History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 09Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 09
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
A more important feature of the Crown-Prince's life in these latter
weeks is the news he gets of his father. Friedrich Wilhelm, after
quitting the Electoral Yacht, did his reviewing at Wesel, at Bielefeld,
all his reviewing in those Rhine and Weser Countries; then turned aside
to pay a promised visit to Ginkel the Berlin Dutch Ambassador, who has
a fine House in those parts; and there his Majesty has fallen seriously
ill. Obliged to pause at Ginkel's, and then at his own Schloss of
Moyland, for some time; does not reach Potsdam till the 14th September,
and then in a weak, worsening, and altogether dangerous condition,
which lasts for months to come. [Fassmann, pp. 512-533: September,
1734-January, 1735.] Wrecks of gout, they say, and of all manner of
nosological mischief; falling to dropsy. Case desperate, think all the
Newspapers, in a cautious form; which is Friedrich Wilhelm's own opinion
pretty much, and that of those better informed. Here are thoughts for a
Crown-Prince; well affected to his Father, yet suffering much from him
which is grievous. To by-standers, one now makes a different figure:
"A Crown-Prince, who may be King one of these days,--whom a little
adulation were well spent upon!" From within and from without come
agitating influences; thoughts which must be rigorously repressed, and
which are not wholly repressible. The soldiering Crown-Prince, from
about the end of September, for the last week or two of this Campaign,
is secretly no longer quite the same to himself or to others.
GLIMPSE OF LIEUTENANT CHASOT, AND OF OTHER ACQUISITIONS.
We have still two little points to specify, or to bring up from the
rearward whither they are fallen, in regard to this Campaign. After
which the wearisome Campaign shall terminate; Crown-Prince leading his
Ten Thousand to Frankfurt, towards their winter-quarters in Westphalia;
and then himself running across from Frankfurt (October 5th), to see
Wilhelmina for a day or two on the way homewards:--with much pleasure to
all parties, my readers and me included!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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