England, but with France: this is a SECOND circumstance, guessable
by nobody; known only to Kaunitz and a select one or two; but which
also will greatly complicate Friedrich's position, and render his
Enigma indeed astonishingly intricate, as well as stringent for
solution!



Chapter II.

ENGLISH DIPLOMACIES ABROAD, IN PROSPECT OF A FRENCH WAR.

Britannic Majesty, I know not at what date, but before the
launching of that poor Braddock thunder-bolt, much more after the
tragic explosion it made, had felt that French War was nearly
inevitable, and also that the French method would be, as
heretofore, to attack Hanover, and wound him in that tender part.
There goes on, accordingly, a lively Foreign Diplomatizing, on his
Majesty's part, at present,--in defect, almost total, of Domestic
Preparation, military and other;--Majesty and Ministers expecting
salvation from abroad, as usual. Military preparation does lag at a
shameful rate: but, on the other hand, there is a great deal of
pondering, really industrious considering and contriving, about
Foreign Allies, and their subsidies and engagements. That step, for
example, the questionable Seizure of the French Ships WITHOUT
Declaration of War, was a contrivance by diplomatic Heads (of bad
quality): "Seize their ships," said some bad Head, after
meditating; "put their ships in SEQUESTRATION, till they do us
justice. If they won't, and go to War,--then THEY are the
Aggressors, not we; and our Allies have to send their auxiliary