Carlyle's "History of Friedrich II of Prussia"
Book XXI
Processed by D.R. Thompson
drthom@ihug.co.nz



BOOK XXI.

AFTERNOON AND EVENING OF FRIEDRICH'S LIFE.

1763-1786.



Chapter I.

PREFATORY.

The Twelve Hercules-labors of this King have ended here; what was
required of him in World-History is accomplished. There remain to
Friedrich Twenty-three Years more of Life, which to Prussian
History are as full of importance as ever; but do not essentially
concern European History, Europe having gone the road we now see it
in. On the grand World-Theatre the curtain has fallen for a New
Act; Friedrich's part, like everybody's for the present, is played
out. In fact, there is, during the rest of his Reign, nothing of
World-History to be dwelt on anywhere. America, it has been
decided, shall be English; Prussia be a Nation. The French, as
finis of their attempt to cut Germany in Four, find themselves sunk