Since November last, Wilhelmina is on visit at Berlin,--first visit
since her marriage;--she stays there for almost ten months; not under
the happiest auspices, poor child. Mamma's reception of her, just
off the long winter journey, and extenuated with fatigues and sickly
chagrins, was of the most cutting cruelty: "What do you want here? What
is a mendicant like you come hither for?" And next night, when Papa
himself came home, it was little better. "Ha, ha," said he, "here you
are; I am glad to see you." Then holding up a light, to take view of
me: "How changed you are!" said he: "What is little Frederika [my little
Baby at Baireuth] doing?" And on my answering, continued: "I am sorry
for you, on my word. You have not bread to eat; and but for me you might
go begging. I am a poor man myself, not able to give you much; but I
will do what I can. I will give you now and then a twenty or a thirty
shillings (PAR DIX OU DOUZE FLORINS), as my affairs permit: it will
always be something to assuage your want. And you, Madam," said he,
turning to the Queen, "you will sometimes give her an old dress; for
the poor child has n't a shift to her back." [Wilhelmina, ii. 85.] This
rugged paternal banter was taken too literally by Wilhelmina, in her
weak state; and she was like "to burst in her skin," poor Princess.
So that,--except her own good Hereditary Prince, who was here "over from
Pasewalk" and his regimental duties, waiting to welcome her; in whose
true heart, full of honest human sunshine towards her, she could always
find shelter and defence,--native Country and Court offer little to the
brave Wilhelmina. Chagrins enough are here: chagrins also were there. At
Baireuth our old Father Margraf has his crotchets, his infirmities
and outbreaks; takes more and more to liquor; and does always keep
us frightfully bare in money. No help from Papa here, either, on the
finance side; no real hope anywhere (thinks Seckendorf, when we consult
him), except only in the Margraf's death: "old Margraf will soon drink
himself dead," thinks Seckendorf; "and in the mean while there
is Vienna, and a noble Kaiserinn who knows her friends in case of
extremity!" thinks he. [Wilhelmina, ii. 81-111.] Poor Princess, in her
weak shattered state, she has a heavy time of it; but there is a tough
spirit in her; bright, sharp, like a swift sabre, not to be quenched in
any coil; but always cutting its way, and emerging unsubdued.
One of the blessings reserved for her here, which most of all concerns
us, was the occasional sight of her Brother. Brother in a day or two
["18th November," she says; which date is wrong, if it were of moment
(see _OEuvres de Frederic,_ xxvii. part 1st, where their CORRESPONDENCE
is).] ran over from Ruppin, on short leave, and had his first interview.
Very kind and affectionate; quite the old Brother again; and "blushed"
when, at supper, Mamma and the Princesses, especially that wicked
Charlotte (Papa not present), tore up his poor Bride at such a rate.
"Has not a word to answer you, but YES or NO," said they; "stupid as a
block." "But were you ever at her toilette?" said the wicked Charlotte:
"Out of shape, completely: considerable waddings, I promise you: and
then"--still worse features, from that wicked Charlotte, in presence
of the domestics here. Wicked Charlotte; who is to be her Sister-in-law
soon;--and who is always flirting with my Husband, as if she liked that
better!--Crown-Prince retired, directly after supper: as did I, to my
apartment, where in a minute or two he joined me.
"To the question, How with the King and you? he answered, 'That his
situation was changing every moment; that sometimes he was in favor,
sometimes in disgrace;--that his chief happiness consisted in absence.
That he led a soft and tranquil life with his Regiment at Ruppin; study
and music his principal occupations; he had built himself a House there,
and laid out a Garden, where he could read, and walk about.' Then as to
his Bride, I begged him to tell me candidly if the portrait the Queen
and my Sister had been making of her was the true one. 'We are alone,'
replied he, 'and I will conceal nothing from you. The Queen, by her
miserable intrigues, has been the source of our misfortunes. Scarcely
were you gone when she began again with England; wished to substitute
our Sister Charlotte for you; would have had me undertake to contradict
the King's will again, and flatly refuse the Brunswick Match;--which I
declined. That is the source of her venom against this poor Princess.
As to the young Lady herself, I do not hate her so much as I pretend; I
affect complete dislike, that the King may value my obedience more.
She is pretty, a complexion lily-and-rose; her features delicate; face
altogether of a beautiful person. True, she has no breeding, and dresses
very ill: but I flatter myself, when she comes hither, you will have the
goodness to take her in hand. I recommend her to you, my dear Sister;
and beg your protection for her.' It is easy to judge, my answer would
be such as he desired." [Wilhelmina, ii. 89.]
For which small glimpse of the fact itself, at first-hand, across a
whirlwind of distracted rumors new and old about the fact, let us be
thankful to Wilhelmina. Seckendorf's hopeless attempts to resuscitate
extinct English things, and make the Prussian Majesty break his word,
continue to the very last; but are worth no notice from us. Grumkow's
Drinking-bout with the Dilapidated-Strong at Crossen, which follows now
in January, has been already noticed by us. And the Dilapidated-Strong's
farewell next morning,--"Adieu, dear Grumkow; I think I shall not see
you again!" as he rolled off towards Warsaw and the Diet,--will require
farther notice; but must stand over till this Marriage be got done. Of
which latter Event,--Wilhelmina once more kindling the old dark Books
into some light for us,--the essential particulars are briefly as
follows.
Monday, 8th June, 1733, the Crown-Prince is again over from Ruppin:
King, Queen and Crown-Prince are rendezvoused at Potsdam; and they set
off with due retinues towards Wolfenbuttel, towards Salzdahlum the Ducal
Schloss there; Sister Wilhelmina sending blessings, if she had them, on
a poor Brother in such interesting circumstances. Mamma was "plunged
in black melancholy;" King not the least; in the Crown-Prince nothing
particular to be remarked. They reached Salzdahlum, Duke Ludwig Rudolf
the Grandfather's Palace, one of the finest Palaces, with Gardens,
with antiques, with Picture-Galleries no end; a mile or two from
Wolfenbuttel; built by old Anton Ulrich, and still the ornament of
those parts;--reached Salzdahlum, Wednesday the 10th; where Bride,
with Father, Mother, much more Grandfather, Grandmother, and all the
sublimities interested, are waiting in the highest gala; Wedding to be
on Friday next.
Friday morning, this incident fell out, notable and somewhat
contemptible: Seckendorf, who is of the retinue, following his bad
trade, visits his Majesty who is still in bed:--"Pardon, your Majesty:
what shall I say for excuse? Here is a Letter just come from Vienna; in
Prince Eugene's hand;--Prince Eugene, or a Higher, will say something,
while it is still time!" Majesty, not in impatience, reads the little
Prince's and the Kaiser's Letter. "Give up this, we entreat you for
the last time; marry with England after all!" Majesty reads, quiet as a
lamb; lays the Letter under his pillow; will himself answer it; and
does straightway, with much simple dignity, to the effect, "For certain,
Never, my always respected Prince!" [Account of the Interview by
Seckendorf, in Forster, iii, 148-155; Copy of the answer itself is in
the State-Paper Office here.] Seckendorf, having thus shot his last
bolt, does not stay many hours longer at Salzdahlum;--may as well quit
Friedrich Wilhelm altogether, for any good he will henceforth do upon
him. This is the one incident between the Arrival at Salzdahlum and the
Wedding there.
Same Friday, 12th June, 1733, at a more advanced hour, the Wedding
itself took effect; Wedding which, in spite of the mad rumors and
whispers, in the Newspapers, Diplomatic Despatches and elsewhere, went
off, in all respects, precisely as other weddings do; a quite human
Wedding now and afterwards. Officiating Clergyman was the Reverend Herr
Mosheim: readers know with approval the _Ecclesiastical History_ of
Mosheim: he, in the beautiful Chapel of the Schloss, with Majesties
and Brunswick Sublimities looking on, performed the ceremony: and
Crown-Prince Friedrich of Prussia has fairly wedded the Serene Princess
Elizabeth Christina of Brunswick-Bevern, age eighteen coming, manners
rather awkward, complexion lily-and-rose;--and History is right glad
to have done with the wearisome affair, and know it settled on any
tolerable terms whatever. Here is a Note of Friedrich's to his dear
Sister, which has been preserved:--
TO PRINCESS WILHELMINA OF BAIREUTH, AT BERLIN.
"SALZDAHLUM, Noon, 19th June, 1733.
"MY DEAR SISTER,--A minute since, the whole Ceremony was got finished;
and God be praised it is over! I hope you will take it as a mark of my
friendship that I give you the first news of it.
"I hope I shall have the honor to see you again soon; and to assure you,
my dear Sister, that I am wholly yours (TOUT A VOUS). I write in great
haste; and add nothing that is merely formal. Adieu. [_OEuvres,_ xxvii.
part 1st, p. 9.]
FREDERIC."
One Keyserling, the Prince's favorite gentleman, came over express,
with this Letter and the more private news; Wilhelmina being full of
anxieties. Keyserling said, The Prince was inwardly "well content with
his lot; though he had kept up the old farce to the last; and pretended
to be in frightful humor, on the very morning; bursting out upon his
valets in the King's presence, who reproved him, and looked rather
pensive,"--recognizing, one hopes, what a sacrifice it was. The Queen's
Majesty, Keyserling reported, "was charmed with the style and ways of
the Brunswick Court; but could not endure the Princess-Royal [new
Wife], and treated the two Duchesses like dogs (COMME DES CHIENS)."
[Wilhelmina, ii. 114.] Reverend Abbot Mosheim (such his title; Head
Churchman, theological chief of Helmstadt University in those parts,
with a couple of extinct little ABBACIES near by, to help his stipend)
preached next Sunday, "On the Marriage of the Righteous,"--felicitous
appropriate Sermon, said a grateful public; [Text, Psalm, xcli. 12;
"Sermon printed in Mosheim's _Works."_]--and in short, at Salzdahlum
all goes, if not as merry as some marriage-bells, yet without jarring to
the ear.
On Tuesday, both the Majesties set out towards Potsdam again; "where his
Majesty," having business waiting, "arrived some time before the Queen."
Thither also, before the week ends, Crown-Prince Friedrich with his
Bride, and all the Serenities of Brunswick escorting, are upon the
road,--duly detained by complimentary harangues, tedious scenic
evolutions at Magdeburg and the intervening Towns;--grand entrance of
the Princess-Royal into Berlin is not till the 27th, last day of the
week following. That was such a day as Wilhelmina never saw; no sleep
the night before; no breakfast can one taste: between Charlottenburg
and Berlin, there is a review of unexampled splendor; "above eighty
carriages of us," and only a tent or two against the flaming June sun:
think of it! Review begins at four a.m.;--poor Wilhelmina thought she
would verily have died, of heat and thirst and hunger, in the crowded
tent, under the flaming June sun; before the Review could end itself,
and march into Berlin, trumpeting and salvoing, with the Princess-Royal
at the head of it. [Wilhelmina, ii. 127-129.]
Of which grand flaming day, and of the unexampled balls and effulgent
festivities that followed, "all Berlin ruining itself in dresses and
equipages," we will say nothing farther; but give only, what may
still have some significance for readers, Wilhelmina's Portrait of the
Princess-Royal on their first meeting, which had taken place at Potsdam
two days before. The Princess-Royal had arrived at Potsdam too, on that
occasion, across a grand Review; Majesty himself riding out, Majesty and
Crown-Prince, who had preceded her a little, to usher in the poor young
creature;--Thursday, June 25th, 1733:--
"The King led her into the Queen's Apartment; then seeing, after she had
saluted us all, that she was much heated and dispowdered (DEPOUDREE),
he bade my Brother take her to her own room. I followed them thither. My
Brother said to her, introducing me: 'This is a Sister I adore, and am
obliged to beyond measure. She has had the goodness to promise me that
she will take care of you, and help you with her good counsel; I wish
you to respect her beyond even the King and Queen, and not to take
the least step without her advice: do you understand?' I embraced the
Princess-Royal, and gave her every assurance of my attachment; but she
remained like a statue, not answering a word. Her people not being come,
I repowdered her myself, and readjusted her dress a little, without the
least sign of thanks from her, or any answer to all my caressings. My
Brother got impatient at last; and said aloud: 'Devil's in the blockhead
(PESTE SOIT DE LA BETE): thank my Sister, then!' She made me a courtesy,
on the model of that of Agnes in the ECOLE DES FEMMES. I took her back
to the Queen's Apartment; little edified by such a display of talent.
"The Princess-Royal is tall; her figure is not fine: stooping slightly,
or hanging forward, as she walks or stands, which gives her an awkward
air. Her complexion is of dazzling whiteness, heightened by the
liveliest colors: her eyes are pale blue, and not of much promise
for spiritual gifts. Mouth small; features generally small,--dainty
(MIGNONS) rather than beautiful:--and the countenance altogether is so
innocent and infantine, you would think this head belonged to a child
of twelve. Her hair is blond, plentiful, curling in natural locks. Teeth
are unhappily very bad, black and ill set; which are a disfigurement in
this fine face. She has no manners, nor the least vestige of tact; has
much difficulty in speaking and making herself understood: for most part
you are obliged to guess what she means; which is very embarrassing."
[Wilhelmina, ii. 119-121.]
The Berlin gayeties--for Karl, Heir-Apparent of Brunswick, brother to
this Princess-Royal, wedded his Charlotte, too, about a week hence [2d
July, 1733.]--did not end, and the serene Guests disappear, till far
on in July. After which an Inspection with Papa; and then Friedrich
got back to Ruppin and his old way of life there. Intrinsically the
old studious, quietly diligent way of life; varied by more frequent
excursions to Berlin;--where as yet the Princess-Royal usually resides,
till some fit residence be got ready in the Ruppin Country for a wedded
Crown-Prince and her.
The young Wife had an honest guileless heart; if little articulate
intellect, considerable inarticulate sense; did not fail to learn tact,
perpendicular attitude, speech enough;--and I hope kept well clear of
pouting (FAIRE LA FACHEE), a much more dangerous rock for her. With the
gay temper of eighteen, and her native loyalty of mind, she seems to
have shaped herself successfully to the Prince's taste; and growing
yearly gracefuler and better-looking was an ornament and pleasant
addition to his Ruppin existence. These first seven years, spent at
Berlin or in the Ruppin quarter, she always regarded as the flower of
her life. [Busching (Autobiography, _Beitrage,_ vi.) heard her say so,
in advanced years.]
Papa, according to promise, has faithfully provided a Crown-Prince
Palace at Berlin; all trimmed and furnished, for occasional residences
there; the late "Government House" (originally SCHOMBERG House),
new-built,--which is, to this day, one of the distinguished Palaces
of Berlin. Princess-Royal had Schonhausen given her; a pleasant Royal
Mansion some miles out of Berlin, on the Ruppin side. Furthermore, the
Prince-Royal, being now a wedded man, has, as is customary in such case,
a special AMT (Government District) set apart for his support; the "Amt
of Ruppin," where his business lies. What the exact revenues of Ruppin
are, is not communicated; but we can justly fear they were far too
frugal,--and excused the underhand borrowing, which is evident enough
as a painful shadow in the Prince's life henceforth. He does not seem to
have been wasteful; but he borrows all round, under sevenfold secrecy,
from benevolent Courts, from Austria, Russia, England: and the only
pleasant certainty we notice in such painful business is, that, on his
Accession, he pays with exactitude,--sends his Uncle George of England,
for example, the complete amount in rouleaus of new coin, by the first
courier that goes. [Despatch (of adjacent date) in the State-Paper
Office here.]
A thought too frugal, his Prussian Majesty; but he means to be kind,
bountiful; and occasionally launches out into handsome munificence.
This very Autumn, hearing that the Crown-Prince and his Princess fancied
Reinsberg; an old Castle in their Amt Ruppin, some miles north
of them,--his Majesty, without word spoken, straightway purchased
Reinsberg, Schloss and Territory, from the owner; gave it to his
Crown-Prince, and gave him money to new-build it according to his mind.
[23d Oct. 1733-16th March, 1734 (Preuss, i. 75).] Which the Crown-Prince
did with much interest, under very wise architectural advice, for the
next three years; then went into it, to reside;--yet did not cease
new-building, improving, artistically adorning, till it became in all
points the image of his taste.
A really handsome princely kind of residence, that of Reinsberg:--got up
with a thrift that most of all astonishes us. In which improved locality
we shall by and by look in upon him again. For the present we must to
Warsaw, where tragedies and troubles are in the wind, which turn out to
be not quite without importance to the Crown-Prince and us.