History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 6

T >> Thomas Carlyle >> History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 6

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Nay, her Brother himself, who is sick of this permanent hurricane,
and would fain see the end of it at any price, takes Mamma's part;
and Wilhelmina and he come to high words on the matter. This was
the unkindest cut of all:--but, of course, this healed in a day.
Poor Prince, he has his own allowance of insults, disgraces,
blows; has just been found out in some plan, or suspicion of a
plan; found out to be in debt at least, and been half miraculously
pardoned;--and, except, in flight, he still sees no deliverance
ahead. Five days ago, 22d January, 1730, there came out a
Cabinet-Order (summary Act of Parliament, so to speak) against
"lending money to Princes of the Blood, were it even to the
Prince-Royal." A crime and misdemeanor, that shall now be;
and Forfeiture of the Money is only part of the penalty, according
to this Cabinet-Order. Rumor is, the Crown-Prince had purchased a
vehicle and appurtenances at Leipzig, and was for running off.
Certainty is, he was discovered to have borrowed 1,000 Thalers
from a certain moneyed man at Berlin (money made from French
scrip, in Mississippi Law's time);--which debt Friedrich Wilhelm
instantly paid. "Your whole debt, then, is that? Tell me the
whole!"--"My whole debt," answered the Prince; who durst not own
to about 9,000 other Thalers (1,500 pounds) he has borrowed from
other quarters, first and last. Friedrich Wilhelm saw perhaps some
premonition of flight, or of desperate measures, in this business;
and was unexpectedly mild: paid the 1,000 Thalers instantly;
adding the Cabinet-Order against future contingencies. [Ranke,
i. 296; Forster, &c.] The Prince was in this humor when he took
Mamma's side, and redoubled Wilhelmina's grief.

DOUBLE-MARRIAGE, ON THE EDGE OF SHIPWRECK, FLIES OFF A KIND OF
CARRIER-PIGEON, OR NOAH'S-DOVE, TO ENGLAND, WITH CRY FOR HELP.

Faithful Mamsell Bulow consoles the Princess: "Wait, I have news
that will put her Majesty in fine humor!"--And she really proved
as good as her word. Her news is, Dubourgay and Knyphausen, in
this extremity of pinch, have decided to send off not letters
merely; but a speaking Messenger to the English Court. One Dr.
Villa; some kind of "English Chaplain" here, [Wilhelmina, i. 203;
Dubourgay's Despatch, 28th January, 1730.] whose chief trade is
that he teaches Wilhelmina English; Rev. Dr. Villa, who honors
Wilhelmina as he ought, shall be the man. Is to go instantly;
will explain what the fatal pass we are reduced to is, and whether
Princess Wilhelmina is the fright some represent her there or not.

Her Majesty is overjoyed to hear it: who would not be? Her Majesty
"writes Letters" of the due vehemency, thinks Wilhelmina,--dare
not write at all, says Dubourgay;--but loads Villa with presents,
with advices; with her whole heart speeds him under way.
"Dismissed, turned off for some fault or other--or perhaps because
the Princess knows enough of English?" so the rumor goes, in
Villa's Berlin circle.

"The Chaplain set out with his despatches," says Wilhelmina, who
does not name him, but is rather eloquent upon his errand; "loaded
with presents from the Queen. On taking leave of me he wept warm
tears. He said, saluting in the English fashion,"--I hope with
bended knee, and the maiden's fingers at his lips--"'He would deny
his Country, if it did not do its duty on this occasion.'" And so
hastened forth on his errand. Like a Carrier-Pigeon sent in
extremity;--like Noah's-Dove in the Deluge: may he revisit our
perishing Ark with Olive in his bill!

END OF BOOK 6

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