frederick the great and his family-第45节
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The jewels of the courtiers sparkled as brilliantly。 Their eyes alone were not so bright； and the happy smile had left their lips。 They were all weighed down by a presentiment that danger was hovering around them。
CHAPTER XIII。
THE ARCHIVES AT DRESDEN。
Count Mattzahn's prophecy came true。 The King of Prussia came to Dresden； and there； as in every other part of Saxony； found no resistance。 Fear and terror had gone before him； disarming all opposition。 The king and prince…elector were not accustomed to have a will of their own； and Count Bruhl； the favorite of fortune； showed himself weak and helpless in the hour of adversity。 It needed the queen's powerful energy； and the forcible representations of the French ambassador； Count Broglio； to arouse them from their lethargy； and what Count Broglio's representations； and the queen's prayers and tears commenced； hatred finished。 Count Bruhl's sinking courage rose at the thought of the possibility of still undermining the King of Prussia； and putting an end to his victorious march。 It was only necessary to detain him； to prevent him from reaching the Bohemian borders； until the Austrian army came to their assistance； until the French troops had entered and taken possession of Prussia。 Therefore； Count Bruhl sent courier after courier to Saxony's allies； to spread her cry for help to every friendly court。 He then collected the army； ordered them to camp at Pirna； which was very near the boundary of Bohemia； and； as it was guarded on one side by the Elbe； and on the other by high rocks； appeared perfectly secure。 When these preparations were commenced； the count's courage rose considerably； and he determined to prove himself a hero； and to give the Saxon army the inspiring consciousness that； in the hour of danger； their king would be in their midst。 The king therefore left for the fortress of Konigstein； accompanied by Count Bruhl； leaving the army； consisting of about seventeen thousand men； to follow under the command of General Rutrosky； and to encamp at the foot of Konigstein。 Arrived at Konigstein； where they thought themselves perfectly secure； they gave themselves up to the free and careless life of former days。 They had only changed their residence； not their character； their dreams were of future victories； of the many provinces they would take from the King of Prussia； and with this delightful prospect the old gay； luxurious； and wanton life was continued。 What difference did it make to Count Bruhl that the army was only provided with commissary stores for fourteen days； and that this time was almost past； and no way had been found to furnish them with additional supplies。 The King of Prussia had garrisoned every outlet； and only the King of Saxony's forage…wagon was allowed to pass。
Frederick knew better than the Saxon generals the fearful； invincible enemy that was marching to the camp of Pirna。 What were the barricades； the palisades； and ambushes； by which the camp was surrounded； to this enemy？ This foe was in the camp； not outside of ithe had no need to climb the barricadeshe came hither flying through the air； breathing； like a gloomy bird of death； his horrible cries of woe。 This enemy was hungerenervating； discouraging； demoralizing hunger！
The fourteen days had expired； and in the camp of Pirna languished seventeen thousand men！ The bread rations became smaller and smaller； but the third part of the usual meat ration was given； the horses' food also was considerably shortened。 Sorrow and starvation reigned in the camp。 Why should this distress Count Bruhl？ He lived in his usual luxurious splendor； with the king。 Looking out from his handsome apartments upon the valley lying at his feet； he saw on a little meadow by which the Elbe was flowing； herds of cows and calves； sheep and beeves； which were there to die like the Saxon soldiers； for their king。 These herds were for the royal table； there was； therefore； no danger that the enemy visiting the army should find its way to the fortress。 It was also forbidden； upon pain of death； to force one of these animals intended for the royal table； from their noble calling； and to satisfy therewith the hungry soldiers。 Count Bruhl could therefore wait patiently the arrival of the Austrian army； which was already in motion； under the command of General Brown。
While the King of Poland was living gay and joyous in the fortress of Konigstein； the queen with the princes of the royal house had remained in Dresden； and though she knew her husband's irresolute character； and knew that the King of Prussia； counting upon this； was corresponding with him； endeavoring to persuade him to neutrality； still she had no fears of her husband succumbing to his entreaties。 For was not Count Bruhl； the bitter； irreconcilable enemy of Prussia； at his side？and had not the king said to her； in a solemn manner； before leaving： 〃Better that every misfortune come upon us than to take the part of our enemies！〃 The queen； therefore； felt perfectly safe upon this point。 She remained in Dresden for two reasons： first； to watch the King of Prussia； and then to guard the archivesthose archives which contained the most precious treasures of Saxon diplomacythe most important secrets of their allies。 These papers were prized more highly by the queen than all the crown jewels now lying in their silver casket； and though the keeping of the latter was given over to some one else； no one seemed brave enough to shield the former。 No one but herself should guard these rich treasures。 The state archives were placed in those rooms of the palace which had but one outlet； and that leading into one of the queen's apartments。 In this room she remainedshe took her meals； worked； and slept therethere she received the princes and the foreign ambassadorsalways guarding the secret door； of which she carried the key fastened to a gold chain around her neck。 But still the queen was continually in fear her treasure would be torn from her； and the King of Prussia's seeming friendliness was not calculated to drive away this anxiety。 It is true the king had sent her his compliments by Marshal Keith； with the most friendly assurances of his affection； but notwithstanding this； the chancery； the college； and the mint department had been closed； all the artillery and ammunition had been taken from the Dresden arsenal and carried to Magdeburg； some of the oldest and worthiest officers of the crown had been dismissed； and the Swiss guard； intended for service in the palace； had been disarmed。 All this agreed but badly with the king's quieting assurances； and was calculated to increase the hatred of his proud enemy。 She had； nevertheless； stifled her anger so far as to invite the King of Prussia； who was staying in the palace of the Countess Morizinska； not far from his army； to her table。
Frederick had declined this invitation。 He remained quietly in the palace； whose doors were open to all； giving audience to all who desired it； listening to their prayers； and granting their wishes。
The Queen of Poland heard this with bitter anger； and the more gracious the King of Prussia showed himself to the Saxons； the more furious and enraged became the heart of this princess。
〃He will turn our people from their true ruler；〃 said she to Countess Ogliva； her first maid of honor； who was sitting at her side upon a divan placed before the princess's door。 〃This hypocritical affability will only serve to gain the favor of our subjects； and turn them from their duty。〃
〃It has succeeded pretty well；〃 said the countess； sighing。 〃The Saxon nobility are continually in the antechamber of this heretical king； and yesterday several of the city authorities； accompanied by the foreign ambassadors； waited upon him； and he received them。〃
〃Yes； he receives every one； he gives gay balls every evening； at which he laughs and jokes merrily。 He keeps open house； and the poor people assemble there in crowds to see him eat。〃 Maria Josephine sighed deeply。 〃I hate this miserable； changeable people！〃 murmured she。
〃And your majesty does well；〃 said the countess； whose wrinkled； yellow countenance was now illuminated by a strange fire。 〃The anger of God will rest upon this heretical nation that has turned from her salvation； and left the holy mother church in haughty defiance。 The King of Poland cannot even appoint true Catholic…Christians as his officersevery position of any importance is occupied by heretics。 But the deluge will surely come again upon this sinful people and destroy them。〃
The queen crossed herself； and prayed in a low voice。
The countess continued： 〃This Frederick stimulates these heretical Saxons in their wicked unbelief。 He； who it is well known； laughs and mocks at every religion； even his ownattended； yesterday； the Protestant church； to show our people that he is a protector of that church。〃
〃Woe； woe to him！〃 said the queen。
〃With listening ear he attended to his so…called preacher's sermon； and then loudly expressed his approval of it； well knowing that this preacher is a favorite of heretics in Dresden。 This cunning king wished to give them another proof of his favor。 Does your majesty wish to know of the present he made this； preacher？〃
〃What？〃 sai
