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
To know the special figure of the Crown-Prince's way of life in
those years, who his friends, companions were, what his pursuits and
experiences, would be agreeable to us; but beyond the outline already
given, there is little definite on record. He now resides habitually at
Potsdam, be the Court there or not; attending strictly to his military
duties in the Giant Regiment; it is only on occasion, chiefly perhaps in
"Carnival time," that he gets to Berlin, to partake in the gayeties of
society. Who his associates there or at Potsdam were? Suhm, the Saxon
Resident, a cultivated man of literary turn, famed as his friend in time
coming, is already at his diplomatic post in Berlin, post of difficulty
just now; but I know not whether they have yet any intimacy. [Preuss,
_Friedrich mit seinen Verwandten und Freunden_, p. 24.] This we do know,
the Crown-Prince begins to be noted for his sprightly sense, his love
of literature, his ingenuous ways; in the Court or other circles,
whatsoever has intelligence attracts him, and is attracted by him. The
Roucoulles Soirees,--gone all to dim backram for us, though once so
lively in their high periwigs and speculations,--fall on Wednesday. When
the Finkenstein or the others fall,--no doubt his Royal Highness knows
it. In the TABAKS-COLLEGIUM, there also, driven by duty, he sometimes
appears; but, like Seckendorf and some others, he only affects to smoke,
and his pipe is mere white clay. Nor is the social element, any more
than the narcotic vapor which prevails there, attractive to the young
Prince,--though he had better hide his feelings on the subject.
Out at Potsdam, again, life goes very heavy; the winged Psyche much
imprisoned in that pipe-clay element, a prey to vacancy and many tediums
and longings. Daily return the giant drill-duties; and daily, to the
uttermost of rigorous perfection, they must be done:--"This, then, is
the sum of one's existence, this?" Patience, young "man of genius,"
as the Newspapers would now call you; it is indispensably beneficial
nevertheless! To swallow one's disgusts, and do faithfully the ugly
commanded work, taking no council with flesh and blood: know that
"genius," everywhere in Nature, means this first of all; that without
this, it means nothing, generally even less. And be thankful for your
Potsdam grenadiers and their pipe-clay!--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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