We seem to have discovered a new room in Voltaire's house. One of these days, we should draw up a little cut-away schematic of the house.

Of course, now I'm just inventing work in my head for The Count.

--Geoff

Who was Greater anyway? I've talked about the similarities in Peter's and Frederick's biographies before, but let's run it down list-like. Both:

- Had early childhood trauma of an extreme sort.
- More or less blew off everything having to do with governing for most of their adolescence.
- Got their shit together when crises threatened to steamroll their lives of beautiful educated dawdling
- Invaded countries for no particular reason soon after gaining power
- Very nearly lost their respective wars, but ended up looking like unconquerable gods by the end
- Actively promoted religious tolerance and the importing of skilled laborers.

The main difference here is that Frederick started with Prussia, a well-run but joyless stretch of marshland, while Peter did it with Russia, a terribly-run but cannon-fodder-rich land. So, Frederick had to work with a greater efficiency than Peter in all of his ventures, simply lacking the resources Peter had at his disposal. However, at the same time, Frederick didn't have to fight against deep-rooted superstition and downright pig-headedness to the same degree as Peter. So, Frederick had to act more efficiently, but he could pull that off as he wasn't having to nut-punch a priest every other step to get things done. Peter couldn't be that efficient, but really didn't have to be.

So, in the end, They Are All Fine Monarchs.

Your Donnie Murphy Update: In Spring Training so far, in 13 at bats, Donnie Murphy is holding to a .385 batting average. The sun will soon shine on us again.

- Count Dolby von Luckner