e. But he was withal, and still more earnestly, consulting with a
French Excellency (who also had felt a need of the waters), about the
French Campaign for this Season: Whether Coigny was strong enough in the
Middle-Rhine Countries; how their Grand Army of the Netherlands shaped
to prosper; and other the like interesting points. [Ranke, iii. 165,
166.] Frankfurt Union is just signed (May 22d). Most Christian Majesty
is himself under way to the Netherlands, himself going to command there,
as we shall see. "Good!" answers Friedrich: "But don't weaken Coigny,
think of Prince Karl on that side; don't detach from Coigny, and reduce
his 60,000 to 40,000!"

Plenty of mutual consulting, as they walk in the woods there. And how
profoundly obscure, to certain Official parties much concerned, judge
from the following small Document, preserved by accident:--

LYTTELTON (our old Soissons Friend, now an Official in Prince Fred's
Household, friend of Pitt, and much else) TO HIS FATHER AT HAGLEY.

ARGYLE STREET, LONDON, "May 5th [16th], 1744. "DEAR SIR,--Mr. West
[Gilbert West, of whom there is still some memory] comes with us to
Hagley; and, if you give me leave, I will bring our friend Thomson
too"--oh Jamie Thamson, Jamie Thamson, oh! "His SEASONS will be
published in about a week's time, and a most noble work they will be.

"I have no public news to tell you, which you have not had in the
Gazettes, except what is said in Private Letters from Germany, of the
King of Prussia's having drunk himself into direct madness, and being
confined on that account; which, if true, may have a great effect upon
the fate of Europe at this critical time." Yes indeed, if true. "Those
Letters say, that, at a review, he caused two men to be taken out of the
line, and shot, without any cause assigned for it, and ordered a
third to be murdered in the same manner; but the Major of the regiment
venturing to intercede for him, his Majesty drew his sword, and would
have killed the Officer too, if he, perceiving his madness, had not
taken the liberty to save himself, by disarming the King; who was
immediately shut up; and the Queen, his Mother, has taken the Regency
upon herself till his recovery." PAPAE! I do not give you this news for
certain; but it is generally believed in town. Lord Chesterfield says,
'He is only thought to be MAD in Germany, because he has MORE WIT than
other Germans.'

"The King of Sardinia's Retreat from his lines at Villa Franca,