It is a compliment to you, gentlemen, for our government apparently places a higher value on you than on us, and is very chary of swelling Frederick's armies by the release of prisoners.
Somehow your king seems to make double use of his soldiers.

He fights a battle here, then rushes away to meet another enemy, two or three hundred miles off; while when we get an advantage, we seem so satisfied with ourselves that we sit still until we have let its advantages slip from our hands." "May I ask if, by the last news, Marshal Daun is still near Hochkirch ?" "He was so, as far as the yesterday's courier brought news.

At first we thought that he had won a tremendous victory, and had eaten up Frederick's army; but the later news is that the king marched safely away, and so far from being demolished he is now perfectly master of his movements; and ready, no doubt, for another tussle, if we should advance.

However, I should imagine that the snow will soon put a stop to active operations." Then, bowing courteously, he left them, to pay a visit to the prisoners in the next casemate..