History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 14Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 14
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
MEMORIAL BY VOLTAIRE. "3. In these circumstances, if your Majesty took
the tone of a Master, gave example to the Princes of the Empire in
assembling an Army of Neutrality,--would not you snatch the sceptre of
Europe from the hands of the English, who now brave you, and speak in an
insolent revolting manner of your Majesty, as do, in Holland also, the
party of the Bentincks, the Fagels, the Opdams? I have myself heard
them, and am reporting nothing but what is very true.
MARGINALIA BY FRIEDRICH. "3. This would be finer in an ode than in
actual reality. I disturb myself very little about what the Dutch
and English say, the rather as I understand nothing of those dialects
(PATOIS) of theirs.
MEMORIAL BY VOLTAIRE. "4. Do not you cover yourself with an immortal
glory in declaring yourself, with effect, the protector of the Empire?
And is it not of most pressing interest to your Majesty, to hinder the
English from making your Enemy the Grand-Duke [Maria Theresa's Husband]
King of the Romans?
MARGINALIA BY FRIEDRICH. "4. France has more interest than Prussia
to hinder that. Besides, on this point, dear Voltaire, you are ill
informed. For there can be no Election of a King of the Romans without
the unanimous consent of the Empire;--so you perceive, that always
depends on me.
MEMORIAL BY VOLTAIRE. "5. Whoever has spoken but a quarter of an hour
to the Duke d'Ahremberg [who spilt Lord Stair's fine enterprises lately,
and reduced them to a DETTINGEN, or a getting into the mouse-trap and a
getting out], to the Count Harrach [important Austrian Official], Lord
Stair, or any of the partisans of Austria, even for a quarter of an hour
[as I have often done], has beard them say, That they burn with desire
to open the campaign in Silesia again. Have you in that case, Sire, any
ally but France? And, however potent you are, is an ally useless to you?
You know the resources of the House of Austria, and how many Princes
are united to it. But will they resist your power, joined to that of the
House of Bourbon?
MARGINALIA BY FRIEDRICH. "5. _On les y recevra, Biribi, A la facon de
Barbari, Mon ami._ We will receive them, Twiddledee, In the mode of
Barbary, Don't you see? [Form of Song, very fashionable at Paris (see
Barbier soepius) in those years: "BIRIBI," I believe, is a kind of
lottery-game.]
MEMORIAL BY VOLTAIRE. "6. If you were but to march a body of troops to
Cleves, do not you awaken terror and respect, without apprehension that
any one dare make war on you? Is it not, on the contrary, the one method
of forcing the Dutch to concur, under your orders, in the pacification
of the Empire, and re-establishment of the Emperor, who will thus a
second time he indebted to you for his throne, and will aid in the
splendor of yours?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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