BookI。

BIRTHANDPARENTAGE。

1712。

ChapterI。

PROEM:FRIEDRICH’SHISTORYFROMTHEDISTANCEWEAREAT。

Aboutfourscoreyearsago，thereusedtobeseensaunteringontheterracesofSansSouci，forashorttimeintheafternoon，oryoumighthavemethimelsewhereatanearlierhour，ridingordrivinginarapidbusinessmannerontheopenroadsorthroughthescraggywoodsandavenuesofthatintricateamphibiousPotsdamregion，ahighlyinterestingleanlittleoldman，ofalertthoughslightlystoopingfigure；whosenameamongstrangerswasKingFRIEDRICHTHESECOND，orFredericktheGreatofPrussia，andathomeamongthecommonpeople，whomuchlovedandesteemedhim，wasVATERFRITZ，——FatherFred，——anameoffamiliaritywhichhadnotbredcontemptinthatinstance。HeisaKingeveryinchofhim，thoughwithoutthetrappingsofaKing。PresentshimselfinaSpartansimplicityofvesture:nocrownbutanoldmilitarycocked—hat，——generallyold，ortrampledandkneadedintoabsoluteSOFTNESS，ifnew；——nosceptrebutonelikeAgamemnon’s，awalking—

stickcutfromthewoods，whichservesalsoasariding—stick（withwhichhehitsthehorse"betweentheears，"sayauthors）；——

andforroyalrobes，ameresoldier’sbluecoatwithredfacings，coatlikelytobeold，andsuretohaveagooddealofSpanishsnuffonthebreastofit；restoftheappareldim，unobtrusiveincolororout，endinginhighover—kneemilitaryboots，whichmaybebrushed（and，Ihope，keptsoftwithanunderhandsuspicionofoil），butarenotpermittedtobeblackenedorvarnished；DayandMartinwiththeirsoot—potsforbiddentoapproach。

Themanisnotofgodlikephysiognomy，anymorethanofimposingstatureorcostume:close—shutmouthwiththinlips，prominentjawsandnose，recedingbrow，bynomeansofOlympianheight；

head，however，isoflongform，andhassuperlativegrayeyesinit。Notwhatiscalledabeautifulman；noryet，byallappearance，whatiscalledahappy。Onthecontrary，thefacebearsevidenceofmanysorrows，astheyaretermed，ofmuchhardlabordoneinthisworld；andseemstoanticipatenothingbutmorestillcoming。Quietstoicism，capableenoughofwhatjoytherewere，butnotexpectinganyworthmention；greatunconsciousandsomeconsciouspride，welltemperedwithacheerymockeryofhumor，——arewrittenonthatoldface；whichcarriesitschinwellforward，inspiteoftheslightstoopabouttheneck；snuffynoseratherflungintotheair，underitsoldcocked—hat，——likeanoldsnuffyliononthewatch；andsuchapairofeyesasnomanorlionorlynxofthatCenturyboreelsewhere，accordingtoallthetestimonywehave。"Thoseeyes，"saysMirabeau，"which，atthebiddingofhisgreatsoul，fascinatedyouwithseductionorwithterror<French>（portaient，augredesonameheroique，laseductionoulaterreur）<endFrench>。"[Mirabeau，<French>

HistoireSecretedelaCourdeBerlin，<endFrench>Lettre28？？

（24September，1786）p。128（ineditionofParis，1821）]。

Mostexcellentpotentbrillianteyes，swift—dartingasthestars，steadfastasthesun；gray，wesaid，oftheazure—graycolor；

largeenough，notofglaringsize；thehabitualexpressionofthemvigilanceandpenetratingsense，rapidityrestingondepth。

Whichisanexcellentoombination；andgivesusthenotionofalambentouterradiancespringingfromsomegreatinnerseaoflightandfireintheman。Thevoice，ifhespeaktoyou，isofsimilarphysiognomy:clear，melodiousandsonorous；alltonesareinit，fromthatofingenuousinquiry，gracefulsociality，light—

flowingbanter（ratherpricklyformostpart），uptodefinitewordofcommand，uptodesolatingwordofrebukeandreprobation；

avoice"theclearestandmostagreeableinconversationIeverheard，"sayswittyDr。Moore。[Moore，ViewofSocietyandMannersinFrance，SwitzerlandandGermany（London，1779），ii。246。]

"Hespeaksagreatdeal，"continuesthedoctor；"yetthosewhohearhim，regretthathedoesnotspeakagooddealmore。

Hisobservationsarealwayslively，veryoftenjust；andfewmenpossessthetalentofreparteeingreaterperfection。"

Justaboutthreescoreandtenyearsago，[A。D。1856，——17thAugust，1786]hisspeakingsandhisworkingscametofinisinthisWorldofTime；andhevanishedfromalleyesintootherworlds，leavingmuchinquiryabouthiminthemindsofmen；——which，asmyreadersandImayfeeltoowell，isyetbynomeanssatisfied。Astohisspeech，indeed，thoughithadtheworthjustascribedtoitandmore，andthoughmassesofitweredeliberatelyputonpaperbyhimself，inproseandverse，andcontinuetobeprintedandkeptlegible，whathespokehasprettymuchvanishedintotheinane；

andexceptasrecordordocumentofwhathedid，hardlynowconcernsmankind。Butthethingshedidwereextremelyremarkable；

andcannotbeforgottenbymankind。Indeed，theybearsuchfruittothepresenthourasalltheNewspapersareobligedtobetakingnoteof，sometimestoanunpleasantdegree。Editorsvaguelyaccountthismanthe"CreatorofthePrussianMonarchy；"whichhassincegrownsolargeintheworld，andtroublesometotheEditorialmindinthisandothercountries。Hewasindeedthefirstwho，inahighlypublicmanner，notifieditscreation；

announcedtoallmenthatitwas，inverydeed，created；standingonitsfeetthere，andwouldgoagreatway，ontheimpulseithadgotfromhimandothers。Asithasaccordinglydone；

andmaystillkeepdoingtolengthslittledreamtofbytheBritishEditorinourtime；whoseprophesyingsuponPrussia，andinsightsintoPrussia，initspast，orpresentorfuture，aretrulyasyetinconsiderable，inproportiontothenoisehemakeswiththem！Themoreisthepityforhim，——andformyselftoointheEnterprisenowonhand。

ItisofthisFigure，whomweseebythemind’seyeinthosePotsdamregions，visibleforthelasttimeseventyyearsago，thatwearenowtotreat，inthewayofsolacingingenuoushumancuriosity。WearetotryforsomeHistoricalConceptionofthisManandKing；someanswertothequestions，"Whatwashe，then？

Whence，how？Andwhatdidheachieveandsufferintheworld？"——

suchanswerasmayproveadmissibletoingenuousmankind，especiallysuchasmaycorrespondtotheFact（whichstandsthere，abstruseindeed，butactualandunalterable），andsobesureofadmissibilityoneday。

AnEnterprisewhichturnsouttobe，thelongeronelooksatit，themoreofaformidable，nottosayunmanageablenature！

Concerningwhich，ononeortwopoints，itweregood，ifconvenientlypossible，tocometosomepreliminaryunderstandingwiththereader。Here，flyingonlooseleaves，arecertainincidentalutterances，ofvariousdate:these，asthetopicisdifficult，Iwillmerelylabelandinsert，insteadofaformalDiscourse，whichweretooapttoslideintosomethingofaLamentation，orotherwisetakeanunpleasantturn。

1。FRIEDRICHTHEN，ANDFRIEDRICHNOW。

Thiswasamanofinfinitemarktohiscontemporaries；whohadwitnessedsurprisingfeatsfromhimintheworld；veryquestionablenotionsandways，whichhehadcontrivedtomaintainagainsttheworldanditscriticisms。Asanoriginalmanhasalwaystodo；muchmoreanoriginalrulerofmen。Theworld，infact，hadtriedhardtoputhimdown，asitdoes，unconsciouslyor，consciously，withallsuch；andafterthemostconsciousexertions，andatonetimeadead—liftspasmofallitsenergiesforSevenYears，hadnotbeenable。Principalitiesandpowers，Imperial，Royal，Czarish，Papal，enemiesinnumerableastheseasand，hadrisenagainsthim，onlyonehelperleftamongtheworld’sPotentates（andthatoneonlywhilethereshouldbehelprenderedinreturn）；andheledthemallsuchadanceashadastonishedmankindandthem。

Nowondertheythoughthimworthyofnotice。Everyoriginalmanofanymagnitudeis；——nay，inthelong—run，whoorwhatelseis？

Buthowmuchmoreifyouroriginalmanwasakingovermen；

whosemovementswerepolar，andcarriedfromdaytodaythoseoftheworldalongwiththem。TheSamsonAgonistes，——werehislifepassedlikethatofSamuelJohnsonindirtygarrets，andtheproduceofitonlysomebitsofwrittenpaper，——theAgonistes，andhowhewillcomporthimselfinthePhilistinemill；thisisalwaysaspectacleoftrulyepicandtragicnature。Therather，ifyourSamson，royalorother，isnotyetblindedorsubduedtothewheel；muchmoreifhevanquishhisenemies，notbysuicidalmethods，butmarchoutatlastflourishinghismiraculousfightingimplement，andleavingtheirmillandtheminquiteruinouscircumstances。AsthisKingFriedrichfairlymanagedtodo。

Forhelefttheworldallbankrupt，wemaysay；fallenintobottomlessabyssesofdestruction；hestillinapayingcondition，andwithfootingcapabletocarryhisaffairsandhim。Whenhedied，in1786，theenormousPhenomenonsincecalledFRENCH

REVOLUTIONwasalreadygrowlingaudiblyinthedepthsoftheworld；meteoric—electriccoruscationsheraldingit，allroundthehorizon。Strangeenoughtonote，oneofFriedrich’slastvisitorswasGabrielHonoreRiquetti，ComtedeMirabeau。Thesetwosawoneanother；twice，forhalfanhoureachtime。ThelastoftheoldGodsandthefirstofthemodernTitans；——beforePelionleaptonOssa；andthefoulEarthtakingfireatlast，itsvilemephiticelementswentupinvolcanicthunder。ThisalsoisoneofthepeculiaritiesofFriedrich，thatheishithertothelastoftheKings；thatheushersintheFrenchRevolution，andclosesanEpochofWorld—History。FinishingoffforeverthetradeofKing，thinkmany；whohavegrownprofoundlydarkastoKingshipandhim。

TheFrenchRevolutionmaybesaidtohave，forabouthalfacentury，quitesubmergedFriedrich，abolishedhimfromthememoriesofmen；andnowoncomingtolightagain，heisfounddefacedunderstrangemud—incrustations，andtheeyesofmankindlookathimfromasingularlychanged，whatwemustcallobliqueandperversepointofvision。ThisisoneofthedifficultiesindealingwithhisHistory；——especiallyifyouhappentobelievebothintheFrenchRevolutionandinhim；thatistosay，boththatRealKingshipiseternallyindispensable，andalsothatthedestructionofShamKingship（afrightfulprocess）isoccasionallyso。Onthebreaking—outofthatformidableExplosion，andSuicideofhisCentury，Friedrichsankintocomparativeobscurity；

eclipsedamidtheruinsofthatuniversalearthquake，theverydustofwhichdarkenedalltheair，andmadeofdayadisastrousmidnight。Blackmidnight，brokenonlybytheblazeofconflagrations；——wherein，toourterrifiedimaginations，wereseen，notmen，Frenchandother，butghastlyportents，stalkingwrathful，andshapesofavenginggods。ItmustbeownedthefigureofNapoleonwastitanic；especiallytothegenerationthatlookedonhim，andthatwaitedshudderingtobedevouredbyhim。Ingeneral，inthatFrenchRevolution，allwasonahugescale；ifnotgreaterthananythinginhumanexperience，atleastmoregrandiose。Allwasrecordedinbulletins，too，addressedtotheshilling—gallery；andtherewerefellowsonthestagewithsuchabreadthofsabre，extentofwhiskerage，strengthofwindpipe，andcommandofmenandgunpowder，ashadneverbeenseenbefore。Howtheybellowed，stalkedandflourishedabout；

counterfeitingJove’sthundertoanamazingdegree！TerrificDrawcansirfigures，ofenormouswhiskerage，unlimitedcommandofgunpowder；notwithoutsufficientferocity，andevenacertainheroism，stage—heroism，inthem；comparedwithwhom，totheshilling—gallery，andfrightenedexcitedtheatreatlarge，itseemedasiftherehsdbeennogenerals。orsovereignsbefore；

asifFriedrich，Gustavus，Cromwell，WilliamConquerorandAlexandertheGreatwerenotworthspeakingofhenceforth。

Allthis，however，inhalfacenturyisconsiderablyaltered。

TheDrawcansirequipmentsgettinggraduallytornoff，thenaturalsizeisseenbetter；translatedfromthebulletinstyleintothatoffactandhistory，miracles，eventotheshilling—

gallery，arenotsomiraculous。ItbeginstobeapparentthattherelivedgreatmenbeforetheeraofbulletinsandAgamemnon。

AusterlitzandWagramshotawaymoregunpowder，——gunpowderprobablyintheproportionoftentoone，orahundredtoone；

butneitherofthemwastenth—partsuchabeatingtoyourenemyasthatofRossbach，broughtaboutbystrategicart，humaningenuityandintrepidity，andthelossof165men。Leuthen，too，thebattleofLeuthen（thoughsofewEnglishreaderseverheardofit）mayverywellholdupitsheadbesideanyvictorygainedbyNapoleonoranother。Fortheoddswerenotfarfromthreetoone；thesoldierswereofnotfarfromequalquality；andonlytheGeneralwasconsummatelysuperior，andthedefeatadestruction。

Napoleondidindeed，byimmenseexpenditureofmen，andgunpowder，overrunEuropeforatime:butNapoleonnever，byhusbandingandwiselyexpendinghismenandgunpowder，defendedalittlePrussiaagainstallEurope，yearafteryearforsevenyearslong，tillEuropehadenough，andgaveuptheenterpriseasoneitcouldnotmanage。SosoonastheDrawcansirequipmentsarewelltornoff，andtheshilling—gallerygottosilence，itwillbefoundthatthereweregreatkingsbeforeNapoleon，——andlikewiseanArtofWar，groundedonveracityandhumancourageandinsight，notuponDrawcansirrodomontade，grandioseDick—Turpinism，revolutionarymadness，andunlimitedexpenditureofmenandgunpowder。"Youmaypaintwithaverybigbrush，andyetnotbeagreatpainter，"

saysasatiricalfriendofmine！Thisisbecomingmoreandmoreapparent，asthedust—whirlwind，andhugeuproarofthelastgeneration，graduallydiesawayagain。

2。EIGHTEENTHCENTURY。

OneofthegranddifficultiesinaHistoryofFriedrichis，allalong，thissame，ThathelivedinaCenturywhichhasnoHistoryandcanhavelittleornone。ACenturysoopulentinaccumulatedfalsities，——sadopulencedescendingonitbyinheritance，alwaysatcompoundinterest，andalwayslargelyincreasedbyfreshacquirementonsuchimmensityofstandingcapital；——opulentinthatbadwayasneverCenturybeforewas！Whichhadnolongertheconsciousnessofbeingfalse，sofalsehaditgrown；andwassosteepedinfalsity，andimpregnatedwithittotheverybone，that——infactthemeasureofthethingwasfull，andaFrenchRevolutionhadtoendit。Tomaintainmuchveracityinsuohanelement，especiallyforaking，wasnodoubtdoublyremarkable。

Butnow，howextricatethemanfromhisCentury？Howshowtheman，whoisaRealityworthyofbeingseen，andyetkeephisCentury，asaHypocrisyworthyofbeinghiddenandforgotten，inthedueabeyance？

ToresuscitatetheEighteenthCentury，orcallintomen’sview，beyondwhatisnecessary，thepoorandsordidpersonagesandtransactionsofanepochsorelatedtous，canbenopurposeofmineonthisoccasion。TheEighteenthCentury，itiswellknown，doesnotfiguretomeasalovelyone；needingtobekeptinmind，orspokenofunnecessarily。TometheEighteenthCenturyhasnothinggrandinit，exceptthatgranduniversalSuicide，namedFrenchRevolution，bywhichitterminateditsotherwisemostworthlessexistencewithatleastoneworthyact；——settingfiretoitsoldhomeandself；andgoingupinflamesandvolcanicexplosions，inatrulymemorableandimportantmanner。Averyfittermination，asIthankfullyfeel，forsuchaCentury。

Centuryspendthrift，fraudulent—bankrupt；goneatlengthutterlyinsolvent，withoutrealMONEYofperformanceinitspocket，andtheshopsdecliningtotakehypocrisiesandspeciositiesanyfarther:——whatcouldthepoorCenturydo，butatlengthadmit，"Well，itisso。Iamaswindler—century，andhavelongbeen，——

havinglearnedthetrickofitfrommyfatherandgrandfather；

knowinghardlyanytradebutthatinfalsebills，whichI

thoughtfoolishlymightlastforever，andstillbringatleastbeefandpuddingtothefavoredofmankind。Andbeholditends；

andIamadetectedswindler，andhavenothingeventoeat。

WhatremainsbutthatIblowmybrainsout，anddoatlengthonetrueaction？"WhichthepoorCenturydid；manythankstoit，inthecircumstances。

FortherewasneedoncemoreofaDivineRevelationtothetorpidfrivolouschildrenofmen，iftheywerenottosinkaltogetherintotheapecondition。AndinthatwhirlwindoftheUniverse，——

lightsobliterated，andthetornwrecksofEarthandHellhurledaloftintotheEmpyrean；blackwhirlwind，whichmadeevenapesserious，anddrovemostofthemmad，——therewas，tomen，avoiceaudible；voicefromtheheartofthingsoncemore，asiftosay:

"LyingisnotpermittedinthisUniverse。Thewagesoflying，youbehold，aredeath。LyingmeansdamnationinthisUniverse；

andBeelzebub，neversoelaboratelydeckedincrownsandmitres，isNOTGod！"ThiswasarevelationtrulytobenamedoftheEternal，inourpoorEighteenthCentury；andhasgreatlyalteredthecomplexionofsaidCenturytotheHistorianeversince。

Whereby，inshort，thatCenturyisquiteconfiscate，fallenbankrupt，givenuptotheauctioneers；——Jew—brokerssortingoutofitatthismoment，inaconfuseddistressingmanner，whatisstillvaluableorsalable。And，infact，itliesmassedupinourmindsasadisastrouswreckedinanity，notusefultodwellupon；akindofduskychaoticbackground，onwhichthefiguresthathadsomeveracityinthem——asmallcompany，andevergrowingsmallerasourdemandsriseinstrictness——aredelineatedforus。——"AndyetitistheCenturyofourownGrandfathers？"criesthereader。

Yes，reader！truly。Itisthegroundoutofwhichweourselveshavesprung；whereonnowwehaveourimmediatefooting，andfirstofallstrikedownourrootsfornourishment；——and，alas，inlargesectionsofthepracticalworld，it（whatwespeciallymeanbyIT）

stillcontinuesflourishingallroundus！Toforgetitquiteisnotyetpossible，norwouldbeprofitable。Whattodowithit，anditsforgottenfooleriesand"Histories，"worthyonlyofforgetting？——Well；somuchofitasbynatureADHERES；whatofitcannotbedisengagedfromourHeroandhisoperations:

approximatelysomuch，andnomore！Letthatbeourbargaininregardtoit。

3。ENGLISHPREPOSSESSIONS。

Withsuchwagon—loadsofBooksandPrintedRecordsasexistonthesubjectofFriedrich，ithasalwaysseemedpossible，evenforastranger，toacquiresomerealunderstandingofhim；——

thoughpractically，hereandnow，Ihavetoown，itprovesdifficultbeyondconception。Alas，theBooksarenotcosmic，theyarechaotic；andturnoutunexpectedlyvoidofinstructiontous。Smalluseinatalentofwriting，iftherebenotfirstofallthetalentofdiscerning，ofloyallyrecognizing；

ofdiscriminatingwhatistobewritten！BooksbornmostlyofChaos——whichwantallthings，evenanINDEX——areapainfulobject。

Insorrowanddisgust，youwanderoverthosemultitudinousBooks:

youdwellinendlessregionsofthesuperficial，ofthenugatory:

toyourbewilderedsenseitisasifnoinsightintotherealheartofFriedrichandhisaffairswereanywheretobehad。

Truthis，thePrussianDryasdust，otherwiseanhonestfellow，andnotafraidoflabor，excelsallotherDryasdustsyetknown；

IhaveoftensorrowfullyfeltasiftherewerenotinNature，fordarkness，dreariness，immethodicplatitude，anythingcomparabletohim。HewritesbigBookswantinginalmosteveryquality；anddoesnotevengiveanINDEXtothem。HehasmadeofFriedrich’sHistoryawide—spread，inorganic，tracklessmatter；

dismaltoyourmind，andbarrenasacontinentofBrandenburgsand！——Enough，hecoulddonoother:Ihavestriventoforgivehim。Letthereadernowforgiveme；andthinksometimeswhatprobablymyraw—materialwas！——

Curiousenough，FriedrichlivedintheWritingEra，——morningofthatstrangeErawhichhasgrowntosuchanoonforus；——andhisfavoritesociety，allhisreign，waswiththeliteraryorwritingsort。Norhavetheyfailedtowriteabouthim，theyamongtheothers，abouthimandabouthim；anditisnotablehowlittlereallight，onanypointofhisexistenceorenvironment，theyhavemanagedtocommunicate。Dimindeed，formostpartamereepigrammaticsputterofdarknessvisible，isthe"picture"theyhavefashionedtothemselvesofFriedrichandhisCountryandhisCentury。Mennot"ofgenius，"apparently？Alas，no；menfatallydestituteoftrueeyesight，andofloyalheartfirstofall。

SofarasIhavenoticed，therewasnot，withthesingleexceptionofMirabeauforonehour，anymantobecalledofgenius，orwithanadequatepowerofhumandiscernment，thateverpersonallylookedonFriedrich。HadmanysuchmenlookedsuccessivelyonhisHistoryandhim，wehadnotfounditnowinsuchacondition。

StillaltogetherchaoticasaHistory；fatallydestituteevenoftheIndexesandmechanicalappliances:Friedrich’sself，andhisCountry，andhisCentury，stillundeciphered；verydarkphenomena，allthree，totheintelligentpartofmankind。

InPrussiatherehaslongbeenacertainstubbornthoughplanlessdiligenceindiggingfortheoutwarddetailsofFriedrich’sLife—

History；thoughastoorganizingthem，assortingthem，orevenputtinglabelsonthem；muchmoreastotheleastinterpretationorhumandelineationofthemanandhisaffairs，——youneednotinquireinPrussia。InFrance，inEngland，itisstillworse。

ThereanimmenseignoranceprevailsevenastotheoutwardfactsandphenomenaofFriedrich’slife；andinsteadofthePrussianno—interpretation，youfind，inthesevacantcircumstances，agreatpromptitudetointerpret。Wherebyjudgmentsandprepossessionsexistamongusonthatsubject，especiallyonFriedrich’scharacter，whichareveryignorantindeed。

ToEnglishmen，thesourcesofknowledgeorconvictionaboutFriedrich，Ihaveobserved，aremainlythesetwo。FIRST，forhisPublicCharacter:itwasanall—importantfact，nottoIT，buttothiscountryinregardtoit，ThatGeorgeII。，seeinggoodtoplungehead—foremostintoGermanPolitics，andtotakeMariaTheresa’ssideintheAustrian—SuccessionWarof1740—1748，neededtobeginbyassuringhisParliamentandNewspapers，profoundlydarkonthematter，thatFriedrichwasarobberandvillainfortakingtheotherside。Whichassurance，restingonwhatbasisweshallseebyandby，George’sParliamentandNewspaperscheerfullyaccepted；nothingdoubting。Andtheyhavere—echoedandreverberatedit，theyandtherestofus，eversince，toalllengths，downtothepresentday；asafactquiteagreedupon，andthepreliminaryiteminFriedrich’scharacter。

Robberandvillaintobeginwith；thatwasonesettledpoint。

AfterwardswhenGeorgeandFriedrichcametobeallies，andthegrandfightingsoftheSeven—YearsWartookplace，George’sParliamentandNewspaperssettledasecondpoint，inregardtoFriedrich:"Oneofthegreatestsoldierseverborn。"ThisseconditemtheBritishWriterfullyadmitseversince:buthestilladdstoitthequalityofrobber，inalooseway；——andimagestohimselfaroyalDickTurpin，ofthekindknowninReview—Articles，anddisquisitionsonProgressoftheSpecies，andlabelsitFREDERICK；veryanxioustocollectnewbabblementoflyingAnecdotes，falseCriticisms，hungryFrenchMemoirs，whichwillconfirmhiminthatimpossibleidea。Hadsuchproved，onsurvey，tobethecharacterofFriedrich，thereisoneBritishWriterwhosecuriosityconcerninghimwouldprettysoonhavediedaway；

norcouldanyamountofunwisedesiretosatisfythatfeelinginfellow—creatureslessseriouslydisposedhavesustainedhimalive，inthosebalefulHistoricAcheronsandStygianFens，wherehehashadtodigandtofishsolong，farawayfromtheupperlight！——

Letmerequestallreaderstoblowthatsorrychaffentirelyoutoftheirminds；andtobelievenothingonthesubjectexceptwhattheygetsomeevidencefor。

SECONDEnglishsourcerelatestothePrivateCharacter。

Friedrich’sBiographyorPrivateCharacter，theEnglish，liketheFrench，havegatheredchieflyfromascandalouslibelbyVoltaire，whichusedtobecalled<italic）ViePriveeduRoidePrusse<enditalic>（PrivateLifeoftheKingofPrussia）[Firstprinted，fromastolencopy，atGeneva，1784；firstprovedtobeVoltaire’s（whichsomeofhisadmirershadstriventodoubt），Paris，1788；standsavowedeversince，inalltheEditionsofhisWorks（ii。9—113oftheEditionbyBandouinFreres，97vols。，Paris，1825—1834），underthetitle<italic>MemoirespourserviraViedeM。deVoltaire，<enditalic>——withpatchesofrepetitioninthethingcalled（italic）CommentaireHistorique，<enditalic>

whichfollowsibid。atgreatlength。]libelundoubtedlywrittenbyVoltaire，inakindoffury；butnotintendedtobepublishedbyhim；nayburntandannihilated，asheafterwardsimagined；Nolineofwhich，thatcannotbeotherwiseproved，hasarighttobebelieved；andlargeportionsofwhichcanbeprovedtobewildexaggerationsandperversions，orevendownrightlies，——writteninamoodanalogoustotheFrenzyofJohnDennis。ThisservesfortheBiographyorPrivateCharacterofFriedrich；imputingallcrimestohim，naturalandunnatural；——offeringindeed，ifcombinedwithfactsotherwiseknown，orevenifwellconsideredbyitself，athoroughlyflimsy，incredibleandimpossibleimage。LikethatofsomeflamingDevil’sHead，doneinphosphorusonthewallsoftheblack—hole，byanArtistwhomyouhadlockedupthere（notquitewithoutreason）overnight。

PoorVoltairewrotethat<italic>ViePrivee<enditalic>inastatelittleinferiortotheFrenzyofJohnDennis，——howbroughtaboutweshallseebyandby。AndthisistheDocumentwhichEnglishreadersaresuresttohaveread，andtriedtocreditasfaraspossible。Ourcounselis，Outofwindowwithit，hethatwouldknowFriedrichofPrussia！Keepitawhile，hethatwouldknowFrancoisArouetdeVoltaire，andacertainnumerousunfortunateclassofmortals，whomVoltaireissometimescapableofsinkingtobespokesmanfor，inthisworld！——Alas，gowhereyouwill，especiallyintheseirreverentages，thenoteworthyDeadissuretobefoundlyingunderinfinitedung，noendofcalumniesandstupiditiesaccumulateduponhim。Fortheclasswespeakof，classof"flunkiesdoing<italic>saturnalia<enditalic>belowstairs，"isnumerous，isinnumerable；andcanwellremuneratea"vocalflunky"thatwillservetheirpurposesonsuchanoccasion！——

Friedrichisbynomeansoneoftheperfectdemigods；andtherearevariousthingstobesaidagainsthimwithgoodground。Tothelast，aquestionablehero；withmuchinhimwhichonecouldhavewishednotthere，andmuchwantingwhichonecouldhavewished。

Butthereisonefeaturewhichstrikesyouatanearlyperiodoftheinquiry，ThatinhiswayheisaReality；thathealwaysmeanswhathespeaks；groundshisactions，too，onwhatherecognizesforthetruth；and，inshort，hasnothingwhateveroftheHypocriteorPhantasm。Whichsomereaderswilladmittobeanextremelyrarephenomenon。Weperceivethatthismanwasfarindeedfromtryingtodealswindler—likewiththefactsaroundhim；thathehonestlyrecognizedsaidfactswherevertheydisclosedthemselves，andwasveryanxiousalsotoascertaintheirexistencewherestillhiddenordubious。Forheknewwell，toaquiteuncommondegree，andwithameritallthehigherasitwasanunconsciousone，howentirelyinexorableisthenatureoffacts，whetherrecognizedornot，ascertainedornot；howvainallcunningofdiplomacy，managementandsophistry，tosaveanymortalwhodoesnotstandonthetruthofthings，fromsinking，inthelong—run。Sinkingtotheverymud—gods，withallhisdiplomacies，possessions，achievements；andbecominganunnamableobject，hiddendeepintheCesspoolsoftheUniverse。ThisIhopetomakemanifest；thiswhichIlongagodiscernedformyself，withpleasure，inthephysiognomyofFriedrichandhislife。

Whichindeedwasthefirstrealsanction，andhasallalongbeenmyinducementandencouragement，tostudyhislifeandhim。

Howthisman，officiallyaKingwithal，comportedhimselfintheEighteenthCentury，andmanagednottobeaLiarandCharlatanashisCenturywas，deservestobeseenalittlebymenandkings，andmaysilentlyhavedidacticmeaningsinit。

Hethatwashonestwithhisexistencehasalwaysmeaningforus，behekingorpeasant。Hethatmerelyshammedandgrimacedwithit，howevermuch，andwithwhatevernoiseandtrumpet—blowing，hemayhavecookedandeateninthisworld，cannotlonghaveany。

SomemendoCOOKenormously（letuscallitCOOKING，whatamandoesinobediencetohisHUNGERmerely，tohisdesiresandpassionsmerely），——roastingwholecontinentsandpopulations，intheflamesofwarorotherdiscord；——witnesstheNapoleonabovespokenof。Fortheappetiteofmaninthatrespectisunlimited；

intruth，infinite；andthesmallestofuscouldeattheentireSolarSystem，hadwethechancegiven，andthencry，likeAlexanderofMacedon，becausewehadnomoreSolarSystemstocookandeat。Itisnottheextentoftheman’scookerythatcanmuchattachmetohim；butonlythemanhimself，andwhatofstrengthhehadtowrestlewiththemud—elements，andwhatofvictoryhegotforhisownbenefitandmine。

4。ENCOURAGEMENTS，DISCOURAGEMENTS。

FrenchRevolutionhavingspentitself，orsunkinFranceandelsewheretowhatwesee，acertaincuriosityreawakensastowhatofgreatormanfulwecandiscoverontheothersideofthatstilltroubledatmosphereofthePresentandimmediatePast。Curiosityquickened，orwhichshouldbequickened，bythegreatandall—

absorbingquestion，HowisthatsameexplodedPastevertosettledownagain？Notlostforever，itwouldappear:theNewErahasnotannihilatedtheolderas:NewEracouldbynomeansmanagethat；——

nevermeantthat，haditknownitsownmind（whichitdidnot）:

itsmeaningwasandis，togetitsownwelloutofthem；

toreadapt，inapurifiedshape，theolderas，andappropriatewhateverwastrueandNOTcombustibleinthem:thatwasthepoorNewEra’smeaning，inthefrightfulexplosionitmadeofitselfanditspossessions，tobeginwith！

Andthequestionofquestionsnowis:WhatpartofthatexplodedPast，theruinsanddustofwhichstilldarkenalltheair，willcontinuallygravitatebacktous；bereshaped，transformed，readapted，thatso，innewfigures，undernewconditions，itmayenrichandnourishusagain？Whatpartofit，notbeingincombustible，hasactuallygonetoflameandgasinthehugeworld—conflagration，andisnowGASEOUS，mountingaloft；andwillknownobeneficenceofgravitation，butmount，androamuponthewastewindsforever，——Naturesoorderingit，inspiteofanyindustryofArt？Thisistheuniversalquestionofafflictedmankindatpresent；andsureenoughitwillbelongtosettle。

Ononepointwecananswer:OnlywhatofthePastwasTRUEwillcomebacktous。ThatistheoneASBESTOSwhichsurvivesallfire，andcomesoutpurified；thatisstillours，blessedbeHeaven，andonlythat。BythelawofNaturenothingmorethanthat；

andalso，bythesamelaw，nothinglessthanthat。LetArt，strugglehowitmay，fororagainst，——asfoolishArtisseenextensivelydoinginourtime，——thereiswherethelimitsofitwillbe。Inwhichpointofview，maynotFriedrich，ifhewasatruemanandKing，justlyexcitesomecuriosityagain；naysomequitepeculiarcuriosity，asthelostCrownedRealitytherewasantecedenttothatgeneraloutbreakandabolition？TomanyitappearscertaintherearetobenoKingsofanysort，noGovernmentmore；lessandlessneedofthemhenceforth，NewErahavingcome。Whichisaverywonderfulnotion；importantiftrue；

perhapsstillmoreimportant，justatpresent，ifuntrue！Myhopesofpresenting，inthisLastoftheKings，anexemplartomycontemporaries，Iconfess，arenothigh。

Onthewhole，itisevidentthedifficultiestoaHistoryofFriedricharegreatandmany:andthesadcertaintyisatlastforceduponmethatnogoodBookcan，atthistime，especiallyinthiscountry，bewrittenonthesubject。Whereforeletthereaderputupwithanindifferentorbadone；helittleknowshowmuchworseitcouldeasilyhavebeen！——Alas，theIdealofhistory，asmyfriendSauerteigknows，isveryhigh；anditisnotoneseriousman，butmanysuccessionsofsuch，andwholeseriousgenerationsofsuch，thatcaneveragainbuildupHistorytowardsitsolddignity。Wemustrenounceideals。Wemustsadlytakeupwiththemournfulestbarrenrealities；——dismalcontinentsofBrandenburgsand，asinthisinstance；meretumbledmountainsofmarine—stores，withoutsomuchasanIndextothem！

HasthereaderheardofSauerteig’slastbatchof<italic>

Springwurzeln，<enditalic>arathercuriousvaledictoryPiece？

"AllHistoryisanimprisonedEpic，nayanimprisonedPsalmandProphecy，"saysSauerteigthere。Iwish，frommysoul，hehadDISimprisoneditinthisinstance！Butheonlysays，inmagniloquentlanguage，howgranditwouldbeifdisimprisoned；——

andhurlsout，accidentallystrikingonthissubject，thefollowingroughsentences，suggestivethoughunpractical，withwhichIshallconclude:——

"Schiller，itappears，atonetimethoughtofwritingan<italic>

EpicPoemuponFriedrichtheGreat，<enditalic>’uponsomeactionofFriedrich’s，’Schillersays。HappilySchillerdidnotdoit。

Byoversettingfact，disregardingreality，andtumblingtimeandspacetopsy—turvy，Schillerwithhisfinegiftsmightnodoubthavewrittenatemporary’epicpoem，’ofthekindreadanadmiredbymanysimplepersons。Butthatwouldhavehelpedlittle，andcouldnothavelastedlong。ItisnottheuntrueimaginaryPictureofamanandhislifethatIwantfrommySchiller，buttheactualnaturalLikeness，trueasthefaceitself，nayTRUER，inasense。WhichtheArtist，ifthereisone，mighthelptogive，andtheBotcher<italic>（Pfuscher）<enditalic>nevercan！Alas，andtheArtistdoesnoteventryit；

leavesitaltogethertotheBotcher，beingbusyotherwise！——

"Mensurelywillatlengthdiscoveragain，emergingfromthesedismalbewildermentsinwhichthemodernAgesreelandstaggerthislongwhile，thattothemalso，astothemostancientmen，allPicturesthatcannotbecreditedare——Picturesofanidlenature；tobemostlysweptoutofdoors。Suchveritably，wereitneversoforgotten，isthelaw！Mistakesenough，liesenoughwillinsinuatethemselvesintoourmostearnestportrayingsoftheTrue:butthatweshould，deliberatelyandofforethought，raketogetherwhatweknowtobenottrue，andintroducethatinthehopeofdoinggoodwithit？Itellyou，suchpracticewasunknownintheancientearnesttimes；andoughtagaintobecomeunknownexcepttothemorefoolishclasses！"ThatisSauerteig’sstrangenotion，notnowofyesterday，asreadersknow:——andhegoestheninto"Homer’sIliad，"the"HebrewBible，""（terribleHebrewVERACITYofeverylineofit；"discoversanalarming"kinshipofFictiontolying；"andasks，Ifanybodycancompute"thedamagewepoormodernshavegotfromourpracticesoffictioninLiteratureitself，nottospeakofawfullyhigherprovinces？

Menwilleitherseeintoallthisbyandby，"continueshe；

"orplungeheadforemost，inneglectofallthis，whithertheylittledreamasyet！——

"ButIthinkallrealPoets，tothishour，arePsalmistsandIliadistsaftertheirsort；andhaveinthemadivineimpatienceoflies，adivineincapacityoflivingamonglies。Likewise，whichisacorollary，thatthehighestShakspeareproducibleisproperlythefittestHistorianproducible；——andthatitisfrightfultoseethe<italic>GelehrteDummkopf<enditalic>[whatweheremaytranslate，DRYASDUST]doingthefunctionofHistory，andtheShakspeareandtheGoetheneglectingit。’Interpretingevents；’

interpretingtheuniversallyvisible，entirelyINdubitableRevelationoftheAuthorofthisUniverse:howcanDryasdustinterpretsuchthings，thedarkchaoticdullard，whoknowsthemeaningofnothingcosmicornoble，noreverwillknow？

Poorwretch，oneseeswhatkindofmeaningHEeducesfromMan’sHistory，thislongwhilepast，andhasgotalltheworldtobelieveofitalongwithhim。UnhappyDryasdust，thrice—unhappyworldthattakesDryasdust’sreadingofthewaysofGod！

Butwhatelsewaspossible？Theythatcouldhavetaughtbetterwereengagedinfiddling；forwhichtherearegoodwagesgoing。

Andourdamagetherefrom，ourDAMAGE，——yes，ifthoubestillhumanandnotcormorant，——perhapsitwilltranscendallCalifornias，EnglishNationalDebts，andshowitselfincomputableincontinentsofBullion！——

"Believingthatmankindarenotdoomedwhollytodog—likeannihilation，Ibelievethatmuchofthiswillmend。Ibelievethattheworldwillnotalwayswasteitsinspiredmeninmerefiddlingtoit。ThatthemanofrhythmicnaturewillfeelmoreandmorehisvocationtowardstheInterpretationofFact；sinceonlyinthevitalcentreofthat，couldweoncegetthither，liesallrealmelody；andthathewillbecome，he，onceagaintheHistorianofEvents，——bewilderedDryasdusthavingatlastthehappinesstobehisservant，andtohavesomeguidancefromhim。Whichwillbeblessedindeed。Forthepresent，DryasduststrikesmelikeahaplessNiggergonemasterless:Niggertotallyunfitforself—

guidance；yetwithoutmastergoodorbad；andwhosefeatsinthatcapacitynogodormancanrejoicein。

"History，withfaithfulGeniusatthetopandfaithfulIndustryatthebottom，willthenbecapableofbeingwritten。HistorywillthenactuallyBEwritten，——theinspiredgiftofGodemployingitselftoilluminatethedarkwaysofGod。Athingthrice—

pressinglyneedfultobedone！——WherebythemodernNationsmayagainbecomealittlelessgodless，andagainhavetheir’epics’

（ofadifferentfromtheSchillersort），andagainhaveseveralthingstheyarestillmorefatallyinwantofatpresent！"——

Sothat，itwouldseem，thereWILLgraduallyamongmankind，ifFriedrichlastsomecenturies，bearealEpicmadeofhisHistory？Thatistosay（presumably），itwillbecomeaperfectedMelodiousTruth，anddulysignificantanddulybeautifulbitofBelief，tomankind；theessenceofitfairlyevolvedfromallthechaff，theportraitofitactuallygiven，anditsrealharmonieswiththelawsofthisUniversebroughtout，inbrightanddark，accordingtotheGod’sFactasitwas；whichpoorDryasdustandtheNewspapersnevercouldgetsightof，butwerealwaysfarfrom！——

Well，ifso，——andevenifnotquiteso，——itisacomforttoreflectthateverytrueworker（whohasblownawaychaff&c。），werehiscontributionnobiggerthanmyown，mayhavebroughtthegoodresultNEARERbyahand—breadthortwo。Andsowewillendthesepreludings，andproceeduponourProblem，courteousreader。

ChapterII。

FRIEDRICH’SBIRTH。

FriedrichofBrandenburg—Hohenzollern，whocamebycourseofnaturalsuccessiontobeFriedrichII。ofPrussia，andisknownintheseagesasFredericktheGreat，wasborninthepalaceofBerlin，aboutnoon，onthe24thofJanuary，1712。Asmallinfant，butofgreatpromiseorpossibility；andthriceandfourtimeswelcometoallsovereignandotherpersonsinthePrussianCourt，andPrussianrealms，inthosecoldwinterdays。HisFather，theysay，wasliketohavestifledhimwithhiscaresses，sooverjoyedwastheman；oratleasttohavescorchedhimintheblazeofthefire；whenhappilysomemuchsuitablerfemalenursesnatchedthislittlecreaturefromtheroughpaternalpaws，——andsaveditforthebenefitofPrussiaandmankind。IfHeavenwillbutpleasetograntitlengthoflife！FortherehavealreadybeentwolittlePrincekins，whoarebothdead；thisFriedrichisthefourthchild；andonlyonelittlegirl，wiseWilhelmina，ofalmosttoosharpwits，andnottoovivaciousaspect，isotherwiseyethereofroyalprogeny。ItisfearedtheHohenzollernlineage，whichhasflourishedherewithsuchbeneficenteffectforthreecenturiesnow，andbeenintruththeverymakingofthePrussianNation，maybeabouttofail，orpassintosomesidebranch。

Whichchange，oranychangeinthatrespect，isquestionable，andathingdesiredbynobody。

Fiveyearsago，onthedeathofthefirstlittlePrince，therehadsurmisesrisen，obscurerumorsandhints，thatthePrincessRoyal，motherofthelostbaby，neverwouldhavehealthychildren，orevenneverhaveachildmore:uponwhich，astherewasbutoneotherresource，——awidowedGrandfather，namely，andexceptthePrinceRoyalnosontohim，——saidGrandfather，stillonlyaboutfifty，didtakethenecessarysteps:buttheyhavebeenentirelyunsuccessful；nonewsonorchild，onlynewaffliction，newdisasterhasresultedfromthatthirdmarriageofhis。

AndthoughthePrincessRoyalhashadanotherlittlePrince，thattoohasdiedwithintheyear；——killed，somesayontheotherhand，bythenoiseofthecannonfiringforjoyoverit！[Forster，<italic>FriedrichWilhelmI。，KonigvonPreussen<enditalic>

（Potsdam，1834），i。126（whoquotesMorgenstern，acontemporaryreporter）。ButseealsoPreuss，<italic>FriedrichderGrossemitseinenVerwandtenundFreunden<enditalic>（Berlin，1838），pp。379—380]Yes；andthefirstbabyPrince，thesesamepartiesfarthersay，wascrushedtodeathbytheweightydressyouputuponitatchristeningtime，especiallybythelittlecrownitwore，whichhadleftavisibleblackmarkuponthepoorsoftinfant’sbrow！Inshort，itisaquestionablecase；undoubtedlyaquestionableoutlookforPrussianmankind；andtheappearanceofthislittlePrince，athirdtrump—cardintheHohenzollerngame，isanunusuallyinterestingevent。Thejoyoverhim，notinBerlinPalaceonly，butinBerlinCity，andoverthePrussianNation，wasverygreatanduniversal；——stilltestifiedinmanifolddull，unreadableoldpamphlets，recordsofficialandvolunteer，——whichwerethenallablazelikethebonfires，andarenowfallendarkenough，andhardlycredibleeventothefancyofthisnewTime。

ThepooroldGrandfather，FriedrichI。（thefirstKingofPrussia），——for，asweintimate，hewasstillalive，andnotveryold，thoughnowinfirmenough，andladenbeyondhisstrengthwithsadreminiscences，disappointmentsandchagrins，——hadtakenmuchtoWilhelmina，asshetellsus；[<italic>MemoiresdeFrederiqueSophieWilhelminedePrusse，MargravedeBareith，SoeurdFrederic—le—Grand<enditalic>（London，1812），i。5。]andwouldamusehimselfwholedayswiththepranksandprattleofthelittlechild。Goodoldman:he，weneednotdoubt，brightenedupintounusualvitalityatsightofthisinvaluablelittleBrotherofhers；throughwhomhecanlookoncemoreintothewastedimfuturewithaflickerofnewhope。Pooroldman:hegothisownbackhalf—brokenbyacarelessnurselettinghimfall；andhasslightlystoopedeversince，somefiftyandoddyearsnow:muchagainsthiswill；forhewouldfainhavebeenbeautiful；andhasstruggledallhisdays，veryhardifnotverywisely，tomakehisexistencebeautiful，——tomakeitmagnificentatleast，andregardlessofexpense；——anditthreatenstocometolittle。Courage，poorGrandfather:hereisanewsecondeditionofaFriedrich，thefirsthavinggoneoffwithsolittleeffect:thisone’sbackisstillunbroken，hislife’sseedfieldnotyetfilledwithtaresandthorns:whoknowsbutHeavenwillbekindertothisone？

Heavenwasmuchkindertothisone。HimHeavenhadkneadedofmorepotentstuff:amightyfellowthisone，andastrange；

relatednotonlytotheUpholsteriesandHeralds’Colleges，buttotheSphere—harmoniesandthedivineanddemonicpowers；

ofaswiftfar—dartingnaturethisone，likeanApollocladinsunbeamsandinlightnings（afterhissort）；andwithabackwhichalltheworldcouldnotsucceedinbreaking！——Yes，if，bymostrarechance，thiswereindeedanewmanofgenius，bornintothepurblindrottingCentury，intheacknowledgedrankofakingthere，——manofgenius，thatistosay，manoforiginalityandveracity；capableofseeingwithhiseyes，andincapableofnotbelievingwhathesees；——thentruly！——Butasyetnoneknows；

thepooroldGrandfatherneverknew。

Meanwhiletheychristenedthelittlefellow，withimmensemagnificenceandpompofapparatus；KaiserKarl，andtheverySwissRepublicbeingthere（byproxy），amongthegossips；

andsparednocannon—volleyings，kettle—drummings，metalcrown，heavycloth—of—silver，forthepoorsoftcreature’ssake；allofwhich，however，hesurvived。ThenamegivenhimwasKarlFriedrich（CharlesFrederick）；Karlperhaps，andperhapsalsonot，indelicatecomplimenttothechiefgossip，theabove—mentioned。

Kaiser，KarlorCharlesVI。？Atanyrate，theKARL，graduallyorfromthefirst，droppedaltogetheroutofpractice，andwentasnothing:hehimself，orthoseabouthim，neverusedit；nor，exceptinsomedimEnglishpamphlethereandthere，haveImetwithanytraceofit。Friedrich（RICH—in—PEACE，anameofoldprevalenceintheHohenzollernkindred），whichhehimselfwroteFREDERICinhisFrenchway，andatlastevenFEDERIC（withaverysingularsenseofeuphony），isthroughout，andwas，hissoledesignation。Sunday31stJanuary，1712，agethenpreciselyoneweek:then，andinthismanner，washeusheredonthescene，andlabelledamonghisfellow—creatures。Wemustnowlookroundalittle；andsee，ifpossiblebyanymethodorexertion，whatkindofsceneitwas。

ChapterIII。

FATHERANDMOTHER:THEHANOVERIANCONNECTION。

FriedrichWilhelm，Crown—PrinceofPrussia，sonofFriedrichI。

andFatherofthislittleinfantwhowillonedaybeFriedrichII。，didhimselfmakesomenoiseintheworldassecondKingofPrussia；notablenotasFriedrich’sfatheralone；andwillmuchconcernusduringtherestofhislife。Heis，atthisdate，inhistwenty—fourthyear:athick—set，sturdy，florid，briskyoungfellow；withajoviallaughinhim，yetofsolidgraveways，occasionallysomewhatvolcanic；muchgiventosoldiering，andout—of—doorexercises，havinglittleelsetodoatpresent。Hehasbeenmanager，or，asitwere，Vice—King，onanoccasionalabsenceofhisFather；heknowspracticallywhatthestateofbusinessis；

andgreatlydisapprovesofit，asisthought。Butbeingboundtosilenceonthathead，hekeepssilence，andmeddleswithnothingpolitical。Headdictshimselfchieflytomustering，drillingandpracticalmilitaryduties，whilehereatBerlin；runsout，oftenenough，wifeandperhapsacomradeortwoalongwithhim，tohunt，andtakehisease，atWusterhausen（somefifteenortwentymiles[Englishmiles，——asalwaysunlessthecontrarybestated。

TheGermanMEILEisaboutfivemilesEnglish；GermanSTUNDEaboutthree。]southeastofBerlin），wherehehasaresidenceamidthewoodymoorlands。

Butsoldieringishisgrandconcern。Sixyearsago，summer1706，[Forster，i。116]ataveryearlyage，hewenttothewars，——grandSpanish—SuccessionWar，whichwasthenbecomingveryfierceintheNetherlands；PrussiantroopsalwaysactiveontheMarlborough—

Eugeneside。Hehadjustbeenbetrothed，wasnotyetwedded；

thoughtgoodtoturntheinterimtoadvantageinthatway。

Thenagain，spring1709，afterhismarriageandafterhisFather’smarriage，"theCourtbeingfullofintrigues，"andnothingbutsilencerecommendablethere，acertainrenownedfriendofhis，Leopold，PrinceofAnhalt—Dessau，ofwhomweshallyethearagreatdeal，——who，stillonlyaboutthirty，hadalreadycoveredhimselfwithlaurelsinthosewars（Blenheim，BridgeofCasano，LinesofTurin，andotherglories），buthadnowgotintointricacieswiththeweakersort，andwasoutofcommand，——agreedwithFriedrichWilhelmthatitwouldbewelltogoandservethereasvolunteers，sincenototherwises。VarnhagenvonEnse，<italic>

FurstLeopoldvonAnhalt—Dessau<enditalic>（in<italic>

BiographischeDenkmale，<enditalic>2dedition，Berlin，1845），p。185。<italic>ThatenundLebendesweltberuhmtenFurstensLeopoldivonAnhalt—Dessau<enditalic>（Leipzig，1742），p。73。

Forster，i。129。]ACrown—PrinceofPrussia，oughthenottolearnsoldiering，ofallthings；byeveryopportunity？WhichFriedrichWilhelmdid，withindustry；servingzealousapprenticeshipunderMarlboroughandEugene，inthismanner；pluckingknowledge，asthebubblereputation，andallelseinthatfieldhastobeplucked，fromthecannon’smouth。FriedriohWilhelmkeptbyMarlborough，nowasformerly；friendLeopoldbeingcommonlyinEugene’squarter，whowellknewtheworthofhim，eversinceBlenheimandearlier。FriedrichWilhelmsawhotservice，thatcampaignof1709；

siegeofTournay，andfarmore；——stood，amongotherthings，thefieryBattleofMalplaquet，oneoftheterriblestanddeadliestfeatsofwareverdone。Nowantofintrepidityandruggedsoldier—virtueinthePrussiantroopsortheirCrown—

Prince；leastofallonthatterribleday，11thSeptember，1709；——

ofwhichhekeepstheanniversaryeversince，andwilldoallhislife，thedoomsdayofMalplaquetalwaysamemorabledaytohim。

[Forster，i。138。]HeismoreandmoreintimatewithLeopold，andlovesgoodsoldieringbeyondallthings。HereatBerlinhehasalreadygotaregimentofhisown，tallishfinemen；andstrivestomakeitinallpointsaverypatternofaregiment。

Fortherest，muchhereisoutofjoint，andfarfromsatisfactorytohim。Sevenyearsago[1stFebruary，1705。]helosthisownbraveMotherandherlove；ofwhichwemustspeakfartherbyandby。Inhersteadhehasgotafantastic，melancholic，ill—naturedStepmother，withwhomtherewasneveranygoodtobedone；whoinfactisnowfairlymad，andkepttoherownapartments。Hehastoseehere，andsaylittle，achagrinedheart—wornFatherflickeringpainfullyamidascenemuchfilledwithexpensivefutilepersons，andtheirextremelypitifulcabalsandmutualrages；scenechieflyofpompousinanity，andtheartofsolemnlyandwithgreatlabordoingnothing。Suchwasteoflaborandofmeans:whatcanonedobutbesilent？Theotheryear，Preussen（PRUSSIAProper，provincelyingfareastward，outofsight）wassinkingunderpestilenceandblackruinanddespair:theCrown—Prince，contrarytowont，brokesilence，andbeggedsomedoleorsubventionforthesepoorpeople；buttherewasnothingtobehad，Nothinginthetreasury，yourRoyalHighness:——Preussenwillshiftforitself；sublimedramaturgy，whichwecallhisMajesty’sGovernment，costssomuch！

AndPreussen，mownawaybydeath，liesmuchofitvacanteversince；whichhascompletedtheCrown—Prince’sdisgust；and，Ibelieve，didproducesomechangeofministry，orotherineffectualexpedient，ontheoldFather’spart。UponwhichtheCrown—Princelocksuphisthoughtsagain。Hehasconfusedwhirlpools，ofCourtintrigues，ceremonials，andtroublesomefantasticalities，tosteeramongst；whichhemuchdislikes，nomanmore；havinganeyeandheartsetonthepracticalonly，andbeinginmindasinbodysomethingofthegenusROBUSTUM，ofthegenusFEROXwithal。Hehasbeenweddedsixyears；losttwochildren，aswesaw；andnowagainhehastwoliving。

Hiswife，SophieDorotheeofHanover，ishiscousinaswell。

Sheisbrother’s—daughterofhisMother，SophieCharlotte:

letthereaderlearntodiscriminatethesetwonames。

SophieCharlotte，lateQueenofPrussia，wasalsoofHanover:

sheprobablyhadsometimes，inherquietmotherlythought，anticipatedthisconnectionforhim，whilesheyetlived。ItiscertainFriedrichWilhelmwascarriedtoHanoverinearlychildhood:hisMother，——thatSophieCharlotte，afamedQueenandladyinherday，DaughterofElectressSophie，andSisteroftheGeorgewhobecameGeorgeI。ofEnglandbyandby，——tookhimthither；sometimeaboutthebeginningof1693，hisagethenfive；

andlefthimthereontrial；alleging，andexpecting，hemighthaveabetterbreedingthere。Andthis，inaCourtwhereElectressSophiewaschieflady，andElectorErnst，fittobecalledGentlemanErnst，["HerHighness（theElectressSophie）hasthecharacterofthemerrydebonnairePrincessofGermany；aladyofextraordinaryvirtuesandaccomplishments；mistressoftheItalian，French，HighandLowDutch，andEnglishlanguages，whichshespeakstoperfection。Herhusband（ElectorErnst）hasthetitleoftheGentlemanofGermany；agracefuland，"&c。&c。

W。Carr，<italic>RemarksoftheGovernmentsoftheseverallPartsofGermanie，Denmark，Sweedland<enditalic>（Amsterdam，1688），p。147。Seealso<italic>KerofKersland<enditalic>（stillmoreemphaticonthispoint，<italic>soepius<enditalic>）]thepolitestofmen，waschieflord，——andwhereLeibnitz，tosaynothingoflighternotabilities，wasflourishing，——seemedareasonableexpectation。Nevertheless，itcametonothing，thisarticulatepurposeofthevisit；thoughperhapsthedeepersilentpurposesofitmightnotbequiteunfulfilled。

GentlemanErnsthadlatelybeenmade"Elector"（<italic>Kurfurst，<enditalic>insteadof<italic>Herzog<enditalic>），——hisHanovernolongeramereSovereignDuchy，butanElectoratehenceforth，new"NINTHElectorate，"byErnst’slife—longexertionandgoodluck；——whichhasspreadafineradiance，forthetime，overcourtandpeopleinthoseparts；andmadeErnstahappiermanthanever，inhisoldage。GentlemanErnstandElectressSophie，weneednotdoubt，weregladtoseetheirburlyPrussiangrandson，——arobust，rathermischievousboyoffiveyearsold；——andanythingthatbroughtherDaughteroftenerabouther（anonlyDaughtertoo，andonesogifted）wassuretobewelcometothecheeryoldElectress，andherLeibnitzandhercircle。ForSophieCharlottewasabrightpresence，andafavoritewithsageandgay。

UncleGeorgeagain，"<italic>Kurprinz<enditalic>GeorgLudwig"

（ElectoralPrinceandHeir—Apparent），whobecameGeorgeI。ofEngland；he，alwaysataciturn，saturnine，somewhatgrim—visagedman，notwithoutthoughtsofhisownbutmostlyinarticulatethoughts，was，justatthistime，inadeepdomesticintricacy。

UncleGeorgetheKurprinzwaspainfullydetecting，intheseverymonths，thathisaugustSpouseandcousin，abrilliantnotuninjuredlady，hadbecomeanindignantinjuringone；thatshehadgone，andwasgoing，farastrayinherwalkoflife！ThusallisnotradianceatHanovereither，NinthElectorthoughweare；

but，inthesoftsunlight，therequiversastreakoftheblacknessofveryErebuswithal。KurprinzGeorge，Ithink，thoughhetooissaidtohavebeengoodtotheboy，couldnottakemuchinterestinthisburlyNephewofhisjustnow！

Sureenough，itwasinthisyear1693，thatthefamedKonigsmarktragedycameripeningfasttowardsacrisisinHanover；andnextyearthecatastrophearrived。Amosttragicbusiness；ofwhichthelittleBoy，nowhere，willknowmoreoneday。Perhapsitwasonthisveryvisit，ononevisititcrediblywas，thatSophieCharlottewitnessedasadsceneintheSchlossofHanoverhighwordsrising，wherelowcooingshadbeenmoreappropriate；

harshwords，mutuallyrecriminative，risingeverhigher；ending，itisthought，inTHINGS，ormenacesandmotionstowardsthings（actualboxontheear，somecallit），——nevertobeforgottenorforgiven！AndonSunday1stofJuly，1694，ColonelCountPhilipKonigsmark，ColonelintheHanoverDragoons，wasseenforthelasttimeinthisworld。Fromthatdate，hehasvanishedsuddenlyunderground，inaninscrutablemanner:nevermoreshallthelightofthesun，oranyhumaneyebeholdthathandsomeblackguardman。

Notforahundredandfiftyyearsshallhumancreaturesknow，orguesswiththesmallestcertainty，whathasbecomeofhim。

AndshortlyafterKonigsmark’sdisappearance，thereisthissadphenomenonvisible:AonceveryradiantPrincess（witty，haughty—

minded，beautiful，notwiseorfortunate）nowgoneallablazeintoangrytragicconflagration；gettinglockedintotheoldCastleofAhlden，inthemoorysolitudesofLuneburgHeath:tostaytheretillshedie，——thirtyyearsasitproved，——andgointoashesandangrydarknessasshemay。Oldpeasants，lateinthenextcentury，willrememberthattheyusedtoseehersometimesdrivingontheHeath，——beautifullady，longblackhair，andtheglitterofdiamondsinit；sometimesthereinsinherownhand，butalwayswithapartyofcavalryroundher，andtheirswordsdrawn。

[<italic>DieHerzoginvonAhlden<enditalic>（Leipzig，l852），p。22。Divorcewas，28thDecember，1694；death，13thNovember，1726，——agethen60。]"DuchessofAhlden，"thatwashertitleintheeclipsedstate。BornPrincessofZelle；bymarriage，PrincessofHanover（<italic>Kurprinzessin<enditalic>）；wouldhavebeenQueenofEngland，too，hadmattersgoneotherwisethantheydid。——

Hername，likethatofalittleDaughtershehad，isSophieDorothee:sheisCousinandDivorcedWifeofKurprinzGeorge；

divorced，andasitwereabolishedalive，inthismanner。SheislittleFriedrichWilhelm’sAunt—in—law；andherlittleDaughtercomestobehisWifeinprocessoftime。Ofhim，orofthosebelongingtohim，shetooksmallnotice，Isuppose，inherthenmood，thecrisiscomingonsofast。Inherhappierinnocentdaysshehadtwochildren，aKingthatistobe，andaQueen；

GeorgeII。ofEngland，SophieDorotheeofPrussia；butmustnotnowcallthemhers，oreverseethemagain。

ThiswastheKonigsmarktragedyatHanover；fastripeningtowardsitscatastrophewhilelittleFriedrichWilhelmwasthere。Ithasbeen，eversince，arumoranddubiousfrightfulmysterytomankind:butwithinthesefewyears，bycuriousaccidents（thefts，discoveriesofwrittendocuments，invariouscountries，anddiligentstudyofthem），ithasatlengthbecomeacertaintyandclearfact，tothosewhoarecuriousaboutit。Factsurelyofaratherhorriblesort；——yetbetter，Imustsay，thanwassuspected:

notquitesobadinthestateoffactasinthatofrumor。

Crimeenoughisinit，sinandfollyonbothsides；thereiskillingtoo，butNOTassassination（asitturnsout）；onthewholethereisnothingofatrocity，ornothingthatwasnotaccidental，unavoidable；——andthereisacertaingreatnessofDECORUMonthepartofthoseHanoverPrincesandofficialgentlemen，adepthofsilence，ofpolitestoicism，whichdeservesmorepraisethanitwillgetinourtimes。EnoughnowoftheKonigsmarktragedy；

[Aconsiderabledrearymassofbooks，pamphlets，lucubrations，falseallandofnoworthorofless，haveaccumulatedonthisdarksubject，duringthelasthundredandfiftyyears；norhastheprocessyetstopped，——asitnowwellmight。FortherehavenowtwothingsoccurredinregardtoitFIRST:Intheyearl847，aSwedishProfessor，namedPalmblad，gropingaboutforotherobjectsintheCollegeLibraryofLund（whichisinthecountryoftheKonigsmarkconnections），cameuponaBoxofOldLetters，——Lettersundated，signedonlywithinitials，andveryenigmatictillwellsearchedinto，——whichhaveturnedouttohetheveryAutographsofthePrincessandherKonigsmark；throwingofcourseahenceforthindisputablelightontheirrelation。SECONDTHING:Acautiousexactoldgentleman，ofdiplomatichabits（understoodtobe"CountVonSchulenburg—KlosterrodeofDresden"），has，sincethatevent，unweariedlygoneintothewholematter；andhasbrayediteverywhere，andpoundeditsmall；sifting，withsublimepatience，notonlythoseSwedishAutographs，butthewholemassoflyingbooks，pamphlets，hintsandnotices，oldandrecent；andbringingout（trulyinanintricateandthrice—wearisome，butforthefirsttimeinanauthenticway）whatrealevidencethereis。Inwhichevidencethefacts，oressentialfact，lieatlastindisputableenough。HisBook，thickPamphletrather，isthatsame<italic>

HerzoginvonAhlden<enditalic>（Leipzig，1852）citedabove。

ThedrearywheelbarrowfulofothersIhadrathernotmentionagain；

butleaveCountvonSchulenburgtomentionanddescribethem，——

whichhedoesabundantly，somanyashadaccumulateduptothatdateof1852，totheafflictionmoreorlessofsanemankind。]

contemporaneouswithFriedrichWilhelm’sstayatHanover，butnototherwisemuchrelatedtohimorhisdoingsthere。

Hegotnoimprovementinbreeding，asweintimated；noneatall；

fought，onthecontrary，withhisyoungCousin（afterwardsourGeorgeII。），aboytwicehisage，thoughofweakerbone；andgavehimabloodynose。TothescandalandconsternationoftheFrenchProtestantgentlewomenandcourt—damesintheirstiffsilks:

"Ahee，yourElectoralHighness！"Thishadbeenaroughunrulyboyfromthefirstdiscoveryofhim。Ataveryearlystage，he，onemorningwhilethenursesweredressinghim，tooktoinvestigatingoneofhisshoebuckles；would，inspiteofremonstrances，slobberitaboutinhismouth；andatlengthswalloweditdown，——beyondmistake；andthewholeworldcannotgetitup！Whereupon，wildwailofnurses；andhis"Mothercamescreaming，"poormother:——

Itisthesamesmallshoe—bucklewhichisstillshown，withaticketanddatetoit，"31December，1692，"intheBerlin<italic>

Kunstkammer<enditalic>；foritturnedoutharmless，afterallthescreaming；andafewgrainsofrhubarbrestoreditsafelytothelightofday；henceforthathrice—memorableshoe—buckle。

[Forster，i。74。Erman，<italic>MemoiresdeSophieCharlotte<enditalic>（Berlin，1801），p。130。]

Anothertime，itisrecorded，thoughwithlessprecisionofdetail，hisGovernesstheDameMontbailhavingorderedhimtodosomethingwhichwasintolerabletotheprincelymind，theprincelymindresistedinaverystrangeway:theprincelybody，namely，flungitselfsuddenlyoutofathird—storywindow，nothingbutthehandsleftwithin；andhangingontherebythesill，andfixedlyresolutetoobeygravitationratherthanMontbail，soonbroughtthepoorladytoterms。Uponwhich，indeed，hehadbeentakenfromher，andfromthewomenaltogether，asevidentlynowneedingroughergovernment。Alwaysanunrulyfellow，anddangeroustotrustamongcrockery。AtHanoverhecoulddonogoodinthewayofbreeding:sageLeibnitzhimself，withhisbigblackperiwigandlargepatientnose，couldhaveputnometaphysicsintosuchaboy。

Sublime<italic>Theodicee<enditalic>（Leibnitzian"justificationofthewaysofGod"）wasnotanarticlethisindividualhadtheleastneedof，noratanytimetheleastvaluefor。"Justify？Whatdoomeddogquestionsit，then？AreyouforBedlam，then？"——andinmatureryearshisrattanmighthavebeendangerous！Forthiswasasingularindividualofhisday；

humansoulstillinrobusthealth，andnotgiventospinitsbowelsintocobwebs。HeisknownonlytohavequarrelledmuchwithCousinGeorge，duringtheyearorsohespentinthoseparts。

ButtherewasanotherCousinatHanover，justoneother，littleSophieDorothee（calledafterhermother），afewmonthsolderthanhimself；byallaccounts，areallyprettylittlechild，whomhelikedagreatdealbetter。She，Iimagine，washismainresource，whileonthisHanovervisit；withherwerelaidthefoundationsofanintimacywhichripenedwellafterwards。Somesayitwasalreadysettledbytheparentsthattherewastobeamarriageinduetime。Settleditcouldhardlybe；forWilhelminatellsus，[<italic>MemoiresdelaMargravedeBareith，<enditalic>i。l。]

herFatherhada"choiceofthree"allowedhim，oncomingtowed；

anditisotherwisediscernibletherehadbeeneclipsesanduncertainties，intheinterim，onhispart。Settled，no；buthopedandvaguelypre—figured，wemaywellsuppose。Andatallevents，ithasactuallycometopass；"FatherbeingardentlyinlovewiththeHanoverPrincess，"saysourMargravine，"andmuchpreferringhertotheothertwo，"ortoanyandallothers。Wedded，withgreatpomp，28thNovember，1706；[Forster，i。117。]——andSophieDorothee，thesamethatwashisprettylittleCousinatHanovertwentyyearsago，sheismotherofthelittleBoynowbornandchristened，whommenaretocallFredericktheGreatincominggenerations。

SophieDorotheeisdescribedtousbycourtiercontemporariesas"oneofthemostbeautifulprincessesofherday:"

Wilhelmina，ontheotherhand，testifiesthatshewasneverstrictlytobecalledbeautiful，buthadapleasantattractivephysiognomy；whichmaybeconsideredbetterthanstrictbeauty。

Uncommongraceoffigureandlook，testifiesWilhelmina；muchdignityandsoftdexterity，onsocialoccasions；perfectinalltheartsofdeportment；andleftanimpressiononyouatoncekindlyandroyal。Portraitsofher，asQueenatalaterage，arefrequentinthePrussianGalleries；sheispaintedsitting，whereIbestrememberher。Aserious，comely，ratherplump，maternal—lookingLady；somethingthoughtfulinthosegraystilleyesofhers，intheturnofherfaceandcarriageofherhead，asshesitsthere，consideratelygazingoutuponaworldwhichwouldneverconformtoherwill。Decidedlyahandsome，wholesomeandaffectionateaspectofface。Hanoverianintype，thatistosay，blond，florid，slightlyPROFUSE；——yetthebetterkindofHanoverian，littleornothingoftheworseoratleasttheworstkind。Theeyes，asIsay，aregray，andquiet，almostsad；

expressiveofreticenceandreflection，ofslowconstancyratherthanofSPEEDinanykind。Oneexpects，couldthepicturespeak，thequeruloussoundofmaternalandothersolicitude；ofatempertendingtowardstheobstinate，thequietlyunchangeable；——loyalpatiencenotwanting，yetinstilllargermeasureroyalimpatiencewellconcealed，andlongandcarefullycherished。ThisiswhatI

readinSophieDorothee’sPortraits，——probablyrememberingwhatIhadotherwiseread，andcometoknowofher。ShetoowillnotalittleconcernusinthefirstpartofthisHistory。Ifind，foronething，shehadgivenmuchofherphysiognomytotheFriedrichnowborn。InhisPortraitsasPrince—Royal，hestronglyresemblesher；itishismother’sfaceinformedwithyouthandnewfire，andtranslatedintothemasculinegender:inhislaterPortraits，onelessandlessrecognizesthemother。

FriedrichWilhelm，nowinthesixthyearofwedlock，isstillveryfondofhisSophieDorothee，——<italic>"Fiechen"（Feekin<enditalic>diminutiveof<italic>Sophie<enditalic>），ashecallsher；shealsohaving，andcontinuingtohave，theduewife’sregardforhersolid，honest，ifsomewhatexplosivebear。

Hetroublesheralittlenowandthen，itissaid，withwhiffsofjealousy；buttheyarewhiffsonly，theproductofaccidentalmoodinessesinhim，oroftransientaspects，misinterpreted，inthecourt—lifeofayoungandprettywoman。Asthegeneralrule，heisbeautifullygood—humored，kindeven，forabear；

and，onthewhole，theyhavebeguntheirpartnershipundergoodomens。Andindeedwemaysay，inspiteofsadtempeststhatarose，theycontinueditundersuch。Shebroughthimgraduallynofewerthanfourteenchildren，ofwhomtensurvivedhimandcametomaturity:anditistobeadmittedtheirconjugalrelation，thougharoyal，wasalwaysahumanone；themainelementsofitstrictlyobservedonbothsides；allquarrelsinitcapableofbeinghealedagain，andthefeelingonbothsidestrue，howevertroublous。Ararefactamongroyalwedlocks，andperhapsauniqueoneinthatepoch。

Theyoungcouple，asisnaturalintheirpresentposition，havemanyeyesuponthem，andnotquiteapavedpathinthisconfusedcourtofFriedrichI。Buttheyaretruetooneanother；theyseemindeedtohaveheldwellalooffromallpublicbusinessorprivatecabal；andgoalongsilentlyexpecting，andperhapssilentlyresolvingthisandthatinthefuturetense；butwithmoderateimmunityfrompaternalorothercriticisms，forthepresent。

TheCrown—Princedrillsorhunts，withhisGrumkows，Anhalt—

Dessaus:theseareharmlessemployments；——andamanmayhavewithinhisownheadwhatthoughtshepleases，withoutoffencesolongashekeepsthemthere。FriedrichtheoldGrandfatherlivedonlythirteenmonthsafterthebirthofhisgrandson:FriedrichWilhelmwasthenKing；thoughtsthen，toanylength，couldbecomeactionsonthepartofFriedrichWilhelm。