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risking more, has achieved more, but has committed errours: while the other, who has also done much, has created no source of self reproach, and has known no reverses but those of his brother, which he did not happen to share with him and to repair. If we look for their models among the celebrated generals who preceded them, we may compare Frederick to the great Condé, and Henry to Turenne. Like those two great men, they presented to the world a contrast as remarkable as it was

brilliant; and it was even this difference of their qualities which produced consequen ces equally glorious to themselves and for tunate for their country. The methodical march of Henry would not perhaps alone have saved the Prussian monarchy, in the crisis in which she was placed by the war of seven years while the bold and often rash steps of Frederick would probably have ruined it, if he had been unsupported by the wisdom and the prudence of his brother."

Princes have often been reproach ed with want of gratitude: but perhaps that virtue is as common among them as among persons of far inferiour rank and station. The disappointed assign the natural consequences of their own indiscreet demands, or unreasonable expectations, to the charge of their superiours; and princes are more frequently called ungrateful than others, because the imaginary or real claims on their gratitude bear a greater disproportion to their means of satisfying them. Prince Henry's complaints of the king, however, were certainly not unfounded. The haughty and hasty character of Frederick often render ed him unjust, and not seldom even cruel, to his most useful servants; and the prince frequently found his merits not acknowledged, or depreciated, and laurels snatched from his brow by him who ought to have been the readiest to bestow them: but he might probably also raise his expectations too high. The duration of the impression which this treatment made on him, and the manner in which he gave vent to his feelings, prove, at least, like other traits many in his life, that ambition was the ruling passion of his mind. He never forgave the neglect which he felt

that he had suffered, and remained insensible to the marks of respect by which, on many occasions, the king confessed and endeavoured to atone for his former injustice. Yet the brothers never suffered any discontent to interrupt their regular correspondence, which turned principally on political and philosophical subjects; and at the death of Frederick II. five hundred and eighty seven letters, forming his share of that correspondence, were delivered into the hands of prince Henry.Where they have since been deposited, we are not informed.

After the conclusion of peace in 1763, the subject of these memoirs retired to Rheinsberg, tired of the war, and as firmly convinced as the king is well known to have been, that Prussia must seek her safety in the gradual but sure acquisition of strength through peace; and he only left his retirement to take an openly active part in publick concerns, when a direct request of the king or the extraordinary situation of his country imposed on him that conduct as a duty. His biographer gives this description of the prince's residence:

"The castle of Rheinsberg, situated twelve German miles from Berlin, on the confines of Mecklenburg, is built in a square form on the borders of a lake seve ral leagues in circumference. After having traversed immense forests of firs, or plains of the most arid sand, the traveller is astonished at meeting with so pleasing a spot, and enjoys it with double relish. He is not garden which border this fine lake, and less agreeably surprised on rambling in the the forest which terminates the perspective; in which, notwithstanding the German taste of some of the decorations with which they are overloaded, art has made very happy efforts to overcome the savage character which nature here assumes. Every where are recognised traces of the two great men who successively made this residence illustrious; and now that they have both disappeared, and as it were Prussia itself along with them, one cannot walk through these grounds without feeling a sensation of pious recollection.

Frederick inhabited them after the lamentable catastrophe of his youth; and here he waited, while cultivating science and

literature, which had already rendered him celebrated, for the moment in which he might acquire still higher renown. Over the first gate of the castle, is still to be seen this inscription, which he caused to be engraven on it: "Frederico tranquillitatem colenti."-Prince Henry, in succeeding him, conferred on this place additional embellishments as well as new interest; and he was desirous of making it, not only the retreat of the sage, but even the residence of a distinguished noble. Less austere and also less engaged than Frederick, he required the enjoyment of the greatest comforts of human life, the charms of society; rarely tasted by the great, because they are reserved only for those who, like him, have delight in sharing them. He wished, therefore, to encircle himself with a small number of friends, in the midst of whom he could safely consult his inclinations and follow his taste; and who would divide his heart and his mind with the pursuits of study and acts of beneficence.""

These enjoyments were disturbed by an event over which the author draws a veil. A separation took place between the prince and his consort; the work, as we are told, of a treacherous favourite, who imposed on the credulity of his patron.

The little court of Rheinsberg was distinguished by a French theatre; the representations of which the prince himself directed, and sometimes supplied by his own compositions; and the expense of which he endeavoured to lessen by an expe

dient before mentioned:

"He turned to profit the innate disposition of the Germans for musick; and from among the servants of his household he composed an orchestra, of which the numbers and the talents enabled him to represent the grandest operas, with an appear ance, and an effect to which costume and decoration equally lent their aids."

When we read soon afterward that the finances of the prince were so low as to expose him to a disgraceful dependence, and to excite the compassion of the king of France, we cannot be induced, by the measure of economy just mentioned, to think that the establishment of a French theatre at Rheinsberg was an innocent whim, or an excusable weak

VOL. III.

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ness. It appears, indeed, that even the tutors of the princes of Prussia have found the lessons of prudent economy the most difficult to impress: but those which inculcated the importance of a proper attention to religion and religious rites have often been not much more successful. Prince Henry, like his royal brother, never conformed to any ceremonials of religion, and professed contempt for the doctrines of Christianity, which he had probably never taken the trouble of justly comprehending. A passage of his epitaph, written by himself, shows, however, that he had not so mean an idea of the nature and prospects of man as the king entertained. It is said also that he often expressed his disapprobation of the open contempt with which the latter treated religion, and acknowledged the dangerous effects of such a conduct in a sovereign: but could it escape him that he thus condemned his own levity; and that a conduct, which forms a dangerous example in a king, becomes mischievous in a prince, in proportion to the eminence of his station?

The death of Frederick II.

[Au: gust 17, 1786] opened new and bright prospects to prince Henry's ambidue to his age, experience, and retion. On the authority which was lationship, he founded an expectation of attracting veneration from the new king, his nephew; and the well known inferiority of Frederick William's abilities excited the hope of a decided influence over him, and over the measures of his government. The veteran warriour, however, had still to learn, that weak minds are most jealous of their rights, and most tenacious of the appearance of independence. In proportion, therefore, to the contempt which he felt for his nephew, was the pain of his disappointment when he saw himself neglected by such a man. Count Hertzberg (in whom the author of these memoirs can no more forgive his hostility to the subject of them,

than his want of partiality to the French nation) bears, in this volume, the whole blame of the rejection of the prince's offered services. The latter now began to think seriously of leaving his country, and spending the remainder of his days in France. With the intention of making the necessary arrangements, he visited that kingdom in 1788; but the state of publick affairs created a new dis, appointment, and compelled him to return to Rheinsberg, with the resolution of there closing his mortal career. His views of the events, of which he was a distant, though not an indifferent spectator, appear from a passage of the above mentioned unprinted correspondence; and they show that, while he erred with innumerable others, in regard to the probable issue of an attempt to force a nation into submission to a government which it disliked, he highly disapproved the attempt itself. This disapprobation drew on him the opprobrious appellation of democrat! But he had the melancholy satisfaction of seeing his predictions, with regard to his own country, verified, and of being requested by the king, to give his assistance in snatching the state from the abyss, to the brink of which it was then approaching. He listened to the voice of patriotism, and became the principal mediator of a peace.

On the accession of Frederick William III. the present king, prince Henry did not quit his retirement; which he continued to embellish according to his own taste, and which was endeared to him by the recollections which he, as it were, embodied every where around him by testimonies, busts, and inscriptions. Indeed, he never appears more truly great and amiable than in the repose of his old age. When, after the fire of ambition had subsided, the gentler qualities of his character obtained an ascendency, and placed testimonies of gratitude, friendship, and philanthropy, by the side of the tro

phies which he had acquired in the vigour of his life.

"It was thus that prince Henry passed the first five years of the new reign, dividing his time between study and the society of a few friends, surrounded by the beauties of nature, which consoled the illusions of age and of the passions, and encompassed by the still more soothing spectacle of the good which he conferred on all around him. In the midst of these

peaceful pleasures, and of that tranquillity by which he prepared himself for the repose of eternity, the hand of death arrested him. He met the stroke with that philosophy which he had professed throughout life; and which, it was now evident, had not been with him, as with so many pretended free-thinkers, an empty and ostentatious boast. He had enjoyed life with moderation. He had seen himself grow old without regret; and he felt himself dying without pusillanimity."

This last event took place on the 1st of August, 1802. His remains were deposited, at his desire, in a vault under a pyramid consecrated by him to the memory of his former companions in arms, in the gardens of Rheinsberg; on which an epitaph of his own composition reminds the stranger of the vanity of earthly greatness, and expresses with candour and modesty the estimation which experience and reflection had taught him to form of himself.

In the length to which we have extended this article, we would be considered as offering a tribute of respect, which, in common with the writer of the memoirs, we have been early taught to entertain for a prince, who, with many failings and strong proofs of human weakness, yet united, in an uncommon degree, the qualities which adorn a throne, with those which embellish and promote the happiness of private life; and who contributed much to raise and support the structure which, it has since appeared, was deprived of all strength when the wisdon and valour of its founders were withdrawn. If the advice and the warnings of history were less commonly despised

than they are, posterity would derive many advantages from the records of the life and fate of such men; and if princes would look with attention into the mirror which is thus placed before their eyes, the contemplation of such examples

would teach them that, if they wish that allowance should be made for faults on account of their station in society, they ought also to fulfil the just expectations which their rank excites in the world.

FROM THE BRITISH CRITICK.

The Jew of Magadore, a Comick Opera, in Three Acts. By Richard Cumberland, Esq. 8vo. pp. 76. 28. 6d. 1808.

That so copious and so various a writer as Mr. Cumberland should write with unvaried excellence, would be a singular phenomenon in the world of literature. The author of the West Indian, the Wheel of Fortune, and so many other distinguished dramas of the higher order, may slumber now and then over a comick opera, without provoking indignation, or exciting any contempt. In the performance before us we have, as in the comedy of The Jew (by the same writer) a bene. volent Israelite; who, though he grudges the least indulgence to himself, readily bestows his wealth for the benefit of his fellow creatures; and, living at a seaport in the Moorish territory, purchases many of the christian captives, in order to redeem them from slavery. A more interesting story might, we think, have been raised upon this foundation. But this drama, upon the whole, is such as, with the aid of song, could

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FROM THE MONTHLY REVIEW.

Celia in Search of a Husband. By a Modern Antique. 8vo. 2 vols. 128. 1809. "I would not attempt," says this writer, "to portray a Calebs; neither my vanity, nor my own experience in la belle passion, could draw such a portrait. I would rather use my pen to trace a natural character. I believe the cause of morality to be more faithfully served in offering a possible point for our emulation, than in any ideal perfections that fancy, however sublime, could imagine." The whole of the novel before us is conducted on this principle. Calia though displaying moral

as well as personal charms of no ordinary occurrence, is not absolutely out of nature. She acts up to the principles of religion, without any of the modern cant; with a mind perfectly feminine, she is bold enough to let reason take the lead: and, in a world of levity, she sets an example which the young of her sex in the present day would do well to imitate. To ladies and gentlemen, this Modern Antique (as the lady calls herself, if a lady it be who is the author) reads a very instructive lecture. All

the fashionable absurdities of the day are neatly satirized, and the modern Londonfine-world is here drawn with exactness, and exhibited, as it ought to be, not as an object of envy, but of disgust; for life in London is, indeed, wasted, not used. Yet it is the wish of all females, educated on the present plan, to shine in this atmosphere of folly, and to display their naked ness (a new term for dress)" at midnight dances and the publick show."

Cœlia is introduced to the circles of fashion only to despise them. Morality and religion are made her rules, not the usage of society, nor the custom of the world. She distinguishes between innocent and degrading conformity, and never suffers fashion to obliterate principle. She exhibits the effects of an education truly moral and sensible, in the course of a visit to her sister, lady Townley; appears to great advantage when contrasted

with the various characters which fill the splendid drawing rooms at the west end of the town; and shows her good sense as well in the offers which she rejects, as in the choice which she ultimately adopts. Our noblemencoachmen, and our naked, pocketless, shoe-making* ladies may not be pleased with the ridicule which is here lavished on them: but they richly deserve it; and if our modern fashionables were not ashamed of being considered as moral, the exhibition in these pages would lead to some reformation. Calebs attempted too much by endeavouring to make our fine people as religious as nuns and friars; and perhaps the efforts of Cœlia to infuse into them a little common sense may equally be thrown away. Can a luxurious capital be reformed by sermons, poems, or novels?

FROM THE UNIVERSAL MAGAZINE.

POEMS, BY SIR JOHN CARR. 1 vol. 8vo. pp. 228. price 10s. 6d. WITH the proudest consciousness of our own merits, we demand the approbation of our readers when we inform them, that we have, in spite of yawning, laughing, rubbing our eyes, wriggling in our chair, and stretching, absolutely gone through the present volume. This is no mean praise. It is a conspicuous proof of our patience and our benevolence, Virtues of rare growth in a critick. Of the first of these virtues no subsequent act of our own can rob us: to the last we shall perhaps forfeit the claim before we dismiss sir John Carr from our notice.

John Carr may have gleams of sense that occasionally illumine the vast expanse of dullness that dwells upon his mind; but we have never found them. These are things of mere possibility, and too much faith is not to be reposed in what is simply possible. We hope we are not without that candour which would have suffered us to rejoice in a discovery, yet unmade, of sir John's talents. We did not, indeed, look for them; for who looks for roses on a rock?

It is perfectly fair to remark, that we took up the present volume with strong prejudices against its author. These prejudices we could no more help than man can his antipathy to a well known swindler, if he happens to be in his company. The swindler may have some virtues, but we should be slow to believe them; and sir

To this volume of poems we have every objection to make that can possibly be made to a book. It is printed with a shameful diffusion of paper and type, in order to enhance its price, and in doing which we commend the knight's policy more than his honesty. "If my volume sells for half a guinea," says he (we make sir John the interlocutor, because we really do not think that any bookseller would be simple

* Our country readers may require to be apprized, that it has lately become the ton for young ladies to be employed in making their own shoes.

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