CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . INTRODUCTION

iii - xi xiii - xvi xvii -xviu

BOOK NINETEENTH—AGE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT. CHAPTER CXII.—FIRST TWO HANOVERIANS.

Character of the Epoch.—Antecedents of the House of Hanover.—George 1.—Rebellion in Scotland.—The New Ministry.—The Gortz Imbroglio.—Quarrel of the King and the Prince of Wales.—Sophia and Konigs- mark.—South Sea Bubble.—The Explosion.—Over- throw of the Ministry.—Plot of the Jacobites.—Wood's Monopoly. — Newton and Swift. — The Dissenters favored.—Enlargement of Oxford and Cambridge.— The Unshaken Walpole—War of 1725—Death of Sophia and the King.—Accession of George II.—His History.—Walpole his Favorite.—Like Father Like Son.—Treaty of Seville.—Antecedents of Georgia.— The Excise Scheme defeated.—Question of the Polish Succession.—Matters before Parliament.—Proposed Reduction of the Army.—Agreement with Spain.—Out- break of Hostilities.—The Austrian Succession.—What was involved.—Retirement of Walpole.—The Septen- nial Act debated.—George II. espouses the Austrian Cause.—Battle of Dettingen.—Charles Edward would take the Scottish Throne.—Preston Pans and Cullo- den. ................. 1913-1923

CHAPTER CXIII.—REIGN OF Louis XV.

Philip of Orleans in the Regency.—Spanish Compli- cations.—War breaks out.—Albaroni beaten.—John Law and the Mississippi Bubble.—Nature of the Scheme.—Rage of Paris.—The Bubble bursts.—Plague at Marseilles.—Ministry of the Duke of Bourbon.— The King's Marriage.—Administration of Fleury.— The Polish Succession.—War with Austria.—Bourbon Dynasty in Italy.—Lorraine goes to France.—Shall Maria Theresa be Empress?—Scene in the Hungarian Diet.—French Invasion of Netherlands.—Franco-Prus- sian Alliance. — Career of Marshal Saxe. — Francis

elected Emperor.—Treaty ofAix-la-Chapelle.—Appari- tion of Pompadour.—The Petticoat Dynasty, 1923-1930

CHAPTER CXIV.—RISE OF THE HOUSE OF HOHENZOLLERN.

Beginnings of Brandenburg.—Character of the Great Elector.—The Foundations of Prussia laid.—Policy of the Elector.—The Salzburger Protestants.—Organiza- tion of the Potsdam Guards.—The Tobacco Cabinet.— Polish Rule renounced by Prussia.—Battle of Fehrbel- lin.—Decay of Hapsburg.—The "Empire Outside."— Siege of Belgrade.—Charles VI. and Augustus III.— France goes to War with the Empire.—Stanislas driven from Poland.—Treaty of Vienna.—Antipathy of Haps- burg and Hohenzollern.—Events after the Treaty.— The Russo-Austrian Alliance.—Decline of Austria.— Condition of Affairs in Prussia.—Progressive Character of the Government.—Demoralization of the Empire.— Birth and Youth of Frederick II.—A French Education. —Marriage Project of the Mother.—Frederick deserts. —The Father's Wrath.—Katte is hanged.—The Prince condemned to Death.—His Marriage with Elizabeth Christina.—He is reckoned a Dreamer.—Accedes to the Throne.—Sudden Display of Character.—The Prag- matic Sanction to be tested.—Character of Maria Theresa.—Charles Albert and Augustus III.—War of the Austrian Succession.—Frederick claims Silesia.— And takes it.—Battle of Mollwitz.—Europe against Theresa.—She appeals to the Hungarian Diet.—Charles VII. is crowned.—Battle of Chotusitz.—Cession to Frederick.—England interferes.—Frederick treats with France.—He invades Bohemia.—Death of Charles VII. —Frederick's Prospects darken.—His Genius awakened. —Battle of Hohenfriedberg.—Wrath of Theresa.— Prussian Victory at Sorr.—Frederick turns to Saxony. —Silesia is ceded to him.—Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

Vol. V, iii