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CHAPTER XIX: Charles

The elector, however, had the gratification, on retiring into Bohemia, to take the city of Prague; and having been crowned king of Bohemia, he proceeded to Frankfort , where he was chosen emperor under the name of Charles VII., A. D. 1742. The king of Prussia having obtained a brilliant victory over the Austrians at Czarslau, took immediate advantage of his position and signed a separate treaty with the queen of Hungary, who ceded to him Lower Silesia and Glatz, on condition of his remaining neutral during her contest with the other powers. The conduct of Frederic gave just cause of offence to the court of France; for, thus deprived of its most powerful ally, the French army must have been inevitably ruined, but for the superior abilities of marshal Belleisle, who effected one of the most masterly retreats through an enemy's country that has been recorded in the annals of modern warfare.

Louis XV. now made offers of peace on most equitable terms; but the queen, elated with success, haughtily rejected them. In consequence of a victory gained by prince Charles of Lorraine, she had also soon the gratification of recovering the imperial dominions from her rival Charles VII., who took refuge in Frankfort, and there lived in comparative indigence and obscurity.