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
He did learn "Arithmetic," "Geography," and the other useful knowledges
that were indispensable to him. He knows History extensively; though
rather the Roman, French, and general European as the French have
taught it him, than that of "Hessen, Brunswick, England," or even the
"Electoral and Royal House of Brandenburg," which Papa had recommended.
He read History, where he could find it readable, to the end of his
life; and had early begun reading it,--immensely eager to learn, in his
little head, what strange things had been, and were, in this strange
Planet he was come into.
We notice with pleasure a lively taste for facts in the little Boy;
which continued to be the taste of the Man, in an eminent degree.
Fictions he also knows; an eager extensive reader of what is called
Poetry, Literature, and himself a performer in that province by and
by: but it is observable how much of Realism there always is in his
Literature; how close, here as elsewhere, he always hangs on the
practical truth of things; how Fiction itself is either an expository
illustrative garment of Fact, or else is of no value to him. Romantic
readers of his Literature are much disappointed in consequence, and
pronounce it bad Literature;--and sure enough, in several senses, it is
not to be called good! Bad Literature, they say; shallow, barren, most
unsatisfactory to a reader of romantic appetites. Which is a correct
verdict, as to the romantic appetites and it. But to the man himself,
this quality of mind is of immense moment and advantage; and forms
truly the basis of all he was good for in life. Once for all, he has no
pleasure in dreams, in parti-colored clouds and nothingnesses. All his
curiosities gravitate towards what exists, what has being and reality
round him. That is the significant thing to him; that he would right
gladly know, being already related to that, as friend or as enemy;
and feeling an unconscious indissoluble kinship, who shall say of what
importance, towards all that. For he too is a little Fact, big as can be
to himself; and in the whole Universe there exists nothing as fact but
is a fellow-creature of his.
That our little Fritz tends that way, ought to give Noltenius,
Finkenstein and other interested parties, the very highest satisfaction.
It is an excellent symptom of his intellect, this of gravitating
irresistibly towards realities. Better symptom of its quality (whatever
QUANTITY there be of it), human intellect cannot show for itself.
However it may go with Literature, and satisfaction to readers of
romantic appetites, this young soul promises to become a successful
Worker one day, and to DO something under the Sun. For work is of an
extremely unfictitious nature; and no man can roof his house with clouds
and moonshine, so as to turn the rain from him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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