Historical Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 47

[cahn]

We haven't had a new post since before December 25, so obligatory Yuletide link to this hilarious story of Frederick the Great babysitting his bratty little brother, with bonus Fritz/Fredersdorf!

Comments

Re: 1764-1772 Foreign policy: Sweden: The Hats and Caps, an eternal merry-go-round

[cahn]

t's worth requoting Lehndorff's description of Ulrike during her lengthy visit to Brandenburg:

Yes, thank you for this!

But alas, these brilliant qualities only bring her misfortune. For she has not learned to make her life agreeable to herself, as she could in her high position. On the contrary, this position contributes to making her unhappy. She knows no higher happiness than despotic rule while living in a country where the very phrase is a crime.

This is the kind of thing that reminds me why we love Lehndorff. This is such a pungent description.

Re: 1764-1772 Foreign policy: Sweden: The Hats and Caps, an eternal merry-go-round

[selenak]

What I especially love is that he comes up with these gems independent from whether the person he describes is famous, like in the case of Count Wartenberg, the sugar hoarder whom he knew in EC's household. I don't know whether he'd have written could fiction if he'd ever applied his craft to publishing, but non-fiction, he had true talent for. Travelogues, perhaps, which an 18th century nobleman could publish.

Re: 1764-1772 Foreign policy: Sweden: The Hats and Caps, an eternal merry-go-round

[cahn]

Travelogues would be great! in my AU where Lehndorff is the feted author of the 18th century :D