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
"Arrived at the Princess Amelia's Palace (which, lying in the
Wilhelms-Strasse, fronts also into the Koch-Strasse), the crowd grew
still denser, for they expected him there: the forecourt was jammed
full; yet in the middle, without the presence of any police, there was
open space left for him and his attendants. He turned into the Court;
the gate-leaves went back; and the aged lame Princess, leaning on two
Ladies, the OBERHOFMEISTERINN (Chief Lady) behind her, came hitching
down the flat steps to meet him. So soon as he perceived her, he put his
horse to the gallop, pulled up, sprang rapidly down, took off his hat
(which he now, however, held quite low at the full length of his arm),
embraced her, gave her his arm, and again led her up the steps. The
gate-leaves went to; all had vanished, and the multitude still stood,
with bared head, in silence, all eyes turned to the spot where he had
disappeared; and so it lasted a while, till each gathered himself and
peacefully went his way.
"And yet there had nothing happened! No pomp, no fireworks, no
cannon-shot, no drumming and fifing, no music, no event that had
occurred! No, nothing but an old man of 73, ill-dressed, all dusty, was
returning from his day's work. But everybody knew that this old man was
toiling also for him; that he had set his whole life on that labor, and
for five-and-forty years had not given it the slip one day! Every one
saw, moreover, the fruits of this old man's labor, near and far,
and everywhere around; and to look on the old man himself awakened
reverence, admiration, pride, confidence,--in short all the nobler
feelings of man." [_Nachlass des General von der Marwitz,_ i. 15-20.]
This was May 21st, 1785; I think, the last time Berlin saw its King in
that public manner, riding through the streets. The FURSTENBUND Affair
is now, secretly, in a very lively state, at Berlin and over Germany at
large; and comes to completion in a couple of months hence,--as shall be
noticed farther on.
GENERAL BOUILLE, HOME FROM HIS WEST-INDIAN EXPLOITS, VISITS FRIEDRICH
(August 5th-11th, 1784).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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