Carlyle's "History of Friedrich II of Prussia"

Book XVII



THE SEVEN-YEARS WAR: FIRST CAMPAIGN.

1756-1757.

Chapter I.

WHAT FRIEDRICH HAD READ IN THE MENZEL DOCUMENTS.

The ill-informed world, entirely unaware of what Friedrich had been
studying and ascertaining, to his bitter sorrow, for four years
past, was extremely astonished at the part he took in those French-
English troubles; extremely provoked at his breaking out again into
a Third Silesian War, greater than all the others, and kindling all
Europe in such a way. The ill-informed world rang violently, then
and long after, with a Controversy, "Was it of his beginning, or
Not of his beginning?" Controversy, which may in our day be
considered as settled by unanimous mankind; finished forever;
and can now have no interest for any creature.

Omitting that, our problem is (were it possible in brief compass),
To set forth, by what authentic traits there are,--not the
"ambitious," "audacious," voracious and highly condemnable
Friedrich of the Gazetteers,--but the thrice-intricately situated
Friedrich of Fact. What the Facts privately known to Friedrich