, like many of the
family of the Georges. He formed an intimate friendship with
Voltaire, the French infidel writer, and interested himself in the
French infidelity of the period, which was a reaction against the
corrupt and degenerate French church.

He entered the field as a soldier in 1741, and was victorious again
and again in the two Silesian wars. The Seven Years' War, begun in
1756, gained for him a position of great influence among the rulers
of Europe. He was prudent, like his father; his government was wise,
well ordered, and liberal, and he left to his successor a full
treasury, a great and famous army, enlarged territory, and the
prestige of a great name.

The family affairs of kings during the last century were in rather a
queer state, as the following story of Frederick's marriage will
show.

The prince was told that his father was studying the characters of
the young ladies of the courts of Europe in order to select a
suitable wife for him. He admired talent, brilliancy, wit, and he
said in substance to the Minister of State,--

"Influence my father if you can to obtain for me a gifted and
elegant princess. Of all things in the world I would hate to have a
dull and commonplace wife."

His father made choice of the Princess Elizabeth Christine of
Brunswick, a girl famous for her awkwardness and stupidity.

The prince did everything in his power to prevent the marriage. But
the old king declared that he should marry her, and the wedding
ceremony was arranged, Frederick in the mean time protesting that he
held the bride in utter detestation.

Frederick had a sister whom he dearly loved, Wilhelmina. Two days
after his marriage, he introduced the bride to her, and said,--

"This is a sister whom I adore. She has had the goodness to promise
that _she_ will take care of you and give you good advice. I wish
you to do nothing without her consent. Do you understand?"

[Illustration: VOLTAIRE.]

The young bride, scarcely eighteen, was speechless. She expected
"care" and "advice" from her husband, and not from his sister.

Wilhelmina embraced her tenderly.

Frederick waited for an answer to his question. But she stood dumb.

"Plague take the _blockhead_!" he at last exclaimed, and with this
compliment began the long and sorrowful story of her wedded life.

She was a good woman and bore her husband's neglect with patienc