Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-21
MISCEuLANEO Gus,
From the Washington Union.
Frederick The Great.

Paganel's History of Frederick, which
we believe has never been republished in
this country, gives much more attractive
view Of this warlke monarch than any
we have heretofore seen. Contrary to the
generally yreceived opinion itwould appear
that Frederick, with all his cynicism, pos
sessed a kind and alfectionate disposition,
as well as large fund both of good nature
and good humor.
The King (says Pnganel) professed to
think that "a sovereign should carry his
heart in his head:' hence his life was spent
in one continual effort to bring his feelings
into subordination to his reason; and SO
well did he succeed, that he has left be-
hind him very general impression that he
was by nature cold, unfeeling, and despot-
ic. Those who had an opportunity, how
ever, of knowing him most Intimately, and
of observing his domestic habits and his
department in private, could not fail to
come to a very different conclusion. To
his family he was kind, affectionate, and in
dulgcnt-to his friends sincere, generous
and loving. Few sisters were ever more
tenderly cherished by a brother than was
the Miryravine of Bareith by the Great
Frederick. Few subjects have ever re-
ceivcd from their sovererigns more touch
ing marks Of attachment and esteem than
those bestowed by the King upon his faith
ful counsellor, Jordan While this friend
was on his death bed, he insisted on sharing
the duties of the sick,room with his family.
Go and endeavor to get some Sleep said
he to the care worn wife; leave your hus-
band in my charge, | will watch and sup
ply all his wants, as you would, with my
own hand Every day he walked to the
house on foot, fearing the noise of car.
rage would disturb the invalid and spent
some time with him. This he continued
to do until Jordan breathed his last, when,
after providing in a princely manner for
the bereaved, he had the potrait of the de-
parted removed to his cabinet, and for a
long time could never look upon it without
tears. Jordan, it is true, well deserved
! these manifestations of the royal regard; for
he loved the King, and served him disin-
terestedly and without fattery, as Freder-
lck says Of him in the eulogium which he
wrote with his own hand.
Frederick possessed in an eminent de-
gree the happy faculty of comforting IA
vor in an easy and agreeable manner
There was no oppressive condescension in
his mode of giving. A colonel in his SER
vice, the father of q numerous family, had
become embarrassed by his debts, and be-
gan to show it in his looks. Meeting him
one day while off duty, Pensive and alb
stracted as usual, the king twho took a
fa,herly interest in his officers, and kept
himself generally acquainted with al that
! concerned them) accosted him thus: What
ails you, colonel You are out Of spirits,
and have been so this long time. Now
this is wrong; between friends there should
be no secrets. You ought to let me know
what troubles YOU Seeing him confused,
and hesitating, without waiting for him to
answer, the King continued: No matter:
I'll tell you, then, for | always look after
the affairs of my friends as well as my own.
You owe two thousand crowns, (handing
him rolean of ducats;) there's the money
to pay it-(then handing him another)-
and there is more to keep you out Of debt
for the future
The moor widow Of one Of lis officers,
who was both aged and inhrm, after a
struggle with her pride, applied to the
King for pension. i am sorry you did
not let me know your situation before re-
piled Frederick, both because you ought
to have been relieved, and BECAUSE, at pres
ent, my pension list is filed up, and all |
can spare for that purpose is already ap-
proprlated. Butyour husband was brave
man, with whom should always have will
llngl ly shared my dinner. Will retrench,
then, one 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 pal
try offence of burning a candle in his tent
during the hours when lights were prohibi-
ted, and whom it was said that Frederick
forced to add as postscript to his last let
ter Of advice to his wife the cruel words,
when you receive this | shall have ceased
to existP The pencil, as well as the pen,
has been put in requisition to illustrate this
instance Of the heartlessness Of the Prus-
sian despot. Now, not only is this anec-
dote false, but unfounded in any particular
1t is pure fiction, for there is not and never
was any regulation in the Prussian service
Furnishing such an offence with death; and
SO far was Frederick from being capable
of such cruelty of bis own accord, that it
was with the greatest reluctance he ever
signed a sentence Of death when a criminal
had been condemned by the tribunals Of
the country; and never, during bis long
reign, though always vested with the pow
er OF life and death, did he inflict that pun.
ishment without judicial decision. Rigid
and even severe in his discipline, he abhor-
red capital punishment, and never failed tc
substitute some lesser penalty in place o.
1t whenever he fhougt the welfare Of socie
ty would permit it.
Equally erroneous are those account.
which ascribe to this King habit of in
flicting personal chastisement upon thos.
about him for offences against himself Of