uch thing,
but can gain no certainty, nor understand what to do. Protestants
especially, who have been so zealous, "who were seen dropping down on
the streets to pray, while the muffled thunder came from Mollwitz that
day," [Ranke, ii. 289.]--fancy how it would now be, were the tables
suddenly turned, and indignant Orthodoxy made supreme again, with memory
fresh! But, in fact, there is no danger whatever to them. Schwerin
has orders about Breslau; Schwerin and the Young Dessauer are maturely
considering how to manage.
Readers recollect how Podewils pressed the Two Britannic Excellencies to
stay in Strehlen a day or two longer: "Grand Review, with festivities,
just on hand; whole of the Foreign Ministers in Breslau invited out to
see it,"--though Hyndford and Robinson would not consent; but left on
the 9th, meeting the others at different points of the road. Next
day, Thursday, 10th August, was in fact a great day at Strehlen; grand
muster, manoeuvring of cavalry above all, whom Friedrich is delighted to
find so perfect in their new methods; riding as if they were centaurs,
horse and man one entity; capable of plunging home, at full gallop, in
coherent masses upon an enemy, and doing some good with him. "Neipperg's
Croat-people, and out-pickets on the distant Hill-sides, witnessed
these manoeuvres," [Ranke, ii. 288.] I know not with what criticism.
Furthermore, about noon-time, there was heard (mark it, reader) a
distant cannon-shot, one and no more, from the Northern side; which gave
his Majesty a lively pleasure, though he treated it as nothing. All the
Foreign Ministers were on the ground; doubtless with praises, so far as
receivable; and in the afternoon came festivities not a few. A great day
in Strehlen:--but in Breslau a much greater; which explained, to our Two
Excellencies, why Podewils had been so pressing!
August 10th, at six in the morning, Schwerin, and under him the Young
Dessauer,--who had arrived in the Southwestern suburbs of Breslau
overnight, with 8,000 foot and horse, and had posted themselves in a
vigilant Anti-Neipperg manner there, and laid all their plans,--appear
at the Nicolai Gate; and demand, in the common way, transit for their
regiments and baggages: "bound Northward," as appears; "to Leubus,"
where something of Pandour sort has fallen out. So many troops or
companies at a time, that is the rule; one quantity of companies you
admit; then close and bolt, till it have marched across and out
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