h), of Friedrich's and other
people's Diplomatizings in this World,--will satisfy the strongest
diplomatic appetite; and to him we refer such as are given that way.
[Ranke, _Neun Bucher Preussischer Geschichte,_ iii. 74-137.]' "France
and oneself, as SUBSTANCE of help; but, for many reasons, give it
carefully a legal German FORM or coat:" that is Friedrich's method as
to finding help. And he diligently prosecutes it;--and, what is still
luckier, strives to be himself at all points ready, and capable of doing
with a minimum of help from others.

Before the Year 1743 was out, Friedrich had got into serious Diplomatic
Colloquy with France; suggesting, urging, proposing, hypothetically
promising. "February 21st, 1744," he secretly despatched Rothenburg to
Paris; who, in a shining manner, consults not only with the Amelots,
Belleisles, but with the Chateauroux herself (who always liked
Friedrich), and with Louis XV. in person: and triumphantly brings
matters to a bearing. Ready here, on the French side; so soon as your
Reich Interests are made the most of; so soon as your Patriotic "Union
of Reich's Princes" is ready! In March, 1744, the Reich side of the
Affair was likewise getting well forward ("we keep it mostly secret from
the poor Kaiser, who is apt to blab"):--and on May 22d, 1744, Friedrich,
with the Kaiser and Two other well-affected Parties (only two as yet,
but we hope for more, and invite all and sundry), sign solemnly
their "UNION OF FRANKFURT;" famous little Fourfold outcome of so much
diplomatizing. [Ranke, ubi supra (Treaty is in Adelung, iv. 103-105).]
For the well-affected Parties, besides Friedrich, and the Kaiser
himself, were as yet Two only: Landgraf Wilhelm of Hessen-Cassel,
disgusted with the late Carteret astucities at Hanau, he is one (and
hires, by and by, his poor 6,000 Hessians to the French and Kaiser,
instead of to the English; which is all the help HE can give); Landgraf
Wilhelm, and for sole second to him the new Kur-Pfalz, who also has men
to hire. New Kur-Pfalz: our poor OLD friend is dead; but here is a
new one, Karl Philip Theodor by name, of whom we shall hear again long
afterwards; who was wedded (in the Frankfurt-Coronation time, as readers
might have noted) to a Grand-daughter of the old, and who is, like the
old, a Hereditary Cousin of the Kaiser's, and already helps him all he
can.

Only these Two as yet, though the whole Reich is invited to join; these,
along with Friedrich and th