WIFE OP FREDERICK THE GREAT. 285 prince to govern with justice, and without any of the dis- honest devices of king-craft. In the story above was a room in which he had such philosophical apparatus as had then been invented ; a thermometer, a very rare and costly instrument in 1735 ; an air-pump, with which he •performed the usual experiments, and invented some of his own. Besides these liberal studies, he was an enthusiastic and skillful musician. His favorite instrument was the flute, upon which he played very well ; not merely very well for a Prince, but so well that he could hold his own in an orchestra of picked performers. All his companions were chosen with reference to these dominant tastes. He was surrounded, whenever he was at leisure, by poets, painters, philosophers, musicians, and musical composers. What should he do with this amiable and speechless wax-doll, with her flaxen curls, her pink cheeks, and her large blue syes ? After the first three or four years, he had scarcely any association with her, except, once or twice a week, a short ceremonious visit ; and when he was absent in war time, he would write her three or four lines occasionally to give her information of a victory, or of the death of one of her relations. When they had been married seven years, Frederick succeeded to the throne. Scarcely had the first ceremonials of his accession come to an end, than he took revenge for what he considered his wrongs from the House of Austria, by snatching from it its province of Silesia. This was the beginning of a war with his wife's relations, which, with some intervals, lasted for nearly twenty years. His own kingdom was laid waste and almost destroyed ; but he at length emerged victorious. I have before me the correspondence which passed between Frederick and Queen Elizabeth Christine, during the fifty- three years of their married life. Frederick was one o/.
