History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
HANOVER, SEPTEMBER 27th. Britannic Majesty, reduced to that frightful
pinch, has at last given way. Treaty of Neutrality for Hanover;
engagement again to stick one's puissant Pragmatic sword into its
scabbard, to be perfectly quiescent and contemplative in these
French-Bavarian Anti-Austrian undertakings, and digest one's indignation
as one can. For our Paladin of the Pragmatic what a posture! This is
the first of Three Attempts by our puissant little Paladin to draw
sword;--not till the third could he get his sword out, or do the least
fighting (even foolish fighting) with all the 40,000 he had kept on pay
and subsidy for years back. The Neutrality was for Hanover only, and
had no specific limit as to time. Opportunities did rise; but something
always rose along with them,--mainly the impossibility of hoisting those
lazy Dutch,--and checked one's noble rage. His Majesty has covenanted
to vote for Karl Albert as Kaiser; even he, and will make the thing
unanimous! A thoroughly check-mated Majesty. Passing home to
England, this time in a gloomy condition of mind, shortly after these
humiliations, he was just issuing from Osnabruck by the Eastern Gate,
when Maillebois's people entered by the Western,--the ugly shoes of
them insulting his kibes in this manner. And a furious Anti-Walpole
Parliament, most perturbed of National Palavers, is waiting him at St.
James's. Heavy-laden little Hercules that he is!
Karl Albert lay at Linz for a month longer (till October 24th, six weeks
in all); pausing in uncertainties, in a pleasant dream of victory and
sovereignty; not pouncing on Vienna, as Friedrich urged on the French
and him, to cut the matter by the root. He does push forward certain
troops, Comte de Saxe with Three Horse Regiments as vanguard, ever
nearer to Vienna; at last to within forty miles of it; nay, light-horse
parties came within twenty-five miles. And there was skirmishing with
Mentzel, a sanguinary fellow, of whom we shall hear more; who had got
"1,000 Tolpatches" under him, and stood ruggedly at bay.
Karl Albert has been sending out sovereign messages from Linz: Letters
to Vienna;--one letter addressed "To the Arch-duchess Maria Theresa;"
which came back unopened, "No such person known here." October 2d, he is
getting homaged at Linz, by the STANDE of the Province,--on summons
sent some time before,--many of whom attend, with a willing enough
appearance; Kur-Baiern rather a favorite in Upper Austria, say some.
Much fine processioning, melodious haranguing, there now is for Karl
Albert, and a pleasant dream of Sovereignty at Linz: but if he do not
pounce upon Vienna till Khevenhuller get it fortified? Khevenhuller is
drawing home Italian Garrisons, gradually gathering something like an
Army round him. In Khevenhuller's imperturbable military head, one of
the clearest and hardest, there is some hope. Above all, if Neipperg's
Army were to disengage itself, and be let loose into those parts?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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