History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [66]
each day; and in the evening what a relish for
society,--Praetorius is quite astonished at it. Music, dancing,
play-acting, suppers of the gods, "not done till four in the
morning sometimes," these are the accounts Praetorius hears at
Berlin. "From all persons who return from Reinsberg," writes he,
"the unanimous report is, That the King works, the whole day
through, with an assiduity that is unique; and then, in the
evening, gives himself to the pleasures of society, with a
vivacity of mirth and sprightly humor which makes those Evening-
Parties charming." [Excerpt, in Preuss, Thronbesteigung,
p. 418.] So it had to last, with frequent short
journeys on Friedrich's part, and at last with change to Berlin as
head-quarters, for about seven weeks to come,--till the beginning
of December, and the day of action, namely. A notable little
Interim in Friedrich's History and that of Europe.
Friedrich's secret, till almost the very end, remained
impenetrable; though, by degrees, his movements excited much
guessing in the Gazetteer and Diplomatic world everywhere.
Military matters do seem to be getting brisk in Prussia; arsenals
much astir; troops are seen mustering, marching, plainly to a
singular degree. Marching towards the Austrian side, towards
Silesia, some note. Yes; but also towards Cleve, certain
detachments of troops are marching,--do not men see? And the
Intrenchment at Buderich in those parts, that is getting forward
withal,--though privately there is not the least prospect of using
it, in these altered circumstances. Friedrich already guesses that
if he could get Silesia, so invaluable on the one skirt of him, he
mill probably have to give up his Berg-Julich claims on the other;
I fancy he is getting ready to do so, should the time come for
such alternative. But he labors at Buderich, all the same, and
"improves the roads in that quarter,"--which at least may help to
keep an inquisitive public at bay. These are seven busy weeks on
Friedrich's part, and on the world's: constant realities of
preparation, on the one part, industriously veiled; on the other
part, such shadows, guessings, spyings, spectral movements above
ground and below; Diplomatic shadows fencing, Gazetteer shadows
rumoring;--dreams of a world as if near awakening to something
great! "All Officers on furlough have been ordered to their
posts," writes Bielfeld, on those vague terms of his: "On arriving
at Berlin, you notice a great agitation in all departments of the
State. The regiments are ordered to prepare their equipages, and
to hold themselves in readiness for marching. There are magazines
being formed at Frankfurt-on-Oder and at Crossen,"--handy for
Silesia, you would say? "There are considerable trains of
Artillery getting ready, and the King has frequent conferences
with his Generals." [Bielfeld, i. 165 (Berlin, 30th November, is
the date he puts to it).] The authentic fact is: "By the middle of
November, Troops, to the extent of 30,000 and more, had got orders
to be ready for marching in three weeks hence; their public
motions very visible ever since, their actual purpose a mystery to
all mortals except three.
Towards the end of November, it becomes the prevailing guess that
the business is immediate, not prospective; that Silesia may be in
the wind, not Julich and Berg. Which infinitely quickens the
shadowy rumorings and Diplomatic fencings of mankind. The French
have their special Ambassador here; a Marquis de Beauvau,
observant military gentleman, who came with the Accession
Compliment some time ago, and keeps his eyes well open, but cannot
see through mill-stones. Fleury is intensely desirous to know
Friedrich's secret; but would fain keep his own (if he yet have
one), and is himself quite tacit and reserved. To Fleury's Marquis
de Beauvau Friedrich is very gracious; but in regard to secrets,
is for a reciprocal procedure. Could not Voltaire go and try?
It is thought Fleury had let fall some hint to that effect,
carried by a bird of the air. Sure enough
society,--Praetorius is quite astonished at it. Music, dancing,
play-acting, suppers of the gods, "not done till four in the
morning sometimes," these are the accounts Praetorius hears at
Berlin. "From all persons who return from Reinsberg," writes he,
"the unanimous report is, That the King works, the whole day
through, with an assiduity that is unique; and then, in the
evening, gives himself to the pleasures of society, with a
vivacity of mirth and sprightly humor which makes those Evening-
Parties charming." [Excerpt, in Preuss,
journeys on Friedrich's part, and at last with change to Berlin as
head-quarters, for about seven weeks to come,--till the beginning
of December, and the day of action, namely. A notable little
Interim in Friedrich's History and that of Europe.
Friedrich's secret, till almost the very end, remained
impenetrable; though, by degrees, his movements excited much
guessing in the Gazetteer and Diplomatic world everywhere.
Military matters do seem to be getting brisk in Prussia; arsenals
much astir; troops are seen mustering, marching, plainly to a
singular degree. Marching towards the Austrian side, towards
Silesia, some note. Yes; but also towards Cleve, certain
detachments of troops are marching,--do not men see? And the
Intrenchment at Buderich in those parts, that is getting forward
withal,--though privately there is not the least prospect of using
it, in these altered circumstances. Friedrich already guesses that
if he could get Silesia, so invaluable on the one skirt of him, he
mill probably have to give up his Berg-Julich claims on the other;
I fancy he is getting ready to do so, should the time come for
such alternative. But he labors at Buderich, all the same, and
"improves the roads in that quarter,"--which at least may help to
keep an inquisitive public at bay. These are seven busy weeks on
Friedrich's part, and on the world's: constant realities of
preparation, on the one part, industriously veiled; on the other
part, such shadows, guessings, spyings, spectral movements above
ground and below; Diplomatic shadows fencing, Gazetteer shadows
rumoring;--dreams of a world as if near awakening to something
great! "All Officers on furlough have been ordered to their
posts," writes Bielfeld, on those vague terms of his: "On arriving
at Berlin, you notice a great agitation in all departments of the
State. The regiments are ordered to prepare their equipages, and
to hold themselves in readiness for marching. There are magazines
being formed at Frankfurt-on-Oder and at Crossen,"--handy for
Silesia, you would say? "There are considerable trains of
Artillery getting ready, and the King has frequent conferences
with his Generals." [Bielfeld, i. 165 (Berlin, 30th November, is
the date he puts to it).] The authentic fact is: "By the middle of
November, Troops, to the extent of 30,000 and more, had got orders
to be ready for marching in three weeks hence; their public
motions very visible ever since, their actual purpose a mystery to
all mortals except three.
Towards the end of November, it becomes the prevailing guess that
the business is immediate, not prospective; that Silesia may be in
the wind, not Julich and Berg. Which infinitely quickens the
shadowy rumorings and Diplomatic fencings of mankind. The French
have their special Ambassador here; a Marquis de Beauvau,
observant military gentleman, who came with the Accession
Compliment some time ago, and keeps his eyes well open, but cannot
see through mill-stones. Fleury is intensely desirous to know
Friedrich's secret; but would fain keep his own (if he yet have
one), and is himself quite tacit and reserved. To Fleury's Marquis
de Beauvau Friedrich is very gracious; but in regard to secrets,
is for a reciprocal procedure. Could not Voltaire go and try?
It is thought Fleury had let fall some hint to that effect,
carried by a bird of the air. Sure enough