n Keys,
Neisse being the other) lost to Friedrich, for the first time; and
Loudon is like to drive a trade there; "Will absolutely nothing prosper
with us, then?" Nothing, seemingly, your Majesty! Heavier news Friedrich
scarcely ever had. But there is no help. This too he has to carry with
him as he can into the Meissen Country. Unsuccessful altogether; beaten
on every hand. Human talent, diligence, endeavor, is it but as lightning
smiting the Serbonian Bog? Smite to the last, your Majesty, at any rate;
let that be certain. As it is, and has been. That is always something,
that is always a great thing.

Friedrich intends no pause in those Meissen Countries. JULY 30th, on his
march northward, he detaches Hulsen with the old 10,000 to take Camp at
Schlettau as before, and do his best for defence of Saxony against the
Reichsfolk, numerous, but incompetent; he himself, next day, passes on,
leaving Meissen a little on his right, to Schieritz, some miles farther
down,--intending there to cross Elbe, and make for Silesia without loss
of an hour. Need enough of speed thither; more need than even Friedrich
supposes! Yesterday, July 30th, Loudon's Vanguard came blockading
Breslau, and this day Loudon himself;--though Friedrich heard nothing,
anticipated nothing, of that dangerous fact, for a week hence or more.

Soltikof's and Loudon's united intentions on Silesia he has well known
this long while; and has been perpetually dunning Prince Henri on the
subject, to no purpose,--only hoping always there would probably be
no great rapidity on the part of these discordant Allies. Friedrich's
feelings, now that the contrary is visible, and indeed all through the
Summer in regard to the Soltikof-Loudon Business, and the Fouquet-Henri
method of dealing with it, have been painful enough, and are growing
ever more so. Cautious Henri never would make the smallest attack on
Soltikof, but merely keep observing him;--the end of which, what can the
end of it be? urges Friedrich always: "Condense yourselves; go in
upon the Russians, while they are in separate corps;"--and is very
ill-satisfied with the languor of procedures there. As is the Prince
with such reproaches, or implied reproaches, on said languor. Nor is his
humor cheered, when the King's bad predictions prove true. What has it
come to? These Letters of King and Prince are worth reading,--if indeed
you can, in the confusion of Schoning (a somewhat exuberant man, loud
rather than lumin