Anguish of the King.--Letter to the Queen of Russia.--The Imperial Circular.--Deplorable Condition of Austria.--Death of Charles VI.--Accession of Maria Theresa.--Vigorous Measures of the Queen.--Claim of the Duke of Bavaria.--Responses from the Courts.--Coldness of the French Court.--Frederic of Prussia.--His Invasion of Silesia.--March of the Austrians.--Battle of Molnitz.--Firmness of Maria Theresa.--Proposed Division of Plunder.--Villainy of Frederic.--Interview with the King.--Character of Frederic.--Commencement of the General Invasion. Page 411 CHAPTER XXVII. MARIA THERESA. From 1741 to 1743. Character of Francis, Duke of Lorraine.--Policy of European Courts.--Plan of the Allies.--Siege of Prague.--Desperate Condition of the Queen--Her Coronation in Hungary.--Enthusiasm of the Barons.--Speech of Maria Theresa.--Peace with Frederic of Prussia.--His Duplicity.--Military Movement of the Duke of Lorraine.--Battle of Chazleau.--Second Treaty with Frederic.--Despondency of the Duke of Bavaria.--March of Mallebois.--Extraordinary Retreat of Belleisle.--Recovery of Prague by the Queen. Page 427 CHAPTER XXVIII. MARIA THERESA. From 1743 to 1748. Prosperous Aspect of Austrian Affairs.--Capture of Egea.--Vast Extent of Austria.--Dispute with Sardinia.--Marriage of Charles of Lorraine with the Queen's Sister.--Invasion of Alsace.--Frederic overruns Bohemia.--Bohemia recovered by Prince Charles.--Death of the Emperor Charles VII.--Venality of the old Monarchies.--Battle of Hohenfriedberg.--Sir Thomas Robinson's Interview with Maria Theresa.--Hungarian Enthusiasm.--The Duke of Lorraine Elected Emperor.--Continuation of the War.--Treaty of Peace.--Indignation of Maria Theresa. Page 444 CHAPTER XXIX. MARIA THERESA. From 1748 to 1759. Treaty of Peace.--Dissatisfaction of Maria Theresa.--Preparation for War.--Rupture between England and Austria.--Maria Theresa.--Alliance with France.--Influence of Marchioness of Pompadour.--Bitter Reproaches between Austria And England.--Commencement of the Seven Years' War.-- Energy of Frederic of Prussia.--Sanguinary Battles.--Vicissitudes of War.--Desperate Situation of Frederic.--Elation of Maria Theresa.--Her Ambitious Plans.--Awful Defeat of the Prussians at Berlin. Page 461 CHAPTER XXX. MARIA THERESA. From 1759 to 1780. Desolations of War.--Disasters of Prussia.--Despondency of Frederic.-- Death of the Empress Elizabeth.--Accession of Paul III.--Assassination of Paul III.--Accession Of Catharine.--Discomfiture of the Austrians.-- Treaty of Peace.--Election of Joseph to the Throne of the Empire.--Death of Francis.--Character of Francis.--Anecdotes.--Energy of Maria Theresa.--Poniatowski.--Partition of Poland.--Maria Theresa as a Mother.--War with Bavaria.--Peace.--Death of Maria Theresa.--Family of the Empress.--Accession of Joseph II.--His Character. Page 478 CHAPTER XXXI. JOSEPH II. AND LEOPOLD II. From 1780 to 1792.