They kept a vigilant King Friedrich continually on the stretch, and were a standing life-problem to him in those final Years.

Problem nearly insoluble to human contrivance; the Russian card having palpably gone into the other hand.

Problem solved, nevertheless; it is still remembered how.
On the development of that pretty Bavarian Project, the thing became pressing; and it is well known by what a stroke of genius Friedrich checkmated it; and produced instead a "FURSTENBUND," or general "Confederation of German Princes," Prussia atop, to forbid peremptorily that the Laws of the Reich be infringed.

FURSTENBUND: this is the victorious summit of Friedrich's Public History, towards which all his efforts tended, during these five years: Friedrich's last feat in the world.

Feat, how obsolete now,--fallen silent everywhere, except in German Parish-History, and to the students of Friedrich's character in old age! Had no result whatever in European History; so unexpected was the turn things took.