History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [13]
LA FACHEE)," at one period! We are
left to our guesses; there is not anywhere the smallest whisper to
guide us. Deep silence reigns in all Prussian Books.--To feel or
to suspect yourself neglected, and to become MORE amiable
thereupon (in which course alone lies hope), is difficult for any
Queen! Enough, we can observe these meetings, within two or three
years, have become much rarer; and perhaps about the end of the
third or fourth year, they altogether cease; and pass merely into
the formal character. In which state they continued fixed, liable
to no uncertainty; and were transacted, to the end of Friedrich's
life, with inflexible regularity as the annual reviews were.
This is a curious section of his life; which there will be other
opportunities of noticing. But there is yet no thought of it
anywhere, nor for years to come; though fables to the contrary
were once current in Books. [Laveaux, &c.]
NO CHANGE IN HIS FATHER'S METHODS OR MINISTRIES.
In the old mode of Administration, in the Ministries, Government
Boards, he made no change. These administrative methods of his
wise Father's are admirable to Friedrich, who knows them well;
and they continue to be so. These men of his Father's, them also
Friedrich knows, and that they were well chosen. In methods or in
men, he is inclined to make the minimum of alteration at present.
One Finance Hofrath of a projecting turn, named Eckart, who had
abused the last weak years of Friedrich Wilhelm, and much
afflicted mankind by the favor he was in: this Eckart Friedrich
appointed a commission to inquire into; found the public right in
regard to Eckart, and dismissed him with ignominy, not with much
other punishment. Minister Boden, on the contrary, high in the
Finance Department, who had also been much grumbled at, Friedrich
found to be a good man: and Friedrich not only retained Boden, but
advanced him; and continued to make more and more use of him in
time coming. His love of perfection in work done, his care of
thrift, seemed almost greater than his late Father's had been,--to
the disappointment of many. In the other Departments, Podewils,
Thulmeyer and the rest went on as heretofore;--only in general
with less to do, the young King doing more himself than had been
usual. Valori, "MON GROS VALORI (my fat Valori)," French Minister
here, whom we shall know better, writes home of the new King of
Prussia: "He begins his government, as by all appearance he will
carry it on, in a highly satisfactory way: everywhere traits of
benevolence, sympathy for his subjects, respect shown to the
memory of the Deceased," [Memoires des Negociations du
Marquis de Valori (a Paris, 1820), i. 20 ("June 13th,
1740"). A valuable Book, which we shall often have to quote:
edited in a lamentably ignorant manner.]--no change made, where it
evidently is not for the better.
Friedrich's "Three principal Secretaries of State," as we should
designate them, are very remarkable. Three Clerks he found, or had
known of, somewhere in the Public Offices; and now took, under
some advanced title, to be specially his own Private Clerks:
three vigorous long-headed young fellows, "Eichel, Schuhmacher,
Lautensack" the obscure names of them; [Rodenbeck, 15th June,
1740.] out of whom, now and all along henceforth, he got
immensities of work in that kind. They lasted all his life;
and, of course, grew ever more expert at their function.
Close, silent; exact as machinery: ever ready, from the smallest
clear hint, marginal pencil-mark, almost from a glance of the eye,
to clothe the Royal Will in official form, with the due rugged
clearness and thrift of words. "Came punctually at four in the
morning in summer, five in winter;" did daily the day's work;
and kept their mouths well shut. A very notable Trio of men;
serving his Majesty and the Prussian Nation as Principal
Secretaries of State, on those cheap terms;--nay almost as Houses
of Parliament with Standing Committees and appendages, so many
Acts of Parliament admittedly rather wise,
left to our guesses; there is not anywhere the smallest whisper to
guide us. Deep silence reigns in all Prussian Books.--To feel or
to suspect yourself neglected, and to become MORE amiable
thereupon (in which course alone lies hope), is difficult for any
Queen! Enough, we can observe these meetings, within two or three
years, have become much rarer; and perhaps about the end of the
third or fourth year, they altogether cease; and pass merely into
the formal character. In which state they continued fixed, liable
to no uncertainty; and were transacted, to the end of Friedrich's
life, with inflexible regularity as the annual reviews were.
This is a curious section of his life; which there will be other
opportunities of noticing. But there is yet no thought of it
anywhere, nor for years to come; though fables to the contrary
were once current in Books. [Laveaux, &c.]
NO CHANGE IN HIS FATHER'S METHODS OR MINISTRIES.
In the old mode of Administration, in the Ministries, Government
Boards, he made no change. These administrative methods of his
wise Father's are admirable to Friedrich, who knows them well;
and they continue to be so. These men of his Father's, them also
Friedrich knows, and that they were well chosen. In methods or in
men, he is inclined to make the minimum of alteration at present.
One Finance Hofrath of a projecting turn, named Eckart, who had
abused the last weak years of Friedrich Wilhelm, and much
afflicted mankind by the favor he was in: this Eckart Friedrich
appointed a commission to inquire into; found the public right in
regard to Eckart, and dismissed him with ignominy, not with much
other punishment. Minister Boden, on the contrary, high in the
Finance Department, who had also been much grumbled at, Friedrich
found to be a good man: and Friedrich not only retained Boden, but
advanced him; and continued to make more and more use of him in
time coming. His love of perfection in work done, his care of
thrift, seemed almost greater than his late Father's had been,--to
the disappointment of many. In the other Departments, Podewils,
Thulmeyer and the rest went on as heretofore;--only in general
with less to do, the young King doing more himself than had been
usual. Valori, "MON GROS VALORI (my fat Valori)," French Minister
here, whom we shall know better, writes home of the new King of
Prussia: "He begins his government, as by all appearance he will
carry it on, in a highly satisfactory way: everywhere traits of
benevolence, sympathy for his subjects, respect shown to the
memory of the Deceased," [
Marquis de Valori
1740"). A valuable Book, which we shall often have to quote:
edited in a lamentably ignorant manner.]--no change made, where it
evidently is not for the better.
Friedrich's "Three principal Secretaries of State," as we should
designate them, are very remarkable. Three Clerks he found, or had
known of, somewhere in the Public Offices; and now took, under
some advanced title, to be specially his own Private Clerks:
three vigorous long-headed young fellows, "Eichel, Schuhmacher,
Lautensack" the obscure names of them; [Rodenbeck, 15th June,
1740.] out of whom, now and all along henceforth, he got
immensities of work in that kind. They lasted all his life;
and, of course, grew ever more expert at their function.
Close, silent; exact as machinery: ever ready, from the smallest
clear hint, marginal pencil-mark, almost from a glance of the eye,
to clothe the Royal Will in official form, with the due rugged
clearness and thrift of words. "Came punctually at four in the
morning in summer, five in winter;" did daily the day's work;
and kept their mouths well shut. A very notable Trio of men;
serving his Majesty and the Prussian Nation as Principal
Secretaries of State, on those cheap terms;--nay almost as Houses
of Parliament with Standing Committees and appendages, so many
Acts of Parliament admittedly rather wise,