History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 05Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 05
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
The clever little Princess, now born in this manner, is known by name
to idle readers. She was christened AMELIA; and we shall hear of her in
time coming. But there was, as the Circulating Libraries still intimate,
a certain loud-spoken braggart of the histrionic-heroic sort, called
Baron Trenck, windy, rash, and not without mendacity, who has endeavored
to associate her with his own transcendent and not undeserved ill-luck;
hinting the poor Princess into a sad fame in that way. For which,
it would now appear, there was no basis whatever! Most condemnable
Trenck;--whom, however, Robespierre guillotined finally, and so settled
that account and others.
Of Sophie Dorothee's twelve children, including this Amelia, there are
now eight living, two boys, six girls; and after Amelia, two others,
boys, are successively to come: ten in all, who grew to be men and
women. Of whom perhaps I had better subjoin a List; now that the eldest
Boy and Girl are about to get settled in life; and therewith close this
Chapter.
FRIEDRICH WILHELM'S TEN CHILDREN.
Marriage to Sophie Dorothee, 28th November, 1706.
A little Prince, born 23d November, 1707, died in six months. Then came,
1. FREDERIKA SOPHIE WILHELMINA, ultimately Margravine of Baireuth, after
strange adventures in the marriage-treaty way. Wrote her _Memoires_
there, about 1744. Of whom we shall hear much. Left a Daughter, her one
child; Daughter badly married, to "Karl reigning Duke of Wurtemberg"
(Poet Schiller's famous Serene Highness there), from whom she had to
separate, &c., with anger enough, by and by.
After Wilhelmina in the Family series came a second Prince, who died in
the eleventh month. Then, 24th January, 1712,
2. FRIEDRICH.
After whom (1713) a little Princess, who died in few months. And then,
3. FREDERIKA LOUISA, born 28th September, 1714; age now about nine.
Margravine of Anspach, 30th May, 1729; Widow 1757. Her one Son, born
1736, was the LADY-CRAVEN'S Anspach. Frederika Louisa died 4th February,
1734.
4. PHILIPPINA CHARLOTTE, born 13th of March, 1716; became Duchess of
Brunswick (her Husband was Eldest Brother of the "Prince Ferdinand"
so famous in England in the Seven-Years War); her Son was the Duke who
invaded France in 1792, and was tragically hurled to ruin in the Battle
of Jena, 1806. The Mother lived till 1801; Widow since 1780.
After whom, in 1717, again a little Prince, who died within two years
(our Fritz then seven,--probably the first time Death ever came before
him, practically into his little thoughts in this world): then,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account