History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 9 | Page 8

voice, or at most by slight crack of whip; and does
it. Can we hope, a select specimen or two of these Documents, not on
Grumkow's part, or for Grumkow's unlovely sake, may now be
acceptable to the reader? A Letter or two picked from that large stock,
in a legible state, will show us Father and Son, and how that tragic
matter went on, better than description could.

Papa's Letters to the Crown-Prince during that final Custrin
period,--when Carzig and Himmelstadt were going on, and there was
such progress in Economics, are all of hopeful ruggedly affectionate
tenor; and there are a good few of them: style curiously rugged,
intricate, headlong; and a strong substance of sense and worth
tortuously visible everywhere. Letters so delightful to the poor
retrieved Crown-Prince then and there; and which are still almost
pleasant reading to third-parties, once you introduce grammar and
spelling. This is one exact specimen; most important to the Prince and
us. Suddenly, one night, by estafette, his Majesty, meaning nothing but
kindness, and grateful to Seckendorf and Tobacco-Parliament for such
an idea, proposes,--in these terms (merely reduced to English and the
common spelling):--
"TO THE CROWN-PRINCE AT CUSTRIN (from Papa). "POTSDAM,
4th February, 1732
"MY DEAR SON FRITZ,--I am very glad you need no more physic.
But you must have a care of yourself, some days yet, for the severe
weather; which gives me and everybody colds; so pray be on your
guard (NEHMET EUCH KUBSCH IN ACHT).
"You know, my dear Son, that when my children are obedient, I love
them much: so, when you were at Berlin, I from my heart forgave you
everything; and from that Berlin time, since I saw you, have thought of
nothing but of your well-being and how to establish you,--not in the
Army only, but also with a right Step-daughter, and so see you married
in my lifetime. You may be well persuaded I have had the Princesses of
Germany taken survey of, so far as possible, and examined by trusty
people, what their conduct is, their education and so on: and so a
Princess has been found, the Eldest one of Bevern, who is well brought
up, modest and retiring, as women ought to be.
"You will without delay (CITO) write me your mind on this. I have
purchased the Von Katsch House; the Feldmarschall," old
Wartensleben, poor Katte's grandfather, "as Governor" of Berlin, "will
get that to live in: and his Government House, [Fine enough old House,
or Palace, built by the Great Elector; given by him to Graf

Feldmarschall von Schomberg, the "Duke Schomberg" who was killed
in the Battle of the Boyne: "same House, opposite the Arsenal, which
belongs now (1855) to his Royal Highness Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of
Prussia." (Preuss, i. 73; and OEuvres de Frederic,
xxvi. 12 n.)] I will have made new for you, and furnish it all; and give
you enough to keep house yourself there; and will command you into
the Army, April coming [which is quite a subordinate story, your
Majesty!].
"The Princess is not ugly, nor beautiful. You must mention it to no
mortal;--write indeed to Mamma (DER MAMA) that I have written to
you. And when you shall have a Son, I will let you go on your
Travels,--wedding, however, cannot be before winter next. Meanwhile
I will try aud contrive opportunity that you see one another, a few times,
in all honor, yet so that you get acquainted with her. She is a
God-fearing creature (GOTTESFURCHTIGES MENSCH), which is
all in all; will suit herself to you [be COMPORTABLE to you] as she
does to the Parents-in-law.
"God give his blessing to it; and bless You and your Posterity, and keep
Thee as a good Christian. And have God always before your eyes;--and
don't believe that damnable PARTICULAR tenet [Predestination]; and
be obedient and faithful: so shall it, here in Time and there in Eternity,
go well with thee;--and whoever wishes that from the heart, let him say
Amen.
"Your true Father to the death,
"FRIEDRICH WILHELM.
"When the Duke of Lorraine comes, I will have thee come. I think thy
Bride will be here then. Adieu; God be with you." [ OEuvres de
Frederic, xxvii, part 3d, p. 55.]
This important Missive reached Custrin, by estafette, that same
midnight, 4th-5th February; when Wolden, "Hofmarschall of the
Prince's Court" (titular Goldstick there, but with abundance of real
functions laid on him), had the honor to awaken the Crown-Prince into

the joy of reading. Crown-Prince instantly despatched, by another
estafette, the requisite responses to Papa and Mamma,--of which
Wolden does not know the contents at all, not he, the obsequious
Goldstick;--but doubtless they mean "Yes," Crown-Prince appearing so
overjoyed at this splendid evidence of Papa's love, as the