Thus the Frankforters passed a series of prosperous years during my childhood; but scarcely, on the 28th of August, 1756, had I completed my seventh year, than that world-renowned war broke out which was also to exert great influence upon the next seven years of my life.  Frederick the Second, King of Prussia, had fallen upon Saxony with sixty thousand men; and, instead of announcing his invasion by a declaration of war, he followed it up with a manifesto, composed by himself as it was said, which explained the causes that had moved and justified him in so monstrous a step.  The world, which saw itself appealed to, not merely as spectator, but as judge, immediately split into two parties; and our family was an image of the great whole.

My grandfather, who, as Schoeff of Frankfort, had carried the coronation canopy over Francis the First, and had received from the empress a heavy gold chain with her likeness, took the Austrian side along with some of his sons-in-law and daughters.  My father having been nominated to the imperial council by Charles the Seventh, and sympathizing sincerely in the fate of that unhappy monarch, leaned towards Prussia, with the other and smaller half of the family.  Our meetings, which had been held on Sundays for many years uninterruptedly, were very soon disturbed.  The misunderstandings so common among persons related by marriage, found only now a form in which they could be expressed.  Contention, discord, silence, and separation ensued.  My grandfather, generally a cheerful, quiet man, and fond of ease, became impatient.  The women vainly endeavored to smother the flames; and, after some unpleasant scenes, my father was the first to quit the society.  At home we now rejoiced undisturbed at the Prussian victories, which were commonly announced with great glee by our vivacious aunt.  Every other interest had to give way to this, and we passed the rest of the year in perpetual agitation.  The occupation of Dresden, the moderation of the king at the outset, his slow but secure advances, the victory at Lowositz, the capture of the Saxons, were so many triumphs for our party.  Every thing that could be alleged for the advantage of our opponents was denied or depreciated; and, as the members of the family on the other side did the same, they could not meet in the streets without disputes arising, as in “Romeo and Juliet.”

Thus I also was then a Prussian in my views, or, to speak more correctly, a Fritzian; since what cared we for Prussia?  It was the personal character of the great king that worked upon all hearts.  I rejoiced with my father in our conquests, readily copied the songs of triumph, and almost more willingly the lampoons directed against the other party, poor as the rhymes might be.