Friedrich knows they have deliberated on their Pretext for a War,
and have fixed on what will do,--some new small Prussian-
Mecklenburg brabble, which there has lately been; paltry enough
recruiting-quarrel, such as often are (and has been settled
mutually some time ago, this one, but is capable of being ripped up
again);--and that, on this cobweb of a pretext, they mean to draw
sword when they like. Russia too has its Pretext ready. And if
Friedrich hint of stirring, England whispers hoarse, England and
other friends, "Wait, your Majesty! Oh, beware!" To keep one's
sword at its sharpest, and, with an easy patient air, one's eyes
vigilantly open: this is nearly all that Friedrich can do, in
neighborhood of such portentous imminencies. He has many critics,
near and far;--for instance:--

BERLIN, 31st JULY, 1756, Excellency Valori writes to Versailles:
... "to give you account of a Conversation I have had, a day or two
ago, with the Prince of Prussia [August Wilhelm, Heir-Apparent],
who honors me with a particular confidence,"--and who appears to
be, privately, like some others, very strong in the Opposition
view. "He talked to me of the present condition of the King his
Brother, of his Brother's apprehensions, of his military
arrangements, of the little trust placed in him by neighbors, of
their hostile humor towards him, and of many other things which
this good Prince [little understanding them, as would appear, or
the dangerous secret that lay under them] did not approve of.
The Prince then said,"--listen to what the Prince of Prussia said
to Valori, one of the last days of July, 1756,--

"'There is an Anecdote which continually recurs to me, in the
passes we are got to at present. Putting the case we might be