is a bloody scourge for the nation; but, sir, we will not look at it in
a sentimental light, and talk of civil war, when Austria herself compels
us to take the field. Or, perhaps, you imagine to prove to my good
Pomeranians, Markers, and my other German states, that the Croatians,
Pandurians, Hungarians, Wallachians, Italians, and Polanders, are our
German brothers, which imperial Austria opposes to us. I think this
brotherhood may be traced to our common ancestor, Adam, and in this
sense all wars are indeed civil wars. In any case war is a scourge for
man, and I am convinced that the empress-queen would just as willingly
spare her Croatians, Pandurians, Wallachians, and Galicians, as I all my
German subjects collectively."

"Also your majesty's Polish subjects, as may be expected," added Baron
von Thugut.

"My Polish subjects are the minimum portion, and are about in proportion
to the German population as in imperial Austria the German is to the
foreign. But enough of this; if I do not recognize this as a civil
war, it is indeed a great misfortune. I would do every thing to avoid
it--every thing compatible with the honor and glory of my house, as well
as that of Germany in general. Therefore let us know the Views of the
empress-queen!"

"Sire," answered Von Thugut, as he slowly untied and unfolded the
documents, "I beg permission to read aloud to your majesty the acts
relative to these points."

"No, baron," answered the king quickly, "the more minute details give to
my minister; I wish only the contents in brief."

"At your majesty's command. The empress-queen declares herself ready
to renounce the concluded treaty of inheritance to the succession of
Bavaria at the death of Elector Charles Theodore; also to give up the
district seized, if Prussia will promise to resign the succession of
the Margraves of Anspach and Baireuth, and let them remain independent
principalities, governed by self-dependent sovereigns."

"That means, that Austria, who will unjustly aggrandize herself by
Bavaria, will deprive Prussia of a lawful inheritance!" cried the king,
his eyes flashing anger. "I will not heed the after-cause, but I wish
to satisfactorily understand the first part of the proposition, that
Austria will cede her pretensions to Bavaria."

"Sire, upon conditions only which are sufficient for the honor, the
wishes, and necessities of my lofty mistress."

"You hear, my dear Herzberg," said the king, smiling, and turn