History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 16 | Page 8

and May 19th-20th was
the first night of his sleeping there." For the next Forty Years,
especially as years advanced, he spent the most of his days and nights
in this little Mansion; which became more and more his favorite retreat,
whenever the noises and scenic etiquettes were not inexorable.
"SANS-SOUCI;" which we may translate "No-Bother." A busy place
this too, but of the quiet kind; and more a home to him than any of the
Three fine Palaces (ultimately Four), which lay always waiting for him
in the neighborhood. Berlin and Charlottenburg are about twenty miles
off; Potsdam, which, like the other two, is rather consummate among
Palaces, lies leftwise in front of him within a short mile. And at length,
to RIGHT hand, in a similar distance and direction, came the "NEUE
SCHLOSS" (New Palace of Potsdam), called also the "PALACE of
Sans-Souci," in distinction from the Dwelling-House, or as it were
Garden-House, which made that name so famous. Certainly it is a
significant feature of Friedrich; and discloses the inborn proclivity he
had to retirement, to study and reflection, as the chosen element of
human life. Why he fell upon so ambitious a title for his Royal Cottage?
"No-Bother" was not practically a thing he, of all men, could consider
possible in this world: at the utmost perhaps, by good care,
"LESS-Bother"! The name, it appears, came by accident. He had
prepared his Tomb, and various Tombs, in the skirts of this new
Cottage: looking at these, as the building of them went on, he was
heard to say, one day (Spring 1746), D'Argens strolling beside him:
"OUI, ALORS JE SERAI SANS SOUCI (Once THERE, one will be
out of bother)!" A saying which was rumored of, and repeated in
society, being by such a man. Out of which rumor in society, and the
evident aim of the Cottage Royal, there was gradually born, as Venus
from the froth of the sea, this name, "Sans-Souci;"--which Friedrich
adopted; and, before the Year was out, had put upon his lintel in gold
letters. So that, by "Mayday, 1747," the name was in all men's
memories; and has continued ever since. [Preuss, i. 268, &c.; Nicolai,
iii. 1200.] Tourists know this Cottage Royal: Friedrich's "Three Rooms

in it; one of them a Library; in another, a little Alcove with an iron
Bed" (iron, without curtains; old softened HAT the usual royal
nightcap)--altogether a soldier's lodging:--all this still stands as it did.
Cheerfully looking down on its garden-terraces, stairs, Greek statues,
and against the free sky:--perhaps we may visit it in time coming, and
take a more special view. In the Years now on hand, Friedrich, I think,
did not much practically live there, only shifted thither now and then.
His chief residence is still Potsdam Palace; and in Carnival time, that of
Berlin; with Charlottenburg for occasional festivities, especially in
summer, the gardens there being fine. This of Sans-Souci is but portion
of a wider Tendency, wider set of endeavors on Friedrich's part, which
returns upon him now that Peace has returned: That of improving his
own Domesticities, while he labors at so many public improvements.
Gazing long on that simmering "Typhoon of Marine-stores" above
mentioned, we do trace Three great Heads of Endeavor in this Peace
Period. FIRST, the Reform of Law; which, as above hinted, is now
earnestly pushed forward again, and was brought to what was thought
completion before long. With much rumor of applause from
contemporary mankind. Concerning which we are to give some
indications, were it only dates in their order: though, as the affair turned
out not to be completed, but had to be taken up again long after, and is
an affair lying wide of British ken,--there need not, and indeed cannot,
be much said of it just now. SECONDLY, there is eager Furthering of
the Husbandries, the Commerces, Practical Arts,-- especially at present,
that of Foreign Commerce, and Shipping from the Port of Embden.
Which shall have due notice. And THIRDLY, what must be our main
topic here, there is that of Improving the Domesticities, the Household
Enjoyments such as they were;-- especially definable as Renewal of the
old Reinsberg Program; attempt more strenuous than ever to realize
that beautiful ideal. Which, and the total failure of which, and the
consequent quasi- abandonment of it for time coming, are still,
intrinsically and by accident, of considerable interest to modern readers.
Curious, and in some sort touching, to observe how that old original
Life-Program still re-emerges on this King: "Something of melodious
possible in one's poor life, is not there? A Life to the Practical Duties,
yes; but to the Muses as well!"--Of Friedrich's success in his
Law-Reforms, in his Husbandries, Commerces and Furtherances,

conspicuously great as it was, there is no possibility of making