ghty Charles XII of Sweden.
He defeated the Austrians and invaded Saxony, mindful of the wealth and
prosperity of that country which, if added to his own, would greatly
increase the value of his dominions. He was almost always victorious
though he had half Europe against him. He defeated the Austrians at
Prague and Leuthen, the Russian army at Zorndorf. One of his most
brilliant triumphs was won over the united French and Imperial armies
at Rossbach.

[Illustration: Frederick the Great receiving his People's Homage (A.
Menzel)]

The French anticipated an easy victory in 1757, for the army of the
allies was vastly superior to that which Frederick William had encamped
at Rossbach, a village in Prussian Saxony. The King watched the
movements of the enemy from a castle, and was delighted when he managed
to bring them to a decisive action. He had partaken of a substantial
meal with his soldiers in the camp, although he was certainly in a most
precarious {153} position. He was too cunning a strategist to give the
signal to his troops till the French were advancing up the hill toward
his tents. The battle lasted only one hour and a half and resulted in
a complete victory for Prussia. The total loss of the King's army was
under 550 officers and men compared with 7700 on the side of the enemy.

The "Army of Cut-and-Run" was the contemptuous name earned by the
retreating regiments.

Gradually, allies withdrew on either side, France becoming involved
with England in India and the Colonies. Frederick II and Maria Theresa
made terms at Hubertsburg. Silesia was still in the hands of the
Prussian King, but he had failed in the prime object of the war, which
was the conquest of Saxony.

There was work for a king at home when the long, disastrous war was
over. Harvests went unreaped for want of men, and there were no strong
horses left for farm-labour. Starvation had rendered many parts of the
kingdom desolate, but the introduction of the potato saved some of
those remaining. The King had forthwith to rebuild villages and bring
horses from foreign countries. He was anxious to follow his father's
exhortations and make the population industrious and thriving. He saw
to it that schools rose everywhere and churches also, in which there
was as little bickering as possible. The clergy were kept down and
prevented from "becoming popes," as seemed to be the case in some
countries. The King had no piety, but revered his fa