FRIEDRICHTAKESTHEREINSINHAND。
June—December，1740。
ChapterI。
PHENOMENAOFFRIEDRICH’SACCESSION。
InBerlin，fromTuesday，31stMay，1740，dayofthelateKing’sdeath，tilltheThursdayfollowing，thepostwasstoppedandthegatesclosed；noestafettecanbedespatched，thoughDickensandalltheAmbassadorsarebusywriting。OntheThursday，Regiments，Officers，principalOfficialshavingsworn，andthenewKingbeingfairlyinthesaddle，estafettesandpost—boysshootforthatthetopoftheirspeed；andRumor，towardseverypointofthecompass，apprisesmankindwhatimmensenewsthereis。[Dickens（inState—
PaperOffice），4thJune，1740。]
AKing’sAccessionisalwaysahopefulphenomenontothepublic；
moreespeciallyayoungKing’s，whohasbeentalkedofforhistalentsandaspirings，——forhissufferings，wereitnothingmore，——andwhoseANTI—MACHIAVELisunderstoodtobeinthepress。
VaguelyeverywheretherehasanotiongoneabroadthatthisyoungKingwillproveconsiderable。HereatlasthasaLoverofPhilosophygotuponthethrone，andgreatphilanthropiesandmagnanimitiesaretobeexpected，thinkrasheditorsandidlemankind。RasheditorsinEnglandandelsewhere，weobserve，arereadytobelievethatFriedrichhasnotonlydisbandedthePotsdamGiants；butmeansto\"reducethePrussianArmyonehalf\"orso，forease（temporaryeasewhichwehopewillbelasting）ofpartiesconcerned；andtogomuchuponemancipation，politicalrose—water，andfriendshiptohumanity，aswenowcallit。
AthisfirstmeetingofCouncil，theysay，heputthisquestion，\"CouldnotthePrussianArmybereducedto45，000？\"Theexcellentyoungman。TowhichtheCouncilhadanswered，\"Hardly，yourMajesty！TheJulich—and—Bergaffairissoominoushitherto！\"
Thesemaybesecrets，anddubioustopeopleoutofdoors，thinksawiseeditor；butonethingpatenttothedaywasthis，surelysymbolicalenough:OnoneofhisMajesty’sfirstdrivestoPotsdamorfromit，athousandchildren，——inroundnumbersathousandofthem，allwiththeREDSTRINGroundtheirnecks，andliabletobetakenforsoldiers，ifneededintheregimentoftheirCanton，——
\"athousandchildrenmetthisyoungKingataturnofhisroad；
andwithshrillunisonofwail，sangout:\"Oh，deliverusfromslavery，\"——fromtheredthreads，yourMajesty。WhyshouldpoorwebeliabletosufferhardshipforourCountryorotherwise，yourMajesty！Cannooneelsebegottodoit？sangoutthethousandchildren。AndhisMajestyassentedonthespot，thinkstherasheditor。[Gentleman’sMagazine（London，1740），x。318；Newspapers，&c。]\"Goose，Madam？\"exclaimedaphilanthropistprojectoronce，whoseschemeofsweepingchimneysbypullingalivegoosedownthroughthemwasobjectedto:
\"Goose，Madam？Youcantaketwoducks，then，ifyouaresosorryforthegoose！\"——RasheditorsthinkthereistobeareignofAstraeaReduxinPrussia，bymeansofthisyoungKing；andforgettoaskthemselves，astheyoungKingmustbynomeansdo，HowfarAstraeamaybepossible，forPrussiaandhim？
Athome，too，thereisprophesyingenough，vaguehopeenough，whichformostpartgoeswideofthemark。ThisyoungKing，weknow，didproveconsiderable；butnotinthewayshapedoutforhimbythepublic；——itwasinfarotherways！Fornopublicintheleastknows，insuchcases:nordoesthemanhimselfknow，exceptgraduallyandifhestrivetolearn。Astothepublic，——
\"Doubtless，\"saysafriendofmine，\"doubtlessitwastheAtlanticOceanthatcarriedColumbustoAmerica；luckyfortheAtlantic，andforColumbusandus:buttheAtlanticdidnotquitevotethatwayfromthefirst；nayITSvotes，Ibelieve，wereveryvariousatdifferentstagesofthematter！\"Thisisatruthwhichkingsandmen，notintendingtobedrift—logsorwastebrineobedienttotheMoon，aremuchcalledtohaveinmindwithal，fromperhapsanearlystageoftheirvoyage。
Friedrich’sactualdemeanorinthesehisfirstweeks，whichisstilldecipherableifonestudywell，hasintruthagooddealofthebrilliant，ofthepopular—magnanimous；butmanifestsstrongsolidqualitywithal，andaheadsteadierthanmighthavebeenexpected。FortheBerlinworldisallinaratherAuroralcondition；andFriedrichtoois，——thechainssuddenlycutloose，andsuchhopesopenedfortheyoungman。Hehasgreatthingsahead；feelsinhimselfgreatthings，anddoubtlessexultsinthethoughtofrealizingthem。Magnanimousenough，popular，hopefulenough，withVoltaireandthehighestoftheworldlookingon:——
butyetheiswise，too；creditablyawarethattherearelimits，thatthisisabargain，andthetermsofitinexorable。Wediscernwithpleasuretheoldveracityofcharactershiningthroughthisgiddynewelement；thatallthesefineproceduresareatleastunaffected，toasingulardegreetrue，andtheproductofnature，onhispart；andthat，inshort，thecompleterespectforFact，whichusedtobeaqualityofhis，andwhichisamongthehighestandalsorarestinman，hasonnosidedesertedhimatpresent。
Atraceofairyexuberance，ofnaturalexultancy，notquiterepressible，onthesuddenchangetofreedomandsupremepowerfromwhathadgonebefore:perhapsthatalsomightbelegible，ifinthoseopaquebead—rollswhicharecalledHistoriesofFriedrichanythinghumancouldwithcertaintyberead！Hefliesmuchaboutfromplacetoplace；nowatPotsdam，nowatBerlin，atCharlottenburg，Reinsberg；nothingloathtorunwhitherbusinesscallshim，andappearinpublic:thegazetteerworld，aswenoticed，whichhasbeenhithertoamostmuteworld，breaksouthereandthereintoakindofhuskyjubilationoverthegreatthingsheisdailydoing，andrejoicesintheprospectofhavingaPhilosopherKing；whichfunctiontheyoungman，onlytwenty—eightgone，cannotbutwishtofulfilforthegazetteersandtheworld。
Heisabusyman；andwalksboldlyintohisgrandenterpriseof\"makingmenhappy，\"totheadmirationofVoltaireandanenlightenedpublicfarandnear。
BielfeldspeaksofimmenseconcoursesofpeoplecrowdingaboutCharlottenburg，tocongratulate，tosolicit，to&c。；tellsushowhehimselfhadtolodgealmostinouthouses，inthatroyalvillageofhope，HisemotionsatReinsberg，andeverybody’s，whileFriedrichWilhelmlaydying，andallstoodlikegreyhoundsontheslip；andwithwhatarrow—swiftnesstheyshotawaywhenthegreatnewscame:allthishehasalreadydescribedatwearisomelength，inhisfantasticsemi—fabulousway。[Bielfeld，i。68—77；ib。81。]’
FriedrichhimselfseemedmoderatelygladtoseeBielfeld；receivedhishigh—flowncongratulationswithabenevolentyetsomewhatcomposedair；andgavehimafterwards，inthecourseofweeks，anunexpectedlysmallappointment:TogotoHanover，underTruchsessvonWaldburg，andannounceourAccession。Whichisbutasimple，mostlyformalservice；yetperhapswhatBielfeldisbestequalto。
TheBritannicMajesty，oratleasthisHanoverpeoplehavebeenbeforehandwiththiscivility；BaronMunchhausen，nodoubtbyordersgivenforsuchcontingency，hadappearedatBerlinwiththeduecomplimentandcondolencealmostonthefirstdayoftheNewReign；firstmessengerofallonthaterrand；BritannicMajestyevidentlyinaconciliatoryhumor，——havinghisdangerousSpanishWaronhand。BritannicMajestyinperson，shortlyafter，getsacrosstoHanover；andFriedrichdespatchesTruchsess，withBielfeldadjoined，toreturnthecourtesy。
Friedrichdoesnotneglectthesepointsofgoodmanners；
alongwithwhichsomethingofsubstantialmaybeprivatelyconjoined。Forexample，ifhehadinsecrethiseyeonJulichandBerg，couldanythingbefitterthantoascertainwhattheFrenchwillthinkofsuchanenterprise？WhattheFrench；andnexttothemwhattheEnglish，thatistosay，Hanoverians，whomeddlemuchinaffairsoftheReich。Forthesereasonsandothershelikewise，probablywithmorestudythanintheBielfeldcase，despatchesColonelCamastomakehiscomplimentattheFrenchCourt，andinanexpertwaytakesoundingsthere。Camas，afatsedatemilitarygentleman，ofadvancedyears，fullofobservation，experienceandsoundsense，——\"withonearm，whichhemakesdotheworkoftwo，andnobodycannoticethattheotherarmrestinginhiscoat—breastisofcork，soexpertishe，\"——willdointhismatterwhatisfeasible；probablynotmuchforthepresent。HeistocallonVoltaire，ashepasses，whoisinHollandagain，attheHagueforsomemonthsback；anddeliverhim\"alittlecaskofHungaryWine，\"whichprobablyhisMajestyhadthoughtexquisite。
Ofwhich，andtheotherinsignificantpassagesbetweenthem，wehearmorethanenoughinthewritingsandcorrespondencesofVoltaireaboutthistime。
InsuchwayFriedrichdisposesofhisBielfelds；whoarerathernumerousabouthimnowandhenceforth。Adventurersfromallquarters，especiallyoftheliterarytype，inhopesofbeingemployed，muchhoveredroundFriedrichthroughhiswholereign。
Buttheymetaratherstrictjudgeonarriving；itcannotbesaidtheyfounditsuchaGoshenastheyexpected。
Favor，friendlyintimacy，itisvisiblefromthefirst，availsnothingwiththisyoungKing；beyondandbeforeallthingshewillhavehisworkdone，andlooksoutexclusivelyforthemanablesttodoit。HenceBielfeldgoestoHanover，togrinouteuphuisms，andmakegracefulcourtbowstooursublimelittleUnclethere。
Ontheotherhand，FriedrichinstitutesanewKnighthood，ORDEROF
MERITsocalled；whichindeedisbutasmallfeat，testifyingmerehopeandexuberanceasyet；andmayevenbemadeworsethannothing，accordingtotheKnightsheshallmanagetohave。
HappilyitprovedasuccessfulnewOrderinthislastall—
essentialparticular；and，totheendofFriedrich’slife，continuedtobeagreatandcoveteddistinctionamongthePrussians。
BeyonddoubtthisisaradiantenoughyoungMajesty；entitledtohope，andtobethecauseofhope。Handsome，tobeginwith；
decidedlywell—looking，allsay，andofgracefulpresence，thoughhardlyfivefeetseven，andperhapsstouteroflimbthanthestrictBelvederestandard。[Height，itappears，wasfivefeetfiveinches（Rhenish），whichinEnglishmeasureisfivefeetsevenorahair’s—breadthless。Preuss，twiceover，byamistakeunusualwithhim，gives\"fivefeettwoinchesthreelines\"asthecorrectcipher（whichitisofNAPOLEON’SmeasureinFRENCHfeet）；
thensettlesontheabovedimensionsfromunexceptionableauthority（Preuss，BuchfurJedermann，
i。18；Preuss，FredrichderGrosse，i。39
and419）。]Hasafinefreeexpressiveface；nothingofausterityinit；notaproudface，ornottooproud，yetrapidlyflashingonyouallmannerofhighmeanings。[Wille’sEngravingafterPesne（excellent，bothPictureandEngraving）isreckonedthebestLikenessinthatform。]Suchaman，inthebloomofhisyears；
withsuchapossibilityahead，andVoltaireandmankindwaitingapplausive！——Letustrytoselect，andextricateintocoherenceandvisibilityoutofthoseHistoricaldust—heaps，afewofthesymptomaticphenomena，orphysiognomicproceduresofFriedrichinhisfirstweeksofKingship，bywayofcontributiontosomePortraitureofhistheninner—man。
FRIEDRICHWILLMAKEMENHAPPY:CORN—MAGAZINES。
OnthedayafterhisAccession，OfficersandchiefMinisterstakingtheOath，Friedrich，tohisOfficers，\"onwhomhecountsforthesamezealnowwhichhehadwitnessedastheircomrade，\"
recommendsmildnessofdemeanorfromthehighertothelower，andthatthecommonsoldierbenottreatedwithharshnesswhennotdeserved:andtohisMinistersheisstillmoreemphatic，inthelikeorahigherstrain。Officiallyannouncingtothem，byLetter，thatanewReignhascommenced，heusesthesewords，legiblesoonaftertoagladBerlinpublic:\"Ourgrandcarewillbe，TofurthertheCountry’swell—being，andtomakeeveryoneofoursubjects（EINENJEDENUNSERERUNTERTHANEN）contentedandhappy。Ourwillis，notthatyoustrivetoenrichUsbyvexationofOursubjects；
butratherthatyouaimsteadilyaswelltowardstheadvantageoftheCountryasOurparticularinterest，forasmuchasWemakenodifferencebetweenthesetwoobjects，\"butconsiderthemoneandthesame。Thisiswritten，andgetsintoprintwithinthemonth；
andhisMajesty，thatsameday（Wednesday，2dJune），whenitcametopersonalreception，andactualtakingoftheOath，waspleasedtoaddinwords，whichalsowereprintedshortly，thiscomfortablecorollary:\"Mywillhenceforthis，IfiteverchancethatmyparticularinterestandthegeneralgoodofmyCountriesshouldseemtogoagainsteachother，——inthatcase，mywillis，Thatthelatteralwaysbepreferred。\"[Dickens，Despatch，4thJune，1740:
Preuss，FriedrichsJugendundThronbesteigung（Berlin，1840），p。325；——quotingfromtheBerlinNewspapersof28thJuneand2dJuly，1740。]
ThisisafinedialectforincipientRoyalty；anditisbrand—
newatthattime。Itexcitesanadmirationinthethenpopulations，whichtous，solongusedtoitandtowhatcommonlycomesofit，isnotconceivableatonce。TherecanbenodoubttheyoungKingdoesfaithfullyintendtodevelophimselfinthewayofmakingmenhappy；buthere，aselsewhere，arelimitswhichhewillrecognizeahead，someofthemperhapsnearerthanwasexpected。
Meanwhilehisfirstacts，inthisdirection，correspondtothesefinewords。Theyear1740，stillgrimwithcoldintotheheartofsummer，bidsfairtohavealatepoorharvest，andfaminethreatenstoadditselftootherhardshipstherehavebeen。
Recognizingtheactualitiesofthecase，whathispoorFathercouldnot，heopensthePublicGranaries，——awiseresourcetheyhaveinPrussiancountriesagainsttheyearofscarcity；——ordersgraintobesoldout，atreasonablerates，tothesufferingpoor；
andtakestheduepains，considerableinsomecases，thatthisberenderedfeasibleeverywhereinhisdominions。\"Berlin，2dJune，\"
isthefirstdateofthisimportantorder；fineprogramtohisMinisters，which，weread，isnosooneruttered，thansomeperformancefollows。Anevidentpieceofwisdomandhumanity；
forwhichdoubtlessblessingsofaverysincerekindrisetohimfromseveralmillionsofhisfellow—mortals。
Nayfurthermore，ascanbedimlygathered，thisscarcitycontinuing，somecontinuousmodeofmanagementwassetonfootforthePoor；andthereisnominated，withsalary，withoutlineofplanandotherrequisites，as\"InspectorofthePoor，\"tohisownandoursurprise，M。Jordan，lateReadertotheCrown—Prince，andstillmuchtheintimateofhisroyalFriend。Inspectorwhoseemstodohisworkverywell。AndintheNovembercomingthisiswhatwesee:\"Onethousandpooroldwomen，thedestituteofBerlin，settospin，\"athisMajesty’scharges；vacanthouses，hiredforthemincertainstreetsandsuburbs，havebeennew—planked，partitioned，warmed；andspinningisthereforanydiligentfemalesoul。Thereathousandofthemsit，underproperofficers，properwages，treatment；——andthehumoftheirpoorspindles，andoftheirpoorinarticulateoldhearts，isacomfort，ifonechancetothinkofit。——Of\"distressedneedlewomen\"whocannotsew，norbetaughttodoit；who，inprivatetruth，aremutinousmaid—servantscomeatlasttothenetupshotoftheiranarchies；ofthese，orofthelikeincurablephenomena，IhearnothinginBerlin；andcanbelievethat，underthisKing，Indigenceitselfmaystillhavesomethingofahumanaspect，notabrutalordiabolicasiscommonerinsomeplaces。——ThisisoneofFriedrich’sfirstacts，thisopeningoftheCorn—magazines，andarrangementsfortheDestitute；[Helden—Geschichte，i。367。
Rodenbeck，TagebuchausFriedrichsdesGrossenRegentenleben（Berlin，1840），i。2，26（2dJune，October，1740）:ameritorious，laborious，thoughessentiallychaoticBook，unexpectedlyfutileofresulttothereader；settlesforeachDayofFriedrich’sReign，sofaraspossible，whereFriedrichwasandwhatdoing；fatallywantsallindex&c。，asusual。]andofthistherecanbenocriticism。Thesoundofhungrypotssetboiling，onjudiciousprinciples；thehumofthoseoldwomen’sspindlesinthewarmrooms:godsandmenarewellpleasedtohearsuchsounds；andacceptthesameaspart，realthoughinfinitesimallysmall，ofthesphere—harmoniesofthisUniverse！
ABOLITIONOFLEGALTORTURE。
Friedrichmakeshaste，next，tostrikeintoLaw—improvements。
ItisbutthemorrowafterthisoftheCorn—magazines，byKABINETS—ORDRE（ActofParliamentsuchastheycanhaveinthatCountry，wheretheThreeEstatessitallunderoneThree—corneredHat，andthedebatesarekeptsilent，andonlytheupshotofthem，moreorlessfaithfully，ismadepublic），——byCabinetOrder，3dJune，1740，heabolishestheuseofTortureinCriminalTrials。
[Preuss，FriedrichsJugendundThronbesteigung（Berlin，1840，——aminorBookofPreuss’s），p。340。
Rodenbeck，i。14（\"3dJune\"）。]LegalTorture，\"Question\"astheymildlycallit，isatanendfromthisdate。NotinanyPrussianCourtshalla\"question\"tryforansweragainbythatsavagemethod。TheuseofTorturehad，Ibelieve，fallenratherobsoleteinPrussia；butnowtheverythreatofitshallvanish，——thethreatofit，aswemayremember，hadreachedFriedrichhimself，atonetime。Threeorfouryearsago，itisfarthersaid，adarkmurderhappenedinBerlin:Mankilledonenightintheopenstreets；murdererdiscoverablebynomethod，——unlesshewereacertainCANDIDATUSofDivinitytowhomsometraceofevidencepointed，butwhosorrowfullypersistedinabsoluteandtotaldenial。ThispoorCandidatushadbeenthreatenedwiththerack；
andwouldmostlikelyhaveatlengthgotit，hadnottherealmurdererbeendiscovered，——muchtothediscreditoftherackinBerlin。ThisCandidatuswasonlythreatened；nordoIknowwhenthelastactualinstanceinPrussiawas；butinenlightenedFrance，andmostothercountries，therewasasyetnoscrupleuponit。Barbier，theDiaristatParis，sometimeafterthis，tellsusofagangofthievesthere，whowereregularlyputtothetorture；
and\"theyblabbedtoo，ILSONTJASE，\"saysBarbierwithofficialjocosity。[Barbier，JournalHistoriqueduRegnedeLouisXV。（Paris，1849），ii。338（date\"Dec。1742\"）。]
Friedrich’sCabinetOrder，weneednotsay，wasgreetedeverywhere，athomeandabroad，bythreeroundsofapplause；——inwhichsurelyallofusstilljoin；thoughthePERCONTRAalsoisbecomingvisibletosomeofus，andourenthusiasmgrowslesscompletethanformerly。ThiswasFriedrich’sfirststepinLaw—
Reform，doneonhisfourthdayofKingship。Alongcareerinthatkindliesaheadofhim；inreformofLaw，civilaswellascriminal，hiseffortsendedwithlifeonly。ForhisloveofJusticewasreallygreat；andthemendacitiesandwiggeries，attachedtosuchanecessaryoflifeasLaw，foundnofavorfromhimatanytime。
WILLHAVEPHILOSOPHERSABOUTHIM，ANDAREALACADEMYOFSCIENCES
ToneglectthePhilosophies，FineArts，interestsofHumanCulture，heisleastofalllikely。TheideaofbuildinguptheAcademyofSciencestoitspristineheight，orfarhigher，isevidentlyoneofthosethathavelonglainintheCrown—Prince’smind，eagertorealizethemselves。ImmortalWolf，exiledbutsafeatMarburg，andrefusingtoreturninFriedrichWilhelm’stime，hadlatelydedicatedaBooktotheCrown—Prince；indicatingthatperhaps，underanewReign，hemightbemorepersuadable。
Friedrichmakeshastetopersuade；instructstheproperperson，ReverendHerrReinbeck，HeadoftheConsistoriumatBerlin，towriteandnegotiate。\"Allreasonableconditionsshallbegranted\"
theimmortalWolf，——andFriedrichaddswithhisownhandasPostscript:\"Irequestyou（IHN）tousealldiligenceaboutWolf。
Amanthatseekstruth，andlovesit，mustbereckonedpreciousinanyhumansociety；andIthinkyouwillmakeaconquestintherealmoftruthifyoupersuadeWolfhitheragain。\"[In
OEuvresdeFrederic（xxvii。ii。185），theLettergiven。]ThisisofdateJune6th；notyetaweeksinceFriedrichcametobeKing。TheReinbeck—WolfnegotiationwhichensuedcanbereadinBuschingbythecurious。[Busching’sBeitrage（？FreiherrvonWolf），i。63—137。]Itrepresentstousacroaky，thrifty，long—headedoldHerrProfessor，innohastetoquitMarburgexceptforsomethingbetter:\"obligedtowearwoollenshoesandleggings；\"\"badatmountingstairs；\"andotherwiseneedingsofttreatment。Willing，thoughwithcaution，toworkatanAcademyofSciences；——butdubiousiftheFrencharesoadmirableastheyseemtothemselvesinsuchoperations。
VeteranWolf，onedimlybeginstolearn，couldhimselfbuildaGermanAcademyofSciences，tosomepurpose，ifencouraged！
Thislatterwasprobablythestoneofstumblinginthatdirection。
VeteranWolfdidnotgettobePresidentintheNewAcademyofSciences；butwasbroughtback，\"streetsallintriumph，\"tohisoldplaceatHalle；andthere，withlittleotherworkthatwasheardof，butwehopeinwarmshoesandwithoutmuchmountingofstairs，livedpeaceablyvictorioustherestofhisdays。
Friedrich’sthoughtsarenotofaGermanhome—builtAcademy，butofaFrenchone:andforthishealreadyknowsabuilder；
hassilentlyhadhiminhiseye，thesetwoyearspast，——Voltairegivinghint，intheLETTERweonceheardofatLoo。BuildershallbethatsublimeMaupertuis；scientificlionofParis，eversincehisfeatinthePolarregions，andthecharmingNarrativehegaveofit。\"Whatafeat，whatabook！\"exclaimedtheParisiancultivatedcircles，maleandfemale，onthatoccasion；
andMaupertuis，withplentyofblusterinhimcarefullysuppressed，assentsinagrandlymodestway。HisPortraitsareinthePrintshopseversince；oneverysingularPortrait，justcomingout（atwhichthereissomelaughing）:acoarse—featured，blusterous，rathertriumphant—lookingman，blusterous，thoughfinelycomplacentforthenonce；incopiousdressing—gownandfurcap；comfortablySQUEEZINGtheEarthandhermeridiansflat（asifHEhaddoneit），withhislefthand；andwiththeother，anditsoutstretchedfinger，askingmankind，\"Arenotyouaware，then？\"——
\"Arenotwe！\"answersVoltairebyandby，withendlesswaggeriesuponhim，thoughatpresentsoreverent。Friedrich，inthesesamedays，writesthisAutograph；whichwhoofmenorlionscouldresist？
TOMONSIEURDEMAUPERTUIS，atParis。
（Nodate；——datable，June，1740。）
\"Myheartandmyinclinationexcitedinme，fromthemomentI
mountedthethrone，thedesireofhavingyouhere，thatyoumightputourBerlinAcademyintotheshapeyoualonearecapableofgivingit。Come，then，comeandinsertintothiswildcrab—treethegraftoftheSciences，thatitmaybearfruit。YouhaveshowntheFigureoftheEarthtomankind；showalsotoaKinghowsweetitistopossesssuchamanasyou。
\"MonsieurdeMaupertuis，——votretres—affectionne\"FEDERIC\"（SIC）。
[OEuvres，xvii。i。334。Thefantastic\"Federic，\"insteadof\"Frederic，\"is，bythistime，thecommonsignaturetoFrenchLetters。]
ThisLetter——howcouldMaupertuispreventsomeaccidentinsuchacase？——gotintotheNewspapers；gloriousforFriedrich，gloriousforMaupertuis；andraisedmatterstoastillhigherpitch。
Maupertuisisontheroad，andweshallseehimbeforelong。
ANDEVERYONESHALLGETTOHEAVENINHISOWNWAY。
Hereisanotherlittlefactwhichhadimmenserenownathomeandabroad，inthosesummermonthsandlongafterwards。
June22d，1740，theGEISTLICHEDEPARTEMENT（BoardofReligion，wemaytermit）reportsthattheRoman—CatholicSchools，whichhavebeeninusetheseeightyearspast，forchildrenofsoldiersbelongingtothatpersuasion，\"are，especiallyinBerlin，perverted，directlyintheteethofRoyalOrdinance，1732，toseducingProtestantsintoCatholicism；\"annexed，orreadyforannexing，\"isthespecificReportofFiscal—Generaltothiseffect:\"——uponwhich，whatwoulditpleasehisMajestytodirectustodo？
HisMajestywritesonthemarginthesewords，roughandready，whichwegivewithalltheirgrammaticalblotchesonthem；
indicatingamindmadeupononesubject，whichwasmuchmoredubiousthen，tomostotherminds，thanitnowis:——
\"DieReligionenMusen（MUSSEN）alleTollerirt（TOLERIRT）werden，undMus（MUSS）derFiscalnuhr（NUR）dasAugedaraufhaben，das（DASS）keinederandernabrugTuhe（ABBRUCHTHUE），den（DENN）hiermus（MUSS）einjedernachseinerFassonSelich（FACONSELIG）
werden。\"[Preuss，Thronbesteigung，p。333；
Rodenbeck，INDIE。
WhichinEnglishmightrunasfollows:——
\"AllReligionsmustbetolerated（TOLLERATED），andtheFiscalmusthaveaneyethatnoneofthemmakeunjustencroachmentontheother；forinthisCountryeverymanmustgettoHeaveninhisownway。\"
Wonderfulwords；precioustothethenleadingspirits，andwhich（thespellingandgrammarbeingmended）flewabroadoveralltheworld:theenlightenedPubliceverywhereansweringhisMajesty，oncemore，withitsloudest\"Bravissimo！\"onthisoccasion。
Withwhatenthusiasmofadmiringwonder，itisnowdifficulttofancy，afterthelapseofsixscoreyears！Andindeed，inregardtoalltheseworthyactsofHumanImprovementwhichwearenowconcernedwith，accountshouldbeheld（wereitpossible）onFriedrich’sbehalfhowextremelyoriginal，andbrightwiththesplendorofnewgold，theythenwere:andhowextremelytheyarefallendim，bygeneralcirculation，sincethat。Accountshouldbeheld；andyetitisnotpossible，nohumanimaginationisadequatetoit，inthetimeswearenowgotinto。
FREEPRESS，ANDNEWSPAPERSTHEBESTINSTRUCTORS。
Toleration，inFriedrich’sspiritualcircumstances，wasperhapsnogreatfeattoFriedrich:butwhatthereaderhardlyexpectedofhimwasFreedomofthePress，oranattemptthatway！
FromEngland，fromHolland，FriedrichhadheardofFreePress，ofNewspapersthebestInstructors:itisafactthathehastenstoplantaseedofthatkindatBerlin；setsaboutit\"ontheseconddayofhisreign，\"soeagerishe。BerlinhadalreadysomemeagreINTELLIGENZ—BLATT（WeeklyorThrice—WeeklyAdvertiser），perhapstwo；butitisarealNewspaper，frondentwithgenialleafyspeculation，andfoodforthemind，thatFriedrichisintentupon:
a\"Literary—PoliticalNewspaper，\"orwereiteventwoNewspapers，oneFrench，oneGerman；andherapidlymakesthearrangementsforit；despatchesJordan，onthesecondday，toseeksomefitFrenchman。Arrangementsaresoonmade:aBooksellingPrinter，Haude，BookselleroncetothePrince—Royal，——whomwesawonceinadomesticflash—of—lightninglongago，[Antea，Bookvi。c。7。]——isencouragedtoproceedwiththeimprovedGermanarticle，MERCURYorwhatevertheycalledit；vapidFormey，afacilepen，butnotaforcible，istheEditorsoughtoutbyJordanfortheFrenchone。
And，inshort，No。1ofFormeyshowsitselfinprintwithinamonth；[\"2dJuly，1740:\"Preuss，Thronbesteigung，p。330；andFormey，Souvenirs，
i。107，rectifiedbytheexactHerrPreuss。]andHaudeandhe，HaudepickingupsomegrandEditorinHamburg，dotheirbestfortheinstructionofmankind。
Innotmanymonths，Formey，afacileandlearnedbutrathervapidgentleman，demittedorwasdismissed；andtheJournalscoalescedintoone，orsplitintotwoagain；andwentIknownotwhatroad，orroads，intimecoming，——nonethatledtoresultsworthnaming。
FreedomofthePress，inthecaseoftheseJournals，wasneverviolated，norwasanyneedforviolatingit。GeneralFreedomofthePressFriedrichdidnotgrant，inanyquiteOfficialorsteadyway；butinpractice，underhim，italwayshadakindofrealexistence，thoughafluctuating，ambiguousone。Andwehavetonote，throughFriedrich’swholereign，amarkeddisinclinationtoconcernhimselfwithCensorship，ortheshacklingofmen’spoortonguesandpens；nothingbutsomeofficiousreportthattherewasoffencetoForeignCourts，orthechanceofoffence，inapoorman’spamphlet，couldinduceFriedrichtointerferewithhimorit，——andindeedhisinterferencewasgenerallyagainsthisMinistersforhavingwronginformedhim，andinfavorofthepoorPamphleteerappealingatthefountain—head。[Anonymous（Laveaux），ViedeFredericII。，RoidePrusse
（Strasbourg，1787），iv。82。Aworthless，nownearlyforgottenBook；butcompetentonthispoint，ifonany；Laveaux（ahandyfellow，fugitiveEx—Monk，withfugitiveEx—Nunattached）havinglivedmuchatBerlin，alwaysinthepamphleteeringline。]
Totheendofhislife，disgustingSatiresagainsthim，ViePriveebyVoltaire，MatineesduRoidePrusse，andstillworseLiesandNonsenses，werefreelysoldatBerlin，andevenboretobeprintedthere，Friedrichsayingnothing，caringnothing。HehasbeenknowntoburnPamphletspublicly，——onePamphletweshallourselvesseeonfireyet；——butitwaswithouttheleasthatredtothem，andforofficialreasonsmerely。Tothelast，hewouldanswerhisreportingMinisters，\"LEPRESSEESTLIBRE（Freepress，youmustconsider）！\"——grandlyreluctanttomeddlewiththepress，orgodownuponthedogsbarkingathisdoor。ThoseilleffectsofFreePress（firststageoftheilleffects）heenduredinthismanner；
butthegoodeffectsseemtohavefallenbelowhisexpectation。
Friedrich’senthusiamforfreedomofthepress，promptenough，aswesee，neverrosetotheextremepitch，anditrathersankthanincreasedashecontinuedhisexperiencesofmenandthings。
ThisofFormeyandthetwoNewspaperswastheonlyexpressattempthemadeinthatdirection；anditprovedaratherdisappointingone。ThetwoNewspaperswenttheirwaythenceforth，Friedrichsometimesmakinguseofthemforsmallpurposes，onceortwicewritinganarticlehimself，ofwildlyquizzicalnature，perhapstobenoticedbyuswhenthetimecomes；butareotherwise，exceptforchronologicalpurposes，ofthelastdegreeofinsignificancetogodsormen。
\"FreedomofthePress，\"saysmymelancholicFriend，\"isanoblething；andincertainNations，atcertainepochs，producesgloriouseffects，——chieflyintherevolutionaryline，wherethathasgrownindispensable。FreedomofthePressispossible，whereeverybodydisapprovestheleastabuseofit；wherethe’Censorship’is，asitwere，exercisedbyalltheworld。Whentheworld（as，eveninthefreestcountries，italmostirresistiblytendstobecome）isnolongerinacasetoexercisethatsalutaryfunction，andcannotkeepdownloudunwisespeaking，loudunwisepersuasion，andrebukeitintosilencewheneverprinted，FreedomofthePresswillnotanswerverylong，amongsanehumancreatures:andindeed，inNationsnotinanexceptionalcase，itbecomesimpossibleamazinglysoon！\"——
AllthesearephenomenaofFriedrich’sfirstweek。Letthesesufficeassample，inthatfirstkind。Splendidindicationssurely；andshotforthinswiftenoughsuccession，flashfollowingflash，uponanattentiveworld。Betokening，shallwesay，whatinternalseaofsplendor，strugglingtodiscloseitself，probablyliesinthisyoungKing；andhowhighhishopesgoformankindandhimself？Yes，surely；——andintroducing，weremarkwithal，the\"NewEra，\"ofPhilanthropy，Enlightenmentandsomuchelse；withFrenchRevolution，anda\"worldwellsuicided\"hangingintherear！
Clearlyenough，tothisyoungardentFriedrich，foremostmanofhisTime，andcapableofDOINGitsinarticulateordumbaspirings，belongsthatquestionablehonor；andaverysingularoneitwouldhaveseemedtoFriedrich，hadhelivedtoseewhatitmeant！
Friedrich’srapidityandactivity，inthefirstmonthsofhisreign，werewonderfultomankind；asindeedthroughlifehecontinuedtobeamostrapidandactiveKing。Hefliesabout；
musteringTroops，MinisterialBoards，passingEdicts，inspecting，acceptingHomagesofProvinces；——decidesanddoes，everydaythatpasses，anamazingnumberofthings。WritesmanyLetters，too；
findsmomentsevenforsomeverses；andoccasionallydrawsasnatchofmelodyfromhisflute。
HisLettersarecopiouslypreserved；but，asusual，theyareinswiftofficialtone，andtellusalmostnothing。TohisSistershewritesassurances；tohisfriends，hisSuhms，Duhans，Voltaires，eagerinvitations，generalorparticular，tocometohim。
\"Mystatehaschanged，\"ishisphrasetoVoltaireandotherdearintimates；atoneofpensiveness，atfirstevenofsorrowandpathostraceableinit；\"Cometome，\"——andthetone，inanolddialect，differentfromFriedrich’s，mighthavemeant，\"Prayforme。\"Animmensenewsceneisopened，fullofpossibilitiesofgoodandbad。Hishopesbeinggreat，hisanxieties，theshadowofthem，areproportionate。Duhan（hisgoodoldTutor）doesarrive，Algarottiarrives，warmlywelcomed，both:withVoltairetherearedifficulties；butsurelyhetoowill，beforelong，managetoarrive。ThegoodSuhm，whohadbeenSaxonMinisteratPetersburgtohissorrowthislongwhileback，gotinmotionsoonenough；
but，alas，hislungswereruinedbytheRussianclimate，andhedidnotarrive。SomethingpatheticstillinthosefinalLETTERSofSuhm。Passionatelyspeedingon，likeaspentsteedstrugglinghomeward；hehastopauseatWarsaw，andinafewdaysdiesthere，——inawaymournfultoFriedrichandus！ToDuhan，andDuhan’schildrenafterwards，hewaspunctually，nottoolavishly，attentive；inlikemannertoSuhm’sNephews，whomthedyingmanhadrecommendedtohim。——WewillnowglanceshortlyatasecondandcontemporaneousphasisofFriedrich’saffairs。
INTENDSTOBEPRACTICALWITHAL，ANDEVERYINCHAKING。
FriedrichisfarindeedfromthinkingtoreducehisArmy，astheForeignEditorimagines。Onthecontrary，heis，withallindustry，increasingit。HechangedthePotsdamGiantsintofourregimentsoftheusualstature；heisbusybargainingwithhisBrother—in—lawofBrunswick，andwithotherneighbors，forstillnewregiments；——makesup，withinthenextfewmonths，EightRegiments，anincreaseof，say，16，000men。Itwouldappearhemeanstokeepaneyeonthepracticalitieswithal；meanstohaveaFighting—Apparatusoftheutmostpotentiality，foronething。！
Hereareotherindications。
WesawtheOldDessauer，inasadhourlately，speakingbesidethemark；andwithwhatOlympianglance，suddenlytearless，thenewKingflashedoutuponhim，knowingnothingof\"authority\"thatcouldresideinanyDessauer。Norwasthatasolitaryexperience；
thelikebefellwhereverneeded。HeinrichofSchwedt，theIllMargraf，advancingwithjocosecountenanceinthewayofoldcomradeship，inthosefirstdays，metunexpectedrebuff，andwasreducedtogravityonthesudden:\"JETZTBINICHKONIG，——MyCousin，IamnowKing！\"afactwhichtheIllMargrafcouldnevergetforgottenagain。Lieutenant—GeneralSchulenburg，too，thedidacticSchulenburg，presuming，onoldfamiliarity，andwillingtowipeoutthemisfortuneofhavingoncecondemnedustodeath，whichnobodyisnowupbraidinghimwith，rushesupfromLandsberg，unbidden，topayhiscongratulationsandcondolences，drivenbyirresistibleexuberanceofloyalty:tohisastonishment，heisreminded（thingcertain，mannerofthethingnotknown），ThatanOfficercannotquithispostwithoutorder；thathe，atthismoment，oughttobeinLandsberg！[Stenzel，iv。41；Preuss，Thronbesteigung；&c。]Schulenburghasahardoldmilitaryface；buthereisayoungfacetoo，whichhasgrownunexpectedlyrigorous。FancytheblanklookoflittleSchulenburg；
thelightofhimsnuffedoutinthismanneronasudden。Itissaidhehadthoughtsofresigning，soindignantwashe:nodoubthewenthometoLandsberggloomilyreflective，withthepipe—clayofhismindinsucharuinouscondition。Buttherewasnoseriousanger，onFriedrich’spart；andheconsoledhislittleSchulenburgsoonafter，byexpeditingsomepromotionhehadintendedhim。\"TerriblyproudyoungMajestythis，\"exclaimthesweetvoices。Andindeed，iftheyaretohaveaSaturnianKingdom，byappearanceitwillbeonconditionsonly！
Anticipationstherehadbeen，thatoldunkindnessesagainsttheCrown—Prince，someofwhichwerecruelenough，mightberememberednow:andcertainpeoplehadtheirjustfears，consideringwhataccountstoodagainstthem；others，VICEVERSA，theirhopes。
Butneitherthefearsnorthehopesrealizedthemselves；
especiallythefearsprovedaltogethergroundless。Derschau，whohadvotedDeathinthatCopenickCourt—Martial，upontheCrown—
Prince，iscontinuedinhisfunctions，inthelightofhisKing’scountenance，asifnothingsuchhadbeen。Derschau，andallotherssoconcerned；nottheleastquestionwasmadeofthem，norofwhattheyhadthoughtorhaddoneorsaid，onanoccasiononcesotragicallyvitaltoacertainman。
NorisrewardmuchregulatedbypastservicestotheCrown—Prince，orevenbysufferingsenduredforhim。\"Shockingingratitude。！\"
exclaimthesweetvoicesheretoo，——beingofweakjudgment，manyofthem！PoorKatte’sFather，afaithfuloldSoldier，notcapableofbeingmore，hedoes，ratherconspicuously，makeFeldmarschall，makeReichsgraf；happy，couldthesehonorsbeaconsolationtotheoldman。TheMunchowsofCustrin，——readersremembertheirkindnessinthatsadtime；howtheyoungboywentintopetticoatsagain，andcametotheCrown—Prince’scellwithallmanneroffurnishings，——theMunchows，fatherandsons，thisyounggentlemanofthepetticoatsamongthem，hetookimmediatepainstorewardbypromotion:eldestsonwasadvancedintotheGeneralDirectorium；
twoyoungersons，toMajorship，toCaptaincy，intheirrespectiveRegiments；himofthepetticoats\"hehadalreadytakenaltogethertohimself，\"[Preuss，i。66。]andofhimweshallseeaglimpseatWilhelmina’sshortly，asa\"milkbeard（JEUNEMORVEUX）\"inpersonalattendanceonhisMajesty。Thiswasanotableexception。Andineffecttherecamegoodpublicservice，eminentsomeofit，fromtheseMunchowsintheirvariousdepartments。Anditwasatlengthperceivedtohavebeen，inthemain，becausetheywereofvisiblefacultyfordoingworkthattheyhadgotworktodo；andtheexceptionalcaseoftheMunchowsbecameconfirmatoryoftherule。
LieutenantKeith，again，whomweoncesawgallopingfromWeseltosavehislifeinthatbadaffairoftheCrown—Prince’sandhis，wasnothinglikesofortunate。LieutenantKeith，byspeedonthatWeseloccasion，andhelpofChesterfield’sSecretary，gotacrosstoEngland；gotintothePortugueseservice；andhastherebeensoldiering，verysilently，thesetenyearspast，——skinandbodysafe，thoughhiseffigywascutinfourquartersandnailedtothegallowsatWesel；——waitingatimethatwouldcome。Timebeingcome，LieutenantKeithhastenedhome；appealedtohiseffigyonthegallows；——andwasmadeaLieutenant—Colonelmerely，withsomeslightappendages，asthatofSTALLMEISTER（CuratoroftheStables）andsomethingelse；incomestillstraitened，thoughenoughtoliveupon。[Preuss，FriedrichmitVerwandtenundFreunden，p。281。]Smallpromotion，incomparisonwithhope，thoughtthepoorLieutenant；buthadtorestsatisfiedwithit；andstruggletounderstandthatperhapshewasfitfornothingbigger，andthathemustexerthimselftodothissmallthingwell。Hardnessofheartinhighplaces！Friedrich，oneisgladtosee，hadnotforgottenthepoorfellow，couldhehavedonebetterwithhim。Sometenyearshence，quiteincidentally，therecametoKeith，onemorning，afinepurseofmoneyfromhisMajesty，oneprettygiftinKeith’sexperience；——muchthetopicinBerlin，whileacertainsolemnEnglishgentlemanhappenedtobepassingthatway（whomwemeantodetainalittlebyandby），whoreportsitforuswithallthecircumstances。[SirJonasHanway，Travels，&c。（London，1753），ii。202。
DateoftheGiftis1750。]
LieutenantSpaentoohadgotintotroublefortheCrown—Prince’ssake，thoughwehaveforgottenhimagain；had\"admittedKattetointerviews，\"orweforgetwhat；——hadsathis\"yearinSpandau\"inconsequence；beendismissedthePrussianservice，andhadtakenservicewiththeDutch。LieutenantSpaeneitherdidnotreturnatall，ordislikedtheaspectswhenhedid，andimmediatelywithdrewtoHollandagain。Whichprobablywaswiseofhim。Atalateperiod，KingFriedrich，thenagreatKing，ononeofhisCleveJourneys，fellinwithSpaen；whohadbecomeaDutchGeneralofrank，andwasofgoodmannersandstyleofconversation:
KingFriedrichwascharmedtoseehim；becamehisguestforthenight；converseddelightfullywithhim，aboutoldPrussianmattersandaboutnew；andinthecolloquyneveroncealludedtothatinterestingpassageinhisyounglifeandSpaen’s。[Nicolai，Anekdoten，vi。178。]Hardaspolishedsteel！
thinksSpaenperhaps；but，ifcandid，mustaskhimselfwithal，Arefactsanysofter，ortheLawsofKingshiptoamanthatholdsit？
——KeithsilentlydidhisLieutenant—Colonelcywiththeappendages，whilelifelasted:ofthePageKeith，hisBrother，whoindeedhadblabbeduponthePrince，asweremember，andwasnotentitledtobeclamorous，Ineverheardthattherewasanynoticetaken；
andfigurehimtomyselfaswalkingwithshoulderedfirelock，aprivateFusileer，allhislifeafterwards，withmanyreflectionsonthingsbygone。[TheseandtheotherPrussianKeithsareallofScotchextraction；thePrussians，innaturalGermanfashion，pronouncetheirnameKAH—IT（English\"KITE\"withnothingoftheY
init），asmaybeworthrememberinginamoreimportantinstance。]
Oldfriendship，itwouldseem，iswithoutweightinpublicappointmentshere:oldfriendsaresomewhatastonishedtofindthisfriendoftheirsaKingeveryinch！Tooldcomrades，iftheywereuseless，muchmoreiftheywereworsethanuseless，howdisappointing！\"OnewretchedHerr[namesuppressed，butknownatthetime，andtalkedof，andwhisperedof]，whohad，likeseveralothers，hopingtorisethatway，beenindustriousinencouragingtheCrown—Prince’svicesastowomen，wassoshockedatthereturnhenowmet，thatindespairhehangedhimselfinLobeJun\"
（Lobegun，MagdeburgCountry）:hereisacaseforthehumane！
[Kuster，Characterzugedes&c。vonSaldern
（Berlin，1793），p。63。]
FriendKeyserlinghimself，\"Caesarion\"thatusedtobe，cangetnothing，thoughwelovehimmuch；beinganidletopsy—turvyfellowwithrevenuesofhisown。Jordan，withhisfine—drawnwit，Frenchlogics，LITERARYTRAVELS，thinexactitude；whatcanbedoneforJordan？HimalsohisnewMajestylovesmuch；andknowsthat，withoutsomeofficialliving，poorJordanhasnoresource。
Jordan，aftersomewaitingandsurvey，ismade\"InspectorofthePoor；\"——busythisAutumnlookingoutforvacanthouses，andarrangementsforthethousandspinningwomen；——continuestobeemployedinmixedliteraryservices（huntingupofFormey，forEditor，wasoneinstance），andtobeinmuchrealintimacy。
ThatalsowasperhapsabouttherealamountofamiableJordan。
TogetJordanalivingbyplantinghiminsomeofficewhichhecouldnotdo；towarmJordanbyburningourroyalbedforhim:
thathadnotenteredintothemindofJordan’sroyalfriend。
TheMunchowshedidpromote；theFinks，sonsofhisTutorFinkenstein:totheseandotheroldcomrades，inwhomhehaddiscoveredfitness，itisnodoubtabundantlygratefultohimtorecognizeandemployit。Ashenotablydoes，intheseandinotherinstances。ButbeforeallthingshehasdecidedtorememberthatheisKing；thathemustaccepttheseverelawsofthattrust，anddoIT，ornothavedoneanything。
Aninversesign，pointinginthesameway，isthepassionatesearchheismakinginForeignCountriesforsuchmenaswillsuithim。Inthesesamemonths，forexample，hebethinkshimoftwoCountsSchmettau，intheAustrianService，withwhomhehadmadeacquaintanceintheRhineCampaign；ofaCountvonRothenburg，whomhesawintheFrenchCampthere；andisnegotiatingtohavethemifpossible。TheSchmettausarePrussianbybirth，thoughinAustrianService；themheobtainsunderformofanOrderhome，withgoodconditionsunderit；theycame，andprovedusefulmentohim。Rothenburg，ashiningkindoffigureinDiplomacyaswellasSoldiership，wasAlsatianGerman，foreigntoPrussia；buthimtooFriedrichobtained，andmademuchof，aswillbenotablebyandby。AndinfactthesoulofallthesenobletendenciesinFriedrich，whichsurelyareconsiderable，iseventhis，Thathelovesmenofmerit，anddoesnotlovemenofnone；thathehasanendlessappetiteformenofmerit，andfeels，consciouslyandotherwise，thattheyaretheonethingbeautiful，theonethingneedfultohim。
This，whichistheproductofallfinetendencies，islikewisetheircentreorfocusoutofwhichtheystartagain，withsomechanceoffulfilment；——andwemayjudgeinhowmanydirectionsFriedrichwaswillingtoexpandhimself，bythemultifariouskindshewasinviting，andnegotiatingfor。Academicians，——andnotMaupertuisonly，butallmannerofmathematicalgeniuses（Eulerwhomhegot，’sGravesande，Muschenbroekwhomhefailedof）；
andLiterarygeniusesinnumerable，firstandlast。Academicians，Musicians，Players，Dancerseven；muchmoreSoldiersandCivil—
Servicemen:nomanthatcarriesanyhonest\"CANDO\"aboutwithhimbutmayexpectsomewelcomehere。WhichcontinuedthroughFriedrich’sreign；andinvolvedhiminmuchpettytrouble，notalwayssuccessfulinthelowerkindsofit。ForhisCourtwasthecynosureofambitiouscreaturesonthewing，orinclinedfortakingwing:likealanternkindledinthedarknessoftheworld；
——andmanyowlsimpingeduponhim；whomhehadtodismisswithbrevity。
PerhapsithadbeenbettertostandbymerePrussianorGermanmerit，nativetotheground？Orrather，undoubtedlyithad！
Insomedepartments，asinthemilitary，theadministrative，diplomatic，Friedrichwashimselfamongthebestofjudges:butinvariousothershehadmainly（mainly，bynomeansblindlyorsolely）toacceptnoiseofreputationasevidenceofmerit；andinthese，ifwecomputewithrigor，hissuccesswasintrinsicallynotconsiderable。Themorehonortohimthatheneverweariedoftrying。\"Amanthatdoesnotcareformerit，\"saystheadage，\"cannothimselfhaveany。\"ButaKingthatdoesnotcareformerit，whatshallwesayofsuchaKing！——
BEHAVIORTOHISMOTHER；TOHISWIFE。
Oneotherfinefeature，significantofmany，letusnotice:
hisaffectionforhisMother。WhenhisMotheraddressedhimas\"YourMajesty，\"heanswered，astheBooksarecarefultotellus:
\"CallmeSon；thatistheTitleofallothersmostagreeabletome！\"Wordswhich，therecanbenodoubt，camefromtheheart。
Fainwouldheshootforthtogreatnessinfilialpiety，asotherwise；fainsolacehimselfindoingsomethingkindtohisMother。Generously，lovingly；thoughagainwithclearviewofthelimits。HedecreesforheraTitlehigherthanhadbeencustomary，aswellasmoreaccordantwithhisfeelings；not\"QueenDowager，\"
but\"HerMajestytheQueenMother。\"HedecidestobuildheranewPalace；\"undertheLindens\"itistobe，andofduemagnificence:
inamonthortwo，hehadevengotbitsofthefoundationdug，andtheHousestobepulleddownboughtorbargainedfor；
[Rodenbeck，p。15（30thJune—23dAug。1740）；andcorrectStenzel（iv。44）。]——whichenterprise，however，wasrenounced，nodoubtwithconsent，asthepublicaspectsdarkened。Nothinginthewayofhonor，inthewayofrealaffectionheartilyfeltanddemonstrated，waswantingtoQueenSophieinherwidowhood。
But，ontheotherhand，ofpublicinfluencenovestigewasallowed，ifanywaseverclaimed；andthegoodkindMotherlivedinherMonbijou，thecentreandsummitofBerlinsociety；
andrestrictedherselfwiselytoprivatematters。Shehasherdomesticities，familyaffections，readings，speculations；
giveseveningpartiesatMonbijou。Oneglimpseofherin1742weget，thatofaperfectlyprivateroyalLady；whichthoughithaslittlemeaning，yetasitisauthentic，comingfromBusching’shand，mayserveasonelittletwinkleinthattotaldarkness，andshallbelefttothereaderandhisfancy:——
ACountHenkel，aThuringiangentleman，ofhighspeculation，highpietisticways，extremelydevout，andgiveneventowritingofreligion，cametoBerlinaboutsomeSilesianproperties，——amanI
shouldthinkofloftymelancholicaspect；and，inseveretype，somewhatofalion，onaccountofhisBookcalled\"DEATH—BED
SCENES，infourVolumes。\"CametoBerlin；andonthe15thAugust，1742，towardsevening（astheever—punctualBuschinglookingintoHenkel’sPapersgivesit），\"waspresentedtotheQueenMother；
whoretainedhimtosupper；suppernotbeginningtillaboutteno’clock。TheQueenMotherwasextremelygracioustoHenkel；
butinvestigatedhimagooddeal，andputagreatmanyquestions，\"
notquiteeasytoanswerinthatcircle，\"as，Whyhedidnotplay？
Whathethoughtofcomediesandoperas？WhatPreachershewasacquaintedwithinBerlin？WhetherhetoowasaWriterofBooks？
[covertlyalludingtotheDEATH—BEDSCENES，notesBusching]。
Andabundanceofotherquestioning。Shealsorecountedmanyfantasticanecdotes（VIELABENTEUERLICHES）aboutCountvonZinzendorf[FounderofHERNNHUTH，far—shiningspiritualPaladinofthatday，whomherMajestythinksratheraspiritualQuixote]；anddeclaredthattheywerestrictlytrue。\"[Busching’s
Beitrage，iv。27。]’Uponwhich，EXITHenkel，bornebyBusching，andourlightissnuffedout。
ThisisonemomentaryglanceIhavemetwithofQueenSophieinherDowagerstate。Therest，thoughtherewereseventeenyearsofitinall，issilenttomankindandme；andonlyherdeath，andherSon’sgreatgriefaboutit，sogreatastobesurprising，ismentionedintheBooks。
ActualpainfulsorrowabouthisFather，muchmoreanynewoutburstofweepingandlamenting，isnotonrecord，afterthatfirstmorning。Timedoesitswork；andinsuchawhirlofoccupations，soonerthanelsewhere:andthelovedDeadliesilentintheirmausoleuminourhearts，——serenelysadasEternity，notinloudsorrowasofTime。FriedrichwaspiousasaSon，howeverhemightbeonotherheads。Tothelastyearsofhislife，asfromthefirstdaysofhisreign，itwasevidentinwhathonorheheldFriedrichWilhelm’smemory；andthewords\"myFather，\"whentheyturnedupindiscourse，hadinthatfinevoiceofhisatonewhichtheobserversnoted。\"TohisMotherhefailednoday，wheninBerlin，howeverbusy，tomakehisvisit；andheneverspoketoher，excepthatinhand。\"
WithhisownQueen，Friedrichstillconsortsagooddeal，inthesefirsttimes；iswithheratCharlottenburg，Berlin，Potsdam，Reinsberg，foradayortwo，asoccasiongives；sometimesatReinsbergforweeksrunning，intheintervalsofwarandbusiness:
gladtobeatrestamidhisoldpursuits，bythesideofakindinnocentbeingfamiliartohim。Soitlastsforalengthoftime。
Butthesehappyintervals，wecanremark，growrarer:whethertheLady’shumor，astheybecamerarer，mightnotsinkwithal，andproduceanaccelerationintherateofdecline？Shewasthoughttobecapableof\"pouting（FAIRELAFACHEE），\"atoneperiod！Wearelefttoourguesses；thereisnotanywherethesmallestwhispertoguideus。DeepsilencereignsinallPrussianBooks。——Tofeelortosuspectyourselfneglected，andtobecomeMOREamiablethereupon（inwhichcoursealonelieshope），isdifficultforanyQueen！Enough，wecanobservethesemeetings，withintwoorthreeyears，havebecomemuchrarer；andperhapsabouttheendofthethirdorfourthyear，theyaltogethercease；andpassmerelyintotheformalcharacter。Inwhichstatetheycontinuedfixed，liabletonouncertainty；andweretransacted，totheendofFriedrich’slife，withinflexibleregularityastheannualreviewswere。
Thisisacurioussectionofhislife；whichtherewillbeotheropportunitiesofnoticing。Butthereisyetnothoughtofitanywhere，norforyearstocome；thoughfablestothecontrarywereoncecurrentinBooks。[Laveaux，&c。]
NOCHANGEINHISFATHER’SMETHODSORMINISTRIES。
IntheoldmodeofAdministration，intheMinistries，GovernmentBoards，hemadenochange。TheseadministrativemethodsofhiswiseFather’sareadmirabletoFriedrich，whoknowsthemwell；
andtheycontinuetobeso。ThesemenofhisFather’s，themalsoFriedrichknows，andthattheywerewellchosen。Inmethodsorinmen，heisinclinedtomaketheminimumofalterationatpresent。
OneFinanceHofrathofaprojectingturn，namedEckart，whohadabusedthelastweakyearsofFriedrichWilhelm，andmuchafflictedmankindbythefavorhewasin:thisEckartFriedrichappointedacommissiontoinquireinto；foundthepublicrightinregardtoEckart，anddismissedhimwithignominy，notwithmuchotherpunishment。MinisterBoden，onthecontrary，highintheFinanceDepartment，whohadalsobeenmuchgrumbledat，Friedrichfoundtobeagoodman:andFriedrichnotonlyretainedBoden，butadvancedhim；andcontinuedtomakemoreandmoreuseofhimintimecoming。Hisloveofperfectioninworkdone，hiscareofthrift，seemedalmostgreaterthanhislateFather’shadbeen，——tothedisappointmentofmany。IntheotherDepartments，Podewils，Thulmeyerandtherestwentonasheretofore；——onlyingeneralwithlesstodo，theyoungKingdoingmorehimselfthanhadbeenusual。Valori，\"MONGROSVALORI（myfatValori），\"FrenchMinisterhere，whomweshallknowbetter，writeshomeofthenewKingofPrussia:\"Hebeginshisgovernment，asbyallappearancehewillcarryiton，inahighlysatisfactoryway:everywheretraitsofbenevolence，sympathyforhissubjects，respectshowntothememoryoftheDeceased，\"[MemoiresdesNegociationsduMarquisdeValori（aParis，1820），i。20（\"June13th，1740\"）。AvaluableBook，whichweshalloftenhavetoquote:
editedinalamentablyignorantmanner。]——nochangemade，whereitevidentlyisnotforthebetter。
Friedrich’s\"ThreeprincipalSecretariesofState，\"asweshoulddesignatethem，areveryremarkable。ThreeClerkshefound，orhadknownof，somewhereinthePublicOffices；andnowtook，undersomeadvancedtitle，tobespeciallyhisownPrivateClerks:
threevigorouslong—headedyoungfellows，\"Eichel，Schuhmacher，Lautensack\"theobscurenamesofthem；[Rodenbeck，15thJune，1740。]outofwhom，nowandallalonghenceforth，hegotimmensitiesofworkinthatkind。Theylastedallhislife；
and，ofcourse，grewevermoreexpertattheirfunction。
Close，silent；exactasmachinery:everready，fromthesmallestclearhint，marginalpencil—mark，almostfromaglanceoftheeye，toclothetheRoyalWillinofficialform，withthedueruggedclearnessandthriftofwords。\"Camepunctuallyatfourinthemorninginsummer，fiveinwinter；\"diddailytheday’swork；
andkepttheirmouthswellshut。AverynotableTrioofmen；
servinghisMajestyandthePrussianNationasPrincipalSecretariesofState，onthosecheapterms；——nayalmostasHousesofParliamentwithStandingCommitteesandappendages，somanyActsofParliamentadmittedlyratherwise，beingpasseddailybyhisMajesty’shelpandtheirs！——Friedrichpaidthemratherwell；
theysawnosociety；livedwhollytotheirwork，andtotheirownfamilies。Eichelaloneofthethreewasmentionedatallbymankind，andthatobscurely；an\"abstruse，reserved，long—headedkindofman；\"and\"madeagreatdealofmoneyintheend，\"
insinuatesBusching，[Beitrage，