30th Dec. 1777.

We

we get only crushed; better to keep out of it. well out of it, the more they quarrel and fight, the better for us!" England, in the shape of Hanover, would perhaps have made some effort to interfere, provided France did: on either side, I incline to think,—that is to say, on the side opposite to France. But poor England is engaged with its melancholy American War; France on the point of breaking out into Alliance with the Insurrection there. Neither France nor England did interfere. France is sinking into bankruptcy; intent to have a Navy before most things; to assist the Cause of Human Liberty over seas withal, and become a sublime spectacle, and a ruin to England,-not as in the PittChoiseul time, but by that improved method. Russia, again involved in Turk business, looks on, with now and then a big word thrown out on the one side and the other.-München, in the interval, we can fancy what an agitated City! One Note says:

'Kurfürst Max Joseph being dead (30th December 1777), 'Privy Councillor Johann Euchar von Obermayr, favourite ' and factotum Minister of the Deceased, opened the Chatoulle' (Princely Safe, or Case of Preciosities); 'took from it the Act, 'which already lay prepared, for Homaging and solemn Instal'ment of Karl Theodor Kur-Pfalz, as Heir of Baiern; with immediate intent to execute the same. Euchar orders strict 'closure of the Town-gates; the Soldiery to draw out, and beset 'all streets, especially that street where Imperial Majesty's Am'bassador lives: "Rank close with your backs to that House," 'orders Euchar; "and the instant anybody stirs to come out, 'sound your drums, and, at the same instant, let the rearmost ' rank of you, without looking round" (for one would not give 'offence, unless imperative), "smite the butts of their muskets to 'the ground" (ready for firing, if imperative). Nobody, I think, 'stirred out from that Austrian Excellency's House; in any 'case, Obermayr completed his Act without the least protest

3d Jan. 1778.

or trouble from anybody; and Karl Theodor, almost to his 'terror' (for he meant to sell, and satisfy Austria, by no means to resist or fight, the paltry old creature, careful of self and skin only), 'saw himself solemnly secured by all forms of law in all the Lands of the Deceased.2

Kaiser Joseph, in a fume at this, shot off an express to "Bohemia: "Such and such regiments, ten or twelve of you, 'with your artillery and tools, march instantly into Straubingen, and occupy that Town and District." At Vienna, to the KarlTheodor Ambassador, the Kaunitz Officials were altogether 'loud-voiced, minatory: "What is this, Herr Excellenz? Bar'gain already made; lying ready for mere signature; and at • München such doings. Sign this Bargain, or there cross your 'frontier 60,000 Austrian men, and seize both Baiern and the 'Ober-Pfalz; bethink you, Herr!" The poor Herr bethought him, what could he do? signed the Bargain, Karl Theodor sanctioning, 3d January 1778,-the fourth day after Ober'mayr's Homaging feat;-and completes the first act of this bad. 'business. The Bargain, on Theodor's side, was of the most 6 liberal kind: All and sundry the Lands and Circles of Duke 'Johann of Straubingen, Lordship of Mindelheim' (Marlborough's old Place) 'superadded, and I know not what else; Sovereignty ' of the Fiefs in Ober-Pfalz to lapse to the Crown of Böhmen on my decease.' Half Bavaria, or better; some reckon it as good as two-thirds.

The figure of Duchess Clement, Amazon in hair-powder, driving incessantly about among the officialities and aristocratic circles; this and the order of, "Rattle your muskets on the ground;" let these two features represent to us the München of those months. München, Regensburg, Vienna are loud with pleading, protocolling; but it is not there that the crisis of the game will be found to lie.

Friedrich has, for some time back, especially since the late Kur-Baiern's illness, understood that Austria, always eager for a clutch at Baiern, had something of that kind in view; but his first positive news of it was

2 Fischer, Geschichte Friedrichs des Zweiten (Halle, 1787), ii. 358.

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a Letter from Duchess Clement (date, January 3d), which, by the detail of facts, unveiled to his quick eye the true outline, extent and nature of this Enterprise of Austria's; Enterprise which, he could not but agree with Duchess Clement, was one of great concernment not to Baiern alone. "Must be withstood; prevented, at whatever risk," thought Friedrich on the instant: "The new Elector, Karl Theodor, he probably is dead to the matter; but one ought to ask him. If he answer, Dead; then ask his Heir, Have you no life to it?" Heir is a gallant enough young gentleman, of endless pedigree, but small possessions, 'Karl August Christian' (Karl II. in Official style), Duke of Zweibrück-Birkenfeld,' Karl Theodor's eldest Nephew; Friedrich judges that he probably will have haggled to sign any Austrian convention for dismembering Baiern, and that he will start into life upon it so soon as he sees hope.

"A messenger to him, to Karl Theodor and him," thinks Friedrich: "a messenger instantly; and who?" For that clearly is the first thing. And a delicate thing it is; requiring to be done in profoundest secrecy, by hint and innuendo rather than speech,-by somebody in a cloak of darkness, who is of adroit quality, and was never heard of in diplomatic circles before, not to be suspected of having business of mine on hand. Friedrich bethinks him that in a late visit to Weimar, he had noticed, for his fine qualities, a young gentleman named Görtz; Eustace von Görtz,3 late Tutor to the young Duke (Karl August, whom readers know as Goethe's friend): a wise, firm, adroit-looking young gentleman; who was farther interesting as Brother to LieutenantGeneral von Görtz, a respectable soldier of Friedrich's. Ex-Tutor at Weimar, we say, and idle for the moment; 3 Preuss, iv. 92 n., &c.

3d Jan.-5th April 1778.

hanging about Court there, till he should find a new function.

Of this Ex-Tutor Friedrich bethinks him; and in the course of that same day,-for there is no delay,Friedrich, who is at Berlin, beckons General Görtz to come over to him from Potsdam instantly. "Hither this evening, and in all privacy meet me in the Palace at such an hour" (hour of midnight or thereby); which of course Görtz, duly invisible to mankind, does. Fried. rich explains: An errand to München; perfectly secret, for the moment, and requiring great delicacy and address; perhaps not without risk, a timorous man might will say: your Brother go for me, think you? Görtz thinks he will. "Here is his Instruction, if so," adds the King, handing him an Autograph of the necessary outline of procedure, not signed, nor with any credential, or even specific address, lest accident happen. "Adieu, then, Herr General-Lieutenant; rule is, shoes of swiftness, cloak of darkness: adieu!" And Görtz Senior is off on the instant, careering towards Weimar, where he finds Görtz Junior, and makes known his errand. Görtz Junior stares in the natural astonishment; but, after some intense brief deliberation, becomes affirmative, and in a minimum of time is ready and on the road.

Görtz Junior proved to have been an excellent choice on the King's part; and came to good promotion afterwards by his conduct in this affair. Görtz Junior started for München on the instant, masked utterly, or his business masked, from profane eyes; saw this person, saw that, and glided swiftly about, swiftly and with sure aim; and speedily kindled the matter, and had smoke rising in various points. And before January was out, saw the Reichs-Diet at Regensburg, much more the

3d Jan.-5th April 1778.

general Gazetteerage everywhere, seized of this affair, and thrown into paroxysms at the size and complexion of it: saw, in fact, a world getting into flame,-kindled by whom or what nobody could guess, for a long time to come. Görtz had great running about in his cloak of darkness, and showed abundant talent of the kind needed. A pushing, clear-eyed, stout-hearted man; much cleverness and sureness in what he did and for. bore to do. His adventures were manifold; he had much travelling about: was at Regensburg, at Mannheim; saw many persons whom he had to judge of on the instant, and speak frankly to, or speak darkly, or speak nothing; and he made no mistake. One of his best counsellors, I gather, was Duchess Clement: of course it was not long till Duchess Clement heard some inkling of him; till, in some of his goings and comings, he saw Duchess Clement, who hailed him as an angel of light. In one journey more mysterious than ever, 'he was three days invisible in Duchess Clement's Garden'house.' Ah, Madame, que n'étiez-vous Electeur, Why "were not you Elector!" writes Friedrich to her once: "We should not have seen those shameful events, which every good German must blush for, to the bottom of "his heart (dont tout bon Allemand doit rougir jusqu'au "fond du cœur)!"4

เ

We cannot afford the least narrative of Görtz and his courses: imagination, from a few traits, will sufficiently conceive them. He had gone first to Karl Theodor's Minister: "Dead to it, I fear; has already signed?" Alas, yes. Upon which to Zweibrück the Heir's Minister; whom his Master had distinctly ordered to sign, but who, at his own peril, gallant man, delayed, remonstrated, had not yet done it; and was able to answer: • Preuss, iv. 94.