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The secret history of the court of Berlin, or, The character of the king of Prussia, his ministers, mistresses, generals, courtiers, favourites, and the royal family of Prussia. With numerous anecdotes of the potentates of Europe, especially of the late Frederic II. and an interesting picture of the state of politics, particularly in Prussia, Russia, Germany, and Holland. In a series of letters, translated from the French, a posthumous work to which is added a memorial, presented to the present king of Prussia, on the day of his accession to the throne

1789 Paratext Forms: Preface Paratext Functions: Hermeneutical English

Contributions

Thomas Holcroft
author

Related resources

is paratext of
The secret history of the court of Berlin, or, The character of the king of Prussia, his ministers, mistresses, generals, courtiers, favourites, and the royal family of Prussia. With numerous anecdotes of the potentates of Europe, especially of the late Frederic II. and an interesting picture of the state of politics, particularly in Prussia, Russia, Germany, and Holland. In a series of letters, translated from the French, a posthumous work to which is added a memorial, presented to the present king of Prussia, on the day of his accession to the throne translation has paratext has other edition

Summary (extracted citations)

p. iv: 'But if he [Mirabeau] had the nobler intention of teaching mankind how to judge, and consequently how to beware, of courts, and the poor subtleties of men who wish to govern the world by cunning instead of justice (...) if he wished to teach the comprehensive mind the true art of governing, by giving examples of the false; if he were desirous to expand the wings of wisdom' etc. p. ix: 'Ministers and potentates are those into whose actions the most unrestrained, the most rigorous enquiry ought to be made. (...) All should be illumination! No obscure corner, in which vice may lurk'.

Notes

The translator's preface confirms Mirabeau's authorship and speculates about his motives in writing the book. Despite being critical of Mirabeau's 'unequal' character and work, the book is judged a very useful lesson against bad government and despotism.