登陆注册
5406800000139

第139章 FREDERIC THE GREAT(21)

Maria Theresa herself had not escaped his scurrilous jests.The Empress Elizabeth of Russia knew that her gallantries afforded him a favourite theme for ribaldry and invective.Madame de Pompadour, who was really the head of the French Government, had been even more keenly galled.She had attempted, by the most delicate flattery, to propitiate the King of Prussia; but her messages had drawn from him only dry and sarcastic replies.The Empress Queen took a very different course.Though the haughtiest of princesses, though the most austere of matrons, she forgot in her thirst for revenge both the dignity of her race and the purity of her character, and condescended to flatter the lowborn and low-minded concubine, who, having acquired influence by prostituting herself, retained it by prostituting others.Maria Theresa actually wrote with her own hand a note, full of expressions of esteem and friendship to her dear cousin, the daughter of the butcher Poisson, the wife of the publican D'Etioles, the kidnapper of young girls for the haram of an old rake, a strange cousin for the descendant of so many Emperors of the West! The mistress was completely gained over, and easily carried her point with Lewis, who had, indeed, wrongs of his own to resent.His feelings were not quick, but contempt, says the Eastern proverb, pierces even through the shell of the tortoise;and neither prudence nor decorum had ever restrained Frederic from expressing his measureless contempt for the sloth, the imbecility, and the baseness of Lewis.France was thus induced to join the coalition; and the example of France determined the conduct of Sweden, then completely subject to French influence.

The enemies of Frederic were surely strong enough to attack him openly; but they were desirous to add to all their other advantages the advantage of a surprise.He was not, however, a man to be taken off his guard.He had tools in every Court; and he now received from Vienna, from Dresden, and from Paris, accounts so circumstantial and so consistent, that he could not doubt of his danger.He learnt, that he was to be assailed at once by France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and the Germanic body; that the greater part of his dominions was to be portioned out among his enemies; that France, which from her geographical position could not directly share in his spoils, was to receive an equivalent in the Netherlands; that Austria was to have Silesia, and the Czarina East Prussia; that Augustus of Saxony expected Magdeburg; and that Sweden would be rewarded with part of Pomerania.If these designs succeeded, the House of Brandenburg would at once sink in the European system to a place lower than that of the Duke of Wurtemberg or the Margrave of Baden.

And what hope was there that these designs would fail? No such union of the continental powers had been seen for ages.A less formidable confederacy had in a week conquered, all the provinces of Venice, when Venice was at the height, of power, wealth, and glory.A less formidable confederacy had compelled Lewis the Fourteenth to bow down his haughty head to the very earth.A less formidable confederacy has, within our own memory, subjugated a still mightier empire, and abused a still prouder name.Such odds had never been heard of in war.The people whom Frederic ruled were not five millions.The population of the countries which were leagued against him amounted to a hundred millions, The disproportion in wealth was at least equally great.Small communities, actuated by strong sentiments of patriotism or loyalty, have sometimes made head against great monarchies weakened by factions and discontents.But small as was Frederic's kingdom, it probably contained a greater number of disaffected subjects than were to be found in all the states of his enemies.

Silesia formed a fourth part of his dominions; and from the Silesians, born under Austrian princes, the utmost that he could expect was apathy.From the Silesian Catholics he could hardly expect anything but resistance.

Some states have been enabled, by their geographical position, to defend themselves with advantage against immense force.The sea has repeatedly protected England against the fury of the whole Continent.The Venetian Government, driven from its possessions on the land, could still bid defiance to the confederates of Cambray from the arsenal amidst the lagoons.More than one great and well appointed army, which regarded the shepherds of Switzerland as an easy prey, has perished in the passes of the Alps.Frederic hid no such advantage.The form of his states, their situation, the nature of the ground, all were against him.

His long, scattered, straggling territory seemed to have been shaped with an express view to the convenience of invaders, and was protected by no sea, by no chain of hills.Scarcely any corner of it was a week's march from the territory of the enemy.

The capital itself, in the event of war, would be constantly exposed to insult.In truth there was hardly a politician or a soldier in Europe who doubted that the conflict would be terminated in a very few days by the prostration of the House of Brandenburg.

同类推荐
  • 道门通教必用集

    道门通教必用集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 上清无上金元玉清金真飞元步虚玉章

    上清无上金元玉清金真飞元步虚玉章

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 快园道古

    快园道古

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大般涅槃经后分

    大般涅槃经后分

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 野古集

    野古集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 废材逆袭:女王在异世

    废材逆袭:女王在异世

    她是妖界之王火凤凰。因为妖界的成王之礼而来人界历劫,附身废物小姐身上,从此废物翻身,浴火重来!
  • 渔娘

    渔娘

    掉魂当傻子多年,尝尽艰辛。一朝魂魄归来,小渔娘背靠大海来发家。吹笛异能御兽有方,天灾人祸极品一锅端。只是人家召唤的是野兽,这个热血男儿是从哪里冒出来的?——————————————————————各位亲们,新文元旦要上架,下个月请大家帮忙留一下月票,先谢谢大家了!
  • 山自在,水如来:熊召政生活随笔集

    山自在,水如来:熊召政生活随笔集

    对生活和人生的深度思考。书中精选熊召政游记多篇,并有高考阅读原文和模拟试题阅读原文多篇。全书分三辑,第一辑以旅行和生活中的感悟为主;第二辑以游记为主,旅行和文化气息浓郁;第三辑旅行游记和佛语禅悟较多,大多数讲淡然的心境,纵情于山水之间,不要太追逐利益等精神。
  • 帝少掠爱:萌妻乖乖入局

    帝少掠爱:萌妻乖乖入局

    只缘一次陪驾,她被他追的如同丧家之犬。只缘一枚黑痣,她得到他特殊的照顾。人生的下一秒,谁也不知道会发生什么。她盯着他,怒气冲天:“你怎么可以这样无耻?”他冷声大笑:“如果这个算无耻的话,那我就让你见识见识什么才是真正的无耻!”什么才是男人给女人最大的承诺?且看你许我青丝白发,且看我修炼成妈!
  • 大荒神侠传

    大荒神侠传

    上古神侠,唯我独尊。八荒六合,行者无疆。东方道宗,西方佛宗,北方真宗,南方灵宗,宗脉通三界;道义,侠义,宗义,情义,四义乱洪荒。少年身负血仇,脚踏悲歌,纵是聪俊无双,神力通天,也难逃神佛之掌。愿以此身此魂,护你一世安好,百岁无忧。
  • 代理妈咪(大结局)

    代理妈咪(大结局)

    ★★红袖新版的星星符号太多,请亲们点击进入旧版阅读,谢谢支持!★★地址:http://m.wkkk.net/a/136591/*********************他是秦氏国际集团首席总裁,因为承诺,他娶了弟弟最心爱的女人为妻。她才22岁,宝宝就已经三岁了,她带着宝宝搬入秦家,被迫签下婚书,却发现要娶她的人竟然是宝宝的Uncle。待他带着怒气占有了她时,却无比惊愕地发现,她竟然还是处子之身……这期间究竟发生了什么?*********************请支持陌丽完结的文:★总裁系列第一季:舞到你的心(完结)http://m.wkkk.net/a/91712/★总裁系列第二季:一夜倾情(完结)http://m.wkkk.net/a/97973/★总裁系列第三季:甜妻别想逃(完结)http://m.wkkk.net/a/98747/*********本系列【ab套餐】是和好友淡汐一起开的,请亲们多多支持:《赖上VIP情人》——淡汐http://m.wkkk.net/a/131513/《代理妈咪要嫁人》——陌丽http://m.wkkk.net/a/136591/
  • 总裁别烦我:夜,未央

    总裁别烦我:夜,未央

    夜澈把一个礼盒扔到办公桌上质问着:“你觉得我送这个给人做生日礼物合适吗?”欧阳未央睁着无辜的大眼:“我这也是按你送礼的要求选的,十万元以内,女性用品,最好是限量版,我可是选了好久的。你如果觉得我办事不力,不满意可以把我辞退。”夜澈大声吼着:“选了好久,就选了一瓶十多元的限量低价沐浴露?”欧阳未央微笑:“总裁大人,这是女性沐浴露,你的要求完全符合。欧阳未央怨恨的眼神,看着这个索取无度的男人:“你到底好了没有?已经很多次了......”夜澈邪恶的回道:“我们天生就是注定纠缠在一起,你的名字冠上我的姓,就是回答‘夜,未央’现在天还没亮......”
  • 戏说红楼

    戏说红楼

    在潇湘看了许多红楼的书,不忍她为一个没担当的男人泪尽而死。妨不住也动笔写起了妹妹,当然也是要她幸福,当然这要靠她自己去争取,要她坚强一点,自主一点。初次写书,如有不妥之处,欢迎多多提建议!
  • 霸世天尊

    霸世天尊

    盛世而降,身负秘血枷锁,解世人苦难,行天地大德。皇族弃子,终耀八方。前世网游上的一款辅助炼药软件,成了陈小志在这乱世中的最强依仗。
  • 不是所有的网恋奔现都很惨

    不是所有的网恋奔现都很惨

    顾执与霍者,网恋了。网恋有多惨,他们切实的体验了一把。一天想你千百遍,可也只能想着。异地,网恋,再加上身边总有人过来挥一挥小锄头这就是传说中的,自作自受!