Category: Biographies

History of Frederick the Second, Called Frederick the Great.

Origin of the Prussian Monarchy.--The Duchies of Brandenburg and Prussia.--The Elector crowned King Frederick I.--Frederick William.--His Childhood, Youth, and Marriage.--Birth of Fritz.-- Death of Frederick I.--Eccentric Character of Frederick William.-- His defective Educati...

Chapters

70. CHAPTER XXXV.

Character of the Crown Prince.--Stratagem of the Emperor Joseph II.--Death of the Empress Catharine of Russia.--Matrimonial Alliance of Russia and Prussia.--Death of the King of...

37. CHAPTER II.

The Palace of Wusterhausen.--Wilhelmina and Fritz.--Education of the Crown Prince.--Rising Dislike of the Father for his Son.--The Mother’s Sympathy.--The double Marriage.--Char...

38. CHAPTER III.

The King an Artist.--Cruel Exactions of the King.--Conflicts of Etiquette.--Quarrel with George II.--Nuptial Intrigues.--Energetic Action of Frederick William.--Marriage of Fred...

39. CHAPTER IV.

Objections to the British Alliance.--Obstinacy of the King.-- Wilhelmina’s Journal.--Policy of Frederick William and of George II.--Letter from Fritz.--The Camp of Mühlberg.--Th...

51. CHAPTER XVI.

An extraordinary Interview.--Carlyle’s Sympathy.--Trifling Demeanor of Frederick.--Conspiracy in Breslau.--Guile of Frederick.--The successful Stratagem.--Crossing the Neisse.--...

43. CHAPTER VIII.

The Castle at Reinsberg.--Slender Purses of Fritz and Wilhelmina.-- Liberality of Fritz.--The Ball at Monbijou.--Adventures of Fritz and Wilhelmina.--Letters.--The Interview.--A...

65. CHAPTER XXX.

Desperate Exertions of Frederick.--Aid from England.--Limited Resources.--Opening of the Campaign.--Disgraceful Conduct of Voltaire.--Letter to Voltaire.--An Act of Desperation....

47. CHAPTER XII.

Deceptive Measures of Frederick.--Plans for the Invasion of Silesia.-- Avowed Reasons for the Invasion.--The Ball in Berlin.--The March of the Army.--Hardships and Successes.--L...

44. CHAPTER IX.

Voltaire and Madame Du Châtelet.--Letter from Frederick to Voltaire.-- The Reply.--Visit to the Prince of Orange.--Correspondence.--The Crown Prince becomes a Mason.--Interestin...

41. CHAPTER VI.

Wilhelmina’s Letter to her Mother.--Cruel Response.--The Court Festival.--First Interview with the Prince of Baireuth.--His Character and Appearance.--Interview between the King...

42. CHAPTER VII.

Matrimonial Intrigues.--Letters from the King to his Son.--Letter from Fritz to Grumkow.--Letter to Wilhelmina.--The Betrothal.-- Character of Elizabeth.--Her cruel Reception by...

36. CHAPTER I

Origin of the Prussian Monarchy.--The Duchies of Brandenburg and Prussia.--The Elector crowned King Frederick I.--Frederick William.--His Childhood, Youth, and Marriage.--Birth...

63. CHAPTER XXVIII.

Destruction of the Army of Prince Charles.--Dismay in Vienna.-- Testimony of Napoleon I.--Of Voltaire.--Wretchedness of the King.-- Compromise rejected.--New Preparations for Wa...

53. CHAPTER XVIII.

The Battle of Chotusitz.--Letter to Jordan.--Results of the Battle.--Secret Negotiations.--The Treaty of Breslau.--Entrance into Frankfort.--Treachery of Louis XV.--Results of t...

59. CHAPTER XXIV.

Voltaire and the Jew.--Letter from Frederick to D’Arget.-- Letter to Wilhelmina.--Caustic Letters to Voltaire.--Partial Reconciliation.--Frederick’s brilliant Conversational Pow...

60. CHAPTER XXV.

Secret Preparations for a Coalition.--Frederick’s Embarrassments.-- The uncertain Support of England.--Causes of the War.--Commencement of Hostilities.--Letter from Frederick to...

61. CHAPTER XXVI.

Grief of the King over his Mother’s Death.--Interesting Letters.-- Forces in the Field.--The March upon Dresden.--Devotion of Wilhelmina.--Atheism of the King.--Wilhelmina to Vo...

55. CHAPTER XX.

The Retreat ordered.--Awful Suffering.--Narrow Escape of the King.-- The Flight from Prague.--Military Mistakes of the King.--Frederick returns to Berlin.--His wonderful adminis...

48. CHAPTER XIII.

Embarrassments of Frederick.--Attempts a Compromise.--New Invasion of Silesia.--Intrigues for the Imperial Crown.--Rivalry between England and France.--Death of Anne of Russia.-...

40. CHAPTER V.

Spirited Conduct of Fritz.--Fortress of Cüstrin.--Prison Fare.-- Wilhelmina’s Captivity.--Sad Fate of Doris Ritter.--Motives of the King.--Doom of Lieutenant Katte.--Pathetic Su...

67. CHAPTER XXXII.

Incessant Marches and Battles.--Letter from Frederick to D’Argens.-- Letter to his Brother Henry.--Berlin summoned to Surrender.-- Sacking of the City.--Letter to D’Argens.--Des...

45. CHAPTER X.

Establishment of the Berlin Academy of Sciences.--Religious Toleration.--A Free Press.--Sternness of the young King.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Provision for the Queen-mothe...

69. CHAPTER XXXIV.

The King patronizes literary and scientific Men.--Anecdotes.-- The Family Quarrel.--Birth of Frederick William III.--Rapid Recuperation of Prussia.--The King’s Tour of Observati...

68. CHAPTER XXXIII.

Commencement of the Sixth Campaign.--The Fortified Camp at Bunzelwitz.--Skillful Engineering.--Unintermitted Toil of the Soldiers.--Retreat of the Russians.--Loss of Schweidnitz...

66. CHAPTER XXXI.

Winter Encampment.--Death of Maupertuis.--Infamous Conduct of Voltaire.--Reproof by the King.--Voltaire’s Insincerity.-- Correspondence.--The King publishes his Poems.--Dishonor...

52. CHAPTER XVII.

Frederick’s Motives for the War.--Marriage of William Augustus.-- Testimony of Lord Macaulay.--Frederick and his Allies.--Visit to Dresden.--Military Energy.--Charles Albert cho...

46. CHAPTER XI.

On the River Maas, a few miles north of the present city of Liege, there was a celebrated castle called Herstal. For many generations feudal lords had there displayed their pomp...

64. CHAPTER XXIX.

Frederick’s Attempt to Rescue his Brother.--Captured Dispatches.-- Battle of Hochkirch.--Defeat and Retreat of Frederick.--Death of Wilhelmina.--Letter to Voltaire.--Rejoicings...

56. CHAPTER XXI.

Battle of Hohenfriedberg.--Religious Antagonism.--Anecdote of the King.--Retreat of the Austrians.--Horrors of War.--“A slight Pleasantry.”--Sufferings of the Prussian Army.--Th...

58. CHAPTER XXIII.

Days of Peace and Prosperity.--The Palace of Sans Souci.--Letter from Marshal Keith.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Frederick’s Snuff-boxes.--Anecdotes.--Severe Discipline of th...

62. CHAPTER XXVII.

Results of the Battle of Rossbach.--The Attack upon Breslau.-- Extraordinary Address of the King to his Troops.--Confidence of the Prussians in their Commander.--Magnificent Arr...

49. CHAPTER XIV.

Preparing for the Battle.--The Surprise.--The Snow-encumbered Plain.--Horror of the Scene.--Flight of Frederick.--His Shame and Despair.--Unexpected Victory of the Prussians.--L...

57. CHAPTER XXII.

Sufferings of the Peasantry.--Renown and Peril of Frederick.--New Plan of Maria Theresa.--Despondency of Frederick.--Surprise and Rout of the Austrians.--The “Old Dessauer” ente...

50. CHAPTER XV.

The Encampment at Brieg.--Bombardment.--Diplomatic Intrigues.-- Luxury of the Spanish Minister.--Rising Greatness of Frederick.-- Frederick’s Interview with Lord Hyndford.--Plan...

54. CHAPTER XIX.

Correspondence between Frederick and Voltaire.--Voltaire’s Visit to Frederick.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Unavailing Diplomacy of Voltaire.--The New Alliance.--The Renewal o...

35. CHAPTER XXXV.

Character of the Crown Prince.--Stratagem of the Emperor Joseph II.--Death of the Empress Catharine of Russia.--Matrimonial Alliance of Russia and Prussia.--Death of the King of...

33. CHAPTER XXXIII.

Commencement of the Sixth Campaign.--The Fortified Camp at Bunzelwitz.--Skillful Engineering.--Unintermitted Toil of the Soldiers.--Retreat of the Russians.--Loss of Schweidnitz...

32. CHAPTER XXXII.

Incessant Marches and Battles.--Letter from Frederick to D’Argens.-- Letter to his Brother Henry.--Berlin summoned to Surrender.-- Sacking of the City.--Letter to D’Argens.--Des...

2. CHAPTER II.

The Palace of Wusterhausen.--Wilhelmina and Fritz.--Education of the Crown Prince.--Rising Dislike of the Father for his Son.--The Mother’s Sympathy.--The double Marriage.--Char...

34. CHAPTER XXXIV.

The King patronizes literary and scientific Men.--Anecdotes.-- The Family Quarrel.--Birth of Frederick William III.--Rapid Recuperation of Prussia.--The King’s Tour of Observati...

25. CHAPTER XXV.

Secret Preparations for a Coalition.--Frederick’s Embarrassments.-- The uncertain Support of England.--Causes of the War.--Commencement of Hostilities.--Letter from Frederick to...

3. CHAPTER III.

The King an Artist.--Cruel Exactions of the King.--Conflicts of Etiquette.--Quarrel with George II.--Nuptial Intrigues.--Energetic Action of Frederick William.--Marriage of Fred...

20. CHAPTER XX.

The Retreat ordered.--Awful Suffering.--Narrow Escape of the King.-- The Flight from Prague.--Military Mistakes of the King.--Frederick returns to Berlin.--His wonderful adminis...

30. CHAPTER XXX.

Desperate Exertions of Frederick.--Aid from England.--Limited Resources.--Opening of the Campaign.--Disgraceful Conduct of Voltaire.--Letter to Voltaire.--An Act of Desperation....

28. CHAPTER XXVIII.

Destruction of the Army of Prince Charles.--Dismay in Vienna.-- Testimony of Napoleon I.--Of Voltaire.--Wretchedness of the King.-- Compromise rejected.--New Preparations for Wa...

31. CHAPTER XXXI.

Winter Encampment.--Death of Maupertuis.--Infamous Conduct of Voltaire.--Reproof by the King.--Voltaire’s Insincerity.-- Correspondence.--The King publishes his Poems.--Dishonor...

18. CHAPTER XVIII.

The Battle of Chotusitz.--Letter to Jordan.--Results of the Battle.--Secret Negotiations.--The Treaty of Breslau.--Entrance into Frankfort.--Treachery of Louis XV.--Results of t...

23. CHAPTER XXIII.

Days of Peace and Prosperity.--The Palace of Sans Souci.--Letter from Marshal Keith.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Frederick’s Snuff-boxes.--Anecdotes.--Severe Discipline of th...

7. CHAPTER VII.

Matrimonial Intrigues.--Letters from the King to his Son.--Letter from Fritz to Grumkow.--Letter to Wilhelmina.--The Betrothal.-- Character of Elizabeth.--Her cruel Reception by...

6. CHAPTER VI.

Wilhelmina’s Letter to her Mother.--Cruel Response.--The Court Festival.--First Interview with the Prince of Baireuth.--His Character and Appearance.--Interview between the King...

29. CHAPTER XXIX.

Frederick’s Attempt to Rescue his Brother.--Captured Dispatches.-- Battle of Hochkirch.--Defeat and Retreat of Frederick.--Death of Wilhelmina.--Letter to Voltaire.--Rejoicings...

1. CHAPTER I.

Origin of the Prussian Monarchy.--The Duchies of Brandenburg and Prussia.--The Elector crowned King Frederick I.--Frederick William.--His Childhood, Youth, and Marriage.--Birth...

4. CHAPTER IV.

Objections to the British Alliance.--Obstinacy of the King.-- Wilhelmina’s Journal.--Policy of Frederick William and of George II.--Letter from Fritz.--The Camp of Mühlberg.--Th...

21. CHAPTER XXI.

Battle of Hohenfriedberg.--Religious Antagonism.--Anecdote of the King.--Retreat of the Austrians.--Horrors of War.--“A slight Pleasantry.”--Sufferings of the Prussian Army.--Th...

8. CHAPTER VIII.

The Castle at Reinsberg.--Slender Purses of Fritz and Wilhelmina.-- Liberality of Fritz.--The Ball at Monbijou.--Adventures of Fritz and Wilhelmina.--Letters.--The Interview.--A...

26. CHAPTER XXVI.

Grief of the King over his Mother’s Death.--Interesting Letters.-- Forces in the Field.--The March upon Dresden.--Devotion of Wilhelmina.--Atheism of the King.--Wilhelmina to Vo...

17. CHAPTER XVII.

Frederick’s Motives for the War.--Marriage of William Augustus.-- Testimony of Lord Macaulay.--Frederick and his Allies.--Visit to Dresden.--Military Energy.--Charles Albert cho...

22. CHAPTER XXII.

Sufferings of the Peasantry.--Renown and Peril of Frederick.--New Plan of Maria Theresa.--Despondency of Frederick.--Surprise and Rout of the Austrians.--The “Old Dessauer” ente...

19. CHAPTER XIX.

Correspondence between Frederick and Voltaire.--Voltaire’s Visit to Frederick.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Unavailing Diplomacy of Voltaire.--The New Alliance.--The Renewal o...

24. CHAPTER XXIV.

Voltaire and the Jew.--Letter from Frederick to D’Arget.-- Letter to Wilhelmina.--Caustic Letters to Voltaire.--Partial Reconciliation.--Frederick’s brilliant Conversational Pow...

27. CHAPTER XXVII.

Results of the Battle of Rossbach.--The Attack upon Breslau.-- Extraordinary Address of the King to his Troops.--Confidence of the Prussians in their Commander.--Magnificent Arr...

5. CHAPTER V.

Spirited Conduct of Fritz.--Fortress of Cüstrin.--Prison Fare.-- Wilhelmina’s Captivity.--Sad Fate of Doris Ritter.--Motives of the King.--Doom of Lieutenant Katte.--Pathetic Su...

15. CHAPTER XV.

The Encampment at Brieg.--Bombardment.--Diplomatic Intrigues.-- Luxury of the Spanish Minister.--Rising Greatness of Frederick.-- Frederick’s Interview with Lord Hyndford.--Plan...

9. CHAPTER IX.

Voltaire and Madame Du Châtelet.--Letter from Frederick to Voltaire.-- The Reply.--Visit to the Prince of Orange.--Correspondence.--The Crown Prince becomes a Mason.--Interestin...

13. CHAPTER XIII.

Embarrassments of Frederick.--Attempts a Compromise.--New Invasion of Silesia.--Intrigues for the Imperial Crown.--Rivalry between England and France.--Death of Anne of Russia.-...

16. CHAPTER XVI.

An extraordinary Interview.--Carlyle’s Sympathy.--Trifling Demeanor of Frederick.--Conspiracy in Breslau.--Guile of Frederick.--The successful Stratagem.--Crossing the Neisse.--...

10. CHAPTER X.

Establishment of the Berlin Academy of Sciences.--Religious Toleration.--A Free Press.--Sternness of the young King.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Provision for the Queen-mothe...

12. CHAPTER XII.

Deceptive Measures of Frederick.--Plans for the Invasion of Silesia.-- Avowed Reasons for the Invasion.--The Ball in Berlin.--The March of the Army.--Hardships and Successes.--L...

14. CHAPTER XIV.

Preparing for the Battle.--The Surprise.--The Snow-encumbered Plain.--Horror of the Scene.--Flight of Frederick.--His Shame and Despair.--Unexpected Victory of the Prussians.--L...

11. CHAPTER XI.