History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [56]
that Generalship is not
wanted; that War is not an Art, as playing Chess is, as finding
the Longitude, and doing the Differential Calculus are (and a much
deeper Art than any of these); that War is taught by Nature, as
eating is; that courageous soldiers, led on by a courageous Wooden
Pole with Cocked-hat on it, will do very well. In the world I have
not found opacity of platitude go deeper among any People. This is
Difficulty First, not yet suspected by an English People, capable
of great opacity on some subjects.
"Difficulty Second is, That their Ministry, whom they had to force
into this War, perhaps do not go zealously upon it. And perhaps
even, in the above circumstances, they totally want knowledge how
to go upon it, were they never so zealous; Difficulty Second might
be much helped, were it not for Difficulty First. But the
administering of War is a thing also that does not come to a man
like eating.--This Second Difficulty, suspicion that Walpole and
perhaps still higher heads want zeal, gives his Britannic Majesty
infinite trouble; and"--
--And so, in short, he stands there, with the Garter-leg advanced,
looking loftily into a considerable sea of troubles,--that day
when Friedrich drove past him, Friday, 16th September, 1740, and
never came so near him again.
The next business for Friedrich was a Visit at Brunswick, to the
Affinities and Kindred, in passing; where also was an important
little act to be done: Betrothal of the young Prince, August
Wilhelm, Heir-Presumptive whom we saw in Strasburg, to a Princess
of that House, Louisa Amelia, younger Sister of Friedrich's own
Queen. A modest promising arrangement; which turned out well
enough,--though the young Prince, Father to the Kings that since
are, was not supremely fortunate otherwise. [Betrothal was 20th
September, 1740; Marriage, 5th January, 1742 (Buchholz, i. 207).]
After which, the review at Magdeburg; and home on the 24th, there
to "be busy as a Turk or as a M. Jordan,"--according to what we
read long since.
Chapter VII.
WITHDRAWS TO REINSBERG, HOPING A PEACEABLE WINTER.
By this Herstal token, which is now blazing abroad, now and for a
month to come, it can be judged that the young King of Prussia
intends to stand on his own footing, quite peremptorily if need
be; and will by no means have himself led about in Imperial
harness, as his late Father was. So that a dull Public
(Herrenhausen very specially), and Gazetteer Owls of Minerva
everywhere, may expect events. All the more indubitably, when that
spade-work comes to light in the Wesel Country. It is privately
certain (the Gazetteers not yet sure about it, till they see the
actual spades going), this new King does fully intend to assert
his rights on Berg-Julich; and will appear there with his iron
ramrods, the instant old Kur-Pfalz shall decease, let France and
the Kaiser say No to it or say Yes. There are, in fact, at a fit
place, "Buderich in the neighborhood of Wesel," certain rampart-
works, beginnings as of an Entrenched Camp, going on;--"for Review
purposes merely," say the Gazetteers, IN ITALICS. Here, it
privately is Friedrich's resolution, shall a Prussian Army, of
the due strength (could be well-nigh 100,000 strong if needful),
make its appearance, directly on old Kur-Pfalz's decease, if one
live to see such event. [Stenzel, iv. 61.] France and the Kaiser
will probably take good survey of that Buderich phenomenon
before meddling.
To do his work like a King, and shun no peril and no toil in the
course of what his work may be, is Friedrich's rule and intention.
Nevertheless it is clear he expects to approve himself magnanimous
rather in the Peaceable operations than in the Warlike; and his
outlooks are, of all places and pursuits, towards Reinsberg and
the Fine Arts, for the time being. His Public activity meanwhile
they describe as "prodigious," though the ague still clings to
him; such building, instituting, managing: Opera-House, French
Theatre, Palace for his Mother;--day by day, many things to be
recorded
wanted; that War is not an Art, as playing Chess is, as finding
the Longitude, and doing the Differential Calculus are (and a much
deeper Art than any of these); that War is taught by Nature, as
eating is; that courageous soldiers, led on by a courageous Wooden
Pole with Cocked-hat on it, will do very well. In the world I have
not found opacity of platitude go deeper among any People. This is
Difficulty First, not yet suspected by an English People, capable
of great opacity on some subjects.
"Difficulty Second is, That their Ministry, whom they had to force
into this War, perhaps do not go zealously upon it. And perhaps
even, in the above circumstances, they totally want knowledge how
to go upon it, were they never so zealous; Difficulty Second might
be much helped, were it not for Difficulty First. But the
administering of War is a thing also that does not come to a man
like eating.--This Second Difficulty, suspicion that Walpole and
perhaps still higher heads want zeal, gives his Britannic Majesty
infinite trouble; and"--
--And so, in short, he stands there, with the Garter-leg advanced,
looking loftily into a considerable sea of troubles,--that day
when Friedrich drove past him, Friday, 16th September, 1740, and
never came so near him again.
The next business for Friedrich was a Visit at Brunswick, to the
Affinities and Kindred, in passing; where also was an important
little act to be done: Betrothal of the young Prince, August
Wilhelm, Heir-Presumptive whom we saw in Strasburg, to a Princess
of that House, Louisa Amelia, younger Sister of Friedrich's own
Queen. A modest promising arrangement; which turned out well
enough,--though the young Prince, Father to the Kings that since
are, was not supremely fortunate otherwise. [Betrothal was 20th
September, 1740; Marriage, 5th January, 1742 (Buchholz, i. 207).]
After which, the review at Magdeburg; and home on the 24th, there
to "be busy as a Turk or as a M. Jordan,"--according to what we
read long since.
Chapter VII.
WITHDRAWS TO REINSBERG, HOPING A PEACEABLE WINTER.
By this Herstal token, which is now blazing abroad, now and for a
month to come, it can be judged that the young King of Prussia
intends to stand on his own footing, quite peremptorily if need
be; and will by no means have himself led about in Imperial
harness, as his late Father was. So that a dull Public
(Herrenhausen very specially), and Gazetteer Owls of Minerva
everywhere, may expect events. All the more indubitably, when that
spade-work comes to light in the Wesel Country. It is privately
certain (the Gazetteers not yet sure about it, till they see the
actual spades going), this new King does fully intend to assert
his rights on Berg-Julich; and will appear there with his iron
ramrods, the instant old Kur-Pfalz shall decease, let France and
the Kaiser say No to it or say Yes. There are, in fact, at a fit
place, "Buderich in the neighborhood of Wesel," certain rampart-
works, beginnings as of an Entrenched Camp, going on;--"for Review
purposes merely," say the Gazetteers, IN ITALICS. Here, it
privately is Friedrich's resolution, shall a Prussian Army, of
the due strength (could be well-nigh 100,000 strong if needful),
make its appearance, directly on old Kur-Pfalz's decease, if one
live to see such event. [Stenzel, iv. 61.] France and the Kaiser
will probably take good survey of that Buderich phenomenon
before meddling.
To do his work like a King, and shun no peril and no toil in the
course of what his work may be, is Friedrich's rule and intention.
Nevertheless it is clear he expects to approve himself magnanimous
rather in the Peaceable operations than in the Warlike; and his
outlooks are, of all places and pursuits, towards Reinsberg and
the Fine Arts, for the time being. His Public activity meanwhile
they describe as "prodigious," though the ague still clings to
him; such building, instituting, managing: Opera-House, French
Theatre, Palace for his Mother;--day by day, many things to be
recorded