History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [2]
who meddle
much in affairs of the Reich. For these reasons and others he
likewise, probably with more study than in the Bielfeld case,
despatches Colonel Camas to make his compliment at the French
Court, and in an expert way take soundings there. Camas, a fat
sedate military gentleman, of advanced years, full of observation,
experience and sound sense,--"with one arm, which he makes do the
work of two, and nobody can notice that the other arm resting in
his coat-breast is of cork, so expert is he,"--will do in this
matter what is feasible; probably not much for the present. He is
to call on Voltaire, as he passes, who is in Holland again, at the
Hague for some months back; and deliver him "a little cask of
Hungary Wine," which probably his Majesty had thought exquisite.
Of which, and the other insignificant passages between them, we
hear more than enough in the writings and correspondences of
Voltaire about this time.
In such way Friedrich disposes of his Bielfelds; who are rather
numerous about him now and henceforth. Adventurers from all
quarters, especially of the literary type, in hopes of being
employed, much hovered round Friedrich through his whole reign.
But they met a rather strict judge on arriving; it cannot be said
they found it such a Goshen as they expected.
Favor, friendly intimacy, it is visible from the first, avails
nothing with this young King; beyond and before all things he will
have his work done, and looks out exclusively for the man ablest
to do it. Hence Bielfeld goes to Hanover, to grin out euphuisms,
and make graceful courtbows to our sublime little Uncle there.
On the other hand, Friedrich institutes a new Knighthood, ORDER OF
MERIT so called; which indeed is but a small feat, testifying mere
hope and exuberance as yet; and may even be made worse than
nothing, according to the Knights he shall manage to have.
Happily it proved a successful new Order in this last all-
essential particular; and, to the end of Friedrich's life,
continued to be a great and coveted distinction among
the Prussians.
Beyond doubt this is a radiant enough young Majesty; entitled to
hope, and to be the cause of hope. Handsome, to begin with;
decidedly well-looking, all say, and of graceful presence, though
hardly five feet seven, and perhaps stouter of limb than the
strict Belvedere standard. [Height, it appears, was five feet five
inches (Rhenish), which in English measure is five feet seven or a
hair's-breadth less. Preuss, twice over, by a mistake unusual with
him, gives "five feet two inches three lines" as the correct
cipher (which it is of NAPOLEON'S measure in FRENCH feet);
then settles on the above dimensions from unexceptionable
authority (Preuss, Buch fur Jedermann,
i. 18; Preuss, Fredrich der Grosse, i. 39
and 419).] Has a fine free expressive face; nothing of austerity
in it; not a proud face, or not too proud, yet rapidly flashing on
you all manner of high meanings. [Wille's Engraving after Pesne
(excellent, both Picture and Engraving) is reckoned the best
Likeness in that form.] Such a man, in the bloom of his years;
with such a possibility ahead, and Voltaire and mankind waiting
applausive!--Let us try to select, and extricate into coherence
and visibility out of those Historical dust-heaps, a few of the
symptomatic phenomena, or physiognomic procedures of Friedrich in
his first weeks of Kingship, by way of contribution to some
Portraiture of his then inner-man.
FRIEDRICH WILL MAKE MEN HAPPY: CORN-MAGAZINES.
On the day after his Accession, Officers and chief Ministers
taking the Oath, Friedrich, to his Officers, "on whom he counts
for the same zeal now which he had witnessed as their comrade,"
recommends mildness of demeanor from the higher to the lower, and
that the common soldier be not treated with harshness when not
deserved: and to his Ministers he is still more emphatic, in the
like or a higher strain. Officially announcing to them, by Letter,
that a new Reign has commenced, he uses
much in affairs of the Reich. For these reasons and others he
likewise, probably with more study than in the Bielfeld case,
despatches Colonel Camas to make his compliment at the French
Court, and in an expert way take soundings there. Camas, a fat
sedate military gentleman, of advanced years, full of observation,
experience and sound sense,--"with one arm, which he makes do the
work of two, and nobody can notice that the other arm resting in
his coat-breast is of cork, so expert is he,"--will do in this
matter what is feasible; probably not much for the present. He is
to call on Voltaire, as he passes, who is in Holland again, at the
Hague for some months back; and deliver him "a little cask of
Hungary Wine," which probably his Majesty had thought exquisite.
Of which, and the other insignificant passages between them, we
hear more than enough in the writings and correspondences of
Voltaire about this time.
In such way Friedrich disposes of his Bielfelds; who are rather
numerous about him now and henceforth. Adventurers from all
quarters, especially of the literary type, in hopes of being
employed, much hovered round Friedrich through his whole reign.
But they met a rather strict judge on arriving; it cannot be said
they found it such a Goshen as they expected.
Favor, friendly intimacy, it is visible from the first, avails
nothing with this young King; beyond and before all things he will
have his work done, and looks out exclusively for the man ablest
to do it. Hence Bielfeld goes to Hanover, to grin out euphuisms,
and make graceful courtbows to our sublime little Uncle there.
On the other hand, Friedrich institutes a new Knighthood, ORDER OF
MERIT so called; which indeed is but a small feat, testifying mere
hope and exuberance as yet; and may even be made worse than
nothing, according to the Knights he shall manage to have.
Happily it proved a successful new Order in this last all-
essential particular; and, to the end of Friedrich's life,
continued to be a great and coveted distinction among
the Prussians.
Beyond doubt this is a radiant enough young Majesty; entitled to
hope, and to be the cause of hope. Handsome, to begin with;
decidedly well-looking, all say, and of graceful presence, though
hardly five feet seven, and perhaps stouter of limb than the
strict Belvedere standard. [Height, it appears, was five feet five
inches (Rhenish), which in English measure is five feet seven or a
hair's-breadth less. Preuss, twice over, by a mistake unusual with
him, gives "five feet two inches three lines" as the correct
cipher (which it is of NAPOLEON'S measure in FRENCH feet);
then settles on the above dimensions from unexceptionable
authority (Preuss,
i. 18; Preuss,
and 419).] Has a fine free expressive face; nothing of austerity
in it; not a proud face, or not too proud, yet rapidly flashing on
you all manner of high meanings. [Wille's Engraving after Pesne
(excellent, both Picture and Engraving) is reckoned the best
Likeness in that form.] Such a man, in the bloom of his years;
with such a possibility ahead, and Voltaire and mankind waiting
applausive!--Let us try to select, and extricate into coherence
and visibility out of those Historical dust-heaps, a few of the
symptomatic phenomena, or physiognomic procedures of Friedrich in
his first weeks of Kingship, by way of contribution to some
Portraiture of his then inner-man.
FRIEDRICH WILL MAKE MEN HAPPY: CORN-MAGAZINES.
On the day after his Accession, Officers and chief Ministers
taking the Oath, Friedrich, to his Officers, "on whom he counts
for the same zeal now which he had witnessed as their comrade,"
recommends mildness of demeanor from the higher to the lower, and
that the common soldier be not treated with harshness when not
deserved: and to his Ministers he is still more emphatic, in the
like or a higher strain. Officially announcing to them, by Letter,
that a new Reign has commenced, he uses