History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 06Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 06
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
Pollnitz himself adds two circumstances, in regard to it, which are
pretty impossible: as, first, that Friedrich Wilhelm had joyfully
consented to this clandestine marriage, and was eagerly waiting for it;
second, that George II. too had privately favored or even instigated the
adventure, being at heart willing to escape the trouble of Messages to
Parliament, to put his Son in the wrong, and I know not what. [Pollnitz,
ii. 272-274.] The particles of fact in the affair are likewise two:
First, that Queen Sophie, and from her the Courtier Public generally,
expected the Hanover Royal Highness, who probably had real thoughts
of seeing Berlin and his Intended, on this occasion; Dubourgay reports
daily rumors of the Royal Highness being actually "seen" there in an
evanescent manner; and Wilhelmina says, her Mother was so certain of
him, "she took every ass or mule for the Royal Highness,"--heartily
indifferent to Wilhelmina. This is the first particle of fact. The
Second is, that a subaltern Official about the Royal Highness, one
Lamothe of Hanover, who had appeared in Berlin about that time, was
thrown into prison not long after, for what misbehavior none knew,--for
encouraging dissolute Royal Highness in wild schemes, it was guessed.
And so the Myth grew, and was found ready for Pollnitz and his
followers. Royal Highness did come over to England; not then as the
Myth bears, but nine months afterwards in December next; and found
other means of irritating his imperative, flighty, irascible and rather
foolish little Father, in an ever-increasing degree. "Very coldly
received at Court," it is said: ill seen by Walpole and the Powers;
being too likely to become a focus of Opposition there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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