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
Of Graf Fink von Finkenstein, who has had military experiences of all
kinds and all degrees, from marching as prisoner into France, "wounded
and without his hat," to fighting at Malplaquet, at Blenheim, even at
Steenkirk, as well as Stralsund; who is now in his sixtieth year, and
seems to have been a gentleman of rather high solemn manners, and indeed
of undeniable perfections,--of this supreme Count Fink we learn almost
nothing farther in the Books, except that his little Pupil did not
dislike him either. The little Pupil took not unkindly to Fink;
welcoming any benignant human ray, across these lofty gravities of the
OBERHOFMEISTER; went often to his house in Berlin; and made acquaintance
with two young Finks about his own age, whom he found there, and who
became important to him, especially the younger of them, in the
course of the future. [Zedlitz-Neukirch, _Preussisches Adels-Lexikon _
(Leipzig, 1836), ii. 168. _Militair-Lexicon, _ i. 420.] This Pupil, it
may be said, is creditably known for his attachment to his Teachers and
others; an attached and attaching little Boy. Of Kalkstein, a rational,
experienced and earnest kind of man, though as yet but young, it is
certain also that the little Fritz loved him; and furthermore that
the Great Friedrich was grateful to him, and had a high esteem of his
integrity and sense. "My master, Kalkstein," used to be his designation
of him, when the name chanced to be mentioned in after times. They
continued together, with various passages of mutual history, for forty
years afterwards, till Kalkstein's death. Kalkstein is at present
twenty-eight, the youngest of the three Tutors; then, and ever after,
an altogether downright correct soldier and man. He is of Preussen, or
Prussia Proper, this Kalkstein;--of the same kindred as that mutinous
Kalkstein, whom we once heard of, who was "rolled in a carpet," and
kidnapped out of Warsaw, in the Great Elector's time. Not a direct
descendant of that beheaded Kalkstein's but, as it were, his NEPHEW so
many times removed. Preussen is now far enough from mutiny; subdued,
with all its Kalksteins, into a respectful silence, not lightly using
the right even of petition, or submissive remonstrance, which it may
still have. Nor, except on the score of parliamentary eloquence and
newspaper copyright, does it appear that Preussen has suffered by the
change.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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