The quondam major shortly after this received a kindly letter, which assured him a generous pension and made him the happiest of men.
Considering the care with which this sagacious sovereign looked after matters in general as well as individual affairs, and devoted himself to the humblest as well as the greatest in his dominions, it is not surprising that the ruined towns and villages, and the waste lands as well, soon presented a changed aspect, but it took years before the sorely oppressed country recovered entirely from the devastating effects of war. With the increasing industry of the people, however, and the unfailing encouragement and assistance of the King in advancing the interests of commerce, trade, and agriculture, Prussia in time rose to a higher degree of prosperity and culture than ever before.
Appendix
The following is a chronological statement of the principal events in the Seven Years’ War:
| 1756 | Frederick invades Saxony. |
| October 1, 1756 | Frederick’s first victory at Lobositz. |
| 1757 | Frederick invades Bohemia. |
| May 6, 1757 | Frederick defeats the Austrians at Prague. |
| June 18, 1757 | Frederick defeated by the Austrians at Kollin. |
| July 26, 1757 | French victory at Hastenbeck. |
| August 30, 1757 | Russian victory at Grossjägendorf. |
| November 5, 1757 | Frederick’s great victory at Rossbach. |
| December 5, 1757 | Frederick defeats the Austrians at Leuthen. |
| August 25, 1758 | Frederick defeats the Russians at Zorndorf. |
| October 14, 1758 | Frederick defeated by Austrians at Hochkirch. |
| August 1, 1759 | French defeated at Minden. |
| August 12, 1760 | Frederick defeated at Kunersdorf. |
| August 15, 1760 | Frederick defeats the Austrians at Liegnitz. |
| November 3, 1760 | Frederick’s great victory at Torgau. |
| January 5, 1762 | Death of Czarina Elizabeth and accession of Peter III. |
| March 3, 1762 | Peter makes peace with Frederick. |
| July 17, 1762 | Peter assassinated and succeeded by Catharine. |
| July 21, 1762 | Frederick’s victory at Burkersdorf. |
| October 29, 1762 | Victory of Prince Henry at Freiburg. |
| Last battle in the Seven Years’ War. | |
| February 10, 1763 | Peace between France, England, and Prussia. |
| February 15, 1763 | Peace of Hubertsburg and close of the war. |
Footnotes
[1]The Mark or Margravate of Brandenburg was the beginning of the Kingdom of Prussia. The Nordmark, now in Saxony, was founded by Henry I in 928 to preserve certain German territory. In 1134 it was granted to Albert, who took the title of Margrave of Brandenburg. The mark was gradually extended during the next three centuries, and in 1618 the Duchy of Prussia was united to it. During the reign of Frederick William, the “Great Elector,” it was largely developed, and in 1700 it became the Kingdom of Prussia.
[2]This was in the Autumn of 1756.
[3]Pirna is on the Elbe, twelve miles from Dresden. It suffered greatly not only during the Seven Years’ but the Thirty Years’ War.
[4]Francis I, son of Leopold, Duke of Lorraine, married Maria Theresa in 1736 and was elected Emperor of Austria in 1745.