History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 11 | Page 5

person, shortly after, gets across to Hanover; and
Friedrich despatches Truchsess, with Bielfeld adjoined, to return the
courtesy.
Friedrich does not neglect these points of good manners; along with
which something of substantial may be privately conjoined. For
example, if he had in secret his eye on Julich and Berg, could anything
be fitter than to ascertain what the French will think of such an
enterprise? What the French; and next to them what the English, that is
to say, Hanoverians, 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, italic> 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 these words, legible soon after to a glad Berlin public: "Our grand
care will be, To further the Country's well-being, and to make every
one of our subjects (EINEN JEDEN UNSERER UNTERTHANEN)
contented and happy. Our will is, not that