hear now, That an 'Army of
40,000 is rumored to be coming,' or even two Armies, 40,000 each; but
will not imagine that this is certain, or that it can be seriously meant
against their high House, precious to gods and men. Belleisle having
perfected the multiplex Army details, rushes back to Frankfurt and his
endless Diplomatic businesses (July 25th): Armies to be on actual march
by the 10th of August coming. 'During this Versailles visit, he had such
a crowd of Officers and great people paying court to him as was like the
King's Levee itself.' [Barbier, ii. 305.]

"PASSAU, 31st JULY. Passau is the Frontier Austrian City on the
Donau (meeting of the Inn and Donau Valleys); a place of considerable
strength, and a key or great position for military purposes. Austrian,
or Quasi-Austrian; for, like Salzburg, it has a Bishop claiming some
imaginary sovereignties, but always holds with Austria. July 31st, early
in the morning, a Bavarian Exciseman ('Salt-Inspector') applied at the
gate of Passau for admission; gate was opened;--along with the Exciseman
'certain peasants' (disguised Bavarian soldiers) pushed in; held the
gate choked, till General Minuzzi, Karl Albert's General, with horse,
foot, cannon, who had been lurking close by, likewise pushed in; and at
once seized the Town. Town speedily secured, Minuzzi informs the Bishop,
who lives in his Schloss of Oberhaus (strongish place on a Hill-top,
other side the Donau), That he likewise, under pain of bombardment,
must admit garrison. The poor Bishop hesitates; but, finding bombardment
actually ready for him, yields in about two hours. Karl Albert publishes
his Manifesto, 'in forty-five pages folio' [Adelung, ii. 426.] (to
the effect, 'All Austria mine; or as good as all,--if I liked!'); and
fortifies himself in Passau. 'Insidious, nefarious!' shrieks Austria,
in Counter-Manifesto; calculates privately it will soon settle Karl
Albert,--'Unless, O Heavens, France with Prussia did mean to back
him!'--and begins to have misgivings, in spite of itself."

Misgivings, which soon became fatal certainties. Robinson records,
doubtless on sure basis, though not dating it, a curious piece of
stage-effect in the form of reality; "On hearing, beyond possibility of
doubt, that Prussia, France, and Bavaria had combined, the whole Aulic
Council," Vienna Hofrath in a body, "fell back into their chairs [and
metaphorically into Robinson's arms] like dead men!" [Raumer, p. 104.]
Sat staring th