Head-quarters now at Bielefeld on the Weser;--where, "April 16th,"
or a few days later, Royal Highness of Cumberland comes to take
command; likely to make a fine figure against Marechal d'Estrees
and his 100,000 French! But there was no helping it.
Friedrich, through Winter, has had Schmettau earnestly flagitating
the Hanoverian Officialities: "The Weser is wadable in many places,
you cannot defend the Weser!" and counselling and pleading to all
lengths,--without the least effect. "Wants to save his own
Halberstadt lands, at our expense!" Which was the idea in London,
too: "Don't we, by Apocalyptic Newswriters and eyesight of our own,
understand the man?" Pitt is by this time in Office, who perhaps
might have judged a little otherwise. But Pitt's seat is altogether
temporary, insecure; the ruling deities Newcastle and Royal
Highness, who withal are in standing quarrel. So that Friedrich,
Schmettau, Mitchell pleaded to the deaf. Nothing but "Defend the
Weser," and ignorant Fatuity ready for the Impossible, is to be
made out there. "Cannot help it, then," thinks Friedrich, often
enough, in bad moments; "Army of Observation will have its fate.
Happily there are only 5,000 Prussians in it, Wesel and the other
garrisons given up!"

Only 5,000 Prussians: by original Engagement, there should have
been 25,000; and Friedrich's intention is even 45,000 if he prosper
otherwise. For in January, 1757 (Anniversary, or nearly so, of that
NEUTRALITY CONVENTION last year), there had been--encouraged by
Pitt, as I could surmise, who always likes Friedrich--a definite,
much closer TREATY OF ALLIANCE, with "Subsidy of a million
sterling," Anti-Russian "Squadron of Observation in the Baltic,"
"25,000 Prussians," and other items, which I forget. Forget the
more readily, as, owing to the strange state of England (near