History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 16 | Page 9

careless
readers cognizant at this day. Only by the great results--a "Prussia
QUADRUPLED" in his time, and the like--can studious readers
convince themselves, in a cold and merely statistic way. But in respect
of Life to the Muses, we have happily the means of showing that in
actual vitality; in practical struggle towards fulfillment,--and how
extremely disappointing the result was. In a word, Voltaire pays his
Fifth and final Visit in this Period; the Voltaire matter comes to its
consummation. To that, as to one of the few things which are perfectly
knowable in this Period of TEN-YEARS PEACE, and in which
mankind still take interest, we purpose mostly to devote ourselves here.
Ten years of a great King's life, ten busy years too; and nothing visible
in them, of main significance, but a crash of Author's Quarrels, and the
Crowning Visit of Voltaire? Truly yes, reader; so it has been ordered.
Innumerable high-dressed gentlemen, gods of this lower world, are
gone all to inorganic powder, no comfortable or profitable memory to
be held of them more; and this poor Voltaire, without implement except
the tongue and brain of him,--he is still a shining object to all the
populations; and they say and symbol to me, "Tell us of him! He is the
man!" Very strange indeed. Changed times since, for dogs barking at
the heels of him, and lions roaring ahead,--for Asses of Mirepoix, for
foul creatures in high dizenment, and foul creatures who were hungry
valets of the same,--this man could hardly get the highways walked!
And indeed had to keep his eyes well open, and always have covert
within reach,--under pain of being torn to pieces, while he went about
in the flesh, or rather in the bones, poor lean being. Changed times;
within the Century last past! For indeed there was in that man what far
transcends all dizenment, and temporary potency over valets, over
legions, treasure-vaults and dim millions mostly blockhead: a spark of
Heaven's own lucency, a gleam from the Eternities (in small
measure);--which becomes extremely noticeable when the Dance is
over, when your tallow-dips and wax-lights are burnt out, and the brawl
of the night is gone to bed.

Chapter II.
PEEP AT VOLTAIRE AND HIS DIVINE EMILIE (BY
CANDLELIGHT) IN THE TIDE OF EVENTS. Public European
affairs require little remembrance; the War burning well to leeward of

us henceforth. A huge world of smoky chaos; the special fires of it, if
there be anything of fire, are all the more clear far in the distance. Of
which sort, and of which only, the reader is to have notice. Marechal de
Saxe--King Louis oftenest personally there, to give his name and
countenance to things done --is very glorious in the Netherlands;
captures, sometimes by surprisal, place after place (beautiful surprisal
of Brussels last winter); with sieges of Antwerp, Mons, Charleroi,
victoriously following upon Brussels: and, before the end of 1746, he is
close upon Holland itself; intent on having Namur and Maestricht; for
which the poor Sea-Powers, with a handful of Austrians, fight two
Battles, and are again beaten both times. [1. Battle of Roucoux, 11th
October, 1746; Prince Karl commanding, English taking mainly the
stress of fight;--Saxe having already outwitted poor Karl, and got
Namur. 2. Battle of Lawfelt, or Lauffeld, called also of VAL, 2d July,
1747; Royal Highness of Cumberland commanding (and taking most of
the stress; Ligonier made prisoner, &c.),--Dutch fighting ill, and
Bathyani and his Austrians hardly in the fire at all.] A glorious,
ever-victorious Marechal; and has an Army very "high-toned," in more
than one sense: indeed, I think, one of the loudest-toned Armies ever on
the field before. Loud not with well- served Artillery alone, but with
play-actor Thunder-barrels (always an itinerant Theatre attends), with
gasconading talk, with orgies, debaucheries,--busy service of the Devil,
AND pleasant consciousness that we are Heaven's masterpiece, and are
in perfect readiness to die at any moment;--our ELASTICITY and
agility ("ELAN" as we call it) well kept up, in that manner, for the time
being. Hungarian Majesty, contrary to hope, neglects the Netherlands,
"Holland and England, for their own sake, will manage there!"--and
directs all her resources, and her lately Anti-Prussian Armies (General
Browne leading them) upon Italy, as upon the grand interest now. Little
to the comfort of the Sea-Powers. But Hungarian Majesty is decided to
cut in upon the French and Spaniards, in that fine Country,--who had
been triumphing too much of late; Maillebois and Senor de Gages
doing their mutual exploits (though given to quarrel); Don Philip
wintering in Milan even (1745-1746); and the King of Sardinia getting
into French courses again. Strong cuts her Hungarian Majesty does
inflict, on the Italian side; tumbles Infant Philip out of Milan and his
Carnival gayeties, in plenty of hurry; besieges Genoa,