hem all, Fritz especially, with due
strictness; till, in the course of time and of attainments, Fritz could
himself take the head charge. Which he did duly, in a year or two: a
little soldier thenceforth; properly strict, though of small dimensions;
in tight blue bit of coat and cocked-hat:--miniature image of Papa
(it is fondly hoped and expected), resembling him as a sixpence does
a half-crown. In 1721 the assiduous Papa set up a "little arsenal" for
him, "in the Orange Hall of the Palace:" there let him, with perhaps
a chosen comrade or two, mount batteries, fire exceedingly small brass
ordnance,--his Engineer-Teacher, one Major von Senning, limping about
(on cork leg), and superintending if needful.

Rentzel, it is known, proved an excellent Drill-sergeant;--had good
talents every way, and was a man of probity and sense. He played
beautifully on the flute too, and had a cheerful conversible turn;
which naturally recommended him still farther to Fritz; and awoke or
encouraged, among other faculties, the musical faculty in the little
Boy. Rentzel continued about him, or in sight of him, through life;
advancing gradually, not too fast, according to real merit and service
(Colonel in 1759); and never did discredit to the choice Friedrich
Wilhelm had made of him. Of Senning, too, Engineer-Major von Senning,
who gave Fritz his lessons in Mathematics, Fortification and the kindred
branches, the like, or better, can be said. He was of graver years;
had lost a leg in the Marlborough Campaigns, poor gentleman; but had
abundant sense, native worth and cheery rational talk, in him: so that
he too could never be parted with by Friedrich, but was kept on hand to
the last, a permanent and variously serviceable acquisition.

Thus, at least, is the military education of our Crown-Prince cared for.
And we are to fancy the little fellow, from his tenth year or earlier,
going about in miniature soldier figure, for most part; in strict
Spartan-Brandenburg costume, of body as of mind. Costume little
flattering to his own private taste for finery; yet by no means
unwholesome to him, as he came afterwards to know, In October, 1723, it
is on record, when George I. came to visit his Son-in-law and Daughter
at Berlin, his Britannic Majesty, looking out from his new quarters on
the morrow, saw Fritzchen "drilling his Cadet Company;" a very pretty
little phenomenon. Drilling with clear voice, military sharpness, and
the precision of clock-work