History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 18Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 18
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
"'I hope for this favor from your Majesty's sovereign equity; and I
shall never cease offering up my ardent prayers for the prosperity of
your glorious reign; having the honor to be, with the most respectful
zeal, Sir, your Majesty's most humble, most obedient, and most devoted
servant, * * *'
"THE KING OF PRUSSIA'S ANSWER.
"'POTSDAM, 26th February, 1756.
"'MADAM,--I received the Letter of the 19th instant, which you thought
proper to write to me; and was not a little displeased to hear of the
bad behavior of one of the Directors of the Asiatic Company of Embden
towards you, of which you were forced to complain. I shall direct your
grievances to be examined, and have just now despatched my orders for
that purpose to Lenz, my President of the Chamber of East Friesland,'
Chief Judge in those parts. [Seyfarth, ii. 139.] 'You may assure
yourself the strictest justice shall be done you that the case will
admit. God keep you in his holy protection. FRIEDRICH.'"
Whether this refers to Miss Barbara or not, there is no affirming.
But the interesting point is, Friedrich did receive and accept Miss
Barbara's 1,000 pounds. The Prussian account, which calls her "an
English JUNGFRAU, LADY SALISBURY, who actually sent a sum of money,"
[Preuss, ii. 124, whose reference is merely _ "Gentleman's Magazine_
for 1758." Both in the ANNUAL REGISTER of that Year (i. 86),and in the
_Gentleman's Magazine,_ pp. 142, 177, the above Paragraph and Letters
are copied from the Newspapers, but without the smallest commentary
(there or elsewhere), or any mention of a "Lady Salisbury."] would not
itself be satisfactory: but, by good chance, there is still living, in
Salisbury City, a very aged Gentleman, well known for his worth, and
intelligence on such matters, who, being inquired of, makes reply at
once: That the First Earl of Malmesbury (who was of his acquaintance,
and had many anecdotes and reminiscences of Friedrich, all noted down,
it was understood, with diplomatic exactitude, but never yet published
or become accessible) did, as "I well remember, among other things,
mention the King's telling him that he," the King, "had received a
Thousand Pounds from Miss Wyndham; with a part of which he had bought
the Flute then in his hand." [Letter from John Fowler, Esq., "Salisbury,
2d April, 1860," to a Friend of mine (PENES ME): of Barbara's identity,
or otherwise, with the Antwerp Embden Lady, Mr. F. can say nothing.]
Which latter circumstance, too, is curious. For, at all times, however
straitened Friedrich's Exchequer might be, it was his known habit,
during this War, to have always, before the current year ended, the ways
and means completely settled and provided for the year coming; so that
everything could be at once paid in money (good money or bad,--good
still up to this date);--And nothing was observed to fall short, so much
as the customary liberality of his gifts to those about him. I infer,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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