FRIEDRICH TO MARQUIS D'ARGENS (at Berlin).
"MEISSEN, 10th November, 1760.
...

"I drove the enemy to the Gates of Dresden; they occupy their Camp of last Year; all my skill is not enough to dislodge them,"-- [Chasm of Plauen, "a place impregnable, were it garrisoned by chimney-sweeps," says the King once].

"We have saved our reputation by the Day of Torgau: but don't imagine our enemies are so disheartened as to desire Peace.
Duke Ferdinand's affairs are not in a good way [missed Wesel, of which presently;--and, alas also, George II.

died, this day gone a fortnight, which is far worse for us, if we knew it!]--I fear the French will preserve through Winter the advantages they gained during the Campaign.
"In a word, I see all black, as if I were at the bottom of a tomb.
Have some compassion on the situation I am in; conceive that I disguise nothing from you, and yet that I do not detail to you all my embarrassments, my apprehensions and troubles.

Adieu, dear Marquis; write to me sometimes,--don't forget a poor devil, who curses ten times a day his fatal existence, and could wish he already were in those Silent Countries from which nobody returns with news." [_OEuvres de Frederic,_ xix.