who Fritz described as like the sun breaking through the clouds
Oh, yes, that's right. Makes perfect sense. (I actually read a quote in an article written by Luh of all people, he-who-doesn't-think-Fritz-had-friends, that Fritz might have been so drawn to Keyserlingk because his extroverted and freely given affection and lack of restraint was very much the opposite of what Fritz was used to in his youth and family. Which seems plausible to me. Also, if FW had even an inkling of that after the escape attempt, keeping them apart might have been part of his "isolate Fritz and make him think he has no-one" strategy, although it doesn't exactly explain why he still disapproved later on. Unless he got wise re: dissolution, as Wilhelmine calls it, although I still don't know what exactly she means by that, given that she also calls Fritz that at one point.)
Between Bielfeld and König, we can certainly say that Keyserlingk invited descriptions in the form of rapid-fire lists of all the things he was doing within ten minutes. :P And the "friends with everybody" also fits with König's assertion that they were great friends - although, once again, just like with his marriage, he must have managed to make Fritz feel special despite being this way.
Nice to see that Bielfeld confirms König's data re: Keyserlingk's illness after Fritz became king.
Some more info on Keyserlingk's background from his eulogy: His father died when he was nine and his mother was in charge of his education after that. "He was sent to Königsberg, where he made so much progress that at the age of 17, four speeches delivered in the same day, in Greek, Latin, French & German, had him receive a membership of the University. His work was ever more assiduous. Philosophy, Mathematics, Eloquence & Poetry occupied him at the same time, and he succeeded in all of them." He also had great skill in physical activities like dancing. Grand Tour started in 1720 - Germany, Netherlands, two years in Paris - then returned to Berlin and entered Prussian service as a Lieutenant, got a regiment, became governor for Fritz. (I still don't know what exactly FW saw in him, beyond being a soldier.) "Special circumstances [:PP] soon removed him from his Master, and made him return to his regiment. But the absence made him lose nothing; and as soon as the Prince had become King, M. de Keyserlingk found his fortune as advanced as if he had spent his life paying court to him." Passion for Fritz and marriage see above, more poetry writing, then bad health and early death, upon which the King "shed tears on his ashes". :(
Re: Keyserlingk, sensational gossip, and Royal Reader request
Oh, yes, that's right. Makes perfect sense. (I actually read a quote in an article written by Luh of all people, he-who-doesn't-think-Fritz-had-friends, that Fritz might have been so drawn to Keyserlingk because his extroverted and freely given affection and lack of restraint was very much the opposite of what Fritz was used to in his youth and family. Which seems plausible to me. Also, if FW had even an inkling of that after the escape attempt, keeping them apart might have been part of his "isolate Fritz and make him think he has no-one" strategy, although it doesn't exactly explain why he still disapproved later on. Unless he got wise re: dissolution, as Wilhelmine calls it, although I still don't know what exactly she means by that, given that she also calls Fritz that at one point.)
Between Bielfeld and König, we can certainly say that Keyserlingk invited descriptions in the form of rapid-fire lists of all the things he was doing within ten minutes. :P And the "friends with everybody" also fits with König's assertion that they were great friends - although, once again, just like with his marriage, he must have managed to make Fritz feel special despite being this way.
Nice to see that Bielfeld confirms König's data re: Keyserlingk's illness after Fritz became king.
Some more info on Keyserlingk's background from his eulogy: His father died when he was nine and his mother was in charge of his education after that. "He was sent to Königsberg, where he made so much progress that at the age of 17, four speeches delivered in the same day, in Greek, Latin, French & German, had him receive a membership of the University. His work was ever more assiduous. Philosophy, Mathematics, Eloquence & Poetry occupied him at the same time, and he succeeded in all of them." He also had great skill in physical activities like dancing.
Grand Tour started in 1720 - Germany, Netherlands, two years in Paris - then returned to Berlin and entered Prussian service as a Lieutenant, got a regiment, became governor for Fritz. (I still don't know what exactly FW saw in him, beyond being a soldier.) "Special circumstances [:PP] soon removed him from his Master, and made him return to his regiment. But the absence made him lose nothing; and as soon as the Prince had become King, M. de Keyserlingk found his fortune as advanced as if he had spent his life paying court to him." Passion for Fritz and marriage see above, more poetry writing, then bad health and early death, upon which the King "shed tears on his ashes". :(