kheadism" in themselves and their neighbors;--and, like
some absurd old Hindoo Idol (crockery Idol of Somnauth, for instance,
with the belly of him smashed by battle-axes, and the cart-load of
gold coin all run out), persuade mankind that they are a god, though in
dilapidated condition. That is our first impression of the thing.
But again, better seen into, there is not wanting a certain worthily
steadfast, conservative and broad-based high air (reminding you of "Kill
our own mutton, Sir!" and the ancient English Tory species), solid
and loyal, though stolid Ancient Austrian Tories, that definition will
suffice for us;--and Toryism too, the reader may rely on it, is much
patronized by the Upper Powers, and goes a long way in this world. Nay,
without a good solid substratum of that, what thing, with never so many
ballot-boxes, stump-orators, and liberties of the subject, is capable of
going at all, except swiftly to perdition? These Austrians have taken
a great deal of ruining, first and last! Their relation to the then
Sea-Powers, especially to England embarked on the Cause of Liberty,
fills one with amazement, by no means of an idolatrous nature; and is
difficult to understand at all, or to be patient with at all.
Of disposition to comply with Prussia, Robinson finds, in spite of
Mollwitz and the sad experiences, no trace at Vienna. The humor
at Vienna is obstinately defiant; simply to regard Friedrich as a
housebreaker or thief in the night; whom they will soon deal with, were
they once on foot and implements in their hand: "Swift, ye Sea-Powers;
where are the implements, the cash, that means implements?" The Young
Hungarian Majesty herself is magnificently of that opinion, which
is sanctioned by her Bartensteins and wisest Hofraths, with hardly a
dissentient (old Sinzendorf almost alone in his contrary notion, and he
soon dies). Robinson urges the dangers from France. No Hofrath here will
allow himself to believe them; to believe them would be too horrible.
"Depend upon it, France's intentions are not that way. And at the worst,
if France do rise against us, it is but bargaining with France; better
so than bargaining with Prussia, surely. France will be contentable with
something in the Netherlands; what else can she want of us? Parings from
that outskirt, what are these compared with Silesia, a horrid gash into
the vital parts? And what is yielding to the King of France, compared
with yielding to your Prussian Kin
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