History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 21
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
"And in such way must the matter, in all branches of it, be immediately
proceeded with, got ready, and handed in for my Completion (VOLLZIEHUNG)
by Signature. Which you, therefore, will take charge of, without delay.
For the rest, I will tell you farther, that I am not ill pleased to know
you on the side you show on this occasion [as a man that will not go
against his conscience], and shall see, by and by, what I can farther do
with you. [Left him where he was, as the best thing.] Whereafter you
are accordingly to guide yourself. And I remain otherwise your
well-affectioned King, FRIEDRICH." [Ib. iii. 519, 520; see ib. 405 n.]
This, then, is an impartial account of the celebrated passage between
Friedrich and the Lawyers known by the name of "the MILLER-ARNOLD CASE;"
which attracted the notice of all Europe,--just while the decennium of
the French Revolution was beginning. In Russia, the Czarina Catharine,
the friend of Philosophers, sent to her Senate a copy of Friedrich's
PROTOCOL OF DECEMBER 11th, as a noteworthy instance of Royal supreme
judicature. In France, Prints in celebration of it,--"one Print
by Vangelisti, entitled BALANCE DE FREDERIC,"--were exhibited
in shop-windows, expounded in newspapers, and discoursed of in
drawing-rooms. The Case brought into talk again an old Miller Case
of Friedrich's, which had been famous above thirty years ago, when
Sans-Souci was getting built. Readers know it: Potsdam Miller, and his
obstinate Windmill, which still grinds on its knoll in those localities,
and would not, at any price, become part of the King's Gardens. "Not at
any price?" said the King's agent: "Cannot the King take it from you
for nothing, if he chose?" "Have n't we the Kammergericht at Berlin!"
answered the Miller. To Friedrich's great delight, as appears;--which
might render the Windmill itself a kind of ornament to his Gardens
thenceforth. The French admiration over these two Miller Cases continued
to be very great. [Dieulafoi, LE MEUNIER DE SANS-SOUCI (Comedy or farce,
of I know not what year); Andrieux, LE MOULIN DE SANS-SOUCI ("Poem," at
INSTITUT NATIONAL 15 GERMINAL, AN 5), &c. &c.: Preuss, iii. 412, 413.]
As to Miller Arnold and his Cause, the united voice of Prussian Society
condemned Friedrich's procedure: Such harshness to Grand-Chancellor
Furst and respectable old Official Gentlemen, amounting to the barbarous
and tyrannous, according to Prussian Society. To support which feeling,
and testify it openly, they drove in crowds to Furst's (some have told
me to the Prison-doors too, but that seems hypothetic); and left cards
for old Furst and Company. In sight of Friedrich, who inquired, "What is
this stir on the streets, then?"--and, on learning, made not the least
audible remark; but continued his salutary cashierment of the wigged
Gentlemen, and imprisonment till their full term ran.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account