Fête galante. Only (17)80s kids remember this.
Австрийский посол в Пруссии Фридрих Генрих фон Зенкендорф о Фридрихе Первом.
It is certain that nowhere in the world one can see troops comparable with the Prussians for beauty, cleanliness, and order. Although in drill, training, and marching much is forced and affected, nearly everything is useful and efficient. Besides, it must be admitted that the army and the troops lack nothing that is needed. The soldiers number 70,000, and every regiment has at least a hundred more men than the normal figure. The Arsenal is superabundantly provided with field artillery and siege artillery, and only the teams are missing. Moreover, there is such an enormous store of powder, shot, and shells as if a great war was threatening. In Berlin and all about Brandenburg one sees as many troops moving as one saw in Vienna during the last war against the Turks. All this activity is directed by the King in person, and only by him. Besides, he looks after the whole public administration in all its branches With such care and thoroughness that not a thaler [note: a monetray unit]is spent unless he has given his signature. Those who do not see it cannot believe that there is any man in the world, however intelligent and able he may be, who can settle so many things personally in a single day as Frederick William the First, who works from 3 o'clock in the morning till 10, and spends the rest of' the day in looking after and drilling his army....
Вообще у этого посла тоже та еще судьба была. Родился в Баварии, поступил в ансбахский, кажется, полк, выделился в войне за испанское наследство, и тут понеслось!
Сначала запанибрата с Августом Саксонским, чины и богатства, предложение перейти на австрийскую службу, дипломатическая карьера при прусском дворе, неудачная война с турками, суд, смерть императора, "а не сдалась мне эта Священная Римская Империя!", переход на сторону курфюрста Баварского и выступление против австрийских войск, житье-бытье в Тюрингии по окончанию войны за австрийское наследство, казалось бы, что еще?
Но нет! Теперь Фридрих Великий заподозрил в нем шпиона Австрии, и на шесть месяцев усадил в тюрьму. А там уже и совсем старость, а за ней смерть.
It is certain that nowhere in the world one can see troops comparable with the Prussians for beauty, cleanliness, and order. Although in drill, training, and marching much is forced and affected, nearly everything is useful and efficient. Besides, it must be admitted that the army and the troops lack nothing that is needed. The soldiers number 70,000, and every regiment has at least a hundred more men than the normal figure. The Arsenal is superabundantly provided with field artillery and siege artillery, and only the teams are missing. Moreover, there is such an enormous store of powder, shot, and shells as if a great war was threatening. In Berlin and all about Brandenburg one sees as many troops moving as one saw in Vienna during the last war against the Turks. All this activity is directed by the King in person, and only by him. Besides, he looks after the whole public administration in all its branches With such care and thoroughness that not a thaler [note: a monetray unit]is spent unless he has given his signature. Those who do not see it cannot believe that there is any man in the world, however intelligent and able he may be, who can settle so many things personally in a single day as Frederick William the First, who works from 3 o'clock in the morning till 10, and spends the rest of' the day in looking after and drilling his army....
Вообще у этого посла тоже та еще судьба была. Родился в Баварии, поступил в ансбахский, кажется, полк, выделился в войне за испанское наследство, и тут понеслось!
Сначала запанибрата с Августом Саксонским, чины и богатства, предложение перейти на австрийскую службу, дипломатическая карьера при прусском дворе, неудачная война с турками, суд, смерть императора, "а не сдалась мне эта Священная Римская Империя!", переход на сторону курфюрста Баварского и выступление против австрийских войск, житье-бытье в Тюрингии по окончанию войны за австрийское наследство, казалось бы, что еще?
Но нет! Теперь Фридрих Великий заподозрил в нем шпиона Австрии, и на шесть месяцев усадил в тюрьму. А там уже и совсем старость, а за ней смерть.