cahn

University students? Verrrrrry unlikely, I instinctively say, because according to all I've read so far, Fredersdorf's background was poor. If you wanted to study at a university, your parents had to pay for you all the way, apartment, tutors, the university itself, for everything, including your books. Scholarships weren't an option unless you had already a specific patron willing to pay for you. A little more than half a century later, when Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm go to grammar school and then to the university, they get by through a mixture of their aunt, who is a serving woman (not lady-in-waiting) to the Princess Elector of Hessen-Kassel, paying part of their fees and being so bright that some of the professors are willing to basically give them some credit. But they have three younger brothers, and by the time they are old enough to go the university, it's a choice between books for Jacob & Wilhelm or letting their younger brothers study as well. Younger bros are okay, not bad, but also not extraordinary. Younger brothers do not get to study; Jacob and Wilhelm get to continue to buy books. (Their father died when Jacob was 8, he was nominal head of the family since then, and their mother died when he was not yet twenty; he was defnitely head of the family then.) The point being - I really don't see how Fredersdorf's parents would have been able to afford university for him. Incidentally, I looked up the Lehndorff diary entry on meeting him which we had once quoted when we barely knew who Lehndorff was, and he, too, says Fredersdorf had had zilch education as a youth. (He doesn't say this as a put down but impressed that Fredersdorf was able to educate himself subsequently.) Now Lehndorff knew Fredersdorf only from afar and obviously was a toddler when he and Fritz met, but he's writing when Fredersdorf is still alive. And to refresh our collective memories, what he writes is this, 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.