History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 20
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
"He left as Heir a poor young Boy, at this time only two years old. His
young Widow Hedwig survived him six years. [Michaelis, ii. 618-629.] Her
poor child grew to manhood; and had tragic fortunes in this world;
Danes again burglarious in that part, again robbing this poor Boy at
discretion, so soon as Karl XII. became unfortunate; and refusing to
restore (have not restored Schleswig at all [A.D. 1864, HAVE at last had
to do it, under unexpected circumstances!]):--a grimly sad story to the
now Peter, his only Child! This poor Duke at last died, 18th June, 1739,
age thirty-nine; the now Peter then about 11,--who well remembers tragic
Papa; tragic Mamma not, who died above ten years before. [Michaelis, ii.
617; Hubner, tt. 227, 229.]
"Czar Peter called the Great had evidently a pity for this unfortunate
Duke, a hope in his just hopes; and pleaded, as did various others, and
endeavored with the unjust Danes, mostly without effect. Did, however,
give him one of his Daughters to wife;--the result of whom is this new
Czar Peter, called the Third: a Czar who is Sovereign of Holstein, and
has claims of Sovereignty in Sweden, right of heirship in Schleswig,
and of damages against Denmark, which are in litigation to this day. The
Czarina CATIN, tenderly remembering her Sister, would hear of no Heir to
Russia but this Peter. Peter, in virtue of his paternal affinities, was
elected King of Sweden about the same time; but preferred Russia,--with
an eye to his Danes, some think. For certain, did adopt the Russian
Expectancy, the Greek religion so called; and was," in the way we saw
long years ago, "married (or to all appearance married) to Catharina
Alexiewna of Anhalt-Zerbst, born in Stettin; [Herr Preuss knows the
house: "Now Dr. Lehmann's [at that time the Governor of Stettin's],
in which also Czar Paul's second Spouse [Eugen of Wurtemberg a NEW
Governor's Daughter], who is Mother of the Czars that follow, was born:"
Preuss, ii. 310, 311. Catharine, during her reign, was pious in a
small way to the place of her cradle; sent her successive MEDALS &c. to
Stettin, which still has them to show.] a Lady who became world-famous
as Czarina of the Russias.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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