History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 13
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
The Saxon Gentlemen never came;--privately the Saxons were quite off
from the Silesian bargain, and from Friedrich altogether;--so that this
border survey of Nussler's came to nothing, on the present occasion. But
it served him and Friedrich well, on a new boundary-settling, which
did take effect, and which holds to this day. Nussler, during
these operations, and vain waitings for the Saxons, had Neisse for
head-quarters; and, going and returning, was much about Neisse; Walrave,
Marwitz (Father of Wilhelmina's baggage Marwitz), Feldmarschall Schwerin
(in earlier stages), and other high figures, being prominent in his
circle there.
"The old Prince of Dessau came thither: for some days. [Busching,
_Beitrage,_ i. 347 (beginning of May as we guess, but there is no date
given).] He was very gracious to Nussler, who had been at his Court,
and known him before this. The Old Dessauer made use of Walrave's Plate;
usually had Walrave, Nussler, and other principal figures to dinner.
Walrave's Plate, every piece of it, was carefully marked with a RAVEN on
the rim,--that being his crest ["Wall-raven" his name]: Old Dessauer,
at sight of so many images of that bird, threw out the observation, loud
enough, from the top of the table, 'Hah, Walrave, I see you are making
yourself acquainted with the RAVENS in time, that they may not be
strange to you at last,'"--when they come to eat you on the gibbet! (not
a soft tongue, the Old Dessauer's). "Another day, seeing Walrave seated
between two Jesuit Guests, the Prince said: 'Ah, there you are right,
Walrave; there you sit safe; the Devil can't get you there!' As the
Prince kept continually bantering him in this strain, Walrave determined
not to come; sulkily absented himself one day: but the Prince sent the
ORDINANZ (Soldier in waiting) to fetch him; no refuge in sulks.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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