er Battalions ROTHENBURG and GRANT demand
to have picked men to complete them [of CANTONIST, or sure Prussian
sort].... I find [NOTA BENE, Reader!] there are eight Austrian regiments
going to Silesia [off my hands, and upon YOURS, in a sense], eight
instead of four that I spoke of: intending, probably, for Glatz,
to replace Czernichef [a Czernichef off for home lately, in a most
miraculous way; as readers shall hear!]--to replace Czernichef, and
the blank he has left there? Eight of them: Your Majesty can have no
difficulty; but I will detach Platen or somebody, if you order it;
though I am myself perilously ill off here, so scattered into parts, not
capable of speedy junction like your Majesty."

FRIEDRICH (14th-16th March). "Commissariat horses, drivers? I arranged
and provided where everything was to be got. But if my orders are not
executed, nor the requisitions brought in, of course there is failure.
I am despatching Adjutant von Anhalt to Saxony a second time, to enforce
matters. If I could be for three weeks in Saxony, myself, I believe I
could put all on its right footing; but, as I must not stir two steps
from here, I will send you Anhalt, with orders to the Generals, to
compel them to their duty." [Schoning, iii. 301, 302.] "As to Grenadier
Battalions GRANT and ROTHENBURG, it is absurd." (Henri falls silent
for about a week, brooding his gloom;--not aware that still worse is
coming.) King continues:--

KING (22d March). "Eight regiments, you said? Here, by enclosed List,
are seventeen of them, names and particulars all given", which is rather
a different view of the account against Silesia! Seventeen of them,
going, not for Glatz, I should say, but to strengthen our Enemies
hereabouts.

HENRI. "Hm, hah [answers only in German; dry military reports, official
merely;--thinks of writing to Chief-Clerk Eichel, who is factotum in
these spheres].... Artillery recruits are scarce in the extreme; demand
bounty: five thalers, shall we say?"

KING. "Seventeen regiments of them, beyond question, instead of eight,
coming on us: strange that you did n't warn me better. I have therefore
ordered your Major-General Schmettau hitherward at once. As he has not
done raising the contributions in the Lausitz, you must send another
to do it, and have them ready when General Platen passes that way
hither."--"'Five thalers bounty for artillery men" say you? It is not to
be thought of. Artillery men can be had by conscription wher