to send, by one of the servants who could be trusted, a Box of cold
fowls and other eatables for his Royal Highness's subsistence!"
[Dubourgay, 30th July, 1729.]

In the first blaze of the outrage at Clamei, Friedrich Wilhelm's ardent
mind suggested to him the method of single combat: defiance of George,
by cartel, To give the satisfaction of a gentleman. There have been such
instances on the part of Sovereigns; though they are rare: Karl Ludwig
of the Pfalz, Winter-king's Son, for example, did, as is understood,
challenge Turenne for burning the Pfalz (FIRST burning that poor country
got); but nothing came of it, owing to Turenne's prudence. Friedrich
Wilhelm sees well that it all comes from George's private humor: Why
should human blood be shed except George's and mine? Friedrich Wilhelm
is decisive for sending off the cartel; he has even settled the
particulars, and sees in his glowing poetic mind how the transaction may
be: say, at Hildesheim for place; Derschau shall be my second; Brigadier
Sutton (if anybody now know such a man) may be his. Seconds, place and
general outline he has schemed out, and fixed, so far as depends on one
party; will fairly fence and fight this insolent little Royal Gentleman;
give the world a spectacle (which might have been very wholesome to
the world) of two Kings voiding their quarrel by duel and fair personal
fence.

In England the report goes, "not without foundation," think Lord Hervey
and men of sarcastic insight in the higher circles, That it was his
Britannic Majesty who "sent or would have sent a challenge of single
combat to his Prussian Majesty," the latter being the passive party!
Report flung into an INVERSE posture, as is liable to happen; "going"
now with its feet uppermost; "not without foundation," thinks Lord
Hervey. "But whether it [the cartel] was carried and rejected, or
whether the prayers and remonstrances of Lord Townshend prevented the
gauntlet being actually thrown down, is a point which, to me [Lord
Hervey] at least, has never been cleared." [Lord Hervey, _Memoirs of
George II._ (London, 1848), i. 127.]

The Prussian Ministers, no less than Townshend would, feel well that
this of Duel will never do. Astonishment, FLEBILE LULIBRIUM, tragical
tehee from gods and men, will come of the Duel! But how to turn it
aside? For the King is determined. His truculent veracity of mind
points out this as the real way for him; reasoning, entreating are to
no purpose. "The