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
Friday forenoon, 19th May, 1729, the young Margraf arrived in person at
Berlin,--just seventeen gone Saturday last, poor young soul, and very
foolish. Sublime royal carriage met him at the Prussian frontier; and
this day, what is more interesting, our "Crown-Prince rides out to meet
him; mounts into the royal carriage beside him;" and the two young fools
drive, in such a cavalcade of hoofs and wheels,--talking we know
not what,--into Potsdam; met by his Majesty and all the honors.
What illustrious gala there then was in Potsdam and the Court world,
read,--with tedium, unless you are in the tailor line,--described with
minute distinctness by the admiring Fassmann. [pp.396-401.] There are
Generals, high Ladies, sons of Bellona and Latona; there are dinners,
there are hautboys,--"two-and-thirty blackamoors," in flaming uniforms,
capable of cymballing and hautboying "up the grand staircase, and round
your table, and down again," in a frightfully effective manner, while
you dine. Madame Kamecke is to go as Oberhofmeisterinn to Anspach; and
all the lackeys destined thither are in their new liveries, blue turned
up with red velvet. Which is delightful to see. Review of the Giant
grenadiers cannot fail; conspicuous on parade with them our Crown-Prince
as Lieutenant-Colonel: "the beauty of this Corps as well as the
perfection of their EXERCITIA,"--ah yes, we know it, my dim old
friend. The Marriage itself followed, at Berlin, after many exercitia,
snipe-shootings, feastings, hautboyings; on the 30th of the month; with
torch-dance and the other customary trimmings; "Bride's garter cut
in snips" for dreaming upon "by his Royal Majesty himself." The
LUSTBARKEITEN, the stupendous public entertainments having ended, there
is weeping and embracing (MORE HUMANO); and the happy couple, so-called
happy, retire to Anspach with their destinies and effects.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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