the mercy of the maritime powers, who have pushed things to the extremity we see; and we, France, who were alone capable of resisting such a torrent at this date—­ here be we exhausted, and not in a condition to check these rogueries and this power, even by uniting ourselves the most closely with Spain.  Let be, let us meddle no more; it is the greatest service we can render at this date to our allies of Germany.”

Cardinal Fleury had not waited for confirmation of the King of Prussia’s defection to seek likewise to negotiate; Marshal Belle-Isle had been intrusted with this business, and, at the same time with a letter addressed by the cardinal—­to Field-Marshal Konigseck.  The minister was old, timid, displeased, disquieted at the war which he had been surprised into; he made his excuses to the Austrian negotiator and delivered his plenipotentiary into his hands at the very outset.  “Many people know,” said he, “how opposed I was to the resolutions we adopted, and that I was in some sort compelled to agree to them.  Your Excellency is too well informed of all that passes not to divine who it was who set everything in motion for deciding the king to enter into a league which was so contrary to my inclinations and to my principles.”

For sole answer, Maria Theresa had the cardinal’s letter published.  At Utrecht, after the unparalleled disasters which were overwhelming the kingdom, and in spite of the concessions they had been ordered to offer, the tone of Louis XIV.’s plenipotentiaries was more dignified and prouder than that of the enfeebled old man who had so long governed France by dint of moderation, discretion, and patient inertness.  The allies of France were disquieted and her foes emboldened.  Marshal Belle-Isle, shut up in Prague, and Marshal Broglie, encamped near the town, remaining isolated in a hostile country, hemmed in on all sides by a savage foe, maintaining order with difficulty within the fortress itself.

“Marshal Broglie is encamped under the guns of Prague,” says Barbier’s journal:  “his camp is spoken of as a masterpiece.  As there is reason to be shy of the inhabitants, who are for the Queen of Hungary, a battery has been trained upon Prague, the garrison camps upon the ramparts, and Marshal Belle-Isle patrols every night.”

Marshal Maillebois was at Dusseldorf, commissioned to observe the Hollanders and protect Westphalia; he received orders to join Marshals Broglie and Belle-Isle.  “It is the army of redemption for the captives,” was the saying at Paris.  At the same time that the marshal was setting out for Prague, Cardinal Fleury sent him the following instructions:  “Engage in no battle of which the issue may be doubtful.”  All the defiles of Bohemia were carefully guarded; Maillebois first retired on Egra, then he carried his arms into Bavaria, where Marshal Broglie came to relieve him of his command.  Marshal Belle-Isle remained with the sole charge of the defence of Prague;