Quotes:Frederick III

Zirkoff, Boris

Frederick III. King of Prussia and German Emperor, b. at Potsdam, Oct., 18, 1831, eldest son of prince William of Prussia, later first German Emperor, and princess Augusta. After careful education, studied at the Univ. of Bonn, 1849-50. Next years spent in military duties and travels in the company of Moltke. Visited England, 1851. Married Victoria, princess royal of Great Britain, in London, Jan. 25, 1858. On the accession of his father, 1861, became crown prince of Prussia, being known as Frederick William. Was a liberal at heart and disliked Bismarck’s policies. In June, 1863, ceased to attend meetings of the council of state and was much away from Berlin. Performed valuable services during the war with Denmark, and commanded an army in the 1866 campaign against Austria. Played a conspicuous part in 1870-71, being appointed to command the armies of the Southern States; his troops took part in the battle of Sedan and the siege of Paris. During the years that followed, little opportunity was open to him for political activities; he and his wife took great interest in art and industry, especially the museums; he was chiefly responsible for the excavations at Olympia and Pergamum. In 1878, when the Emperor was incapacitated by the shot of an assassin, he acted for some months as regent, and his future accession was looked forward to by many. Unfortunately he developed cancer of the throat, which, from a small beginning grew into a fatal condition. After various unsuccessful treatments had been tried, Sir Morell Mackenzie (see under Mackenzie), the famous English medical authority, was sent for, May 18, 1887. Frederick made an effort to attend the Jubilee Festivities in London in June, 1887. Leaving London in September, he went to Toblach, Venice and Raveno. On Nov. 3, 1887, he settled at San Remo for the winter months. Sir Morell saw him a number of times during this period. Finally the operation of tracheotomy had to be performed by Dr. Bramann in San Remo, February 9, 1888.

On March 9, 1888, Emperor William died and Frederick became Emperor. He left San Remo March 10 for Charlottenburg. His very brief reign was characterized by a number of liberal reforms which Frederick attempted to initiate, and by bitter attacks from the adherents of Bismarck. His illness took a turn for the worse, and on June 1, 1888, he went to stay at Potsdam, where Queen Victoria visited him. Frederick died on June 13th, at about 11 a.m., after a reign of 99 days.

418 As is often the case, the treatment of his illness gave rise to an acrimonious controversy between several physicians and Sir Morell was accused of various mistakes. His work entitled The Fatal Illness of Frederick the Noble (London: Sampson Low, etc., 1888. 246 pp.) presents the case in what appears to be an impartial manner. Sir Morell had a very high regard for Frederick III, and spoke of him as a man of commanding intellect, of compassion for the sufferings of others, of chivalrous forbearance, and of great kindness of heart. His sincerity and honesty were striking.

In the light of the above-mentioned facts concerning the life of Frederick III, H.P.B.’s remarkable story acquires added meaning.

Source: Boris de Zirkoff, «H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings», vol. 9, pp. 417-418