[History of Friedrich II. of Prussia<br> Vol. XI. (of XXI.) by Thomas Carlyle]@TWC D-Link book
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia
Vol. XI. (of XXI.)

CHAPTER IX
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How soon and perfectly Winterfeld succeeded, and what Winterfeld was, and something of what a Russia he found it, we propose to mention by and by.
These, and all points of importance, Friedrich has settled with himself some time ago.

What his own private thoughts on the Silesian Adventure are, readers will wish to know, since they can at first hand.

Hear Friedrich himself, whose veracity is unquestionable to such as know anything of him:-- "This Silesian Project fulfilled all his (the King's) political views,"-- summed them all well up into one head.

"It was a means of acquiriug reputation; of increasing the power of the State; and of terminating what concerned that long-litigated question of the Berg-Julich Succession;"-- can be sure of getting that, at lowest; intends to give that up, if necessary.
"Meanwhile, before entirely determining, the King weighed the risks there were in undertaking such a War, and the advantages that were to be hoped from it.

On one side, presented itself the potent House of Austria, not likely to want resources with so many vast Provinces under it; an Emperor's Daughter attacked, who would naturally find allies in the King of England, in the Dutch Republic, and so many Princes of the Empire who had signed the Pragmatic Sanction." Russia was--or had been, and might again be--in the pay of Vienna.


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