[52] Military Instructions, p. 113.
[53] It was the day before. But it is not surprising that the bewildered young king should have been somewhat confused in his dates.
[54] Monsieur le Baron Bielfeld, Lettres Familières et Autres, tome i., p. 3.
[55] “Some men,” says a quaint writer, “have a God to swear by, though they have none to pray to.”
[56] Œuvres de Frédéric, t. xi., p. 90.
[57] “Valori was one night with him, and, on rising to take leave, the fat hand, sticking probably in the big waistcoat pocket, twitched out a little diplomatic-looking Note, which Frederick, with gentle adroitness (permissible in such circumstances), set his foot upon, till Valori had bowed himself out.”—Carlyle, vol. iii., p. 330.
[58] The Iron Crown. It was so called because there was entwined, amidst its priceless gems and exquisitely wrought frosted gold, some iron wire, said to be drawn from one of the spikes which had been driven through one of the hands of our Savior.
[59] Œuvres de Frédéric, vol. ii., p. 84.
[60] “Sure enough, the Sea Powers are checkmated now. Let them make the least attempt in favor of the queen if they dare. Holland can be overrun from Osnabrück quarter at a day’s warning. Little George has his Hanoverians, his subsidized Hessians, Danes, in Hanover; his English on Lexden Heath. Let him come one step over the marches, Maillebois and the Old Dessauer swallow him. It is a surprising stroke of theatrical-practical Art, brought about, to old Fleury’s sorrow, by the genius of Belleisle, and they say of Madame Châteauroux; enough to strike certain Governing Persons breathless for some time, and denotes that the Universal Hurricane, or World Tornado has broken out.”—Carlyle, vol. iii., p. 357.
[61] Count Brühl was for many years the first minister of the king. He was a weak, extravagant man, reveling in voluptuousness. His decisions could always be controlled by an ample bribe. His sole object seemed to be his own personal luxurious indulgence. “Public affairs,” he said, “will carry themselves on, provided we do not trouble ourselves about them.”