History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 19
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
"SATURDAY, 8th, at 5 in the morning, Schmettau, with goods and people,
does at last file out: across Elbe Bridge through the Neustadt;
Prussians five deep; a double rank of Austrians, ranged on each side, in
'espalier' they call it,--espalier with gaps in it every here and there,
to what purpose is soon evident. The march was so disposed (likewise for
a purpose) that, all along, there were one or two Companies of Prussian
Foot; and then in the interval, carriages, cannon, cavalry and hussars.
Schmettau's carriage is with the rear-guard, Madam Schmettau's well
in the van:--in two other carriages are two Prussian War-and-Domain
Ministers. [ANONYMOUS OF HAMBURG, III. 376.] 'Managers of Saxon
Finance,' these Two;--who will have to manage elsewhere than in
Dresden henceforth. Zinnow, Borck, they sit veritably there, with their
multiform Account Papers: of whom I know absolutely nothing,--except (if
anybody cared) that Zinnow, who 'died of apoplexy in June following,'
is probably of pursy red-nosed type; and that Borck, for certain, has
a very fine face and figure; delicacy, cheerful dignity, perfect
gentlemanhood in short, written on every feature of him; as painted by
Pesne, and engraved by Schmidt, for my accidental behoof. [_Fredericus
Wilhelmus Borck (Pesne pinxit,_ 1732; _Schmidt, sculptur Regis,
sculpsit, Berolini,_ 1764): an excellent Print and Portrait.] Curious
to think of that elaborate court-coat and flowing periwig, with this
specific Borck, 'old as the Devil' (whom I have had much trouble to
identify), forming visible part of this dismal Procession: the bright
eye of Borck not smiling as usual, but clouded, though impassive! But
that of Borck or his Limners is not the point.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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