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
Curious to see, so far as dates go, how Friedrich Wilhelm changes his
tune to Wife and Children in exact correspondence to the notes given
out at Soissons for a Kaiser and his Pragmatic Sanction. Poor Prussian
Household, poor back, and heart, of Crown-Prince; what a concert it is
in this world, Smoking Parliament for souffleur! Let the big Diplomatist
Bassoon of the Universe go this way, there are caresses for a young
Soldier and his behavior in the giant regiment; let the same Bassoon
sound that way, bangs and knocks descend on him; the two keep time
together,--so busy is the Smoking Parliament with his Majesty of
Prussia. The world has seen, with horror and wonder, Friedrich Wilhelm's
beating of his grown children: but the pair of MEERKATZEN, or enchanted
Demon-Apes, disguised as loyal Councillors, riding along with him the
length of a Terrestrial Equator, have not been so familiar to the world.
Seckendorf, Grumkow: we had often heard of Devil-Diplomatists; and
shuddered over horrible pictures of them in Novels; hoping it was
all fancy: but here actually is a pair of them, transcending all
Novels;--perhaps the highest cognizable fact to be met with in
Devil-Diplomacy. And it may be a kind of comfort to readers, both to
know it, and to discern gradually what the just gods make of it withal.
Devil-Diplomatists do exist, at least have existed, never doubt it
farther; and their astonishingly dexterous mendacities and enchanted
spider-webs,--CAN these go any road but one in this Universe?
That the Congress of Cambrai was not a myth, we convinced ourselves by a
letter of Voltaire's, who actually saw it dining there in the Year
1722, as he passed that way. Here, for Soissons, in like manner, are two
Letters, by a less celebrated but a still known English hand; which,
as utterances in presence of the fact itself, leave no doubt on the
subject. These the afflicted reader will perhaps consent to take a
glance of. If the Congress of Soissons, for the sake of memorable
objects concerned there, is still to be remembered, and believed in, for
a little while,--the question arises, How to do it, then?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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