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
Glatz, a southwestern mountainous Appendage to Silesia, abutting on
Moravia and Bohemia, is a small strong Country; upon which, ever since
the first Friedrich times, we have seen him fixed; claiming it too, as
expenses from the Austrians, since they will not bargain. For he rises
Sibyl-like: a year ago, you might have had him with his 100,000 to boot,
for the one Duchy of Glogau; and now--! At Glatz or in these adjacent
Bohemian parts, the Young Dessauer has been on duty, busy enough, ever
since the late Siege of Neisse: Glatz Town the Young Dessauer soon got,
when ordered; Town, Population, Territory, all is his,--all but the high
mountain Fortress (centre of the Town of Glatzj), with its stiff-necked
Austrian Garrison shut up there, which he is wearing out by hunger. We
remember the little Note from Valori's waistcoat-pocket, "Don't give
him Glatz, if you can possibly help it!" In his latest treaties with the
French and their Allies, Friedrich has very expressly bargained for the
Country (will even pay money for it); [_OEuvres de Frederic,_ ii.
85.] and is determined to have it, when the Austrians next take to
bargaining. Of Glatz Fortress, now getting hungered out by Leopold's
Prussian Detachment, I will say farther, though Friedrich heeds these
circumstances little at present, that it stands on a scarped rock, girt
by the grim intricate Hills; and that in the Arsenal, in dusty fabulous
condition, lies a certain Drum, which readers may have heard of. Drum
is not a fable, but an antique reality fallen flaccid; made, by express
bequest, as is mythically said, from the skin of Zisca, above 300
years ago: altogether mythic that latter clause. Drum, Fortress, Town,
Villages and Territory, all shall be Friedrich's, had hunger done its
work. [Town already, after short scuffle, 14th January, 1742; Fortress,
by hunger (no firing nor being fired on, in the interim), 25th April
following,--when the once 2,000 of garrison, worn to about 200, pale
as shadows, marched away to Brunn; "only ten of them able for duty on
arriving." (Orlich, i. 174.)]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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