s a new step in the art of war, as an invention of the
greatest genius. The tactics and strategy of the Prussian army were,
for almost half a century, the pattern and model for all the armies of
Europe. Unanimous was the judgment that Frederic was the greatest
commander of his time, and that before him, throughout all history,
there had been few Generals to compare with him. That smaller numbers
should so frequently conquer the larger, that when beaten they should
not dissolve away, but, when the enemy had scarcely recovered their
wounds, should be able to re-encounter him as before, so threatening
and so disciplined, appeared incredible. But we not only extol the
generalship of the King, but also the clever discretion of his infantry
tactics. He knew well how much he was restrained by the consideration
of magazines and commissariat, by the thousands of waggons full of
stores and daily necessaries for the soldiers which must accompany him,
but he also knew that this was his safest course. Once only, when after
the battle of Rossbach, he made that wonderful march into Silesia,
forty-one German miles in fifteen days, being in the greatest danger,
he advanced through the country, as other armies do now, supporting his
men by the billeting system. But he immediately returned to his former
wise custom.[16] For if his enemies should learn to imitate this
independent movement, he would certainly be lost. When the country
militia of his old province rose up to withstand and drive away the
Swedes, and valiantly defended Colberg and Berlin, he was much pleased,
but took care not to encourage popular warfare; and when his East
Friesland people rose of their own accord against the French, and were
severely handled by them, he roughly told them it was their own fault,
as war ought to be carried on by soldiers, and that tranquil labour,
taxes, and recruiting were for peasants and citizens. He knew well that
he was lost, if a popular war were excited against him in Saxony and
Bohemia. This very narrow-mindedness of the cautious General with
respect to military forms, which alone made the struggle possible, may
perhaps be reckoned as one of his greatest qualities.

Ever louder became the expression of sorrow and admiration with which
Germans and foreigners watched the death struggle of the lion beset on
all sides. As early as 1740, the young King had been extolled by the
Protestants as the partisan of freedom of conscience and enlighten