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ugh persons of name in Jurisprudence call it meritorious in their Science; the first real attempt at a Code in Modern times。 But the truth is; this Cocceji CODEX remained a PROJECT merely; never enacted anywhere。 It was not till 1773; that Friedrich made actual attempt to build a Law…Code and did build one (the foundation…story of one; for his share; completed since); in which this of Cocceji had little part。 In 1773; the thing must again be mentioned; the 〃Second Law…Reform;〃 as they call it。 What we practically know from this time is; That Prussian Lawsuits; through Friedrich's Reign; do all terminate; or push at their utmost for terminating; within one year from birth; and that Friedrich's fame; as a beneficent Justinian; rose high in all Countries (strange; in Countries that had thought him a War…scourge and Conquering Hero); strange; but undeniable; 'See Gentleman's Magazine; xx。 215…218 (〃May; 1750〃): eloquent; enthusiastic LETTER; given there; 〃of Baron de Spon to Chancellor D'Aguessan;〃 on these inimitable Law Achievements。' and that his own People; if more silently; yet in practice very gladly indeed; welcomed his Law…Reform; and; from day to day; enjoyed the same;no doubt with occasional remembrance who the Donor was。
Of Friedrich's Literary works; nobody; not even Friedrich himself; will think it necessary that we say much。 But the fact is; he is doing a great many things that way: in Prose; the MEMOIRS OF BRANDENBURG; coming out as Papers in the Academy from time to time; 'From 1746 and onward: first published complete (after slight revision by Voltaire); Berlin; 1751。' in Verse; very secret as yet; the PALLADION (〃exquisite Burlesque;〃 think some); the ART OF WAR (reckoned truly his best Piece in verse):and wishes sometimes he had Voltaire here to perfect him a little。 This too would be one of the practical charms of Voltaire。 'Friedrich's Letter to Algarotti ( OEuvres; xviii。 66); 〃12th September; 1749。〃' For though King Friedrich knows and remembers always; that these things; especially the Verse part; are mere amusements in comparison; he has the creditable wish to do these well; one would not fantasy ILL even on the Flute; if one could help it。 〃Why does n't Voltaire come; as Quantz of the Flute has done?〃 Friedrich; now that Voltaire has fallen widower; renews his pressings; 〃Why don't you come?〃 Patience; your Majesty; Voltaire will come。
Nobody can wish details in this Department: but there is one thing necessary to be mentioned; That Friedrich in these years; 1749…1752; has Printers out at Potsdam; and is Printing; 〃in beautiful quarto form; with copperplates;〃 to the extent of twelve copies; the OEUVRES (Poetical; that is) DU PHILOSOPHE DE SANS…SOUCI。 Only twelve copies; I have heard; gift of a single copy indicating that you are among the choicest of the chosen。 Copies have now fallen extremely rare (and are not in request at all; with my readers or me); but there was one Copy which; or the Mis…title of which; as OEUVRE DE 〃POESHIE〃 DU ROI MON MAITRE; became miraculously famous in a year or two;and is still memorable to us all! On Voltaire's arrival; we shall hear more of these things。 Enough to say at present that the OEUVRES DU PHILOSOPHE DE SANS…SOUCI: AU DONJON DU CHATEAU: AVEC PRIVILEGE D'APOLLON;〃three thinnish quarto volumes; all the Poetry then on hand;〃was finished early in 1750; before Voltaire came。 That; when Voltaire came; a revisal was undertaken; a new Edition; with Voltaire's corrections and other changes (total suppression of the PALLADION; for one creditable change): that this Edition was to have been in Two Volumes; that One; accordingly; rather thicker than the former sort; was got finished in 1752 (same TITLE; only the new Date; and 〃no DONJON DU CHATEAU this time〃); One Volume in 1752; after which; owing to the explosions that ensued; no Second came; nor ever will;and that the actual contents of that far… famed OEUVRE DE 〃POESHIE〃 (number of volumes even) are points of mystery to me; at this day。 'Herr Preussin the CHRONOLOGICAL LIST of Friedrich's Writings (a useful accurate Piece otherwise); and in two other places where he triesis very indistinct on this of DONJON DU CHATEAU; and it is all but impossible to ascertain from him WHAT; in an indisputable manner; the OEUVRE DE 〃POESHIE〃 may have been。 Here are the places for groping; if another should be induced to try: OEuvres de Frederic; x。 (Preface; p。 ix); IB。 xi。 (Preface; p。 ix); IB。 Table Chhronologique (in what Volume this is; you cannot yet say; seems preliminary to a GENERAL INDEX; which is infinitely wanted; but has not yet appeared to this Editor's aid); p。 14。'
Friedrich's other employments are multifarious as those of a Land's Husband (not inferior to his Father in that respect); and; like the benefits of the diurnal Sun; are to be considered incessant; innumerable and; in result to us…ward; SILENT also; impossible to speak of in this place。 From the highest pitch of State…craft (Russian Czarina now fallen plainly hostile; and needing lynx…eyed diplomacy ever and anon); down to that of Dredging and Fascine…work (as at Stettin and elsewhere); of Oder…canals; of Soap…boiler Companies; and Mulberry…and…Silk Companies; nay of ordaining Where; and where not; the Crows are to he shot; and (owing to cattle… murrain) No VEAL to be killed: 'Seyfarth; ii。 71; 83; 81; Preuss; Buch fur Jedermann; i。 101…109; &c。' daily comes the tide of great and of small; and daily the punctual Friedrich keeps abreast of it;and Dryasdust has noted the details; and stuffed them into blind sacks;for forty years。
The Review seasons; I notice; go somewhat as follows。 For Berlin and neighborhood; May; or perhaps end of April (weather now bright; and ground firm); sometimes with considerable pomp (〃both Queens out;〃 and beautiful Female Nobilities; in 〃twenty…four green tents〃); and often with great complicacy of manoeuvre。 In June; to Magdeburg; round by Cleve; and home again for some days。 July is Pommern: Onward thence to Schlesien; oftenest in August; Schlesien the last place; and generally not done with till well on in September。 But we will speak of these things; more specially; another time。 Such 〃Reviews;〃 for strictness of inspection civil and military; as probably were not seen in the world since;or before; except in the case of this King's Father only。
Chapter V。
STRANGERS OF NOTE COME TO BERLIN; IN 1750。
British Diplomacies; next to the Russian; cause some difficulties in those years: of which more by and by。 Early in 1748; while Aix… la…Chapelle was starting; Ex…Exchequer Legge came to Berlin; on some obscure object of a small Patch of Principality; hanging loose during those Negotiations: 〃Could not we secure it for his Royal Highness of Cumberland; thinks your Majesty?〃 Ex…Exchequer Legge was here; 'Coxe's Pelham; i。 431; &c。; Rodenbeck; pp。 155; 160 (first audience 1st May; 1748);recalled 22d November; Aix being over。' got handsome assurances of a general nature; but no furtherance towards his obscure; completely impracticable object; and went home in N