history of friedrich ii of prussia v 16-第46章
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the meaning of it？〃and among others； to the above scandalous rumor； as some solacement to human malice and impertinent curiosity。 2。 That an opposite rumorwhich would indeed have been pretty fatal to this one； but perhaps still more disgraceful in the eyes of a Demon Newswriterwas equally current； and was much elaborated by the curious impertinent。 Till Nicolai got hold of it； in Herr Dr。 Zimmermann's responsible hands； and conclusively knocked it on the head。 ＇See Zimmermann's Fragmente； and Nicolai patiently pounding it to powder （whoever is curious on this disgusting subject）。＇ 3〃。 That； for me； proof in the affirmative； or probable indication that way； has not anywhere turned up。 Nowhere for me； in these extensive minings and siftings。 Not the least of probable indication； but contrariwise； here and there； rather definite indications pointing directly the opposite way。 ＇For example （〃CORRESPONDENCE WITH FREDERSDORF〃）； OEuvres； xxvii。 iii。 145。＇ Friedrich； in his own utterances and occasional rhymes； is abundantly cynical； now and then rises to a kind of epic cynicism； on this very matter。 But at no time can the painful critic call it cynicism as of OTHER than an observer； always a kind of vinegar cleanness in it； EXCEPT in theory。 Cynicism of an impartial observer in a dirty element； observer epically sensible （when provoked to it） of the brutal contemptibilities which lie in Human Life； alongside of its big struttings and pretensions。 In Friedrich's utterances there is that kind of cynicism undeniable；and yet he had a modesty almost female in regard to his own person； 〃no servant having ever seen him in an exposed state。〃 ＇Preuss； i。 376。＇ Which had considerably strengthened rumor No。 2。 O ye poor impious Long…eared；Long…eared I will call you； instead of Two…horned and with only One hoof cloven！ Among the tragical platitudes of Human Nature； nothing so fills a considering brother mortal with sorrow and despair； as this innate tendency of the common crowd in regard to its Great Men； whensoever； or almost whensoever； the Heavens do； at long intervals； vouchsafe us； as their all…including blessing； anything of such！ Practical 〃BLASPHEMY；〃 is it not； if you reflect？ Strangely possible that sin； even now。 And ought to be religiously abhorred by every soul that has the least piety or nobleness。 Act not the mutinous flunky； my friend； though there be great wages going in that line。 4。 That in these circumstances； and taking into view the otherwise known qualities of this high Fellow…Creature； the present Editor does not； for his own share； value the rumor at a pin's fee。 And leaves it； and recommends his readers to leave it； hanging by its own head； in the sad subterranean regions；till （probably not for a long while yet） it drop to a far Deeper and dolefuler Region； out of our way altogether。
〃Lamentable； yes；〃 comments Diogenes； 〃and especially so； that the idle public has a hankering for such things！ But are there no obscene details at all； then？ grumbles the disappointed idle public to itself； something of reproach in its tone。 A public idle…minded； much depraved in every way。 Thus； too； you will observe of dogs： two dogs； at meeting； run； first of all； to the shameful parts of the constitution； institute a strict examination； more or less satisfactory； in that department。 That once settled； their interest in ulterior matters seems pretty much to die away； and they are ready to part again； as from a problem done。〃Enough； oh； enough！
Practically we are getting no good of our Demon；and will dismiss him； after a taste or two more。
This Demon Newswriter has； evidently； never been to Potsdam； which he figures as the abode of horrid cruelty； a kind of Tartarus on Earth；where there is a dreadful scarcity of women； for one item； lamentable to one's moral feelings。 Scarcity nothing like so great； even among the soldier…classes； as the Demon Newswriter imagines to himself； nor productive of the results lamented。 Prussian soldiers are not encouraged to marry； if it will hurt the service； nor do their wives march with the Regiment except in such proportions as there may be sewing； washing and the like women's work fairly wanted in their respective Companies： the Potsdam First Battalion； I understand； is hardly permitted to marry at all。 And in regard to lamentable results； that of 〃LIEBSTEN…SCHEINE； Sweetheart…TICKETS；〃or actual military legalizing of Temporary Marriages； with regular privileges attached； and fixed rules to be observed；might perhaps be the notablest point； and the SEMI… lamentablest； to a man or demon in the habit of lamenting。 ＇Preuss； i。 426。＇ For the rest； a considerably dreadful place this Potsdam； to the flaccid； esurient and disorderly of mankind；〃and strict as Fate ＇Demon correct for once＇ in inexorably punishing military sins。
〃This King；〃 he says； 〃has a great deal of ESPRIT； much less of real； knowledge （CONNAISSANCES） than is pretended。 He excels only in the military part； really excellent there。 Has a facile expeditious pen and head； understands what you say to him； at the first word。 Not taking nor wishing advice； never suffering replies or remonstrances； not even from his Mother。 Pretty well acquainted with Works of ESPRIT； whether in Prose or in Verse： burning ＇very hot indeed＇ to distinguish himself by performance of that kind； but unable to reach the Beautiful； unless held up by somebody （ETAYE）。 It is said that； in a splenetic moment； his Skeleton of an Apollo ＇SQUELETTE D'APOLLON； M。 de Voltaire； who is lean exceedingly＇ exclaimed once； some time ago； 'When is it； then； that he will have done sending me his dirty linen to wash？'
〃The King is of a sharp mocking tongue withal； pricking into whoever displeases him； often careless of policy in that。 Understands nothing of Finance； or still less of Trade； always looking direct towards more money； which he loves much； incapable of sowing ＇as some of US do！＇ for a distant harvest。 Treats； almost all the world as slaves。 All his subjects are held in hard shackles。 Rigorous for the least shortcoming； where his interest is hurt：never pardons any fault which tends to inexactitude in the Military Service。 Spandau very full；〃though I did not myself count。 〃Keeps in his pay nobody but those useful to him； and capable of doing employments well ＇TRUE； ALWAYS＇； and the instant he has no more need of them； dismissing them with nothing ＇FALSE； GENERALLY＇。 The Subsidies imposed on his subjects are heavy； in constant proportion to their Feudal Properties； and their Leases of Domains （CONTRATS ET BAUX）； and； what is dreadful； are exacted with the same rigor if your Property gets into debt；〃no remission by the iron grip of this King in the name of the State！ Sell； if you can find a Purchaser； or get confiscated altogether； that is your only remedy。 Surely a tyrant of a King。
〃People who get nearest him will tell you that his Politeness is not natural； but a remnant of old habit； when he had need of everybody； against the persecutions of his Father。 He respects his Mother； the only Female for whom he has a sort of attention。 He esteems his Wife； and cannot endure her； has been married nineteen years； and has not yet addressed one word to her ＇how true！＇。 It was but a few days ago she handed him a Letter； petitioning some things of which she had the most pressing want。 He took the Letter； with that smiling； polite and gracious air which he assumes at pleasure； and without breaking the seal； tore the Letter up before her face； made her a profound bow； and turned his back on her。〃 Was there ever such a Pluto varnished into Literary Rose…pink？ Very proper Majesty for the Tartarus that here is。
。。。 〃The Queen…Mother；〃 continues our Small Devil； 〃is a good fat woman； who lives and moves in her own way （RONDEMENT）。 She has l6；000 pounds a year for keeping up her House。 It is said she hoards。 Four days in the week she has Apartment ＇Royal Soiree＇； to which you cannot go without express invitation。 There is supper… table of twenty…four covers； only eight dishes； served in a shabby manner （INDECEMMENT） by six little scoundrels of Pages。 Men and women of the Country ＇shivering Natives； cheering their dull abode＇ go and eat
