History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [22]
me how. 'Ah, beware of
throwing yourself into the arms of France!' modestly suggests
Dickens.--'Well, if France will guarantee me those Duchies, and
you will not do anything?' answers his Majesty with a fine laugh:
'England I consider my most natural friend and ally; but I must
know what there is to depend on there. Princes are ruled by their
interest; cannot follow their feelings. Let me have an explicit
answer; say, at Wesel, where I am to be on the 24th,'" ten days
hence. Britannic Majesty is at Hanover, and can answer within that
time. "This he twice told me, 'Wesel, 24th,' in the course of our
interview. Permit me to recommend the matter to your Lordship,"--
my Lord Harrington, now attending the Britannic Majesty.
"During the whole audience," adds Dickens, "the King was in
extreme good humor; and not only heard with attention all the
considerations I offered, but was not the least offended at any
objections I made to what he said. It is undoubtedly the best way
to behave with frankness to him." These last are Dickens's own
words; let them modestly be a memorandum to your Lordship.
This King goes himself direct to the point; and
straightforwardness, as a primary condition, will profit your
Lordship with him. [Dickens (in State-Paper Office, 17th
August, 1740).]
Most true advice, this;--and would perhaps be followed, were it
quite easy! But things are very complicated. And the Britannic
Majesty, much plagued with Spanish War and Parliamentary noises in
that unquiet Island, is doubtless glad to get away to Hanover for
a little; and would fain be on holiday in these fine rural months.
Which is not well possible either. Jenkins's Ear, rising at last
like a fiery portent, has kindled the London Fog over yonder, in a
strange way, and the murky stagnancy is all getting on fire;
the English intent, as seldom any Nation was, to give the
Spaniards an effectual beating. Which they hope they can,--though
unexpected difficulties will occur. And, in the mean while, what
a riddle of potentialities for his poor Majesty to read, and pick
his way from!--
Bielfeld, in spite of all this, would fain be full of admiration
for the Britannic Majesty. Confesses he is below the middle size,
in fact a tiny little creature, but then his shape is perfect;
leg much to be commended,--which his Majesty knows, standing
always with one leg slightly advanced, and the Order of the Garter
on it, that mankind may take notice. Here is Bielfeld's
description faithfully abridged:--
"Big blue eyes, perhaps rather of parboiled character, though
proud enough; eyes flush with his face or more, rather IN RELIEF
than on a level with it,"--A FLEUR DE TETE, after the manner of a
fish, if one might say so, and betokening such an intellect behind
them! "Attitude constrained, leg advanced in that way;
his courtiers call it majestic. Biggish mouth, strictly shut in
the crescent or horse-shoe form (FERMEE EN CROISSANT); curly wig
(A NOEUDS, reminding you of lamb's-wool, color not known);
eyebrows, however, you can see are ashy-blond; general tint is
fundamentally livid; but when in good case, the royal skin will
take tolerably bright colors (PREND D'ASSEZ BELLES COULEURS).
As to the royal mind and understanding, what shall Bielfeld say?
That his Majesty sometimes makes ingenious and just remarks, and
is laudably serious at all times, and can majestically hold his
tongue, and stand with advanced leg, and eyes rather more than
flush. Sense of his dignity is high, as it ought to be; on great
occasions you see pride and a kind of joy mantling in the royal
countenance. Has been known to make explosions, and to be very
furious to Prince Fred and others, when pricked into:--but, my
friend, what mortal is exempt from failings? Majesty reads the
English Newspapers every morning in bed, which are often biting.
Majesty has his Walmoden, a Hanoverian Improper Female, Countess
of Yarmouth so called; quiet, autumnal, fair complexioned, stupid;
who is much a comfort to him. She keeps out of mischief, political
throwing yourself into the arms of France!' modestly suggests
Dickens.--'Well, if France will guarantee me those Duchies, and
you will not do anything?' answers his Majesty with a fine laugh:
'England I consider my most natural friend and ally; but I must
know what there is to depend on there. Princes are ruled by their
interest; cannot follow their feelings. Let me have an explicit
answer; say, at Wesel, where I am to be on the 24th,'" ten days
hence. Britannic Majesty is at Hanover, and can answer within that
time. "This he twice told me, 'Wesel, 24th,' in the course of our
interview. Permit me to recommend the matter to your Lordship,"--
my Lord Harrington, now attending the Britannic Majesty.
"During the whole audience," adds Dickens, "the King was in
extreme good humor; and not only heard with attention all the
considerations I offered, but was not the least offended at any
objections I made to what he said. It is undoubtedly the best way
to behave with frankness to him." These last are Dickens's own
words; let them modestly be a memorandum to your Lordship.
This King goes himself direct to the point; and
straightforwardness, as a primary condition, will profit your
Lordship with him. [Dickens (in State-Paper Office, 17th
August, 1740).]
Most true advice, this;--and would perhaps be followed, were it
quite easy! But things are very complicated. And the Britannic
Majesty, much plagued with Spanish War and Parliamentary noises in
that unquiet Island, is doubtless glad to get away to Hanover for
a little; and would fain be on holiday in these fine rural months.
Which is not well possible either. Jenkins's Ear, rising at last
like a fiery portent, has kindled the London Fog over yonder, in a
strange way, and the murky stagnancy is all getting on fire;
the English intent, as seldom any Nation was, to give the
Spaniards an effectual beating. Which they hope they can,--though
unexpected difficulties will occur. And, in the mean while, what
a riddle of potentialities for his poor Majesty to read, and pick
his way from!--
Bielfeld, in spite of all this, would fain be full of admiration
for the Britannic Majesty. Confesses he is below the middle size,
in fact a tiny little creature, but then his shape is perfect;
leg much to be commended,--which his Majesty knows, standing
always with one leg slightly advanced, and the Order of the Garter
on it, that mankind may take notice. Here is Bielfeld's
description faithfully abridged:--
"Big blue eyes, perhaps rather of parboiled character, though
proud enough; eyes flush with his face or more, rather IN RELIEF
than on a level with it,"--A FLEUR DE TETE, after the manner of a
fish, if one might say so, and betokening such an intellect behind
them! "Attitude constrained, leg advanced in that way;
his courtiers call it majestic. Biggish mouth, strictly shut in
the crescent or horse-shoe form (FERMEE EN CROISSANT); curly wig
(A NOEUDS, reminding you of lamb's-wool, color not known);
eyebrows, however, you can see are ashy-blond; general tint is
fundamentally livid; but when in good case, the royal skin will
take tolerably bright colors (PREND D'ASSEZ BELLES COULEURS).
As to the royal mind and understanding, what shall Bielfeld say?
That his Majesty sometimes makes ingenious and just remarks, and
is laudably serious at all times, and can majestically hold his
tongue, and stand with advanced leg, and eyes rather more than
flush. Sense of his dignity is high, as it ought to be; on great
occasions you see pride and a kind of joy mantling in the royal
countenance. Has been known to make explosions, and to be very
furious to Prince Fred and others, when pricked into:--but, my
friend, what mortal is exempt from failings? Majesty reads the
English Newspapers every morning in bed, which are often biting.
Majesty has his Walmoden, a Hanoverian Improper Female, Countess
of Yarmouth so called; quiet, autumnal, fair complexioned, stupid;
who is much a comfort to him. She keeps out of mischief, political