328 Readings in European History 364. Letter of Maria Theresa on the partition of Poland. Laxenburg, September 17, [1772]. . . . Firmian will receive a lengthy document with in- structions in regard to our present situation, our engage- ments toward Russia, Prussia, and the Turks, but particularly in regard to this unfortunate partition of Poland, which is costing me ten years of my life. It will make plain the whole unhappy history of that affair. How many times have I refused to agree to it ! But disaster after disaster heaped upon us by the Turks; misery, famine, and pestilence at home ; no hope of assistance either from France or England, and the prospect of being left isolated and threatened with a war both with Russia and Prussia, — it was all these con- siderations that finally forced me to accede to that unhappy proposal, which will remain a blot on my whole reign. God grant that I be not held responsible for it in the other world ! I confess that I cannot keep from talking about this affair. I have taken it so to heart that it poisons and imbitters all my days, which even without that are sad enough. I must stop writing about it at once, or I shall worry myself into the blackest melancholy. . . . BIBLIOGRAPHY A. Refer- ences. B. Addi- tional read- ing in English. Sketch of Russian History in the 18th Century : Schwill, Modern Europe, pp. 215-229. Peter the Great and Charles XII : Wakeman, European History.. 1378-17/3, Chapter XIII, pp. 289-310. Europe at the Opening of the 18th Century : Hassall, European History, 1713-/789, Chapter I, pp. 1-25. Review of Prussian History in the 17th and 18th Centuries : Schwill, pp. 230-247. Frederick the Great and the Seven Years' War : Henderson, Short History of Germany, Vol. II, pp. 148-18 1 ; Hassall, Chapter IX, pp. 244-283. Frederick the Great in Peace: Henderson, Vol. II, pp. 182-218. First Partition of Poland : Hassall, pp. 302-322. Rambaud, History of Russia, 2 vols. Much the best general account. It may be supplemented by the same author's little volume on The Expansion of Russia.
