Germany,--unconsciously waiting for what higher destinies Silesia
might have. For Maultasche and the Tyrol he brought sad woes on
Brandenburg; and yet was unconsciously leading Brandenburg, by
abstruse courses, whither it had to go. A restless, ostentatious,
far-grasping, strong-handed man; who kept the world in a stir
wherever he was. All which has proved voiceless in the World's
memory; while the casual Shadow of a Feather he once wore has
proved vocal there. World's memory is very whimsical now and then.

Being much implicated with the King of France, who with the Pope
was his chief stay in these final Anti-Ludwig operations, Johann--
in 1346, Pfaffen-Kaiser Karl just set on foot--had led his
chivalry into France, to help against the English Edwards, who
were then very intrusive there. Johann was blind, but he had good
ideas in war. At the Battle of Crecy, 24th August, 1346, he
advised we know not what; but he actually fought, though stone-
blind. "Tied his bridle to that of the Knight next him;
and charged in,"--like an old blind war-horse kindling madly at
the sound of the trumpet;--and was there, by some English lance or
yew, laid low. They found him on that field of carnage (field of
honor, too, in a sort); his old blind face looking, very blindly,
to the stars: on his shield was blazoned a Plume of three ostrich-
feathers with "ICH DIEN (I serve)" written under:--with which
emblem every English reader is familiar ever since! This Editor
himself, in very tender years, noticed it on the Britannic
Majesty's war-drums; and had to inquire of children of a larger
growth what the meaning might be.

That is all I had to say of King Johann and his "ICH DIEN." Of the
Luxemburg Kaisers (four in number, two sons of Karl still to