History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 16 | Page 5

But there
is in Teutschland withal, very irrecognizable to Teutschland, yet
authentically present, a Man of the properly unconquerable type; there
is also a select Population drilled for him: these two together will prove
to you that there is a Nation. Conquest of Silesia, Three Silesian Wars;
labors and valors as of Alcides, in vindication of oneself and one's
Silesia: --secretly, how unconsciously, that other and higher Question
of Teutschland, and of its having in it a Nation, was Friedrich's sore
task and his Prussia's at that time. As Teutschland may be perhaps now,
in our day, beginning to recognize; with hope, with astonishment, poor
Teutschland!" ... 3. "And in fine, leaving all that, there is one thing
undeniable: In all human Narrative, it is the battle only, and not the
victory, that can be dwelt upon with advantage. Friedrich has now, by
his Second Silesian War, achieved Greatness: 'Friedrich the Great;'
expressly so denominated, by his People and others. The struggle
upwards is the Romance; your hero once wedded,--to GLORY, or
whoever the Bride may be,--the Romance ends. Precise critics do
object, That there may still lie difficulties, new perils and adventures
ahead:--which proves conspicuously true in this case of ours. And
accordingly, our Book not being a Romance but a History, let us, with
all fidelity, look out what these are, and how they modify our Royal
Gentleman who has got his wedding done. With all fidelity; but with all
brevity, no less. For, inasmuch as"-- Well, brevity in most cases is
desirable. And, privately, it must be owned there is another
consideration of no small weight: That, our Prussian resources falling

altogether into bankruptcy during Peace-Periods, Nature herself has so
ordered it, in this instance! Partly it is our Books (the Prussian
Dryasdust reaching his acme on those occasions), but in part too it is
the Events themselves, that are small and want importance; that have
fallen dead to us, in the huge new Time and its uproars. Events not of
flagrant notability (like battles or war-passages), to bridle Dryasdust,
and guide him in some small measure. Events rather which, except as
characteristic of one memorable Man and King, are mostly now of no
memorability whatever. Crowd all these indiscriminately into sacks,
and shake them out pell-mell on us: that is Dryasdust's sweet way. As if
the largest Marine-Stores Establishment in all the world had suddenly,
on hest of some Necromancer or maleficent person, taken wing upon
you; and were dancing, in boundless mad whirl, round your devoted
head;-- simmering and dancing, very much at its ease; no-whither;
asking YOU cheerfully, "What is your candid opinion, then?"
"Opinion," Heavens!-- You have to retire many yards, and gaze with a
desperate steadiness; assuring yourself: "Well, it does, right
indisputably, shadow forth SOMEthing. This was a Thing Alive, and
did at one time stick together, as an organic Fact on the Earth, though it
now dances in Dryasdust at such a rate!" It is only by self-help of this
sort, and long survey, with rigorous selection, and extremely extensive
exclusion and oblivion, that you gain the least light in such an element.
"Brevity"--little said, when little has been got to be known--is an
evident rule! Courage, reader; by good eyesight, you will still catch
some features of Friedrich as we go along. To SAY our little in a not
unintelligible manner, and keep the rest well hidden, it is all we can do
for you!-- FRIEDRICH DECLINES THE CAREER OF
CONQUERING HERO; GOES INTO LAW-REFORM; AND GETS
READY A COTTAGE RESIDENCE FOR HIMSELF. Friedrich's
Journey to Pyrmont is the first thing recorded of him by the
Newspapers. Gone to take the waters; as he did after his former War.
Here is what I had noted of that small Occurrence, and of one or two
others contiguous in date, which prove to be of significance in
Friedrich's History. "MAY 12-17th, 1746," say the old Books, "his
Majesty sets out for Pyrmont, taking Brunswick by the way; arrives at
Pyrmont May 17th; stays till June 8th;" three weeks good. "Is busy
corresponding with the King of France about a General Peace; but,

owing to the embitterment of both parties, it was not possible at this
time." Taking the waters at least, and amusing himself. From
Brunswick, in passing, he had brought with him his Brother-in-law the
reigning Duke; Rothenburg was there, and Brother Henri; D'Arget
expressly; Flute-player Quanz withal, and various musical people: "in
all, a train of above sixty persons." I notice also that Prince Wilhelm of
Hessen was in Pyrmont at the time. With whom, one fancies, what
speculations there might be: About the late and present War- passages,
about the poor Peace Prospects; your Hessian "Siege" so called "of
Blair in Athol" (CULLODEN now comfortably done), and other
cognate topics.