cahn

And including Emperor Joseph II!

from Derek Beales: Joseph II, Volume 2: Against the World, 1780 - 1790:

Joseph's alleged comment to Mozart about the Entführung, "Too many notes", has been taken as evidence of his ignorance. But he probably said something like, "Too beautiful for our ears, and monstrous many notes." It is always necessary to bear in mind, when appraising the emperor's remarks, his peculiar brand of humor or sarcasm. He was usually getting at someone. And he did not use the royal "we". The ears in question were those of the Viennese audience, whom he was mocking for their limited appreciation of Mozart's elaborate music.

(though not gonna lie, I think it is a LOT of notes)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

selenak

I have a very crowded week, but this is adorable. Re: Biche II, I didn‘t know she existed, either, but then I did know there were two Alcmenes, and I think two Dianes, so that makes sense.

Belated payment: figures - otoh, Fritz is thrifty, otoh, he‘s sure to regard money for Biche related expenses as debts of honor. Thus: belated, but paid?

Rhinozeros - what now? They‘re both rare and really hard to transport alive as Pope Leo found out. Though wait, I think there was a Rhino named Clara who travelled through 18th century Europe and as a bit success with both Fritz and MT, but owned by neither of them. Fritz probably paid the Dutchman for bringing her for him to see.

From:

felis

I think there was a Rhino named Clara who travelled through 18th century Europe

And that's exactly it, thank you! Clara has her own extensive wiki entry, which contains this: In April of [1746], Clara made a breathtaking visit to Berlin, where King Frederick II of Prussia visited her at the Spittelmarkt on April 26: Douwe Mout paraded Clara at the market between the fish stalls; fish oil served as a humectant for the rhino's skin. Frederick the Great publicly presented the showman with twelve ducats, which he had supplemented with a further six the next day. From there she got transported through other cities, until MT and FS saw her in Wien in November (and apparently one-upped Fritz by not only giving money but also ennobling Douwe Mout).

In hindsight, I really should have guessed, given that 18 ducats, i.e. roughly 50 thaler, is definitely not enough for buying the rhino, but certainly enough for seeing it. Nice to have that cleared up, it even explains the split sum. (Also shows that there seems to have been a lag time of a couple weeks between payment (in April) and book-keeping entry (in May), so who knows how that went with the Biche related payments.)

From:

mildred_of_midgard

That's so cool! I didn't know about Clara. This has totally gone into the Frederician chronology. :D And now we know what Fritz was doing that month when he wasn't writing ~~the touching love story of his brother~~ infuriating letters about Marwitz. :P

We should also get your findings plus Clara plus my arrears comment into Rheinsberg at some point.

(Also shows that there seems to have been a lag time of a couple weeks between payment (in April) and book-keeping entry (in May), so who knows how that went with the Biche related payments.)

Yeah, it could be merely a lag in recording the payment, or, as noted in my other comment, actually being in arrears.

From:

felis

This has totally gone into the Frederician chronology.

Just a tiny caveat here, because I couldn't leave well enough alone: While the wiki entry and the newer literature it's based on all state the April 26 date very confidently, I couldn't get farther than a 1969 book without google preview for it. Rödenbeck on the other hand says the Rhino arrived on May 6 and while he isn't always reliable and doesn't tell me where he got that from either, it would fit the May bill better. To my surprise, the Berliner Nachrichten don't mention the rhino at all, but confirm that Fritz was in Berlin on May 6, and while there is no direct mention of his whereabouts on April 26, the implication seems to be that he was in Potsdam rather than Berlin. So, ballpark April/May, tiny question mark on the exact date.

And now we know what Fritz was doing that month when he wasn't writing the touching love story of his brother infuriating letters about Marwitz.

Plus hashing things out with Wilhelmine after their argument! I never put it together before, but he was quite busy with his sibling letters in spring 1746. AW also got some, including one dated April 26 from Potsdam (by Volz, not Fritz, but seems plausible given its content and AW's answer the next day), in which he says he's busy planting trees, plus one from a week earlier which has this gem: "if [there isn't another pregnancy in your house] soon, one should take your little prince and treat you like the hens who get their eggs taken away to make them lay new ones. Excuse this little joke, dear brother, considering my respect and friendship for you. [~~What you you mean you are insulted when I insult you?~~]". I feel like AW and Heinrich had ~~insults~~ things to compare that month... whereas Wilhelmine got more or less mature Fritz, particularly in May. I'm amused.

From:

selenak

I wasn't familiar with the quote to AW. Good lord. Yes, Fritz, it will be an utter mystery why AW and Heinrich side with each other whenever you are argueing with either of them...

("The little prince", aka FW2: I got this, Dad. He's so going to be buried next to his father!)

To my surprise, the Berliner Nachrichten don't mention the rhino at all

That is strange. You'd think they'd be all over it. Unfortunately 1746 is too early for Lehndorff, who surely would have noticed it as well.

From:

felis

Unfortunately 1746 is too early for Lehndorff

Something I've regretted before. Lehndorff, why couldn't your incredibly helpful self ~~(save for anything Katte-related)~~ be around from the beginning?!

From:

mildred_of_midgard

Chronology updated! It now looks like this:

1746, April: Marwitz letters.
1746, April/May: Fritz visits Clara the rhinoceros at the Spittelmarkt, pays 18 ducats.
1746, April 16: William, Duke of Cumberland, son of George II, defeats the Jacobites at Culloden, earning the nickname "Butcher Billy".
1746, May: Fritz visits the spa at Bad Pyrmont.
1746, May: Fritz accepts Wilhelmine's apology.

:D

From:

cahn

This whole thing about Clara the Rhino is amazing!

"if [there isn't another pregnancy in your house] soon, one should take your little prince and treat you like the hens who get their eggs taken away to make them lay new ones. Excuse this little joke, dear brother, considering my respect and friendship for you. [What you you mean you are insulted when I insult you?]".

OMG, that is something else! FRIIIIITZ! (I laughed at your second interpolation there, heeeee!)

From:

mildred_of_midgard

Just a tiny caveat here, because I couldn't leave well enough alone:

Hee, good for you!

one should take your little prince and treat you like the hens who get their eggs taken away to make them lay new ones. Excuse this little joke, dear brother, considering my respect and friendship for you.

Omg, FRITZ! Yeah, AW and Heinrich had some notes to compare about the firstborn this month, that's for sure.

[What you you mean you are insulted when I insult you?]"

I laughed!!

From:

mildred_of_midgard

Re: Biche II, I didn‘t know she existed, either, but then I did know there were two Alcmenes, and I think two Dianes, so that makes sense.

Same! Fritz the thrifty reused his dog names too. :D

Belated payment: figures - otoh, Fritz is thrifty, otoh, he‘s sure to regard money for Biche related expenses as debts of honor. Thus: belated, but paid?

I was going to say, this struck me as not odd at all. From all my reading about the 18th century, salary payments were in arrears for everyone, all the time, from the lowliest of lackeys to ministers negotiating treaties in foreign countries (this was why diplomats really needed to be independently wealthy). We're used to timely payouts as the rule and late payouts as the exception; I have the impression it was the other way around in the 18th century.