Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-06-27
From the Washington Union.

much more attractive view of this warke monarch
than any we have heretofore seen. Contrary to the
generally received opinion it would appear that
Frederick with all his cynicism, possessed KIND
and affectonate disposition, well a large fund
both of good nature and good humor.
The King (says Paganell) protested to think that
IA sovereign should carry his heart in his head "
hence his life spent in continued effort to
bring his feelings into subordinatiOn to his reason
and we'll did he succeed, that he has left behind
him very general impression that he was by nature
cold, unfeeling, and despOtc. Those who had an
opportunity. however of knowing him most intimate
and of observing his domestic habits and his de-
pertinent in private could not fail to to very
different conclusion. To his family he was kind, af-
fectonate and indul gent-to his friends sincere,
generous, and loving. Few sisters were ever more
tenderly cherished by brother than was the Mar
gravine of Bareith by the Great Frederick. Few
subjects have ever received from their sovereigns
more touching marks of attachment and esteem than
those bestowed by the King upon his faithful coun-
sellor, Jordan. While this friend on his death
bed, he insisted on sharing the duties of the sick
room with his family. &C., and endeavor to get
some Sleep" said he to the care-wOrn wife " leave
your husband in my charge. will watch by him
and supply all his wants. you would with my own
hand' Every day he walked to the house on foot,
| Fearing the noise of a carriage would disturb the
| inyalid.O and spent some time with HIM This he
continued to do till Jordan breathed his last when
after providing in princely manner for the bereav-
ed he had the portrait of the departed removed to
his cabinet, and for long time could never look up
it without tears. Jordan, it is true, well deserved
these manifestations of the royal regard for he loved
the King, and served him disinterestedly and with
out attery, Frederick says of him in the eulogium
which he wrote with his own hand. "a
Frederick possessed in eminent degree the hap
py faculty of comforting favor easy and agree
able manner. There oppressive condescen-
sion in his mode CT giving. colonel in his service
the father of numerous family, had become embar-
raised by his debts and began to show it in his looks
[ IL L
stracted usual, the King (who took fatherly in
terest in his officers and kept himself generally
quainted with all that concerned them accosted him
thus: What ails you, colonel You are out of
spirits, and have been this long time. Now this
is wrong between friends there should be no Sc
crets. You ought to let me know what troubles you
perhaps can help you" Seeing him confused, and
hesitating without waiting for him to answer, the
King continued q No matter I'll tell you, then for
always look after the affairs of my friends we'll
as my own. You owe two thousand crowns, (hand-
ing him roleau 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 poor widow of one of his officers, who was
both aged and infrm after struggle with her
pride applied to the King for pension. 81 am
~ you did not let know your situation before
replied Frederick - both because you ought to have
been relieved, and because, at present. my pension
list is filled up and all can spare for that purpose
is already appropriated But your husband was a
brave man, W1ln WnOm SnOuIu always nave
ly shared my dinner. will retrench, then dish
daily from my table that will save crown a 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 frigbtful story of the off,
Ger condemned to death for the paltry offence of
burning candle in his tent during the hours when
lights were prohibited: and whom it said that
Frederick forced to add as postscript to his last
letter of advice to his wife the cruel words 'When
J. el,o
pencil as well as the pen has been put in requisi
ton to illustrate this instance of the heartessness of
the Prussan despot Now, not only is this anecdote
false, but unfoanded in every particular it is pure
felton, for there is not and any regulation
in the Prussan service furnishing such offence
with death ; and so far Frederick from being
capable of such cruelty of his accord, that it
was with the greatest reluctance he even signed a
sentence of death when a criminal had been con-
demned by the tribunals of the country; and never
during his long eign. though always vested with
the power IF life and death, did he infict that pun
ishment without judicial decision. Rigid and even
in his discipline he abhorred capital punish
ment and failed to substitute lesser pen
atty in place of it whenever he thought the welfare
of society would permit it.
Equally erroneous are those accounts which as
cribe to this King habit of inhictng personal chas
tsenlent upon those about him for offences against
himself or his domestic relations In this particular
he bore no resemblance to his father who was note
rious for his violence towards every member of his
household-sparing not even his children in his
paroxysms of rage. For some of these outbursts of
passion Frederick has doubtless been uniusy cred
tied Not only, however was he incapable of de-
scending to such unbecoming demonstrations of dis
pleasure against those who offended him, but, the
contrary if he noticed them at ALL it was almost al
ways in good-humored and facetious way.
A certain clergyman in Berlin made the King the
constant object of his attacks from the pulpit he
deciamed without ceasing against him rreligous,
profane tyranncal and poured forth upon his devo-
ted head as Sabbath succeeded Sabbath volumes of
the most virulent abuse. He was reproved by the
ministry, and repeatedly advised to be more crcum-
spect by those who apprehended that his insolence
and temerity would draw down upon him some ter
rbe retrbuton, but all in vain the ferocity of this
clerical bulldog not to be appeased. At last
he arrested and brought before the King
! My reverend friend,' said his Majesty archly,
, you have evidently an ambition to be martyr.
Now understand me once for all in that respect,
Of the chapter but shall not prosecute you in
turn Permit me, then to advise you to select here
after other topic for the edfcation of your
dience. After hearing so much of the mperfectons
of an earthly king doubt not that it would be quite
refreshing to them if you to descant awhile up
on the projections of the King of Kings whose glory
and honor fear you have quite lost sight of while
devoting yUur attention to me-" With this gentle
reproof which was administered in full court, the
} reverend gentleman dismissed; but thenceforth
change manifest in the style of his preaching
which greatly to the advantage of his congregl
tiOn'
Looking one day from window in his palace
Frederick observed crowd of people occu pied in
reading placard which was posted at most ncon-
; venient height upon neighborng wall. See what
that is that excites much curiosity said he to an