FREDERICK III.* King of Prussia, generally distin guished by the appellation " Great," was the eldest son of Frederick William II. of Prussia, and of Sophia Dorothea, daughter of George I. of Great Britain. He was born at Berlin on the 24th of January 1712, and was baptized by the name of Charles Frederick, but afterwards entirely omitted the former of these names, both in his private let ters and public state papers. He was committed, in his infancy, to the care of Mad. de Rocoule, who spoke only in French; and this circumstance has been considered as the origin of his extreme partiality to that language. At seven years of age, he was provided with more appropriate tutors; but, as his father's great object was to inspire him with a military spirit, he seems to have received little in struction in literature or science. He applied himself, how ever, in early youth, to the study of the belles lettrcs, par ticularly to poetry ; and soon discovered a strong propen sity to music, to which the king his father had an extreme aversion. He was strictly prohibited either to practise or to hear it, and was obliged to meet his musical instructors in a forest or a cavern. Harassed by 0.e austerity and vio lence of his father,—disgusted by the difficulties thrown in the way of his favourite studies,—and perhaps moved by some other reasons which have never been distinctly ascer tained,—he adopted a resolution, in the year 1730, secretly to quit the Prussian dominions, and to travel as a private individual in France or England. His intentions having been discovered, he was arrested, together with his travel ling companions; one of whom, Lieutenant Can, a youth of amiable dispositions, was condemned to lose his head on a scaffold; and the young prince was compelled, by his bru tal father, to witness the untimely end of his friend. By the same paternal care, he was himself imprisoned in a dun geon for the space of six months ; and, had not the Em peror of Germany interposed in his behalf, would also have suffered death. He was then permitted to enjoy greater liberty, but was still required to reside at Custrin, till, about 18 months after his arrestment, a formal reconciliation took place between him and his father. But, as if only partially restored to favour, he seldom appeared at court, and resid ed chiefly at the retired castle of Rheinsberg—a circum stance which enabled him to prosecute his studies with greater assiduity, and which probably contributed in no small degree to his future greatness. In 1733, he was compelled, by his father's despotic command, to marry the princess of Brunswick \Volfenbuttle, niece to the Em press of Germany ; but was so utterly averse to the match, that, though he submitted to the ceremony, and received the lady into his palace, he refused to cohabit with her as long as he lived. Lie was attended in his retirement by
many literary characters, particularly by M. de Suhm, privy-counsellor to the Elector of Saxony ; and in 1736 he commenced a correspondence with Voltaire, to w hose wri tings lie became peculiarly attached. In 1738 he accom panied his father on a tour to Holland, for the purpose of visiting the Prince of Orange; and in consequence of a conversation which took place at the table of their host, Frederick resolved to join the fraternity of free masons. lie was then in the 27th year of his age, and is described by one of his biographers, who was present at the ceremo ny of his initiation, as possessing at that age a very youthful appearance, large blue eyes, pleasing features, a sprightly look, a noble air, and the greatest politeness of manners. Ile continued, with a number of sprightly and literary fa vourites, to spend his time at Rheinsberg in a succession of refined and studious pleasures ; and the most flattering pictures have been drawn by those who shared his pursuits, of the intelligence of his mind, and the attractions of his society. a All the employments," says Baron Bielfeld, ‘c and all the pleasures of the Prince, are those of a man of understanding. His conversation at table is charming. Ile talks much, and excellently well. His mind seems to be equal to all sorts of subjects ; and his imagination pro duces, on each of them, a number of new and just ideas. His genius resembles the fire of the vestals, that was never extinct. A decent and polite contradiction is not disagree able to him. lie possesses the rare talent of displaying the wit of others, and of giving them opportunities to shine on those subjects in which they excel. He jests frequently, and sometimes rallies, but never with asperity, and an in genious retort does not displease him." He was much em ployed in exercising the troops under his command, in at tendance at reviews, and in occasional journies with the king; but generally resumed his literary pursuits with re newed ardour, upon returning to his retreat at Rheinsberg, and often spoke of his residence there as the happiest pe riod of his life. The greatest interruption of his tranquilli ty arose from the want of money, which his parsimonious father was always reluctant to grant ; and he was obliged to borrow considerable sums from the Empress of Russia, and Duke of Courland. On the 1st day of June 1740, he succeeded his father, as king of Prussia, and his accession to the throne was welcomed by the unanimous acclama tions of his subjects.