History of Frederick the Second, Called Frederick the Great. — Background and Themes

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Authors: Abbott, John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot), 1805-1877 Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2018 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786 Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

Edition facts

Words 212,411

Reading time 924 min

Text sections 43

The source record for History of Frederick the Second, Called Frederick the Great. — Background and Themes measures this digital text at 212,411 words, 15 hr 24 min estimated reading time, and 43 detected text sections.

The text analysis averages about 16.5 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.

Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #56928

Abbott's biography of Frederick the Great blends dramatic narrative with moral commentary, using vivid scenes like Princess Ulrique's departure to illustrate the personal costs of 18th-century power politics.

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PARENTAGE OF FREDERICK THE GREAT.

Origin of the Prussian Monarchy.--The Duchies of Brandenburg and Prussia.--The Elector crowned King Frederick I.--Frederick William.--His Childhood, Youth, and Marriage.--Birth of Fritz.-- Death of Frederick I.--Eccentric Character of Frederick William.-- His defective Education.--His Energy.--Curious Anecdotes.-- Hatred of the French.--Education of Fritz.--The Father’s Plan of Instruction 17

The Palace of Wusterhausen.--Wilhelmina and Fritz.--Education of the Crown Prince.--Rising Dislike of the Father for his Son.--The Mother’s Sympathy.--The double Marriage.--Character of George I.-- The King of England visits Berlin.--Wilhelmina’s Account of the Interview.--Sad Fate of the Wife of George I.--The Giant Guard.-- Despotism of Frederick William.--The Tobacco Parliament.--A brutal Scene.--Death of George I.--The Royal Family of Prussia.-- Augustus, King of Poland.--Corruption of his Court.--Cruel Treatment of Fritz.--Insane Conduct of the King 36

THE SUFFERINGS OF FRITZ AND WILHELMINA.

The King an Artist.--Cruel Exactions of the King.--Conflicts of Etiquette.--Quarrel with George II.--Nuptial Intrigues.--Energetic Action of Frederick William.--Marriage of Frederica Louisa.--Fritz and his Flute.--Wrath of the King.--Beats Wilhelmina and Fritz.-- Attempts to strangle Fritz.--The Hunt at Wusterhausen.--Intrigues in reference to the Double Marriage.--Anguish of Wilhelmina.-- Cruelty of her Mother.--Resolve of Fritz to escape to England 58

THE ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.

Objections to the British Alliance.--Obstinacy of the King.-- Wilhelmina’s Journal.--Policy of Frederick William and of George II.--Letter from Fritz.--The Camp of Mühlberg.--The Plan of Escape.--The Flight arrested.--Ungovernable Rage of the King.-- Endeavors to kill his Son.--Arrest and Imprisonment of Fritz.-- Terror of his Mother and Sister.--Wilhelmina imprisoned 80

IMPRISONMENT OF FRITZ AND WILHELMINA.

Spirited Conduct of Fritz.--Fortress of Cüstrin.--Prison Fare.-- Wilhelmina’s Captivity.--Sad Fate of Doris Ritter.--Motives of the King.--Doom of Lieutenant Katte.--Pathetic Supplications.-- The Execution.--Peril of Fritz.--Theology of the King.--Letter from Fritz.--Sufferings of Wilhelmina.--Brutality of the King.-- Wilhelmina brought to Terms 100

THE MARRIAGE OF WILHELMINA.

Wilhelmina’s Letter to her Mother.--Cruel Response.--The Court Festival.--First Interview with the Prince of Baireuth.--His Character and Appearance.--Interview between the King and Fritz.-- The Partial Reconciliation.--Divine Decrees.--The King’s Sense of Justice.--The King’s Discipline of the Judges.--Character of Fritz.--Wilhelmina’s Annoyances.--Her Marriage.--Interview between Wilhelmina and Fritz.--The Departure 118

THE MARRIAGE OF THE CROWN PRINCE.

Matrimonial Intrigues.--Letters from the King to his Son.--Letter from Fritz to Grumkow.--Letter to Wilhelmina.--The Betrothal.-- Character of Elizabeth.--Her cruel Reception by the Prussian Queen.--Letter from Fritz to Wilhelmina.--Disappointment and Anguish of Elizabeth.--Studious Habits of Fritz.--Continued Alienation of his Father.--The Marriage.--Life in the Castle at Reinsberg 136

DEVELOPMENTS OF CHARACTER.

The Castle at Reinsberg.--Slender Purses of Fritz and Wilhelmina.-- Liberality of Fritz.--The Ball at Monbijou.--Adventures of Fritz and Wilhelmina.--Letters.--The Interview.--Anecdote of the King.-- Wilhelmina’s Account of her Brother.--Mental and Physical Maladies of the King.--Frederick’s cruel Neglect of his Wife.--Daily Habits of the young Prince.--The shameful Carousal 152

THE DEATH OF FREDERICK WILLIAM.

Voltaire and Madame Du Châtelet.--Letter from Frederick to Voltaire.-- The Reply.--Visit to the Prince of Orange.--Correspondence.--The Crown Prince becomes a Mason.--Interesting Letter from the Crown Prince.--Petulance and declining Health of the King.--Scenes in the Death-chamber.--Characteristic Anecdotes.--The Dying Scene 172

THE ACCESSION OF FREDERICK THE SECOND.

Establishment of the Berlin Academy of Sciences.--Religious Toleration.--A Free Press.--Sternness of the young King.--Domestic Habits of the King.--Provision for the Queen-mother.--Absolutism of the King.--Journey to Strasbourg.--First Interview with Voltaire 191

DIPLOMATIC INTRIGUES.

The Herstal Affair.--The Summons.--Voltaire’s Manifesto.--George II. visits Hanover.--The Visit of Wilhelmina to Berlin.--Unpopularity of the King.--Death of the Emperor Charles VI. 206

THE INVASION OF SILESIA.

Deceptive Measures of Frederick.--Plans for the Invasion of Silesia.-- Avowed Reasons for the Invasion.--The Ball in Berlin.--The March of the Army.--Hardships and Successes.--Letter to Voltaire.--Capture of Glogau.--Capture of Brieg.--Bombardment of Neisse 218

THE CAMPAIGN OF MOLLWITZ.

Embarrassments of Frederick.--Attempts a Compromise.--New Invasion of Silesia.--Intrigues for the Imperial Crown.--Rivalry between England and France.--Death of Anne of Russia.--Energy of Austria.--Narrow Escape of Frederick.--Frederick’s Antipathy to Christianity.--Capture of Glogau.--Peril of Frederick.--The Siege of Neisse 237

THE DEFEAT AND FLIGHT OF FREDERICK.

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John S. C. Abbott opens his biography of Frederick the Great by defending history's credibility against those who might mistake it for romance. He argues that no novelist could invent a character as extreme as Frederick William or a career as improbable as Frederick's, and promises a volume that will both entertain and instruct. The preface sets a moralizing tone, lamenting that humanity's miseries are largely self-inflicted and casting Frederick as a warrior who filled the world with desolated homes, yet also as the founder of a potent empire. Abbott's language is emphatic and judgmental, framing the biography as a cautionary tale about ambition and cruelty.

Narrative Voice and Moral Framing

Abbott writes in a confident, omniscient third person, frequently interrupting the narrative to offer moral assessments. He describes Frederick as a man who “laid the foundations of an empire” but also “contributed more to fill the world with desolated homes.” This dual perspective—acknowledging achievement while condemning its cost—pervades the text. The preface explicitly states that the reader will be “oppressed with the consciousness of how vast a proportion of the miseries of humanity is caused by the cruelty of man to his brother man.” Abbott’s voice is that of a Victorian moralist, using history as a platform for ethical reflection. He does not hesitate to label Frederick “far from being an amiable man” and notes his habit of “cruelly banter[ing] his companions.” This direct, evaluative style gives the biography a sermon-like quality, where events are selected and described to illustrate moral lessons.

Pace and Dramatic Set Pieces

The narrative pace varies between brisk summary and extended, almost novelistic scenes. One of the most detailed episodes in the excerpts is the departure of Princess Ulrique for Sweden. Abbott slows time to describe her rose-colored riding-habit, sea-green vest, and black velvet bonnet with a white plume. He then recounts the king’s tearful farewell, a fainting princess, and a courtier who “whisked her out of the hall” like a character in a ballet. The scene is rendered with theatrical flair, complete with quoted dialogue and a first-person account of the sobbing descent. This shift from rapid political maneuvering to a lingering, sentimental tableau shows Abbott’s skill in using set pieces to heighten emotional impact. The contrast between the cold calculations of diplomacy and the intimate sorrow of family separation is a recurring structural device.

Recurring Details and Thematic Threads

Several details recur across the excerpts, suggesting Abbott’s thematic preoccupations. The preface mentions Carlyle’s six-volume life of Frederick, positioning Abbott’s own work as a more accessible alternative for “this busy age.” The text repeatedly emphasizes the role of women in dynastic politics: Ulrique is married by proxy to secure an alliance, and the future Catherine the Great is selected as a bride for the Russian heir while still a “buxom girl of fourteen” frolicking on ramparts. Abbott notes her religious conversion and name change without comment, implying the transactional nature of such unions. The king’s fondness for composing “rhymes which he called poetry” is mentioned twice, hinting at a tension between his artistic pretensions and his political ruthlessness. These recurring motifs—the cost of ambition, the instrumentalization of women, and the gap between public image and private character—give the biography a coherent thematic texture.

Readers should approach Abbott’s biography aware that it is as much a moral argument as a historical account. The author’s judgments are explicit, and his selection of scenes is designed to provoke reflection on power and suffering. Pay attention to the shifts between brisk political narrative and elaborate set pieces; these changes in pace reveal Abbott’s priorities as a storyteller. The work is best read as a Victorian interpretation of Frederick’s life, one that values dramatic effect and ethical clarity over neutral documentation.

That rainy afternoon, Frederick’s steel-gray world felt heavy—Ulrique’s farewell, the bright cost of thrones. Then I drifted sideways, almost without deciding, into a regimental record full of mud and pipes. Curious, how power’s sighs echo in a soldier’s step. The link was just there, waiting: Historical record of the 71st Regiment Highland Light Infantry — Reading Companion.