And then there was that time when Andrew Mitchell was put on the spot by Fritz handing him a copy of his literary works and wanted feedback:
Freyberg, 30th March 1760
ABOUT a week ago, when I came to dine with the King of Prussia, I found a book laid upon the table, which, he told me, he intended for a present to me; the title of it is, “CEuvres du Philosophe de Sans Souci.” “He said it was of his writing, and had been the occupation of his leisure hours; that it contained some imitations of Horace, Lucretius, and Ovid ; that he never intended it for the public, though a few copies of it had been thrown off in his own press at Potsdam, some of which he had given to particular friends, &c.; that lately the book had been surreptitiously published in France, and since in Holland, with a view to hurt him, but that he had not yet been able to discover who had been guilty of this breach of trust; that, in reprint ing, several things were omitted, altered, or mangled, which laid him under the necessity of having it again printed more correctly and carefully; and he was pleased to add, that, so soon as the new edition was ready, he would give me a copy,” which I shall not fail to send to your Lordship.
In the mean time he desired me to read over that he gave me, and dropt a hint that he should be glad it was known in England “that this book had been published, not only without his consent, but against his will.” This declaration I considered as a sort of apology for the book, and had nothing more at heart than to look into it immediately; but my curiosity had like to cost me dear, for the Philosophe the next day asked my opinion, and, observing that I was shy and reserved upon the point, pressed and encouraged me to speak freely, which I, not caring to dissemble, complyed with more easily, as there are really more things to be admired than blamed in the book. I praised with decency and without exaggeration, and blamed with freedom where I thought I was well founded; and this has afforded matter of conversation for 5 or 6 days at table, when only his Majesty was present. The particulars are too minute to be transmitted, therefore I reserve them till I have the happiness to see you in England. It is but justice, however, to acquaint you that the King heard with candour and with temper my trifling remarks, and, at the same time, to declare, that of all the authors I ever conversed with, the ‘Philosophe de Sans Souci’ bears criticism the best."
Detective Mildred, I think you have discovered the true reason why Fredersdorf in several decades with Fritz did not learn enough French to correspond in. ;)
Doesn't it explain so much? He was clearly intelligent enough to master a new language if he'd put his mind to it. And it would have been such an obvious career move. But he had so many cautionary examples before his eyes.
Also, I've always thought one of the best and most underrated lines from Voltaire's memoirs is this one, from immediately after the 1753 breakup:
Leaving my palace of Alcina, I went to pass a month with the Dutchess of Saxe-Gotha, the best of Princesses, full of gentleness, discretion, and equanimity, and who, God be thanked, did not make verses.
I remember laughing out loud when I first read it, and it still has the power to make me dissolve into helpless sniggering.
It's a golden sentence. I've just read a very short novella (in German) about the Voltaire-Emilie-Fritz triangle which somehow manages to make this great story bland, so can't rec it, but the author does quote that sentence as well.
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Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Freyberg, 30th March 1760
ABOUT a week ago, when I came to dine with the King of Prussia, I found a book laid upon the table, which, he told me, he intended for a present to me; the title of it is, “CEuvres du Philosophe de Sans Souci.” “He said it was of his writing, and had been the occupation of his leisure hours; that it contained some imitations of Horace, Lucretius, and Ovid ; that he
never intended it for the public, though a few copies of it had been thrown off in his own press at Potsdam, some of which he had given to particular friends, &c.; that lately the book had been surreptitiously published in France, and since in Holland, with a view to hurt him, but that he had not yet been able to discover who had been guilty of this breach of trust; that, in reprint ing, several things were omitted, altered, or mangled, which laid him under the necessity of having it again
printed more correctly and carefully; and he was pleased to add, that, so soon as the new edition was ready, he would give me a copy,” which I shall not fail to send to your Lordship.
In the mean time he desired me to read over that he gave me, and dropt a hint that he should be glad it was known in England “that this book had been published, not only without his consent, but against his will.” This declaration I considered as a sort of apology for the book, and had nothing more at heart than to look into it immediately; but my curiosity had like to cost me dear, for the Philosophe the next day asked my opinion, and, observing that I was shy and reserved upon the point, pressed and encouraged me to speak freely, which I, not caring to dissemble, complyed with more easily, as there are really more things to be admired than blamed in the book. I praised with decency and without exaggeration, and blamed with freedom where I thought I was well founded; and this has afforded matter of conversation for 5 or 6 days at table, when only his Majesty was present. The particulars are too minute to be transmitted, therefore I reserve them till I have the happiness to see you in England. It is but justice, however, to acquaint you that the King heard with candour and with temper my trifling remarks, and, at the same time, to declare, that of all the authors I ever conversed with, the ‘Philosophe de Sans Souci’ bears criticism the best."
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Catt, Hille, Voltaire, Algarotti, everyone: We've all been there, Mitchell.
Fredersdorf: Je ne parle pas français!
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Fredersdorf was truly a wise man.
:D
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Fredersdorf, you were awesome <3
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Leaving my palace of Alcina, I went to pass a month with the Dutchess of Saxe-Gotha, the best of Princesses, full of gentleness, discretion, and equanimity, and who, God be thanked, did not make verses.
I remember laughing out loud when I first read it, and it still has the power to make me dissolve into helpless sniggering.
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
for the Philosophe the next day asked my opinion
OMG, Fritz. This is why your writer friends kept running away! (Well, one of the reasons.)
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take
Re: Fritz as a writer: an early Victorian take