THE LAST DAY AT HERRENHAUSEN.
King George of Hanover sat in the forenoon of the same 15th of June in
his cabinet at Herrenhausen. The fresh air blew through the open
windows, the flowers in the room gave out a pleasant perfume, and the
fountains splashed and sparkled before the king's windows in his own
especial garden. Everything in the royal residence breathed rest and
profound peace, placed as it was quite out of the noise of the town in
delightful solitude.
Privy councillor Lex sat at the table near the king, occupied in
reading aloud to him the events which had just taken place.
The attendant had brought the king a cigar with some long wooden tongs,
and George V. leant comfortably back in his arm chair, slowly blowing a
thin blue cloud from the fragrant leaf of the havannah.
"The result of the votes at Frankfort yesterday is known, your
majesty," said Lex.
"Well?" said the king, enquiringly.
"The mobilization of the army of the Confederacy was decided upon by
nine votes against six."
"That is a majority in favour of Austria, which was hardly to be
desired," said the king. "We are placed by it in an embarrassing
situation; however the modification which the votes of Hanover and
Hesse will give the measure will deprive it of much of its point."
"I must humbly remark to your majesty that this modification, which
mobilizes the Prussian Army Corps with us, while sending back the
Austrian, has not been accepted by the majority of voices, and
according to my humble opinion it is of very small importance, for
matters have come to a point where no legal subtlety, but only powerful
deeds can influence the scale."
"But," said the king, "Count Platen believed our vote would cause more
moderate measures at Vienna and Berlin----"
"Prussia apparently did not share his views," said Lex, glancing at the
despatches before him, "for the Prussian ambassador left the assembly
of the Confederation as soon as the votes were declared. He stated that
his government considered itself freed from the Confederation, but that
it was willing to conclude a new Confederacy upon the basis of the
reform project, with individual governments."
"Has it come to this," cried the king, with concern, as he raised
himself upright in his chair; "then our German Confederation, the
bulwark of peace in Germany and Europe, has given way. What times are
ours! But," he added, after a moment's thought, "how can Prussia regard
herself as freed from the Confederation? it is contrary to every
fundamental law, and the whole of Germany must cling to it all the more
closely!"
"I fear the Confederation, which was strong and safe when supported by
Austria and Prussia, will have no life left in it when it is deprived
of Prussia," said Lex.
The king was silent.
"I am in great anxiety about the future," continued Lex, with a sigh.
"I should be infinitely happier if the treaty of neutrality was in your
majesty's hands."
"But, good God!" cried the king, "I have continually declared my
determination to remain neutral."
"But the treaty is not concluded," said Lex.
"The Prince of Hesse did not wish to be bound," said the king. "They
sent Wimpffen to him from Vienna and my brother Karl to me. You know,
the prince replied to me through Meding that he could not form any
definite resolution, or conclude any treaty, until the lamentable
rupture of the German Confederation was an actual fact. However, he is
as determined as I am, to remain neutral. If I were to be hasty in
concluding a treaty, from what Count Platen tells me it would alarm
them much in Frankfort, and wound them deeply in Vienna."
"I am decidedly of opinion your majesty should have concluded a treaty
of neutrality without caring for the alarm it might cause in Frankfort,
and if it is still possible, I advise you immediately to conclude such
a treaty, without heeding the dissuasions of Count Platen. It is better
to sit on one stool than between two."
"You are right!" cried the king, "the thing must come to an end, and
neutrality entirely expresses my intentions. Not even the lamentable
event in Frankfort can alter my convictions, and I should be acting in
direct opposition to them if I took part in any war between two members
of the German Confederation. I will summon Platen, and command him
immediately to continue the negotiations for the conclusion of the
treaty of neutrality."
"I am convinced," said Lex, with satisfaction, "that your majesty will
do well, and I shall be at rest, when the treaty is safely in our
Archives."
A gentleman in waiting entered.
"Count Platen urgently begs an immediate audience!"
"Let him come in!" cried the king, with surprise.
Lex's face became puckered with anxiety.
Count Platen entered. The indifferent, self-satisfied calm which his
face formerly wore had given place to an expression of thoughtful
anxiety.
Lex looked at him attentively and uneasily.
"What brings you here in such haste, Count Platen?" cried the king.
"A note," replied the minister, approaching the king's writing-table,
"has just been given to me by Prince Ysenburg, on which I am obliged
immediately to beg your majesty's gracious decision."
"Well!" said the king anxiously, "what do they want in Berlin? I was
just talking about our neutrality, and it appears to me that since the
Confederation, alas! is virtually burst asunder, the treaty commenced
by verbal negotiations should be at once concluded."
"Your majesty," said Count Platen, as he drew a folded paper from his
pocket, "it seems they now require much more in Berlin."
"More!" exclaimed the king, while an expression of surprise and pain
was seen on his contracted brows; "what can they require more?"
"They now demand an alliance on the foundation of the Prussian reform
project; in return, the sovereignty and possessions of your majesty are
to be guaranteed."
"But this is something quite new!" cried the king.
"Too late!" said Lex softly to himself, as he bent his head.
"This reform project," said the king with animation, "takes from me the
largest and most essential part of my sovereignty. I have once and for
all refused it, and I will never accept it. What sovereignty would be
left to guarantee, after I had yielded the most essential conditions of
sovereignty? Tell Prince Ysenburg----"
"Will your majesty," said Count Platen, "be pleased to listen to Prince
Ysenburg's note? The situation is grave--he will wait for your answer
until this evening, and if it is not satisfactory, viz. if your majesty
does not accept the alliance, Prussia will regard it as a declaration
of war from Hanover."
The king stood up.
"Have we come to that?" cried he; "but read!"
He covered his face with his hands, and leant back in his chair. Count
Platen unfolded the paper he held in his hand, and read the Prussian
ultimatum, dated the same day.
Whilst he read the king neither spoke nor moved. As Count Platen ended
he raised his head--his features expressing deep earnestness.
"What is your opinion?" he asked calmly.
"Your majesty," said Count Platen, in a somewhat hesitating and
uncertain voice, "I think matters have hardly gone as far as this note
would imply,--they wish to exercise severe pressure; and I believe if
we could only gain time----"
"But the reply must be given this evening!" interrupted Lex, with a
slight tone of impatience in his voice.
"Certainly," said Count Platen, "your majesty must give an answer, but
there is always a _moyen terme_ to be found; we may reply that your
majesty is willing to conclude a treaty with Prussia; we must avoid the
word alliance, but the conditions must first be discussed,--this will
give us several days; in the meantime events may happen. Count
Ingelheim hourly expects to hear that the Austrians have marched into
Saxony, and we can act according to these events."
"My opinion remains fixed!" said the king, with an expression of firm
determination on his proud features, and a movement full of dignity as
he threw back his head; "the projected reform, on the foundation of
which I am to conclude an alliance, curtails the independence and the
holiest rights of the crown, which I inherited from my ancestors, which
is guaranteed to me by the whole of Europe, and which I am pledged to
leave to my son in the same entire independence. Whilst this is my
conviction, I can give but one answer to the Prussian proposal, and
that answer is, No! But," he added, "I will have no prevarication,
no dilatory negotiations; I wish them clearly to understand me in
Berlin,--the neutrality I promised I will keep to, and I am ready
formally to conclude it; but to this proposal I will never consent!"
Lex was silent.
Count Platen folded Prince Ysenburg's note and unfolded it again,--he
seemed trying to find some modification to the king's decided reply.
George V. rose.
"The position," he said, "in which my family and my kingdom are placed
is so grave, and what now occurs is of such immense importance in
regard to the future, that I wish to hear the opinion of my assembled
ministers."
Count Platen gave a sigh of relief, and nodded approval with his head.
"Drive back to town at once, my dear count, and assemble the ministers
without delay."
"Your majesty's commands shall be obeyed," said the count hastily.
"We must," added the king, "take immediate measures for concentrating
the army, which is scattered over the country. I must prevent all
needless bloodshed in our own country, and I shall march with the army
into South Germany immediately, there to act in concert with my
confederates. Thus my kingdom will at least be spared the horrors of
war, though I cannot protect it from being occupied by the enemy."
"Your majesty will march yourself!" cried Count Platen.
"I will do my duty," interrupted the king with dignity; "when my
soldiers take the field, my place is amongst them. Send mounted
orderlies to my adjutant-general, to the chief of the general staff,
and to the commandant of the corps of engineers," he said to Lex; "and
you, my dear count, hasten and bring back the other ministers as
quickly as possible!"
Count Platen and Lex departed.
The king remained alone.
He sat motionless before his table, as if lost in thought. His head
sank down deeper and deeper, and occasionally a heavy sigh came from
his labouring breast; then he put back his head, and raised his
sightless eyes to heaven in silent enquiry.
Both the folding doors were suddenly thrown open, and the groom of the
chambers exclaimed:
"Her majesty the queen!"
George V. roused himself, and stood up.
The queen hastily entered the cabinet, and walked up to her husband,
who stretched out his hands towards her, and kissed her on the
forehead.
Queen Marie was about forty-five years of age, her figure was tall, and
still possessed its youthful elasticity, and her movements were
extremely graceful. Her face, surrounded by abundant light brown hair,
no longer had the fresh rosy colouring and childish features which
appeared in her large half-length portrait, taken at the time of her
marriage when Crown Princess, which was hanging over the king's writing
table; but her pure, expressive, and intelligent face was still
beautiful, and her dark grey eyes sparkled with goodness and animation.
But now those eyes were full of care and uneasiness, and there was
painful excitement in her voice as she said, looking up at her husband:
"I saw from my window Count Platen come and go hastily, and in this
time of anxiety and difficulty I always fear some evil tidings. Is it
anything important?" she asked in her strangely beautiful and flexible
voice, whilst she looked anxiously at the grave, almost solemn
countenance of the king.
George V. replied:
"It would be foolish to say it is nothing; you would soon discover the
truth, and a queen will know how to face great perils."
He laid his hand gently on her head.
"Yes, it is important," he said; "this evening we shall be at war with
Prussia."
"Oh! my God!" cried the queen, shuddering, "how is that possible? you
had determined to remain neutral!"
"They offer me conditions which I cannot accept, without injuring the
honour and dignity of my crown. I must refuse--and then war is
declared!" said the king in a gentle voice, as if he wished to make the
hard tidings easier to bear.
"Horrible!" exclaimed the queen. "Is no escape possible, can I not
perhaps mediate?" she cried, as if seized by a sudden inspiration.
"Queen Augusta will recoil as I do from such a fratricidal war."
"Yes, it is indeed a fratricidal war," said the king, "for in many a
family, whilst one brother fights for me, another will be in the
Prussian service; but nothing can be done, believe me it is so. I am
sure the only thing I can do now is to prevent, as far as possible,
bloodshed in my own country. Count Platen believes he can still
negotiate."
"Oh! that he had not negotiated so long," cried the queen impetuously,
"then we should not have been in this dreadful position, no help on
either side; at least we should not have been without Gablenz and his
troops. Believe me, my own dear husband," she cried affectionately,
"Platen's ridiculous indecision has plunged us all into misfortune."
The king listened with a gloomy look.
"Nothing can be altered now," he said, "the situation must be struggled
with as it now is. This night I shall join the army with Ernest; I
shall assemble it in the south of the kingdom, that we may reach the
southern troops as soon as possible."
"And we--where shall we go?" cried the queen anxiously.
The king took her head between his two hands, and impressed a kiss upon
her brow, then he said, with extreme mildness and gentleness, but with
equal determination:
"You and the princesses must remain here."
"Here?" cried the queen, taking a step backwards in her extreme
surprise, whilst she gazed with frightened eyes upon her
husband--"here? during the enemy's occupation! Impossible, you cannot
intend it."
"I do intend it," said the king, "and you, my angel-queen, will be of
my opinion when you think over it quietly, of that I am convinced."
The queen looked at him inquiringly, but slightly shook her head.
"I desire," continued the king, "to spare my country all the horrors of
war, and to preserve my army from being overpowered in a useless
struggle, therefore I must lead them to join the South German army, and
thus take a part in the great conflict. From the foreign occupation,
with its humiliations, its pain, and its sorrows, I cannot shield my
subjects and the families of my country. They must see the soldiers of
the enemy in their homes, they must admit them to their houses, whilst
their own sons oppose them in the field. As I, with my son, share the
fate of the army, so must you, the queen, with our daughters, share the
fate of the country; that is our royal duty; no family in Hanover must
say that the family of the king acted differently to what was required
of the subjects; we are united to our country by bonds which have
endured a thousand years, we are flesh of its flesh, and blood of its
blood; could you permit it to be said, 'the queen sat still in safety,
whilst heavy times oppressed her country?'"
He stretched out his hand to feel for his wife, whilst his head turned
towards the side on which he heard the slight rustling of her dress.
The queen had folded her hands together; her eyes had been fixed on her
husband, and had gradually lost their expression of fear and anguish;
now they shone through tears upon the king.
As he ceased speaking she took his outstretched hand, put his arm
around her shoulders, and pressed close to him.
"You are right!" she cried, "Oh! as ever you are right! Your great,
noble heart always knows what is good and just. Yes, my king, my
husband, I will stay here, separated from you, but united through our
country, our love, our duty!"
"I knew that you would be of my opinion," said the king calmly and
affectionately. "My queen could not think and feel differently to
myself."
And they stood for some time in a silent embrace. The queen wept
quietly, and laid her head upon the king's broad breast, and with his
hand he gently stroked her luxuriant hair.
The flowers still gave out their perfume, the fountains plashed on, the
birds sang in the trees, and all nature breathed happy peace; and over
all the sunshine, over all the sweet spring scents and the singing,
hung unseen the heavy thunder-cloud and the forked flash which was to
destroy all this quiet happiness, all this royal splendour, for ever.
A knock was heard at the door.
The king gently put the queen from him.
"The ministers await your commands," said Lex, as he entered.
"Now," said the king gently to his wife, "leave me to arrange what is
needful with the ministers. We will see one another again."
"May God bless your councils," said the queen fervently.
"These are evil times, dear Lex," said the queen, affectionately, to
the privy councillor, who bowed low as she passed him; "would that they
were safely over!" And she slowly left the king's cabinet.
The ministers entered and seated themselves around the table.
Besides Count Platen, Bacmeister, and General von Brandis, the minister
of the household and supreme chamberlain, von Malortie, was present. He
was an old gentleman, with short grey hair and a small wrinkled face,
who, from his discontented expression, bent figure, tall black necktie,
and half buttoned-up frock-coat, looked more like an invalided
government clerk than the witty composer of a book considered as an
authority at every court, "The Lord Chamberlain as he should be."
There was besides the minister of equity, Leonhardt, the well-known
lawmaker, a plain, slight man, with thin hair and sharply-cut,
intelligent features, whose expressive, animated, and penetrating eyes
were concealed behind silver spectacles; the minister for education,
von Hodenburg, a fair man, who was still young, and who had formerly
been diplomatic resident at the Hague; and also the young minister of
finance, Dietrichs, who had been named as secretary by Count Platen--a
highly-aristocratic minister, and whom the king had appointed, saying,
"If he has ability, and if he works, he will some day be minister
himself."
All these gentlemen had entered the king's cabinet in deep and solemn
silence. When they had taken their places, George V. spoke:
"Gentlemen, the King of Prussia, through the ambassador at my court,
has proposed to conclude an alliance with me, now that the German
Confederation is at an end. You know what has taken place in Frankfort.
I do not consider the dissolution of the German Confederacy as lawfully
accomplished by the declaration of the Prussian ambassador, though,
alas! I must acknowledge that the German union is in fact broken. Since
the misfortune to Germany is unavoidable, of a war between Austria and
Prussia, I desire, as I repeat before you all, to enter into a treaty
of neutrality with the King of Prussia. But that is not what his
Majesty of Prussia requires of me. Count Platen, I beg you to read
aloud Prince Ysenburg's note."
Count Platen slowly read the Prussian ultimatum. When he had ended, the
king again spoke:
"I believe, gentlemen, that you are acquainted with the Prussian
project of reform on the foundation of which I should have to conclude
this alliance?"
The ministers simultaneously assented.
"I should resign," continued the king, "authority over, and the command
of, my army in time of war--the army of Minden, of the Peninsula, of
Garcia, Fernandez, of Waterloo--and this army would then be compelled
to march against the united German forces who have taken the side of
Austria. I ask you, my ministers, before God and your consciences, and
upon the oath you have taken to me and to your country. Can I accept
this proposition? Can I as the defender of the royal rights of my
family? Can I as the defender of my country? Can I according to the
constitution of the kingdom? Answer first, Count Platen, as minister of
foreign affairs."
Count Platen rubbed his hands gently together, rocked himself slightly
to and fro, and replied: "No, your majesty. It would perhaps----"
"And you, Herr von Malortie, as minister of my household?"
The chamberlain, who sat huddled up more than usual in his black
neckcloth and frock-coat, said in a low voice, "No, your majesty."
"And you, my minister of equity?"
Leonhardt answered shortly, in a clear, firm voice, "No!"
"The minister of the interior?"
"No, never!" replied Bacmeister.
The ministers of war, of education, and of finance gave the same
answer.
The king rose, the assembled ministers with him.
"I perceive with great pleasure, gentlemen," said George V., "that you
all give the same answer to the Prussian proposal which I, from regard
to the rights of my crown and of my country, immediately gave to Count
Platen when he first read me the ultimatum. It is a great comfort to me
to find myself at one with my assembled ministers on so important a
question; not, gentlemen, that I shun the responsibility, or wish to
lay it upon your shoulders"--the king raised his head proudly--"but
this unanimous answer from you all, I regard as a pledge that the
sufferings which my country may have to bear, from refusing the
Prussian proposition, are unavoidably and inevitably sent from God. If,
however, we are all of one mind that I cannot accept the alliance on
the basis proposed, we must all immediately take the measures our very
serious position requires. I shall lead the army into south Germany,
and I must, therefore, concentrate it at once in the south of the
kingdom. I must immediately arrange the details with my generals. The
queen and the princesses will remain here, and will share the fate of
the country!"
A murmur of applause was heard.
"Your majesty," said Bacmeister, "I must ask you to decide at once on a
relevant question."
"What is it?" asked the king.
"General von Manteuffel is at Harburg," said the minister, "and demands
railway carriages in which to transport the Prussian troops to Minden.
The railway directors want to know what they must do."
The king gnashed his teeth.
"When war is declared he will be in the centre of the country!" he
cried. "Order all the carriages to be sent here at once. We shall
require them for the transport of the troops."
"Further," continued the minister, "we must dissolve the States
Assembly under these circumstances. When Count Platen confided to me
our position, I drew up the order of dissolution."
"Produce it," cried the king.
The minister laid the order upon the table.
"The secretary-general is without," said he.
"Let him come in!"
Bacmeister hastened out, and returned with the secretary-general of the
ministry, in whose presence the king executed the order for the
dissolution of the States Assembly.
"And now, gentlemen," he exclaimed, "you will all go to work in your
different ways, to struggle against these evil times, and may the
triune, almighty, and just God grant that I may once more see you here
again, happily assembled around me. I beg Count Platen and General
Brandis to remain."
The other ministers bowed gravely and silently, and left the cabinet.
"You will now, Count Platen," said the king, "give Prince Ysenburg his
answer, as clear and decided an answer as you have all pronounced!"
"I will obey your commands, your majesty," said Count Platen. "You do
not, however, command a form which will entirely exclude all
possibility of future negotiations?"
"You still believe in negotiations?" exclaimed the king. "Let the reply
be friendly and courteous," he added; "let my desire for neutrality be
again expressed, but on the subject of the reform project let there be
no doubt."
"If it be your majesty's pleasure," said Count Platen, "I think Herr
von Meding should draw up our reply. He will be sure to use no harsh
expressions, and from his talent in the choice of words----"
"Let Meding draw up our reply by all means," interrupted the king, "but
I fear the best words will have no result. Send Meding to me with our
answer as soon as it is ready."
"I will obey your commands, your majesty," said Count Platen, as he
hastily withdrew.
"You, my dear general, must remain here," said the king, turning to the
minister of war, "in order to discuss with me, the adjutant-general,
and the chief of the staff the best means of concentrating the army."
"Are the generals here?" he inquired of Lex.
"They await your majesty's commands," he replied.
"Let them come in."
"I feel young again," said General von Brandis, "at the thought of
taking the field with your majesty and the army. My heart beats, as in
the time of the great Wellington!"
"Then Germany was united," said the king, with a deep sigh.
The generals sat in consultation at Herrenhausen, the aides-de-camp
galloped to and from the town, the telegraph conveyed orders to all the
commandants of troops in the kingdom, and the city of Hanover was in a
fever of excitement. Small crowds assembled in the usually quiet
streets, and the position of affairs was loudly discussed. Immense was
the excitement when one of the initiated imparted the great news--the
army is to march into South Germany, the king goes with it. For some
time past the feelings of the people had been extremely anti-Prussian,
the king had been openly blamed for allowing the Kalik brigade and
General Gablenz to go, every possible ovation had been given to the
Austrian troops, and now--when a war was inevitable, when the gravity
of the position was apparent to every one, the people felt overwhelmed
with disquiet and care. And that the king himself was to go, seemed
completely to stun the good Hanoverians.
They may take the line of opposition, they may blame and criticize what
had been done, and what had not been done,--but the capital without the
king,--the idea was horrible and beyond belief, and already voices were
raised bestowing blame. "The king leaves us alone; the enemy will have
no restraint, we shall be given up to pillage."
But then the reply was heard, "The queen remains here with the
princesses; they will protect the capital by their presence, a royal
lady must be respected," and this intelligence reassured many.
All sorts of notions were discussed, the most timid hastened to the
burgomaster and the burgher superintendents, to stir them up to take
some step to prevent the king from leaving the city; others urged the
concentration of the troops in the capital; others proposed the
destruction of the railways; in a word endless advice, political and
military, was given away in the streets, and each adviser thought his
plan the only one which could save the city and the country. In the
meantime the troops in garrison at Hanover marched to the station, and
were sent off by railway; other battalions and squadrons arrived, and
after a short delay were also dispatched, but everything was done so
quietly that the crowd standing about the railway station never
perceived the military proceedings.
In the large square before the station stood a group of citizens in
earnest conversation, whilst a small dark man with a pale face and
brilliant eyes endeavoured to calm them. They were large powerful men
of the old Saxon race, who may be relied upon to act, under
circumstances which they understand, but who lose all their courage and
presence of mind if they find themselves in an unusual and unexpected
position. The North German and Saxon character always requires time to
accustom itself to new and unforeseen events, before it can show all
its worth; everything new, sudden, and unusual, stuns it, and cripples
its powers.
So it was now; these strong powerful men, with their large
characteristic features, stood looking depressed and puzzled, an
expression of great discontent and displeasure upon their faces, and
their displeasure they were quite ready to pour out upon the
government, for they were accustomed to hold the government answerable
for everything, and to sulk with it, if the calm routine of their daily
life was disturbed.
"But do be reasonable," cried the small pale man, gesticulating
energetically; "you are no longer children, and you surely might have
foreseen that they would not go on for ever in Germany, speechifying
and resolving over their beer, but that in the end they would _do_
something. Besides, you know nothing as yet for certain."
"That is what is so wrong," interrupted a large corpulent man, with a
deep bass voice; "that is what is so wrong; we know nothing; we might
at least be informed of what is about to take place, then every citizen
might set his house in order, and provide for the future."
"But wait," cried the little man vehemently; "you have heard that the
generals are now at Herrenhausen with the king, and that the ministers
have only just returned. How can you be told of things until they are
decided upon? I suppose," he said, laughing scornfully, "the king
should call the whole town and the suburbs to his councils."
"Sonntag is right!" said a thin old man, in a plain burgher dress, and
speaking in the Saxon Low German, still commonly used by the middle and
lower classes in town and country. "Sonntag is right; we must wait and
see what will happen; the king will tell us all in good time; he
certainly will not leave us without saying what we are to do; he is the
son of Ernest Augustus," he said soothingly to the other burghers, who
evidently listened to him with much greater confidence than they had
bestowed on the small, pale, animated merchant, Sonntag.
"Look!" cried the latter suddenly; "there is Count Wedel's carriage at
the railway station!" and he pointed out an elegant open carriage which
had drawn up before the large entrance to the station, whilst the
beautiful horses pawed the ground; "let us wait for the count, he will
know what is going on."
He hastened to the carriage, the others following him.
In a short time the governor of the castle, Count Alfred Wedel, came
out of the station in undress uniform.
He saw with astonishment a crowd of citizens surrounding his carriage
as if they wished to block up the road.
"Come, what is going on here?" he asked kindly; "you here, Herr
Sonntag? and you too, old Conrad?" and he walked towards the old
weather-beaten man, who, with Sonntag, had left the crowd, and going
close up to him he offered him his hand.
"Count," said Conrad, the old court saddler, a veteran who had fought
in the great wars, and who had been an especial favourite with King
Ernest Augustus, who used often to talk to him, and who enjoyed his
extremely unceremonious answers, which usually contained a good deal of
national wit, "Count," and he pushed aside Herr Sonntag, who was
anxious to speak, with his strong hand, "we are all in much trouble and
uneasiness about what is going to happen. We do hear, now and then,
that war is about to break out, and the king is going to leave
us,--that makes all the citizens very uncomfortable about the fate of
the town, and we all want to know something for certain."
"Yes," cried the merchant Sonntag, who had freed himself from Conrad's
restraining hand, and who now stepped forward; "yes, count, all these
gentlemen are very anxious and uneasy, quite ready to lose all courage.
I have taken great pains to calm them, but in vain. I pray you, sir, to
tell them what is taking place, and what they ought to do."
An expression of anxiety was seen on all the faces as they turned to
the handsome, strongly made young man who before replying examined the
crowd for a moment with his clear calm gaze.
"What is taking place?" he then said in a loud firm voice; "that is
easily told, war stands before the gate, and the king takes the field
with the army."
"And leaves us here behind in an open town!" was murmured by the crowd.
A bright flush passed over the young count's brow, and an indignant
look flashed from his eyes as he heard the complaint.
"Does not the Hanoverian soldier march and leave his family at home?"
he cried. "The queen and the princesses remain here, and I stay with
her majesty."
"Ah!" resounded from the crowd, "if the queen stays here it is not so
bad a look-out for the city."
"Bad or good, the queen shares your fate, and the king his soldiers';
is that right or wrong? Answer," cried Count Wedel.
"Right," cried old Conrad in a loud voice, and "Yes! yes!" was faintly
echoed by the crowd.
"But," added Count Wedel, in a loud and grave voice, "you have asked me
what you are to do."
He advanced a step or two, until, he was quite surrounded by the
citizens, and he turned his flashing eyes from one to another.
"What!" he cried, "Hanoverian citizens do not know what they are to do
when their country is in danger, and their king and the army take the
field? Old Conrad can tell you better than I, what he saw in the old
times of which I have only heard the history. The army is on the peace
foundation," he continued with animation, "everything is wanting,
transport, stores, help of all kinds, the cannon have to be taken from
the arsenal to the railway station, and Hanoverian citizens stand still
to murmur and complain? Get horses and workers, and if the horses will
not hold out, we will draw them ourselves, for I will be amongst you as
soon as my duty permits. The army takes the field," he continued, "and
the commissariat must be organized; are the soldiers to starve? Form
committees to provide abundance of food and drink here at the railway
station from whence it can be sent off to the different magazines as
necessity may arise. And," he cried, "to-day or to-morrow the troops
may encounter the enemy, there will be plenty of sick and wounded, and
you must prevent your wives from complaining and lamenting. Let them
make bandages and scrape lint, it will be wanted; go to my wife, she
will advise you how to arrange everything. And further, how often have
you played at soldiers at your rifle clubs; now the troops are going,
shall the queen remain unguarded in Herrenhausen? Is there no citizen
who will keep guard over the queen when the king trusts her to his
capital? Now," he added slowly, "I have told you what you have to do,
and there is so much to be done, that really there is no time for
anyone to stand here to idle and grumble."
The citizens were silent; the little merchant Sonntag examined them
with looks of triumph.
Old Conrad scratched behind his ear.
"Donnerwetter!" he broke out at last; "the count speaks the truth, and
a shame it is that we old fellows should have to be told all that by a
young gentleman. But now come on," he cried in a loud voice, "let us
all set to work, let us separate, and assemble the citizens, here is
Sonntag who understands it, he shall make the committees, I am off to
the arsenal." He walked up to Count Wedel. "You are true Hanoverian
blood, count!" he said bluntly, "and you have spoken your mind plainly;
but you were quite right, and you shall see the citizens of Hanover on
the move--and you old fellow up there!" he cried, taking off his cap
and looking up at the bronze statue of King Ernest Augustus, standing
in the midst of the square, "you shall see how old Conrad and all the
Hanoverians will stand by your son!"
He offered his hand to the count, who shook it heartily.
All the citizens seemed changed as if by magic. The discontent and
restlessness had gone from their faces, and their looks expressed high
courage and firm determination. They all crowded round Count Wedel as
he got into his carriage and offered him their strong hard hands.
The horses started at a rapid pace and the carriage rolled away on the
road to Herrenhausen. An hour later the appearance of the town was
completely changed.
No longer whispering groups of idlers were seen standing in the
streets, everywhere there was intelligent, cheerful, energetic
industry, men of all classes, artisans and servants, dragged carriages
and hand-barrows laden with arms from the arsenal to the railway.
Others brought cartloads of provisions of every kind, some for the
consumption of the troops on their journey, some to be forwarded to the
different magazines. The women hurried about the streets with light
steps and busy looks, making collections and receiving promises of
help. The most influential ladies presented themselves at the door of
Count Wedel's new imposing-looking house. They were received by the
countess, and formed into one large committee.
Old Conrad was at the arsenal assisting in loading the arms, now
ordering, now rebuking the unskilful with a round oath, and everywhere,
on whatever side you turned, was the merchant Sonntag, paler than usual
from excitement, hot with talking so much, ordering, encouraging,
animating those around to unceasing and fruitful exertions.
Thus evening fell upon the city, and the sun set for the last time upon
the Guelphic king in the castle of his forefathers.
It was nine o'clock when the minister Meding drove rapidly along the
broad road, lighted on either side by gas lamps, to Herrenhausen, with
the answer to the Prussian ultimatum.
As he mounted the steps, it seemed as if the uneasiness and activity
which prevailed in the city had not spread to the palace. The porter
stood as usual before his lodge, the servants in their scarlet liveries
moved noiselessly through the large vestibules, but on every face
appeared deep anxiety.
In the courtyard were several waggons, with lighted lamps, and the
under servants were filling them with coffers. With anxious expectation
the attendants saw the well-known confidant of the king arrive at so
unusual an hour, but severe etiquette prevented a word of inquiry,
though the uneasy looks betrayed the fears to which each was a prey.
"Is the king in his cabinet?" inquired Meding.
"His majesty is with the queen."
Meding ascended the stairs to the floor above, which he had so often
seen crowded by the brilliant uniforms of officers, and the elegant
toilettes of ladies, and which now looked empty and lonely in the light
of the candelabra.
Before the door of the queen's apartments her groom of the chambers,
with snow-white hair, sat in a large armchair, and the king's groom of
the chambers stood beside him.
"Inform his majesty that I am here!" said Herr Meding.
The attendant hesitated a moment.
"Forgive me," he said, "for asking if war is really to break out, and
if we shall have the enemy here?"
"It is too true, my dear Mahlmann," said Herr Meding, in a sad voice,
"but announce me at once, no time must be lost."
"Oh! my God! what times!" cried the king's groom of the chambers, as he
entered the apartments, while the queen's grey-headed servant covered
his face with his hands.
Herr Meding following the king's attendant through the large ante-room
and was shown at once into the queen's drawing-room. Here all the royal
family were assembled round the tea-table.
The king wore a general's uniform, and sat beside the queen smiling and
cheerful; she commanded herself and repressed the tears she could
hardly refrain from shedding. Next the queen sat the Princess Marie, a
slender maiden of seventeen, with beautiful and noble features, and
large blue enthusiastic eyes; less accustomed to self-command than her
mother, she could not help weeping, and her handkerchief had frequently
to be applied to prevent her tears from falling. On the other side of
the king sat his eldest daughter, the Princess Frederika; fair, tall,
and slender, she greatly resembled her sister, but her face possessed
her father's noble expression, and although she was entirely without
haughtiness or self-esteem, her whole bearing, her every movement, bore
witness to her royal birth. She did not weep, her large clear blue eyes
looked proud and brave, sometimes the beautiful teeth bit the full
fresh lips, and in her heart she longed to accompany her father to the
field of battle, and dreaded remaining at home in solitary idleness,
waiting for tidings of the fate of the army and of her country.
Opposite to her sat, or rather lay back in his chair, the Crown Prince
Ernest Augustus, a large tall young man of one-and-twenty. His face had
not the smallest resemblance to his father's. A low retreating forehead
was almost concealed by his thick smooth brown hair. His nose deeply
indented at the bridge was almost flat to his face, and his large mouth
with its full rosy lips seemed to move with difficulty over his slowly
spoken words. Beautiful teeth and bright good-natured eyes, however,
gave a certain charm to the young prince's appearance.
The crown prince wore the uniform of the Guard Hussars, a blue coat
ornamented with silver braid, he bit the nails of his left hand, while
with his right he patted a little terrier, which appeared devoted to
him.
Such was the picture which met Meding's eyes as he entered the room.
With a sigh he looked at the royal family, and he then walked up to the
king.
"Good evening, my dear Meding," cried the king in his usual voice. "You
bring our answer to Prussia: I hope it is clear and decided?"
"I hope I shall have fulfilled your majesty's wishes," replied Herr
Meding as he bowed.
"Do you wish us to leave you?" asked the queen.
"No!" cried the king, "you are all as much interested in this matter as
I am. Meding will be so kind as to read us the draft. Seat yourself, my
dear Meding, and begin."
"Certainly, your majesty."
Herr Meding seated himself opposite to the king, opened his folded
paper, and read the draft.
The king leant back in his chair, and covered his face with his hands,
as was his custom when he wished to listen attentively.
The queen and Princess Marie wept quietly, Princess Frederika listened
to every word with earnest attention and flashing eyes. The crown
prince played with his terrier.
Meding read slowly and distinctly, pausing at every fresh point in the
draft.
It set forth in very quiet, measured terms, the reasons wherefore the
king could not accept an alliance with Prussia on the foundation of the
project of reform, repeated a decided promise of neutrality, and added
the king's determination never to fight with any German power, unless
his kingdom was invaded, and he found himself compelled to defend it.
It concluded with the hope that the friendly relations between Hanover
and Prussia might remain undisturbed.
The king listened to the end in silence. As Meding ceased he raised his
head.
"You have expressed my intentions admirably," he said, "I desire to add
nothing and to take nothing away. But ought not the words in which we
decline the Prussian proposals to be even more sharp and plain, lest
they should entertain the idea of my being brought round to join in
that reform-project? That would not be worthy conduct nor honourable to
Prussia."
"I believe, your majesty," replied Meding, "the answer leaves not the
smallest doubt on this point. The quiet and conciliatory tone
throughout your reply will, however, amply prove your majesty's great
desire to preserve peace if possible."
"Yes! certainly," cried the queen with animation.
"If it be possible," added the king, as he drew a deep breath.
"I beg you, my dear Meding, to read the draught again. Forgive me for
troubling you so much, but the matter is of sufficient importance to be
read twice."
"Oh! I beg your majesty----" exclaimed Herr Meding. He again read the
reply.
"It shall remain as it is," cried the king as he concluded: "I have
nothing to alter. What do you say?" he continued, turning to the queen,
"I beg you, and all of you, to give your opinion, for you are in the
highest degree interested."
"It must be so!" said the queen in a voice choked with tears.
"And you, Ernest?" said the king, turning to the crown prince, "have
you anything to suggest?"
"No!" said the crown prince with a sigh, as he lifted his little dog on
to his knees and stroked its head.
"And you two?" asked the king.
"No!" replied Princess Frederika, as she proudly raised her head, and
"No" sobbed her younger sister.
"Well, then, the thing is decided!" exclaimed the king quite
cheerfully. "I have commanded the concentration of the army in
Goettingen," he added, turning to Meding, "by my generals' advice, that
they may march thence to the south. I shall start at two o'clock. I beg
you, my dear Meding to drive to General Brandis and to Count Platen;
request them to be ready for the journey, and tell them to meet me at
the railway station at two tonight. I must ask you also to make your
preparations and to accompany me; I shall need you. You will have but
little time!" he added considerately.
"Oh! fully enough, your majesty," replied Meding.
"I believe," said the king to his son, "that you must yourself give the
orders necessary to prevent any of your equipments being forgotten. And
now, my dear Meding, give me the answer, that I may sign it."
Meding took a pen from the queen's writing-table, gave it to the king
and placed his hand upon the white margin of the paper.
In firm bold characters the king wrote his initials, "G. R."
"Add to it," he said, "the exact hour, that we may know hereafter when
I completed this decisive and important document."
Meding looked at his watch; it was twelve minutes past midnight. He
added the exact date below the king's signature.
"I must now beg your majesty's permission to go," he said, "for time
presses." He turned to the queen. "Allow me, your majesty, to offer my
truest sympathy, and my most sincere hopes, that you may pass safely
through the dark days before us. May God bless your majesty, and may He
guide events to a happy issue."
The queen bent her head and covered her face with her handkerchief.
"Auf Wiedersehn!" cried the king, and with a low bow Meding withdrew.
In the ante-room he met a young man dressed in the uniform of the Garde
du corps.
He was tall and slight, with merry, pleasing features and large clear
eyes, it was Prince George of Solms Braunfels, the king's nephew. He
held out his hand to Meding and cried:
"Well, is everything settled, and is war decided upon?"
"I am taking back the answer to the Prussian note!" said Meding
gravely, looking at the folded paper in his hand.
The prince looked serious too for a moment.
"Do you know," he then said, "what you remind me of? Of Davison, Queen
Elizabeth's secretary, carrying the death warrant!"
Meding gave a melancholy smile.
"Alas!" he said, "the sheet of paper in my hand is perhaps the death
warrant of many a brave heart now beating joyfully; thank God I am not
answerable for it, I have only to perform my duty, which I never felt
to be so painful as now. We shall meet in Goettingen, prince," he said,
taking leave with a hasty pressure of the hand, he then hurried down
the stairs and threw himself into his carriage.
Just at the brightly lighted, gilded iron gate of the outer court he
met a long row of carriages driving to the castle.
The magistrates and the principal burghers of the capital were coming
to take leave of the king. As the long file of carriages emerged from
the avenue, they looked so dark against the bright light that they
resembled a long black funeral, and shuddering involuntarily at this
idea Meding leant back in his carriage and drove towards Hanover.
In the meantime Count Platen sat in his cabinet. A small lamp shed its
light over the writing table covered, with letters and papers, before
which he sat, his head leaning on his hand.
"Is there really no escape?" he cried at last, as he rose and paced up
and down the room; "can we not recover the fine position we held?"
He looked thoughtfully from the window out into the warm starlight
night.
"The concentration of the army is good," he said, "it shows we are in
earnest, and not inclined to give way without resistance: that the king
should go, is also good--it makes negotiation easier. Well, I believe,"
he cried in a tone of relief, "they will bethink themselves in Berlin
after firing off this alarm gun, and will be satisfied if we accept
neutrality. But even if we are obliged--they cannot abandon us in
Vienna--and if Austria conquers!" A happy smile passed over his face,
and flattering pictures of the future seemed unrolled before his mind.
The timepiece on his writing-table struck twelve.
"Prince Ysenburg!" announced the groom of the chambers.
"Now, at this hour?" cried Count Platen, starting back. And he hastened
to meet the Prussian ambassador, who had entered the room, and advanced
slowly and gravely. "What good news do you bring at this late hour,
dear prince?" he asked.
"Whether I can bring good news, I know not!" replied the prince, a
small slight man, with regular features and a spare black moustache, as
he fixed his black eyes with a sad and enquiring look upon Count
Platen; "I must first beg for your answer to the note I delivered this
morning, the reply to which I was to wait for until this evening. You
see," he said drawing out his watch, "I have given my instructions the
widest possible extension; it is now twelve o'clock--the day is ended."
"My dear prince," said Count Platen, "I gave the note to the king
immediately, the reply is now with his majesty; I expect it back every
moment, and I do not doubt we shall easily come to an understanding."
The prince shook his head slightly.
"Though the answer is with his majesty, yet you must know, and I
_must_"--he laid a stress upon the word--"urgently beg you to impart
its purport. Is the proposition accepted, are you authorized to
conclude the proffered treaty?"
"You will allow," said Count Platen, "that such a deeply important
proposal as the reform of the confederation requires a discussion that
will occupy some time."
"I must press you, Count Platen," said the prince, "to give me a
distinct answer upon one point,--I am not authorized to commence a
discussion,--has the king accepted the treaty or not?"
"No," said Count Platen, with great hesitation, "but----"
"Then I declare war!" said Prince Ysenburg solemnly.
Count Platen stared blankly in his face.
"But my dear prince--" he cried.
"You must perceive," said Prince Ysenburg, "that after such a
declaration it is impossible for me to say anything more, except to
express my deep personal regret that our long years of intimacy, on
which I shall always look back with pleasure, should have so sad an
end. Farewell! remember me with the same friendship with which I shall
always think of you."
He held out his hand to Count Platen, who seized it mechanically, and
before the minister had recovered from his astonishment the ambassador
had left the room.
A short time afterwards, Meding arrived, and found him still under the
influence of this scene. He brought the minister the king's commands to
accompany him to Goettingen, and Count Platen imparted the declaration
of war.
"Did you ever doubt it?" asked Meding.
"I considered it impossible!" said Count Platen; "and I yet hope we may
be able to do something in Goettingen."
"There is nothing to be done, except to march as fast as we can for
South Germany!" said the privy councillor.
He left the minister, to prepare for his journey, and hastened to seek
General Brandis.
Herr Beckmann had come to Hanover with the courier from Berlin, and he
discovered to his great discontent that he could not set out again upon
his already retarded journey, until various trains containing troops
had been despatched from the railway station.
It was two in the morning.
He walked disconsolately up and down the platform, wrapped himself
shiveringly in his large travelling cloak, smoked his cigar, and looked
at the busy proceedings in the railway station.
There was a train with a steaming engine close to the platform; it
consisted of only a few carriages, but in the centre there was a large
saloon carriage richly gilt, and surmounted by a crown.
"What is that?" asked Herr Beckmann as a busy porter hurried past.
"The king is going to Goettingen," he replied, and hastened on.
Herr Beckmann walked up to the saloon carriage and examined it.
"It is true," he said, "the king must really be starting; but," he
added, "it does not look like a flight, the soldiers, at all events,
seem to have no mind to fly."
Notwithstanding the late hour the platform grew more and more crowded
with people, who waited quietly near the royal train.
Then the large doors of the royal waiting-room opened, and Count
Platen, a number of generals, Lex, and Herr Meding appeared. They all
seemed grave and silent.
The wheels of other carriages were heard.
There was a movement amongst the gentlemen in the waiting-room, and the
crowd on the platform pressed towards the open door.
The king entered, dressed in a general's uniform, leaning on the arm of
the crown prince, who wore a hussar's uniform. They were followed by
lieutenant-colonels von Heimbruch and von Kohlrausch, and by Major
Wedel.
The king gravely greeted those who had assembled to take leave of him,
he conversed with several of the gentlemen and shook hands with them.
The general director of the railway came up and said that the train was
ready.
The king and the crown prince walked across the platform and entered
the railway carriage.
Every head was uncovered, and a sorrowful murmur passed through the
assembled crowd.
The king was followed by the gentlemen of his suite. The crowd
thickened around the carriage.
Then George V. appeared at the middle window, bowed, and said in his
clear voice:
"I say farewell to the citizens of my capital, because I must accompany
my army to resist unjust demands. My queen and the princesses I confide
to your protection; they will share your fate. God be with you, and
with our just cause!"
"God save the king!" cried the crowd; "auf Wiedersehn! auf Wiedersehn.
God bless your majesty!" Handkerchiefs waved, and hats rose higher and
higher.
Herr Beckmann stood in the outer row. Tears shone in his eyes, he
raised his hat in the air and his voice joined in the general cry with
which the citizens of Hanover took leave of their king.
The train moved slowly, the engine puffed, the wheels rolled faster,
and there was one general cry: "Auf Wiedersehn!" The carriage rushed
on, the king had left the capital.
The generals and court officials slowly departed, the crowd slowly and
silently dispersed, and Herr Beckmann paced thoughtfully up and down
the platform.
"Tiens, tiens," said he to himself, "voila le revers de la medaille.
What will not this war destroy? how deeply will it cut into human life,
both high and low! Great events lie in the lap of the future: yes, but
tears also--did not my eyes grow wet when the king took leave of his
people. Well! what must happen, will happen, an individual can neither
add nor take away. Fate seizes on us all!"
"The train is starting for Cologne," said a porter coming up to him.
"At last!" cried Herr Beckmann with a sigh of relief; and the
whistling, puffing engine soon bore him away.