hose Volumes), the Originals in frightful superabundance.] Of
all which, leaving readers to imagine it, we will say nothing,--except
that it points towards "Armed Interference by the Reich," "Reich's
Execution Army;" nay towards "Ban of the Reich" (total excommunication
of this Enemy of Mankind, and giving of him up to Satan, by bell, book
and candle), which is a kind of thunder-bolt not heard of for a good
few ages past! Thunder-bolt thought to be gone mainly to rust by the
judicious;--

which, however, the poor old Reich did grasp again, and attempt to
launch. As perhaps we shall have to notice by and by, among the miracles
going.

France too, urged by the noblest concern, feels itself called upon.
France magnanimously intimates to the Reich's Diet, once and again,
"That Most Christian Majesty is guarantee of the Treaty of Westphalia;
Most Christian Majesty cannot stand such procedures;" and then
the second time, "That Most Christian Majesty will interfere
practically,"--by 100,000 men and odd. [_Helden-Geschichte, _iv. 340
("26th March, 1757").] In short, the sleeping world-whirlwinds are
awakened against this man. General Dance of the Furies; there go they,
in the dusky element, those Eumenides, "giant-limbed, serpent-haired,
slow-pacing, circling, torch in hand" (according to Schiller),--
scattering terror and madness. At least, in the Diplomatic Circles of
mankind;--if haply the Populations will follow suit!--

Friedrich, abundantly contemptuous of Reich's-thunder in the rusted
kind, and well able to distinguish sound from substance in the Reich or
elsewhere, recognizes in all this sufficiently portentous prophecies of
fact withal; and understands, none better, what a perilous position he
has got into. But he cannot mend it;--can only, as usual, do his own
utmost in it. As readers will believe he does; and that his vigilance
and diligence are very great. Continual, ubiquitous and at the top of
his bent, one fancies his effort must have been,--though he makes
no noise on the subject. Considerable work he has with Hanover,
this Winter; with the poor English Government, and their "Army of
Observation," which is to appear in the Hanover parts, VERSUS those
100,000 French, next Spring. To Hanover he has sent Schmettau (the
Younger Schmettau, Elder is now dead) in regard to said Army; has made
a new and closer Treaty with England (impossible to be fulfilled on poor
England's part);--and laments, as Mitchell often d