The New Hampshire Gazette

A Character of the KING of Prussa; Supposed to be drawn by an Armenian.

THOU hast heard of the Prussian? He inherites his Virtues from a long Line of Heroes.

He no sooner mounted his Throne than he employed his peaceful Days in reforming his Courts of Justice, in rescuing his Subjects from the Uncertainty of mixed contradictory Laws, and in establishing an orderly System founded on those general Principles, which are admitted to be just in all civilized Countries. He reduced his Laws to the smallest Compass that Perspicuity would admit, and forbad all Commentaries or Explanations of Teachers, who might by their own Spirit corrupt or misinterpret the spirit of the Laws. His Court is chaste, and his Subjects are temperate and strong.

He is no less conspicuous in the Field than in the Cabinet; for he is his own Captain and his own Minister; and Report sayeth of him, that he doth Justice, and will compel other Princes to do so: It is evident, that he judges before he determines; and when he hath determined, he executes. His own security requireth more Attention than any Prince of Europe, to other States; yet is this Prince daring enough to invade the Territories of his most powerful Neighbour and Enemy; for he seems to think it prudent to strike first, when he finds that a Blow is meditated by others. It is not a Week since he imprisoned the Troops of one Prince in their Camp, while with inferior Numbers, he marched to attack, and defeated the Armies of another Prince. 1756.

His sanguine Admirers say, that he never drew his Sword but to Right or to prevent a Wrong nor sheaths it till the Wrong be righted or prevented.

They may extend their Praises too far; yet all admit, that he hath much heroic Virtue, and is, with a few Subjects, the Glory and the Terror of Germany.