Sunday, October 30, 2011

The King's youthful soldiers


Sunday 18 Berlin visited the grand station this morning where were assembled some 300 officers as is usual on Sundays—all splendid looking men. [61]  A band of musicians were playing, for an hour or so, in real German style of military music.  There is almost as much military show here as in Russia.  Every officer must have beenin the ranks as a common soldier before he can become a commander or any officer.  The present King has mounted guard ‘tis said before his father’s palace.  ‘Tis remarkable how young all the soldiers here appear.  I have seen scarcely one over 21 years—though of course there are some.  The people at present are rather uneasy.  They some short time since asked of the new King to fulfill his father’s promises, which he made when calling on his people to rally against Napoleon, viz, “that he would give them a constitution.”  The present King does not at present seem disposed to fulfil it—and the people do not feel quite satisfied.[62]

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