Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-09-08
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, SPINNER g., 1853.
ILLIAM |. OF PRUSsIA'S BEAUTIES.

WILLIAM |. OF PRUSsIA'S BEAUTIES.
From the Memoirs OF the Queens Of Prussia
Durioe his fathers lifetime be had COM
meneed the formation Of . regiment Of tall
recruits, which be bad been obliged to keep
sedulously concealed from the pateroal eye,
exercising them privately at Mittenvslde,
and giving orders that, should the king psy
ono Of bis %uDfrequent visits TO that place, they
should instantly conceal themselves, and re-
main perda till bis departure. 90 Freder-
lex Williams accession, be had ielt deeply
grieved aud sstopished that the cit zsns Of
Berlin should refuse TO receive bis pet giants
into quarters among them. The great cleo.
tor bad built q house aud laid out gardens
in the Dutch style at Potsdsm; these gardens
bis grandson turned into psrade-ground.,
ADD here he established his "blue children"
a. they we're called, on account OF the color
of their uniform. Bielefsld gives a descrip-
ton Of this regiment Of ~colOssi. Mature"
he says. who has been 80 lavish TO them 10
one respect, has been but q niggardly step
dame 10 o:bers. They had either ugly faces
or crooked legs, or come other defect" How
ever, Frederick William lavisbed enormous
sums upon them. Some OF the peculiar giants
had az much as 40 forms Pay per day. and
were allowed to carry on Q trade oes'des.-
No sum vas considered, BY the usually par
simoni0us King, too large TO be paid Tor q
huge grensdiei; and those pOtentates who
wished to be on a friendly footing with the
King Of Prussia had nothing to do Lut 70
search their dominioos tor the tallest speci-
mems Of humanity contained 10 them. A
present Of Q recruit Of six feet might be couD-
ted on 70 secure Frederick Williams friend
ship; of six feet two, his wsrmest alliance;
and 90 on in proportion. The tallest and
finest Of these grenadiers vas al lrishman, BY
name James Kirkland, whose procurai aud
trscsmission from his native bugs to the par
ade-grouud ut Potsdam bad cost Frederick
William upwards of twelve hundred pounds
sterling. But 90 one whose stature had OBJ
tanned q more tbao ordinary growth was sale
from the bsnds of bis najesly's recruiters.-
At one time q young man, by name ScbiG-
dorf, who had icon diligently prosecuting
the study of Law for five years at Halle.
disappeared very suddenly. He was u very
tall man; tho dreaded recruiting Wagon bad
been seen in the neighborbOod; the combina-
ton Was easy, the deduction certain. The
college cent up q remoostrance March III
1874, upon this transportation Of mind TO
the mere purposes. OF matter. TIE Kings
ansWsr Was very quickly given, in his usual
concise style: shall not reason. That Is
my subject" His passion for tall soldiers
led him to wish to raise q race OF large peo-
pie, DO as to be able to recrait his great regi-
menr without trouble. One day meeting q
very tall aud we'll made village girl 10 the
neighborhood of Potsdam, be asked her to
take . note, which be wrvte on the cpot, to
the captain Of his regiment. Either suspec.
ing something or being 10 hurry, the girl
gave the Dote to o little old woman, whom
she fell 10 With. and charged her to deliver 1t
40 directed. This note contained an order to
the captain to have the bearer instantly mar.
ried to the tallest man in the regiment, whose
name was specified. Ga being acquainted
with bic fate, and Introduced to his bride,
the poor young fellow was in despair. He
begged and eotrested, fell on his knees and
wept, bot all to no purpose: the Kings will
was Law, and the matrimonial moose was tied.
However, the King, on bearing of the ex-
change of brides that bad been made, allowed
the marriage to be dissolved.