. It is a surprising stroke of
theatrical-practical Art; brought about, to old Fleury's sorrow, by
the genius of Belleisle, aud they say of Madame Chateauroux; enough to
strike certain Governing Persons breathless, for some time; and denotes
that the Universal Hurricane, or World-Tornado, has broken out. It is
not recorded of little George that he fell back in his chair, or stared
wider than usual with those fish-eyes: but he discerned well, glorious
little man, that here is left no shadow of a chance by fighting; that he
will have to sit stock-still, under awful penalties; and that if Maria
Theresa will escape destruction, she must make her peace with Friedrich
at any price."

This fine event, 80,000 French actually across the Rhine, happened
in the very days while Friedrich and Neipperg had got into wrestle
again,--Neipperg just off from that rash march for Schweidnitz, and
whirling back on rumor (15th August), while the first instalment of the
French were getting over. Friedrich must admit that the French fulfil
their promises so far. A week ago or more, they made the Swedes
declare War against Russia, as covenanted. War is actually declared,
at Stockholm, August 4th, the Faction of Hats prevailing over that of
Nightcaps, after terrible debates and efforts about the mere declaring
of it, as if that alone were the thing needed. We mentioned this War
already, and would not willingly again. One of the most contemptible
Wars ever declared or carried on; but useful to Friedrich, as keeping
Russia off his hands, at a critical time, and conclusively forbidding
help to Austria from that quarter.

Marechal de Belleisle, wrapt in Diplomatic and Electioneering business,
cannot personally take command for the present; but has excellent
lieutenants,--one of whom is Comte de Saxe, Moritz our old friend,
afterwards Marechal de Saxe. Among the finest French Armies, this of
Belleisle's is thought to be, that ever took the field: so many of
our Nobility in it, and what best Officers, Segurs, Saxes, future
Marechal's, we have. Army full of spirit and splendor; come to cut
Germany in four, and put France at last in its place in the Universe.
Here is courage, here is patriotism, of a sort. And if this is not the
good sort, the divinely pious, the humanly noble,--Fashionable Society
feels it to be so, and can hit no nearer. New-fashioned "Army of the
Oriflamme," one might call this of Belleisle's; kind of Sham-Sacred
French Army (quite