He understood the noble art of governing men; had in him the justice, clearness, valor and patience needed for that.

A man of sterling probity, for one thing.

Which indeed is the first requisite in said art:--if you will have your laws obeyed without mutiny, see well that they be pieces of God Almighty's Law: otherwise all the artillery in the world will not keep down mutiny.
Friedrich "travelled much over Brandenburg;" looking into everything with his own eyes;--making, I can well fancy, innumerable crooked things straight.

Reducing more and more that famishing dog-kennel of a Brandenburg into a fruitful arable field.

His portraits represent a square headed, mild-looking solid gentleman, with a certain twinkle of mirth in the serious eyes of him.