FREDERICK THE GREAT AND THE EMPEROR WILLIAM: A PARALLEL.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") SIE,---The Emperor William is, we know, a student of his family history. " Fugleman he," too, "to the European nations, just about bursting up on such an adventure," he is probably aware how closely he is following in the steps of his great predecessor. At any rate, the parallel is interesting "The truth is, Friedrich begins to see more clearly than he didWith Gloire dazzling him, that his position is an exceedingly grave one, fall of risk, in' the then mood and condition of the world ; that he, in the whole world has no sure friend but his Army ; and that in regard to it he cannot be too vigilant ! The world is ominous to this youngest of Kings more than to another. Sounds as. of general Political Earthquake grumble audibly to him from the deeps : all Europe likely, in any event, to get to loggerheads on this Austrian Pragmatic matter ; the Nations all watching him, to see what he will make of it :—fugleman he to the European nations, just about bursting up on such an adventure. It may be a glorious position, or a not glorious; but, for certain, it is a dangerous one, and awfully solitary ! Fuglemen the world and its Nations always have when simultaneously bent anywhither, wisely or unwisely ; and it is natural that the most adventurous spirit take that p 'st. Fried- rich has not sought the post ; but following his own objects, has got it ; and will be ignominiously lost, and trampled to annihila- tion under the hoofs of the world, if he do not mind ! To keep well ahead ;—to be as rapid as possible; that were good ;—to step aside were still better ! And Friedrich we find is very
anxious for that."—Carlyle, " History of Friedrich I Book XII., Chap. 9.
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