. A history of all nations from the earliest times; being a universal historical library . mmediately re-moved some of the most opj)ressive hardships, and especially pro-tected the interest of the subjects as against the financial adminis-tration. On the whole and in general the system of governmenthad, indeed, to remain as it was. But where the state suffered no loss, mildness and enlightenedaction was to take the place of the narrow severity with which hith-erto the lower orders especially had been treated. Already, on thethird day of his reign, contrary to the opinion of the great majorityo
. A history of all nations from the earliest times; being a universal historical library . mmediately re-moved some of the most opj)ressive hardships, and especially pro-tected the interest of the subjects as against the financial adminis-tration. On the whole and in general the system of governmenthad, indeed, to remain as it was. But where the state suffered no loss, mildness and enlightenedaction was to take the place of the narrow severity with which hith-erto the lower orders especially had been treated. Already, on thethird day of his reign, contrary to the opinion of the great majorityof jurists, Frederick abolished torture, and thus gave to the entirecontinent of Europe a shining example, only very gradually imitatedby other states. This one act should suffice to clothe the name ofFrederick with imperishable renown. On the same day he effectedthe removal of all prohibitions of marriage not laid down in the 228 THE YOVTII OF FREDERICK TBE GREAT. Bible, — tobe siue, less for humane reasons tluui tu promote theestablishment of families and the increase of hlG. —- Fiedeiii/k II. ul about. 174U. From a coppci-phile eii^iaMii;; byJohanii Georg Wille (1715-1808); original painting by Antoine Pesue (1084-1707). As the ubcilition of torture was (lirect«d against jutlicial narrow-ness, and the enlargement oi the i-igiit to marry against restraints FREDERICKS ATTITUDE TOWARD RELIGION. 229 imposed by theologians, Frederick in like manner took ground alsoagainst the illiberal religious system of the age. If religious oppo-sition had already given way in the relations of the states to oneanother, within the individual states there prevailed only far too muchintolerance and persecution toward aU those who stood outside ofthe official church. Here, too, the king spoke the sa\ing word: All religious must l)e tolerated, for in this matter every one mustbecome happy in his own fasliion. It is Frederick who by thisgolden sentence inaugurated and e
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