Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-21

lar he bore no resemblance to his father
who was notorious for his violence towards
every member Of his houschold-sparinc
not even his children in his paroxysms OF
rage. For some Of these outburs,s of pas
sion Frederick has been unius,ly credited
Not only, however, was he incapable Of
descending to such unbecoming demonstra.
tons Of displcasure agains, those who Of
Tended him, but, on the contrary, if he no
ticed them at all, it was almost always in a
good d-humored and face,ious way.
A certain clergyman in Berlin made the
kingthe constant object OF his attacks from
the pulpit; he declaimed without ccasing
against him as irrehgious, profane, tyrani-
cal, and poured forth upon his devoted
head, as Sabbath succeeded Sabbath vol
umes ofthe most virulent abuse. He was
rgproved by the mnistry,and repeatedly ad.
vised to be more circumspeot by those who
apprehended that his insolence and temeri-
ty would draw down upon him some ter
1ble retribution, but all in vain; the ferocitv
of this clerical builsdog was not to be ap-
peased. AT last he was arrested, and
brought before the King. My reverend
friend said his Majesty archly, you have
evidently an ambition to be martvr.-
Now understand me once for all; in that
respect, | cannot oblige you. You NAV
abuse me to the end of the chapter, but /
shall not prosecute you in return. Permit
me, then, to advise you to select hereafter
some other topic for the cdifcation of your
audience. After hearing so much Of the
imperfections of an earthly king, l doubt
not that it would be quite refreshing to
them If you were to descant awhile upon
the PEI fections Of the King Of Kings, whose
glory and' honor | fear you have quite lost
sight of while devoting your attention to
me- With this gentle rcproof, which was
administered III full court, the reverend
gentleman was dismissed; but thenceforth
change was manifest III the style his
preaching, which wa greatly to the adyan
iage of his congregation.
Looking one day from window in his
palace, Frederick observed a crowd ofpeo-
pie occupied in reading placard which
was posted at a most inconvenient height
upon neighboring wall See what that
is that cxcites so much curiosity said he
TO an attendant. The page went, and
speedily returned with the information
that the attractive object was handbill a.
busive of the person and government ofhis
majesty. Go and have it placed lower
down. said the King; the people can hard
y see to read it,
Being informed that certain citizen of
Berlin was disaffected person, and had
uttered the most atrocious tn reats against
him: How many hundred thou l'and mel
can he bring into the field ? said thr King.
'Eh!-none! Well, then, it is ha -dly
worth while for us make war upon HIM.
Notwithstanding the severity ofhis dis
cpllne, Frederick was loved as father
by his soldiers, and father and a friend
he proved himself to them upon all occa-
sions. An old sergeant, on half pay, in
capacitated by his wounds for active SER
vice, had for long time been an applicant
to the Minister Of Finance for small post,
which would increase his slender income,
and enable him TO make some provision for
the future The Minister Werder,though
a man of capacity, was naughty and mac
cessible; he had his own family and favor
ties to provide for, and the poor sergeant's
suit was too humble to attract even the
passing noice of the great man.
Weared and discouraged, the old SOL
der sat down and stated his case ia writing
to the King. Upon the receipt Of his let
ter Frederick sent for him. and found up
on inquiry, that his complaint was by no
means solitary one-several old veterans
and invalids having made similar applica-
tons withno better success. "Take pen"
said the King. "and write new petition
to the minister for the place you want" -
The sergeant did as he was ordered
'Now add" confined the king, "that we
old soldiers are of opinion that your cx-
cellency does not treat the veterans of the
army Of the King with the consideration
due to their services and merits, and that,
unless justice is done TO ourselvesa and our
comrades, we shall take measures to pro-
cure your excellency's removal, and the
appointment of some one who will treat us
better in your place" The old sergeant
started and wondered, but obeyed orders
without a question Good" said the
kng "now sign your name, and then
give me the pen" The sergeant signed,
and handed the pen to the King, who at
onceappended his own signature below
that Of the petitioner, and sent the docn-
ment to the minister, saying with a smile,
we old soldiers must make common cause
when the great folks treat US i'll; letus see
what the minister will say to that petition
er." II is needless to add that in this case,
as well as in all Of similar character.
there was no longer any ground for any
complaint on the score Of inattention or
neglect.
A corporal Of the guard, whose gallant
ry in the field was only equalled by his
love Of display upon parade, sported
dashing watch-chain and bunch Of seals, 10
which, for want Of watch, he attached a
musket bullet, which he carried in his fob.
Frederick found it out "Really, corpo-
raj, " said he to him one day, 'you must
have been very economical to have saved
enough out Of your pay to buy a watch;
what time are you'll am Just six."-
"Slre," replied tie corporal, ''my watch
says neither six nor seven; all it is good
for is TO remind me to beready at any
hour to die for your majesty" Herein
friend" returned the King, handing the
corporal his own watch, which was en-
riched with diamonds, "take this; if you
should be called upon to die for me, it
will indicate the hour rather more exact
ly."
Equally mild and gentle was the King
to his personal attendants and his house
hold servants. He seldom spoke to do
mestic ora page without using some kind
ly appellaiion, as "my friend" or "my
child" and all who were faithful and de-
serving received from him the most pater-
nal treatment Faults were frequently
forgiven or overlooked; and sometimes
when liberties, which in most royal house
holds would have been considered unpar