RADZIWILL (Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Paul, 1797-1870, Prussian Infantry General, from 1833 Duke of Nieswicz and Olyka)

Autograph Letter Signed in charming English to 'My dear Jones', who has returned to England for his son's education, saying that the political horizon is "too much clouded" for the writer to visit, he wonders if "the rascally Belgians are to involve us" including his Brigade, adding "little honour would be gained, ... if we are to go to war I would prefer a direct outbreak with France", he praises the Whig Ministry, "Tory Ministers would be too involved in party questions" to act "with the same energy in foreighn questions" as the Whigs "seem determined to do", he describes his full house, "my mother in law & her family spending the winter in our house ... a Vie de Chateau in town ... If a body of our troops should assemble on the Rhine in spring perhaps you would ... treat yourself to a tea Kettle & steam up to see your old friend", 2 sides 4to., Berlin, 14th January short tear at fold without loss

The writer's parents, both good musicians, were the Polish Prince Anton Heinrich Radziwill (1775-1833), and Princess Luise of Prussia (1770-1836), daughter of Prince Ferdinand, the brother of Frederick the Great. Previously an Infantry Colonel, he turned in 1833 to managing his estates in former Poland, but in 1839 was recalled to Staff HQ in Berlin to command a Brigade of Militia. In 1848 as Divisional Commander he took part in the Prussian invasion of Schleswig-Holstein. Later as Inspector General of Engineers and Fortifications he became an expert in this field and took a prominent part in modernizing the Prussian army. His second wife (1832) was Princess Clary.

Item Date:  1839

Stock No:  20121      £95

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