Chapter I: Preface

It is not surprising that many persons, not familiar with the wild and wondrous events of the past, should judge that many of the honest narratives of history must be fictions--mere romances. But it is difficult for the imagination to invent scenes more wonderful than can be found in the annals of by-gone days. The novelist who should create such a character as that of Frederick William, or such a career as that of Frederick the Great, would be deemed guilty of great exaggeration, and yet the facts contained in this volume are beyond all contradiction.

Mr. Carlyle has written the Life of Frederick the Great in six closely printed volumes of over five hundred pages each. It is a work of much ability and accuracy. There are, however, but few persons, in this busy age, who can find time to read three thousand pages of fine type, descriptive of events, many of which have lost their interest, and have ceased to possess any practical value. Still, the student who has leisure to peruse these voluminous annals of all the prominent actors in Europe during the reign of Frederick and of his half-insane father, will find a rich treat in the wonderfully graphic and accurate pages of Carlyle.

This volume is intended to give a clear and correct idea of the man--of his public and private character, and of his career. It would be difficult to find, in the whole range of English literature, a theme more full of the elements of entertainment and instruction.

The reader of these pages will be oppressed with the consciousness of how vast a proportion of the miseries of humanity is caused by the cruelty of man to his brother man. This globe might be a very happy home for those who dwell upon it. But its history, during the last six thousand years, has presented one of the most appalling tragedies of which the imagination can conceive. Among all the renowned warriors of the past, but few can be found who have contributed more to fill the world with desolated homes, with the moans of the dying, with the cry of the widow and the orphan, than Frederick the Great; but he laid the foundations of an empire which is at this moment the most potent upon the globe.

CONTENTS.

Page

CHAPTER I.

PARENTAGE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT.

Origin of the Prussian Monarchy.--The Duchies of Brandenburg and
Prussia.--The Elector crowned King Frederick I.--Frederick
William.--His Childhood, Youth, and Marriage.--Birth of Fritz.--
Death of Frederick I.--Eccentric Character of Frederick William.--
His defective Education.--His Energy.--Curious Anecdotes.--
Hatred of the French.--Education of Fritz.--The Father’s Plan of
Instruction 17

CHAPTER II.

LIFE IN THE PALACE.

The Palace of Wusterhausen.--Wilhelmina and Fritz.--Education of
the Crown Prince.--Rising Dislike of the Father for his Son.--The
Mother’s Sympathy.--The double Marriage.--Character of George I.--
The King of England visits Berlin.--Wilhelmina’s Account of the
Interview.--Sad Fate of the Wife of George I.--The Giant Guard.--
Despotism of Frederick William.--The Tobacco Parliament.--A
brutal Scene.--Death of George I.--The Royal Family of Prussia.--
Augustus, King of Poland.--Corruption of his Court.--Cruel
Treatment of Fritz.--Insane Conduct of the King 36

CHAPTER III.

THE SUFFERINGS OF FRITZ AND WILHELMINA.

The King an Artist.--Cruel Exactions of the King.--Conflicts of
Etiquette.--Quarrel with George II.--Nuptial Intrigues.--Energetic
Action of Frederick William.--Marriage of Frederica Louisa.--Fritz
and his Flute.--Wrath of the King.--Beats Wilhelmina and Fritz.--
Attempts to strangle Fritz.--The Hunt at Wusterhausen.--Intrigues
in reference to the Double Marriage.--Anguish of Wilhelmina.--
Cruelty of her Mother.--Resolve of Fritz to escape to England 58

CHAPTER IV.

THE ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.

Objections to the British Alliance.--Obstinacy of the King.--
Wilhelmina’s Journal.--Policy of Frederick William and of George
II.--Letter from Fritz.--The Camp of Mühlberg.--The Plan of
Escape.--The Flight arrested.--Ungovernable Rage of the King.--
Endeavors to kill his Son.--Arrest and Imprisonment of Fritz.--
Terror of his Mother and Sister.--Wilhelmina imprisoned 80

CHAPTER V.

IMPRISONMENT OF FRITZ AND WILHELMINA.

Spirited Conduct of Fritz.--Fortress of Cüstrin.--Prison Fare.--
Wilhelmina’s Captivity.--Sad Fate of Doris Ritter.--Motives of
the King.--Doom of Lieutenant Katte.--Pathetic Supplications.--
The Execution.--Peril of Fritz.--Theology of the King.--Letter
from Fritz.--Sufferings of Wilhelmina.--Brutality of the King.--
Wilhelmina brought to Terms 100

CHAPTER VI.

THE MARRIAGE OF WILHELMINA.

Wilhelmina’s Letter to her Mother.--Cruel Response.--The Court
Festival.--First Interview with the Prince of Baireuth.--His
Character and Appearance.--Interview between the King and Fritz.--
The Partial Reconciliation.--Divine Decrees.--The King’s Sense
of Justice.--The King’s Discipline of the Judges.--Character of
Fritz.--Wilhelmina’s Annoyances.--Her Marriage.--Interview between
Wilhelmina and Fritz.--The Departure 118

CHAPTER VII.

THE MARRIAGE OF THE CROWN PRINCE.

Matrimonial Intrigues.--Letters from the King to his Son.--Letter
from Fritz to Grumkow.--Letter to Wilhelmina.--The Betrothal.--
Character of Elizabeth.--Her cruel Reception by the Prussian
Queen.--Letter from Fritz to Wilhelmina.--Disappointment and
Anguish of Elizabeth.--Studious Habits of Fritz.--Continued
Alienation of his Father.--The Marriage.--Life in the Castle at
Reinsberg 136

CHAPTER VIII.

DEVELOPMENTS OF CHARACTER.

The Castle at Reinsberg.--Slender Purses of Fritz and Wilhelmina.--
Liberality of Fritz.--The Ball at Monbijou.--Adventures of Fritz
and Wilhelmina.--Letters.--The Interview.--Anecdote of the King.--
Wilhelmina’s Account of her Brother.--Mental and Physical Maladies
of the King.--Frederick’s cruel Neglect of his Wife.--Daily Habits
of the young Prince.--The shameful Carousal 152

CHAPTER IX.

THE DEATH OF FREDERICK WILLIAM.

Voltaire and Madame Du Châtelet.--Letter from Frederick to Voltaire.--
The Reply.--Visit to the Prince of Orange.--Correspondence.--The
Crown Prince becomes a Mason.--Interesting Letter from the Crown
Prince.--Petulance and declining Health of the King.--Scenes in the
Death-chamber.--Characteristic Anecdotes.--The Dying Scene 172

CHAPTER X.

THE ACCESSION OF FREDERICK THE SECOND.

Establishment of the Berlin Academy of Sciences.--Religious
Toleration.--A Free Press.--Sternness of the young King.--Domestic
Habits of the King.--Provision for the Queen-mother.--Absolutism of
the King.--Journey to Strasbourg.--First Interview with Voltaire
191

CHAPTER XI.

DIPLOMATIC INTRIGUES.

The Herstal Affair.--The Summons.--Voltaire’s Manifesto.--George II.
visits Hanover.--The Visit of Wilhelmina to Berlin.--Unpopularity
of the King.--Death of the Emperor Charles VI. 206

CHAPTER XII.

THE INVASION OF SILESIA.

Deceptive Measures of Frederick.--Plans for the Invasion of Silesia.--
Avowed Reasons for the Invasion.--The Ball in Berlin.--The March of
the Army.--Hardships and Successes.--Letter to Voltaire.--Capture
of Glogau.--Capture of Brieg.--Bombardment of Neisse 218

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CAMPAIGN OF MOLLWITZ.

Embarrassments of Frederick.--Attempts a Compromise.--New Invasion
of Silesia.--Intrigues for the Imperial Crown.--Rivalry between
England and France.--Death of Anne of Russia.--Energy of
Austria.--Narrow Escape of Frederick.--Frederick’s Antipathy to
Christianity.--Capture of Glogau.--Peril of Frederick.--The Siege
of Neisse 237

CHAPTER XIV.

THE DEFEAT AND FLIGHT OF FREDERICK.

Preparing for the Battle.--The Surprise.--The Snow-encumbered
Plain.--Horror of the Scene.--Flight of Frederick.--His Shame
and Despair.--Unexpected Victory of the Prussians.--Letters of
Frederick.--Adventures of Maupertuis 254

CHAPTER XV.

THE WAR IN SILESIA.

The Encampment at Brieg.--Bombardment.--Diplomatic Intrigues.--
Luxury of the Spanish Minister.--Rising Greatness of Frederick.--
Frederick’s Interview with Lord Hyndford.--Plans of France.--
Desperate Prospects of Maria Theresa.--Anecdote of Frederick.--
Joint Action of England and Holland.--Heroic Character of Maria
Theresa.--Coronation of the Queen of Hungary 265

CHAPTER XVI.

THE CONQUEST OF SILESIA.

An extraordinary Interview.--Carlyle’s Sympathy.--Trifling Demeanor
of Frederick.--Conspiracy in Breslau.--Guile of Frederick.--The
successful Stratagem.--Crossing the Neisse.--The Co-operation of
France.--Anguish of Maria Theresa.--Inflexible Will of Frederick.--
Duplicity of the King.--The Surrender of Neisse 275

CHAPTER XVII.

THE CAMPAIGN OF MORAVIA.

Frederick’s Motives for the War.--Marriage of William Augustus.--
Testimony of Lord Macaulay.--Frederick and his Allies.--Visit to
Dresden.--Military Energy.--Charles Albert chosen Emperor.--The
Coronation.--Effeminacy of the Saxon Princes.--Disappointment and
Vexation of Frederick.--He withdraws in Chagrin.--The Cantonment on
the Elbe.--Winter Campaigning.--The Concentration at Chrudim 295

CHAPTER XVIII.

FREDERICK TRIUMPHANT.

The Battle of Chotusitz.--Letter to Jordan.--Results of the
Battle.--Secret Negotiations.--The Treaty of Breslau.--Entrance
into Frankfort.--Treachery of Louis XV.--Results of the Silesian
Campaigns.--Panegyrics of Voltaire.--Imperial Character of Maria
Theresa.--Her Grief over the Loss of Silesia.--Anecdote of Senora
Barbarina.--Duplicity of both Frederick and Voltaire.--Gayety in
Berlin.--Straitened Circumstances.--Unamiability of Frederick 309

CHAPTER XIX.

THE INVASION OF BOHEMIA.

Correspondence between Frederick and Voltaire.--Voltaire’s Visit to
Frederick.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Unavailing Diplomacy
of Voltaire.--The New Alliance.--The Renewal of War.--The Siege
of Prague.--The Advance upon Vienna.--Darkening Prospects.--The
Pandours.--Divisions in Council.--Sickness of Louis XV.--Energy of
Frederick.--Distress of the Army 326

CHAPTER XX.

THE RETREAT.

The Retreat ordered.--Awful Suffering.--Narrow Escape of the King.--
The Flight from Prague.--Military Mistakes of the King.--Frederick
returns to Berlin.--His wonderful administrative Ability.--Poland
joins Austria.--The Austrians enter Silesia.--Unreasonable Demands
of Frederick.--Humiliation of the King.--Prince Charles and his
Bride.--Character of Leopold.--Death of the Emperor.--Bavaria
turns against Frederick.--Anecdotes of Prince Leopold.--Peril of
Frederick.--Battle of Hohenfriedberg.--Signal Victory of Frederick
335

CHAPTER XXI.

BATTLES AND VICTORIES.

Battle of Hohenfriedberg.--Religious Antagonism.--Anecdote of the
King.--Retreat of the Austrians.--Horrors of War.--“A slight
Pleasantry.”--Sufferings of the Prussian Army.--The Victory of
Fontenoy.--Frederick’s Pecuniary Embarrassments.--Executive
Abilities of Maria Theresa.--Inflexibility of the Austrian Queen.--
The Retreat to Silesia.--The Surprise at Sohr.--Military Genius of
Frederick.--Great Victory of Sohr 352

CHAPTER XXII.

THE PEACE OF DRESDEN.

Sufferings of the Peasantry.--Renown and Peril of Frederick.--New
Plan of Maria Theresa.--Despondency of Frederick.--Surprise and
Rout of the Austrians.--The “Old Dessauer” enters Saxony.--Battle
of Kesseldorf.--Singular Prayer of the Old Dessauer.--Signal
Victory of the Prussians.--Elation of Frederick.--The Peace of
Dresden.--Death of M. Duhan 364

CHAPTER XXIII.

FREDERICK THE GREAT AT SANS SOUCI.

Days of Peace and Prosperity.--The Palace of Sans Souci.--Letter
from Marshal Keith.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Frederick’s
Snuff-boxes.--Anecdotes.--Severe Discipline of the Army.--
Testimony of Baron Trenck.--The Review.--Death of the “Divine
Emilie.”--The King’s Revenge.--Anecdote of the Poor Schoolmaster.--
The Berlin Carousal.--Appearance of his Majesty.--Honors conferred
upon Voltaire 375

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE QUARREL.

Voltaire and the Jew.--Letter from Frederick to D’Arget.--
Letter to Wilhelmina.--Caustic Letters to Voltaire.--Partial
Reconciliation.--Frederick’s brilliant Conversational Powers.--
His Neglect of his Wife.--All Females excluded from his Court.--
Maupertuis and the Academy.--Voltaire’s Malignity.--Frederick’s
Anger.--Correspondence between Voltaire and Maupertuis.--Menaces of
War.--Catt and the King 387

CHAPTER XXV.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR.

Secret Preparations for a Coalition.--Frederick’s Embarrassments.--
The uncertain Support of England.--Causes of the War.--Commencement
of Hostilities.--Letter from Frederick to his Sister Amelia.--
Letter to his Brother.--The Invasion of Saxony.--Misfortunes of the
Royal Family of Poland.--Battle of Lobositz.--Energetic Military
Movements.--Prisoners of War compelled to enlist in the Prussian
Service.--Dispatches from Frederick.--Battle of Prague.--Battle of
Kolin.--Retreat of Frederick.--Death of Sophia Dorothea 402

CHAPTER XXVI.

DEFEATS AND PERILS.

Grief of the King over his Mother’s Death.--Interesting Letters.--
Forces in the Field.--The March upon Dresden.--Devotion of
Wilhelmina.--Atheism of the King.--Wilhelmina to Voltaire.--
Despair of Frederick.--Great Victory of Rossbach.--Description of
the Battle.--Utter Rout of the Allies.--Elation of Frederick.--His
Poem on the Occasion.--Ravages of War 418

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE LEUTHEN CAMPAIGN.

Results of the Battle of Rossbach.--The Attack upon Breslau.--
Extraordinary Address of the King to his Troops.--Confidence of the
Prussians in their Commander.--Magnificent Array of the Austrians
at Leuthen.--Tactics of Frederick.--The Battle Hymn.--The Battle
and the Victory.--Scenes after the Battle.--Recapture of Breslau by
Frederick 434

CHAPTER XXVIII.

DOMESTIC GRIEFS AND MILITARY REVERSES.

Destruction of the Army of Prince Charles.--Dismay in Vienna.--
Testimony of Napoleon I.--Of Voltaire.--Wretchedness of the King.--
Compromise rejected.--New Preparations for War.--Treaty between
England and Prussia.--Plan of the Campaign.--Siege of Olmütz.--
Death of Prince Augustus William.--The Baggage Train.--The
irreparable Disaster.--Anxiety of Frederick for Wilhelmina.--The
March against the Russians.--The Battle of Zorndorf.--Anecdotes of
Frederick 445

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE THIRD CAMPAIGN OF THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR.

Frederick’s Attempt to Rescue his Brother.--Captured Dispatches.--
Battle of Hochkirch.--Defeat and Retreat of Frederick.--Death of
Wilhelmina.--Letter to Voltaire.--Rejoicings at Vienna.--The Siege
of Neisse.--The Siege of Dresden.--Conflagrations and Terror.--
The Siege raised by Frederick.--Results of the Third Campaign.--
Unavailing Efforts for Peace.--Despair of Frederick 463

CHAPTER XXX.

FOURTH CAMPAIGN OF THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR.

Desperate Exertions of Frederick.--Aid from England.--Limited
Resources.--Opening of the Campaign.--Disgraceful Conduct of
Voltaire.--Letter to Voltaire.--An Act of Desperation.--Letter to
Count Finckenstein.--Frankfort taken by the Prussians.--Terrible
Battle of Kunersdorf.--Anguish of Frederick.--The Disastrous
Retreat.--Melancholy Dispatch.--Contemplating Suicide.--Collecting
the Wrecks of the Army.--Consternation in Berlin.--Letters to
D’Argens.--Wonderful Strategical Skill.--Literary Efforts of the
King 475

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUED.

Winter Encampment.--Death of Maupertuis.--Infamous Conduct of
Voltaire.--Reproof by the King.--Voltaire’s Insincerity.--
Correspondence.--The King publishes his Poems.--Dishonorable
Conduct of the King.--New Encampment near Dresden.--Destruction
of Frederick’s Army in Silesia.--Atrocities perpetrated by the
Austrians.--Astonishing March.--The Austrians outwitted.--Dresden
bombarded and almost destroyed by Frederick.--Battle of Liegnitz.--
Utter Rout of the Austrians.--Undiminished Peril of Frederick.--
Letter to D’Argens 495

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE END OF THE FIFTH CAMPAIGN.

Incessant Marches and Battles.--Letter from Frederick to D’Argens.--
Letter to his Brother Henry.--Berlin summoned to Surrender.--
Sacking of the City.--Letter to D’Argens.--Desperate Resolves of
Frederick.--The Resort of Suicide.--Remarkable Address of Frederick
to his Generals.--Bloody Battle of Torgau.--Dismal Night-scene.--
Familiarity of the King with the Soldiers.--Winter Quarters at
Freiberg.--Singular Letter to the Countess of Camas.--Death of the
Princess Amelia.--Anecdotes of the King.--His domestic Habits.--
His unscrupulous Measures to obtain Men and Money.--Letter of
Charlotte of Mecklenburg 507

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE END OF THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR.

Commencement of the Sixth Campaign.--The Fortified Camp at
Bunzelwitz.--Skillful Engineering.--Unintermitted Toil of the
Soldiers.--Retreat of the Russians.--Loss of Schweidnitz.--
Peculiar Treatment of General Zastrow.--Close of the Sixth
Campaign.--The King at Breslau.--Desponding Letter to D’Argens.--
Death of Elizabeth of Russia.--Accession of Peter III.--His
Marriage with the Daughter of a Prussian General.--Takes the
Baptismal Name of Catharine.--Assassination of Peter III.--
Curious Proclamation by the Empress.--Commencement of the Seventh
Campaign.--Alliance of Russia with Prussia.--Withdrawal from the
Alliance.--Termination of the War 522

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE PARTITION OF POLAND.

The King patronizes literary and scientific Men.--Anecdotes.--
The Family Quarrel.--Birth of Frederick William III.--Rapid
Recuperation of Prussia.--The King’s Tour of Observation.--Desolate
Aspect of the Country.--Absolutism of Frederick.--Interview between
Frederick and D’Alembert.--Unpopularity of Frederick.--Death of the
King of Poland.--Plans for the Partition of Poland.--Intrigues of
Catharine.--Interview between Frederick and the Emperor Joseph.--
Poland seized by Russia, Prussia, and Austria.--The Division of the
Spoil.--Remorse of Maria Theresa.--Indifference of Frederick to
public Opinion 536