Concerts took
place every evening in the apartments of the king, in which he took
part, and he practised difficult pieces of his own or Quantz's
composition, under Quantz's direction. From time to time he was much
occupied with his picture-gallery, and sent Gotzkowsky to Italy to
purchase the paintings of the celebrated masters.
King Frederick appeared to have reached his goal; at least, that
which, during the storm of war, he had often called his ideal; he
could devote his life to philosophy and art in the enchanting
retirement of his beloved Sans-Souci. The tumult and discord of the
world did not trouble him; in fact, the whole world seemed to be at
peace, and all Europe was glad and happy.
Maria Theresa was completely bound by the last peace contract at
Dresden; besides, the two Silesian wars had weakened and
impoverished Austria, and time was necessary to heal her wounds
before she dared make a new attempt to reconquer the noble jewel of
Silesia, which Frederick had torn from her crown. Notwithstanding
her pious and Christian pretensions, she hated Frederick with her
whole heart.
England had allied herself with Russia.
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