gdeburg; sat there till he died, 16th
January, 1773" (_Militalr-Lexikon, _iv. 150-151).] The Old Dessauer
is away, long since; and not the Old alone. Dietrich of Dessau is now
"Guardian to his Nephew," who is a Child left Heir there. Death has been
busy with the Dessauers:--but here is Prince Moritz, "the youngest, more
like his Father than any of them." Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, Moritz
of Dessau, Keith, Duke of Brunswick-Bevern: no one of these people has
been idle, in the ten years past. Least of all, has the Chief Captain of
them,--whose diligence and vigilance in that sphere, latterly, were not
likely to decline!

Friedrich's Army is in the perfection of order. Ready at the hour, for
many months back; but the least motion he makes with it is a subject of
jealousy. Last year, on those Russian advancings and alacrities, he had
marched some Regiments into Pommern, within reach of Preussen, should
the Russians actually try a stroke there: "See!" cried all the world:
"See!" cried the enlightened Russian Public. This year 1756, from
June onwards and earlier, there are still more fatal symptoms, on the
Austrian side: great and evident War-preparations; Magazines forming;
Camps in Bohemia, Moravia; Camp at Konigsgratz, Camp at Prag,--handy
for the Silesian Border. Friedrich knows they have deliberated on their
Pretext for a War, and have fixed on what will do,--some new small
Prussian-Mecklenburg brabble, which there has lately been; paltry enough
recruiting-quarrel, such as often are (and has been settled mutually
some time ago, this one, but is capable of being ripped up again);--and
that, on this cobweb of a pretext, they mean to draw sword when they
like. Russia too has its Pretext ready. And if Friedrich hint of
stirring, England whispers hoarse, England and other friends, "Wait,
your Majesty! Oh, beware!" To keep one's sword at its sharpest, and,
with an easy patient air, one's eyes vigilantly open: this is nearly all
that Friedrich can do, in neighborhood of such portentous imminencies.
He has many critics, near and far;--for instance:--

BERLIN, 31st JULY, 1756, Excellency Valori writes to Versailles: ... "to
give you account of a Conversation I have had, a day or two ago, with
the Prince of Prussia [August Wilhelm, Heir-Apparent], who honors me
with a particular confidence,"--and who appears to be, privately, like
some others, very strong in the Opposition view. "He talked to me of
the present condition of the