nch-English game shall go on; the big bowls bounding and rolling
(with velocities, on courses, partly computable to a quick eye);--and at
the right instant, and juncture of hits, not till that nor after that, a
quick hand shall bowl in; with effect, as he ventures to hope. He
knows well, it is a terrible game. But it is a necessary one, not to
be despaired of; it is to be waited for with closed lips, and played to
one's utmost!--

Chapter VIII.--PERFECT PEACE AT BERLIN, WAR ALL ROUND.

Friedrich, with the Spectre of inevitable War daily advancing on him, to
him privately evident and certain if as yet to him only, neglects in no
sort the Arts and business of Peace, but is present, always with vivid
activity, in the common movement, serious or gay and festive, as the day
brings it. During these Winter months of 1743, and still more through
Summer 1744, there are important War-movements going on,--the French
vehemently active again, the Austrians nothing behindhand,--which will
require some slight notice from us soon. But in Berlin, alongside of
all this, it is mere common business, diligent as ever, alternating with
Carnival gayeties, with marryings, givings in marriage; in Berlin there
goes on, under halcyon weather, the peaceable tide of things, sometimes
in a high fashion, as if Berlin and its King had no concern with the
foreign War.

The Plauen Canal, an important navigation-work, canal of some thirty
miles, joining Havel to Elbe in a convenient manner, or even joining
Oder to Elbe, is at its busiest:--"it was begun June 1st, 1743 [all
hands diligently digging there, June 27th, while some others of us were
employed at Dettingen,--think of it!], and was finished June 5th, 1745."
[Busching, _Erdbeschreibung,_ vi. 2192.] This is one of several such
works now afoot. Take another miscellaneous item or two.

January, 1744, Friedrich appoints, and briefly informs all his People of
it, That any Prussian subject who thinks himself aggrieved, may come and
tell his story to the King's own self: ["January, 1744" (Rodenbeck, i.
98).]--better have his story in firm succinct state, I should imagine,
and such that it will hold water, in telling it to the King! But the
King is ready to hear him; heartily eager to get justice done him. A
suitable boon, such Permission, till Law-Reform take effect. And after
Law-Reform had finished, it was a thing found suitable; and continued to
the end,--curious to a British reader to consid