History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 11 [9]
&c.] Schulenburg has a hard
old military face; but here is a young face too, which has grown
unexpectedly rigorous. Fancy the blank look of little Schulenburg;
the light of him snuffed out in this manner on a sudden. It is
said he had thoughts of resigning, so indignant was he: no doubt
he went home to Landsberg gloomily reflective, with the pipe-clay
of his mind in such a ruinous condition. But there was no
serious anger, on Friedrich's part; and he consoled his little
Schulenburg soon after, by expediting some promotion he had
intended him. "Terribly proud young Majesty this," exclaim the
sweet voices. And indeed, if they are to have a Saturnian Kingdom,
by appearance it will be on conditions only!
Anticipations there had been, that old unkindnesses against the
Crown-Prince, some of which were cruel enough, might be remembered
now: and certain people had their just fears, considering what
account stood against them; others, VICE VERSA, their hopes.
But neither the fears nor the hopes realized themselves;
especially the fears proved altogether groundless. Derschau, who
had voted Death in that Copenick Court-Martial, upon the Crown-
Prince, is continued in his functions, in the light of his King's
countenance, as if nothing such had been. Derschau, and all others
so concerned; not the least question was made of them, nor of what
they had thought or had done or said, on an occasion once so
tragically vital to a certain man.
Nor is reward much regulated by past services to the Crown-Prince,
or even by sufferings endured for him. "Shocking ingratitude.!"
exclaim the sweet voices here too,--being of weak judgment, many
of them! Poor Katte's Father, a faithful old Soldier, not capable
of being more, he does, rather conspicuously, make Feldmarschall,
make Reichsgraf; happy, could these honors be a consolation to the
old man. The Munchows of Custrin,--readers remember their kindness
in that sad time; how the young boy went into petticoats again,
and came to the Crown-Prince's cell with all manner of
furnishings,--the Munchows, father and sons, this young gentleman
of the petticoats among them, he took immediate pains to reward by
promotion: eldest son was advanced into the General Directorium;
two younger sons, to Majorship, to Captaincy, in their respective
Regiments; him of the petticoats "he had already taken altogether
to himself," [Preuss, i. 66.] and of him we shall see a glimpse at
Wilhelmina's shortly, as a "milkbeard (JEUNE MORVEUX)" in personal
attendance on his Majesty. This was a notable exception. And in
effect there came good public service, eminent some of it, from
these Munchows in their various departments. And it was at length
perceived to have been, in the main, because they were of visible
faculty for doing work that they had got work to do; and the
exceptional case of the Munchows became confirmatory of the rule.
Lieutenant Keith, again, whom we once saw galloping from Wesel to
save his life in that bad affair of the Crown-Prince's and his,
was nothing like so fortunate. Lieutenant Keith, by speed on that
Wesel occasion, and help of Chesterfield's Secretary, got across
to England; got into the Portuguese service; and has there been
soldiering, very silently, these ten years past,--skin and body
safe, though his effigy was cut in four quarters and nailed to the
gallows at Wesel;--waiting a time that would come. Time being
come, Lieutenant Keith hastened home; appealed to his effigy on
the gallows;--and was made a Lieutenant-Colonel merely, with some
slight appendages, as that of STALLMEISTER (Curator of the
Stables) and something else; income still straitened, though
enough to live upon. [Preuss, Friedrich mit Verwandten
und Freunden, p. 281.] Small promotion, in comparison
with hope, thought the poor Lieutenant; but had to rest satisfied
with it; and struggle to understand that perhaps he was fit for
nothing bigger, and that he must exert himself to do this small
thing well. Hardness of heart in high places! Friedrich,
old military face; but here is a young face too, which has grown
unexpectedly rigorous. Fancy the blank look of little Schulenburg;
the light of him snuffed out in this manner on a sudden. It is
said he had thoughts of resigning, so indignant was he: no doubt
he went home to Landsberg gloomily reflective, with the pipe-clay
of his mind in such a ruinous condition. But there was no
serious anger, on Friedrich's part; and he consoled his little
Schulenburg soon after, by expediting some promotion he had
intended him. "Terribly proud young Majesty this," exclaim the
sweet voices. And indeed, if they are to have a Saturnian Kingdom,
by appearance it will be on conditions only!
Anticipations there had been, that old unkindnesses against the
Crown-Prince, some of which were cruel enough, might be remembered
now: and certain people had their just fears, considering what
account stood against them; others, VICE VERSA, their hopes.
But neither the fears nor the hopes realized themselves;
especially the fears proved altogether groundless. Derschau, who
had voted Death in that Copenick Court-Martial, upon the Crown-
Prince, is continued in his functions, in the light of his King's
countenance, as if nothing such had been. Derschau, and all others
so concerned; not the least question was made of them, nor of what
they had thought or had done or said, on an occasion once so
tragically vital to a certain man.
Nor is reward much regulated by past services to the Crown-Prince,
or even by sufferings endured for him. "Shocking ingratitude.!"
exclaim the sweet voices here too,--being of weak judgment, many
of them! Poor Katte's Father, a faithful old Soldier, not capable
of being more, he does, rather conspicuously, make Feldmarschall,
make Reichsgraf; happy, could these honors be a consolation to the
old man. The Munchows of Custrin,--readers remember their kindness
in that sad time; how the young boy went into petticoats again,
and came to the Crown-Prince's cell with all manner of
furnishings,--the Munchows, father and sons, this young gentleman
of the petticoats among them, he took immediate pains to reward by
promotion: eldest son was advanced into the General Directorium;
two younger sons, to Majorship, to Captaincy, in their respective
Regiments; him of the petticoats "he had already taken altogether
to himself," [Preuss, i. 66.] and of him we shall see a glimpse at
Wilhelmina's shortly, as a "milkbeard (JEUNE MORVEUX)" in personal
attendance on his Majesty. This was a notable exception. And in
effect there came good public service, eminent some of it, from
these Munchows in their various departments. And it was at length
perceived to have been, in the main, because they were of visible
faculty for doing work that they had got work to do; and the
exceptional case of the Munchows became confirmatory of the rule.
Lieutenant Keith, again, whom we once saw galloping from Wesel to
save his life in that bad affair of the Crown-Prince's and his,
was nothing like so fortunate. Lieutenant Keith, by speed on that
Wesel occasion, and help of Chesterfield's Secretary, got across
to England; got into the Portuguese service; and has there been
soldiering, very silently, these ten years past,--skin and body
safe, though his effigy was cut in four quarters and nailed to the
gallows at Wesel;--waiting a time that would come. Time being
come, Lieutenant Keith hastened home; appealed to his effigy on
the gallows;--and was made a Lieutenant-Colonel merely, with some
slight appendages, as that of STALLMEISTER (Curator of the
Stables) and something else; income still straitened, though
enough to live upon. [Preuss,
und Freunden,
with hope, thought the poor Lieutenant; but had to rest satisfied
with it; and struggle to understand that perhaps he was fit for
nothing bigger, and that he must exert himself to do this small
thing well. Hardness of heart in high places! Friedrich,