an Adventure, in which Kur-Pfalz is
sure to accompany, volunteered (like a real man of business, and much to
Belleisle's surprise) to renounce the Berg-Julich controversy, and let
Kur-Pfalz have his way, that there might be no quarrelling among allies.
This too is contingent; but was gladly accepted by Belleisle. SECOND,
That Belleisle had instructed Valori, Not to insist on active help
from Friedrich in the German Adventure, but merely to stipulate for
his Neutrality throughout, in case they could get no more. How joyfully
would Friedrich have accepted this,--had Valori volunteered with it,
which he did not! [Ranke, ii. 280.] But, after all, in result it was the
same; and had to be,--PLUS only a great deal of clamor by and by, from
the French and the Gazetteers, about the Article in question.
Was there ever so contingent a Treaty before? It is signed, Breslau,
5th June, 1741, and both parties have their hands loose, and make use of
their liberty for months to come; nay, in some sort, all along; feeling
how contingent it was! Friedrich did not definitely tie himself till
4th November next, five months after: when he signed the French-Bavarian
Treaty, renounced Berg-Julich controversies, and fairly went into
the French-Bavarian, smaller French Adventure; into the greater, or
wide-winged Belleisle one, he never went nor intended to go,--perhaps
even the contrary, if needful. Readers may try to remember these
elucidative items, riddled from the immensities of Dryasdust: I have no
more to give, nor can afford to return upon it. May not we well say, as
above, "A Treaty thought to have many IFS in it!"--And now, 8th June,
comes solemnly the Joint-Resolution itself; like mustard (under a
flourish of trumpets) three days after dinner:--
"CAMP OF GROTKAU, 8th JUNE. Hyndford and Ginkel [the same respectable
old Ginkel whom we used to know in Friedrich Wilhelm's time], having,
according to renewed order, got out from Breslau with that formidable
Dutch-English 'Advice' or Joint-Exhortation in their pocket, did this
day in the Camp at Grotkau present the same. A very mild-spoken Piece,
though it had required such courage; and which is not now worth speaking
of, things having gone as we see. Friedrich received it with a gracious
mien: 'Infinitely sensible to the trouble his Britannic Majesty and
their High Mightinesses took with his affairs; Document should receive
his best consideration,'--which indeed it has already done, and its
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