The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-19
For the UaIon.
Frederick the Great

never Oeeh Iepubllshou In This country gives much
more attractive view OF this warlike monarch than any
we have heretofore seen. Contrary to the generallyre
eeved opinion il would appear that Frederick, with all
his cyncism, possessed kind and aectonale DISPOSE.
ton, az well large fund both OF good nature and
good humor.
The King (says PaganelD professed to think that ga
sovereign should carry his heart in his head hence his
life was spent in continued effort to bring bis feelings
into subordinaon 10 his reason and well did he
ceed that he has left behind him very general impress
sion that he by nature cold, uneeng, and despotc
Those who had an opportunity, however, of knowing
him most intimately and of observing his domestic habits
and his department in private could not fail to
very different conclusion. To his family he was kind
afectonae. and ndugent-o his friends sincere gener-
ous and loving Few sisters ever more tenderly
cherished by brother than was the Margarine of Ba-
reith by the Great Frederick Few subjects have ever
received from their soveregns touching marks OF
attachment and esteem than those bestowed by the King
upon his faithful counsellor, Jordan While this friend
his death he insisted sharing the duties of
the sick room with his family. go, and endeavor get
Sleep said he to the wife "leave your
husband in my charge. will watch by him and supply
all his wants. you would, with my hand" Every
day he walked TO the house foot Gearing the noise OF
carriage would disturb the invalid and spent some time
with him. This he continued to do till Jordan breathed
his last when, after providing in princey manner for
the bereaved he had the portrait of the departed removed
to his cabinet, and for long time could look spon
it without tears Jordan it is true. well deserved these
manifestations of the royal regard for he loved the King
and served him disineres,edly and without faery
Frederick says of him in the eulogium which he wrete
with his hand.
Frederick possessed in an eminent degree the happy
faculty of comforting favor in easy and agreeable
manner There was no oppressive condescension in his
mode OF giving colonel in his service, the father OF
numerous family, had become embarrassed by his debts
nj ha1a To ! in hio 1npk Maatin
day while of duty, pensive and absraced as usual, the
King (who took athery interest in his officers, and kept
himself generally acquainted with all that concerned
them) accosted him thus What ails you colonel You
Of spirits and have been this long time Now
this is wrong between friends there should be
crets You ought to let me know what troubles you !;
perhaps can help you" Seeing him confused and hest
atng, without waiting for him to answer, the King
tnued No matter I'll tell you, then, for always look
after the affairs of my friends well my own You
owe two thousand crowns, (handing him roledu of
ducats there's the money to pay it(hen handing him
anoher)-and there TO keep you out of debt for
the future"
The poor widow of one of his officers who was both
aged and nfrm after struggle with her prde applied to
the King for a pension. :" sorry you did not
let me know your situation before" replied Frederick,
both because you ought to have been relieved, and be-
cause at present. my pension list is filled up, and all
spare for that purpose already appropriated But your
husband was a brave man. with whom should always
have willingly shared my dinner. will retrench then,
dish daily from my table; that will save crown
day. and that you shall have until can do better for
you The next good pension which falls in shall be
yours"
Who has not heard the frightful story of the officer
condemned to death for the paltry offence OF burning
candle in his tent during the hours when lights were pro-
hibted and whom it was said that Frederick forced to
add as postscript his last letter of advice 10 his wife
han his oha huv
ceased to exis, The pencil, well the pen, has
been put in requsiton illustrate this instance of the
hearlessness of the Prussian despot. Now, not only
is this anecdote false but unfounded in every particular
II is pure felton, for there not and never was any reg
uauon in the Prussan service Furnishing such offence
with death and far Frederick from being capable
of such cruelty OF his accord, that it was with the
greatest reluctance he signed sentence OF death
when criminal had been condemned by the tribunals OF
the country and never, during his long reign, though
always vested with the power OF life and death, did he
inct that punishment without judicial decision. Rigid
and even severe in his discipline, be abhored capital
punishment, and never failed TO substitute lesser
penalty in place oil whenever ne thought the welfare oil
society would permit IT.
Equally erroneous those accounts which ascribe 10
this King habit of infctng personal chassement upon
those about him for offences agains, himself bis do
nestle regulations In this particular he bore no resem
bance to his father who notorious for his violence
towards every member OF his misunderstanding not
even his own children in his paroxysms OF rage. For
some of these outbursts OF passion Frederick has doubt
ess been uniustly credited Not only, however, he
incapable Of descending TO such unbecoming demonstra
tons of dspeasure against those who offended him. bat
on the contrary, il he noticed them at ALL il almost
always in a good .humored and face,ious way.
A certain clergyman in Berlin made the King the
slant object of his attacks from the pulpit he acclaimed
without ceasng against him irregious profane, yran
meal and poured forth upon his devoted head, Sab
bath succeeded Sabbath volumes OF the most vrulent
abuse He was eproved by the ministry, and repeatedly
advised 10 be crcumspec by those who apprehended
that his insolence and temerity would draw down upon
him some terrible Ietribution but all in vain the fe-
rocy Of this clerical bull dog not TO be appeased
At last he was arrested and brought before the King
" NV reverend friend said his Majesty archy, you
have evidently an ambition TO be a martyr Now I'M
dersland me once for all in that respect, cannot obge
YOU You may abuse to the end OF the chapter, but
shall not prosecute you in return Permit me, then, TO
advise YOU TO select hereafter other topic for the
edifcation Of your audience After hearing much OF
the mperec,ons of earthly king doubt not that il
would be quite refreshing to them If you were to descsn,
awhile upon the projections OF the King Of Kings whose
gry and honor fear you have quite lost sight Of while
deyotng your attention to me-" With this gentle re-
proof which was administered in full court the reverend
gen,ls man was dismissed but thencelouh change
manifest in the style Of his preaching, which was greatly
to the advantage Of his congregation.
Looking one day from window in his palace, Fred
erick observed crowd of people occupied in reading
upon neighborng wall :" See wha, that is that ex-
.;ty oaid ho IN he