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S HENTY

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Among the great wars of history there are few, if any, instances of so long and
successfully sustained a struggle, against enormous odds, as that of the Seven
Years 1 War, maintained by Prussia-then a small and comparatively
insignificant kingdom-against Russia, Austria, and France simultaneously,
who were aided also by the forces of most of the minor principalities of
Germany. The population of Prussia was not more than five millions, while that
of the Allies considerably exceeded a hundred millions. Prussia could put, with
the greatest efforts, but a hundred and fifty thousand men into the field, and as
these were exhausted she had but small reserves to draw upon; while the Allies
could, with comparatively little difficulty, put five hundred thousand men into
the field, and replenish them as there was occasion. That the struggle was
successfully carried on, for seven years, was due chiefly to the military genius
of the king; to his indomitable perseverance; and to a resolution that no
disaster could shake, no situation, although apparently hopeless, appall.
Something was due also, at the commencement of the war, to the splendid
discipline of the Prussian army at that time; but as comparatively few of those
who fought at Lobositz could have stood in the ranks at Torgau, the quickness
of the Prussian people to acquire military discipline must have been great; and
this was aided by the perfect confidence they felt in their king, and the
enthusiasm with which he inspired them. ( Summary by G .A .Henty )

Read by Gary Olman. Total running time: 13:03:01

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