Frederic，surnamedtheGreat，sonofFredericWilliam，wasborninJanuary1712。Itmaysafelybepronouncedthathehadreceivedfromnatureastrongandsharpunderstanding，andararefirmnessoftemperandintensityofwill。Astotheotherpartsofhischaracter，itisdifficulttosaywhethertheyaretobeascribedtonature，ortothestrangetrainingwhichheunderwent。Thehistoryofhisboyhoodispainfullyinteresting。OliverTwistintheparishworkhouse，SmikeatDotheboysHall，werepettedchildrenwhencomparedwiththisheirapparentofacrown。ThenatureofFredericWilliamwashardandbad，andthehabitofexercisingarbitrarypowerhadmadehimfrightfullysavage。Hisrageconstantlyventeditselftorightandleftincursesandblows。WhenhisMajestytookawalk，everyhumanbeingfledbeforehim，asifatigerhadbrokenloosefromamenagerie。Ifhemetaladyinthestreet，hegaveherakick，andtoldhertogohomeandmindherbrats。Ifhesawaclergymanstaringatthesoldiers，headmonishedthereverendgentlemantobetakehimselftostudyandprayer，andenforcedthispiousadvicebyasoundcaning，administeredonthespot。Butitwasinhisownhousethathewasmostunreasonableandferocious。Hispalacewashell，andhethemostexecrableoffiends，acrossbetweenMolochandPuck。HissonFredericandhisdaughterWilhelmina，afterwardsMargravineofBareuth，wereinanespecialmannerobjectsofhisaversion。Hisownmindwasuncultivated。Hedespisedliterature。
　　Hehatedinfidels，papists，andmetaphysicians，anddidnotverywellunderstandinwhattheydifferedfromeachother。Thebusinessoflife，accordingtohim，wastodrillandtobedrilled。Therecreationssuitedtoaprince，weretositinacloudoftobaccosmoke，tosipSwedishbeerbetweenthepuffsofthepipe，toplaybackgammonforthreehalfpencearubber，tokillwildhogs，andtoshootpartridgesbythethousand。ThePrinceRoyalshowedlittleinclinationeitherfortheseriousemploymentsorfortheamusementsofhisfather。Heshirkedthedutiesoftheparade;hedetestedthefumeoftobacco;hehadnotasteeitherforbackgammonorforfieldsports。Hehadanexquisiteear，andperformedskilfullyontheflute。HisearliestinstructorshadbeenFrenchrefugees，andtheyhadawakenedinhimastrongpassionforFrenchliteratureandFrenchsociety。
　　FredericWilliamregardedthesetastesaseffeminateandcontemptible，and，byabuseandpersecution，madethemstillstronger。ThingsbecameworsewhenthePrinceRoyalattainedthattimeoflifeatwhichthegreatrevolutioninthehumanmindandbodytakesplace。Hewasguiltyofsomeyouthfulindiscretions，whichnogoodandwiseparentwouldregardwithseverity。Atalaterperiodhewasaccused，trulyorfalsely，ofvicesfromwhichHistoryavertshereyes，andwhichevenSatireblushestoname，vicessuchthat，toborrowtheenergeticlanguageofLordKeeperCoventry，"thedepravednatureofman，whichofitselfcarriethmantoallothersin，abhorreththem。"Buttheoffencesofhisyouthwerenotcharacterisedbyanypeculiarturpitude。
　　Theyexcited，however，transportsofrageintheKing，whohatedallfaultsexceptthosetowhichhewashimselfinclined，andwhoconceivedthathemadeampleatonementtoHeavenforhisbrutality，byholdingthesofterpassionsindetestation。ThePrinceRoyal，too，wasnotoneofthosewhoarecontenttotaketheirreligionontrust。Heaskedpuzzlingquestions，andbroughtforwardargumentswhichseemedtosavourofsomethingdifferentfrompureLutheranism。TheKingsuspectedthathissonwasinclinedtobeahereticofsomesortorother，whetherCalvinistorAtheisthisMajestydidnotverywellknow。TheordinarymalignityofFredericWilliamwasbadenough。HenowthoughtmalignityapartofhisdutyasaChristianman，andalltheconsciencethathehadstimulatedhishatred。Theflutewasbroken:theFrenchbooksweresentoutofthepalace:thePrincewaskickedandcudgelled，andpulledbythehair。Atdinnertheplateswerehurledathishead:sometimeshewasrestrictedtobreadandwater:sometimeshewasforcedtoswallowfoodsonauseousthathecouldnotkeepitonhisstomach。Oncehisfatherknockedhimdown，draggedhimalongthefloortoawindow，andwaswithdifficultypreventedfromstranglinghimwiththecordofthecurtain。TheQueen，forthecrimeofnotwishingtoseehersonmurdered，wassubjectedtothegrossestindignities。
　　ThePrincessWilhelmina，whotookherbrother’spart，wastreatedalmostasillasMrs。Brownrigg’sapprentices。Driventodespair，theunhappyyouthtriedtorunaway。Thenthefuryoftheoldtyrantrosetomadness。ThePrincewasanofficerinthearmy:
　　hisflightwasthereforedesertion;and，inthemoralcodeofFredericWilliam，desertionwasthehighestofallcrimes。
　　"Desertion，"saysthisroyaltheologian，inoneofhishalf—crazyletters，"isfromhell。ItisaworkofthechildrenoftheDevil。NochildofGodcouldpossiblybeguiltyofit。"AnaccompliceofthePrince，inspiteoftherecommendationofacourtmartial，wasmercilesslyputtodeath。ItseemedprobablethatthePrincehimselfwouldsufferthesamefate。ItwaswithdifficultythattheintercessionoftheStatesofHolland，oftheKingsofSwedenandPoland，andoftheEmperorofGermany，savedtheHouseofBrandenburgfromthestainofanunnaturalmurder。
　　Aftermonthsofcruelsuspense，Fredericlearnedthathislifewouldbespared。Heremained，however，longaprisoner;buthewasnotonthataccounttobepitied。Hefoundinhisgaolersatendernesswhichhehadneverfoundinhisfather;histablewasnotsumptuous，buthehadwholesomefoodinsufficientquantitytoappeasehunger:hecouldreadtheHenriadewithoutbeingkicked，andcouldplayonhisflutewithouthavingitbrokenoverhishead。
　　Whenhisconfinementterminatedhewasaman。Hehadnearlycompletedhistwenty—firstyear，andcouldscarcelybekeptmuchlongerundertherestraintswhichhadmadehisboyhoodmiserable。
　　Sufferinghadmaturedhisunderstanding，whileithadhardenedhisheartandsouredhistemper。Hehadlearntself—commandanddissimulation;heaffectedtoconformtosomeofhisfather’sviews，andsubmissivelyacceptedawife，whowasawifeonlyinname，fromhisfather’shand。Healsoservedwithcredit，thoughwithoutanyopportunityofacquiringbrilliantdistinction，underthecommandofPrinceEugene，duringacampaignmarkedbynoextraordinaryevents。Hewasnowpermittedtokeepaseparateestablishment，andwasthereforeabletoindulgewithcautionhisowntastes。PartlyinordertoconciliatetheKing，andpartly，nodoubt，frominclination，hegaveupaportionofhistimetomilitaryandpoliticalbusiness，andthusgraduallyacquiredsuchanaptitudeforaffairsashismostintimateassociateswerenotawarethathepossessed。
　　HisfavouriteabodewasatRheinsberg，nearthefrontierwhichseparatesthePrussiandominionsfromtheDuchyofMecklenburg。
　　Rheinsberg，isafertileandsmilingspot，inthemidstofthesandywasteoftheMarquisate。Themansion，surroundedbywoodsofoakandbeech，looksoutuponaspaciouslake。ThereFredericamusedhimselfbylayingoutgardensinregularalleysandintricatemazes，bybuildingobelisks，temples，andconservatories，andbycollectingrarefruitsandflowers。Hisretirementwasenlivenedbyafewcompanions，amongwhomheseemstohavepreferredthosewho，bybirthorextraction，wereFrench。
　　Withtheseintimateshedinedandsuppedwell，drankfreely，andamusedhimselfsometimeswithconcerts，andsometimeswithholdingchaptersofafraternitywhichhecalledtheOrderofBayard;butliteraturewashischiefresource。
　　HiseducationhadbeenentirelyFrench。ThelongascendencywhichLewistheFourteenthhadenjoyed，andtheeminentmeritofthetragicandcomicdramatists，ofthesatirists，andofthepreacherswhohadflourishedunderthatmagnificentprince，hadmadetheFrenchlanguagepredominantinEurope。Evenincountrieswhichhadanationalliterature，andwhichcouldboastofnamesgreaterthanthoseofRacine，ofMoliere，andofMassillon，inthecountryofDante，inthecountryofCervantes，inthecountryofShakspeareandMilton，theintellectualfashionsofParishadbeentoagreatextentadopted。Germanyhadnotyetproducedasinglemasterpieceofpoetryoreloquence。InGermany，therefore，theFrenchtastereignedwithoutrivalandwithoutlimit。EveryyouthofrankwastaughttospeakandwriteFrench。Thatheshouldspeakandwritehisowntonguewithpoliteness，orevenwithaccuracyandfacility，wasregardedascomparativelyanunimportantobject。EvenFredericWilliam，withallhisruggedSaxonprejudices，thoughtitnecessarythathischildrenshouldknowFrench，andquiteunnecessarythattheyshouldbewellversedinGerman。TheLatinwaspositivelyinterdicted。"Myson，"
　　hisMajestywrote，"shallnotlearnLatin;and，morethanthat，I
　　willnotsufferanybodyeventomentionsuchathingtome。"OneofthepreceptorsventuredtoreadtheGoldenBullintheoriginalwiththePrinceRoyal。FredericWilliamenteredtheroom，andbrokeoutinhisusualkinglystyle。
　　"Rascal，whatareyouatthere？"
　　"PleaseyourMajesty，"answeredthepreceptor，"IwasexplainingtheGoldenBulltohisRoyalHighness。"
　　"I’llGoldenBullyou，yourascal！roaredtheMajestyofPrussia。
　　UpwenttheKing’scaneawayrantheterrifiedinstructor;andFrederic’sclassicalstudiesendedforever。HenowandthenaffectedtoquoteLatinsentences，andproducedsuchexquisitelyCiceronianphrasesasthese:"Stantepedemorire"——"Degustibusnonestdisputandus，"——"Totverbastotspondera。"OfItalian，hehadnotenoughtoreadapageofMetastasiowithease;andoftheSpanishandEnglish，hedidnot，asfarasweareaware，understandasingleword。
　　AsthehighesthumancompositionstowhichhehadaccesswerethoseoftheFrenchwriters，itisnotstrangethathisadmirationforthosewritersshouldhavebeenunbounded。Hisambitiousandeagertemperearlypromptedhimtoimitatewhatheadmired。Thewish，perhaps，dearesttohisheartwas，thathemightrankamongthemastersofFrenchrhetoricandpoetry。HewroteproseandverseasindefatigablyasifhehadbeenastarvinghackofCaveorOsborn;butNature，whichhadbestowedonhim，inalargemeasure，thetalentsofacaptainandofanadministrator，hadwithheldfromhimthosehigherandrarergifts，withoutwhichindustrylaboursinvaintoproduceimmortaleloquenceandsong。And，indeed，hadhebeenblessedwithmoreimagination，wit，andfertilityofthought，thanheappearstohavehad，hewouldstillhavebeensubjecttoonegreatdisadvantage，whichwould，inallprobability，haveforeverpreventedhimfromtakingahighplaceamongmenofletters。Hehadnotthefullcommandofanylanguage。Therewasnomachineofthoughtwhichhecouldemploywithperfectease，confidence，andfreedom。HehadGermanenoughtoscoldhisservants，ortogivethewordofcommandtohisgrenadiers;buthisgrammarandpronunciationwereextremelybad。HefounditdifficulttomakeoutthemeaningevenofthesimplestGermanpoetry。OnoneoccasionaversionofRacine’sIphigeniewasreadtohim。HeheldtheFrenchoriginalinhishand;butwasforcedtoownthat，evenwithsuchhelp，hecouldnotunderstandthetranslation。
　　Yet，thoughhehadneglectedhismothertongueinordertobestowallhisattentiononFrench，hisFrenchwas，afterall，theFrenchofaforeigner。ItwasnecessaryforhimtohavealwaysathisbecksomemenoflettersfromParistopointoutthesolecismsandfalserhymesofwhich，tothelast，hewasfrequentlyguilty。Evenhadhepossessedthepoeticfaculty，ofwhich，asfaraswecanjudge，hewasutterlydestitute，thewantofalanguagewouldhavepreventedhimfrombeingagreatpoet。
　　Nonobleworkofimagination，asfaraswerecollect，wasevercomposedbyanyman，exceptinadialectwhichhehadlearnedwithoutrememberinghoworwhen，andwhichhehadspokenwithperfecteasebeforehehadeveranalyseditsstructure。RomansofgreatabilitieswroteGreekverses;buthowmanyofthoseverseshavedeservedtolive？Manymenofeminentgeniushave，inmoderntimes，writtenLatinpoems;but，asfarasweareaware，noneofthosepoems，notevenMilton’s，canberankedinthefirstclassofart，orevenveryhighinthesecond。Itisnotstrange，therefore，that，intheFrenchversesofFrederic，wecanfindnothingbeyondthereachofanymanofgoodpartsandindustry，nothingabovethelevelofNewdigateandSeatonianpoetry。HisbestpiecesmayperhapsrankwiththeworstinDodsley’scollection。Inhistory，hesucceededbetter。Wedonot，indeed，find，inanyofhisvoluminousMemoirs，eitherdeepreflectionorvividpainting。Butthenarrativeisdistinguishedbyclearness，conciseness，goodsense，andacertainairoftruthandsimplicity，whichissingularlygracefulinamanwho，havingdonegreatthings，sitsdowntorelatethem。Onthewhole，however，noneofhiswritingsaresoagreeabletousashisLetters，particularlythosewhicharewrittenwithearnestness，andarenotembroideredwithverses。
　　Itisnotstrangethatayoungmandevotedtoliterature，andacquaintedonlywiththeliteratureofFrance，shouldhavelookedwithprofoundvenerationonthegeniusofVoltaire。"Amanwhohasneverseenthesun，"saysCalderon，inoneofhischarmingcomedies，"cannotbeblamedforthinkingthatnoglorycanexceedthatofthemoon。Amanwhohasseenneithermoonnorsun，cannotbeblamedfortalkingoftheunrivalledbrightnessofthemorningstar。"HadFredericbeenabletoreadHomerandMiltonorevenVirgilandTasso，hisadmirationoftheHenriadewouldprovethathewasutterlydestituteofthepowerofdiscerningwhatisexcellentinart。HadhebeenfamiliarwithSophoclesorShakspeare，weshouldhaveexpectedhimtoappreciateZairemorejustly。HadhebeenabletostudyThucydidesandTacitusintheoriginalGreekandLatin，hewouldhaveknownthattherewereheightsintheeloquenceofhistoryfarbeyondthereachoftheauthoroftheLifeofCharlestheTwelfth。Butthefinestheroicpoem，severalofthemostpowerfultragedies，andthemostbrilliantandpicturesquehistoricalworkthatFrederichadeverread，wereVoltaire’s。SuchhighandvariousexcellencemovedtheyoungPrincealmosttoadoration。TheopinionsofVoltaireonreligiousandphilosophicalquestionshadnotyetbeenfullyexhibitedtothepublic。Atalaterperiod，whenanexilefromhiscountry，andatopenwarwiththeChurch，hespokeout。ButwhenFredericwasatRheinsberg，Voltairewasstillacourtier;
　　and，thoughhecouldnotalwayscurbhispetulantwit，hehadasyetpublishednothingthatcouldexcludehimfromVersailles，andlittlethatadivineofthemildandgenerousschoolofGrotiusandTillotsonmightnotreadwithpleasure。IntheHenriade，inZaire，andinAlzire，Christianpietyisexhibitedinthemostamiableform;and，someyearsaftertheperiodofwhichwearewriting，aPopecondescendedtoacceptthededicationofMahomet。
　　Therealsentimentsofthepoet，however，mightbeclearlyperceivedbyakeeneyethroughthedecentdisguisewithwhichheveiledthem，andcouldnotescapethesagacityofFrederic，whoheldsimilaropinions，andhadbeenaccustomedtopractisesimilardissimulation。
　　ThePrincewrotetohisidolinthestyleofaworshipper;andVoltairerepliedwithexquisitegraceandaddress。A
　　correspondencefollowed，whichmaybestudiedwithadvantagebythosewhowishtobecomeproficientsintheignobleartofflattery。NomaneverpaidcomplimentsbetterthanVoltaire。Hissweetestconfectioneryhadalwaysadelicate，yetstimulatingflavour，whichwasdelightfultopalatesweariedbythecoarsepreparationsofinferiorartists。Itwasonlyfromhishandthatsomuchsugarcouldbeswallowedwithoutmakingtheswallowersick。Copiesofverses，writing—desks，trinketsofamber，wereexchangedbetweenthefriends。FredericconfidedhiswritingstoVoltaire;andVoltaireapplauded，asifFrederichadbeenRacineandBossuetinone。OneofhisRoyalHighness’sperformanceswasarefutationofMachiavelli。Voltaireundertooktoconveyittothepress。ItwasentitledtheAnti—Machiavel，andwasanedifyinghomilyagainstrapacity，perfidy，arbitrarygovernment，unjustwar，inshort，againstalmosteverythingforwhichitsauthorisnowrememberedamongmen。
　　TheoldKingutterednowandthenaferociousgrowlatthediversionsofRheinsberg。Buthishealthwasbroken;hisendwasapproaching;andhisvigourwasimpaired。Hehadonlyonepleasureleft，thatofseeingtallsoldiers。Hecouldalwaysbepropitiatedbyapresentofagrenadierofsixfeetfourorsixfeetfive;andsuchpresentswerefromtimetotimejudiciouslyofferedbyhisson。
　　Earlyintheyear1740，FredericWilliammetdeathwithafirmnessanddignityworthyofabetterandwiserman;andFrederic，whohadjustcompletedhistwenty—eighthyear，becameKingofPrussia。Hischaracterwaslittleunderstood。Thathehadgoodabilities，indeed，nopersonwhohadtalkedwithhim，orcorrespondedwithhim，coulddoubt。ButtheeasyEpicureanlifewhichhehadled，hisloveofgoodcookeryandgoodwine，ofmusic，ofconversation，oflightliterature，ledmanytoregardhimasasensualandintellectualvoluptuary。Hishabitofcantingaboutmoderation，peace，liberty，andthehappinesswhichagoodmindderivesfromthehappinessofothers，hadimposedonsomewhoshouldhaveknownbetter。Thosewhothoughtbestofhim，expectedaTelemachusafterFenelon’spattern。OtherspredictedtheapproachofaMediceanage，anagepropitioustolearningandart，andnotunpropitioustopleasure。Nobodyhadtheleastsuspicionthatatyrantofextraordinarymilitaryandpoliticaltalents，ofindustrymoreextraordinarystill，withoutfear，withoutfaith，andwithoutmercy，hadascendedthethrone。
　　ThedisappointmentofFalstaffathisoldboon—companion’scoronationwasnotmorebitterthanthatwhichawaitedsomeoftheinmatesofRheinsberg。Theyhadlonglookedforwardtotheaccessionoftheirpatron，astotheeventfromwhichtheirownprosperityandgreatnesswastodate。Theyhadatlastreachedthepromisedland，thelandwhichtheyhadfiguredtothemselvesasflowingwithmilkandhoney;andtheyfounditadesert。"Nomoreofthesefooleries，"wastheshort，sharpadmonitiongivenbyFrederictooneofthem。Itsoonbecameplainthat，inthemostimportantpoints，thenewsovereignboreastrongfamilylikenesstohispredecessor。Therewasindeedawidedifferencebetweenthefatherandthesonasrespectedextentandvigourofintellect，speculativeopinions，amusements，studies，outwarddemeanour。Butthegroundworkofthecharacterwasthesameinboth。Tobothwerecommontheloveoforder，theloveofbusiness，themilitarytaste，theparsimony，theimperiousspirit，thetemperirritableeventoferocity，thepleasureinthepainandhumiliationofothers。ButthesepropensitieshadinFredericWilliampartakenofthegeneralunsoundnessofhismind，andworeaverydifferentaspectwhenfoundincompanywiththestrongandcultivatedunderstandingofhissuccessor。Thus，forexample，Fredericwasasanxiousasanyprincecouldbeabouttheefficiencyofhisarmy。Butthisanxietyneverdegeneratedintoamonomania，likethatwhichledhisfathertopayfancypricesforgiants。Fredericwasasthriftyaboutmoneyasanyprinceoranyprivatemanoughttobe。Buthedidnotconceive，likehisfather，thatitwasworthwhiletoeatunwholesomecabbagesforthepurposeofsavingfourorfiverixdollarsintheyear。
　　Fredericwas，wefear，asmalevolentashisfather;butFrederic’switenabledhimoftentoshowhismalevolenceinwaysmoredecentthanthosetowhichhisfatherresorted，andtoinflictmiseryanddegradationbyatauntinsteadofablow。
　　Frederic，itistrue，bynomeansrelinquishedhishereditaryprivilegeofkickingandcudgelling。Hispractice，however，astothatmatter，differedinsomeimportantrespectsfromhisfather’s。ToFredericWilliam，themerecircumstancethatanypersonswhatever，men，women，orchildren，Prussiansorforeigners，werewithinreachofhistoesandofhiscane，appearedtobeasufficientreasonforproceedingtobelabourthem。Fredericrequiredprovocationaswellasvicinity;norwasheeverknowntoinflictthispaternalspeciesofcorrectiononanybuthisbornsubjects;thoughononeoccasionM。Thiebaulthadreason，duringafewseconds，toanticipatethehighhonourofbeinganexceptiontothisgeneralrule。
　　ThecharacterofFredericwasstillveryimperfectlyunderstoodeitherbyhissubjectsorbyhisneighbours，wheneventsoccurredwhichexhibiteditinastronglight。AfewmonthsafterhisaccessiondiedCharlestheSixth，EmperorofGermany，thelastdescendant，inthemaleline，oftheHouseofAustria。
　　Charlesleftnoson，andhad，longbeforehisdeath，relinquishedallhopesofmaleissue。Duringthelatterpartofhislife，hisprincipalobjecthadbeentosecuretohisdescendantsinthefemalelinethemanycrownsoftheHouseofHapsburg。Withthisview，hehadpromulgatedanewlawofsuccession，widelycelebratedthroughoutEuropeunderthenameofthePragmaticSanction。Byvirtueofthislaw，hisdaughter，theArchduchessMariaTheresa，wifeofFrancisofLorraine，succeededtothedominionsofherancestors。
　　Nosovereignhasevertakenpossessionofathronebyaclearertitle。AllthepoliticsoftheAustriancabinethad，duringtwentyyears，beendirectedtoonesingleend，thesettlementofthesuccession。Fromeverypersonwhoserightscouldbeconsideredasinjuriouslyaffected，renunciationsinthemostsolemnformhadbeenobtained。ThenewlawhadbeenratifiedbytheEstatesofallthekingdomsandprincipalitieswhichmadeupthegreatAustrianmonarchy。England，France，Spain，Russia，Poland，Prussia，Sweden，Denmark，theGermanicbody，hadboundthemselvesbytreatytomaintainthePragmaticSanction。Thatinstrumentwasplacedundertheprotectionofthepublicfaithofthewholecivilisedworld。
　　Evenifnopositivestipulationsonthissubjecthadexisted，thearrangementwasonewhichnogoodmanwouldhavebeenwillingtodisturb。Itwasapeaceablearrangement。Itwasanarrangementacceptabletothegreatpopulationwhosehappinesswaschieflyconcerned。ItwasanarrangementwhichmadenochangeinthedistributionofpoweramongthestatesofChristendom。Itwasanarrangementwhichcouldbesetasideonlybymeansofageneralwar;and，ifitweresetaside，theeffectwouldbe，thattheequilibriumofEuropewouldbederanged，thattheloyalandpatrioticfeelingsofmillionswouldbecruellyoutraged，andthatgreatprovinceswhichhadbeenunitedforcenturieswouldbetornfromeachotherbymainforce。
　　ThesovereignsofEuropewere，therefore，boundbyeveryobligationwhichthosewhoareintrustedwithpowerovertheirfellow—creaturesoughttoholdmostsacred，torespectanddefendtherightsoftheArchduchess。Hersituationandherpersonalqualitiesweresuchasmightbeexpectedtomovethemindofanygenerousmantopity，admiration，andchivalroustenderness。Shewasinhertwenty—fourthyear。Herformwasmajestic，herfeaturesbeautiful，hercountenancesweetandanimated，hervoicemusical，herdeportmentgraciousanddignified，Inalldomesticrelationsshewaswithoutreproach。Shewasmarriedtoahusbandwhomsheloved，andwasonthepointofgivingbirthtoachild，whendeathdeprivedherofherfather。Thelossofaparent，andthenewcaresofempire，weretoomuchforherinthedelicatestateofherhealth。Herspiritsweredepressed，andhercheeklostitsbloom。Yetitseemedthatshehadlittlecauseforanxiety。Itseemedthatjustice，humanity，andthefaithoftreatieswouldhavetheirdueweight，andthatthesettlementsosolemnlyguaranteedwouldbequietlycarriedintoeffect。
　　England，Russia，Poland，andHolland，declaredinformtheirintentiontoadheretotheirengagements。TheFrenchministersmadeaverbaldeclarationtothesameeffect。ButfromnoquarterdidtheyoungQueenofHungaryreceivestrongerassurancesoffriendshipandsupportthanfromtheKingofPrussia。
　　YettheKingofPrussia，theAnti—Machiavel，hadalreadyfullydeterminedtocommitthegreatcrimeofviolatinghisplightedfaith，ofrobbingtheallywhomhewasboundtodefend，andofplungingallEuropeintoalong，bloody，anddesolatingwar;andallthisfornoendwhatever，exceptthathemightextendhisdominions，andseehisnameinthegazettes。Hedeterminedtoassembleagreatarmywithspeedandsecrecy，toinvadeSilesiabeforeMariaTheresashouldbeapprisedofhisdesign，andtoaddthatrichprovincetohiskingdom。
　　WewillnotcondescendtorefuteatlengththepleaswhichthecompileroftheMemoirsbeforeushascopiedfromDoctorPreuss。
　　Theyamounttothis，thattheHouseofBrandenburghadsomeancientpretensionstoSilesia，andhadinthepreviouscenturybeencompelled，byhardusageonthepartoftheCourtofVienna，towaivethosepretensions。Itiscertainthat，whoevermightoriginallyhavebeenintheright，Prussiahadsubmitted。PrinceafterprinceoftheHouseofBrandenburghadacquiescedintheexistingarrangement。Nay，theCourtofBerlinhadrecentlybeenalliedwiththatofVienna，andhadguaranteedtheintegrityoftheAustrianstates。Isitnotperfectlyclearthat，ifantiquatedclaimsaretobesetupagainstrecenttreatiesandlongpossession，theworldcanneverbeatpeaceforaday？Thelawsofallnationshavewiselyestablishedatimeoflimitation，afterwhichtitles，howeverillegitimateintheirorigin，cannotbequestioned。Itisfeltbyeverybody，thattoejectapersonfromhisestateonthegroundofsomeinjusticecommittedinthetimeoftheTudorswouldproducealltheevilswhichresultfromarbitraryconfiscation，andwouldmakeallpropertyinsecure。Itconcernsthecommonwealth——sorunsthelegalmaxim——thattherebeanendoflitigation。Andsurelythismaximisatleastequallyapplicabletothegreatcommonwealthofstates;forinthatcommonwealthlitigationmeansthedevastationofprovinces，thesuspensionoftradeandindustry，siegeslikethoseofBadajozandSt。Sebastian，pitchedfieldslikethoseofEylauandBorodino。WeholdthatthetransferofNorwayfromDenmarktoSwedenwasanunjustifiableproceeding;butwouldtheKingofDenmarkbethereforejustifiedinlanding，withoutanynewprovocationinNorway，andcommencingmilitaryoperationsthere？
　　TheKingofHollandthinks，nodoubt，thathewasunjustlydeprivedoftheBelgianprovinces。Grantthatitwereso。Wouldhe，therefore，bejustifiedinmarchingwithanarmyonBrussels？
　　ThecaseagainstFredericwasstillstronger，inasmuchastheinjusticeofwhichhecomplainedhadbeencommittedmorethanacenturybefore。NormustitbeforgottenthatheowedthehighestpersonalobligationstotheHouseofAustria。Itmaybedoubtedwhetherhislifehadnotbeenpreservedbytheintercessionoftheprincewhosedaughterhewasabouttoplunder。
　　TodotheKingjustice，hepretendedtonomorevirtuethanhehad。Inmanifestoeshemight，forform’ssake，insertsomeidlestoriesabouthisantiquatedclaimonSilesia;butinhisconversationsandMemoirshetookaverydifferenttone。Hisownwordsare:"Ambition，interest，thedesireofmakingpeopletalkaboutme，carriedtheday;andIdecidedforwar。"
　　Havingresolvedonhiscourse，heactedwithabilityandvigour。
　　Itwasimpossiblewhollytoconcealhispreparations;forthroughoutthePrussianterritoriesregiments，guns，andbaggagewereinmotion。TheAustrianenvoyatBerlinapprisedhiscourtofthesefacts，andexpressedasuspicionofFrederic’sdesigns;
　　buttheministersofMariaTheresarefusedtogivecredittosoblackanimputationonayoungprince，whowasknownchieflybyhishighprofessionsofintegrityandphilanthropy。"Wewillnot，"theywrote，"wecannot，believeit。"
　　InthemeantimethePrussianforceshadbeenassembled。Withoutanydeclarationofwar，withoutanydemandforreparation，intheveryactofpouringforthcomplimentsandassurancesofgoodwill，Fredericcommencedhostilities。ManythousandsofhistroopswereactuallyinSilesiabeforetheQueenofHungaryknewthathehadsetupanyclaimtoanypartofherterritories。Atlengthhesentheramessagewhichcouldberegardedonlyasaninsult。IfshewouldbutlethimhaveSilesia，hewould，hesaid，standbyheragainstanypowerwhichshouldtrytodepriveherofherotherdominions;asifhewasnotalreadyboundtostandbyher，orasifhisnewpromisecouldbeofmorevaluethantheoldone。
　　Itwasthedepthofwinter。Thecoldwassevere，andtheroadsheavywithmire。ButthePrussianspressedon。Resistancewasimpossible。TheAustrianarmywasthenneithernumerousnorefficient。ThesmallportionofthatarmywhichlayinSilesiawasunpreparedforhostilities。Glogauwasblockaded;Breslauopeneditsgates;Ohlauwasevacuated。Afewscatteredgarrisonsstillheldout;butthewholeopencountrywassubjugated:noenemyventuredtoencountertheKinginthefield;and，beforetheendofJanuary1741，hereturnedtoreceivethecongratulationsofhissubjectsatBerlin。
　　HadtheSilesianquestionbeenmerelyaquestionbetweenFredericandMariaTheresa，itwouldbeimpossibletoacquitthePrussianKingofgrossperfidy。Butwhenweconsidertheeffectswhichhispolicyproduced，andcouldnotfailtoproduce，onthewholecommunityofcivilisednations，wearecompelledtopronounceacondemnationstillmoresevere。Tillhebeganthewar，itseemedpossible，evenprobable，thatthepeaceoftheworldwouldbepreserved。TheplunderofthegreatAustrianheritagewasindeedastrongtemptation;andinmorethanonecabinetambitiousschemeswerealreadymeditated。ButthetreatiesbywhichthePragmaticSanctionhadbeenguaranteedwereexpressandrecent。
　　TothrowallEuropeintoconfusionforapurposeclearlyunjust，wasnolightmatter。Englandwastruetoherengagements。ThevoiceofFleuryhadalwaysbeenforpeace。Hehadaconscience。
　　Hewasnowinextremeoldage，andwasunwilling，afteralifewhich，whenhissituationwasconsidered，mustbepronouncedsingularlypure，tocarrythefreshstainofagreatcrimebeforethetribunalofhisGod。EventhevainandunprincipledBelle—
　　Isle，whosewholelifewasonewildday—dreamofconquestandspoliation，feltthatFrance，boundasshewasbysolemnstipulations，couldnot，withoutdisgrace，makeadirectattackontheAustriandominions。Charles，ElectorofBavaria，pretendedthathehadarighttoalargepartoftheinheritancewhichthePragmaticSanctiongavetotheQueenofHungary;buthewasnotsufficientlypowerfultomovewithoutsupport。Itmight，therefore，notunreasonablybeexpectedthat，afterashortperiodofrestlessness，allthepotentatesofChristendomwouldacquiesceinthearrangementsmadebythelateEmperor。ButtheselfishrapacityoftheKingofPrussiagavethesignaltohisneighbours。Hisexamplequietedtheirsenseofshame。HissuccessledthemtounderratethedifficultyofdismemberingtheAustrianmonarchy。Thewholeworldsprangtoarms。OntheheadofFredericisallthebloodwhichwasshedinawarwhichragedduringmanyyearsandineveryquarteroftheglobe，thebloodofthecolumnofFontenoy，thebloodofthemountaineerswhowereslaughteredatCulloden。TheevilsproducedbyhiswickednesswerefeltinlandswherethenameofPrussiawasunknown;and，inorderthathemightrobaneighbourwhomhehadpromisedtodefend，blackmenfoughtonthecoastofCoromandel，andredmenscalpedeachotherbytheGreatLakesofNorthAmerica。
　　Silesiahadbeenoccupiedwithoutabattle;buttheAustriantroopswereadvancingtothereliefofthefortresseswhichstillheldout。InthespringFredericrejoinedhisarmy。Hehadseenlittleofwar，andhadnevercommandedanygreatbodyofmeninthefield。Itisnot，therefore，strangethathisfirstmilitaryoperationsshowedlittleofthatskillwhich，atalaterperiod，wastheadmirationofEurope。WhatconnoisseurssayofsomepicturespaintedbyRaphaelinhisyouth，maybesaidofthiscampaign。ItwasinFrederic’searlybadmanner。Fortunatelyforhim，thegeneralstowhomhewasopposedweremenofsmallcapacity。Thedisciplineofhisowntroops，particularlyoftheinfantry，wasunequalledinthatage;andsomeableandexperiencedofficerswereathandtoassisthimwiththeiradvice。Ofthese，themostdistinguishedwasField—MarshalSchwerin，abraveadventurerofPomeranianextraction，whohadservedhalfthegovernmentsinEurope，hadbornethecommissionsoftheStates—GeneralofHollandandoftheDukeofMecklenburg，hadfoughtunderMarlboroughatBlenheim，andhadbeenwithCharlestheTwelfthatBender。
　　Frederic’sfirstbattlewasfoughtatMolwitz;andneverdidthecareerofagreatcommanderopeninamoreinauspiciousmanner。
　　Hisarmywasvictorious。Notonly，however，didhenotestablishhistitletothecharacterofanablegeneral;buthewassounfortunateastomakeitdoubtfulwhetherhepossessedthevulgarcourageofasoldier。Thecavalry，whichhecommandedinperson，wasputtoflight。Unaccustomedtothetumultandcarnageofafieldofbattle，helosthisself—possession，andlistenedtooreadilytothosewhourgedhimtosavehimself。HisEnglishgreycarriedhimmanymilesfromthefield，whileSchwerin，thoughwoundedintwoplaces，manfullyupheldtheday。TheskilloftheoldField—MarshalandthesteadinessofthePrussianbattalionsprevailed;andtheAustrianarmywasdrivenfromthefieldwiththelossofeightthousandmen。
　　ThenewswascarriedlateatnighttoamillinwhichtheKinghadtakenshelter。Itgavehimabitterpang。Hewassuccessful;
　　butheowedhissuccesstodispositionswhichothershadmade，andtothevalourofmenwhohadfoughtwhilehewasflying。Sounpromisingwasthefirstappearanceofthegreatestwarriorofthatage。
　　ThebattleofMolwitzwasthesignalforageneralexplosionthroughoutEurope。Bavariatookuparms。France，notyetdeclaringherselfaprincipalinthewar，tookpartinitasanallyofBavaria。Thetwogreatstatesmentowhommankindhadowedmanyyearsoftranquillity，disappearedaboutthistimefromthescene，butnottilltheyhadbothbeenguiltyoftheweaknessofsacrificingtheirsenseofjusticeandtheirloveofpeacetothevainhopeofpreservingtheirpower。Fleury，sinkingunderageandinfirmity，wasbornedownbytheimpetuosityofBelle—Isle。
　　WalpoleretiredfromtheserviceofhisungratefulcountrytohiswoodsandpaintingsatHoughton;andhispowerdevolvedonthedaringandeccentricCarteret。Asweretheministers，sowerethenations。ThirtyyearsduringwhichEuropehad，withfewinterruptions，enjoyedrepose，hadpreparedthepublicmindforgreatmilitaryefforts。Anewgenerationhadgrownup，whichcouldnotrememberthesiegeofTurinortheslaughterofMalplaquet;whichknewwarbynothingbutitstrophies;andwhich，whileitlookedwithprideonthetapestriesatBlenheim，orthestatueinthePlaceofVictories，littlethoughtbywhatprivations，bywhatwasteofprivatefortunes，byhowmanybittertears，conquestsmustbepurchased。
　　ForatimefortuneseemedadversetotheQueenofHungary。
　　FredericinvadedMoravia。TheFrenchandBavarianspenetratedintoBohemia，andweretherejoinedbytheSaxons。Praguewastaken。TheElectorofBavariawasraisedbythesuffragesofhiscolleaguestotheImperialthrone，athronewhichthepracticeofcenturieshadalmostentitledtheHouseofAustriatoregardasahereditarypossession。
　　YetwasthespiritofthehaughtydaughteroftheCaesarsunbroken。Hungarywasstillhersbyanunquestionabletitle;andalthoughherancestorshadfoundHungarythemostmutinousofalltheirkingdoms，sheresolvedtotrustherselftothefidelityofapeople，rudeindeed，turbulent，andimpatientofoppression，butbrave，generous，andsimple—hearted。Inthemidstofdistressandperilshehadgivenbirthtoason，afterwardstheEmperorJosephtheSecond。Scarcelyhadshearisenfromhercouch，whenshehastenedtoPresburg。There，inthesightofaninnumerablemultitude，shewascrownedwiththecrownandrobedwiththerobeofSt。Stephen。Nospectatorcouldrestrainhistearswhenthebeautifulyoungmother，stillweakfromchild—bearing，rode，afterthefashionofherfathers，uptheMountofDefiance，unsheathedtheancientswordofstate，shookittowardsnorthandsouth，eastandwest，and，withaglowonherpaleface，challengedthefourcornersoftheworldtodisputeherrightsandthoseofherboy。AtthefirstsittingoftheDietsheappearedcladindeepmourningforherfather，andinpatheticanddignifiedwordsimploredherpeopletosupportherjustcause。Magnatesanddeputiessprangup，halfdrewtheirsabres，andwitheagervoicesvowedtostandbyherwiththeirlivesandfortunes。Tillthen，herfirmnesshadneveronceforsakenherbeforethepubliceye;butatthatshoutshesankdownuponherthrone，andweptaloud。Stillmoretouchingwasthesightwhen，afewdayslater，shecameagainbeforetheEstatesofherrealm，andheldupbeforethemthelittleArchdukeinherarms。ThenitwasthattheenthusiasmofHungarybrokeforthintothatwar—crywhichsoonresoundedthroughoutEurope，"LetusdieforourKing，MariaTheresa！"
　　Inthemeantime，Fredericwasmeditatingachangeofpolicy。HehadnowishtoraiseFrancetosupremepowerontheContinent，attheexpenseoftheHouseofHapsburg。HisfirstobjectwastorobtheQueenofHungary。Hissecondobjectwasthat，ifpossible，nobodyshouldrobherbuthimself。HehadenteredintoengagementswiththepowersleaguedagainstAustria;buttheseengagementswereinhisestimationofnomoreforcethantheguaranteeformerlygiventothePragmaticSanction。Hisplannowwastosecurehisshareoftheplunderbybetrayinghisaccomplices。MariaTheresawaslittleinclinedtolistentoanysuchcompromise;buttheEnglishGovernmentrepresentedtohersostronglythenecessityofbuyingoffFrederic，thatsheagreedtonegotiate。Thenegotiationwouldnot，however，haveendedinatreaty，hadnotthearmsofFredericbeencrownedwithasecondvictory。PrinceCharlesofLorraine，brother—in—lawtoMariaTheresa，aboldandactive，thoughunfortunategeneral，gavebattletothePrussiansatChotusitz，andwasdefeated。TheKingwasstillonlyalearnerofthemilitaryart。Heacknowledged，atalaterperiod，thathissuccessonthisoccasionwastobeattributed，notatalltohisowngeneralship，butsolelytothevalourandsteadinessofhistroops。Hecompletelyeffaced，however，byhispersonalcourageandenergy，thestainwhichMolwitzhadleftonhisreputation。
　　Apeace，concludedundertheEnglishmediation，wasthefruitofthisbattle。MariaTheresacededSilesia:Fredericabandonedhisallies:Saxonyfollowedhisexample;andtheQueenwasleftatlibertytoturnherwholeforceagainstFranceandBavaria。Shewaseverywheretriumphant。TheFrenchwerecompelledtoevacuateBohemia，andwithdifficultyeffectedtheirescape。Thewholelineoftheirretreatmightbetrackedbythecorpsesofthousandswhohaddiedofcold，fatigue，andhunger。Manyofthosewhoreachedtheircountrycarriedwiththemtheseedsofdeath。BavariawasoverrunbybandsofferociouswarriorsfromthatbloodydebatablelandwhichliesonthefrontierbetweenChristendomandIslam。TheterriblenamesofthePandoor，theCroat，andtheHussar，thenfirstbecamefamiliartoWesternEurope。TheunfortunateCharlesofBavaria，vanquishedbyAustria，betrayedbyPrussia，drivenfromhishereditarystates，andneglectedbyhisallies，washurriedbyshameandremorsetoanuntimelyend。AnEnglisharmyappearedintheheartofGermany，anddefeatedtheFrenchatDettingen。TheAustriancaptainsalreadybegantotalkofcompletingtheworkofMarlboroughandEugene，andofcompellingFrancetorelinquishAlsaceandthethreeBishoprics。
　　TheCourtofVersailles，inthisperil，lookedtoFredericforhelp。Hehadbeenguiltyoftwogreattreasons:perhapshemightbeinducedtocommitathird。TheDuchessofChateaurouxthenheldthechiefinfluenceoverthefeebleLewis。She，determinedtosendanagenttoBerlin;andVoltairewasselectedforthemission。Heeagerlyundertookthetask;for，whilehisliteraryfamefilledallEurope，hewastroubledwithachildishcravingforpoliticaldistinction。Hewasvain，andnotwithoutreason，ofhisaddress，andofhisinsinuatingeloquence:andheflatteredhimselfthathepossessedboundlessinfluenceovertheKingofPrussia。Thetruthwasthatheknew，asyet，onlyonecornerofFrederic’scharacter。Hewaswellacquaintedwithallthepettyvanitiesandaffectationsofthepoetaster;butwasnotawarethatthesefoibleswereunitedwithallthetalentsandviceswhichleadtosuccessinactivelife，andthattheunluckyversifierwhopesteredhimwithreamsofmiddlingAlexandrines，wasthemostvigilant，suspicious，andsevereofpoliticians。
　　Voltairewasreceivedwitheverymarkofrespectandfriendship，waslodgedinthepalace，andhadaseatdailyattheroyaltable。Thenegotiationwasofanextraordinarydescription。
　　Nothingcanbeconceivedmorewhimsicalthantheconferenceswhichtookplacebetweenthefirstliterarymanandthefirstpracticalmanoftheage，whomastrangeweaknesshadinducedtoexchangetheirparts。Thegreatpoetwouldtalkofnothingbuttreatiesandguarantees，andthegreatKingofnothingbutmetaphorsandrhymes。OnoneoccasionVoltaireputintohisMajesty’shandsapaperonthestateofEurope，andreceiveditbackwithversesscrawledonthemargin。Insecrettheybothlaughedateachother。VoltairedidnotsparetheKing’spoems;
　　andtheKinghasleftonrecordhisopinionofVoltaire’sdiplomacy。"Hehadnocredentials，"saysFrederic，"andthewholemissionwasajoke，amerefarce。"
　　ButwhattheinfluenceofVoltairecouldnoteffect，therapidprogressoftheAustrianarmseffected。IfitshouldbeinthepowerofMariaTheresaandGeorgetheSecondtodictatetermsofpeacetoFrance，whatchancewastherethatPrussiawouldlongretainSilesia？Frederic’sconsciencetoldhimthathehadactedperfidiouslyandinhumanlytowardstheQueenofHungary。Thatherresentmentwasstrongshehadgivenampleproof;andofherrespectfortreatieshejudgedbyhisown。Guarantees，hesaid，weremerefiligree，prettytolookat，buttoobrittletobeartheslightestpressure。HethoughtithissafestcoursetoallyhimselfcloselytoFrance，andagaintoattacktheEmpressQueen。
　　Accordingly，intheautumnof1744，withoutnotice，withoutanydecentpretext，herecommencedhostilities，marchedthroughtheelectorateofSaxonywithouttroublinghimselfaboutthepermissionoftheElector，invadedBohemia，tookPrague，andevenmenacedVienna。
　　Itwasnowthat，forthefirsttime，heexperiencedtheinconstancyoffortune。AnAustrianarmyunderCharlesofLorrainethreatenedhiscommunicationswithSilesia。Saxonywasallinarmsbehindhim。Hefounditnecessarytosavehimselfbyaretreat。Heafterwardsownedthathisfailurewasthenaturaleffectofhisownblunders。Nogeneral，hesaid，hadevercommittedgreaterfaults。Itmustbeadded，thattothereversesofthiscampaignhealwaysascribedhissubsequentsuccesses。Itwasinthemidstofdifficultyanddisgracethathecaughtthefirstclearglimpseoftheprinciplesofthemilitaryart。
　　Thememorableyear1745followed。Thewarragedbyseaandland，inItaly，inGermany，andinFlanders;andevenEngland，aftermanyyearsofprofoundinternalquiet，saw，forthelasttime，hostilearmiessetinbattlearrayagainsteachother。ThisyearismemorableinthelifeofFrederic，asthedateatwhichhisnoviciateintheartofwarmaybesaidtohaveterminated。Therehavebeengreatcaptainswhoseprecociousandself—taughtmilitaryskillresembledintuition。Conde，Clive，andNapoleonareexamples。ButFredericwasnotoneofthesebrilliantportents。Hisproficiencyinmilitarysciencewassimplytheproficiencywhichamanofvigorousfacultiesmakesinanysciencetowhichheapplieshismindwithearnestnessandindustry。ItwasatHohenfriedbergthathefirstprovedhowmuchhehadprofitedbyhiserrors，andbytheirconsequences。Hisvictoryonthatdaywaschieflyduetohisskilfuldispositions，andconvincedEuropethattheprincewho，afewyearsbefore，hadstoodaghastintheroutofMolwitz，hadattainedinthemilitaryartamasteryequalledbynoneofhiscontemporaries，orequalledbySaxealone。ThevictoryofHohenfriedbergwasspeedilyfollowedbythatofSorr。
　　Inthemeantime，thearmsofFrancehadbeenvictoriousintheLowCountries。FrederichadnolongerreasontofearthatMariaTheresawouldbeabletogivelawtoEurope，andhebegantomeditateafourthbreachofhisengagements。TheCourtofVersailleswasalarmedandmortified。Aletterofearnestexpostulation，inthehandwritingofLewis，wassenttoBerlin;
　　butinvain。Intheautumnof1745，FredericmadePeacewithEngland，and，beforethecloseoftheyear，withAustriaalso。
　　ThepretensionsofCharlesofBavariacouldpresentnoobstacletoanaccommodation。ThatunhappyPrincewasnomore;andFrancisofLorraine，thehusbandofMariaTheresa，wasraised，withthegeneralassentoftheGermanicbody，totheImperialthrone。
　　Prussiawasagainatpeace;buttheEuropeanwarlastedtill，intheyear1748，itwasterminatedbythetreatyofAix—laChapelle。Ofallthepowersthathadtakenpartinit，theonlygainerwasFrederic。NotonlyhadheaddedtohispatrimonythefineprovinceofSilesia:hehad，byhisunprincipleddexterity，succeededsowellinalternatelydepressingthescaleofAustriaandthatofFrance，thathewasgenerallyregardedasholdingthebalanceofEurope，ahighdignityforonewhorankedlowestamongkings，andwhosegreat—grandfatherhadbeennomorethanaMargrave。Bythepublic，theKingofPrussiawasconsideredasapoliticiandestitutealikeofmoralityanddecency，insatiablyrapacious，andshamelesslyfalse;norwasthepublicmuchinthewrong。Hewasatthesametime，allowedtobeamanofparts，arisinggeneral，ashrewdnegotiatorandadministrator。Thosequalitieswhereinhesurpassedallmankind，wereasyetunknowntoothersortohimself;fortheywerequalitieswhichshineoutonlyonadarkground。Hiscareerhadhitherto，withlittleinterruption，beenprosperous;anditwasonlyinadversity，inadversitywhichseemedwithouthopeorresource，inadversitywhichwouldhaveoverwhelmedevenmencelebratedforstrengthofmind，thathisrealgreatnesscouldbeshown。
　　Hehad，fromthecommencementofhisreign，appliedhimselftopublicbusinessafterafashionunknownamongkings。LewistheFourteenth，indeed，hadbeenhisownprimeminister，andhadexercisedageneralsuperintendenceoverallthedepartmentsoftheGovernment;butthiswasnotsufficientforFrederic。Hewasnotcontentwithbeinghisownprimeminister:hewouldbehisownsoleminister。Underhimtherewasnoroom，notmerelyforaRichelieuoraMazarin，butforaColbert，aLouvois，oraTorcy。
　　Aloveoflabourforitsownsake，arestlessandinsatiablelongingtodictate，tointermeddle，tomakehispowerfelt，aprofoundscornanddistrustofhisfellow—creatures，madehimunwillingtoaskcounsel，toconfideimportantsecrets，todelegateamplepowers。Thehighestfunctionariesunderhisgovernmentweremereclerks，andwerenotsomuchtrustedbyhimasvaluableclerksareoftentrustedbytheheadsofdepartments。
　　Hewashisowntreasurer，hisowncommander—in—chief，hisownintendantofpublicworks，hisownministerfortradeandjustice，forhomeaffairsandforeignaffairs，hisownmasterofthehorse，steward，andchamberlain。Mattersofwhichnochiefofanofficeinanyothergovernmentwouldeverhear，were，inthissingularmonarchy，decidedbytheKinginperson。Ifatravellerwishedforagoodplacetoseeareview，hehadtowritetoFrederic，andreceivednextday，fromaroyalmessenger，Frederic’sanswersignedbyFrederic’sownhand。Thiswasanextravagant，amorbidactivity。Thepublicbusinesswouldassuredlyhavebeenbetterdoneifeachdepartmenthadbeenputunderamanoftalentsandintegrity，andiftheKinghadcontentedhimselfwithageneralcontrol。Inthismannertheadvantageswhichbelongtounityofdesign，andtheadvantageswhichbelongtothedivisionoflabour，wouldhavebeentoagreatextentcombined。ButsuchasystemwouldnothavesuitedthepeculiartemperofFrederic。Hecouldtoleratenowill，noreason，intheState，savehisown。Hewishedfornoablerassistancethanthatofpenmenwhohadjustunderstandingenoughtotranslateandtranscribe，tomakeouthisscrawls，andtoputhisconciseYesandNointoanofficialform。Ofthehigherintellectualfaculties，thereisasmuchinacopyingmachine，oralithographicpress，asherequiredfromasecretaryofthecabinet。