In which fight victory finally rested with Prussians and Schwerin, who held the field, Austrians retiring, but not much pursued; demonstration that a new military power is on the scene (April 10).  A victory, though, of old Friedrich Wilhelm, and his training and discipline, having in it as yet nothing of young Frederick’s own.

A battle, however, which in effect set going the conflagration unintelligible to Englishmen, known as War of the Austrian Accession.  In which we observe a clear ground for Anglo-Spanish War, and Austro-Prussian War; but what were the rest doing?  France is the author of it, as an Anti-Pragmatic war; George II. and Hanover are dragged into it as a Pragmatic war; but the intervention of France at all was barefacedly unjust and gratuitous.  To begin with, however, Belleisle’s scheming brings about election to kaisership of Karl Albert of Bavaria, principal Anti-Pragmatic claimant to the Austrian heritage.

Brieg was taken not long after Mollwitz, and now many diplomatists come to Frederick’s camp at Strehlen.  In effect, will he choose English or French alliance?  Will England get him what will satisfy him from Austria?  If not, French alliance and war with Austria—­which problem issues in treaty with France—­mostly contingent.  Diplomatising continues, no one intending to be inconveniently loyal to engagements; so that four months after French treaty comes another engagement or arrangement of Klein Schnelendorf—­Frederick to keep most of Silesia, but a plausible show of hostilities—­nothing more—­to be maintained for the present.  In consequence of which Frederick solemnly captures Neisse.

The arrangement, however, comes to grief, enough of it being divulged from Vienna to explode it.  Out of which comes the Moravian expedition; by inertness of allies turned into a mere Moravian foray, “the French acting like fools, and the Saxons like traitors,” growls Frederick.

Raid being over, Prince Karl, brother of Grand Duke Franz, comes down with his army, and follows the battle of Chotusitz, also called of Czaslau.  A hard-fought battle, ending in defeat of the Austrians; not in itself decisive, but the eyes of Europe very confirmatory of the view that the Austrians cannot beat the Prussians.  From a wounded general, too, Frederick learns that the French have been making overtures for peace on their own account, Prussia to be left to Austria if she likes, of which is documentary proof.

No need, then, for Frederick to be scrupulous about making his own terms.  His Britannic Majesty is urgent that Maria Theresa should agree with Frederick.  Out of which comes Treaty of Breslau, ceding Silesia to Prussia; and exceeding disgust of Belleisle, ending the first Silesian War.