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History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11
T >> Thomas Carlyle >> History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
"On the other side were hopeful considerations,"--four in number:
FIRST, Weak condition of the Austrian Court, Treasury empty, War-
Apparatus broken in pieces; inexperienced young Princess to defend
a disputed succession, on those terms. SECOND, There WILL be
allies; France and England always in rivalry, both meddling in
these matters, King is sure to get either the one or the other.--
THIRD, Silesian War lies handy to us, and is the only kind of
Offensive War that does; Country bordering on our frontier, and
with the Oder running through it as a sure high-road for
everything. FOURTH, "What suddenly turned the balance," or at
least what kept it steady in that posture,--"news of the Czarina's
death arrives:" Russia has ceased to count against us; and become
a manageable quantity. On, therefore!--
"Add to these reasons," says the King, with a candor which has not
been well treated in the History Books, "Add to these reasons, an
Army ready for acting; Funds, Supplies all found [lying barrelled
in the Schloss at Berlin];--and perhaps the desire of making
oneself a name," from which few of mortals able to achieve it are
exempt in their young time: "all this was cause of the War which
the King now entered upon." [ OEuvres de Frederic italic> (Histoire de mon Temps), i. 128.]
"Desire to make himself a name; how shocking!" exclaim several
Historians. "Candor of confession that he may have had some such
desire; how honest!" is what they do not exclaim. As to the
justice of his Silesian Claims, or even to his own belief about
their justice, Friedrich affords not the least light which can be
new to readers here. He speaks, when business requires it, of
"those known rights" of his, and with the air of a man who expects
to be believed on his word; but it is cursorily, and in the
business way only; and there is not here or elsewhere the least
pleading:--a man, you would say, considerably indifferent to our
belief on that head; his eyes set on the practical merely.
"Just Rights? What are rights, never so just, which you cannot
make valid? The world is full of such. If you have rights and can
assert them into facts, do it; that is worth doing!"--
We must add two Notes, two small absinthine drops, bitter but
wholesome, administered by him to the Old Dessauer, whose gloomy
wonder over all this military whirl of Prussian things, and
discontent that he, lately the head authority, has never once been
spoken to on it, have been great. Guessing, at last, that it was
meant for Austria, a Power rather dear to Leopold, he can suppress
himself no longer; but breaks 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 Prince who had the least regard to honor, truth and
justice, could not act the part he is goingto do." Alas, no,
Excellency Dickens! "But it is plain his only view was, to deceive
us all, and conceal for a while his ambitious and mischievous
designs." [Despatch, 29th November-3d December, 1740: Raumer,
p. 58.] "Never was such dissimulation!" exclaims the Diplomatic
world everywhere, being angered at it, as if it were a vice on the
part of a King about to invade Silesia. Dissimulation, if that
mean mendacity, is not the name of the thing; it is the art of
wearing a polite cloak of darkness, and the King is little
disturbed what name they call it.
Botta did not get to Berlin till December lst, had no Audience
till the 5th;--by which time it is becoming evident to Excellency
Dickens, and to everybody, that Silesia is the thing meant.
Botta hints as much in that first Audience, December 5th:
"Terrible roads, those Silesian ones, your Majesy!" says Botta, as
if historically merely, but with a glance of the eye. "Hm,"
answers his Majesty in the same tone, "the worst that comes of
them is a little mud!"--Next day, Dickens had express Audience,
"Berlin, Tuesday 6th:" a smartish, somewhat flurried Colloquy with
the King; which, well abridged, may stand as follows:--
DICKENS. ... "Indivisibility of the Austrian Monarchy, Sire!"--
KING. "Indivisibility? What do you mean?"--DICKENS. "The
maintenance of the Pragmatic Sanction."--KING. "Do you intend to
support it? I hope not; for such is not my intention." (There is
for you!) ...
DICKENS. "England and Holland will much wonder at the measures
your Majesty was taking, at the moment when your Majesty proposed
to join with them, and were making friendly proposals!" (Has been
a deceitful man, Sir Guy, at least an impenetrable;--but this
latter is rather strong on your part!) "What shall I write to
England?" ("When I mentioned this," says Dickens, "the King grew
red in the face," eyes considerably flashing, I should think.)
KING. "You can have no instructions to ask that question! And if
you had, I have an answer ready for you. England has no right to
inquire into my designs. Your great Sea-Armaments, did I ask you
any questions about them? No; I was and am silent on that head;
only wishing you good luck, and that you may not get beaten by the
Spaniards." (Dickens hastily draws in his rash horns again;
after a pass or two, King's natural color returns.) ...
KING. "Austria as a Power is necessary against the Turks. But in
Germany, what need of Austria being so superlative? Why should
not, say, Three Electors united be able to oppose her? ...
Monsieur, I find it is your notion in England, as well as theirs
in France, to bring other Sovereigns under your tutorage, and lead
them about. Understand that I will not be led by either. ... Tush,
YOU are like the Athenians, who, when Philip of Macedon was ready
to invade them, spent their time in haranguing!"
DICKENS. ... "Berg and Julich, if we were to guarantee them?"--
KING. "Hm. Don't so much mind that Rhine Country: difficulties
there,--Dutch always jealous of one. But, on the other Frontier,
neither England nor Holland could take umbrage,"--points clearly
to Silesia, then, your Excellency Dickens? [Raumer, (from State-
Paper Office), pp. 63, 64.]
Alas, yes! Troops and military equipments are, for days past,
evidently wending towards Frankfurt, towards Crossen, and even the
Newspapers now hint that something is on hand in that quarter.
Nay, this same day, TUESDAY, 6th DECEMBER, there has come out
brief Official Announcement, to all the Foreign Ministers at
Berlin, Excellency Dickens among them, "That his Royal Majesty,
our most all-gracious Herr, has taken the resolution to advance a
Body of Troops into Schlesien,"--rather out of friendly views
towards Austria (much business lying between us about Schlesien),
not out of hostile views by any means, as all Excellencies shall
assure their respective Courts. [Copy of the Paper in
Helden-Geschichte, i. 447.] Announcement which had
thrown the Excellency Dickens into such a frame of mind, before he
got his Audience to-day!--
SATURDAY following, which was December l0th, Marquis de Beauvau
had his Audience of leave; intending for Paris shortly:
Audience very gracious; covertly hinting, on both sides, more than
it said; ending in these words, on the King's side, which have
become famous: "Adieu, then, M. le Marquis. I believe I am going
to play your game; if the aces fall to me, we will share (
Je vais, je crois, jouer votre jeu: si les as me viennent, nous
partagerons)!" [Voltaire, OEuvres (Siecle de
Louis XV., c. 6), xxviii. 74.]
To Botta, all this while, Friedrich strove to be specially civil;
took him out to Charlottenburg, that same Saturday, with the Queen
and other guests; but Botta, and all the world, being now certain
about Silesia, and that no amount of mud, or other terror on the
roads, would be regarded, Botta's thoughts in this evening party
are not of cheerful nature. Next day, Sunday, December 11th, he
too gets his Audience of leave; and cannot help bursting out, when
the King plainly tells him what is now afoot, and that the
Prussian Ambassador has got instructions what to offer upon it at
Vienna. "Sire, you are going to ruin the House of Austria," cried
Botta, "and to plunge yourself into destruction (VOUS ABIMER) at
the same time!"--"Depends on the Queen," said Friedrich, "to
accept the Offers I have made her." Botta sank silent, seemed to
reflect, but gathering himself again, added with an ironical air
and tone of voice, "They are fine Troops, those of yours, Sire.
Ours have not the same splendor of appearance; but they have
looked the wolf in the face. Think, I conjure you, what you are
getting into!" Friedrich answered with vivacity, a little nettled
at the ironical tone of Botta, and his mixed sympathy and menace:
"You find my troops are beautiful; perhaps I shall convince you
they are good too." Yes, Excellency Botta, goodish troops;
and very capable "to look the wolf in the face,"--or perhaps in
the tail too, before all end! "Botta urged and entreated that at
least there should be some delay in executing this project.
But the King gave him to understand that it was now too late, and
that the Rubicon was passed." [Friedrich's own Account (
OEuvres, ii. 57).]
The secret is now out, therefore; Invasion of Silesia certain and
close at hand. "A day or two before marching," may have been this
very day when Botta got his audience, the King assembled his Chief
Generals, all things ready out in the Frankfurt-Crossen region
yonder; and spoke to them as follows; briefly and to the point:--
"Gentlemen, I am undertaking a War, in which I have no allies but
your valor and your good-will. My cause is just; my resources are
what we ourselves can do; and the issue lies in Fortune.
Remember continually the glory which your Ancestors acquired in
the plains of Warsaw, at Fehrbellin, and in the Expedition to
Preussen [across the Frische Haf on ice, that time]. Your lot is
in your own hands: distinctions and rewards wait upon your fine
actions which shall merit them.
"But what need have I to excite you to glory? It is the one thing
you keep before your eyes; the sole object worthy of your labors.
We are going to front troops who, under Prince Eugene, had the
highest reputation. Though Prince Eugene is gone, we shall have to
measure our strength against brave soldiers: the greater will be
the honor if we can conquer. Adieu, go forth. I will follow you
straightway to the rendezvous of glory which awaits us."
[ OEuvres de Frederic, ii.58.]
MASKED BALL, AT BERLIN, 12th-13th DECEMBER.
On the evening of Monday, 12th, there was, as usual, Masked (or
Half-Masked) Ball, at the Palace. As usual; but this time it has
become mentionable in World-History. Bielfeld, personally
interested, gives us a vivid glance into it;--which, though
pretending to be real and contemporaneous, is unfortunately
MYTHICAL only, and done at a great interval of years (dates, and
even slight circumstances of fact, refusing to conform);--which,
however, for the truth there is in it, we will give, as better
than nothing. Bielfeld's pretended date is, "Berlin, 15th
December;" should have been 14th,--wrong by a day, after one's
best effort!
"BERLIN, 15th DECEMBER, 1740. As for me, dear Sister, I am like a
shuttlecock whom the Kings of Prussia and of England hit with
their rackets, and knock to and fro. The night before last, I was
at the Palace Evening Party (ASSEMBLEE); which is a sort of Ball,
where you go in domino, but without mask on the face. The Queen
was there, and all the Court. About eight o'clock the King also
made his appearance. His Majesty, noticing M. de G---[that is DE
GUIDIKEN, or Guy Dickens], English Minister, addressed him;
led him into the embrasure of a window, and talked alone with him
for more than an hour [uncertain, probably apocryphal this].
I threw, from time to time, a stolen glance at this dialogue,
which appeared to me to be very lively. A moment after, being just
dancing with Madame the Countess de--THREE ASTERISKS,--I felt
myself twitched by the domino; and turning, was much surprised to
see that it was the King; who took me aside, and said, 'Are your
boots oiled (VOS BOTTES SONT-ELLES GRAISSIES, Are you ready for a
journey)? ' I replied, 'Sire, they will always be so for your
Majesty's service.'--'Well, then, Truchsess and you are for
England; the day after to-morrow you go. Speak to M. de
Podewils!'--This was said like a flash of lightning. His Majesty
passed into another apartment; and I, I went to finish my minuet
with the Lady; who had been not less astonished to see me
disappear from her eyes, in the middle of the dance, than I was at
what the King said to me." [Bielfeld, i. 167, 168.]
Next morning, I--
The fact is, next morning, Truchsess and I began preparation for
the Court of London,--and we did there, for many months
afterwards, strive our best to keep the Britannic Majesty in some
kind of tune, amid the prevailing discord of events;--fact
interesting to some. And the other fact, interesting to everybody,
though Bielfeld has not mentioned it, is, That King Friedrich, the
same next morning, punctually "at the stroke of 9," rolled away
Frankfurt-ward,--into the First Silesian War! Tuesday, "13th
December, this morning, the King, privately quitting the Ball, has
gone [after some little snatch of sleep, we will hope] for
Frankfurt, to put himself at the head of his Troops." [Dickens (in
State-Paper Office), 13th December, 1740; see also
Helden-Geschichte, i. 452; &c. &c.] Bellona his
companion for long years henceforth, instead of Minerva and the
Muses, as he had been anticipating.
Hereby is like to be fulfilled (except that Friedrich himself is
perhaps this "little stone") what Friedrich prophesied to his
Voltaire, the day after hearing of the Kaiser's death: "I believe
there will, by June next, be more talk of cannon, soldiers,
trenches, than of actresses, and dancers for the ballet.
This small Event changes the entire system of Europe. It is the
little stone which Nebuchadnezzar saw, in his dream, loosening
itself, and rolling down on the Image made of Four Metals, which
it shivers to ruin." [Friedrich to Voltaire, busy gathering actors
at that time, 26th October, 1740 ( OEuvres de Frederic,
xxii. 49).]
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