History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [20]
(HOFFENTLICH), they will be content, and
get to peace upon this matter (SICH DABEI BERUHIGEN WERDEN)."
[Preuss, Thronbesteigung, p. 380.] It will
be best for them!
Friedrich gave away much corn here; that is, opened his Corn-
Granaries, on charitable terms, and took all manner of measures,
here as in other places, for relief of the scarcity there was.
Of the illuminations, never so grand, the reader shall hear
nothing. A "Torch-Procession of the Students" turned out a pretty
thing:--Students marching with torches, with fine wind-music,
regulated enthusiasm, fine succinct address to his Majesty;
and all the world escorting, with its "Live Forever!" Friedrich
gave the Students "a TRINK-GELAG (Banquet of Liquors)," how
arranged I do not know: and to the Speaker of the Address, a
likely young gentleman with VON to his name, he offered an
Ensigncy of Foot ("in Camas's Fusileer Regiment,"--Camas now gone
to Paris, embassying), which was joyfully accepted.
Joyfully accepted;--and it turned out well for all parties;
the young gentleman having risen, where merit was the rule of
rising, and become Graf and Lieutenant-General, in the course of
the next fifty years. [Preuss, Thronbesteigung, italic> p. 387.]
Huldigung and Torch-Procession over, the Royal Party dashed
rapidly off, next morning (21st July), homewards by the shortest
route; and, in three days more, by Frankfurt-on-Oder (where a
glimpse of General Schwerin, a favorite General, was to be had),
were safe in Berlin; received with acclamation, nay with
"blessings and even tears" some say, after this pleasant
Fortnight's Tour. General Schwerin, it is rumored, will be made
Feldmarschall straightway, the Munchows are getting so promoted as
we said; edicts are coming out, much business speeding forward,
and the tongues of men keep wagging.
Berlin HULDIGUNG--and indeed, by Deputy, that of nearly all the
other Towns--was on Tuesday, August 2d. At Berlin his Majesty was
present in the matter: but, except the gazing multitudes, and
hussar regiments, ranked in the Schloss-Platz and streets
adjoining, there was little of notable in it; the upholstery
arrangements thrifty in the extreme. His Majesty is prone to
thrift in this of the Huldigung, as would appear; perhaps
regarding the affair as scenic merely. Here, besides this of
Berlin, is another instance just occurring. It appears, the
Quedlinburg people, shut out from the light of the actual Royal
Countenance, cannot do their Homaging by Deputy, without at least
a Portrait of the King and of the Queen: How manage? asks the
Official Person. "Have a Couple of Daubs done in Berlin, three
guineas apiece; send them these," answers the King! [ "On
doit faire barbouiller de mauvaises copies a Berlin, la piece a 20
ecus. {end italic>--FR." Preuss, ii. ( Urkundenbuch, italic> s. 222).]
Here in the Berlin Schloss, scene the Large Hall within doors,
there is a "platform raised three steps; and on this, by way of a
kind of throne, an arm-chair covered with old black velvet;" the
whole surmounted by a canopy also of old black velvet: not a
sublime piece of upholstery; but reckoned adequate.
Friedrich mounted the three steps; stood before the old chair, his
Princes standing promiscuously behind it; his Ritters in quantity,
in front and to right and left, on the floor. Some Minister of the
Interior explains suitably, not at too great length, what they are
met for; some junior Official, junior but of quality, responded
briefly, for himself and his order, to the effect, "Yea, truly:"
the HULDIGUNGENS-URKUNDE (Deed of Homage) was then read by the
proper Clerk, and the Ritters all swore; audibly, with lifted
hands. This is the Ritter Huldigung.
His Majesty then steps out to the Balcony, for Oath and Homage of
the general Population. General population gave its oath, and
"three great shouts over and above." "ES LEBE DER KONIG!" thrice,
with all their throats. Upon which a shower of Medals, "Homage-
Medals," gold and silver
get to peace upon this matter (SICH DABEI BERUHIGEN WERDEN)."
[Preuss,
be best for them!
Friedrich gave away much corn here; that is, opened his Corn-
Granaries, on charitable terms, and took all manner of measures,
here as in other places, for relief of the scarcity there was.
Of the illuminations, never so grand, the reader shall hear
nothing. A "Torch-Procession of the Students" turned out a pretty
thing:--Students marching with torches, with fine wind-music,
regulated enthusiasm, fine succinct address to his Majesty;
and all the world escorting, with its "Live Forever!" Friedrich
gave the Students "a TRINK-GELAG (Banquet of Liquors)," how
arranged I do not know: and to the Speaker of the Address, a
likely young gentleman with VON to his name, he offered an
Ensigncy of Foot ("in Camas's Fusileer Regiment,"--Camas now gone
to Paris, embassying), which was joyfully accepted.
Joyfully accepted;--and it turned out well for all parties;
the young gentleman having risen, where merit was the rule of
rising, and become Graf and Lieutenant-General, in the course of
the next fifty years. [Preuss,
Huldigung and Torch-Procession over, the Royal Party dashed
rapidly off, next morning (21st July), homewards by the shortest
route; and, in three days more, by Frankfurt-on-Oder (where a
glimpse of General Schwerin, a favorite General, was to be had),
were safe in Berlin; received with acclamation, nay with
"blessings and even tears" some say, after this pleasant
Fortnight's Tour. General Schwerin, it is rumored, will be made
Feldmarschall straightway, the Munchows are getting so promoted as
we said; edicts are coming out, much business speeding forward,
and the tongues of men keep wagging.
Berlin HULDIGUNG--and indeed, by Deputy, that of nearly all the
other Towns--was on Tuesday, August 2d. At Berlin his Majesty was
present in the matter: but, except the gazing multitudes, and
hussar regiments, ranked in the Schloss-Platz and streets
adjoining, there was little of notable in it; the upholstery
arrangements thrifty in the extreme. His Majesty is prone to
thrift in this of the Huldigung, as would appear; perhaps
regarding the affair as scenic merely. Here, besides this of
Berlin, is another instance just occurring. It appears, the
Quedlinburg people, shut out from the light of the actual Royal
Countenance, cannot do their Homaging by Deputy, without at least
a Portrait of the King and of the Queen: How manage? asks the
Official Person. "Have a Couple of Daubs done in Berlin, three
guineas apiece; send them these," answers the King! [
doit faire barbouiller de mauvaises copies a Berlin, la piece a 20
ecus. {end italic>--FR." Preuss, ii. (
Here in the Berlin Schloss, scene the Large Hall within doors,
there is a "platform raised three steps; and on this, by way of a
kind of throne, an arm-chair covered with old black velvet;" the
whole surmounted by a canopy also of old black velvet: not a
sublime piece of upholstery; but reckoned adequate.
Friedrich mounted the three steps; stood before the old chair, his
Princes standing promiscuously behind it; his Ritters in quantity,
in front and to right and left, on the floor. Some Minister of the
Interior explains suitably, not at too great length, what they are
met for; some junior Official, junior but of quality, responded
briefly, for himself and his order, to the effect, "Yea, truly:"
the HULDIGUNGENS-URKUNDE (Deed of Homage) was then read by the
proper Clerk, and the Ritters all swore; audibly, with lifted
hands. This is the Ritter Huldigung.
His Majesty then steps out to the Balcony, for Oath and Homage of
the general Population. General population gave its oath, and
"three great shouts over and above." "ES LEBE DER KONIG!" thrice,
with all their throats. Upon which a shower of Medals, "Homage-
Medals," gold and silver