History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 16Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 16
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
About as likely as that the Cham of Tartary had interfered in the
"Bangorian Controversy" (raging, I believe, some time since,--in
Cremorne Gardens fist of all, which was Bishop Hoadly's Place,--to the
terror of mitres and wigs); or that, the Emperor of China was concerned
in Meux's Porter-Brewery, with an eye to sale of NUX VOMICA. Among
all the Kings that then were, or that ever were, King Friedrich
distinguished himself by the grand human virtue (one of the most
important for Kings and for men) of keeping well at home,--of always
minding his own affairs. These were, in fact, the one thing he minded;
and he did that well. He was vigilant, observant all round, for
weather-symptoms; thoroughly well informed of what his neighbors had on
hand; ready to interfere, generally in some judicious soft way, at any
moment, if his own Countries or their interests came to be concerned;
certain, till then, to continue a speculative observer merely. He had
knowledge, to an extent of accuracy which often surprised his
neighbors: but there is no instance in which he meddled where he had no
business;--and few, I believe, in which he did not meddle, and to the
purpose, when he had.
Later in his Reign, in the time of the American War (1777), there is, on
the English part, in regard to Friedrich, an equally distracted notion
of the same kind brought to light. Again, a conviction, namely,
or moral-certainty, that Friedrich is about assisting the American
Insurgents against us;--and a very strange and indubitable step is
ordered to be taken in consequence. [--OEuvres de Frederic,--xxvi. 394
(Friedrich to Prince Henri, 29th June, 1777.)] As shall be noticed, if
we have time. No enlightened Public, gazing for forty or fifty years
into an important Neighbor Gentleman, with intent for practical
knowledge of him, could well, though assisted by the cleverest Hanburys,
and Demon and Angel Newswriters, have achieved less!--
Question THIRD is--But Question Third, so extremely important was it in
the sequel, will deserve a Chapter to itself.
Chapter XIV. THERE IS LIKE TO BE ANOTHER WAR AHEAD.
Question Third, French-English Canada Question, is no other than, under
a new form, our old friend the inexorable JENKINS'S-EAR QUESTION;
soul of all these Controversies, and--except Silesia and Friedrich's
Question--the one meaning they have! Huddled together it had been, at
the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, and left for closed under "New Spanish
Assiento Treaty," or I know not what:--you thought to close it by
Diplomatic putty and varnish in that manner: and here, by law of Nature,
it comes welling up on you anew. For IT springs from the Centre, as we
often say, and is the fountain and determining element of very large
Sections of Human History, still hidden in the unseen Time.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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