第5章

Gentlemenofthenoblesthousescontendedforthehonourofservinghim，andevenimperialchamberlainsresignedthegoldenkeytotheEmperor，tofillasimilarofficeunderWallenstein。Hemaintainedsixtypages，whowereinstructedbytheablestmasters。Hisantichamberwasprotectedbyfiftylifeguards。Histableneverconsistedoflessthan100covers，andhisseneschalwasapersonofdistinction。Whenhetravelled，hisbaggageandsuiteaccompaniedhiminahundredwagons，drawnbysixorfourhorses；hiscourtfollowedinsixtycarriages，attendedbyfiftyledhorses。Thepompofhisliveries，thesplendourofhisequipages，andthedecorationsofhisapartments，wereinkeepingwithalltherest。Sixbaronsandasmanyknights，wereinconstantattendanceabouthisperson，andreadytoexecutehisslightestorder。Twelvepatrolswenttheirroundsabouthispalace，topreventanydisturbance。Hisbusygeniusrequiredsilence。

Thenoiseofcoacheswastobekeptawayfromhisresidence，andthestreetsleadingtoitwerefrequentlyblockedupwithchains。

Hisowncirclewasassilentastheapproachestohispalace；

dark，reserved，andimpenetrable，hewasmoresparingofhiswordsthanofhisgifts；whilethelittlethathespokewasharshandimperious。

Heneversmiled，andthecoldnessofhistemperamentwasproofagainstsensualseductions。Everoccupiedwithgrandschemes，hedespisedallthoseidleamusementsinwhichsomanywastetheirlives。

ThecorrespondencehekeptupwiththewholeofEuropewaschieflymanagedbyhimself，and，thataslittleaspossiblemightbetrustedtothesilenceofothers，mostoftheletterswerewrittenbyhisownhand。

Hewasamanoflargestature，thin，ofasallowcomplexion，withshortredhair，andsmallsparklingeyes。Agloomyandforbiddingseriousnesssatuponhisbrow；andhismagnificentpresentsaloneretainedthetremblingcrowdofhisdependents。

InthisstatelyobscuritydidWallensteinsilently，butnotinactively，awaitthehourofrevenge。ThevictoriouscareerofGustavusAdolphussoongavehimapresentimentofitsapproach。Notoneofhisloftyschemeshadbeenabandoned；andtheEmperor’singratitudehadloosenedthecurbofhisambition。Thedazzlingsplendourofhisprivatelifebespokehighsoaringprojects；and，lavishasaking，heseemedalreadytoreckonamonghiscertainpossessionsthosewhichhecontemplatedwithhope。

AfterWallenstein’sdismissal，andtheinvasionofGustavusAdolphus，anewgeneralissimowastobeappointed；anditnowappearedadvisabletouniteboththeimperialarmyandthatoftheLeagueunderonegeneral。

MaximilianofBavariasoughtthisappointment，whichwouldhaveenabledhimtodictatetotheEmperor，who，fromaconvictionofthis，wishedtoprocurethecommandforhiseldestson，theKingofHungary。

Atlast，inordertoavoidoffencetoeitherofthecompetitors，theappointmentwasgiventoTilly，whonowexchangedtheBavarianfortheAustrianservice。TheimperialarmyinGermany，aftertheretirementofWallenstein，amountedtoabout40，000men；

thatoftheLeaguetonearlythesamenumber，bothcommandedbyexcellentofficers，trainedbytheexperienceofseveralcampaigns，andproudofalongseriesofvictories。Withsuchaforce，littleapprehensionwasfeltattheinvasionoftheKingofSweden，andthelesssoasitcommandedbothPomeraniaandMecklenburg，theonlycountriesthroughwhichhecouldenterGermany。

AftertheunsuccessfulattemptoftheKingofDenmarktochecktheEmperor’sprogress，GustavusAdolphuswastheonlyprinceinEuropefromwhomoppressedlibertycouldlookforprotection——theonlyonewho，whilehewaspersonallyqualifiedtoconductsuchanenterprise，hadbothpoliticalmotivestorecommendandwrongstojustifyit。

BeforethecommencementofthewarinLowerSaxony，importantpoliticalinterestsinducedhim，aswellastheKingofDenmark，toofferhisservicesandhisarmyforthedefenceofGermany；

buttheofferofthelatterhad，tohisownmisfortune，beenpreferred。

Sincethattime，WallensteinandtheEmperorhadadoptedmeasureswhichmusthavebeenequallyoffensivetohimasamanandasaking。

ImperialtroopshadbeendespatchedtotheaidofthePolishking，Sigismund，todefendPrussiaagainsttheSwedes。WhenthekingcomplainedtoWallensteinofthisactofhostility，hereceivedforanswer，"TheEmperorhasmoresoldiersthanhewantsforhimself，hemusthelphisfriends。"

TheSwedishambassadorshadbeeninsolentlyorderedbyWallensteintowithdrawfromtheconferenceatLubeck；andwhen，unawedbythiscommand，theywerecourageousenoughtoremain，contrarytothelawofnations，hehadthreatenedthemwithviolence。FerdinandhadalsoinsultedtheSwedishflag，andinterceptedtheking’sdespatchestoTransylvania。

HealsothreweveryobstacleinthewayofapeacebetwixtPolandandSweden，supportedthepretensionsofSigismundtotheSwedishthrone，anddeniedtherightofGustavustothetitleofking。DeigningnoregardtotherepeatedremonstrancesofGustavus，heratheraggravatedtheoffencebynewgrievances，thanaccededtherequiredsatisfaction。

Somanypersonalmotives，supportedbyimportantconsiderations，bothofpolicyandreligion，andsecondedbypressinginvitationsfromGermany，hadtheirfullweightwithaprince，whowasnaturallythemorejealousofhisroyalprerogativethemoreitwasquestioned，whowasflatteredbythegloryhehopedtogainasProtectoroftheOppressed，andpassionatelylovedwarastheelementofhisgenius。But，untilatruceorpeacewithPolandshouldsethishandsfree，anewanddangerouswarwasnottobethoughtof。

CardinalRichelieuhadthemeritofeffectingthistrucewithPoland。

Thisgreatstatesman，whoguidedthehelmofEurope，whileinFranceherepressedtherageoffactionandtheinsolenceofthenobles，pursuedsteadily，amidstthecaresofastormyadministration，hisplanofloweringtheascendancyoftheHouseofAustria。

Butcircumstancesopposedconsiderableobstaclestotheexecutionofhisdesigns；andeventhegreatestmindscannot，withimpunity，defytheprejudicesoftheage。TheministerofaRomanCatholicking，andaCardinal，hewaspreventedbythepurpleheborefromjoiningtheenemiesofthatchurchinanopenattackonapowerwhichhadtheaddresstosanctifyitsambitiousencroachmentsunderthenameofreligion。

TheexternaldeferencewhichRichelieuwasobligedtopaytothenarrowviewsofhiscontemporarieslimitedhisexertionstosecretnegociations，bywhichheendeavouredtogainthehandofotherstoaccomplishtheenlightenedprojectsofhisownmind。AfterafruitlessattempttopreventthepeacebetweenDenmarkandtheEmperor，hehadrecoursetoGustavusAdolphus，theheroofhisage。

Noexertionwassparedtobringthismonarchtoafavourabledecision，andatthesametimetofacilitatetheexecutionofit。Charnasse，anunsuspectedagentoftheCardinal，proceededtoPolishPrussia，whereGustavusAdolphuswasconductingthewaragainstSigismund，andalternatelyvisitedtheseprinces，inordertopersuadethemtoatruceorpeace。Gustavushadbeenlonginclinedtoit，andtheFrenchministersucceededatlastinopeningtheeyesofSigismundtohistrueinterests，andtothedeceitfulpolicyoftheEmperor。

Atruceforsixyearswasagreedon，Gustavusbeingallowedtoretainallhisconquests。Thistreatygavehimalsowhathehadsolongdesired，thelibertyofdirectinghisarmsagainsttheEmperor。

ForthistheFrenchambassadorofferedhimtheallianceofhissovereignandconsiderablesubsidies。ButGustavusAdolphuswasjustlyapprehensivelesttheacceptanceoftheassistanceshouldmakehimdependentuponFrance，andfetterhiminhiscareerofconquest，whileanalliancewithaRomanCatholicpowermightexcitedistrustamongtheProtestants。

Ifthewarwasjustandnecessary，thecircumstancesunderwhichitwasundertakenwerenotlesspromising。ThenameoftheEmperor，itistrue，wasformidable，hisresourcesinexhaustible，hispowerhithertoinvincible。SodangerousacontestwouldhavedismayedanyotherthanGustavus。Hesawalltheobstaclesanddangerswhichopposedhisundertaking，butheknewalsothemeansbywhich，ashehoped，theymightbeconquered。Hisarmy，thoughnotnumerous，waswelldisciplined，inuredtohardshipbyasevereclimateandcampaigns，andtrainedtovictoryinthewarwithPoland。Sweden，thoughpoorinmenandmoney，andovertaxedbyaneightyears’war，wasdevotedtoitsmonarchwithanenthusiasmwhichassuredhimofthereadysupportofhissubjects。InGermany，thenameoftheEmperorwasatleastasmuchhatedasfeared。TheProtestantprincesonlyawaitedthearrivalofadeliverertothrowoffhisintolerableyoke，andopenlydeclarefortheSwedes。EventheRomanCatholicstateswouldwelcomeanantagonisttotheEmperor，whoseoppositionmightcontrolhisoverwhelminginfluence。ThefirstvictorygainedonGermangroundwouldbedecisive。Itwouldencouragethoseprinceswhostillhesitatedtodeclarethemselves，strengthenthecauseofhisadherents，augmenthistroops，andopenresourcesforthemaintenanceofthecampaign。

IfthegreaterpartoftheGermanstateswereimpoverishedbyoppression，theflourishingHansetownshadescaped，andtheycouldnothesitate，byasmallvoluntarysacrifice，toavertthegeneralruin。

Astheimperialistsshouldbedrivenfromthedifferentprovinces，theirarmieswoulddiminish，sincetheyweresubsistingonthecountriesinwhichtheywereencamped。Thestrength，too，oftheEmperorhadbeenlessenedbyill-timeddetachmentstoItalyandtheNetherlands；

whileSpain，weakenedbythelossoftheManillagalleons，andengagedinaseriouswarintheNetherlands，couldaffordhimlittlesupport。

GreatBritain，ontheotherhand，gavetheKingofSwedenhopeofconsiderablesubsidies；andFrance，nowatpeacewithitself，cameforwardwiththemostfavourableoffers。

ButthestrongestpledgeforthesuccessofhisundertakingGustavusfound——inhimself。Prudencedemandedthatheshouldembracealltheforeignassistancehecould，inordertoguardhisenterprisefromtheimputationofrashness；butallhisconfidenceandcouragewereentirelyderivedfromhimself。Hewasindisputablythegreatestgeneralofhisage，andthebravestsoldierinthearmywhichhehadformed。

FamiliarwiththetacticsofGreeceandRome，hehaddiscoveredamoreeffectivesystemofwarfare，whichwasadoptedasamodelbythemosteminentcommandersofsubsequenttimes。Hereducedtheunwieldysquadronsofcavalry，andrenderedtheirmovementsmorelightandrapid；and，withthesameview，hewidenedtheintervalsbetweenhisbattalions。Insteadoftheusualarrayinasingleline，hedisposedhisforcesintwolines，thatthesecondmightadvanceintheeventofthefirstgivingway。

Hemadeupforhiswantofcavalry，byplacinginfantryamongthehorse；

apracticewhichfrequentlydecidedthevictory。Europefirstlearnedfromhimtheimportanceofinfantry。AllGermanywasastonishedatthestrictdisciplinewhich，atthefirst，socreditablydistinguishedtheSwedisharmywithintheirterritories；alldisorderswerepunishedwiththeutmostseverity，particularlyimpiety，theft，gambling，andduelling。

TheSwedisharticlesofwarenforcedfrugality。Inthecamp，theKing’stentnotexcepted，neithersilvernorgoldwastobeseen。

Thegeneral’seyelookedasvigilantlytothemoralsastothemartialbraveryofhissoldiers；everyregimentwasorderedtoformrounditschaplainformorningandeveningprayers。Inallthesepointsthelawgiverwasalsoanexample。Asincereandardentpietyexaltedhiscourage。Equallyfreefromthecoarseinfidelitywhichleavesthepassionsofthebarbarianwithoutacontrol，——andfromthegrovellingsuperstitionofFerdinand，whohumbledhimselftothedustbeforetheSupremeBeing，whilehehaughtilytrampledonhisfellow-creature——

intheheightofhissuccesshewaseveramanandaChristian——

intheheightofhisdevotion，akingandahero。Thehardshipsofwarhesharedwiththemeanestsoldierinhisarmy；maintainedacalmserenityamidstthehottestfuryofbattle；hisglancewasomnipresent，andheintrepidlyforgotthedangerwhileheexposedhimselftothegreatestperil。Hisnaturalcourage，indeed，toooftenmadehimforgetthedutyofageneral；andthelifeofakingendedinthedeathofacommonsoldier。Butsuchaleaderwasfollowedtovictoryalikebythecowardandthebrave，andhiseagleglancemarkedeveryheroicdeedwhichhisexamplehadinspired。Thefameoftheirsovereignexcitedinthenationanenthusiasticsenseoftheirownimportance；

proudoftheirking，thepeasantinFinlandandGothlandjoyfullycontributedhispittance；thesoldierwillinglyshedhisblood；andtheloftyenergywhichhissinglemindhadimpartedtothenationlongsurviveditscreator。

Thenecessityofthewarwasacknowledged，butthebestplanofconductingitwasamatterofmuchquestion。EventotheboldChancellorOxenstiern，anoffensivewarappearedtoodaringameasure；theresourcesofhispoorandconscientiousmaster，appearedtohimtooslendertocompetewiththoseofadespoticsovereign，whoheldallGermanyathiscommand。Buttheminister’stimidscrupleswereoverruledbythehero’spenetratingprudence。"IfweawaittheenemyinSweden，"

saidGustavus，"intheeventofadefeateverythingwouldbelost，byafortunatecommencementinGermanyeverythingwouldbegained。

Theseaiswide，andwehavealonglineofcoastinSwedentodefend。

Iftheenemy’sfleetshouldescapeus，orourownbedefeated，itwould，ineithercase，beimpossibletopreventtheenemy’slanding。

EverythingdependsontheretentionofStralsund。Solongasthisharbourisopentous，weshallbothcommandtheBaltic，andsecurearetreatfromGermany。Buttoprotectthisport，wemustnotremaininSweden，butadvanceatonceintoPomerania。Letustalknomore，then，ofadefensivewar，bywhichweshouldsacrificeourgreatestadvantages。

Swedenmustnotbedoomedtobeholdahostilebanner；ifwearevanquishedinGermany，itwillbetimeenoughtofollowyourplan。"

GustavusresolvedtocrosstheBalticandattacktheEmperor。

Hispreparationsweremadewiththeutmostexpedition，andhisprecautionarymeasureswerenotlessprudentthantheresolutionitselfwasboldandmagnanimous。Beforeengaginginsodistantawar，itwasnecessarytosecureSwedenagainstitsneighbours。

AtapersonalinterviewwiththeKingofDenmarkatMarkaroed，Gustavusassuredhimselfofthefriendshipofthatmonarch；hisfrontieronthesideofMoscowwaswellguarded；PolandmightbeheldincheckfromGermany，ifitbetrayedanydesignofinfringingthetruce。Falkenberg，aSwedishambassador，whovisitedthecourtsofHollandandGermany，obtainedthemostflatteringpromisesfromseveralProtestantprinces，thoughnoneofthemyetpossessedcourageorself-devotionenoughtoenterintoaformalalliancewithhim。LubeckandHamburgengagedtoadvancehimmoney，andtoacceptSwedishcopperinreturn。

EmissarieswerealsodespatchedtothePrinceofTransylvania，toexcitethatimplacableenemyofAustriatoarms。

Inthemeantime，SwedishleviesweremadeinGermanyandtheNetherlands，theregimentsincreasedtotheirfullcomplement，newonesraised，transportsprovided，afleetfittedout，provisions，militarystores，andmoneycollected。Thirtyshipsofwarwereinashorttimeprepared，15，000menequipped，and200transportswerereadytoconveythemacrosstheBaltic。AgreaterforceGustavusAdolphuswasunwillingtocarryintoGermany，andeventhemaintenanceofthisexceededtherevenuesofhiskingdom。Buthoweversmallhisarmy，itwasadmirableinallpointsofdiscipline，courage，andexperience，andmightserveasthenucleusofamorepowerfularmament，ifitoncegainedtheGermanfrontier，anditsfirstattemptswereattendedwithsuccess。

Oxenstiern，atoncegeneralandchancellor，waspostedwith10，000meninPrussia，toprotectthatprovinceagainstPoland。Someregulartroops，andaconsiderablebodyofmilitia，whichservedasanurseryforthemainbody，remainedinSweden，asadefenceagainstasuddeninvasionbyanytreacherousneighbour。

Thesewerethemeasurestakenfortheexternaldefenceofthekingdom。

Itsinternaladministrationwasprovidedforwithequalcare。

ThegovernmentwasintrustedtotheCouncilofState，andthefinancestothePalatineJohnCasimir，thebrother-in-lawoftheKing，whilehiswife，tenderlyashewasattachedtoher，wasexcludedfromallshareinthegovernment，forwhichherlimitedtalentsincapacitatedher。

Hesethishouseinorderlikeadyingman。Onthe20thMay，1630，whenallhismeasureswerearranged，andallwasreadyforhisdeparture，theKingappearedintheDietatStockholm，tobidtheStatesasolemnfarewell。TakinginhisarmshisdaughterChristina，thenonlyfouryearsold，who，inthecradle，hadbeenacknowledgedashissuccessor，hepresentedhertotheStatesasthefuturesovereign，exactedfromthemarenewaloftheoathofallegiancetoher，incaseheshouldnevermorereturn；andthenreadtheordinancesforthegovernmentofthekingdomduringhisabsence，ortheminorityofhisdaughter。Thewholeassemblywasdissolvedintears，andtheKinghimselfwassometimebeforehecouldattainsufficientcomposuretodeliverhisfarewelladdresstotheStates。

"Notlightlyorwantonly，"saidhe，"amIabouttoinvolvemyselfandyouinthisnewanddangerouswar；Godismywitnessthat_I_donotfighttogratifymyownambition。ButtheEmperorhaswrongedmemostshamefullyinthepersonofmyambassadors。Hehassupportedmyenemies，persecutedmyfriendsandbrethren，trampledmyreligioninthedust，andevenstretchedhisrevengefularmagainstmycrown。

TheoppressedstatesofGermanycallloudlyforaid，which，byGod’shelp，wewillgivethem。

"Iamfullysensibleofthedangerstowhichmylifewillbeexposed。

Ihaveneveryetshrunkfromthem，norisitlikelythatIshallescapethemall。Hitherto，Providencehaswonderfullyprotectedme，butIshallatlastfallindefenceofmycountry。IcommendyoutotheprotectionofHeaven。Bejust，beconscientious，actuprightly，andweshallmeetagainineternity。

"Toyou，myCounsellorsofState，Iaddressmyselffirst。

MayGodenlightenyou，andfillyouwithwisdom，topromotethewelfareofmypeople。You，too，mybravenobles，Icommendtothedivineprotection。

ContinuetoproveyourselvestheworthysuccessorsofthoseGothicheroes，whosebraveryhumbledtothedusttheprideofancientRome。Toyou，ministersofreligion，Irecommendmoderationandunity；beyourselvesexamplesofthevirtueswhichyoupreach，andabusenotyourinfluenceoverthemindsofmypeople。Onyou，deputiesoftheburgesses，andthepeasantry，Ientreattheblessingofheaven；mayyourindustryberewardedbyaprosperousharvest；yourstoresplenteouslyfilled，andmayyoubecrownedabundantlywithalltheblessingsofthislife。

Fortheprosperityofallmysubjects，absentandpresent，IoffermywarmestprayerstoHeaven。Ibidyouallasincere——itmaybe——aneternalfarewell。"

TheembarkationofthetroopstookplaceatElfsknaben，wherethefleetlayatanchor。Animmenseconcourseflockedthithertowitnessthismagnificentspectacle。Theheartsofthespectatorswereagitatedbyvariedemotions，astheyalternatelyconsideredthevastnessoftheenterprise，andthegreatnessoftheleader。

AmongthesuperiorofficerswhocommandedinthisarmywereGustavusHorn，theRhinegraveOttoLewis，HenryMatthias，CountThurn，Ottenberg，Baudissen，Banner，Teufel，Tott，Mutsenfahl，Falkenberg，Kniphausen，andotherdistinguishednames。Detainedbycontrarywinds，thefleetdidnotsailtillJune，andonthe24thofthatmonthreachedtheIslandofRugeninPomerania。

GustavusAdolphuswasthefirstwholanded。Inthepresenceofhissuite，hekneltontheshoreofGermanytoreturnthankstotheAlmightyforthesafearrivalofhisfleetandhisarmy。HelandedhistroopsontheIslandsofWollinandUsedom；uponhisapproach，theimperialgarrisonsabandonedtheirentrenchmentsandfled。HeadvancedrapidlyonStettin，tosecurethisimportantplacebeforetheappearanceoftheImperialists。

BogislausXIV。，DukeofPomerania，afeebleandsuperannuatedprince，hadbeenlongtiredoutbytheoutragescommittedbythelatterwithinhisterritories；buttooweaktoresist，hehadcontentedhimselfwithmurmurs。Theappearanceofhisdeliverer，insteadofanimatinghiscourage，increasedhisfearandanxiety。SeverelyashiscountryhadsufferedfromtheImperialists，theriskofincurringtheEmperor’svengeancepreventedhimfromdeclaringopenlyfortheSwedes。

GustavusAdolphus，whowasencampedunderthewallsofthetown，summonedthecitytoreceiveaSwedishgarrison。BogislausappearedinpersoninthecampofGustavus，todeprecatethiscondition。

"Icometoyou，"saidGustavus，"notasanenemybutafriend。

IwagenowaragainstPomerania，noragainsttheGermanempire，butagainsttheenemiesofboth。Inmyhandsthisduchyshallbesacred；

anditshallberestoredtoyouattheconclusionofthecampaign，byme，withmorecertainty，thanbyanyother。Looktothetracesoftheimperialforcewithinyourterritories，andtomineinUsedom；

anddecidewhetheryouwillhavetheEmperorormeasyourfriend。

Whathaveyoutoexpect，iftheEmperorshouldmakehimselfmasterofyourcapital？WillhedealwithyoumorelenientlythanI？Orisityourintentiontostopmyprogress？Thecaseispressing:decideatonce，anddonotcompelmetohaverecoursetomoreviolentmeasures。"

Thealternativewasapainfulone。Ontheoneside，theKingofSwedenwasbeforehisgateswithaformidablearmy；ontheother，hesawtheinevitablevengeanceoftheEmperor，andthefearfulexampleofsomanyGermanprinces，whowerenowwanderinginmisery，thevictimsofthatrevenge。Themoreimmediatedangerdecidedhisresolution。

ThegatesofStettinwereopenedtotheking；theSwedishtroopsentered；

andtheAustrians，whowereadvancingbyrapidmarches，anticipated。

ThecaptureofthisplaceprocuredforthekingafirmfootinginPomerania，thecommandoftheOder，andamagazineforhistroops。Topreventachargeoftreachery，BogislauswascarefultoexcusethissteptotheEmperoronthepleaofnecessity；butawareofFerdinand’simplacabledisposition，heenteredintoaclosealliancewithhisnewprotector。

BythisleaguewithPomerania，GustavussecuredapowerfulfriendinGermany，whocoveredhisrear，andmaintainedhiscommunicationwithSweden。

AsFerdinandwasalreadytheaggressorinPrussia，GustavusAdolphusthoughthimselfabsolvedfromtheusualformalities，andcommencedhostilitieswithoutanydeclarationofwar。TotheotherEuropeanpowers，hejustifiedhisconductinamanifesto，inwhichhedetailedthegroundswhichhadledhimtotakeuparms。MeanwhilehecontinuedhisprogressinPomerania，whilehesawhisarmydailyincreasing。ThetroopswhichhadfoughtunderMansfeld，DukeChristianofBrunswick，theKingofDenmark，andWallenstein，cameincrowds，bothofficersandsoldiers，tojoinhisvictoriousstandard。

AttheImperialcourt，theinvasionofthekingofSwedenatfirstexcitedfarlessattentionthanitmerited。TheprideofAustria，extravagantlyelatedbyitsunheard-ofsuccesses，lookeddownwithcontemptuponaprince，who，withahandfulofmen，camefromanobscurecornerofEurope，andwhoowedhispastsuccesses，astheyimagined，entirelytotheincapacityofaweakopponent。ThedepreciatoryrepresentationwhichWallensteinhadartfullygivenoftheSwedishpower，increasedtheEmperor’ssecurity；forwhathadhetofearfromanenemy，whomhisgeneralundertooktodrivewithsucheasefromGermany？

EventherapidprogressofGustavusAdolphusinPomerania，couldnotentirelydispelthisprejudice，whichthemockeriesofthecourtierscontinuedtofeed。HewascalledinViennatheSnowKing，whomthecoldofthenorthkepttogether，butwhowouldinfalliblymeltasheadvancedsouthward。Eventheelectors，assembledinRatisbon，disregardedhisrepresentations；and，influencedbyanabjectcomplaisancetoFerdinand，refusedhimeventhetitleofking。ButwhiletheymockedhiminRatisbonandVienna，inMecklenburgandPomerania，onestrongtownafteranotherfellintohishands。

Notwithstandingthiscontempt，theEmperorthoughtitpropertooffertoadjusthisdifferenceswithSwedenbynegociation，andforthatpurposesentplenipotentiariestoDenmark。

Buttheirinstructionsshowedhowlittlehewasinearnestintheseproposals，forhestillcontinuedtorefusetoGustavusthetitleofking。

HehopedbythismeanstothrowonthekingofSwedentheodiumofbeingtheaggressor，andtherebytoensurethesupportoftheStatesoftheempire。

TheconferenceatDantzicproved，asmightbeexpected，fruitless，andtheanimosityofbothpartieswasincreasedtoitsutmostbyanintemperatecorrespondence。

Animperialgeneral，TorquatoConti，whocommandedinPomerania，had，inthemeantime，madeavainattempttowrestStettinfromtheSwedes。

TheImperialistsweredrivenoutfromoneplaceafteranother；

Damm，Stargard，Camin，andWolgast，soonfellintothehandsofGustavus。

TorevengehimselfupontheDukeofPomerania，theimperialgeneralpermittedhistroops，uponhisretreat，toexerciseeverybarbarityontheunfortunateinhabitantsofPomerania，whohadalreadysufferedbuttooseverelyfromhisavarice。OnpretenceofcuttingofftheresourcesoftheSwedes，thewholecountrywaslaidwasteandplundered；

andoftenwhentheImperialistswereunableanylongertomaintainaplace，itwaslaidinashes，inordertoleavetheenemynothingbutruins。

ButthesebarbaritiesonlyservedtoplaceinamorefavourablelighttheoppositeconductoftheSwedes，andtowinallheartstotheirhumanemonarch。TheSwedishsoldierpaidforallherequired；

noprivatepropertywasinjuredonhismarch。TheSwedesconsequentlywerereceivedwithopenarmsbothintownandcountry，whilsteveryImperialistthatfellintothehandsofthePomeranianpeasantrywasruthlesslymurdered。ManyPomeraniansenteredintotheserviceofSweden，andtheestatesofthisexhaustedcountrywillinglyvotedthekingacontributionof100，000florins。

TorquatoConti，who，withallhisseverityofcharacter，wasaconsummategeneral，endeavouredtorenderStettinuselesstothekingofSweden，ashecouldnotdeprivehimofit。

HeentrenchedhimselfupontheOder，atGartz，aboveStettin，inorder，bycommandingthatriver，tocutoffthewatercommunicationofthetownwiththerestofGermany。NothingcouldinducehimtoattacktheKingofSweden，whowashissuperiorinnumbers，whilethelatterwasequallycautiousnottostormthestrongentrenchmentsoftheImperialists。

Torquato，toodeficientintroopsandmoneytoactupontheoffensiveagainsttheking，hopedbythisplanofoperationstogivetimeforTillytohastentothedefenceofPomerania，andthen，inconjunctionwiththatgeneral，toattacktheSwedes。SeizingtheopportunityofthetemporaryabsenceofGustavus，hemadeasuddenattemptuponStettin，buttheSwedeswerenotunpreparedforhim。AvigorousattackoftheImperialistswasfirmlyrepulsed，andTorquatowasforcedtoretirewithgreatloss。Forthisauspiciouscommencementofthewar，however，Gustavuswas，itmustbeowned，asmuchindebtedtohisgoodfortuneastohismilitarytalents。TheimperialtroopsinPomeraniahadbeengreatlyreducedsinceWallenstein’sdismissal；moreover，theoutragestheyhadcommittedwerenowseverelyrevengeduponthem；

wastedandexhausted，thecountrynolongeraffordedthemasubsistence。

Alldisciplinewasatanend；theordersoftheofficersweredisregarded，whiletheirnumbersdailydecreasedbydesertion，andbyageneralmortality，whichthepiercingcoldofastrangeclimatehadproducedamongthem。

Underthesecircumstances，theimperialgeneralwasanxioustoallowhistroopsthereposeofwinterquarters，buthehadtodowithanenemytowhomtheclimateofGermanyhadnowinter。

Gustavushadtakentheprecautionofprovidinghissoldierswithdressesofsheep-skin，toenablethemtokeepthefieldeveninthemostinclementseason。Theimperialplenipotentiaries，whocametotreatwithhimforacessationofhostilities，receivedthisdiscouraginganswer:"TheSwedesaresoldiersinwinteraswellasinsummer，andnotdisposedtooppresstheunfortunatepeasantry。

TheImperialistsmayactastheythinkproper，buttheyneednotexpecttoremainundisturbed。"TorquatoContisoonafterresignedacommand，inwhichneitherrichesnorreputationweretobegained。

Inthisinequalityofthetwoarmies，theadvantagewasnecessarilyonthesideoftheSwedes。TheImperialistswereincessantlyharassedintheirwinterquarters；Greifenhagan，animportantplaceupontheOder，takenbystorm，andthetownsofGartzandPiritzwereatlastabandonedbytheenemy。InthewholeofPomerania，Greifswald，Demmin，andColbergaloneremainedintheirhands，andthesethekingmadegreatpreparationstobesiege。TheenemydirectedtheirretreattowardsBrandenburg，inwhichmuchoftheirartilleryandbaggage，andmanyprisonersfellintothehandsofthepursuers。

ByseizingthepassesofRiebnitzandDamgarden，GustavushadopenedapassageintoMecklenburg，whoseinhabitantswereinvitedtoreturntotheirallegianceundertheirlegitimatesovereigns，andtoexpeltheadherentsofWallenstein。TheImperialists，however，gainedtheimportanttownofRostockbystratagem，andthuspreventedthefartheradvanceoftheking，whowasunwillingtodividehisforces。

TheexileddukesofMecklenburghadineffectuallyemployedtheprincesassembledatRatisbontointercedewiththeEmperor:

invaintheyhadendeavouredtosoftenFerdinand，byrenouncingtheallianceoftheking，andeveryideaofresistance。But，driventodespairbytheEmperor’sinflexibility，theyopenlyespousedthesideofSweden，andraisingtroops，gavethecommandofthemtoFrancisCharlesDukeofSaxe-Lauenburg。ThatgeneralmadehimselfmasterofseveralstrongplacesontheElbe，butlostthemafterwardstotheImperialGeneralPappenheim，whowasdespatchedtoopposehim。

Soonafterwards，besiegedbythelatterinthetownofRatzeburg，hewascompelledtosurrenderwithallhistroops。Thusendedtheattemptwhichtheseunfortunateprincesmadetorecovertheirterritories；

anditwasreservedforthevictoriousarmofGustavusAdolphustorenderthemthatbrilliantservice。

TheImperialistshadthrownthemselvesintoBrandenburg，whichnowbecamethetheatreofthemostbarbarousatrocities。TheseoutrageswereinflicteduponthesubjectsofaprincewhohadneverinjuredtheEmperor，andwhom，moreover，hewasattheverytimeincitingtotakeuparmsagainsttheKingofSweden。Thesightofthedisordersoftheirsoldiers，whichwantofmoneycompelledthemtowinkat，andofauthorityovertheirtroops，excitedthedisgustevenoftheimperialgenerals；

and，fromveryshame，theircommander-in-chief，CountSchaumburg，wishedtoresign。

Withoutasufficientforcetoprotecthisterritories，andleftbytheEmperor，inspiteofthemostpressingremonstrances，withoutassistance，theElectorofBrandenburgatlastissuedanedict，orderinghissubjectstorepelforcebyforce，andtoputtodeathwithoutmercyeveryImperialsoldierwhoshouldhenceforthbedetectedinplundering。Tosuchaheighthadtheviolenceofoutrageandthemiseryofthegovernmentrisen，thatnothingwaslefttothesovereign，butthedesperateextremityofsanctioningprivatevengeancebyaformallaw。

TheSwedeshadpursuedtheImperialistsintoBrandenburg；

andonlytheElector’srefusaltoopentohimthefortressofCustrinforhismarch，obligedthekingtolayasidehisdesignofbesiegingFrankfortontheOder。HethereforereturnedtocompletetheconquestofPomerania，bythecaptureofDemminandColberg。Inthemeantime，Field-MarshalTillywasadvancingtothedefenceofBrandenburg。

Thisgeneral，whocouldboastasyetofneverhavingsufferedadefeat，theconquerorofMansfeld，ofDukeChristianofBrunswick，oftheMargraveofBaden，andtheKingofDenmark，wasnowintheSwedishmonarchtomeetanopponentworthyofhisfame。DescendedofanoblefamilyinLiege，TillyhadformedhismilitarytalentsinthewarsoftheNetherlands，whichwasthenthegreatschoolforgenerals。HesoonfoundanopportunityofdistinguishinghimselfunderRodolphII。inHungary，whereherapidlyrosefromonesteptoanother。Afterthepeace，heenteredintotheserviceofMaximilianofBavaria，whomadehimcommander-in-chiefwithabsolutepowers。

Here，byhisexcellentregulations，hewasthefounderoftheBavarianarmy；

andtohim，chiefly，Maximilianwasindebtedforhissuperiorityinthefield。

UpontheterminationoftheBohemianwar，hewasappointedcommanderofthetroopsoftheLeague；and，afterWallenstein’sdismissal，generalissimooftheimperialarmies。Equallysterntowardshissoldiersandimplacabletowardshisenemies，andasgloomyandimpenetrableasWallenstein，hewasgreatlyhissuperiorinprobityanddisinterestedness。

Abigotedzealforreligion，andabloodyspiritofpersecution，co-operated，withthenaturalferocityofhischaracter，tomakehimtheterroroftheProtestants。Astrangeandterrificaspectbespokehischaracter:oflowstature，thin，withhollowcheeks，alongnose，abroadandwrinkledforehead，largewhiskers，andapointedchin；

hewasgenerallyattiredinaSpanishdoubletofgreensatin，withslashedsleeves，withasmallhighpeakedhatuponhishead，surmountedbyaredfeatherwhichhungdowntohisback。HiswholeaspectrecalledtorecollectiontheDukeofAlva，thescourgeoftheFlemings，andhisactionswerefarfromeffacingtheimpression。Suchwasthegeneralwhowasnowtobeopposedtotheheroofthenorth。

Tillywasfarfromundervaluinghisantagonist，"TheKingofSweden，"

saidheintheDietatRatisbon，"isanenemybothprudentandbrave，inuredtowar，andintheflowerofhisage。Hisplansareexcellent，hisresourcesconsiderable；hissubjectsenthusiasticallyattachedtohim。

Hisarmy，composedofSwedes，Germans，Livonians，Finlanders，ScotsandEnglish，byitsdevotedobediencetotheirleader，isblendedintoonenation:heisagamesterinplayingwithwhomnottohavelostistohavewonagreatdeal。"

TheprogressoftheKingofSwedeninBrandenburgandPomerania，leftthenewgeneralissimonotimetolose；andhispresencewasnowurgentlycalledforbythosewhocommandedinthatquarter。

Withallexpedition，hecollectedtheimperialtroopswhichweredispersedovertheempire；butitrequiredtimetoobtainfromtheexhaustedandimpoverishedprovincesthenecessarysupplies。Atlast，aboutthemiddleofwinter，heappearedattheheadof20，000men，beforeFrankfortontheOder，wherehewasjoinedbySchaumburg。

LeavingtothisgeneralthedefenceofFrankfort，withasufficientgarrison，hehastenedtoPomerania，withaviewofsavingDemmin，andrelievingColberg，whichwasalreadyhardpressedbytheSwedes。ButevenbeforehehadleftBrandenburg，Demmin，whichwasbutpoorlydefendedbytheDukeofSavelli，hadsurrenderedtotheking，andColberg，afterafivemonths’siege，wasstarvedintoacapitulation。

AsthepassesinUpperPomeraniawerewellguarded，andtheking’scampnearSchwedtdefiedattack，Tillyabandonedhisoffensiveplanofoperations，andretreatedtowardstheElbetobesiegeMagdeburg。

ThecaptureofDemminopenedtothekingafreepassageintoMecklenburg；

butamoreimportantenterprisedrewhisarmsintoanotherquarter。

ScarcelyhadTillycommencedhisretrogrademovement，whensuddenlybreakinguphiscampatSchwedt，thekingmarchedhiswholeforceagainstFrankfortontheOder。Thistown，badlyfortified，wasdefendedbyagarrisonof8，000men，mostlycomposedofthoseferociousbandswhohadsocruellyravagedPomeraniaandBrandenburg。Itwasnowattackedwithsuchimpetuosity，thatonthethirddayitwastakenbystorm。

TheSwedes，assuredofvictory，rejectedeveryofferofcapitulation，astheywereresolvedtoexercisethedreadfulrightofretaliation。

ForTilly，soonafterhisarrival，hadsurroundedaSwedishdetachment，and，irritatedbytheirobstinateresistance，hadcuttheminpiecestoaman。

ThiscrueltywasnotforgottenbytheSwedes。"NewBrandenburgQuarter"，theyrepliedtotheImperialistswhobeggedtheirlives，andslaughteredthemwithoutmercy。Severalthousandswereeitherkilledortaken，andmanyweredrownedintheOder，therestfledtoSilesia。

AlltheirartilleryfellintothehandsoftheSwedes。Tosatisfytherageofhistroops，GustavusAdolphuswasunderthenecessityofgivingupthetownforthreehourstoplunder。

Whilethekingwasthusadvancingfromoneconquesttoanother，and，byhissuccess，encouragingtheProtestantstoactiveresistance，theEmperorproceededtoenforcetheEdictofRestitution，and，byhisexorbitantpretensions，toexhaustthepatienceofthestates。

Compelledbynecessity，hecontinuedtheviolentcoursewhichhehadbegunwithsucharrogantconfidence；thedifficultiesintowhichhisarbitraryconducthadplungedhim，hecouldonlyextricatehimselffrombymeasuresstillmorearbitrary。ButinsocomplicatedabodyastheGermanempire，despotismmustalwayscreatethemostdangerousconvulsions。Withastonishment，theprincesbeheldtheconstitutionoftheempireoverthrown，andthestateofnaturetowhichmatterswereagainverging，suggestedtothemtheideaofself-defence，theonlymeansofprotectioninsuchastateofthings。

ThestepsopenlytakenbytheEmperoragainsttheLutheranchurch，hadatlastremovedtheveilfromtheeyesofJohnGeorge，whohadbeensolongthedupeofhisartfulpolicy。Ferdinand，too，hadpersonallyoffendedhimbytheexclusionofhissonfromthearchbishopricofMagdeburg；andfield-marshalArnheim，hisnewfavouriteandminister，sparednopainstoincreasetheresentmentofhismaster。ArnheimhadformerlybeenanimperialgeneralunderWallenstein，andbeingstillzealouslyattachedtohim，hewaseagertoavengehisoldbenefactorandhimselfontheEmperor，bydetachingSaxonyfromtheAustrianinterests。GustavusAdolphus，supportedbytheProtestantstates，wouldbeinvincible；

aconsiderationwhichalreadyfilledtheEmperorwithalarm。

TheexampleofSaxonywouldprobablyinfluenceothers，andtheEmperor’sfateseemednowinamannertodependupontheElector’sdecision。

Theartfulfavouriteimpresseduponhismasterthisideaofhisownimportance，andadvisedhimtoterrifytheEmperor，bythreateninganalliancewithSweden，andthustoextortfromhisfears，whathehadsoughtinvainfromhisgratitude。Thefavourite，however，wasfarfromwishinghimactuallytoenterintotheSwedishalliance，but，byholdingalooffrombothparties，tomaintainhisownimportanceandindependence。Accordingly，helaidbeforehimaplan，whichonlywantedamoreablehandtocarryitintoexecution，andrecommendedhim，byheadingtheProtestantparty，toerectathirdpowerinGermany，andtherebymaintainthebalancebetweenSwedenandAustria。

ThisprojectwaspeculiarlyflatteringtotheSaxonElector，towhomtheideaofbeingdependentuponSweden，oroflongersubmittingtothetyrannyoftheEmperor，wasequallyhateful。Hecouldnot，withindifference，seethecontrolofGermanaffairswrestedfromhimbyaforeignprince；andincapableashewasoftakingaprincipalpart，hisvanitywouldnotcondescendtoactasubordinateone。Heresolved，therefore，todraweverypossibleadvantagefromtheprogressofGustavus，buttopursue，independently，hisownseparateplans。Withthisview，heconsultedwiththeElectorofBrandenburg，who，fromsimilarcauses，wasreadytoactagainsttheEmperor，but，atthesametime，wasjealousofSweden。InaDietatTorgau，havingassuredhimselfofthesupportofhisEstates，heinvitedtheProtestantStatesoftheempiretoageneralconvention，whichtookplaceatLeipzig，onthe6thFebruary1631。Brandenburg，HesseCassel，withseveralprinces，counts，estatesoftheempire，andProtestantbishopswerepresent，eitherpersonallyorbydeputy，atthisassembly，whichthechaplaintotheSaxonCourt，Dr。HoevonHohenegg，openedwithavehementdiscoursefromthepulpit。TheEmperorhad，invain，endeavouredtopreventthisself-appointedconvention，whoseobjectwasevidentlytoprovideforitsowndefence，andwhichthepresenceoftheSwedesintheempire，renderedmorethanusuallyalarming。EmboldenedbytheprogressofGustavusAdolphus，theassembledprincesassertedtheirrights，andafterasessionoftwomonthsbrokeup，withadoptingaresolutionwhichplacedtheEmperorinnoslightembarrassment。ItsimportwastodemandoftheEmperor，inageneraladdress，therevocationoftheEdictofRestitution，thewithdrawalofhistroopsfromtheircapitalsandfortresses，thesuspensionofallexistingproceedings，andtheabolitionofabuses；and，inthemeantime，toraiseanarmyof40，000men，toenablethemtoredresstheirowngrievances，iftheEmperorshouldstillrefusesatisfaction。

AfurtherincidentcontributednotalittletoincreasethefirmnessoftheProtestantprinces。TheKingofSwedenhad，atlast，overcomethescrupleswhichhaddeterredhimfromacloseralliancewithFrance，and，onthe13thJanuary1631，concludedaformaltreatywiththiscrown。AfteraseriousdisputerespectingthetreatmentoftheRomanCatholicprincesoftheempire，whomFrancetookunderherprotection，andagainstwhomGustavusclaimedtherightofretaliation，andaftersomelessimportantdifferenceswithregardtothetitleofmajesty，whichtheprideofFrancewaslothtoconcedetotheKingofSweden，Richelieuyieldedthesecond，andGustavusAdolphusthefirstpoint，andthetreatywassignedatBeerwaldinNeumark。Thecontractingpartiesmutuallycovenantedtodefendeachotherwithamilitaryforce，toprotecttheircommonfriends，torestoretotheirdominionsthedeposedprincesoftheempire，andtoreplaceeverything，bothonthefrontierandintheinteriorofGermany，onthesamefootingonwhichitstoodbeforethecommencementofthewar。Forthisend，Swedenengagedtomaintainanarmyof30，000meninGermany，andFranceagreedtofurnishtheSwedeswithanannualsubsidyof400，000dollars。

IfthearmsofGustavusweresuccessful，hewastorespecttheRomanCatholicreligionandtheconstitutionoftheempireinalltheconqueredplaces，andtomakenoattemptagainsteither。

AllEstatesandprinceswhetherProtestantorRomanCatholic，eitherinGermanyorinothercountries，weretobeinvitedtobecomepartiestothetreaty；neitherFrancenorSwedenwastoconcludeaseparatepeacewithouttheknowledgeandconsentoftheother；andthetreatyitselfwastocontinueinforceforfiveyears。

GreataswasthestruggletotheKingofSwedentoreceivesubsidiesfromFrance，andsacrificehisindependenceintheconductofthewar，thisalliancewithFrancedecidedhiscauseinGermany。Protected，ashenowwas，bythegreatestpowerinEurope，theGermanstatesbegantofeelconfidenceinhisundertaking，fortheissueofwhichtheyhadhithertogoodreasontotremble。HebecametrulyformidabletotheEmperor。TheRomanCatholicprincestoo，who，thoughtheywereanxioustohumbleAustria，hadwitnessedhisprogresswithdistrust，werelessalarmednowthatanalliancewithaRomanCatholicpowerensuredhisrespectfortheirreligion。Andthus，whileGustavusAdolphusprotectedtheProtestantreligionandthelibertiesofGermanyagainsttheaggressionofFerdinand，Francesecuredthoseliberties，andtheRomanCatholicreligion，againstGustavushimself，iftheintoxicationofsuccessshouldhurryhimbeyondtheboundsofmoderation。

TheKingofSwedenlostnotimeinapprizingthemembersoftheconfederacyofLeipzigofthetreatyconcludedwithFrance，andinvitingthemtoacloserunionwithhimself。TheapplicationwassecondedbyFrance，whosparednopainstowinovertheElectorofSaxony。

Gustavuswaswillingtobecontentwithsecretsupport，iftheprincesshoulddeemittooboldastepasyettodeclareopenlyinhisfavour。

Severalprincesgavehimhopesofhisproposalsbeingacceptedonthefirstfavourableopportunity；buttheSaxonElector，fullofjealousyanddistrusttowardstheKingofSweden，andtruetotheselfishpolicyhehadpursued，couldnotbeprevailedupontogiveadecisiveanswer。

TheresolutionoftheconfederacyofLeipzig，andthealliancebetwixtFranceandSweden，werenewsequallydisagreeabletotheEmperor。

Againstthemheemployedthethunderofimperialordinances，andthewantofanarmysavedFrancefromthefullweightofhisdispleasure。

Remonstranceswereaddressedtoallthemembersoftheconfederacy，stronglyprohibitingthemfromenlistingtroops。Theyretortedwithexplanationsequallyvehement，justifiedtheirconductupontheprinciplesofnaturalright，andcontinuedtheirpreparations。

Meantime，theimperialgenerals，deficientbothintroopsandmoney，foundthemselvesreducedtothedisagreeablealternativeoflosingsighteitheroftheKingofSweden，oroftheEstatesoftheempire，sincewithadividedforcetheywerenotamatchforeither。

ThemovementsoftheProtestantscalledtheirattentiontotheinterioroftheempire，whiletheprogressofthekinginBrandenburg，bythreateningthehereditarypossessionsofAustria，requiredthemtoturntheirarmstothatquarter。AftertheconquestofFrankfort，thekinghadadvanceduponLandsbergontheWarta，andTilly，afterafruitlessattempttorelieveit，hadagainreturnedtoMagdeburg，toprosecutewithvigourthesiegeofthattown。

Thericharchbishopric，ofwhichMagdeburgwasthecapital，hadlongbeeninthepossessionofprincesofthehouseofBrandenburg，whointroducedtheProtestantreligionintotheprovince。ChristianWilliam，thelastadministrator，had，byhisalliancewithDenmark，incurredthebanoftheempire，onwhichaccountthechapter，toavoidtheEmperor’sdispleasure，hadformallydeposedhim。

InhisplacetheyhadelectedPrinceJohnAugustus，thesecondsonoftheElectorofSaxony，whomtheEmperorrejected，inordertoconferthearchbishopriconhissonLeopold。

TheElectorofSaxonycomplainedineffectuallytotheimperialcourt；

butChristianWilliamofBrandenburgtookmoreactivemeasures。

RelyingontheattachmentofthemagistracyandinhabitantsofBrandenburg，andexcitedbychimericalhopes，hethoughthimselfabletosurmountalltheobstacleswhichthevoteofthechapter，thecompetitionoftwopowerfulrivals，andtheEdictofRestitutionopposedtohisrestoration。

HewenttoSweden，and，bythepromiseofadiversioninGermany，soughttoobtainassistancefromGustavus。Hewasdismissedbythatmonarchnotwithouthopesofeffectualprotection，butwiththeadvicetoactwithcaution。

ScarcelyhadChristianWilliambeeninformedofthelandingofhisprotectorinPomerania，thanheenteredMagdeburgindisguise。Appearingsuddenlyinthetowncouncil，heremindedthemagistratesoftheravageswhichbothtownandcountryhadsufferedfromtheimperialtroops，oftheperniciousdesignsofFerdinand，andthedangeroftheProtestantchurch。Hetheninformedthemthatthemomentofdeliverancewasathand，andthatGustavusAdolphusofferedthemhisallianceandassistance。Magdeburg，oneofthemostflourishingtownsinGermany，enjoyedunderthegovernmentofitsmagistratesarepublicanfreedom，whichinspireditscitizenswithabraveheroism。Ofthistheyhadalreadygivenproofs，inthebolddefenceoftheirrightsagainstWallenstein，who，temptedbytheirwealth，madeonthemthemostextravagantdemands。

Theirterritoryhadbeengivenuptothefuryofhistroops，thoughMagdeburgitselfhadescapedhisvengeance。Itwasnotdifficult，therefore，fortheAdministratortogaintheconcurrenceofmeninwhosemindstherememberanceoftheseoutrageswasstillrecent。

AnalliancewasformedbetweenthecityandtheSwedishking，bywhichMagdeburggrantedtothekingafreepassagethroughitsgatesandterritories，withlibertyofenlistingsoldierswithinitsboundaries，andontheotherhand，obtainedpromisesofeffectualprotectionforitsreligionanditsprivileges。

TheAdministratorimmediatelycollectedtroopsandcommencedhostilities，beforeGustavusAdolphuswasnearenoughtoco-operatewithhim。Hedefeatedsomeimperialdetachmentsintheneighbourhood，madeafewconquests，andevensurprisedHalle。Buttheapproachofanimperialarmyobligedhimtoretreathastily，andnotwithoutloss，toMagdeburg。GustavusAdolphus，thoughdispleasedwithhisprematuremeasures，sentDietrichFalkenberg，anexperiencedofficer，todirecttheAdministrator’smilitaryoperations，andtoassisthimwithhiscounsel。Falkenbergwasnamedbythemagistratesgovernorofthetownduringthewar。ThePrince’sarmywasdailyaugmentedbyrecruitsfromtheneighbouringtowns；andhewasableforsomemonthstomaintainapettywarfarewithsuccess。

AtlengthCountPappenheim，havingbroughthisexpeditionagainsttheDukeofSaxe-Lauenburgtoaclose，approachedthetown。

DrivingthetroopsoftheAdministratorfromtheirentrenchments，hecutoffhiscommunicationwithSaxony，andcloselyinvestedtheplace。

HewassoonfollowedbyTilly，whohaughtilysummonedtheElectorforthwithtocomplywiththeEdictofRestitution，tosubmittotheEmperor’sorders，andsurrenderMagdeburg。ThePrince’sanswerwasspiritedandresolute，andobligedTillyatoncetohaverecoursetoarms。

Inthemeanwhile，thesiegewasprolonged，bytheprogressoftheKingofSweden，whichcalledtheAustriangeneralfrombeforetheplace；

andthejealousyoftheofficers，whoconductedtheoperationsinhisabsence，delayed，forsomemonths，thefallofMagdeburg。Onthe30thMarch1631，Tillyreturned，topushthesiegewithvigour。

Theoutworksweresooncarried，andFalkenberg，afterwithdrawingthegarrisonsfromthepointswhichhecouldnolongerhold，destroyedthebridgeovertheElbe。Ashistroopswerebarelysufficienttodefendtheextensivefortifications，thesuburbsofSudenburgandNeustadtwereabandonedtotheenemy，whoimmediatelylaidtheminashes。

Pappenheim，nowseparatedfromTilly，crossedtheElbeatSchonenbeck，andattackedthetownfromtheoppositeside。

Thegarrison，reducedbythedefenceoftheoutworks，scarcelyexceeded2000infantryandafewhundredhorse；asmallnumberforsoextensiveandirregularafortress。Tosupplythisdeficiency，thecitizenswerearmed——adesperateexpedient，whichproducedmoreevilsthanthoseitprevented。Thecitizens，atbestbutindifferentsoldiers，bytheirdisunionthrewthetownintoconfusion。Thepoorcomplainedthattheywereexposedtoeveryhardshipanddanger，whiletherich，byhiringsubstitutes，remainedathomeinsafety。Theserumoursbrokeoutatlastinanopenmutiny；indifferencesucceededtozeal；

wearinessandnegligencetooktheplaceofvigilanceandforesight。

Dissension，combinedwithgrowingscarcity，graduallyproducedafeelingofdespondence，manybegantotrembleatthedesperatenatureoftheirundertaking，andthemagnitudeofthepowertowhichtheywereopposed。

Butreligiouszeal，anardentloveofliberty，aninvinciblehatredtotheAustrianyoke，andtheexpectationofspeedyrelief，banishedasyettheideaofasurrender；anddividedastheywereineverythingelse，theywereunitedintheresolvetodefendthemselvestothelastextremity。

Theirhopesofsuccourwereapparentlywellfounded。TheyknewthattheconfederacyofLeipzigwasarming；theywereawareofthenearapproachofGustavusAdolphus。BothwerealikeinterestedinthepreservationofMagdeburg；andafewdaysmightbringtheKingofSwedenbeforeitswalls。

AllthiswasalsoknowntoTilly，who，therefore，wasanxioustomakehimselfspeedilymasteroftheplace。Withthisview，hehaddespatchedatrumpeterwithletterstotheAdministrator，thecommandant，andthemagistrates，offeringtermsofcapitulation；

buthereceivedforanswer，thattheywouldratherdiethansurrender。

Aspiritedsallyofthecitizens，alsoconvincedhimthattheircouragewasasearnestastheirwords，whiletheking’sarrivalatPotsdam，withtheincursionsoftheSwedesasfarasZerbst，filledhimwithuneasiness，butraisedthehopesofthegarrison。Asecondtrumpeterwasnowdespatched；butthemoremoderatetoneofhisdemandsincreasedtheconfidenceofthebesieged，andunfortunatelytheirnegligencealso。

Thebesiegershadnowpushedtheirapproachesasfarastheditch，andvigorouslycannonadedthefortificationsfromtheabandonedbatteries。

Onetowerwasentirelyoverthrown，butthisdidnotfacilitateanassault，asitfellsidewiseuponthewall，andnotintotheditch。

Notwithstandingthecontinualbombardment，thewallshadnotsufferedmuch；

andthefireballs，whichwereintendedtosetthetowninflames，weredeprivedoftheireffectbytheexcellentprecautionsadoptedagainstthem。Buttheammunitionofthebesiegedwasnearlyexpended，andthecannonofthetowngraduallyceasedtoanswerthefireoftheImperialists。Beforeanewsupplycouldbeobtained，Magdeburgwouldbeeitherrelieved，ortaken。Thehopesofthebesiegedwereonthestretch，andalleyesanxiouslydirectedtowardsthequarterinwhichtheSwedishbannerswereexpectedtoappear。GustavusAdolphuswasnearenoughtoreachMagdeburgwithinthreedays；securitygrewwithhope，whichallthingscontributedtoaugment。Onthe9thofMay，thefireoftheImperialistswassuddenlystopped，andthecannonwithdrawnfromseveralofthebatteries。AdeathlikestillnessreignedintheImperialcamp。

Thebesiegedwereconvincedthatdeliverancewasathand。

Bothcitizensandsoldierslefttheirpostsupontherampartsearlyinthemorning，toindulgethemselves，aftertheirlongtoils，withtherefreshmentofsleep，butitwasindeedadearsleep，andafrightfulawakening。

Tillyhadabandonedthehopeoftakingthetown，beforethearrivaloftheSwedes，bythemeanswhichhehadhithertoadopted；

hethereforedeterminedtoraisethesiege，butfirsttohazardageneralassault。Thisplan，however，wasattendedwithgreatdifficulties，asnobreachhadbeeneffected，andtheworkswerescarcelyinjured。

Butthecouncilofwarassembledonthisoccasion，declaredforanassault，citingtheexampleofMaestricht，whichhadbeentakenearlyinthemorning，whilethecitizensandsoldierswerereposingthemselves。

Theattackwastobemadesimultaneouslyonfourpoints；thenightbetwixtthe9thand10thofMay，wasemployedinthenecessarypreparations。

Everythingwasreadyandawaitingthesignal，whichwastobegivenbycannonatfiveo’clockinthemorning。Thesignal，however，wasnotgivenfortwohourslater，duringwhichTilly，whowasstilldoubtfulofsuccess，againconsultedthecouncilofwar。

Pappenheimwasorderedtoattacktheworksofthenewtown，wheretheattemptwasfavouredbyaslopingrampart，andadryditchofmoderatedepth。Thecitizensandsoldiershadmostlyleftthewalls，andthefewwhoremainedwereovercomewithsleep。Thisgeneral，therefore，foundlittledifficultyinmountingthewallattheheadofhistroops。

Falkenberg，rousedbythereportofmusketry，hastenedfromthetown-house，wherehewasemployedindespatchingTilly’ssecondtrumpeter，andhurriedwithalltheforcehecouldhastilyassembletowardsthegateofthenewtown，whichwasalreadyinthepossessionoftheenemy。

Beatenback，thisintrepidgeneralflewtoanotherquarter，whereasecondpartyoftheenemywerepreparingtoscalethewalls。

Afteranineffectualresistancehefellinthecommencementoftheaction。

Theroaringofmusketry，thepealingofthealarm-bells，andthegrowingtumultapprisedtheawakeningcitizensoftheirdanger。

Hastilyarmingthemselves，theyrushedinblindconfusionagainsttheenemy。

Stillsomehopeofrepulsingthebesiegersremained；butthegovernorbeingkilled，theireffortswerewithoutplanandco-operation，andatlasttheirammunitionbegantofailthem。Inthemeanwhile，twoothergates，hithertounattacked，werestrippedoftheirdefenders，tomeettheurgentdangerwithinthetown。Theenemyquicklyavailedthemselvesofthisconfusiontoattacktheseposts。Theresistancewasneverthelessspiritedandobstinate，untilfourimperialregiments，atlength，mastersoftheramparts，felluponthegarrisonintherear，andcompletedtheirrout。Amidstthegeneraltumult，abravecaptain，namedSchmidt，whostillheadedafewofthemoreresoluteagainsttheenemy，succeededindrivingthemtothegates；herehefellmortallywounded，andwithhimexpiredthehopesofMagdeburg。Beforenoon，alltheworkswerecarried，andthetownwasintheenemy’shands。

Twogateswerenowopenedbythestormingpartyforthemainbody，andTillymarchedinwithpartofhisinfantry。Immediatelyoccupyingtheprincipalstreets，hedrovethecitizenswithpointedcannonintotheirdwellings，theretoawaittheirdestiny。Theywerenotlongheldinsuspense；awordfromTillydecidedthefateofMagdeburg。

Evenamorehumanegeneralwouldinvainhaverecommendedmercytosuchsoldiers；butTillynevermadetheattempt。Leftbytheirgeneral’ssilencemastersofthelivesofallthecitizens，thesoldierybrokeintothehousestosatiatetheirmostbrutalappetites。

TheprayersofinnocenceexcitedsomecompassionintheheartsoftheGermans，butnoneintherudebreastsofPappenheim’sWalloons。Scarcelyhadthesavagecrueltycommenced，whentheothergateswerethrownopen，andthecavalry，withthefearfulhordesoftheCroats，pouredinuponthedevotedinhabitants。

Herecommencedasceneofhorrorsforwhichhistoryhasnolanguage——

poetrynopencil。Neitherinnocentchildhood，norhelplessoldage；

neitheryouth，sex，rank，norbeauty，coulddisarmthefuryoftheconquerors。

Wiveswereabusedinthearmsoftheirhusbands，daughtersatthefeetoftheirparents；andthedefencelesssexexposedtothedoublesacrificeofvirtueandlife。Nosituation，howeverobscure，orhoweversacred，escapedtherapacityoftheenemy。Inasinglechurchfifty-threewomenwerefoundbeheaded。TheCroatsamusedthemselveswiththrowingchildrenintotheflames；Pappenheim’sWalloonswithstabbinginfantsatthemother’sbreast。SomeofficersoftheLeague，horror-struckatthisdreadfulscene，venturedtoremindTillythathehaditinhispowertostopthecarnage。"Returninanhour，"

washisanswer；"IwillseewhatIcando；thesoldiermusthavesomerewardforhisdangerandtoils。"Thesehorrorslastedwithunabatedfury，tillatlastthesmokeandflamesprovedachecktotheplunderers。

Toaugmenttheconfusionandtodiverttheresistanceoftheinhabitants，theImperialistshad，inthecommencementoftheassault，firedthetowninseveralplaces。Thewindrisingrapidly，spreadtheflames，tilltheblazebecameuniversal。Fearful，indeed，wasthetumultamidcloudsofsmoke，heapsofdeadbodies，theclashofswords，thecrashoffallingruins，andstreamsofblood。Theatmosphereglowed；

andtheintolerableheatforcedatlasteventhemurdererstotakerefugeintheircamp。Inlessthantwelvehours，thisstrong，populous，andflourishingcity，oneofthefinestinGermany，wasreducedtoashes，withtheexceptionoftwochurchesandafewhouses。TheAdministrator，ChristianWilliam，afterreceivingseveralwounds，wastakenprisoner，withthreeoftheburgomasters；mostoftheofficersandmagistrateshadalreadymetanenviabledeath。Theavariceoftheofficershadsaved400oftherichestcitizens，inthehopeofextortingfromthemanexorbitantransom。ButthishumanitywasconfinedtotheofficersoftheLeague，whomtheruthlessbarbarityoftheImperialistscausedtoberegardedasguardianangels。

Scarcelyhadthefuryoftheflamesabated，whentheImperialistsreturnedtorenewthepillageamidtheruinsandashesofthetown。

Manyweresuffocatedbythesmoke；manyfoundrichbootyinthecellars，wherethecitizenshadconcealedtheirmorevaluableeffects。

Onthe13thofMay，Tillyhimselfappearedinthetown，afterthestreetshadbeenclearedofashesanddeadbodies。

Horribleandrevoltingtohumanitywasthescenethatpresenteditself。

Thelivingcrawlingfromunderthedead，childrenwanderingaboutwithheart-rendingcries，callingfortheirparents；

andinfantsstillsuckingthebreastsoftheirlifelessmothers。

Morethan6，000bodieswerethrownintotheElbetoclearthestreets；

amuchgreaternumberhadbeenconsumedbytheflames。

Thewholenumberoftheslainwasreckonedatnotlessthan30，000。

Theentranceofthegeneral，whichtookplaceonthe14th，putastoptotheplunder，andsavedthefewwhohadhithertocontrivedtoescape。Aboutathousandpeopleweretakenoutofthecathedral，wheretheyhadremainedthreedaysandtwonights，withoutfood，andinmomentaryfearofdeath。Tillypromisedthemquarter，andcommandedbreadtobedistributedamongthem。Thenextday，asolemnmasswasperformedinthecathedral，and`TeDeum’sungamidstthedischargeofartillery。Theimperialgeneralrodethroughthestreets，thathemightbeable，asaneyewitness，toinformhismasterthatnosuchconquesthadbeenmadesincethedestructionofTroyandJerusalem。

Norwasthisanexaggeration，whetherweconsiderthegreatness，importance，andprosperityofthecityrazed，orthefuryofitsravagers。

InGermany，thetidingsofthedreadfulfateofMagdeburgcausedtriumphantjoytotheRomanCatholics，whileitspreadterrorandconsternationamongtheProtestants。LoudlyandgenerallytheycomplainedagainstthekingofSweden，who，withsostrongaforce，andintheveryneighbourhood，hadleftanalliedcitytoitsfate。

Eventhemostreasonabledeemedhisinactioninexplicable；

andlestheshouldloseirretrievablythegoodwillofthepeople，forwhosedeliverancehehadengagedinthiswar，Gustavuswasunderthenecessityofpublishingtotheworldajustificationofhisownconduct。

Hehadattacked，andonthe16thApril，carriedLandsberg，whenhewasapprisedofthedangerofMagdeburg。Heresolvedimmediatelytomarchtothereliefofthattown；andhemovedwithallhiscavalry，andtenregimentsofinfantrytowardstheSpree。ButthepositionwhichheheldinGermany，madeitnecessarythatheshouldnotmoveforwardwithoutsecuringhisrear。Intraversingacountrywherehewassurroundedbysuspiciousfriendsanddangerousenemies，andwhereasingleprematuremovementmightcutoffhiscommunicationwithhisownkingdom，theutmostvigilanceandcautionwerenecessary。TheElectorofBrandenburghadalreadyopenedthefortressofCustrintotheflyingImperialists，andclosedthegatesagainsttheirpursuers。IfnowGustavusshouldfailinhisattackuponTilly，theElectormightagainopenhisfortressestotheImperialists，andtheking，withanenemybothinfrontandrear，wouldbeirrecoverablylost。Inordertopreventthiscontingency，hedemandedthattheElectorshouldallowhimtoholdthefortressesofCustrinandSpandau，tillthesiegeofMagdeburgshouldberaised。

Nothingcouldbemorereasonablethanthisdemand。TheserviceswhichGustavushadlatelyrenderedtheElector，byexpellingtheImperialistsfromBrandenburg，claimedhisgratitude，whilethepastconductoftheSwedesinGermanyentitledthemtoconfidence。Butbythesurrenderofhisfortresses，theElectorwouldinsomemeasuremaketheKingofSwedenmasterofhiscountry；besidesthat，bysuchastep，hemustatoncebreakwiththeEmperor，andexposehisStatestohisfuturevengeance。

TheElector’sstrugglewithhimselfwaslongandviolent，butpusillanimityandself-interestforawhileprevailed。

UnmovedbythefateofMagdeburg，coldinthecauseofreligionandthelibertiesofGermany，hesawnothingbuthisowndanger；

andthisanxietywasgreatlystimulatedbyhisministerVonSchwartzenburgh，whowassecretlyinthepayofAustria。Inthemeantime，theSwedishtroopsapproachedBerlin，andthekingtookuphisresidencewiththeElector。Whenhewitnessedthetimoroushesitationofthatprince，hecouldnotrestrainhisindignation:"MyroadistoMagdeburg，"saidhe；

"notformyownadvantage，butforthatoftheProtestantreligion。

Ifnoonewillstandbyme，Ishallimmediatelyretreat，concludeapeacewiththeEmperor，andreturntoStockholm。IamconvincedthatFerdinandwillreadilygrantmewhateverconditionsImayrequire。

ButifMagdeburgisoncelost，andtheEmperorrelievedfromallfearofme，thenitisforyoutolooktoyourselvesandtheconsequences。"

Thistimelythreat，andperhaps，too，theaspectoftheSwedisharmy，whichwasstrongenoughtoobtainbyforcewhatwasrefusedtoentreaty，broughtatlasttheElectortohissenses，andSpandauwasdeliveredintothehandsoftheSwedes。

ThekinghadnowtworoutestoMagdeburg；onewestwardledthroughanexhaustedcountry，andfilledwiththeenemy’stroops，whomightdisputewithhimthepassageoftheElbe；theothermoretothesouthward，byDessauandWittenberg，wherebridgesweretobefoundforcrossingtheElbe，andwheresuppliescouldeasilybedrawnfromSaxony。

ButhecouldnotavailhimselfofthelatterwithouttheconsentoftheElector，whomGustavushadgoodreasontodistrust。

Beforesettingoutonhismarch，therefore，hedemandedfromthatprinceafreepassageandlibertyforpurchasingprovisionsforhistroops。

Hisapplicationwasrefused，andnoremonstrancescouldprevailontheElectortoabandonhissystemofneutrality。Whilethepointwasstillindispute，thenewsofthedreadfulfateofMagdeburgarrived。

TillyannounceditsfalltotheProtestantprincesinthetoneofaconqueror，andlostnotimeinmakingthemostofthegeneralconsternation。

TheinfluenceoftheEmperor，whichhadsensiblydeclinedduringtherapidprogressofGustavus，afterthisdecisiveblowrosehigherthanever；andthechangewasspeedilyvisibleintheimperioustoneheadoptedtowardstheProtestantstates。

ThedecreesoftheConfederationofLeipzigwereannulledbyaproclamation，theConventionitselfsuppressedbyanimperialdecree，andalltherefractorystatesthreatenedwiththefateofMagdeburg。

Astheexecutorofthisimperialmandate，TillyimmediatelyorderedtroopstomarchagainsttheBishopofBremen，whowasamemberoftheConfederacy，andhadhimselfenlistedsoldiers。TheterrifiedbishopimmediatelygaveuphisforcestoTilly，andsignedtherevocationoftheactsoftheConfederation。Animperialarmy，whichhadlatelyreturnedfromItaly，underthecommandofCountFurstenberg，actedinthesamemannertowardstheAdministratorofWirtemberg。

ThedukewascompelledtosubmittotheEdictofRestitution，andallthedecreesoftheEmperor，andeventopayamonthlysubsidyof100，000dollars，forthemaintenanceoftheimperialtroops。