Carlyle's "History of Friedrich II of Prussia" BOOK VIII.
Page: 16

manoeuvre perfect all, to the meanest drummer or black
kettle-drummer:--supreme drill-sergeant playing on the thing, as
on his huge piano, several square miles in area! Comes of the Old
Dessauer, all this; of the "equal step;" of the abstruse
meditations upon tactics, in that rough head of his. Very pretty
indeed.--But in the mean while an Official steps up: cap in hand,
approaches the Queen's carriage; says, He is ordered to introduce
his Highness the Prince of Baireuth. Prince comes up accordingly;
a personable young fellow; intelligent-looking, self-possessed;
makes obeisance to her Majesty, who answers in frosty politeness;
and--and Wilhelmina, faint, fasting, sleepless all night, fairly
falls aswoon. Could not be helped: and the whole world saw it;
and Guy Dickens and the Diplomatists wrote home about it, and
there rose rumor and gossip enough! [Dickens, of 2d June, 1731 (in
pathetic terms); Wilhelmina, i. 341 (without pathos).] But that
was the naked truth of it: hot weather, agitation, want of sleep,
want of food; not aversion to the Hereditary Prince, nothing of
that. Rather the contrary, indeed; and, on better acquaintance,
much the contrary. For he proved a very rational, honorable and
eligible young Prince: modest, honest, with abundance of sense and
spirit; kind too and good, hot temper well kept, temper hot not
harsh; quietly holds his own in all circles; good discourse in
him, too, and sharp repartee if requisite,--though he stammered
somewhat in speaking. Submissive Wilhelmina feels that one might
easily have had a worse husband. What glories for you in England!
the Queen used. to say to her in old times: "He is a Prince, that
Frederick, who has a good heart, and whose genius is very small.
Rather ugly than handsome; slightly out of shape even (UN PEU
CONTREFAIT). But provided you have the complaisance to suffer his
debaucheries, you will quite govern him; and you will be more King
than he, when once his Father is dead. Only see what a part you
will play! It will be you that decide on the weal or woe of
Europe, and give law to the Nation," [Wilhelmina, i. 143.]--in a
manner! Which Wilhelmina did not think a celestial prospect even