ANECDOTE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 203, 25 August 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

ANECDOTE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT.

The egregious Gorman Emperor liaj always striven to be autocratic in his rule" and no matter what clever company he has found himselt with, 'he invariably tried to pose as the cleverest ot them all-a sort of Imperial quidnunc —a man with whom it is of no earthly use to argue, becauso lie assumes the greater knowledge. Whether it be art, literature, science, music, (the drama, or what not, the ineffable William 1. of Prussia ,is "top dog'' on all subjects. But be has learnt a little wisdom, seemingly, Mnce ho plunged the world into -i ghastly wnr, and some of his bettor informed subjects have been spcukrng out of kite without tna usual Impena "squelching." For instance, genera! surprise has Iven expressed that T)r. I iebknecht's fierv denunciation of war and militarism in the Prussian Chamber b;i< boon received with toleration l,v the K*iser. But perhaps the answer mar bo found in the factjthut nrlitary rule renders .such utterances innocuous. This was the example set by Frederick tin Great, hut not always, /it may he noted, followed. One day Frederick rode up to a crowd staring at something on a wall, which turned ouft to be a = scurrilous pkyeard aga'nst himself. So Ifgh was the poster that !<■ was difficult to read. -Take it down." said the. Tvno: to his attendants, "and put it low.*. Mv people have come to .•in igroement which satisfies us both. The\ are to sav what they nlease, and 1 ;im t-i do what T nlease." The present ~„|,.r i>i all the (V-rmans has been in the Labi! of saying and doing what n j ~j, ..,s. it. and any one who sought to .'l.oik liK wayward will lived to rpgrflr". his ft-nipril . The only one who > ; n his j;f',>:imn ha-rl a wonderfully cooVng «F----fr ' noon this hotheaded autocrat was Rin ' Edward VTT.. and he exercised Irs Influence upon his Imperial nephew to good effect on many occasions.