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
"Ahead went eight runners with their staves, plumed caps and
runner-aprons [LAUFER-SCHURZE, whatever these are], in two rows. As
these runners were never used for anything except this show, the office
was a kind of post for Invalids of the Life-guard. A consequence of
which was, that the King always had to go at a slow pace. His courses,
however, were no other than from the Schloss to the Opera twice a week;
and during his whole residence, one or two times to Prince Henri and the
Princess Amelia [once always, too, to dine with his Wife, to whom he did
not speak one word, but merely bowed at beginning and ending!]. After
this the runners rested again for a year. Behind them came the Royal
Carriage, with a team of eight; eight windows round it; the horses with
old-fashioned harness, and plumes on their heads. Coachman and outriders
all in the then Royal livery,--blue; the collar, cuffs, pockets, and all
seams, trimmed with a stripe of red cloth, and this bound on both sides
with small gold-cord; the general effect of which was very good. In the
four boots (NEBENTRITTEN) of the coach stood four Pages, red with gold,
in silk stockings, feather-hats (crown all covered with feathers), but
not having plumes;--the valet's boot behind, empty; and to the rear of
it, down below, where one mounts to the valet's boot [BEDIENTEN-TRITT,
what is now become FOOT-BOARD], stood a groom (STALLKNECHT). Thus came
the King, moving slowly along; and entered through the portal of the
Palace. We looked down from the window in the stairs. Prince Henri stood
at the carriage-door; the pages opened it, the King stepped out, saluted
his Brother, took him by the hand, walked upstairs with him, and thus
the two passed near us (we retiring upstairs to the second story), and
went into the Apartment, where now Students run leaping about."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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