and demanding
merely to be well swept out again. Heigho!--
Barberina, though a dancer, did not want for more essential graces.
Very sprightly, very pretty and intelligent; not without piquancy and
pungency: the King himself has been known to take tea with her in mixed
society, though nothing more; and with passionate young gentlemen she
was very successful. Not long after her coming to Berlin, she made
conquest of Cocceji, the celebrated Chancellor's Son; who finding no
other resource, at length privately married her. Voltaire's Collini,
when he came to Berlin, in 1750, recommended by a Signora Sister of the
Barberina's, found the Barberina and her Mother dining daily with this
Cocceji as their guest: [Collini, _Mon Sejour aupres de Voltaire_ (a
Paris, 1807), pp. 13-19.] Signora Barberina privately informed Collini
how the matter was; Signorina still dancing all the same,--though
she had money in the English funds withal; and Friedrich had been so
generous as give her the fixing of her own salary, when she came to
him, this-side-uppermost, in the way we described. She had fixed, too
modestly thinks Collini, on 5,000 thalers (about 750 pounds) a year;
having heart and head as well as heels, poor little soul. Perhaps her
notablest feat in History, after all, was her leading this Collini, as
she now did, into the service of Voltaire, to be Voltaire's Secretary.
As will be seen. Whereby we have obtained a loyal little Book, more
credible than most others, about that notable man.
At a subsequent period, Barberina decided on declaring her marriage with
Cocceji; she drew her money from the English funds, purchased a fine
mansion, and went to live with the said Cocceji there, giving up the
Opera and public pirouettes. But this did not answer either. Cocceji's
Mother scorned irreconcilably the Opera alliance; Friedrich, who did not
himself like it in his Chancellor's Son, promoted the young man to
some higher post in the distant Silesian region. But there, alas, they
themselves quarrelled; divorced one another; and rumor again was busy.
"You, Cocceji yourself, are but a schoolmaster's grandson [Barberina,
one easily supposes, might have a temper withal]; and it is I, if you
will recollect, that drew money from the English funds!" Barberina
married again; and to a nobleman of sixteen quarters this time, and
with whom at least there was no divorce. Successful with passionate
gentlemen; having money from the English funds. Her last name was
Grafinn--I really know not what. Her descendants probably still
live, with sixteen quarters, in those parts. It was thus she did her
life-journey, waltzing and walking; successfully holding her own against
the world. History declares itself ashamed of spending so many words on
such a subject. But the Dancer of Friedrich, and the authoress, prime
or proximate, of _Collini's Voltaire,_ claims a passing remembrance. Let
us, if we can easily help it, never speak of her more.
CONQUEST SECOND IS OST-FRIESLAND, OF A SOLID NATURE.
May 25th, 1744, just while Barberina began her pirouettings at Berlin,
poor Karl Edzard, Prince of East Friesland, long a weak malingering
creature, died, rather suddenly; childless, and the last of his House,
which had endured there about 300 years. Our clever Wilhelmina at
Baireuth, though readers have forgotten the small circumstance, had
married a superfluous Sister-in-law of hers to this Karl Edward;
and, they say, it was some fond hope of progeny, suddenly dashed into
nothingness, that finished the poor man, that night of May 25th. In
any case, his Territory falls to Prussia, by Reich's Settlement of long
standing (1683-1694); which had been confirmed anew to the late King,
Friedrich Wilhelm:--we remember how he returned with it, honest man,
from that KLADRUP JOURNEY in 1732, and was sniffed at for bringing
nothing better. And in the interim, his royal Hanover Cousins, coveting
East Friesland, had clapt up an ERBVERBRUDERUNG with the poor Prince
there (Father, I think, of the one just dead): "A thing ULTRA VIRES,"
argued Lawyers; "private, quasi-clandestine; and posterior (in a sense)
to Reich's CONCLUSUM, 1694."
On which ground, however, George II. now sued Fricdrich at Reich's
Law,--Friedrich, we need not say, having instantly taken possession of
Ost-Friesland. And there ensued arguing enough between them, for years
coming; very great expenditure of parchment, and of mutual barking
at the moon (done always by proxy, and easy to do); which doubtless
increased the mutual ill-feeling, but had no other effect. Friedrich,
who had been well awake to Ost-Friesland for some time back, and had
given his Official people (Cocceji his Minister of Justice, Chancellor
by and by, and one or two subordinates) their precise Instructions, laid
hold of it, with a maximum of promptitude; thereby quashing a great deal
of much more dangerous litigation than Uncle George's.
"In all Germany, not excepting even Mecklenburg, there had been no more
anarchic spot than Ost-Friesland for the last sixty or seventy years. A
Country with parliamentary-life in extraordinary vivacity (rising indeed
to the suicidal or internecine pitch, in two or three directions), and
next to no regent-life at all. A Country that had loved Freedom, not
wisely but too well! Ritter Party, Prince's Party, Towns' Party;--always
two or more internecine Parties: 'False Parliament you: traitors!' 'We?
False YOU, traitors!'--The Parish Constable, by general consent,
kept walking; but for Government there was this of the Parliamentary
Eloquences (three at once), and Freedom's battle, fancy it, bequeathed
from sire to son! 'The late Karl Edzard never once was in Embden, his
chief Town, though he lived within a dozen miles of it.'--And then,
still more questionable, all these energetic little Parties had
applied to the Neighboring Governments, and had each its small
Foreign Battalion, 'To protect US and our just franchises!'
Imperial Reich's-Safeguard Battalion, Dutch Battalion, Danish
Battalion,--Prussian, it first of all was (year 1683, Town of Embden
inviting the Great Elector), but it is not so now. The Prussians had
needed to be quietly swift, on that 25th day of May, 1744.
"And truly they were so; Cocceji having all things ready; leading
party-men already secured to him, troops within call, and the like.
The Prussians--Embden Town-Councils inviting their astonished Dutch
Battalion not to be at home--marched quietly into Embden 'next day,' and
took possession of the guns. Marched to Aurich (official metropolis),
Danes and Imperial Safeguard saying nothing; and, in short, within
a week had, in their usual exact fashion, got firm hold of chaotic
Ost-Friesland. And proceeded to manage it, in like sort,--with effects
soon sensible, and steadily continuing. Their Parliamentary-life
Friedrich left in its full vigor: 'Tax yourselves; what revenue you
like; and see to the outlay of it yourselves. Allow me, as LANDES-HERR,
some trifle of overplus: how much, then? Furthermore a few recruits,--or
recruit-money in lieu, if you like better!' And it was astonishing how
the Parliamentary vitality, not shortened of its least franchise, or
coerced in any particular, but merely stroked the right way of the
hair, by a gently formidable hand, with good head guiding, sank almost
straightway into dove-life, and never gave Friedrich any trouble,
whatever else it might do. The management was good; the opportunity
also was good. 'In one sitting, the Prussian Agent, arbitrating between
Embden and the Ritters, settled their controversy, which had lasted
fifty years.' The poor Country felt grateful, which it might well do;
as if for the laying of goblins, for the ending of long-continued local
typhoon! Friedrich's first Visit, in 1751, was welcomed with universal
jubilation; and poor Ost-Friesland thanked him in still more solid ways,
when occasion rose. [Ranke, iii. 370-382.]
"It is not an important Country:--only about the size of Cheshire; wet
like it, and much inferior to it in cheese, in resources for leather
and live-stock, though it perhaps excels, again, in clover-seeds,
rape-seeds, Flanders horses, and the flax products. The 'clear overplus'
it yielded to Friedrich, as Sovereign Administrator and Defender, was
only 3,200 pounds; for recruit-MONEY, 6,000 pounds (no recruits in
CORPORE); in all, little more than 9,000 pounds a year. But it had its
uses too. Embden, bigger than Chester, and with a better harbor, was
a place of good trade; and brought Friedrich into contact with
sea-matters; in which, as we shall find, he did make some creditable
incipiencies, raising expectations in the world; and might have
carried it farther, had not new Wars, far worse than this now at hand,
interrupted him."
Friedrich was at Pyrmont, taking the waters, while this of Friesland
fell out; he had gone thither May 20th; was just arrived there,
four days before the death of Karl Edzard. [Rodenbeck, p. 102.] His
Officials, well pre-instructed, managed the Ost-Friesland Question
mainly themselves. Friedrich was taking the waters; ostensibly nothing
more. But he was withal, and still more earnestly, consulting with a
French Excellency (who also had felt a need of the waters), about the
French Campaign for this Season: Whether Coigny was strong enough in the
Middle-Rhine Countries; how their Grand Army of the Netherlands shaped
to prosper; and other the like interesting points. [Ranke, iii. 165,
166.] Frankfurt Union is just signed (May 22d). Most Christian Majesty
is himself under way to the Netherlands, himself going to command there,
as we shall see. "Good!" answers Friedrich: "But don't weaken Coigny,
think of Prince Karl on that side; don't detach from Coigny, and reduce
his 60,000 to 40,000!"
Plenty of mutual consulting, as they walk in the woods there. And how
profoundly obscure, to certain Official parties much concerned, judge
from the following small Document, preserved by accident:--
LYTTELTON (our old Soissons Friend, now an Official in Prince Fred's
Household, friend of Pitt, and much else) TO HIS FATHER AT HAGLEY.
ARGYLE STREET, LONDON, "May 5th [16th], 1744. "DEAR SIR,--Mr. West
[Gilbert West, of whom there is still some memory] comes with us to
Hagley; and, if you give me leave, I will bring our friend Thomson
too"--oh Jamie Thamson, Jamie Thamson, oh! "His SEASONS will be
published in about a week's time, and a most noble work they will be.
"I have no public news to tell you, which you have not had in the
Gazettes, except what is said in Private Letters from Germany, of the
King of Prussia's having drunk himself into direct madness, and being
confined on that account; which, if true, may have a great effect upon
the fate of Europe at this critical time." Yes indeed, if true. "Those
Letters say, that, at a review, he caused two men to be taken out of the
line, and shot, without any cause assigned for it, and ordered a
third to be murdered in the same manner; but the Major of the regiment
venturing to intercede for him, his Majesty drew his sword, and would
have killed the Officer too, if he, perceiving his madness, had not
taken the liberty to save himself, by disarming the King; who was
immediately shut up; and the Queen, his Mother, has taken the Regency
upon herself till his recovery." PAPAE! I do not give you this news for
certain; but it is generally believed in town. Lord Chesterfield says,
'He is only thought to be MAD in Germany, because he has MORE WIT than
other Germans.'
"The King of Sardinia's Retreat from his lines at Villa Franca, and the
loss of that Town [20th April, one of those furious tussles, French and
Spaniard VERSUS Sardinian Majesty, in the COULISSES or side-scenes of
the Italian War-Theatre, neither stage nor side-scenes of which shall
concern us in this place], certainly bear a very ill aspect; but it is
not considered as"--anything to speak of; nor was it. "We expect with
impatience to know what will be the effect of the Dutch Ambassador
to Paris,--[to Valenciennes, as it turns out, King Louis, on his high
errand to the Netherlands, being got so far; and the "effect" was no
effect at all, except good words on his part, and persistence in the
battering down of Menin and the Dutch Barrier, of which we shall hear
ere long].
"I pray God the Summer may be happy to us, by being more easy than usual
to you,"--dear Father, much suffering by incurable ailments. "It is the
only thing wanting to make Hagley Park a Paradise.
"Poor Pope is, I am afraid, going to resign all that can die of him to
death;"--did actually die, 30th May (10th June): a world-tragedy
that too, though in small compass, and acting itself next door,
at Twickenham, without noise; a star of the firmament going
out;--twin-star, Swift (Carteret's old friend), likewise going out,
sunk in the socket, "a driveller and a show."... "I am, with the truest
respect and affection, dear Sir, your most dutiful Son,--
"GEORGE LYTTELTON." [Ayscough, _Lord Lyttelton's Miscellaneous Works,_
(Lond., 1776), iii. 318.]
Friedrich returned from Pyrmont, 11th June; saw, with a grief of his
own, with many thoughts well hidden, his Sister Ulrique whirled away
from him, 26th July, in the gray of the summer dawn. In Berlin, in
Prussia, nobody but one is aware of worse just coming. And now the
War-drums suddenly awaken again; and poor readers--not to speak of poor
Prussia and its King!--must return to that uncomfortable sphere, till
things mend.