BOOK XI.

FRIEDRICH TAKES THE REINS IN HAND.

June-December, 1740.


Chapter I.

PHENOMENA OF FRIEDRICH'S ACCESSION.

In Berlin, from Tuesday, 31st May, 1740, day of the late King's
death, till the Thursday following, the post was stopped and the
gates closed; no estafette can be despatched, though Dickens and
all the Ambassadors are busy writing. On the Thursday, Regiments,
Officers, principal Officials having sworn, and the new King being
fairly in the saddle, estafettes and post-boys shoot forth at the
top of their speed; and Rumor, towards every point of the compass,
apprises mankind what immense news there is. [Dickens (in State-
Paper Office), 4th June, 1740.]

A King's Accession is always a hopeful phenomenon to the public;
more especially a young King's, who has been talked of for his
talents and aspirings,--for his sufferings, were it nothing more,
--and whose ANTI-MACHIAVEL is understood to be in the press.
Vaguely everywhere there has a notion gone abroad that this young
King will prove considerable. Here at last has a Lover of
Philosophy got upon the throne, and great philanthropies and
magnanimities are to be expected, think rash editors and idle
mankind. Rash editors in England and elsewhere, we observe, are