]'

The day after this bright feat of Seidlitz's, which was a slight
consolation to Friedrich, there came a Letter from the Duchess, not of
compliment only; the Letter itself had to be burnt on the spot, being,
as would seem, dangerous for the High Lady, who was much a friend of
Friedrich's. Their Correspondence, very polite and graceful, but for
most part gone to the unintelligible state, and become vacant and
spectral, figures considerably in the Books, and was, no doubt, a
considerable fact to Friedrich. His Answer on this occasion may be
given, since we have it,--lest there should not elsewhere be opportunity
for a second specimen.

FRIEDRICH TO THE GRAND-DUCHESS OF SACHSEN-GOTHA.

"KIRSCHLEBEN, NEAB ERFURT, 20th September, 1757.

"MADAM,--Nothing could happen more glorious to my troops than that of
fighting, Madam, under your eyes and for your defence. I wish their help
could be useful to you; but I foresee the reverse. If I were obstinately
to insist on maintaining the post of Gotha with Infantry, I should ruin
your City for you, Madam, by attracting thither and fixing there the
theatre of the War; whereas, by the present course, you will only have
to suffer little rubs (PASSADES), which will not last long.

"A thousand thanks that you could, in a day like yesterday, find the
moment to think of your Friends, and to employ yourself for them.
[Seidlitz's attack was brisk, quite sudden, with an effect like
Harlequin's sword in Pantomimes; and Gotha in every corner, especially
in the Schloss below and above stairs,--dinner cooked for A, and eaten
by B, in that manner,--must have been the most agitated of little
Cities.] I will neglect nothing of what you have the goodness to tell
me; I shall profit by these notices. Heaven grant it might be for the
deliverance and the security of Germany!

"The most signal mark of obedience I can give you consists
unquestionably in doing your bidding with this Letter. [Burn it, so soon
as read.] I should have kept it as a monument of your generosity and
courage: but, Madam, since you dispose of it otherwise, your orders
shall be executed; persuaded that if one cannot serve one's friends, one
must at least avoid hurting them; that one may be less circumspect for
one's own interest, but that one must be prudent and even timid
for theirs. I am, with the highest esteem and the most perfect
consideration, Madam, your Highness's most faithful and affectionate
Cousin,--F." [_OEuvres d