File:A history of all nations from the earliest times; being a universal historical library (1905) (14585715750).jpg

Identifier: historyofallnati14wrig (find matches)
Title: A history of all nations from the earliest times; being a universal historical library
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors: Wright, John Henry, 1852-1908
Subjects: World history
Publisher: (Philadelphia, New York : Lea Brothers & company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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ullest vision. For large enterprises he had no sense. That was evident, aswe shall see, in his foreign policy and also in his attitude towardsinternational trade. The Prussian sea-trade durmg his reign lostground altogether. The continual regulation, interference, andchange of necessity caused important losses; man cannot with im-punity seek to disturb or to injure the natural and universal laws ofcommerce. In Königsberg and Stettin there were loud comi^laintsamong the merchants. The high duties in hke manner stifled theElbe trade; in the year 1728 ^Magdeburg had only seven vessels.Frederick William completely abandoned the transoceanic settle-ments established by the Great Elector in Africa. Everywhere acompulsory and rough treatment prevailed; the last remains ofindependence in the pro^^ncial magistracy were destroyed. To theking, his own will was the only rule of right, according to whichhe interfered — and for the most part injuriously — in the course .1 liMV FVXIsnMEXTS. 105
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106 THE NORTH OF EUROPE ABOUT THE YEAH 1725. of the administration of justice by the courts, as well as with thefate of individuals. Prosperous citizens were forced to undertakebuikUng that was ruinous to them, and laborers were forced toengage in it. How should an initiative be found, and originalviews be formed, in an administration in which the highest aswell as the lowest officers were obliged to quake for fear of thekings cane; in which the soldier was everything, and the civiliannothing ? Art Frederick William despised as something weak and effemi-nate. Of science, his stiff, orthodox spirit cherished the fiercestdistrust, for he regarded it as leading to irreligion. He expelledthe famous philosopher. Wolf, from Halle, because of his deisticalbeliefs; and as successor to the great Leibnitz, in the presidency ofthe Academy of Sciences, he appointed the dull-\vitted Gundling.In general, he knew no more refined pleasures than a glass of beerand a pipe of tobacco. His foreign policy

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