Frederick the Great and His Fam

desired. At length, he who had lived so many years to perform the duties of a king, who had in reality lived for his country, might after so many cares an

emed a golden dream to him during the dreary years of the war-a bright goal before him, of which it consoled and strengthened him even

ry stone appeared to welcome him, and when the palace became visible, he was en

n allowed to accompany the king in this drive, sprang f

ning to you. Let your walls resound as did Memnon's pillar, when the sun's rays first greeted it, after a lo

ew his enthusiastic f

s will be a child-a

ildren you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven!' Now, Sans-Souci is my kingdom! I have become as the c

Sans-Souci has set. Our lips have forgotten how to smile, and joy is dead in our hearts. How many illusions, how many hopes and wishe

ho return so rich in fame, crow

on the judgment of men; I have lost all faith in them. Too many bitter experiences have at length destroyed my faith and confidence. I can no longer love mankind, for I have ever found them small, miserable, and crafty. Those for whom I have done most have betrayed and deceived me the most deeply. Think of Chafgotch, he whom I called friend, and who betrayed me

reat. The eagle which soars proudly toward the sun, must think the world smaller and smaller, the higher he soars; the objects which delight us poor

question concerning the unworthiness of mankind, when I said I could no longer love or trust them! You feel, however, that I am right, and you will know how to pardon me, when I appear to the world as a cold, hard-hearted egoti

ty-mercy-which overlooks and pardons the faults and failings of mankind. Intoleran

! Every window which glitters in the sunlight seems to greet me with shining eyes, and the whispering leaves appear to bid me welcome. There are the windows of my library, and behind them await the great spirits of my immortal friends, who look at me and shake their gray heads at the weak child who has returned to them old and bow

with the elasticity of youth, and began to ascend the steps so

s countenance, and his eyes beamed with pleasure. Then hastening onward, he turned his head toward

riousness. He then hastily entered the house and the beautiful room in which he had spent so many gay and happy hours with his friends. Now his footste

a shadow overspread his counte

iends have left us forever. The prior of Sans-Souci has re

able and intellectual of your monks? It needs but a sig

e here in Sans-Souci, as you will. I must surround myself with those who deserve my confidence; perhaps, then, I can forg

Sans-Souci, that no servant should appear until called for. Without noise or ceremony, he desired to take possession of this house, in which he had not been the king, but the philosopher and poet. He wished to return here, at least, as if he had only yesterday left the house. But the seven y

rick's countenance was again brightened by a smile, while t

gayly; "and you are indignant that so great a genius as Voltaire should have possessed so small a soul! You think it very perfidious

ow that also?" asked

te to D'Argental that he desired nothing more fervently than my utter humiliation and the punishment of my sins, on the same day on which he sent me an enthusiastic poem, written in honor of my victory at Leuthen? Did he not write on another occasion to Richelieu, that the happiest day of his life would be that on which the French entered Berlin as conquerors, and dest

st toujours un homme unique, etonnant, inimitable; il fait des vers charmants dans d

does that prove, that Voltaire is the

s great poetical gifts weigh as nothing in the scale against the weakness and wickedness of h

ould we wish to punish him, when he is innocent? Why should we demand of a great poet that he shall be a good man? We will allow him to have a bad heart, he can accoun

could only be uttered by one who had the most pro

written much, much will be forgiven him. He has lately rendered an immortal service, for which I could almost love him, were it possible to love him at all. He underto

so take pity on the unhappy family of Jean Calas? Did you not send them a

ed shall always find aid and protection in my land, and that I will consider liberty of spirit a sacred thing as long as I live. Freedom of thought shall be a right of my subjects. I will call all free and liberal minded persons to come to me, for liberty of thought brings liberty of will, and I prefer to

nance of the king. "The spirit of love and of freedom hears your words, my ki

meal. In the evening I invite you to the concert. My musicians are coming from Berlin, and we will see if my lips, whi

arquis, and they passed slowly through the ro

that some one does not stumble at our side and fall into the abyss, and we have the courage to continue in the path until our strength fails and w

rgens, with a trembling voice. "Your majesty is still so

formerly, now pass unheeded over my soul. I assure you, marquis, I have made great progress in practical philosophy. I am ol

it is possible that a man so much younger than I should complain of old age. Only wait, sire; here, in the quiet of Sans-Souci, in a few months you w

es it is allowable, when one is fifty years old, to say that he is old, that he will no longer be the play-thing of Fortune, that he renounces ambition and all those follies which are merely the illusions of inexperienced yout

of the room whose only ornament consisted of rows of books, upon which glittered in golden letters the names of the great minds of all

, as a humble citizen, approach the great pre

intended to work most industriously, that he would certainly write a history of this war which he had just closed, and that he intended always to live at Sans-Souci, as its quiet

his arm-chair, he thought of the future. He recalled his own life and arranged his future course. After si

n them by the prickings of a needle. I have no family, therefore my people shall be my family. I have no children, therefore every one who needs my aid shall

; to inform him of the wants and necessities of the people; and to assist him in relieving them. True to this resolution, the king was untiring in his work

heir griefs-he must lend an

ficant of his subjects. I am a regent for the purpose of making my people happy. I do not dare close my ears to their complaints." And he listened sympathizingly to the sorrows of his people, and his whole mind and thoughts were given to obtain their

only pleasure and recreation. He was a hero in peace as well as in war. He did not require, as others do, the distraction of gay pleasures. Study was

possible to show mercy to his fellow-man. Is hunting a proper employment for a thinking creature? A gentleman who hunts can only be forgiven if he does so rarely, and then to distract his thoughts from sad and earnest business matters.