Book: History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 21

T >> Thomas Carlyle >> History of Friedrich II of Prussia V 21




This was May 21st, 1785; I think, the last time Berlin saw its King
in that public manner, riding through the streets. The FURSTENBUND
Affair is now, secretly, in a very lively state, at Berlin and over
Germany at large; and comes to completion in a couple of months
hence,--as shall be noticed farther on.


GENERAL BOUILLE, HOME FROM HIS WEST-INDIAN EXPLOITS,
VISITS FRIEDRICH (August 5th-11th, 1784).

In these last years of his life Friedrich had many French of
distinction visiting him. In 1782, the Abbe Raynal (whom, except
for his power of face, he admired little); [Rodenbeck, iii. 277 n.]
in 1786, Mirabeau (whose personal qualities seem to have pleased
him);--but chiefly, in the interval between these two, various
Military Frenchmen, now home with their laurels from the American
War, coming about his Reviews: eager to see the Great Man, and be
seen by him. Lafayette, Segur and many others came; of whom the one
interesting to us is Marquis de Bouille: already known for his
swift sharp operation on the English Leeward Islands; and memorable
afterwards to all the world for his presidency in the FLIGHT TO
VARENNES of poor Louis XVI. and his Queen, in 1791; which was by no
means so successful. "The brave Bouille," as we called him long
since, when writing of that latter operation, elsewhere.
Bouille left MEMOIRES of his own: which speak of Friedrich: in the
Vie de Bouille, published recently by
friendly hands: [Rene de Bouille, ESSAI SUR LA VIE DU MARQUIS DE
BOUILLE (Paris, 1853) there is Summary given of all that his Papers
say on Friedrich; this, in still briefer shape, but unchanged
otherwise, readers shall now see.

"In July, 1784, Marquis de Bouille (lately returned from a visit to
England), desirous to see the Prussian Army, and to approach the
great Friedrich while it was yet time, travelled by way of Holland
to Berlin, through Potsdam [no date; got to Berlin "August 6th;"
[Rodenbeck, iii. 309.] so that we can guess "August 5th" for his
Potsdam day]. Saw, at Sans-Souci, in the vestibule, a bronze Bust
of Charles XII.; in the dining-room, among other pictures, a
portrait of the Chateauroux, Louis XV.'s first Mistress. In the
King's bedroom, simple camp-bed, coverlet of crimson taffetas,--
rather dirty, as well as the other furniture, on account of the
dogs. Many books lying about: Cicero, Tacitus, Titus Livius [in
French Translations]. On a chair, Portrait of Kaiser Joseph II.;
same in King's Apartments in Berlin Schloss, also in the Potsdam
New Palace: 'C'EST UN JEUNE HOMME QUE JE NE DOIS PAS PERDRE
DE VUE.'

"King entering, took off his hat, saluting the Marquis, whom a
Chamberlain called Gortz presented [no Chamberlain; a Lieutenant-
General, and much about the King; his Brother, the Weimar Gortz, is
gone as Prussian Minister to Petersburg some time ago]. King talked
about the War DES ISLES [my West-India War], and about England.
'They [the English] are like sick people who have had a fever;
and don't know how ill they have been, till the fit is over.'
Fox he treated as a noisy fellow (DE BROUILLON); but expressed
admiration of young Pitt. 'The coolness with which he can stand
being not only contradicted, but ridiculed and insulted, CELA
PARAIT AU-DESSUS DE LA PATIENCE HUMAINE.' King closed the
conversation by saying he would be glad to see me in Silesia,
whither he was just about to go for Reviews [will go in ten days,
August 15th].

"Friedrich was 72," last January 24th. "His physiognomy, dress,
appearance, are much what the numerous well-known Portraits
represent him. At Court, and on great Ceremonies, he appears
sometimes in black-colored stockings rolled over the knee, and
rose-colored or sky-blue coat (BLEU CELESTE). He is fond of these
colors, as his furniture too shows. The Marquis dined with the
Prince of Prussia, without previous presentation; so simple are the
manners of this Soldier Court. The Heir Presumptive lodges at a
brewer's house, and in a very mean way; is not allowed to sleep
from home without permission from the King."

Bouille set out for Silesia 11th August; was at Neisse in good
time. "Went, at 5 A.M. [date is August 19th, Review lasts till
24th], [Rodenbeck, iii. 310.] to see the King mount. All the
Generals, Prince of Prussia among them, waited in the street;
outside of a very simple House, where the King lodged.
After waiting half an hour, his Majesty appeared; saluted very
graciously, without uttering a word. This was one of his special
Reviews [that was it!]. He rode (MARCHAIT) generally alone, in
utter silence; it was then that he had his REGARD TERRIBLE, and his
features took the impress of severity, to say no more.
[Is displeased with the Review, I doubt, though Bouille saw nothing
amiss;--and merely tells us farther:] At the Reviews the King
inspects strictly one regiment after another: it is he that selects
the very Corporals and Sergeants, much more the Upper Officers;
nominating for vacancies what Cadets are to fill them,--all of whom
are Nobles." Yes, with rare exceptions, all. Friedrich, democratic
as his temper was, is very strict on this point; "because," says he
repeatedly, "Nobles have honor; a Noble that misbehaves, or
flinches in the moment of crisis, can find no refuge in his own
class; whereas a man of lower birth always can in his."
[ OEuvres de Frederic, (more than once).]
Bouille continues:--

"After Review, dined with his Majesty. Just before dinner he gave
to the assembled Generals the 'Order' for to-morrow's Manoeuvres
[as we saw in Conway's case, ten years ago]. This lasted about a
quarter of an hour; King then saluted everybody, taking off TRES-
AFFECTUEUSEMENT his hat, which he immediately put on again. Had now
his affable mien, and was most polite to the strangers present.
At dinner, conversation turned on the Wars of Louis XIV.; then on
English-American War,--King always blaming the English, whom he
does not like. Dinner lasted three hours. His Majesty said more
than once to me [in ill humor, I should almost guess, and wishful
to hide it]: 'Complete freedom here, as if we were in our Tavern,
Sir (ICI, TOUTE LIBERTE, MONSIEUR, COMME SI NOUS ETIONS AU
CABARET)!' On the morrow," August 20th, "dined again. King talked
of France; of Cardinal Richelieu, whose principles of
administration he praised. Repeated several times, that 'he did not
think the French Nation fit for Free Government.' At the Reviews,
Friedrich did not himself command; but prescribed, and followed the
movements; criticised, reprimanded and so forth. On horseback six
hours together, without seeming fatigued.

"King left for Breslau 25th August [24th, if it were of moment].
Bouille followed thither; dined again. Besides Officers, there were
present several Polish Princes, the Bishop of the Diocese, and the
Abbot Bastiani. King made pleasantries about religion [pity, that];
Bastiani not slow with repartees", of a defensive kind. "King told
me, on one occasion, 'Would you believe it? I have just been
putting my poor Jesuits' finances into order. They understand
nothing of such things, CES BONS HOMMES. They are useful to me in
forming my Catholic Clergy. I have arranged it with his Holiness
the Pope, who is a friend of mine, and behaves very well to me.'
Pointing from the window to the Convent of Capuchins, 'Those
fellows trouble me a little with their bell-ringings. They offered
to stop it at night, for my sake: but I declined. One must leave
everybody to his trade; theirs is to pray, and I should have been
sorry to deprive them of their chimes (CARILLON).'

"The 20,000 troops, assembled at Breslau, did not gain the King's
approval,"--far from it, alas, as we shall all see! "To some Chiefs
of Corps he said, 'VOUS RESSEMBLEZ PLUS A DES TAILLEURS QU'A DES
MILITAIRES (You are more like tailors than soldiers)!' He cashiered
several, and even sent one Major-General to prison for six weeks."
That of the tailors, and Major-General Erlach clapt in prison, is
too true;--nor is that the saddest part of the Affair to us.
"Bouille was bound now on an excursion to Prag, to a Camp of the
Kaiser's there. 'Mind,' said the King, alluding to Bouille's BLUE
uniform,--'mind, in the Country you are going to, they don't like
the blue coats; and your Queen has even preserved the family
repugnance, for she does not like them either.' [ESSAI SUR LA VIE
DU MARQUIS DE BOUILLE, pp. l34-149.]

"September 5th, 1784, Bouille arrived at Prag. Austrian Manoeuvres
are very different; troops, though more splendidly dressed,
contrast unfavorably with Prussians;"--unfavorably, though the
strict King was so dissatisfied. "Kaiser Joseph, speaking of
Friedrich, always admiringly calls him 'LE ROI.' Joseph a great
questioner, and answers his own questions. His tone BRUSQUE ET
DECIDE. Dinner lasted one hour.

"Returned to Potsdam to assist at the Autumn Reviews", 21st-23d
September, 1784. [Rodenbeck, iii. 313.] "Dinner very splendid,
magnificently served; twelve handsome Pages, in blue or rose-
colored velvet, waited on the Guests,--these being forty old rude
Warriors booted and spurred. King spoke of the French, approvingly:
'But,' added he, 'the Court spoils everything. Those Court-fellows,
with their red heels and delicate nerves, make very bad soldiers.
Saxe often told me, In his Flanders Campaigns the Courtiers gave
him more trouble than did Cumberland.' Talked of Marechal
Richelieu; of Louis XIV., whose apology he skilfully made.
Blamed, however, the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes.
Great attachment of the 'Protestant Refugees' to France and its
King. 'Would you believe it?' said he: 'Under Louis XIV. they and
their families used to assemble on the day of St. Louis, to
celebrate the FETE of the King who persecuted them!' Expressed pity
for Louis XV., and praised his good-nature.

"Friedrich, in his conversation, showed a modesty which seemed a
little affected. 'S'IL M'EST PERMIS D'AVOIR UNE OPINION,' a common
expression of his;--said 'opinion' on most things, on Medicine
among others, being always excellent. Thinks French Literature
surpasses that of the Ancients. Small opinion of English
Literature: turned Shakspeare into ridicule; and made also bitter
fun of German Letters,--their Language barbarous, their Authors
without genius. ...

"I asked, and received permission from the King, to bring my Son
to be admitted in his ACADEMIE DES GENTILSHOMMES; an exceptional
favor. On parting, the King said to me: 'I hope you will return to
me Marechal de France; it is what I should like; and your Nation
could n't do better, nobody being in a state to render it
greater services.'"

Bouille will reappear for an instant next year. Meanwhile he
returns to France, "first days of October, 1784," where he finds
Prince Henri; who is on Visit there for three months past.
["2d July, 1784," Prince Henri had gone (Rodenbeck, iii. 309).]
A shining event in Prince Henri's Life; and a profitable; poor King
Louis--what was very welcome in Henri's state of finance--having,
in a delicate kingly way, insinuated into him a "Gift of 400,000
francs" (16,000 pounds): [Anonymous (De la Roche-Aymon),
Vie privee, politique et militaire du Prince Henri, Frere de
Frederic II. (a poor, vague and uninstructive, though
authentic little Book: Paris, 1809), pp. 219-239.]--partly by way
of retaining-fee for France; "may turn to excellent account," think
some, "when a certain Nephew comes to reign yonder, as he
soon must."

What Bouille heard about the Silesian Reviews is perfectly true;
and only a part of the truth. Here, to the person chiefly
responsible, is an indignant Letter of the King's: to a notable
degree, full of settled wrath against one who is otherwise a dear
old Friend:--


FRIEDRICH TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TAUENTZIEN
INFANTRY INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF SILESIA.

"POTSDAM, 7th September, 1784.

"MY DEAR GENERAL VON TAUENTZIEN,--While in Silesia I mentioned to
you, and will now repeat in writing, That my Army in Silesia was at
no time so bad as at present. Were I to make Shoemakers or Tailors
into Generals, the Regiments could not be worse. Regiment THADDEN
is not fit to be the most insignificant militia battalion of a
Prussian Army; ROTHKIRCH and SCHWARTZ"--bad as possible all of
them--"of ERLACH, the men are so spoiled by smuggling [sad
industry, instead of drilling], they have no resemblance to
Soldiers; KELLER is like a heap of undrilled boors; HAGER has a
miserable Commander; and your own Regiment is very mediocre.
Only with Graf von Anhalt [in spite of his head], with WENDESSEN
and MARGRAF HEINRICH, could I be content. See you, that is the
state I found the Regiments in, one after one. I will now speak of
their Manoeuvring [in our Mimic Battles on the late occasion]:--

"Schwartz; at Neisse, made the unpardonable mistake of not
sufficiently besetting the Height on the Left Wing; had it been
serious, the Battle had been lost. At Breslau, Erlach [who is a
Major-General, forsooth!], instead of covering the Army by seizing
the Heights, marched off with his Division straight as a row of
cabbages into that Defile; whereby, had it been earnest, the
enemy's Cavalry would have cut down our Infantry, and the Fight
was gone.

"It is not my purpose to lose Battles by the base conduct (LACHETE)
of my Generals: wherefore I hereby appoint, That you, next year, if
I be alive, assemble the Army between Breslau and Ohlau; and for
four days before I arrive in your Camp, carefully manoeuvre with
the ignorant Generals, and teach them what their duty is.
Regiment VON ARNIM and Garrison-Regiment VON KANITZ are to act the
Enemy: and whoever does not then fulfil his duty shall go to Court-
Martial,--for I should think it shame of any Country (JEDEN
PUISSANCE) to keep such people, who trouble themselves so little
about their business. Erlach sits four weeks longer in arrest [to
have six weeks of it in full]. And you have to make known this my
present Declared Will to your whole Inspection.--F." [Rodenbeck,
iii. 311.]

What a peppering is the excellent old Tauentzien getting! Here is a
case for Kaltenborn, and the sympathies of Opposition people.
But, alas, this King knows that Armies are not to be kept at the
working point on cheaper terms,--though some have tried it, by
grog, by sweetmeats, sweet-speeches, and found it in the end come
horribly dearer! One thing is certain: the Silesian Reviews, next
Year, if this King be alive, will be a terrible matter;
and Military Gentlemen had better look to themselves in time!
Kaltenborn's sympathy will help little; nothing but knowing one's
duty, and visibly and indisputably doing it, will the least avail.

Just in the days when Bouille left him for France, Friedrich
("October, 1784") had conceived the notion of some general
Confederation, or Combination in the Reich, to resist, the
continual Encroachments of Austria; which of late are becoming more
rampant than ever. Thus, in the last year, especially within the
last six months, a poor Bishop of Passau, quasi-Bavarian, or in
theory Sovereign Bishop of the Reich, is getting himself pulled to
pieces (Diocese torn asunder, and masses of it forcibly sewed on to
their new "Bishopric of Vienna"), in the most tragic manner, in
spite of express Treaties, and of all the outcries the poor man and
the Holy Father himself can make against it.
[Dohm (DENKWURDIGKEITEN, iii. 46,--GESCHICHTE DER LETZTEN PERIODE
FRIEDRICHS DES ZWEITEN) gives ample particulars. Dohm's first 3
volumes call themselves "History of Friedrich's last Period,
1778-1786;" and are full of Bavarian War, 3d vol. mostly of
FURSTENBUND;--all in a candid, authentic, but watery and rather
wearisome way.] To this of Passau, and to the much of PANIS-BRIEFE
and the like which had preceded, Friedrich, though studiously
saying almost nothing, had been paying the utmost of attention:--
part of Prince Henri's errand to France is thought to have been, to
take soundings on those matters (on which France proves altogether
willing, if able); and now, in the general emotion about Passau,
Friedrich jots down in a Note to Hertzberg the above idea;
with order to put it into form a little, and consult about it in
the Reich with parties interested. Hertzberg took the thing up with
zeal; instructed the Prussian Envoys to inquire, cautiously,
everywhere; fancied he did find willingness in the Courts of the
Reich, in Hanover especially: in a word, got his various irons into
the fire;--and had not proceeded far, when there rose another case
of Austrian Encroachment, which eclipsed all the preceding;
and speedily brought Hertzberg's irons to the welding-point.
Too brief we cannot be in this matter; here are the dates, mostly
from Dohm:--

NEW-YEAR'S DAY, 1785, on or about that day, Romanzow, Son of our
old Colberg and Anti-Turk friend, who is Russian "Minister in the
Ober-Rheinish Circle," appears at the little Court of Zweibruck,
with a most sudden and astounding message to the Duke there:--

"Important bargain agreed upon between your Kaiser and his Highness
of the Pfalz and Baiern; am commanded by my Sovereign Lady, on
behalf of her friend the Kaiser, to make it known to you.
Baiern all and whole made over to Austria; in return for which the
now Kur-Baiern gets the Austrian Netherlands (Citadels of Limburg
and Luxemburg alone excepted); and is a King henceforth, 'King of
Burgundy' to be the Title, he and his fortunate Successors for all
time coming. To your fortunate self, in acknowledgment of your
immediate consent, Austria offers the free-gift of 100,000 pounds,
and to your Brother Max of 50,000 pounds; Kur-Baiern, for his loyal
conduct, is to have 150,000 pounds; and to all of you, if handsome,
Austria will be handsome generally. For the rest, the thing is
already settled; and your refusal will not hinder it from going
forward. I request to know, within eight days, what your Highness's
determination is!"

His poor Highness, thunderstruck as may be imagined, asks: "But--
but-- What would your Excellency advise me?" "Have n't the least
advice," answers his Excellency: "will wait at Frankfurt-on-Mayn,
for eight days, what your Highness's resolution is; hoping it may
be a wise one;--and have the honor at present to say Good-morning."
Sudden, like a thunder-bolt in winter, the whole phenomenon.
This, or JANUARY 3d, when Friedrich, by Express from Zweibruck,
first heard of this, may be considered as birthday of a Furstenbund
now no longer hypothetic, but certain to become actual.

Zweibruck naturally shot off expresses: to Petersburg (no answer
ever); to Berlin (with answer on the instant);--and in less than
eight days, poor Zweibruck, such the intelligence from Berlin, was
in a condition to write to Frankfurt: "Excellency; No; I do not
consent, nor ever will." For King Friedrich is broad-awake again;--
and Hertzberg's smithy-fires, we may conceive how the winds rose
upon these, and brought matters to a welding heat!--

The Czarina,--on Friedrich's urgent remonstrance, "What is this,
great Madam? To your old Ally, and from the Guaranty and Author of
the Peace of Teschen!"--had speedily answered: "Far from my
thoughts to violate the Peace of Teschen; very far: I fancied this
was an advantageous exchange, advantageous to Zweibruck especially;
but since Zweibruck thinks otherwise, of course there is an end."
"Of course;"--though my Romanzow did talk differently; and the
forge-fires of a certain person are getting blown at a mighty rate!
Hertzberg's operation was conducted at first with the greatest
secrecy; but his Envoys were busy in all likely places, his
Proposal finding singular consideration; acceptance, here, there,--
"A very mild and safe-looking Project, most mild in tone surely!"--
and it soon came to Kaunitz's ear; most unwelcome to the new
Kingdom of Burgundy and him!

Thrice over, in the months ensuing (April 13th, May 11th, June
23d), in the shape of a "Circular to all Austrian Ambassadors",
[Dohm, iii. 64, 68.] Kaunitz lifted up his voice in severe
dehortation, the tone of him waxing more and more indignant, and at
last snuffling almost tremulous quite into alt, "against the
calumnies and malices of some persons, misinterpreters of a most
just Kaiser and his actions." But as the Czarina, meanwhile,
declared to the Reich at large, that she held, and would ever hold,
the Peace of Teschen a thing sacred, and this or any Kingdom of
Burgundy, or change of the Reichs Laws, impossible,--the Kaunitz
clangors availed nothing; and Furstenbund privately, but at a
mighty pace, went forward. And, JUNE 29th, 1785, after much labor,
secret but effective, on the part of Dohm and others, Three
Plenipotentiaries, the Prussian, the Saxon, the Hanoverian
("excellent method to have only the principal Three!" ) met, still
very privately, at Berlin; and laboring their best, had, in about
four weeks, a Furstenbund Covenant complete; signed, JULY 23d, by
these Three,--to whom all others that approved append themselves.
As an effective respectable number, Brunswick, Hessen, Mainz and
others, did, [List of them in Dohm.]--had not, indeed, the first
Three themselves, especially as Hanover meant England withal, been
themselves moderately sufficient.--Here, before the date quite
pass, are two Clippings which may be worth their room:--

1. BOUILLE'S SECOND VISIT (Spring, 1785). May 10th, 1785,--just
while FURSTENBUND, so privately, was in the birth-throes,--"Marquis
de Bouille had again come to Berlin, to place his eldest Son in the
ACADEMIE DES GENTILSHOMMES; where the young man stayed two years.
Was at Potsdam" May 13th-16th; [Rodenbeck, iii. 325.] "well
received; dined at Sans-Souci. Informed the King of the Duc de
Choiseul's death [Paris, May 8th). King, shaking his head, 'IL N'Y
A PAS GRAND MAL.' Seems piqued at the Queen of France, who had not
shown much attention to Prince Henri. Spoke of Peter the Great,
'whose many high qualities were darkened by singular cruelty.'
When at Berlin, going on foot, as his custom was, unattended, to
call on King Friedrich Wilhelm, the people in the streets crowded
much about him. 'Brother,' said he to the King, 'your subjects are
deficient in respect; order one or two of them to be hanged;
it will restrain the others!' During the same visit, one day, at
Charlottenburg; the Czar, after dinner, stepped out on a balcony
which looked into the Gardens. Seeing many people assembled below,
he gnashed his teeth (GRINCA DES DENTS), and began giving signs of
frenzy. Shifty little Catharine, who was with him, requested that a
certain person down among the crowd, who had a yellow wig, should
be at once put away, or something bad would happen. This done, the
Czar became quiet again. The Czarina added, he was subject to such
attacks of frenzy; and that, when she saw it, she would scratch his
head, which moderated him. 'VOILA MONSIEUR,' concluded the King,
addressing me: 'VOILA LES GRANDS HOMMES!'

"Bouille spent a fortnight at Reinsberg, with Prince Henri;
who represents his Brother as impatient, restless, envious,
suspicious, even timid; of an ill-regulated imagination",--nothing
like so wise as some of us! "Is too apprehensive of war; which may
very likely bring it on. On the least alarm, he assembles troops at
the frontier; Joseph does the like; and so"--A notably splenetic
little Henri; head of an Opposition Party which has had to hold its
tongue. Cherishes in the silent depths of him an almost ghastly
indignation against his Brother on some points. "Bouille returned
to Paris June, 1785." [ESSAI SUR LA VIE DE BOUILLE (ubi supra).]

2. COMTE DE SEGUR (on the road to Petersburg as French Minister)
HAS SEEN FRIEDRICH: January 29th, 1785. Segur says: "With lively
curiosity I gazed at this man; there as he stood, great in genius,
small in stature; stooping, and as it were bent down under the
weight of his laurels and of his long toils. His blue coat, old and
worn like his body; his long boots coming up above the knee;
his waistcoat covered with snuff, formed an odd but imposing whole.
By the fire of his eyes, you recognized that in essentials he had
not grown old. Though bearing himself like an invalid, you felt
that he could strike like a young soldier; in his small figure, you
discerned a spirit greater than any other man's. ...

"If used at all to intercourse with the great world, and possessed
of any elevation of mind, you have no embarrassment in speaking to
a King; but to a Great Man you present yourself not without fear.
Friedrich, in his private sphere, was of sufficiently unequal
humor; wayward, wilful; open to prejudices; indulged in mockery,
often enough epigrammatic upon the French;--agreeable in a high
degree to strangers whom he pleased to favor; but bitterly piquant
for those he was prepossessed against, or who, without knowing it,
had ill-chosen the hour of approaching him. To me, luck was kind in
all these points;" my Interview delightful, but not to be reported
farther. [ "Memoires par M. le Comte de Segur
(Paris, 1826), ii. 133, 120:" cited in PREUSS, iv. 218. For date,
see Rodenbeck, iii. 322, 323.]

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