e most critical moments rises to astonishing deeds,
and the next moment oscillates quietly on again in subordination to the
play of the most subtle political influences. Neither vanity, thirst for
glory, nor vengeance could make him deviate from his course, and this
course alone it is which brought him to a fortunate termination of the
contest.

These few words do but scant justice to this phase of the genius of the
great General; the eyes must be fixed carefully on the extraordinary
issue of the struggle, and the causes which brought about that issue
must be traced out, in order thoroughly to understand that nothing but
the King's penetrating eye brought him safely out of all his dangers.

This is one feature in this great Commander which we admire in the
campaign of 1760--and in all others, but in this especially--because in
none did he keep the balance even against such a superior hostile force,
with such a small sacrifice.

Another feature relates to the difficulty of execution. Marches to turn
a flank, right or left, are easily combined; the idea of keeping a small
force always well concentrated to be able to meet the enemy on equal
terms at any point, to multiply a force by rapid movement, is as easily
conceived as expressed; the mere contrivance in these points, therefore,
cannot excite our admiration, and with respect to such simple things,
there is nothing further than to admit that they are simple.

But let a General try to do these things like Frederick the Great. Long
afterwards authors, who were eyewitnesses, have spoken of the danger,
indeed of the imprudence, of the King's camps, and doubtless, at the
time he pitched them, the danger appeared three times as great as
afterwards.

It was the same with his marches, under the eyes, nay, often under the
cannon of the enemy's Army; these camps were taken up, these marches
made, not from want of prudence, but because in Daun's system, in his
mode of drawing up his Army, in the responsibility which pressed upon
him, and in his character, Frederick found that security which
justified his camps and marches. But it required the King's boldness,
determination, and strength of will to see things in this light, and
not to be led astray and intimidated by the danger of which thirty years
after people still wrote and spoke. Few Generals in this situation would
have believed these simple strategic means to be practicable.

Again, another difficulty in execution lay