History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 9 | Page 7

answer is not immediately apparent. But indeed they are
Welf of the Welfs, in this respect as in others. One asks, with increased
wonder, noticing in the Welfs generally nothiug but the same
albuminous simplicity, and poverty rather than opulence of uttered
intellect, or of qualities that shine, How the Welfs came to play such a
part, for the last thousand years, and still to be at it, in conspicuous
places? Reader, I have observed that uttered intellect is not what
permanently makes way, but unuttered. Wit, logical brilliancy, spiritual
effulgency, true or FALSE,--how precious to idle mankind, and to the

Newspapers and History-Books, even when it is false: while, again,
Nature and Practical Fact care next to nothing for it in comparison,
even when it is true! Two silent qualities you will notice in these Welfs,
modern and ancient; which Nature much values: FIRST, consummate
human Courage; a noble, perfect, and as it were unconscious
superiority to fear. And then SECONDLY, much weight of mind, a
noble not too conscious Sense of what is Right and Not-Right, I have
found in some of them;--which means mostly WEIGHT, or good
gravitation, good observance of the perpendicular; and is called justice,
veracity, high-honor, and other such names. These are fine qualities
indeed, especially with an "albuminous simplicity" as vehicle to them.
If the Welfs had not much articulate intellect, let us guess they made a
good use, not a bad or indifferent, as is commoner, of what they had.
WHO HIS MAJESTY'S CHOICE IS; AND WHAT THE
CROWN-PRINCE THINKS OF IT.
Princess Elizabeth Christina, the insipid Brunswick specimen, backed
by Seckendorf and Vienna, proves on consideration the desirable to
Friedrich Wilhelm in this matter. But his Son's notions, who as yet
knows her only by rumor, do not go that way. Insipidity, triviality; the
fear of "CAGOTAGE" and frightful fellows in black supremely
unconscious what blockheads they are, haunts him a good deal. And as
for any money coming,--her sublime Aunt the Kaiserinn never had
much ready money; one's resources on that side are likely to be
exiguous. He would prefer the Princess of Mecklenburg, Semi-Russian
Catharine or Anna, of whom we have heard; would prefer the Princess
of Eisenach (whose name he does not know rightly); thinks there are
many Princesses preferable. Most of all he would prefer, what is well
known of him in Tobacco-Parliament, but known to be impossible, this
long while back, to go upon a round of travel,--as for instance the
Prince of Lorraine is now doing,--and look about him a little.
These candid considerations the Crown-Prince earnestly suggests to
Grumkow, and the secret committee of Tobacco-Parliament; earnestly
again and again, in his Correspondence with that gentleman, which
goes on very brisk at present. "Much of it lost," we hear;--but enough,

and to spare, is saved! Not a beautiful correspondence: the tone of it
shallow, hard of heart; tragically flippant, especially on the
Crown-Prince's part; now and then even a touch of the hypocritical
from him, slight touch and not with will: alas, what can the poor young
man do? Grumkow--whose ground, I think, is never quite so secure
since that Nosti business-- professes ardent attachment to the real
interests of the Prince; and does solidly advise him of what is feasible,
what not, in head-quarters; very exemplary "attachment;" credible to
what length, the Prince well enough knows. And so the
Correspondence is unbeautiful; not very descriptive even,--for poor
Friedrich is considerably under mask, while he writes to that address;
and of Grumkow himself we want no more "description;" and is, in fact,
on its own score, an avoidable article rather than otherwise; though
perhaps the reader, for a poor involved Crown-Prince's sake, will wish
an exact Excerpt or two before we quite dismiss it.
Towards turning off the Brunswick speculation, or turning on the
Mecklenburg or Eisenach or any other in its stead, the Correspondence
naturally avails nothing. Seckendorf has his orders from Vienna:
Grumkow has his pension,--his cream-bowl duly set,-- for helping
Beckendorf. Though angels pleaded, not in a tone of tragic flippancy,
but with the voice of breaking hearts, it would be to no purpose. The
Imperial Majesties have ordered, Marry him to Brunswick, "bind him
the better to our House in time coming;" nay the Royal mind at
Potsdam gravitates, of itself, that way, after the first hint is given. The
Imperial will has become the Paternal one; no answer but obedience.
What Grumkow can do will be, if possible, to lead or drive the
Crown-Prince into obeying smoothly, or without breaking of harness
again. Which, accordingly, is pretty much the sum of his part in this
unlovely Correspondence: the geeho-ing of an expert wagoner, who has
got a fiery young Arab thoroughly tied into his dastard sand-cart, and
has to drive him by