History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 14

by Thomas Carlyle




BOOK XIV.

THE SURROUNDING EUROPEAN WAR DOES NOT END.

August, 1742-July, 1744.


Chapter I.

FRIEDRICH RESUMES HIS PEACEABLE PURSUITS.

Friedrich's own Peace being made on such terms, his wish and hope
was, that it might soon be followed by a general European one;
that, the live-coal, which had kindled this War, being quenched,
the War itself might go out. Silesia is his; farther interest in
the Controversy, except that it would end itself in some fair
manner, he has none. "Silesia being settled," think many, thinks
Friedrich for one, "what else of real and solid is there
to settle?"

The European Public, or benevolent individuals of it everywhere,
indulged also in this hope. "How glorious is my King, the youngest
of the Kings and the grandest!" exclaims Voltaire (in his Letters