History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 17Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 17
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
These, privately made law in this manner, are Friedrich's fixed feelings
and resolutions;--how fixed is now farther apparent by a fact which was
then still more private, guessable long afterwards only by one or two,
and never clearly known so long as Friedrich lived: the fact that he had
(now most probably, though the date is not known) provided poison for
himself, and constantly wore it about his person through this War. "Five
or six small pills, in a small glass tube, with a bit of ribbon to
it:" that stern relic lay, in a worn condition, in some drawer of
Friedrich's, after Friedrich was gone. [Preuss, ii. 175, 315 n.] For the
Facts are peremptory; and a man that will deal with them must be equally
so.
Two days after this Finck missive, Friday, 12th, Friedrich took farewell
at Berlin, drove to Potsdam that night with his Brother, to Dresden next
day. Adieu, Madam; Adieu, O Mother! said the King, in royal terms, but
with a heart altogether human. "May God above bless you, my Son!" the
old Lady would reply:--and the Two had seen one another for the last
time; Mother and Son were to meet no more in this world.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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