History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 04Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 04
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
from pole to pole; and then listening to the Constitutional litanies of
Dryasaust, and his lamentations on the old Norman and Plantagenet Kings,
and his recognition of departed merit and causes of effects,--the mind
of man is struck dumb!
Chapter IV. -- HIS MAJESTY'S WAYS.
Friedrich Wilhelm's History is one of ECONOMICS; which study, so soon as
there are Kings again in this world, will be precious to them. In that
happy state of matters, Friedrich Wilhelm's History will well reward
study; and teach by example, in a very simple and direct manner. In what
is called the Political, Diplomatic, "Honor-to-be" department, there is
not, nor can ever be, much to be said of him; this Economist King
having always kept himself well at home, and looked steadily to his own
affairs. So that for the present he has, as a King, next to nothing
of what is called History; and it is only as a fellow-man, of singular
faculty, and in a most peculiar and conspicuous situation, that he can
be interesting to mankind. To us he has, as Father and daily teacher
and master of young Fritz, a continual interest; and we must note
the master's ways, and the main phenomena of the workshop as they
successively turned up, for the sake of the notable Apprentice serving
there.
He was not tall of stature, this arbitrary King: a florid-complexioned
stout-built man; of serious, sincere, authoritative face; his attitudes
and equipments very Spartan in type. Man of short firm stature; stands
(in Pesne's best Portraits of him) at his ease, and yet like a tower.
Most solid; "plumb and rather more;" eyes steadfastly awake; cheeks
slightly compressed, too, which fling the mouth rather forward; as if
asking silently, "Anything astir, then? All right here?" Face, figure
and bearing, all in him is expressive of robust insight, and
direct determination; of healthy energy, practicality, unquestioned
authority,--a certain air of royalty reduced to its simplest form. The
face in Pictures by Pesne and others, is not beautiful or agreeable;
healthy, genuine, authoritative, is the best you can say of it. Yet it
may have been, what it is described as being, originally handsome.
High enough arched brow, rather copious cheeks and jaws; nose smallish,
inclining to be stumpy; large gray eyes, bright with steady fire and
life, often enough gloomy and severe, but capable of jolly laughter too.
Eyes "naturally with a kind of laugh in them," says Pollnitz;--which
laugh can blaze out into fearful thunderous rage, if you give him
provocation. Especially if you lie to him; for that he hates above all
things. Look him straight in the face: he fancies he can see in your
eyes, if there is an internal mendacity in you: wherefore you must look
at him in speaking; such is his standing order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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