ng at Leitmeritz, all these things are gloomily
known; but the most pressing of them is that of the Austrians and
Jung-Bunzlau close by. Let us give some utterances of his to Wilhelmina,
nearly all we have of direct from him in that time; and then hasten to
the Prince of Prussia there:--

FRIEDRICH TO WILHELMINA (at Baireuth).

LEITMERITZ, 1st JULY, 1757.... "Sensible as heart can be to the tender
interest you deign to take in what concerns me. Dear Sister, fear
nothing on my score: men are always in the hand of what we call Fate"
("Predestination, GNADENWAHL,"--Pardon us, Papa!--"CE QU'ON NOMME LE
DESTIN); accidents will befall people, walking on the streets, sitting
in their room, lying in their bed; and there are many who escape the
perils of war.... I think, through Hessen will be the safest route for
your Letters, till we see; and not to write just now except on occasions
of importance. Here is a piece in cipher; anonymous,"--intended for the
Newspapers, or some such road.

JULY 5th. "By a Courier of Plotho's, returning to Regensburg [who passes
near you], I write to apprise my dear Sister of the new misery which
overwhelms us. We have no longer a Mother. This loss puts the crown on
my sorrows. I am obliged to act; and have not time to give free course
to my tears. Judge, I pray you, of the situation of a feeling heart
put to so cruel a trial. All losses in the world are capable of being
remedied; but those which Death causes are beyond the reach of hope."

JULY 7th. "You are too good; I am ashamed to abuse your indulgence. But
do, since you will, try to sound the French, what conditions of Peace
they would demand; one might judge as to their intentions. Send that
Mirabeau (CE M. DE MIRABEAU) to France. Willingly will I pay the
expense. He may offer as much as five million thalers [750,000 pounds]
to the Favorite [yes, even to the Pompadour] for Peace alone. Of course,
his utmost discretion will be needed;"--should the English get the least
wind of it! But if they are gone to St. Vitus, and fail in every point,
what can one do? CE M. DE MIRABEAU, readers will be surprised to learn,
is an Uncle of the great Mirabeau's; who has fallen into roving courses,
gone abroad insolvent; and "directs the Opera at Baireuth," in these
years!--One Letter we will give in full:--

"LEITMERITZ, 13th July, 1757.

"MY DEAREST SISTER,--Your Letter has arrived: I see in it your regrets
for the irreparable loss we have had of t