按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
〃The king thinks no more of politics；〃 said the frolicsome Berliners； 〃he is absorbed in the arts and sciences； and； above all other things； he lives to promote the peaceful prosperity of his people。〃 The balance of power and foreign relations troubled him no longer； he wished for no conquests； and thought not of war。 In the morning he was occupied with scientific works； wrote in his 〃Histoire de mon Temps；〃 or to his friends； and took part in the daily…recurring duties of the government。 The remainder of the day was passed in the garden of Sans…Souci； in pleasant walks and animated conversation； closing always with music。 Concerts took place every evening in the apartments of the king； in which he took part； and he practised difficult pieces of his own or Quantz's composition； under Quantz's direction。 From time to time he was much occupied with his picture…gallery； and sent Gotzkowsky to Italy to purchase the paintings of the celebrated masters。
King Frederick appeared to have reached his goal； at least； that which； during the storm of war； he had often called his ideal； he could devote his life to philosophy and art in the enchanting retirement of his beloved Sans…Souci。 The tumult and discord of the world did not trouble him； in fact； the whole world seemed to be at peace； and all Europe was glad and happy。
Maria Theresa was completely bound by the last peace contract at Dresden； besides； the two Silesian wars had weakened and impoverished Austria； and time was necessary to heal her wounds before she dared make a new attempt to reconquer the noble jewel of Silesia； which Frederick had torn from her crown。 Notwithstanding her pious and Christian pretensions； she hated Frederick with her whole heart。
England had allied herself with Russia。 France was at the moment too much occupied with the pageants which the lovely Marquise de Pompadour celebrated at Versailles； not to be in peace and harmony with all the world； yes； even with her natural enemy； Austria。 Count Kaunitz； her ambassador at Paris； had； by his wise and adroit conduct； banished the cloud of mistrust which had so long lowered between these two powers。
This was the state of things at the close of the year 1775。 Then was the general quiet interrupted by the distant echo of a cannon。 Europe was startled； and rose up from her comfortable siesta to listen and inquire after the cause of this significant thunderbolt。 This roar of cannon； whose echo only had been heard； had its birth far； far away in America。 The cannon； however； had been fired by a European powerby England； always distinguished for her calculating selfishness； which she wished the world to consider praiseworthy and honorable policy。 England considered her mercantile interests in America endangered by France； and she thirsted with desire to have not only an East India but a West India company。 The French colonies in America had long excited the envy and covetousness of England； and as a sufficient cause for war had utterly failed； she was bold enough to take the initiative without excuse！
In the midst of a general peace； and without any declaration of war； she seized upon a country lying on the borders of the Ohio River； and belonging to French Canada； made an attack upon some hundred merchant…ships； which were navigating the Ohio； under the protection of the ships…of…war； and took them as prizes。 ＇Footnote： 〃Characteristics of the Important Events of the Seven Years' War；〃 by Retson。＇
That was the cannon…shot which roused all Europe from her comfortable slumber and dreamy rest。
The Empress of Austria began to make warlike preparations in Bohemia； and to assemble her troops on the borders of Saxony and Bohemia。 The Empress of Russia discontinued instantaneously her luxurious feasts and wild orgies； armed her soldiers； and placed them on the borders of Courland。 She formed an immediate alliance with England； by which she bound herself to protect the territory of George II。 in Germany； if attacked by France； in retaliation for the French merchant…ships taken by England on the Ohio River。 Hanover； however； was excepted； as Frederick of Prussia might possibly give her his aid。 For this promised aid； Russia received from England the sum of 150；000 pounds sterling； which was truly welcome to the powerful Bestuchef； from； the extravagant and pomp…loving minister of the queen。
Saxony also prepared for war； and placed her army on the borders of Prussia； for which she received a subsidy from Austria。 This was as gladly welcomed by Count Bruhl； the luxurious minister of King Augustus the Third of Poland and Saxony； as the English subsidy was by Bestuchef。
The King of France appeared to stand alone； even as completely alone as Frederick of Prussia。 Every eye therefore was naturally fixed upon these two powers； who seemed thus forced by fate to extend the hand of fellowship to each other； and form such an alliance as England had done with Russia； and Austria with Saxony。
This contract between Prussia and France would have been the signal for a general war； for which all the powers of Europe were now arming themselves。 But France did not extend her hand soon enough to obtain the friendship of Prussia。 France distrusted Prussia； even as Austria； England； Russia； and Saxony distrusted and feared the adroit young adventurer； who in the last fifty years had placed himself firmly amongst the great powers of Europe； and was bold； brave； and wise enough to hold a powerful and self…sustained position in their circle。
Francethat is to say； Louis the FifteenthFrancethat is to say； the Marquise de Pompadour； hated the King of Prussia manfully。 By his bold wit he had often brought the French court and its immoralities into ridicule and contempt。
Austria and her minister Kaunitz and Maria Theresa hated Frederick of Prussia； because of his conquest of Silesia。
Russiathat is to say； Elizabeth and Bestuchefhated the King of Prussia for the same reason with France。 Frederick's cutting wit had scourged the manners of the Russian court； as it had humiliated and exposed the court of France。
Saxonythat is to say； Augustus the Third； and his minister； Count Bruhlhated Frederick from instinct； from envy； from resentment。 This insignificant and small neighbor had spread her wings and made so bold a flight； that Saxony was completely over…shadowed。
England hated no one； but she feared Prussia and France； and this fear led her to master the old…rooted national hatred to Russia； and form an alliance with her for mutual protection。 But the English people did not share the fears of their king； they murmured over this Russian ally； and this discontent； which found expression in Parliament； rang so loudly； that Frederick might well have heard it； and formed his own conclusions as to the result。 But did he hear it？ Was the sound of his flute so loud？ Was his study hermetically sealed； so that no echo from the outside world could reach his ears？
There was no interruption to his quiet； peaceful life； he hated nobody； made no warlike preparations； his soldiers exercised no more than formerly。 Truly they exercised； and at the first call to battle； 150；000 men would be under arms。
But Frederick seemed not inclined to give this call； not inclined to exchange the calm pleasures of Sans…Souci for the rude noises of tents and battle…fields。 He seemed to be in peaceful harmony with all nations。 He was particularly friendly and conciliating toward the Austrian embassy； and not only was the ambassador； Count Peubla invited often to the royal table； but his secretary； Baron Weingarten。 came also to Potsdam and Sans…Souci。 The king appeared attached to him； and encouraged him to come often； to walk in the royal gardens。
Frederick was gracious and kind toward the officials of all the German powers。 On one occasion； when the wife of Councillor Reichart； attached to the Saxon embassy； was confined； at Frederick's earnest wish； his private secretary； Eichel； stood as god…father to the child。 ＇Footnote： 〃Characteristics of the Important Events of the Seven Years' War。〃＇
In order to promote good feeling in Saxony； the king sent Count Mattzahn； one of the most eloquent cavaliers of the day； to the Dresden court； and so w