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
Of this honest Henri de Catt, whom the King liked on this Interview,
and sent for soon after, and at length got as "LECTEUR DU ROI," we
shall hear again. ["September, 1755," sent for (but De Catt was ill and
couldn't); "December, 1757" got (Rodenbeck, i. 285).] He did, from 1757
onwards, what De Prades now does with more of noise, the old D'Arget
functions; faithfully and well, for above twenty years;--left a
Note-Book (not very Boswellian) about the King, which is latterly in
the Royal Archives at Berlin; and which might without harm, or even with
advantage, be printed, but has never yet been. A very harmless De
Catt. And we are surely obliged to him for this view of the Travelling
Gentleman "with the cinnamon-colored coat, snuffy nose and black wig,"
and his manner of talking on light external subjects, while the
inner man of him has weights enough pressing on it. Age still under
five-and-forty, but looks old for his years.
"June 23d, 1755:" it is in the very days while poor Braddock is
staggering down the Alleghanies; Braddock fairly over the top;--and the
Fates waiting him, at a Fortnight's distance. Far away, on the other
side of the World. But it is notable enough how Pitt is watching the
thing; and will at length get hand laid on it, and get the kingship over
it for above four years. Whereby the JENKINS'S-EAR QUESTION will
again, this time on better terms, coalesce with the SILESIAN, or
PARTITION-OF-PRUSSIA QUESTION; and both these long Controversies get
definitely closed, as the Eternal Decrees had seen good.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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