265 THE WAR OF THE BAVARIAN SUCCESSION, 1778-9new neighbour and to demonstrate his independence of the Russians.
Joseph and his unpretentious suite accordingly travelled to the Upper
Silesian fortress-town of Neisse, and at noon on 25 August he reached
the episcopal Residenz. Frederick was at the foot of the stairs to meet
him, 'and after mutually gazing at each other for a single moment,
they embraced, with demonstrations of reciprocal pleasure' (Wrax-
all, 1806, II, 450-1).
The visit extended over three full days. In the mornings Frederick
and Joseph used to ride out to view the troops. Joseph showered
Seydlitz with compliments, which did not please the king greatly,
and the Austrian cavalry general Joseph d'Ayasasa took the oppor-
tunity to tour the ranks of the Seydlitz Cuirassiers, examining every
item of uniform and equipment. On these occasions Joseph found that
Frederick was full of consideration: 'He has made a fundamental
study of the art of war, and read virtually everything that has been
written on the subject. It is quite enchanting when he speaks.
Everything he says is vigorous, solidly reasoned and deeply instruc-
tive' (to Maria Theresa, 25 September, in Volz, 1926-7, II, 215).
In the afternoons the Austrians made the acquaintance of the
longueurs of the Frederician lunch, and they noted that the king was
the only one of the Prussians to speak. Evening entertainment was
provided by a wretched company of German comedians, whose feeble
jokes seemed to cause Frederick a disproportionate amount of amuse-
ment.
In 1770 it was Joseph's turn to repay the hospitality. He invited
Frederick to come to him at Mahrisch-Neustadt, on the edge of the
plain of Olmiitz, where the open ground and a couple of small hills
offered an excellent theatre for moving and viewing the Austrian
troops. Frederick arrived on 3 September, wearing a uniform of
snuff-stained Austrian white which must have presented one of the
more curious sights of the eighteenth century. Old Fritz had ridden all
the way from Breslau on horseback, which in itself gave him a certain
moral advantage over the much younger Joseph, who had travelled to
Moravia by coach. Frederick had been looking forward to renewing
the acquaintance of this lively and intelligent prince in whom he saw
something of a fellow-spirit, but this time the element of competition
was sustained throughout the visit.
Frederick's obsequiousness was altogether too artificial. Not
only did he hold the bridle of the Imperial horse when Joseph was
hoisting himself into the saddle, but he inserted the august boot into
the stirrup. At table he refused to allow himself to be served before the
Emperor, and if the Austrians at Neisse had cultivated Seydlitz, so
now Frederick was full of attention for Loudon. 'His politeness nearly
had a painful ending. The Emperor was accompanying him out of the