232 
THE BROHE-WALTON FAMILY. 
Hanover. 
territories was too painful for her not to think of recovering them. 
For this purpose she concluded an alliance with Elizabeth of Russia, 
and personal enemy of Frederick; brought over to her cause the King 
of Poland, and the Elector of Saxony (Augustus III.) ; and attempted 
to form a closer union with France notwithstanding the enmity that 
had existed for centuries between that kingdom and her own. While 
Maria Theresa was occupied in these projects, the dispute arose be¬ 
tween France and Britain, relating to the boundaries of their respective 
possessions in North America (Nova Scotia)—France beiug the 
aggressor—which ripened, in 1755, into open hostilities, the active 
operations resulting from which formed the subject of Chapter IY. of 
these Memoirs. 
In the Seven Years War in Europe, which broke out in 1756, 
Hanover was the apple of discord to embroil Great Britain in con¬ 
tinental politics, as ally of Prussia; and the King of England threw 
down the glove, on 17th May, 1756, by declaring war against France— 
France thereon ranging on the side of Austria, Russia, Saxony, and 
Sweden, with an army, ultimately, of 180,000 men. The British 
operations by sea and land throughout this war were directed against 
France alone, as principals; and England subsidized 40,000 Bruns- 
wickers, Hanoverians, and Prussians — in terms of alliance with 
Frederick, made in January—as an army of observation , to be com¬ 
manded by the Duke of Cumberland ; while the King designed 
despatchiug also a British force. 
But George II. had reckoned without the “ Little England ” party, 
then headed by William Pitt, the first, who, at this time, had not 
developed beyond the “ Great Orator” and “ Great Commoner;” and 
this party not only regarded Hanover as a useless appendage, but all 
continental connexions as inconsistent with our insular situation. 1 2 
Not until 1758 did Pitt and the people learn, after costly experience, 
the lesson of the absolute waste of even the naval supremacy of Britain’ 
without alliance with some great land Power of Europe. George II. 
dismissed his recalcitrant minister for thwarting the contemplated 
British contingent; but—so great was the Pitt influence—could only 
send out the Duke of Cumberland alone, with the disastrous result of 
the capitulation of Kloster-seven, 1757. Hanover and Prussia were left 
to fate; and England sank into the most shameful panic of threatened 
invasion from France—to allay which the King brought over 10,000 
foreign troops to strengthen our home garrisons. 3 Public spirit fled. 
Minorca surrendered to France; and its Governor, General Blakeney, 
was created a Peer. Admiral Byng failed to relieve the garrison, and 
was brought home to be sacrificed to the fury of the mob. Now was 
the hour for “the Peopled William;” and down went the supine 
provisional ministry of Newcastle and Fox. 
Brought back to power, by the exigencies of the hour, the genius of 
Pitt was displayed in the rapidity and ease with which supplies were 
i “ Modern Europe ” (Russell), Vol. II., p. 465. 
2 Hanoverians (head-quarters at Canterbury):—Two regiments of Guards, and ten of Root; 
Artillery Train and live Companies; for all of whom 1878 tents, and ammunition, were furnished 
by the Board of Ordnance.—“Royal Warrant,” 10th January, 1757. 
