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

CHAPTER III
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Since our own Elizabeth! no Woman, and hardly above one Man, is worth being named beside her as a Sovereign Ruler;--she is 'a living contradiction of the Salic Law,' say her admirers.

Depends on England for money, All hearts and right hands in Austria are hers.
The loss of Schlesien, pure highway robbery, thrice-doleful loss and disgrace, rankles incurable in the noble heart, pious to its Fathers withal, and to their Heritages in the world,--we shall see with what issues, for the next twenty years, to that 'BOSE MANN,' unpardonably 'wicked man' of Brandenburg.

And indeed, to the end of her life, she never could get over it.

To the last, they say, if a Stranger, getting audience, were graciously asked, 'From what Country, then ?' and should answer, 'Schlesien, your Majesty!' she would burst into tears.--'Patience, high Madam!' urges the Britannic Majesty: 'Patience; may not there be compensation, if we hunt well ?'" Austrian bears, implacable badgers, with Britannic mastiffs helping, now that the Belleisle Pack is down!-- At Berlin it was gay Carnival, while those tragedies went on: Friedrich was opening his Opera-House, enjoying the first ballets, while Belleisle filed out of Prag that gloomy evening.

Our poor Kaiser will not "retain Bohemia," then; how far from it! The thing is not comfortable to Friedrich; but what help?
This is the gayest Carnival yet seen in Berlin, this immediately following the Peace; everybody saying to himself and others, "GAUDEAMUS, What a Season!" Not that, in the present hurry of affairs, I can dwell on operas, assemblies, balls, sledge-parties; or indeed have the least word to say on such matters, beyond suggesting them to the imagination of readers.


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