ous);--so curious is the Private Dialogue going
on there at all times, in the background of the stage, between the
Brothers. One short specimen, extending through the June and July just
over,--specimen distilled faithfully out of that huge jumbling sea of
Schaning, and rendered legible,--the reader will consent to.

DIALOGUE OF FRIEDRICH AND HENRI (from their Private Correspondence: June
7th-July 29th, 1760).

FRIEDRICH (June 7th; before his first crossing Elbe: Henri at Sagan;
he at Schlettau, scanning the waste of fatal possibilities). ...
Embarrassing? Not a doubt, of that! "I own, the circumstances both of
us are in are like to turn my head, three or four times a day." Loudon
aiming for Neisse, don't you think? Fouquet all in the wrong.--"One
has nothing for it but to watch where the likelihood of the biggest
misfortune is, and to run thither with one's whole strength."

HENRI... "I confess I am in great apprehension for Colberg:"--shall
one make thither; think you? Russians, 8,000 as the first instalment
of them, have ARRIVED; got to Posen under Fermor, June 1st:--so the
Commandant of Glogau writes me (see enclosed).

FRIEDRICH (June 9th). Commandant of Glogau writes impossibilities:
Russians are not on march yet, nor will be for above a week.

"I cross Elbe, the 15th. I am compelled to undertake something of
decisive nature, and leave the rest to chance. For desperate disorders
desperate remedies. My bed is not one of roses. Heaven aid us: for human
prudence finds itself fall short in situations so cruel and desperate as
ours." [Schoning, ii. 313 ("Meissen Camp, 7th June, 1760"); ib. ii. 317
("9th June").]

HENRI. Hm, hm, ha (Nothing but carefully collected rumors, and
wire-drawn auguries from them, on the part of Henri; very intense
inspection of the chicken-bowels,--hardly ever without a shake of the
head).

FRIEDRICH (June 26th; has heard of the Fouquet disaster).... "Yesterday
my heart was torn to pieces [news of Landshut, Fouquet's downfall
there], and I felt too sad to be in a state for writing you a sensible
Letter; but to-day, when I have come to myself a little again, I will
send you my reflections. After what has happened to Fouquet, it is
certain Loudon can have no other design but on Breslau [he designs Glatz
first of all]: it will be the grand point, therefore, especially if
the Russians too are bending thither, to save that Capital of Silesia.
Surely the Turks must be in motion:--if so,