At what hour Friedrich ceased dancing on that famous Ball-night of
Bielfeld's, and how long he slept after, or whether at all, no Bielfeld
even mythically says: but next morning, as is patent to all the world,
Tuesday, 13th December, 1740, at the stroke of nine, he steps into his
carriage; and with small escort rolls away towards Frankfurt-on-Oder;
[_Helden-Geschichte,_ i. 452; Preuss, _Thronbesteigung,_ p. 456.] out
upon an Enterprise which will have results for himself and others.
Two youngish military men, Adjutant-Generals both, were with him,
Wartensleben, Borck; both once fellow Captains in the Potsdam Giants,
and much in his intimacy ever since. Wartensleben we once saw at
Brunswick, on a Masonic occasion; Borck, whom we here see for the first
time, is not the Colonel Borck (properly Major-General) who did the
Herstal Operation lately; still less is he the venerable old Minister,
Marlborough Veteran, and now Field-Marshal Borck, whom Hotham treated
with, on a certain occasion. There are numerous Borcks always in the
King's service; nor are these three, except by loose cousinry, related
to one another. The Borcks all come from Stettin quarter; a brave
kindred, and old enough,--"Old as the Devil, DAS IST SO OLD ALS
DE BORCKEN UND DE DUWEL," says the Pomeranian Proverb;--the
Adjutant-General, a junior member of the clan, chances to be the
notablest of them at this moment. Wartensleben, Borck, and a certain
Colonel von der Golz, whom also the King much esteems, these are his
company on this drive. For escort, or guard of honor out of Berlin to
the next stages, there is a small body of Hussars, Life-guard and other
Cavalry, "perhaps 500 horse in all."
They drive rapidly, through the gray winter; reach Frankfurt-on-Oder,
sixty miles or more; where no doubt there is military business waiting.
They are forward, on the morrow, for dinner, forty miles farther, at a
small Town called Crossen, which looks over into Silesia; and is, for
the present, headquarters to a Prussian Army, standing ready there
and in the environs. Standing ready, or hourly marching in, and
rendezvousing; now about 28,000 strong, horse and foot. A Rearguard
of Ten or Twelve Thousand will march from Berlin in two days, pause
hereabouts, and follow according to circumstances: Prussian Army will
then be some 40,000 in all. Schwerin has been Commander, manager and
mainspring of the business hitherto: henceforth it is to be the King;
but Schwerin under him will still have a Division of his own.
Among the Regiments, we notice "Schulenburg Horse-Grenadiers,"--come
along from Landsberg hither, these Horse-Grenadiers, with little
Schulenburg at the head of them;--"Dragoon Regiment Bayreuth,"
"Lifeguard Carbineers," "Derschau of Foot;" and other Regiments and
figures slightly known to us, or that will be better known. [List in
_Helden-Geschichte,_ i. 453.] Rearguard, just getting under
way at Berlin, has for leaders the Prince of Holstein-Beck
("Holstein-VAISSELLE," say wags, since the Principality went all to
SILVER-PLATE) and the Hereditary Prince of Anhalt-Dessau, whom we called
the Young Dessauer, on the Strasburg Journey lately: Rearguard, we say,
is of 12,000; main Army is 28,000; Horse and Foot are in the
proportion of about 1 to 3. Artillery "consists of 20 three-pounders; 4
twelve-pounders; 4 howitzers (HAUBITZEN); 4 big mortars, calibre fifty
pounds; and of Artillerymen 166 in all."
With this Force the young King has, on his own basis (pretty much in
spite of all the world, as we find now and afterwards), determined to
invade Silesia, and lay hold of the Property he has long had there;--not
computing, for none can compute, the sleeping whirlwinds he may chance
to awaken thereby. Thus lightly does a man enter upon Enterprises which
prove unexpectedly momentous, and shape the whole remainder of his days
for him; crossing the Rubicon as it were in his sleep. In Life, as on
Railways at certain points,--whether you know it or not, there is but an
inch, this way or that, into what tram you are shunted; but try to get
out of it again! "The man is mad, CET HOMME-LA EST FOL!" said Louis
XV. when he heard it. [Raumer, _Beitrage_ (English Translation, called
_Frederick II. and his Times; from British Museum and State-Paper
Office:_--a very indistinct poor Book, in comparison with whet it might
have been), p. 73 (24th Dec. 1740).]
FRIEDRICH AT CROSSEN, AND STILL IN HIS OWN TERRITORY, 14th-16th
DECEMBER;--STEPS INTO SCHLESIEN.
At all events, the man means to try;--and is here dining at Crossen,
noon of Wednesday, the 14th; certain important persons,--especially two
Silesian Gentlemen, deputed from Grunberg, the nearest Silesian Town,
who have come across the border on business,--having the honor to dine
with him. To whom his manner is lively and affable; lively in mood,
as if there lay no load upon his spirits. The business of these two
Silesian Gentlemen, a Baron von Hocke one of them, a Baron von Kestlitz
the other, was To present, on the part of the Town and Amt of Grunberg,
a solemn Protest against this meditated entrance on the Territory of
Schlesien; Government itself, from Breslau, ordering them to do so.
Protest was duly presented; Friedrich, as his manner is, and continues
to be on his march, glances politely into or at the Protest; hands it,
in silence, to some page or secretary to deposit in the due pigeon-hole
or waste-basket; and invites the two Silesian Gentlemen to dine
with him; as, we see, they have the honor to do. "He (ER) lives near
Grunberg, then, Mein Herr von Hocke?" "Close to it, IHRO MAJESTAT. My
poor mansion, Schloss of Deutsch-Kessel, is some fifteen miles hence;
how infinitely at your Majesty's service, should the march prove
inevitable, and go that way!"--"Well, perhaps!" I find Friedrich did
dine, the second day hence, with one of these Gentlemen; and lodged with
the other. Government at Breslau has ordered such Protest, on the part
of the Frontier populations and Official persons: and this is all that
comes of it.
During these hours, it chanced that the big Bell of Crossen dropped from
its steeple,--fulness of time, or entire rottenness of axle-tree, being
at last completed, at this fateful moment. Perhaps an ominous thing?
Friedrich, as Caesar and others have done, cheerfully interprets the
omen to his own advantage: "Sign that the High is to be brought low!"
says Friedrich. Were the march-routes, wagon-trains, and multifarious
adjustments perfect to the last item here at Crossen, he will with much
cheerfulness step into Silesia, independent of all Grunberg Protests and
fallen Bells.
On the second day he does actually cross; "the regiments marching in,
at different points; some reaching as far as 25 miles in." It is Friday,
16th December, 1740; there has a game begun which will last long! They
went through the Village of Lasgen; that was the first point of Silesian
ground ("Circle of Schwiebus," our old friend, is on the left near by);
and "Schwerin's Regiment was the foremost." Others cross more to the
left or right; "marching through the Village of Lessen," and other dim
Villages and little Towns, round and beyond Grunberg; all regiments and
divisions bearing upon Grunberg and the Great Road; but artistically
portioned out,--several miles in breadth (for the sake of quarters),
and, as is generally the rule, about a day's march in length. This
evening nearly the whole Army was on Silesian ground.
Printed "Patent" or Proclamation, briefly assuring all Silesians, of
whatever rank, condition or religion, "That we have come as friends to
them, and will protect all persons in their privileges, and molest
no peaceable mortal," is posted on Church-doors, and extensively
distributed by hand. Soldiers are forbidden, "under penalty of the
rods," Officers under that of "cassation with infamy," to take anything,
without first bargaining and paying ready money for it. On these
terms the Silesian villages cheerfully enough accept their new guests,
interesting to the rural mind; and though the billeting was rather
heavy, "as many as 24 soldiers to a common Farmer (GARTNER)," no
complaints were made. In one Schloss, where the owners had fled, and no
human response was to be had by the wayworn-soldiery, there did occur
some breakages and impatient kickings about; which it grieved his
Majesty to hear of, next morning;--in one, not in more.
Official persons, we perceive, study to be absolutely passive. This was
the Burgermeister's course at Grunberg to-night; Grunberg, first Town
on the Frontier, sets an example of passivity which cannot be surpassed.
Prussian troops being at the Gate of Grunberg, Burgermeister and
adjuncts sitting in a tacit expectant condition in their Town-hall,
there arrives a Prussian Lieutenant requiring of the Burgermeister the
Key of said Gate. "To deliver such Key? Would to God I durst, Mein Herr
Lieutenant; but how dare I! There is the Key lying: but to GIVE
it--You are not the Queen of Hungary's Officer, I doubt?"--The Prussian
Lieutenant has to put out hand, and take the Key; which he readily does.
And on the morrow, in returning it, when the march recommences, there
are the same phenomena: Burgermeister or assistants dare not for the
life of them touch that Key: It lay on the table; and may again, in the
course of Providence, come to lie!--The Prussian Lieutenant lays it down
accordingly, and hurries out, with a grin on his face. There was much
small laughter over this transaction; Majesty himself laughing well at
it. Higher perfection of passivity no Burgermeister could show.
The march, as readers understand, is towards Glogau; a strongish
Garrison Town, now some 40 miles ahead; the key of Northern Schlesien.
Grunberg (where my readers once slept for the night, in the late King's
time, though they have forgotten it) is the first and only considerable
Town on the hither side of Glogau. On to Glogau, I rather perceive, the
Army is in good part provisioned before starting: after Glogau,--we must
see. Bread-wagons, Baggage-wagons, Ammunition-and-Artillery wagons, all
is in order; Army artistically portioned out. That is the form of march;
with Glogau ahead. King, as we said above, dines with his Baron von
Hocke, at the Schloss of Deutsch-Kessel, short way beyond Grunberg, this
first day: but he by no means loiters there;--cuts across, a dozen miles
westward, through a country where his vanguard on its various lines
of march ought to be arriving;--and goes to lodge, at the Schloss of
Schweinitz, with his other Baron, the Von Kestlitz of Wednesday at
Crossen. [_Helden-Geschichte,_ i. 459.] This is Friday, 16th December,
his first night on Silesian ground.
WHAT GLOGAU, AND THE GOVERNMENT AT BRESLAU, DID UPON IT.
Silesia, in the way of resistance, is not in the least prepared for him.
A month ago, there were not above 3,000 Austrian Foot and 600 Horse in
the whole Province: neither the military Governor Count Wallis, nor
the Imperial Court, nor any Official Person near or far, had the least
anticipation of such a Visit. Count Wallis, who commands in Glogau, did
in person, nine or ten days ago, as the rumors rose ever higher, run
over to Crossen; saw with his eyes the undeniable there; and has been
zealously endeavoring ever since, what he could, to take measures.
Wallis is now shut in Glogau; his second, the now Acting Governor,
General Browne, a still more reflective man, is doing likewise his
utmost; but on forlorn terms, and without the least guidance from Court.
Browne has, by violent industry, raked together, from Mahren and the
neighboring countries, certain fractions which raise his Force to 7,000
Foot: these he throws, in small parties, into the defensible points; or,
in larger, into the Chief Garrisons. New Cavalry he cannot get; the
old 600 Horse he keeps for himself, all the marching Army he has.
[Particulars in _Helden-Geschichte,_ i. 465; total of Austrian Force
seems to be 7,800 horse and foot.]
Fain would he get possession of Breslau, and throw in some garrison
there; but cannot. Neither he nor Wallis could compass that. Breslau
is a City divided against itself, on this matter; full of emotions, of
expectations, apprehensions for and against. There is a Supreme Silesian
Government (OBER-AMT "Head-Office," kind of Austrian Vice-Royalty) in
Breslau; and there is, on Breslau's own score, a Town-Rath; strictly
Catholic both these, Vienna the breath of their nostrils. But then
also there are forty-four Incorporated Trades; Oppressed Protestant
in Majority; to whom Vienna is not breath, but rather the want of it.
Lastly, the City calls itself Free; and has crabbed privileges still
valid; a "JUS PROESIDII" (or right to be one's own garrison) one of
them, and the most inconvenient just now. Breslau is a REICH-STADT; in
theory, sovereign member of the Reich, and supreme over its own affairs,
even as Austria itself:--and the truth is, old Theory and new Fact,
resolved not to quarrel, have lapsed into one another's arms in a quite
inextricable way, in Breslau as elsewhere! With a Head Government which
can get no orders from Vienna, the very Town-Rath has little alacrity,
inclines rather to passivity like Grunberg; and a silent population
threatens to become vocal if you press upon it.
Breslau, that is to say the OBER-AMT there, has sent courier on courier
to Vienna for weeks past: not even an answer;--what can Vienna answer,
with Kur-Baiern and others threatening war on it, and only 10,000 pounds
in its National Purse? Answer at last is, "Don't bother! Danger is
not so near. Why spend money on couriers, and get into such a taking?"
General Wallis came to Breslau, after what he had seen at Crossen; and
urged strongly, in the name of self-preservation, first law of Nature,
to get an Austrian real Garrison introduced; wished much (horrible to
think of!) "the suburbs should be burnt, and better ramparts raised:"
but could not succeed in any of these points, nor even mention some of
them in a public manner. "You shall have a Protestant for commandant,"
suggested Wallis; "there is Count von Roth, Silesian-Lutheran, an
excellent Soldier!"--"Thanks," answered they, "we can defend ourselves;
we had rather not have any!" And the Breslau Burghers have, accordingly,
set to drill themselves; are bringing out old cannon in quantity;
repairing breaches; very strict in sentry-work: "Perfectly able to
defend our City,--so far as we see good!"--Tuesday last, December 13th
(the very day Friedrich left Berlin), as this matter of the Garrison,
long urged by the Ober-Amt, had at last been got agreed to by the
Town-Rath, "on proviso of consulting the Incorporated Trades", or
at least consulting their Guild-Masters, who are usually a silent
folk,--the Guild-Masters suddenly became in part vocal; and their
forty-four Guilds unusually so:--and there was tumult in Breslau, in
the Salz-Ring (big central Square or market-place, which they call RING)
such as had not been; idle population, and guild-brethren of suspicious
humor, gathering in multitudes into and round the fine old Town-hall
there; questioning, answering, in louder and louder key; at last
bellowing quite in alt; and on the edge of flaming into one knew not
what: [_Helden-Geschichte,_ i. 469.]--till the matter of Austrian
Garrison (much more, of burning the suburbs!) had to be dropt; settled
in what way we see.
Head Government (OBER-AMT) has, through its Northern official people,
sent Protest, strict order to the Silesian Population to look sour on
the Prussians:--and we saw, in consequence, the two Silesian Gentlemen
did dine with Friedrich, and he has returned their visits; and the Mayor
of Grunberg would not touch his keys. Head Government is now redacting
a "Patent," or still more solemn Protest of its own; which likewise it
will affix in the Salz-Ring here, and present to King Friedrich: and
this--except "despatching by boat down the river a great deal of meal to
Glogau", which was an important quiet thing, of Wallis's enforcing--is
pretty much all it can do. No Austrian Garrison can be got in
("Perfectly able to defend ourselves!")--let Government and Wallis or
Browne contrive as they may. And as to burning the suburbs, better
not whisper of that again. Breslau feels, or would fain feel itself
"perfectly able;"--has at any rate no wish to be bombarded; and contains
privately a great deal of Protestant humor. Of all which, Friedrich, it
is not doubted, has notice more or less distinct; and quickens his march
the more.
General Browne is at present in the Southern parts; an able active man
and soldier; but, with such a force what can he attempt to do? There are
three strong places in the Country, Glogau, then Brieg, both on the Oder
river; lastly Neisse, on the Neisse river, a branch of the Oder (one
of the FOUR Neisse rivers there are in Germany, mostly in Silesia,--not
handy to the accurate reader of German Books). Browne is in Neisse;
and will start into a strange stare when the flying post reaches him:
Prussians actually on march! Debate with them, if debate there is to
be, Browne himself must contrive to do; from Breslau, from Vienna, no
Government Supreme or Subordinate can yield his 8,000 and him the least
help.
Glogau, as we saw, means to defend itself; at least, General Wallis the
Commandant, does, in spite of the Glogau public; and is, with his
whole might, digging, palisading, getting in meal, salt meat and other
provender;--likewise burning suburbs, uncontrollable he, in the small
place; and clearing down the outside edifices and shelters, at a
diligent rate. Yesterday, 15th December, he burnt down the "three
Oder-Mills, which lie outside the big suburban Tavern, also the
ZIEGEL-SCHEUNE (Tile-Manufactory)," and other valuable buildings,
careless of public lamentation,--fire catching the Town itself, and
needing to be quenched again. [_Helden-Geschichte,_ i. 473-475.] Nay,
he was clear for burning down, or blowing up, the Protestant Church,
indispensable sacred edifice which stands outside the walls: "Prussians
will make a block-house of it!" said Wallis. A chief Protestant, Baron
von Something, begged passionately for only twelve hours of respite,--to
lay the case before his Prussian Majesty. Respite conceded, he and
another chief Protestant had posted off accordingly; and did the next
morning (Friday, 16th), short way from Crossen, meet his Majesty's
carriage; who graciously pulled up for a few instants, and listened to
their story. "MEINE HERREN, you are the first that ask a favor of me on
Silesian ground; it shall be done you!" said the King; and straightway
despatched, in polite style, his written request to Wallis, engaging
to make no military use whatever of said Church, "but to attack by the
other side, if attack were necessary." Thus his Majesty saved the Church
of Glogau; which of course was a popular act. Getting to see this Church
himself a few days hence, he said, "Why, it must come down at any rate,
and be rebuilt; so ugly a thing!"
Wallis is making strenuous preparation; forces the inhabitants, even
the upper kinds of them, to labor day and night by relays, in his
rampartings, palisadings; is for burning all the adjacent Villages,--and
would have done it, had not the peasants themselves turned out in
a dangerous state of mind. He has got together about 1,000 men. His
powder, they say, is fifty years old; but he has eatable provender from
Breslau, and means to hold out to the utmost. Readers must admit that
the Austrian military, Graf von Wallis to begin with,--still
more, General Browne, who is a younger man and has now the head
charge,--behave well in their present forsaken condition. Wallis (Graf
FRANZ WENZEL this one, not to be confounded with an older Wallis heard
of in the late Turk War) is of Scotch descent,--as all these Wallises
are; "came to Austria long generations ago; REICHSGRAFS since
1612:"--Browne is of Irish; age now thirty-five, ten years younger than
Wallis. Read this Note on the distinguished Browne:--
"A German-Irish Gentleman, this General (ultimately Fieldmarshal)
Graf von Browne; one of those sad exiled Irish Jacobites, or sons of
Jacobites, who are fighting in foreign armies; able and notable men
several of them, and this Browne considerably the most so. We shall meet
him repeatedly within the next eighteen years. Maximilian-Ulysses
Graf von Browne: I said he was born German; Basel his birthplace (23d
October, 1705), Father also a soldier: he must not be confounded with
a contemporary Cousin of his, who is also 'Fieldmarshal Browne,' but
serves in Russia, Governor of Riga for a long time in the coming years.
This Austrian General, Fieldmarshal Browne, will by and by concern us
somewhat; and the reader may take note of him.
"Who the Irish Brothers Browne, the Fathers of these Marshals Browne,
were? I have looked in what Irish Peerages and printed Records there
were, but without the least result. One big dropsical Book, of languid
quality, called _King James's Irish Army-List,_ has multitudes of
Brownes and others, in an indistinct form; but the one Browne wanted,
the one Lacy, almost the one Lally, like the part of HAMLET, are
omitted. There are so many Irish in the like case with these Brownes.
A Lacy we once slightly saw or heard of; busy in the Polish-Election
time,--besieging Dantzig (investing Dantzig, that Munnich might besiege
it);--that Lacy, 'Governor of Riga,' whom the RUSSIAN Browne will
succeed, is also Irish: a conspicuous Russian man; and will have a Son
Lacy, conspicuous among the Austrians. Maguires, Ogilvies (of the Irish
stock), Lieutenants 'Fitzgeral;' very many Irish; and there is not
the least distinct account to be had of any of them." [For Browne see
"Anonymous of Hamburg" (so I have had to label a J.F.S. _Geschichte des
&c._--in fact, History of Seven-Years War, in successive volumes, done
chiefly by the scissors; Leipzig and Frankfurt, 1759, et seqq.), i.
123-131 n.: elaborate Note of eight pages there; intimating withal that
he, J.F.S., wrote the _"Life of Browne,"_ a Book I had in vain sought
for; and can now guess to consist of those same elaborate eight pages,
PLUS water and lathering to the due amount. Anonymous "of Hamburg" I
call my J.F.S.,--having fished him out of the dust-abysses in that City:
a very poor take; yet worth citing sometimes, being authentic, as even
the darkest Germans generally are.--For a glimpse of LACY (the Elder
Lacy) see Busching, _Beitrage,_ vi. 162.--For WALLIS (tombstone Note on
Wallis) see (among others who are copious in that kind of article,
and keep large sacks of it, in admired disorder) Anonymous Seyfarth,
_Geschichte Friedrichs des Andern_ (Leipzig, 1784-1788), i. 112 n.;
and Anonymous, _Leben der &c. Marie Theresie_ (Leipzig, 1781), 27 n.:
laboriously authentic Books both; essentialy DICTIONARIES,--stuffed as
into a row of blind SACKS.]
Let us attend his Majesty on the next few marches towards Glogau, to see
the manner of the thing a little; after which it will behoove us to be
much more summary, and stick by the main incidents.
MARCH TO WEICHAU (SATURDAY, 17th, AND STAY SUNDAY THERE); TO MILKAU
(MONDAY, 19th); GET TO HERRENDORF, WITHIN SIGHT OF GLOGAU, DECEMBER 22d.
Friedrich's march proceeds with speed and regularity. Strict discipline
is maintained; all things paid for, damage carefully avoided: "We
come, not as invasive enemies of you or of the Queen of Hungary, but as
protective friends of Silesia and of her Majesty's rights there;--her
Majesty once allowing us (as it is presumable she will) our own rights
in this Province, no man shall meddle with hers, while we continue
here." To that effect runs the little "Patent," or initiatory
Proclamation, extensively handed out, and posted in public places, as
was said above; and the practice is conformable. To all men, coming with
Protests or otherwise, we perceive, the young King is politeness itself;
giving clear answer, and promise which will be kept, on the above
principle. Nothing angers him except that gentlemen should disbelieve,
and run away. That a mansion be found deserted by its owners, is the one
evil omen for such mansion. Thus, at the Schloss of Weichau (which is
still discoverable on the Map, across the "Black Ochel" and the "White,"
muddy streams which saunter eastward towards, the Oder there, nothing
yet running westward for the Bober, our other limitary river), next
night after Schweinitz, second night in Silesia, there was no Owner
to be met with; and the look of his Majesty grew FINSTER (dark);
remembering what had passed yesternight, in like case, at that other
Schloss from which the owner with his best portable furniture had
vanished. At which Schloss, as above noticed, some disorders were
committed by angry parties of the march;--doors burst open (doors
standing impudently dumb to the rational proposals made them!), inferior
remainders of furniture smashed into firewood, and the like,--no doubt
to his Majesty's vexation. Here at Weichau stricter measures were taken:
and yet difficulties, risks were not wanting; and the AMTMANN (Steward
of the place) got pulled about, and once even a stroke or two. Happily
the young Herr of Weichau appeared in person on the morrow, hearing his
Majesty was still there: "Papa is old; lives at another Schloss;
could not wait upon your Majesty; nor, till now, could I have that
honor."--"Well; lucky that you have come: stay dinner!" Which the young
Count did, and drove home in the evening to reassure Papa; his Majesty
continuing there another night, and the risk over. [_Helden-Geschichte,_
i. 459.]
This day, Sunday, 18th, the Army rests; their first Sunday in Silesia,
while the young Count pays his devoir: and here in Weichau, as
elsewhere, it is in the Church, Catholic nearly always, that the Heretic
Army does its devotions, safe from weather at least: such the Royal
Order, they say; which is taken note of, by the Heterodox and by the
Orthodox. And ever henceforth, this is the example followed; and in all
places where there is no Protestant Church and the Catholics have one,
the Prussian Army-Chaplain assembles his buff-belted audience in the
latter: "No offence, Reverend Fathers, but there are hours for us,
and hours for you; and such is the King's Order." There is regular
divine-service in this Prussian Army; and even a good deal of
inarticulate religion, as one may see on examining.
Country Gentlemen, Town Mayors and other civic Authorities, soon learn
that on these terms they are safe with his Majesty; march after march he
has interviews with such, to regulate the supplies, the necessities
and accidents of the quartering of his Troops. Clear, frank, open
to reasonable representation, correct to his promise; in fact,
industriously conciliatory and pacificatory: such is Friedrich to all
Silesian men. Provincial Authorities, who can get no instructions
from Head-quarters; Vienna saying nothing, Breslau nothing, and
Deputy-Governor Browne being far south in Neisse,--are naturally in
difficulties: How shall they act? Best not to act at all, if one can
help it; and follow the Mayor of Grunberg's unsurpassable pattern!--
"These Silesians," says an Excerpt I have made, "are still in majority
Protestant; especially in this Northern portion of the Province; they
have had to suffer much on that and other scores; and are secretly or
openly in favor of the Prussians. Official persons, all of the Catholic
creed, have leant heavy, not always conscious of doing it, against
Protestant rights. The Jesuits, consciously enough, have been and are
busy with them; intent to recall a Heretic Population by all
methods, fair and unfair. We heard of Charles XII.'s interference,
three-and-thirty years ago; and how the Kaiser, hard bested at that
time, had to profess repentance and engage for complete amendment.
Amendment did, for the moment, accordingly take place. Treaty of
Westphalia in all its stipulations, with precautionary improvements, was
re-enacted as Treaty of Altranstadt; with faithful intention of keeping
it too, on Kaiser Joseph's part, who was not a superstitious man:
'Holy Father, I was too glad he did not demand my own conversion to the
Protestant Heresy, bested as I am,--with Louis Quatorze and Company upon
the neck of me!' Some improvement of performance, very marked at first,
did ensue upon this Altranstadt Treaty. But the sternly accurate Karl
of Sweden soon disappeared from the scene; Kaiser Joseph of Austria soon
disappeared; and his Brother, Karl VI., was a much more orthodox person.
"The Austrian Government, and Kaiser Karl's in particular, is not to be
called an intentionally unjust one; the contrary, I rather find; but it
is, beyond others, ponderous; based broad on such multiplex formalities,
old habitudes; and GRAVITATION has a great power over it. In brief,
Official human nature, with the best of Kaisers atop, flagitated
continually by Jesuit Confessors, does throw its weight on a certain
side: the sad fact is, in a few years the brightness of that Altranstadt
improvement began to wax dim; and now, under long Jesuit manipulation,
Silesian things are nearly at their old pass; and the patience of men
is heavily laden. To see your Chapel made a Soldiers' Barrack, your
Protestant School become a Jesuit one,--Men did not then think of
revolting under injuries; but the poor Silesian weaver, trudging twenty
miles for his Sunday sermon; and perceiving that, unless their Mother
could teach the art of reading, his boys, except under soul's
peril, would now never learn it: such a Silesian could not want for
reflections. Voiceless, hopeless, but heavy; and dwelling secretly, as
under nightmare, in a million hearts. Austrian Officiality, wilfully
unjust, or not wilfully so, is admitted to be in a most heavy-footed
condition; can administer nothing well. Good Government in any kind is
not known here: Possibly the Prussian will be better; who can say?
"The secret joy of these populations, as Friedrich advances among them,
becomes more and more a manifest one. Catholic Officials do not venture
on any definite hope, or definite balance of hope and fear, but adopt
the Mayor of Grunberg's course, and study to be passive and silent.
The Jesuit-Priest kind are clear in their minds for Austria; but think,
Perhaps Prussia itself will not prove very tyrannous? At all events,
be silent; it is unsafe to stir. We notice generally, it is only in
the Southern or Mountain regions of Silesia, where the Catholics are
in majority, that the population is not ardently on the Prussian side.
Passive, if they are on the other side; accurately passive at lowest,
this it is prescribed all prudent men to be."
On the 18th, while divine service went on at Weichau, there was at
Breslau another phenomenon observable. Provincial Government in Breslau
had, at length, after intense study, and across such difficulties as
we have no idea of, got its "Patent," or carefully worded Protestation
against Prussia, brought to paper; and does, this day, with considerable
solemnity, affix it to the Rathhaus door there, for the perusal of
mankind; despatching a Copy for his Prussian Majesty withal, by
two Messengers of dignity. It has needed courage screwed to the
sticking-place to venture on such a step, without instruction from
Head-quarters; and the utmost powers of the Official mind have been
taxed to couch this Document in language politely ambiguous, and yet
strong enough;--too strong, some of us now think it. In any case, here
it now is; Provincial Government's bolt, so to speak, is shot. The
affixing took place under dark weather-symptoms; actual outburst of
thunder and rain at the moment, not to speak of the other surer omens.
So that, to the common mind at Breslau, it did not seem there would
much fruit come of this difficult performance. Breslau is secretly a
much-agitated City; and Prussian Hussar Parties, shooting forth to great
distances ahead, were, this day for the first time, observed within
sight of it.
And on the same Sunday we remark farther, what is still more important:
Herr von Gotter, Friedrich's special Envoy to Vienna, has his first
interview with the Queen of Hungary, or with Grand-Duke Franz the
Queen's Husband and Co-Regent; and presents there, from Friedrich's
own hand, written we remember when, brief distinct Note of his Prussian
Majesty's actual Proposals and real meaning in regard to this Silesian
Affair. Proposals anxiously conciliatory in tone, but the heavy purport
of which is known to us: Gotter had been despatched, time enough, with
these Proposals (written above a month ago); but was instructed not to
arrive with them, till after the actual entrance into Silesia. And now
the response to them is--? As good as nothing; perhaps worse. Let that
suffice us at present. Readers, on march for Glogau, would grudge
to pause over State-papers, though we shall have to read this of
Friedrich's at some freer moment.
Monday, 19th, before daybreak, the Army is astir again, simultaneously
wending forward; spread over wide areas, like a vast cloud (potential
thunder in it) steadily advancing on the winds. Length of the Army,
artistically portioned out, may be ten or fifteen miles, breadth already
more, and growing more; Schwerin always on the right or western wing,
close by the Bober River as yet, through Naumburg and the Towns on that
side,--Liegnitz and other important Towns lying ahead for Schwerin,
still farther apart from the main Body, were Glogau once settled.
So that the march is in two Columns; Schwerin, with the westernmost
small column, intending towards Liegnitz, and thence ever farther
southward, with his right leaning on the high lands which rise more and
more into mountains as you advance. Friedrich himself commands the other
column, has his left upon the Oder, in a country mounting continually
towards the South, but with less irregularity of level, and generally
flat as yet. From beginning to end, the entire field of march lies
between the Oder and its tributary the Bober; climbing slowly towards
the sources of both. Which two rivers, as the reader may observe,
form here a rectangular or trapezoidal space, ever widening as we go
southward. Both rivers, coming from the Giant Mountains, hasten directly
north; but Oder, bulging out easterly in his sandy course, is obliged
to turn fairly westward again; and at Glogau, and a good space farther,
flows in that direction;--till once Bober strikes in, almost at right
angles, carrying Oder with HIM, though he is but a branch, straight
northward again. Northward, but ever slower, to the swollen Pommern
regions, and sluggish exit into the Baltic there.
One of the worst features is the state of the weather. On Sunday, at
Breslau, we noticed thunder bursting out on an important occasion;
"ominous," some men thought;--omen, for one thing, that the weather
was breaking. At Weichau, that same day, rain began,--the young Herr of
Weichau, driving home to Papa from dinner with Majesty, would get his
share of it;--and on Monday, 19th, there was such a pour of rain as kept
most wayfarers, though it could not the Prussian Army, within doors.
Rain in plunges, fallen and falling, through that blessed day; making
roads into mere rivers of mud. The Prussian hosts marched on, all the
same. Head-quarters, with the van of the wet Army, that night, were
at Milkau;--from which place we have a Note of Friedrich's for Friend
Jordan, perhaps producible by and by. His Majesty lodged in some opulent
Jesuit Establishment there. And indeed he continued there, not idle,
under shelter, for a couple of days. The Jesuits, by their two head men,
had welcomed him with their choicest smiles; to whom the King was very
gracious, asking the two to dinner as usual, and styling them "Your
Reverence." Willing to ingratiate himself with persons of interest in
this Country; and likes talk, even with Jesuits of discernment.
On the morrow (20th), came to him, here at Milkau,--probably from some
near stage, for the rain was pouring worse than ever,--that Breslau
"Patent," or strongish Protestation, by its two Messengers of
dignity. The King looked over it "without visible anger" or change of
countenance; "handed it," we expressly see, "to a Page to reposit" in
the proper waste-basket;--spoke politely to the two gentlemen; asked
each or one of them, "Are you of the Ober-Amt at Breslau, then?"--using
the style of ER (He).--"No, your Majesty; we are only of the
Land-Stande" (Provincial Parliament, such as it is). "Upon which [do you
mark!] his Majesty became still more polite; asked them to dinner,
and used the style of SIE." For their PATENT, now lying safe in its
waste-basket, he gave them signed receipt; no other answer.
Rain still heavier, rain as of Noah, continued through this Tuesday, and
for days afterwards: but the Prussian hosts, hastening towards Glogau,
marched still on. This Tuesday's march, for the rearward of the Army,
10,000 foot and 2,000 horse; march of ten hours long, from Weichau to
the hamlet Milkau (where his Majesty sits busy and affable),--is thought
to be the wettest on record. Waters all out, bridges down, the Country
one wild lake of eddying mud. Up to the knee for many miles together; up
to the middle for long spaces; sometimes even up to the chin or deeper,
where your bridge was washed away. The Prussians marched through it, as
if they had been slate or iron. Rank and file, nobody quitted his rank,
nobody looked sour in the face; they took the pouring of the skies, and
the red seas of terrestrial liquid, as matters that must be; cheered
one another with jocosities, with choral snatches (tobacco, I consider,
would not burn); and swashed unweariedly forward. Ten hours some of them
were out, their march being twenty or twenty-five miles; ten to fifteen
was the average distance come. Nor, singular to say, did any loss occur;
except of ALMOST one poor Army-Chaplain, and altogether of one poor
Soldier's Wife;--sank dangerously both of them, beyond redemption she,
taking the wrong side of some bridge-parapet. Poor Soldier's Wife, she
is not named to me at all; and has no history save this, and that "she
was of the regiment Bredow." But I perceive she washed herself away in
a World-Transaction; and there was one rough Bredower, who probably sat
sad that night on getting to quarters. His Majesty surveyed the damp
battalions on the morrow (21st), not without sympathy, not without
satisfaction; allowed them a rest-day here at Milkau, to get dry and
bright again; and gave them "fifteen thalers a company," which is about
ninepence apiece, with some words of praise. [_Helden-Geschichte,_
i.482.]
Next day, Thursday, 22d, his Majesty and they marched on to Herrendorf;
which is only five miles from Glogau, and near enough for Head-quarters,
in the now humor of the place. Wallis has his messenger at Herrendorf,
"Sorry to warn your Majesty, That if there be the least hostility
committed, I shall have to resist it to the utmost." Head-quarters
continue six days at Herrendorf, Army (main body, or left Column, of the
Army) cantoned all round, till we consider what to do.
As to the right Column, or Schwerin's Division, that, after a rest-day
or two, gathers itself into more complete separation here, tucking in
its eastern skirts; and gets on march again, by its own route. Steadily
southward;--and from Liegnitz, and the upland Countries, there will be
news of Schwerin and it before long. Rain ending, there ensued a ringing
frost;--not favorable for Siege-operations on Glogau:--and Silesia
became all of flinty glass, with white peaks to the Southwest, whither
Schwerin is gone.