History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
DRESDEN, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th; EXIT SCHMETTAU. "A thousand times
over, Schmettau must have asked himself, 'Why was I in such a hurry?
Without cause for it I, only Maguire having cause!'--The Capitulation
had been ended in a huddle, without signature: an unwise Capitulation;
and it was scandalously ill kept. Schmettau was not to have marched
till Monday, 10th,--six clear days for packing and preparing;--but,
practically, he has to make three serve him; and to go half-packed, or
not packed at all. Endless chicanes do arise, 'upon my honor!'--not
even the 800 wagons are ready for us; 'Can't your baggages go in boats,
then?' 'No, nor shall!' answers Schmettau, with blazing eyes, and heart
ready to burst; a Schmettau living all this while as in Purgatory, or
worse. Such bullyings from truculent Guasco, who is now without muzzle.
Capitulation, most imperfect in itself, is avowedly infringed: King's
Artillery,--which we had haggled for, and ended by 'hoping for,' to
Maguire that rainy evening: why were we in such a hurry, too, and blind
to Maguire's hurry!--King's Artillery, according to Durchlaucht of
Zweibruck, when he actually signed within the walls, is 'NICHT ACCORDIRT
(Not granted), except the Field part.' King's regimental furnishings,
all and sundry, were 'ACCORDIRT, and without visitation,'--but on second
thoughts, the Austrian Officials are of opinion there must really be
visitation, must be inspection. 'May not some of them belong to Polish
Majesty?' In which sad process of inspection there was incredible waste,
Schmettau protesting; and above half of the new uniforms were lost to
us. Our 80 pontoons, which were expressly bargained for, are brazenly
denied us: '20 of them are Saxon,' cry the Austrians: 'who knows if they
are not almost all Saxon,'--upon my honor! At this rate, only wait a day
or two, and fewer wagons than 800 will be needed! thinks Schmettau; and
consents to 18 river-boats; Boats in part, then; and let us march at
once. Accordingly,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account