, however, had been fired by a European power--by England,
always distinguished for her calculating selfishness, which she wished
the world to consider praiseworthy and honorable policy. England
considered her mercantile interests in America endangered by France, and
she thirsted with desire to have not only an East India but a West India
company. The French colonies in America had long excited the envy and
covetousness of England, and as a sufficient cause for war had utterly
failed, she was bold enough to take the initiative without excuse!

In the midst of a general peace, and without any declaration of war,
she seized upon a country lying on the borders of the Ohio River,
and belonging to French Canada, made an attack upon some hundred
merchant-ships, which were navigating the Ohio, under the protection of
the ships-of-war, and took them as prizes. [Footnote: "Characteristics
of the Important Events of the Seven Years' War," by Retson.]

That was the cannon-shot which roused all Europe from her comfortable
slumber and dreamy rest.

The Empress of Austria began to make warlike preparations in Bohemia,
and to assemble her troops on the borders of Saxony and Bohemia. The
Empress of Russia discontinued instantaneously her luxurious feasts
and wild orgies, armed her soldiers, and placed them on the borders of
Courland. She formed an immediate alliance with England, by which she
bound herself to protect the territory of George II. in Germany, if
attacked by France, in retaliation for the French merchant-ships
taken by England on the Ohio River. Hanover, however, was excepted, as
Frederick of Prussia might possibly give her his aid. For this promised
aid, Russia received from England the sum of 150,000 pounds sterling,
which was truly welcome to the powerful Bestuchef, from, the extravagant
and pomp-loving minister of the queen.

Saxony also prepared for war, and placed her army on the borders of
Prussia, for which she received a subsidy from Austria. This was as
gladly welcomed by Count Bruhl, the luxurious minister of King Augustus
the Third of Poland and Saxony, as the English subsidy was by Bestuchef.

The King of France appeared to stand alone; even as completely alone as
Frederick of Prussia. Every eye therefore was naturally fixed upon
these two powers, who seemed thus forced by fate to extend the hand of
fellowship to each other, and form such an alliance as England had done
with Russia, and Austria with Saxony