The Fredersdorf Letters
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rheinsbergMichael Gabriel Fredersdorf met Fritz when he was 22, Fritz was 19, and still a prisoner at Küstrin. He became Fritz' valet, and ended up as the closest thing Prussia had as a PM. Arguably the most important relationship Fritz had with another man he wasn't related to from the point of their meeting onwards. Also one of the very few people he wrote and spoke in German to.
mildred_of_midgard: here are 305 letters, most of which are extremely short, some as short as a couple lines, not many as long as a page. My impression is 2/3 of the book is commentary. That would be just as awesome, if I could read German, or even spend more than 5 minutes poring through a physical book looking for the interesting parts. One day.
No letters after the start of the Seven Years' War. April 18, 1756 is the last one.
selenak (reading German):
Impressions: when exactly was this one published? Because at some points (specifically footnote to antesemitic aside) I wondered whether The Worst Fanboys were already in power, and others I thought, nah, not yet, because the Editor spends considerable time ranting about how today psychonalysis is so in fashion and everything has to be sex related and bah, without once using the Nazi terminology "Jewish science" or any synonym thereof, which in a post 1933 published book one would expect to be the case. So I'm thinking - late 20s, early 30s, could that be?
(Later discovery: in 1926.)
Incidentally, while we're on the subject, while in the first 100 pages there's a "typical Jew" remark, just to make things even more complicated one of the Prussian spies in the Austrian camp is also code-named "The Jew" without actually being one (or so Editor claims). Not to be confused with Mr. Ephraim the banker in Berlin who gets the antisemitic remark later.
On to less depressing subjects. This Editor is so far the biggest fanboy editor of the lot. We're talking Peter III level fanboy-ism for Fritz here, and he's unabashedly open about this. The purpose of this entire publication isn't because we're interested in Fredersdorf, who cares about him, nah, it's all about Fritz, since these letters show his human side at its best, full of kindness and concern as rarely seen in the letters to the great ones, so this alone justifies the publication. It's the pure love of a father to his adopted son expressing itself here, mind you. (How old was Fritz when they met? 19?) Editor reminds us of the French saying "no man is a hero to his valet" and says these letters refute that, because they show Fritz while being busy being Frederick the Great also is a great human being to said valet. In an utterly fatherly fashion.
Before I get to more fanboying and partisanship, Editor does provide - though alas without naming the source, and regretfully noting it's an apocryphal tale without a definite source - a tidbit of information about Fritz and Fredersdorf at Küstrin which, if true, gives us one big reason why Fritz in the worst days of his life started to trust this newbie to his existence. Because supposedly Fredersdorf was the one who smuggled his letters to Wilhelmine (he did manage a few, including the one she quotes in her memoirs) and hers to him in (which he had to destroy at once post reading because FW). If Fredersdorf risked letter smuggling, for which if caught FW might have had his head in a non-metaphorical fashion, that makes for a powerful demonstration of loyalty/compassion right then and there.
Back to the Editor - who because the actual letters are always brief talks a lot and for all my snark provides always useful context: Silesia 1? "The young eagle soars." Silesia 2? Shame that woman just can't get over it, but all hail Fritz, saviour of the fatherland from those unseemly Austrian designs to steal what he's rightfully kidnapped. Czarina Elizabeth starts out pro Prussia and becomes anti Prussia? All because she's pudding in the hands of her lover(s). Can't be because Fritz is being Fritz and insulting female rulers left right and center, nah, or for general political reasons. Everyone is just FORCING military action on our glorious hero, keeping him from the wonderful philosophical life he wants to lead.
Enstrangement from Wilhelmine? All her fault. How on earth she could hurt her brother so by meeting with the Queen of Hungary YOUR FRIEND Maria Theresia who was at that time having dark designs on our hero's downfall is beyond Editor. Also, he thinks the memoirs in their depiction of a steadfast enstrangement between Wilhelmine and Fritz post Küstrin prove Wilhelmine was a case for a psychiatrist (they are okay for overemotional women, psychiatrists, just not when deducing same sex desires in manly men) and refuted by the actual correspondance between the siblings.
Sidenote here: naturally Wilhelmine would have needed therapy. (Like everyone in that family, big time.) And I do think that the depiction of Fritz getting colder and colder towards her through the 1730s with the additional coldness post ascending to the throne just a logical conclusion hails directly from the memoirs being written at a time when they're enstranged, and, like her operas, are to some degree venting and self therapy, not literal truth. In this case, Wilhelmine is trying to tell herself "well, he doesn't love me anymore, get used to it, self, and clearly this isn't a new development, should have seen the signs". Which, yes, is refuted by the actual letters they exchanged through the 1730s. (And their relationship post reconciliation.) But what this reminds me very much of is Lehndorff going "well, it's clear now Heinrich doesn't love me anymore, he's so COLD towards me, clearly this has been going on for a while, see if I care!" / "My dear Prince has invited me/written to me/ I Heart Heinrich!!!". And Lehndorff's editor is notably lacking in comments like "hysterical woman is being hysterical, amirite?"
The one area where Editor actually dares to be somewhat Fritz critical is in his behavior towards EC. There, he also sets the context - the enforced marriage, which he calls "rape of a soul" (the soul being Fritze's) - but does express compassion towards EC and grants this was not in any way her fault, and that it was her misfortune to actually develop affection for Fritz. This all in a lengthy footnote/text to a letter where Fredersdorf tells Fritz that SD and Amalie are on their way to him with an entourage of 45 people, but that "her majesty humbly asks whether she is permitted to come as well, bringing 5". Yeah. That.
Editor does cite the traditional "Küstrin made Frederick Great" of Prussian historians, but, you will be pleased to learn, does not agree. He thinks Fritz becoming more mature and buddingly great in the 1730s is the result of him being in Rheinsberg surrounded by affection and intellectual challenge, friends who love and appreciate him and Dad far, far away. (Mostly.) Editor grants FW meant well but does not like him one bit.
Now, the letters: are mostly adorable, not least because of the informal rococo slang German. (Though Editor has my sympathy in his sigh about Fritz driving him mad by all the different spellings even of names, like the (female) singer Masi (who gets every variation possible, even "Mansey" on occasion.) There's so much about mutual health troubles that you wonder whetherh these two have ever been healthy, but then of course when they were healthy and at the same place at the same time, there was no reason to write. The letters also reflect the sheer variety of skills/departments Fredersdorf has - Fritz writes to him equally about managing musicians and actors (contracts of same, persuading La Gasparini that Fritz when hiring La Astura does not mean this as a disparagement to her, etc.), managing spies within the Austrian camp, changing decoding and cypher, anything regarding transport of equipment or travelling worriest, family worries (during Wilhelmine's visit, he notices she's sick, too, and worries about her), and loss of friends. When Keyserling dies, it's really crushing; we have far fewer letters from Fredersdorf, but one is about Keyserling's baby daughter who he assures Fritz already looks a bit like dad - Editor tells us Fritz kept being benevolently minded towards this daughter for his remaining life).
Re: all the health stuff, Editor apologizes this even includes bodily fluids or lack of same in the interest of historical fidelity. He points out Fritz keeps downplaying his own concerns and focuses on Fredersdorf's (who does the same), which is true. And the tenderness in all the many variations of "take care of yourself" is really striking. At the same time, the few preserved Fredersdorf letters to show the social difference keenly, in that Fredersdorf consistently keeps writing "Your Majesty" and "your servant" and rarely allows himself a bit of teasing back (though he does it, once in a sentence where he writes "and please please take your medicine, I'll kiss your feet once you recover"). (Fredersdorf's spelling, btw, isn't that much better, but then this was before Duden standardized German spelling in the 19th century, full stop.)
More linguistics: I found it interesting that Fritz when rendering French names in these letters spells them phonetically, not (as he knows how to do) in the correct French manner - so "Bische", not "Biche", for example. Also, for a famous Deist verging on Atheist, the "Gott bewahre dir" ("Gott keep you", and Fritz is using the wrong grammatical form - it should be "Gott bewahre dich") as a standard goodbye is noteworthy.
Oh, and: in one letter from the late second Silesian war, Fritz mentions "little Hendrich" (sic) being with him. Editor informs us this is 19 years old Heinrich. Since otherwise in the fraternal correspondance it's Henri all the way, this makes me wonder: does Fritz write "Heinrich" or rather "Hendrich" because otherwise Fredersdorf wouldn't know whom he meant, or because he thinks of him in the German variation of the name?
Neat trivia learned from the letters: in the late 40s, Franz Stephan sends some Hungarian wine to Fritz and his best wishes with the hope of renewing their "youthful friendship". Editor tells us that Franzl may or may not have meant that (after explaining about young FS of Lorraine passing through Prussia on his Grand Tour and being charmed by Fritz) but his wife sure didn't and for SOME reason kept on hating poor, poor Fritz.
Letter excerpts, first from Fredersdorf, since we already had some from Fritz and since it illustrates, as mentioned above, the sheer variety of what he's responsible for. I don't know whether either of you is familiar with Iron Man, but basically: reading this, I've come to the conclusion that Fredersdorf is Pepper Potts.
Spy stuff: "Geheimrat Eichel has sent me the promised new cyphres this afternoon. According to his desire I've translated from No.4 so he can see that "the man" is no liar. Marked explicitly (where I left of) so that whoever continues translating in the future can't miss it. Have paid the full 100 Gulden for April to "the man"."
re: Widow and daughter of dead Keyserling:
As your royal majesty has ordered, I've given 1000 Taler for little Keyserling to her mother. The mother was deeply touched by your remembrance, and the little replica talks and talks like a rattle, she is the image of the original, delightful and vivacious.
re: placing of courtiers - that's the one I already mentioned:
The entourage of her Majesty the Queen Mother and of Princess Amalie amounts to 45 people. I've given the names to the chatelaine of Charlottenburg so everyone knows where they'll sleep, and when to arrive. Her Majesty the Queen humbly asks whether your royal Majesty allows her to come as well. Her entourage consists of five people.
re: managing opera singers, at the end of a longer tale of Gasparini vs Astrua:
...(Gasparini) asks for a six months vacation in order to bring her daughter to Italy. She also asks for her salary to be advanced for said six months. She swears that she'll return, as she's an honest woman. She's reading to put this in writing. Talking to theatre people one after another feels like being among kettles banging!
(Fritz: Gasparini will have to be concent with a five months vacation, but only after signing her contract!)
Clothing ordering for Fritz, apropos the planned journey to Bayreuth to attend the wedding of Wilhelmine's daughter (he had to cancel due to sickness at the last minute and sent Heinrich instead). I include this because it's a further demonstration against the "he only wore uniform ever post ascension to the throne" image and because the sheer opulence is so very 18th century:
Fritz: Before my trip to Bayreuth, I need two new suits. Blue velvet, gold threaded, with silver vest and gold threaded buttons, the second soft blue without velved but gold threaded, a vest in citrus yellow with silver buttons. How much will each cost?
(That he ordered his wedding suits - which were delivered - and changed his plans really at the last moment belies, btw, some biographer's theory that he didn't really want to go to the wedding and just pretended to be sick.)
When Wilhelmine is in Berlin in the autumn of 1750, she's not the only one who caught the flu. So did Chacot and SD:
"I'm glad that my sister and Chacot are bette. I hope the Queen Mother is not seriously affected.
I will be in Berlin at the 21st around 12:00. If my sister is well and it is convenient to her, I'll have lunch with her. If it is trouble to her, I will stay at home and will visit her and the Queen Mother in the afternoon in Monbijou. God keep you!"
And lastly, one of the typical health worry/love letters. Fritz is chiding Fredersdorf for insisting to get up before he's completely recovered. Unfortunately, a translation can't provide the sheer immediacy of the informal slang German (for example, he doesn't write "sterben" when I translate "you'll die", he writes "so gehest du drauf", for which the modern equivalent would be "then you'll kick the bucket!":
"I thought you loved me and wouldn't want to cause me grief by killing yourself. Now I don't know what to believe! But you must believe I only want what's best for you and that the diet and the medicine is only prescribed so you can recover your health again. I beg you, listen to me, and remember you promised me! Please recall Rothenburg who killed himself by infecting himself with podagra through drinking Hungarian wine and eating a hot soup. Your illness is no laughing matter, and if you don't follow a correct diet and take the right prescribed medicine, you'll die! Think about how this would grieve me! If you love me, then listen exactly to the prescriptions! God keep you! Don't write back!"
And now, the conclusion: Okay, Editor continues to fanboy Fritz like it's a life or death competition between him and Peter III. I'm not bothering to repeat his political explanations of how the 7 years War came to be, as they amount to: Fritz was right, everyone else was wrong. Editor also thinks it's time to say something about Fritz & religion, Fritz & philosophy and Fritz & Voltaire. His take: Fritz stopped believing in the immortality of the soul as a young man, but continued to believe in God. The summary of the Fritz and Voltaire saga, however - which has to be explained because Voltaire actually writes to Fredersdorf during his fallout time with Fritz! - contains some hilarious gems I simply have to share. Editor on Voltaire/Emilie du Chatelet, explaining this relationship was why Voltaire didn't hasten to Fritz' side at once in 1740:
The poet was tied up in his love to a sophisticated woman, the Marquise du Chatelet, despite the fact this otherwise so touchy man saw himself condemned to the tragic-comic role of a lover who did not solely have to put up with a husband, but also a more fortunate second lover. But perhaps he proved in this relationship - which made posterity mock him - to be a decent human being for a change, being content of conducting a purely spiritual love affair, the fervor of which did not lessen.
Editor about Fritz/Voltaire, the early days: The King was, if one permits the expression, intellectually in love with Voltaire, who for his part was honestly delighted by Friedrich's personality. An inner kinship of these two men cannot be denied (...) But soon, the relationship had to darken due to the many morally despicable traits in Voltaire's being, which were badly connected to his sublime mind. Let us follow the King on his path of suffering with a few brief hints. (Editor, you can compete with Lehndorff in your emo love for your problematic fave, is what I'm saying.)
Now, the letter from Voltaire to Fredersdorf:
Monsieur - I ask you to forward the attached letter to his majesty. (...) He must understand the overwhelming amount of my pain and the horror about my situation. There is one thing, I have to confess, which would console me a little. If the King, who still owes me the salary of eight months with 3000 Taler per month would have the kindness to grace me with his portrait, I could forgo said salary I am still owed by him. I leave this all to your generosity and your wisdom. It would also be a particular favour if this would all be kept from the public and I were allowed to leave without embarassing attention. Only the French ambassador knows of my letter, as he just came to me while I was writing. I ask you, Monsieur, to believe I remain full of intense gratitude your devoted servant Voltaire.
Editor seethes with indignation and declares himself still baffled that Fritz ever started to correspond again with this perfidious Frenchman. Reader can't help but notice that Voltaire's letter is written in French - the collection contains both the French original and a German translation by editor - which means Fredersdorf knew at least enough French to comprehend this one.
Back to health, the enternal correspondance subject. Not just F & F's, no, also that of the dog's. As poor Biche - again, Fritz writese "Bische, i.e. the phonetic German rendition of the French name - must remain dead after ten doctors cured her; Mene (Alkmene) is not supposed to take anything but petit lait, and no dog doctor must touch her!
New subject: Fritz complaining about his younger relations. The two nephews here are the sons of Friederike Luise and Charlotte:
If one makes children, one has worries; and if one lacks children, one's sisterchildren do the job. (Yes, Fritz is using the even then old fashioned and very Tolkien like term "Schwesterkinder".) Two just arrived here who claim their uncle is a miser, and they won't leave without more money. Their poor uncle has already bled dry with the sisters and has decided to create gold via alchemy, otherwise things will get critical.
The bit about alchemy is also teasing, because Fredersdorf was seriously interested in alchemy and the philosopher's stone. So was Fritz, though Editor says that Son of Enlightenment Fritz only pretended to be interested to indulge Fredersdorf and really knew it was all rubbish and you couldn't make gold this way. Anyway, there's quite a lot about alchemists and their various methods. (Context of the era: Cagliostro in Paris was having a hit with a "surefire" method of making gold back then. Casanova did, too, though his method was inventing the modern lottery as a way for the state to make money. If you were an adventurer/con man, you sooner or later claimed to have found a way to make gold in that time.)
Still on a financial note, Fritz notes with approval not too much later, when the nephews in question are still there:My sister of Bayreuth arrives net Thursday, please prepare all for her arrival. As she doesn't want compliments, we won't have further expenses other than board wages.
("Compliments" are of course monetary presents in this context.)
Editor mentions the Fritz not giving a fuck about what Uncle George thinks about making Jacobite Keith ambassador business and compares the Fritz-Uncle George relationship with Willy- Uncle Bertie (aka Edward VII, Victoria's son). Methinks Willy thought that, too, and forgot that he didn't have Fritz' abilities to compensate for indulging in pissing off your British relations. The reason why Editor mentions it is that Fritz in a letter to Fredersdorf asks him to forward a letter to "Milord Marechal" i.e. Keith.
And now we get to November 53, and wedding bells for Fredersdorf. Now, I was really curious about that letter, which has been quoted from in various biographies, at times being presented as Fritz being bitter and mocking, at others concerned. Here it is. (Letter 140, page 240, Mildred.)
Get yourself married better today than tomorrow if that helps with your nursing. And if you want to take a little page and a hunter with you, you may do so. Just avoid all that upsets you if at all possible, for it could cause your death. I am very sorry about yesterday's attack, which is another setback. Please continue with the Tissane (Editor says: Disgusting tasting healing drought) . If you could drink it for a month, it would surely have good results, would sweeten your blood, take the acid of matter, would soothe your pains and wold heal your ulcers. Please, please take care of yourself, I beg you urgently. God keep you!
Conclusion: does not read like taunting mockery to me at all, but more of the concerned and loving vein as previous. Though the Editor does wonder whether the second sentence is Fritz the marriage enemy making a (fatherly) joke. Editor gives a date for Fredersdorf's wedding - 30th December 1753 - and also says that he has no intention of commenting on certain "insinuations regarding Fredersdorf's family situation". Whether he means insinuations re: sexual inclination or re: disorderly finances, he does not say!
So how bad off was Fredersdorf? Apparently he still could do his organizing - Fritz talks theatre business with him during that same month, November 1753, the hiring and firing of singers etc, and also of politics, joking that "it doesn't look opera like for Prussia in the world" or "to hell with everyone getting their noses near East Prussia or Friesland!" (Fredersdorf is also still playing handler for spies.) Oh, and expenses for presents to the sisters and sisters-in-law, from which we learn Fritz does his own shopping for Wilhelmine and SD but expects Fredersdorf to shop for everyone else.
Editor says nothing about a post-marriage estrangement between Fritz and Fredersdorf. But he has another go at Wilhelmine for daring to try and reconcile her brother with Voltaire, and for daring to continue corresponding with Voltaire herself. (And visiting him in France.) This apropos a 1755 letter from Fritz to Fredersdorf.
Write to Ademar that my sister is free to do as she pleases. If she wants to have Voltaire, I wish her more luck than I've had. But I would not advise her to it, for that man has a terrible and ugly character.
Cue editor going on about Wihelhelmine being a) a blind Voltaire fangirl ("who was hopelessly fallen for Voltaire" - mind you, all the ranting about Wilhelmine's Voltaire addiction and shameless corresponding is written by the same man who just a few pages earlier was baffled that Fritz resumed the correspondance but explained it of the goodness of Fritz' heart) and b) a heartless sister, forcing her brother to think of that horrible man and surely making him remember how she failed him by consorting with his enemies on previous occasions.
One gem Editor quotes from a letter from Fritz to Marshal Keith, about Voltaire's 1753 job hunting: "The poet demanded of the Queen of Hungary to take him into her service. She replied with wit that a Voltaire had his place on Parnassos, and as Vienna did not have a Parnassos, they could not receive him in a worthy manner." Fritz! Quotes MT! With approval! A moment of silence, please.
Lastly, a linguistic note - Fritz writes "Volter", not "Voltaire", i.e. he's using the phonetic German spelling in his Fredersdorf letters as with the other French words.
One of Fredersdorf's letters contains the interesting info Algarotti hasn't tried to use his Prussian salary from his account during his absence so far (July 1754) and concludes that "one sees this means he does not intend to return". A year later, though, 1755, Fredersdorf mentions that Algarotti personally persuading a (female) singer Fritz wanted to have to come to Berlin and that he sends his devotions to Fritz through her, swearing eternal friendship. (From far, far away.)
Newly revealed detail: Mimi the monkey was a female! Because Fritz writes "die Mimi", and he ought to know. Makes more sense of the name, too. Context: chiding Fredersdorf for not taking his medicine in the correct order. "For you are like Mimi! If one believes one is holding her tight, she jumps from place to place in the room!
Oh good lord. Editor when making a context remark about the British-French wars in the colonies talks about how the "Germanic-Protestant" colonists naturally proved themselves stronger than those soft French and other Latin countries descended ones. Editor, this together with your footnotes on Jewish people makes me fear the worst as to what you'll do in a few years.
The last letter Editor includes is from April 18th 1756. There is zilch about an enstragement or dismissal for dishonorable reasons. What happened to Fredesdorf, Editor doesn't say in his his concluding notes, either. They're all about the greatness of Frederick, and may it inspire the German hearts wounded and crushed by the last war (i.e. WWI) to aspire to greatness again. ... Yeah. Sadly, I don't think he means German hearts should be inspired to write tender letters to their life partners.
But anyway: it was totally worth it, and Mildred, thank you so much for this book!
Addendum:
Lehndorff About Fredersdorf:
on October 25th, 1757:
I make only one more visit, to the famous Fredersdorf, who under the title of "valet to the King" has played the role of prime minister for so long. For if anyone deserves this title, he does. At least he enjoyed such renown in the world that I have often seen him surrounded by knights and excellencies who made pretty deep bows to him, and his antechambre was often filled with state ministers and great lords. As far as I was concerned, I never had the cowardice to flatter him, nor did I seek him out except for now, when he no longer is connected to his majesty. His ill health, his jealousy of the famous Glasow, his riches and especially his desire for a quiet life have caused him to beg the King long enough so that the King allowed him to resign his positions. For this man basically filled out all the court offices. He supervised all the buildings, the King's accounts and treasure, all the staff, in short, after the King he was the only one who ruled, and often did so somewhat despotically. He is currently even more sick, the hemmorhoides have nearly devoured him. It is not a little amazing that a common man from the most backward Pommarania without any education could aquire such decency, grace of conduct and quickness of mind. A very pretty face aided him and was the beginning of his fortune, and through his intelligence, he managed to keep and defend such a difficult position as his. Most of all, though, I admire that he was able to withdraw in time, which is such a delicate matter for men who have a position equal to that of a beautiful woman when she notices her looks are fading. I remain with him until 11 in the evening and then return to the house of Frau V. Ingersleben, where I am lodging.
mildred_of_midgard: here are 305 letters, most of which are extremely short, some as short as a couple lines, not many as long as a page. My impression is 2/3 of the book is commentary. That would be just as awesome, if I could read German, or even spend more than 5 minutes poring through a physical book looking for the interesting parts. One day.No letters after the start of the Seven Years' War. April 18, 1756 is the last one.
selenak (reading German): Impressions: when exactly was this one published? Because at some points (specifically footnote to antesemitic aside) I wondered whether The Worst Fanboys were already in power, and others I thought, nah, not yet, because the Editor spends considerable time ranting about how today psychonalysis is so in fashion and everything has to be sex related and bah, without once using the Nazi terminology "Jewish science" or any synonym thereof, which in a post 1933 published book one would expect to be the case. So I'm thinking - late 20s, early 30s, could that be?
(Later discovery: in 1926.)
Incidentally, while we're on the subject, while in the first 100 pages there's a "typical Jew" remark, just to make things even more complicated one of the Prussian spies in the Austrian camp is also code-named "The Jew" without actually being one (or so Editor claims). Not to be confused with Mr. Ephraim the banker in Berlin who gets the antisemitic remark later.
On to less depressing subjects. This Editor is so far the biggest fanboy editor of the lot. We're talking Peter III level fanboy-ism for Fritz here, and he's unabashedly open about this. The purpose of this entire publication isn't because we're interested in Fredersdorf, who cares about him, nah, it's all about Fritz, since these letters show his human side at its best, full of kindness and concern as rarely seen in the letters to the great ones, so this alone justifies the publication. It's the pure love of a father to his adopted son expressing itself here, mind you. (How old was Fritz when they met? 19?) Editor reminds us of the French saying "no man is a hero to his valet" and says these letters refute that, because they show Fritz while being busy being Frederick the Great also is a great human being to said valet. In an utterly fatherly fashion.
Before I get to more fanboying and partisanship, Editor does provide - though alas without naming the source, and regretfully noting it's an apocryphal tale without a definite source - a tidbit of information about Fritz and Fredersdorf at Küstrin which, if true, gives us one big reason why Fritz in the worst days of his life started to trust this newbie to his existence. Because supposedly Fredersdorf was the one who smuggled his letters to Wilhelmine (he did manage a few, including the one she quotes in her memoirs) and hers to him in (which he had to destroy at once post reading because FW). If Fredersdorf risked letter smuggling, for which if caught FW might have had his head in a non-metaphorical fashion, that makes for a powerful demonstration of loyalty/compassion right then and there.
Back to the Editor - who because the actual letters are always brief talks a lot and for all my snark provides always useful context: Silesia 1? "The young eagle soars." Silesia 2? Shame that woman just can't get over it, but all hail Fritz, saviour of the fatherland from those unseemly Austrian designs to steal what he's rightfully kidnapped. Czarina Elizabeth starts out pro Prussia and becomes anti Prussia? All because she's pudding in the hands of her lover(s). Can't be because Fritz is being Fritz and insulting female rulers left right and center, nah, or for general political reasons. Everyone is just FORCING military action on our glorious hero, keeping him from the wonderful philosophical life he wants to lead.
Enstrangement from Wilhelmine? All her fault. How on earth she could hurt her brother so by meeting with
Sidenote here: naturally Wilhelmine would have needed therapy. (Like everyone in that family, big time.) And I do think that the depiction of Fritz getting colder and colder towards her through the 1730s with the additional coldness post ascending to the throne just a logical conclusion hails directly from the memoirs being written at a time when they're enstranged, and, like her operas, are to some degree venting and self therapy, not literal truth. In this case, Wilhelmine is trying to tell herself "well, he doesn't love me anymore, get used to it, self, and clearly this isn't a new development, should have seen the signs". Which, yes, is refuted by the actual letters they exchanged through the 1730s. (And their relationship post reconciliation.) But what this reminds me very much of is Lehndorff going "well, it's clear now Heinrich doesn't love me anymore, he's so COLD towards me, clearly this has been going on for a while, see if I care!" / "My dear Prince has invited me/written to me/ I Heart Heinrich!!!". And Lehndorff's editor is notably lacking in comments like "hysterical woman is being hysterical, amirite?"
The one area where Editor actually dares to be somewhat Fritz critical is in his behavior towards EC. There, he also sets the context - the enforced marriage, which he calls "rape of a soul" (the soul being Fritze's) - but does express compassion towards EC and grants this was not in any way her fault, and that it was her misfortune to actually develop affection for Fritz. This all in a lengthy footnote/text to a letter where Fredersdorf tells Fritz that SD and Amalie are on their way to him with an entourage of 45 people, but that "her majesty humbly asks whether she is permitted to come as well, bringing 5". Yeah. That.
Editor does cite the traditional "Küstrin made Frederick Great" of Prussian historians, but, you will be pleased to learn, does not agree. He thinks Fritz becoming more mature and buddingly great in the 1730s is the result of him being in Rheinsberg surrounded by affection and intellectual challenge, friends who love and appreciate him and Dad far, far away. (Mostly.) Editor grants FW meant well but does not like him one bit.
Now, the letters: are mostly adorable, not least because of the informal rococo slang German. (Though Editor has my sympathy in his sigh about Fritz driving him mad by all the different spellings even of names, like the (female) singer Masi (who gets every variation possible, even "Mansey" on occasion.) There's so much about mutual health troubles that you wonder whetherh these two have ever been healthy, but then of course when they were healthy and at the same place at the same time, there was no reason to write. The letters also reflect the sheer variety of skills/departments Fredersdorf has - Fritz writes to him equally about managing musicians and actors (contracts of same, persuading La Gasparini that Fritz when hiring La Astura does not mean this as a disparagement to her, etc.), managing spies within the Austrian camp, changing decoding and cypher, anything regarding transport of equipment or travelling worriest, family worries (during Wilhelmine's visit, he notices she's sick, too, and worries about her), and loss of friends. When Keyserling dies, it's really crushing; we have far fewer letters from Fredersdorf, but one is about Keyserling's baby daughter who he assures Fritz already looks a bit like dad - Editor tells us Fritz kept being benevolently minded towards this daughter for his remaining life).
Re: all the health stuff, Editor apologizes this even includes bodily fluids or lack of same in the interest of historical fidelity. He points out Fritz keeps downplaying his own concerns and focuses on Fredersdorf's (who does the same), which is true. And the tenderness in all the many variations of "take care of yourself" is really striking. At the same time, the few preserved Fredersdorf letters to show the social difference keenly, in that Fredersdorf consistently keeps writing "Your Majesty" and "your servant" and rarely allows himself a bit of teasing back (though he does it, once in a sentence where he writes "and please please take your medicine, I'll kiss your feet once you recover"). (Fredersdorf's spelling, btw, isn't that much better, but then this was before Duden standardized German spelling in the 19th century, full stop.)
More linguistics: I found it interesting that Fritz when rendering French names in these letters spells them phonetically, not (as he knows how to do) in the correct French manner - so "Bische", not "Biche", for example. Also, for a famous Deist verging on Atheist, the "Gott bewahre dir" ("Gott keep you", and Fritz is using the wrong grammatical form - it should be "Gott bewahre dich") as a standard goodbye is noteworthy.
Oh, and: in one letter from the late second Silesian war, Fritz mentions "little Hendrich" (sic) being with him. Editor informs us this is 19 years old Heinrich. Since otherwise in the fraternal correspondance it's Henri all the way, this makes me wonder: does Fritz write "Heinrich" or rather "Hendrich" because otherwise Fredersdorf wouldn't know whom he meant, or because he thinks of him in the German variation of the name?
Neat trivia learned from the letters: in the late 40s, Franz Stephan sends some Hungarian wine to Fritz and his best wishes with the hope of renewing their "youthful friendship". Editor tells us that Franzl may or may not have meant that (after explaining about young FS of Lorraine passing through Prussia on his Grand Tour and being charmed by Fritz) but his wife sure didn't and for SOME reason kept on hating poor, poor Fritz.
Letter excerpts, first from Fredersdorf, since we already had some from Fritz and since it illustrates, as mentioned above, the sheer variety of what he's responsible for. I don't know whether either of you is familiar with Iron Man, but basically: reading this, I've come to the conclusion that Fredersdorf is Pepper Potts.
Spy stuff: "Geheimrat Eichel has sent me the promised new cyphres this afternoon. According to his desire I've translated from No.4 so he can see that "the man" is no liar. Marked explicitly (where I left of) so that whoever continues translating in the future can't miss it. Have paid the full 100 Gulden for April to "the man"."
re: Widow and daughter of dead Keyserling:
As your royal majesty has ordered, I've given 1000 Taler for little Keyserling to her mother. The mother was deeply touched by your remembrance, and the little replica talks and talks like a rattle, she is the image of the original, delightful and vivacious.
re: placing of courtiers - that's the one I already mentioned:
The entourage of her Majesty the Queen Mother and of Princess Amalie amounts to 45 people. I've given the names to the chatelaine of Charlottenburg so everyone knows where they'll sleep, and when to arrive. Her Majesty the Queen humbly asks whether your royal Majesty allows her to come as well. Her entourage consists of five people.
re: managing opera singers, at the end of a longer tale of Gasparini vs Astrua:
...(Gasparini) asks for a six months vacation in order to bring her daughter to Italy. She also asks for her salary to be advanced for said six months. She swears that she'll return, as she's an honest woman. She's reading to put this in writing. Talking to theatre people one after another feels like being among kettles banging!
(Fritz: Gasparini will have to be concent with a five months vacation, but only after signing her contract!)
Clothing ordering for Fritz, apropos the planned journey to Bayreuth to attend the wedding of Wilhelmine's daughter (he had to cancel due to sickness at the last minute and sent Heinrich instead). I include this because it's a further demonstration against the "he only wore uniform ever post ascension to the throne" image and because the sheer opulence is so very 18th century:
Fritz: Before my trip to Bayreuth, I need two new suits. Blue velvet, gold threaded, with silver vest and gold threaded buttons, the second soft blue without velved but gold threaded, a vest in citrus yellow with silver buttons. How much will each cost?
(That he ordered his wedding suits - which were delivered - and changed his plans really at the last moment belies, btw, some biographer's theory that he didn't really want to go to the wedding and just pretended to be sick.)
When Wilhelmine is in Berlin in the autumn of 1750, she's not the only one who caught the flu. So did Chacot and SD:
"I'm glad that my sister and Chacot are bette. I hope the Queen Mother is not seriously affected.
I will be in Berlin at the 21st around 12:00. If my sister is well and it is convenient to her, I'll have lunch with her. If it is trouble to her, I will stay at home and will visit her and the Queen Mother in the afternoon in Monbijou. God keep you!"
And lastly, one of the typical health worry/love letters. Fritz is chiding Fredersdorf for insisting to get up before he's completely recovered. Unfortunately, a translation can't provide the sheer immediacy of the informal slang German (for example, he doesn't write "sterben" when I translate "you'll die", he writes "so gehest du drauf", for which the modern equivalent would be "then you'll kick the bucket!":
"I thought you loved me and wouldn't want to cause me grief by killing yourself. Now I don't know what to believe! But you must believe I only want what's best for you and that the diet and the medicine is only prescribed so you can recover your health again. I beg you, listen to me, and remember you promised me! Please recall Rothenburg who killed himself by infecting himself with podagra through drinking Hungarian wine and eating a hot soup. Your illness is no laughing matter, and if you don't follow a correct diet and take the right prescribed medicine, you'll die! Think about how this would grieve me! If you love me, then listen exactly to the prescriptions! God keep you! Don't write back!"
And now, the conclusion: Okay, Editor continues to fanboy Fritz like it's a life or death competition between him and Peter III. I'm not bothering to repeat his political explanations of how the 7 years War came to be, as they amount to: Fritz was right, everyone else was wrong. Editor also thinks it's time to say something about Fritz & religion, Fritz & philosophy and Fritz & Voltaire. His take: Fritz stopped believing in the immortality of the soul as a young man, but continued to believe in God. The summary of the Fritz and Voltaire saga, however - which has to be explained because Voltaire actually writes to Fredersdorf during his fallout time with Fritz! - contains some hilarious gems I simply have to share. Editor on Voltaire/Emilie du Chatelet, explaining this relationship was why Voltaire didn't hasten to Fritz' side at once in 1740:
The poet was tied up in his love to a sophisticated woman, the Marquise du Chatelet, despite the fact this otherwise so touchy man saw himself condemned to the tragic-comic role of a lover who did not solely have to put up with a husband, but also a more fortunate second lover. But perhaps he proved in this relationship - which made posterity mock him - to be a decent human being for a change, being content of conducting a purely spiritual love affair, the fervor of which did not lessen.
Editor about Fritz/Voltaire, the early days: The King was, if one permits the expression, intellectually in love with Voltaire, who for his part was honestly delighted by Friedrich's personality. An inner kinship of these two men cannot be denied (...) But soon, the relationship had to darken due to the many morally despicable traits in Voltaire's being, which were badly connected to his sublime mind. Let us follow the King on his path of suffering with a few brief hints. (Editor, you can compete with Lehndorff in your emo love for your problematic fave, is what I'm saying.)
Now, the letter from Voltaire to Fredersdorf:
Monsieur - I ask you to forward the attached letter to his majesty. (...) He must understand the overwhelming amount of my pain and the horror about my situation. There is one thing, I have to confess, which would console me a little. If the King, who still owes me the salary of eight months with 3000 Taler per month would have the kindness to grace me with his portrait, I could forgo said salary I am still owed by him. I leave this all to your generosity and your wisdom. It would also be a particular favour if this would all be kept from the public and I were allowed to leave without embarassing attention. Only the French ambassador knows of my letter, as he just came to me while I was writing. I ask you, Monsieur, to believe I remain full of intense gratitude your devoted servant Voltaire.
Editor seethes with indignation and declares himself still baffled that Fritz ever started to correspond again with this perfidious Frenchman. Reader can't help but notice that Voltaire's letter is written in French - the collection contains both the French original and a German translation by editor - which means Fredersdorf knew at least enough French to comprehend this one.
Back to health, the enternal correspondance subject. Not just F & F's, no, also that of the dog's. As poor Biche - again, Fritz writese "Bische, i.e. the phonetic German rendition of the French name - must remain dead after ten doctors cured her; Mene (Alkmene) is not supposed to take anything but petit lait, and no dog doctor must touch her!
New subject: Fritz complaining about his younger relations. The two nephews here are the sons of Friederike Luise and Charlotte:
If one makes children, one has worries; and if one lacks children, one's sisterchildren do the job. (Yes, Fritz is using the even then old fashioned and very Tolkien like term "Schwesterkinder".) Two just arrived here who claim their uncle is a miser, and they won't leave without more money. Their poor uncle has already bled dry with the sisters and has decided to create gold via alchemy, otherwise things will get critical.
The bit about alchemy is also teasing, because Fredersdorf was seriously interested in alchemy and the philosopher's stone. So was Fritz, though Editor says that Son of Enlightenment Fritz only pretended to be interested to indulge Fredersdorf and really knew it was all rubbish and you couldn't make gold this way. Anyway, there's quite a lot about alchemists and their various methods. (Context of the era: Cagliostro in Paris was having a hit with a "surefire" method of making gold back then. Casanova did, too, though his method was inventing the modern lottery as a way for the state to make money. If you were an adventurer/con man, you sooner or later claimed to have found a way to make gold in that time.)
Still on a financial note, Fritz notes with approval not too much later, when the nephews in question are still there:My sister of Bayreuth arrives net Thursday, please prepare all for her arrival. As she doesn't want compliments, we won't have further expenses other than board wages.
("Compliments" are of course monetary presents in this context.)
Editor mentions the Fritz not giving a fuck about what Uncle George thinks about making Jacobite Keith ambassador business and compares the Fritz-Uncle George relationship with Willy- Uncle Bertie (aka Edward VII, Victoria's son). Methinks Willy thought that, too, and forgot that he didn't have Fritz' abilities to compensate for indulging in pissing off your British relations. The reason why Editor mentions it is that Fritz in a letter to Fredersdorf asks him to forward a letter to "Milord Marechal" i.e. Keith.
And now we get to November 53, and wedding bells for Fredersdorf. Now, I was really curious about that letter, which has been quoted from in various biographies, at times being presented as Fritz being bitter and mocking, at others concerned. Here it is. (Letter 140, page 240, Mildred.)
Get yourself married better today than tomorrow if that helps with your nursing. And if you want to take a little page and a hunter with you, you may do so. Just avoid all that upsets you if at all possible, for it could cause your death. I am very sorry about yesterday's attack, which is another setback. Please continue with the Tissane (Editor says: Disgusting tasting healing drought) . If you could drink it for a month, it would surely have good results, would sweeten your blood, take the acid of matter, would soothe your pains and wold heal your ulcers. Please, please take care of yourself, I beg you urgently. God keep you!
Conclusion: does not read like taunting mockery to me at all, but more of the concerned and loving vein as previous. Though the Editor does wonder whether the second sentence is Fritz the marriage enemy making a (fatherly) joke. Editor gives a date for Fredersdorf's wedding - 30th December 1753 - and also says that he has no intention of commenting on certain "insinuations regarding Fredersdorf's family situation". Whether he means insinuations re: sexual inclination or re: disorderly finances, he does not say!
So how bad off was Fredersdorf? Apparently he still could do his organizing - Fritz talks theatre business with him during that same month, November 1753, the hiring and firing of singers etc, and also of politics, joking that "it doesn't look opera like for Prussia in the world" or "to hell with everyone getting their noses near East Prussia or Friesland!" (Fredersdorf is also still playing handler for spies.) Oh, and expenses for presents to the sisters and sisters-in-law, from which we learn Fritz does his own shopping for Wilhelmine and SD but expects Fredersdorf to shop for everyone else.
Editor says nothing about a post-marriage estrangement between Fritz and Fredersdorf. But he has another go at Wilhelmine for daring to try and reconcile her brother with Voltaire, and for daring to continue corresponding with Voltaire herself. (And visiting him in France.) This apropos a 1755 letter from Fritz to Fredersdorf.
Write to Ademar that my sister is free to do as she pleases. If she wants to have Voltaire, I wish her more luck than I've had. But I would not advise her to it, for that man has a terrible and ugly character.
Cue editor going on about Wihelhelmine being a) a blind Voltaire fangirl ("who was hopelessly fallen for Voltaire" - mind you, all the ranting about Wilhelmine's Voltaire addiction and shameless corresponding is written by the same man who just a few pages earlier was baffled that Fritz resumed the correspondance but explained it of the goodness of Fritz' heart) and b) a heartless sister, forcing her brother to think of that horrible man and surely making him remember how she failed him by consorting with his enemies on previous occasions.
One gem Editor quotes from a letter from Fritz to Marshal Keith, about Voltaire's 1753 job hunting: "The poet demanded of the Queen of Hungary to take him into her service. She replied with wit that a Voltaire had his place on Parnassos, and as Vienna did not have a Parnassos, they could not receive him in a worthy manner." Fritz! Quotes MT! With approval! A moment of silence, please.
Lastly, a linguistic note - Fritz writes "Volter", not "Voltaire", i.e. he's using the phonetic German spelling in his Fredersdorf letters as with the other French words.
One of Fredersdorf's letters contains the interesting info Algarotti hasn't tried to use his Prussian salary from his account during his absence so far (July 1754) and concludes that "one sees this means he does not intend to return". A year later, though, 1755, Fredersdorf mentions that Algarotti personally persuading a (female) singer Fritz wanted to have to come to Berlin and that he sends his devotions to Fritz through her, swearing eternal friendship. (From far, far away.)
Newly revealed detail: Mimi the monkey was a female! Because Fritz writes "die Mimi", and he ought to know. Makes more sense of the name, too. Context: chiding Fredersdorf for not taking his medicine in the correct order. "For you are like Mimi! If one believes one is holding her tight, she jumps from place to place in the room!
Oh good lord. Editor when making a context remark about the British-French wars in the colonies talks about how the "Germanic-Protestant" colonists naturally proved themselves stronger than those soft French and other Latin countries descended ones. Editor, this together with your footnotes on Jewish people makes me fear the worst as to what you'll do in a few years.
The last letter Editor includes is from April 18th 1756. There is zilch about an enstragement or dismissal for dishonorable reasons. What happened to Fredesdorf, Editor doesn't say in his his concluding notes, either. They're all about the greatness of Frederick, and may it inspire the German hearts wounded and crushed by the last war (i.e. WWI) to aspire to greatness again. ... Yeah. Sadly, I don't think he means German hearts should be inspired to write tender letters to their life partners.
But anyway: it was totally worth it, and Mildred, thank you so much for this book!
Addendum:
Lehndorff About Fredersdorf:
on October 25th, 1757:
I make only one more visit, to the famous Fredersdorf, who under the title of "valet to the King" has played the role of prime minister for so long. For if anyone deserves this title, he does. At least he enjoyed such renown in the world that I have often seen him surrounded by knights and excellencies who made pretty deep bows to him, and his antechambre was often filled with state ministers and great lords. As far as I was concerned, I never had the cowardice to flatter him, nor did I seek him out except for now, when he no longer is connected to his majesty. His ill health, his jealousy of the famous Glasow, his riches and especially his desire for a quiet life have caused him to beg the King long enough so that the King allowed him to resign his positions. For this man basically filled out all the court offices. He supervised all the buildings, the King's accounts and treasure, all the staff, in short, after the King he was the only one who ruled, and often did so somewhat despotically. He is currently even more sick, the hemmorhoides have nearly devoured him. It is not a little amazing that a common man from the most backward Pommarania without any education could aquire such decency, grace of conduct and quickness of mind. A very pretty face aided him and was the beginning of his fortune, and through his intelligence, he managed to keep and defend such a difficult position as his. Most of all, though, I admire that he was able to withdraw in time, which is such a delicate matter for men who have a position equal to that of a beautiful woman when she notices her looks are fading. I remain with him until 11 in the evening and then return to the house of Frau V. Ingersleben, where I am lodging.
