there was another Cousin at Hanover, just one other, little Sophie
Dorothee (called after her mother), a few months older than himself; by
all accounts, a really pretty little child, whom he liked a great deal
better. She, I imagine, was his main resource, while on this Hanover
visit; with her were laid the foundations of an intimacy which ripened
well afterwards. Some say it was already settled by the parents that
there was to be a marriage in due time. Settled it could hardly be; for
Wilhelmina tells us, [_ Memoires de la Margrave de Bareith, _ i. l.] her
Father had a "choice of three" allowed him, on coming to wed; and it is
otherwise discernible there had been eclipses and uncertainties, in the
interim, on his part. Settled, no; but hoped and vaguely pre-figured,
we may well suppose. And at all events, it has actually come to pass;
"Father being ardently in love with the Hanover Princess," says our
Margravine, "and much preferring her to the other two," or to any and
all others. Wedded, with great pomp, 28th November, 1706; [Forster, i.
117.]--and Sophie Dorothee, the same that was his pretty little Cousin
at Hanover twenty years ago, she is mother of the little Boy now born
and christened, whom men are to call Frederick the Great in coming
generations.

Sophie Dorothee is described to us by courtier contemporaries as "one
of the most beautiful princesses of her day:" Wilhelmina, on the other
hand, testifies that she was never strictly to be called beautiful, but
had a pleasant attractive physiognomy; which may be considered better
than strict beauty. Uncommon grace of figure and look, testifies
Wilhelmina; much dignity and soft dexterity, on social occasions;
perfect in all the arts of deportment; and left an impression on you at
once kindly and royal. Portraits of her, as Queen at a later age, are
frequent in the Prussian Galleries; she is painted sitting, where I best
remember her. A serious, comely, rather plump, maternal-looking Lady;
something thoughtful in those gray still eyes of hers, in the turn of
her face and carriage of her head, as she sits there, considerately
gazing out upon a world which would never conform to her will. Decidedly
a handsome, wholesome and affectionate aspect of face. Hanoverian in
type, that is to say, blond, florid, slightly PROFUSE;--yet the better
kind of Hanoverian, little or nothing of the worse or at least the worst
kind. The eyes, as I say, are gray, and quiet, almost sad; exp