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
Fassmann makes a very touching scene of it. King is in bed, ill of
his gout after that slaughter of the 3,602 wild swine: attendants are
sitting round his Majesty, in the way we know; Queen Sophie at his head,
"Seckendorf and several others" round the bed. Letters arrive; Princess
Frederika Louisa, a very young Lady, has also had a Letter; which, she
sees by the seal, will be interesting, but which she must not herself
open. She steps in with it; "beautiful as an angel, but rather foolish,
and a spoilt child of fifteen," says Wilhelmina: trips softly in with
it; hands it to the King. "Give it to thy Mother, let her read it," says
the King. Mother reads it, with audible soft voice: Formal demand in
marriage from the Serenity of Anspach, as foreseen.
"Hearken, Louisa (HORE, LUISE), it is still time," said the King: "Tell
us, wouldst thou rather go to Anspach, now, or stay with me? If thou
choose to stay, thou shalt want, for nothing, either, to the end of thy
life. Speak!"--"At such unexpected question," says Fassmann, "there rose
a fine blush over the Princess's face, who seemed to be at a loss for
her answer. However, she soon collected herself; kissed his Majesty's
hand, and said: 'Most gracious Papa, I will to Anspach!' To which
the King: 'Very well, then; God give thee all happiness and thousand
blessings!--But, hearken, Louisa,' the King's Majesty was pleased at
the same time to add, 'We will make a bargain, thou and I. You have
excellent, Flour at Anspach (SCHONES MEHL); but in Hams and Smoked
Sausages you don't, come up, either in quality or quantity, to us in
this Country. Now I, for my part, like good pastries. So, from time to
time, thou shalt send me a box of nice flour, and I will keep thee in
hams and sausages. Wilt thou, Louisa?' That the Princess answered Yea,"
says poor Fassmann with the tear in his eye, "may readily be supposed!"
Nay all that heard the thing round the royal bed there--simple
humanities of that kind from so great, a King--had almost or altogether
tears in their eyes. [Fassmann, pp. 393, 394.]
This surely is a very touching scene. But now listen to Wilhelmina's
account of another on the same subject, between the same parties. "At
table;" no date indicated, or a wrong one, but evidently after this:
in fact, we find it was about the beginning of March, 1729; and had sad
consequences for Wilhelmina.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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