things, and say little. Peace, or extinction for want of fuel,
came in the year 1466. Poland got to itself the whole of that fine
German Country, henceforth called 'WEST Preussen' to distinguish
it, which goes from the left bank of the Weichsel to the borders
of Brandenburg and Neumark;--would have got Neumark too, had not
Kurfurst Friedrich been there to save it. The Teutsch Order had to
go across the Weichsel, ignominiously driven; to content itself
with 'EAST Preussen,' the Konigsberg-Memel country, and even to do
homage to Poland for that. Which latter was the bitterest clause
of all: but it could not be helped, more than the others. In this
manner did its revolted children fling out Teutsch Ritterdom
ignominiously to the dogs, to the Polacks, first of all,--Thorn,
the eldest child, leading off or setting the example."

And so the Teutsch Ritters are sunk beyond retrieval; and West
Preussen, called subsequently "Royal Preussen," NOT having homage
to pay as the "Ducal" or East Preussen had, is German no longer,
but Polish, Sclavic; not prospering by the change. [What Thorn had
sunk to, out of its palmy state, see in Nanke's
Wanderungen durch Preussen (Hamburg & Altona, 1800),
ii. 177-200:--a pleasant little Rook, treating mainly of Natural
History; but drawing you, by its innocent simplicity and
geniality, to read with thanks whatever is in it.] And all that
fine German country, reduced to rebel against its unwise parent,
was cut away by the Polish sword, and remained with Poland, which
did not prove very wise either; till--till, in the Year 1773, it
was cut back by the German sword! All readers have heard of the
Partition of Poland: but of the Partition of Preussen, 307 years
before, all have not heard.