History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [70]
out into Cassandra prophesyings,
which have piqued the young King, and provoke this return:--
1. "REINSBERG, 24th November, 1740.--I have received your Letter,
and seen with what inquietude you view the approaching march of my
Troops. I hope you will set your mind at ease on that score;
and wait with patience what I intend with them and you. I have
made all my dispositions; and Your Serenity will learn, time
enough, what my orders are, without disquieting yourself about
them, as nothing has been forgotten or delayed."--FRIEDRICH.
Old Dessauer, cut to the bone, perceives he will have to quit that
method and never resume it; writes next how painful it is to an
old General to see himself neglected, as if good for nothing,
while his scholars are allowed to gather laurels. Friedrich's
answer is of soothing character:--
2. "BERLIN, 2d DECEMBER, 1740.--You may be assured I honor your
merits and capacity as a young Officer ought to honor an old one,
who has given the world so many proofs of his talent (DEXTERITAT);
nor will I neglect Your Serenity on any occasion when you can help
me by your good Counsel and co-operation." But it is a mere
"bagatelle" this that I am now upon; though, next year, it may
become serious.
For the rest, Saxony being a neighbor whose intentions one does
not know, I have privately purposed Your Serenity should keep an
outlook that way, in my absence. Plenty of employment coming for
Your Serenity. "But as to this present Expedition, I reserve it
for myself alone; that the world may not think the King of Prussia
marches with a Tutor to the Field."--FRIEDRICH. [Orlich,
Geschichte der Schlesischen Kriege (Berlin, 1841),
i. 38, 39.]
And therewith Leopold, eagerly complying, has to rest satisfied;
and beware of too much freedom with this young King again.
"Berlin, December 2d," is the date of that last Note to the
Dessauer; date also of Voltaire's ADIEU with the RESPONSE;--
on which same day, "Friday, December 2d," as I find from the Old
Books, his Majesty, quitting the Reinsberg sojourn, "had arrived
in Berlin about 2 P.M.; accompanied by Prince August Wilhelm
[betrothed at Brunswick lately]; such a crowd on the streets as if
they had never seen him before." He continued at Berlin or in the
neighborhood thenceforth. Busy days these; and Berlin a much
whispering City, as Regiment after Regiment marches away.
King soon to follow, as is thought,--"who himself sometimes deigns
to take the Regiments into highest own eyeshine, HOCHST-EIGENEN
AUGENSCHEIN" (that is, to review them), say the reverential
Editors. December 6th--But let us follow the strict sequence of
Phenomena at Berlin.
EXCELLENCY BOTTA HAS AUDIENCE; THEN EXCELLENCY DICKENS,
AND OTHERS: DECEMBER 6th, THE MYSTERY IS OUT.
Of course her Hungarian Majesty, and her Bartensteins and
Ministries, heard enough of those Prussian rumors, interior
Military activities, and enigmatic movements; but they seem
strangely supine on the matter; indeed, they seem strangely
supine on such matters; and lean at ease upon the Sea-Powers, upon
Pragmatic Sanction and other Laws of Nature. But at length even
they become painfully interested as to Friedrich's intentions;
and despatch an Envoy to sift him a little: an expert Marchese di
Botta, Genoese by birth, skilful in the Russian and other
intricacies; who was here at Berlin lately, doing the Accession
Compliment (rather ill received at that time), and is fit for the
job. Perhaps Botta will penetrate him? That is becoming desirable,
in spite of the gay Private Theatricals at Reinsberg, and the
Berlin Carnival Balls he is so occupied with.
England is not less interested, and the diligent Sir Guy is doing
his best; but can make out nothing satisfactory;--much the reverse
indeed; and falls into angry black anticipations. "Nobody here,
great or small," says his Excellency, "dares make any
representation to this young Prince against the measures he is
pursuing; though all are sensible of the confusion which must
follow. A
which have piqued the young King, and provoke this return:--
1. "REINSBERG, 24th November, 1740.--I have received your Letter,
and seen with what inquietude you view the approaching march of my
Troops. I hope you will set your mind at ease on that score;
and wait with patience what I intend with them and you. I have
made all my dispositions; and Your Serenity will learn, time
enough, what my orders are, without disquieting yourself about
them, as nothing has been forgotten or delayed."--FRIEDRICH.
Old Dessauer, cut to the bone, perceives he will have to quit that
method and never resume it; writes next how painful it is to an
old General to see himself neglected, as if good for nothing,
while his scholars are allowed to gather laurels. Friedrich's
answer is of soothing character:--
2. "BERLIN, 2d DECEMBER, 1740.--You may be assured I honor your
merits and capacity as a young Officer ought to honor an old one,
who has given the world so many proofs of his talent (DEXTERITAT);
nor will I neglect Your Serenity on any occasion when you can help
me by your good Counsel and co-operation." But it is a mere
"bagatelle" this that I am now upon; though, next year, it may
become serious.
For the rest, Saxony being a neighbor whose intentions one does
not know, I have privately purposed Your Serenity should keep an
outlook that way, in my absence. Plenty of employment coming for
Your Serenity. "But as to this present Expedition, I reserve it
for myself alone; that the world may not think the King of Prussia
marches with a Tutor to the Field."--FRIEDRICH. [Orlich,
Geschichte der Schlesischen Kriege
i. 38, 39.]
And therewith Leopold, eagerly complying, has to rest satisfied;
and beware of too much freedom with this young King again.
"Berlin, December 2d," is the date of that last Note to the
Dessauer; date also of Voltaire's ADIEU with the RESPONSE;--
on which same day, "Friday, December 2d," as I find from the Old
Books, his Majesty, quitting the Reinsberg sojourn, "had arrived
in Berlin about 2 P.M.; accompanied by Prince August Wilhelm
[betrothed at Brunswick lately]; such a crowd on the streets as if
they had never seen him before." He continued at Berlin or in the
neighborhood thenceforth. Busy days these; and Berlin a much
whispering City, as Regiment after Regiment marches away.
King soon to follow, as is thought,--"who himself sometimes deigns
to take the Regiments into highest own eyeshine, HOCHST-EIGENEN
AUGENSCHEIN" (that is, to review them), say the reverential
Editors. December 6th--But let us follow the strict sequence of
Phenomena at Berlin.
EXCELLENCY BOTTA HAS AUDIENCE; THEN EXCELLENCY DICKENS,
AND OTHERS: DECEMBER 6th, THE MYSTERY IS OUT.
Of course her Hungarian Majesty, and her Bartensteins and
Ministries, heard enough of those Prussian rumors, interior
Military activities, and enigmatic movements; but they seem
strangely supine on the matter; indeed, they seem strangely
supine on such matters; and lean at ease upon the Sea-Powers, upon
Pragmatic Sanction and other Laws of Nature. But at length even
they become painfully interested as to Friedrich's intentions;
and despatch an Envoy to sift him a little: an expert Marchese di
Botta, Genoese by birth, skilful in the Russian and other
intricacies; who was here at Berlin lately, doing the Accession
Compliment (rather ill received at that time), and is fit for the
job. Perhaps Botta will penetrate him? That is becoming desirable,
in spite of the gay Private Theatricals at Reinsberg, and the
Berlin Carnival Balls he is so occupied with.
England is not less interested, and the diligent Sir Guy is doing
his best; but can make out nothing satisfactory;--much the reverse
indeed; and falls into angry black anticipations. "Nobody here,
great or small," says his Excellency, "dares make any
representation to this young Prince against the measures he is
pursuing; though all are sensible of the confusion which must
follow. A