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history of friedrich ii of prussia v 16-第39章

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und; few months hence; and victoriously achieved a POLDER; or Diked Territory; 〃worth about 2;000 pounds annually;〃 〃which; in 1756; was sold to the STANDE;〃 at twenty…five years purchase; let us say; or for 50;000 pounds。 An example of a convincing nature; which many others; and ever others; have followed since; to gradual considerable diminution of the Dollart; and relief of Ost…Friesland on this side。 Furtherance of these things is much a concern of Friedrich's。 The second day after his arrival; those audiences and ceremonials done; Friedrich and suite got on board a Yacht; and sailed about all over this Dollart; twenty miles out to sea; dined on board; and would have; if the weather was bright (which I hope); a pleasantly edifying day。 The harbor is much in need of dredging; the building docks considerably in disrepair; but shall be refitted if this King live and prosper。 He has declared Embden a 〃Free…Haven;〃 inviting trade to it from all peaceable Nations;and readers do not know (though Sir Jonas Hanway and the jealous mercantile world well did) what magnificent Shipping Companies and Sea…Enterprises; of his devising; are afoot there。 Of which; one word; and no second shall follow:

〃September 1st; 1750; those Carrousel gayeties scarce done; 'The Asiatic Trading Company' stept formally into existence; Embden the Head…quarters of it; 'Patent; or FREYHEITS…BRIEF in  Helden…Geschichte;  iii。 457; 458。' chief Manager a Ritter De la Touche; one of the Directors our fantastic Bielfeld; thus turned to practical value。 A Company patronized; in all ways; by the King; but; for the rest; founded; not on his money; founded on voluntary shares; which; to the regret of Hanway and others; have had much popularity in commercial circles。 Will trade to China。 A thing looked at with umbrage by the English; by the Dutch。 A shame that English people should encourage such schemes; says Hanway。 Which nevertheless many Dutch and many English private persons do;among the latter; one English Lady (name unknown; but I always suspect 'Miss Barbara Wyndham; of the College; Salisbury'); concerning whom there will be honorable notice by and by。

〃At the time of Friedrich's visit; the Asiatic Company is in full vogue; making ready its first ship for Canton。 First ship; KONIG VON PREUSSEN (tons burden not given); actually sailed 17th February next (1752); and was followed by a second; named TOWN OF EMBDEN; on the 19th of September following; both of which prosperously reached Canton; and prosperously returned with cargoes of satisfactory profit。 The first of them; KONIG VON PREUSSEN; had been boarded in the Downs by an English Captain Thomson and his Frigate; and detained some days;till Thomson 'took Seven English seamen out of her。' 'Act of Parliament; express!' said his Grace of Newcastle。 Which done; Thomson found that the English jealousies would have to hold their hand; no farther; whatever one's wishes may be。

〃Nay within a year hence; January 24th; 1753; Friedrich founded another Company for India: 'BENGALISCHE HANDELS…GESELLSCHAFT;' which also sent out its pair of ships; perhaps oftener than once; and pointed; as the other was doing; to wide fields of enterprise; for some time。 But luck was wanting。 And; 'in part; mismanagement;' and; in whole; the Seven…Years War put an end to both Companies before long。 Friedrich is full of these thoughts; among his other Industrialisms; and never quits them for discouragement; but tries again; when the obstacles cease to be insuperable。 Ever since the acquisition of Ost…Friesland; the furtherance of Sea…Commerce had been one of Friedrich's chosen objects。 'Let us carry our own goods at least; Silesian linens; Memel timbers; stock…fish; what need of the Dutch to do it?' And in many branches his progress had been remarkable;especially in this carrying trade; while the War lasted; and crippled all Anti…English belligerents。 Upon which; indeed; and the conduct of the English Privateers to him; there is a Controversy going on with the English Court in those years (began in 1747); most distressful to his Grace of Newcastle;which in part explains those stingy procedures of Captain Thomson ('Home; you seven English sailors!') when the first Canton ship put to sea。 That Controversy is by no means ended after three years; but on the contrary; after two years more; comes to a crisis quite shocking to his Grace of Newcastle; and defying all solution on his Grace's side;the other Party; after such delays; five years waiting; having settled it for himself!〃 Of which; were the crisis come; we will give some account。

On the third day of his Visit; Friedrich drove to Aurich; the seat of Government; and official little capital of Ost…Friesland; where triumphal arches; joyful reverences; concourses; demonstrations; sumptuous Dinner one item; awaited his Majesty: I know not if; in the way thither or back; he passed those 〃Three huge Oaks 'or the rotted stems or roots of them' under which the Ancient Frisians; Lords of all between Weser and Rhine; were wont to assemble in Parliament〃 (WITHOUT Fourth Estate; or any Eloquence except of the purely Business sort);or what his thoughts on the late Ost…Friesland Bandbox Parliaments may have been! He returned to Embden that night; and on the morrow started homewards; we may fancy; tolerably pleased with what he had seen。

〃King Friedrich's main Objects of Pursuit in this Period;〃 says a certain Author; whom we often follow; 〃I define as being Three。 1。 Reform of the Law; 2。 Furtherance of Husbandry and Industry in all kinds; especially of Shipping from Embden; 3。 Improvement of his own Domesticities and Household Enjoyments;〃renewal of the Reinsberg Program; in short。

〃In the First of these objects;〃 continues he; 〃King Friedrich's success was very considerable; and got him great fame in the world。 In his Second head of efforts; that of improving the Industries and Husbandries among his People; his success; though less noised of in foreign parts; was to the near observer still more remarkable。 A perennial business with him; this; which; even in the time of War; he never neglects; and which springs out like a stemmed flood; whenever Peace leaves him free for it。 His labors by all methods to awaken new branches of industry; to cherish and further the old; are incessant; manifold; unwearied; and will surprise the uninstructed reader; when he comes to study them。 An airy; poetizing; bantering; lightly brilliant King; supposed to be serious mainly in things of War; how is he moiling and toiling; like an ever…vigilant Land…Steward; like the most industrious City Merchant; hardest…working Merchant's Clerk; to increase his industrial Capital by any the smallest item!

〃One day; these things will deserve to be studied to the bottom; and to be set forth; by writing hands that are competent; for the instruction and example of Workers;that is to say; of all men; Kings most of all; when there are again Kings。 At present; I can only say they astonish me; and put me to shame: the unresting diligence displayed in them; and the immense sum…total of them; what man; in any the noblest pursuit; can say that he has stood to it; six…and…forty years long; in the style of this m
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