Marriage which went on preparing itself by the side of the other; and was of twin importance with it in regard to the Russian Question.

The Swedish Marriage was not heard of, except in important whispers, during the Carnival time; but a Swedish Minister had already come to Berlin on it, and was busy first in a silent and examining, then in a speaking and proposing way.

It seems, the Czarina herself had suggested the thing, as a counter-politeness to Friedrich; so content with him at this time.

A thing welcome to Friedrich.

And, in due course ("June, 1744"), there comes express Swedish Embassy, some Rodenskjold or Tessin, with a very shining train of Swedes, "To demand Princess Ulrique in marriage for our Future King." To which there is assent, by no means denial, in the proper quarter.
Whereupon, after the wide-spread necessary fuglings and preliminaries, there occurs (all by Procuration, Brother August Wilhelm doing the Bridegroom's part), "July 17th, 1744," the Marriage itself: all done, this last act, and the foregoing ones and the following, with a grandeur and a splendor--unspeakable, we may say, in short.