inhishatredofdust，hewillnotsufferafloor—carpet，evenastuffedchair；butinsistsonhavingallofwood，wherethedustmaybeprosecutedtodestruction。[Forster，i。208。]Wifeandwomankind，andthosethattakeafterthem，letsuchhavestuffingandsofas:he，forhispart，sitsonmerewoodenchairs；——sits，andalsothinksandacts，afterthemannerofaHyperboreanSpartan，whichhewas。Heateheartily，butasaroughfarmerandhuntereats；countrymesses，goodroastandboiled；despisingtheFrenchCook，asanentitywithoutmeaningforhim。Hisfavoritedishatdinnerwasbaconandgreens，rightlydressed；whatcouldtheFrenchCookdoforsuchaman？Heatewithrapidity，almostwithindiscriminateviolence:hisobjectnotqualitybutquantity。
Hedranktoo，butdidnotgetdrunk:attheDoctor’sorderhecouldabstain；andhadinlateryearsabstained。Pollnitzpraiseshisfinenessofcomplexion，theoriginallyeminentwhitenessofhisskin，whichhehadtannedandbronzedbyhardridingandhunting，andotherwiseworsediscoloredbyhismanneroffeedinganddigesting:alas，atlasthiswaistcoatcametomeasure，IamafraidtosayhowmanyPrussianells，——averyconsiderablediameterindeed！[Ib。i。163。]
Forsomeyearsafterhisaccessionhestillappearedoccasionallyin"burgherdress，"orunmilitaryclothes；"brownEnglishcoat，yellowwaistcoat"andtheotherindispensables。Butthisfashionbecamerarerwithhimeveryyear；andceasedaltogether（sayChronologists）abouttheyear1719:afterwhichheappearedalwayssimplyasColonelofthePotsdamGuards（hisownLifeguardRegiment）insimplePrussianuniform:closemilitarycoat；
blue，withredcuffsandcollar，buffwaistcoatandbreeches；
whitelinengaiterstotheknee。Hegirthisswordabouttheloins，welloutofthemud；walkedalwayswithathickbambooinhishand；Steady，notslowofstep；withhistriangularhat，cream—whiteroundwig（inhisolderdays），andfacetendingtopurple，——theeyeslookingoutmereinvestigation，sharpswiftauthority，anddangerousreadinesstorebukeandsetthecaneinmotion:——itwassohewalkedabroadinthisearth；andthecommonrunofmenratherfledhisapproachthancourtedit。
For，infact，hewasdangerous；andwouldaskinanalarmingmanner，"Whoareyou？"Anyfantastic，muchmoreanysuspicious—lookingperson，mightfaretheworse。Anidleloungeratthestreet—cornerhehasbeenknowntohitoverthecrown；
andperemptorilydespatch:"Home，Sirrah，andtaketosomework！"
ThattheApple—womenbeencouragedtoknit，whilewaitingforcustom；——encouragedandquietlyconstrained，andatlengthpackedaway，andtheirstallstakenfromthem，ifunconstrainable，——therehas，asweobserved，anespecialrescriptbeenputforth；
verycurioustoread。[InRodenbeck，Beitrage，p。15。]
Dandiacalfigures，naypeoplelookinglikeFrenchmen，idleflauntingwomeneven，——betterforthemtobegoing。"Whoareyou？"
andifyouliedorprevaricated（"Erblickemichgeradean，Lookmeintheface，then！"），orevenstumbled，hesitated，andgavesuspicionofprevaricating，itmightbeworseforyou。Asoftanswerislesseffectualthanapromptclearone，toturnawaywrath。"ACandidatusTheoligiae，yourMajesty，"answeredahandfastthreadbareyouthoneday，whenquestionedinthismanner。——"Wherefrom？""Berlin，yourMajesty。"——"Hm，na，theBerlinersareagood—for—nothingset。"
"Yes，truly，toomanyofthem；butthereareexceptions；Iknowtwo。"——"Two？whichthen？""YourMajestyandmyself！"——Majestyburstintoalaugh:theCandidatuswasgotexaminedbytheConsistoriums，andAuthoritiesproperinthatmatter，andputintoachaplaincy。
ThisKingdidnotlovetheFrench，ortheirfashions，atall。
WesaidhedismissedthebigPeruke，——putitonforthelasttimeathisFather’sfuneral，sofardidfilialpietygo；andthenpackeditaside，dismissingit，naybanishingandproscribingit，nevertoappearmore。ThePeruke，and，asitwere，allthatthePerukesymbolized。ForthiswasaKingcomeintotheworldwithquiteotheraimsthanthatofwearingbigperukes，and，regardlessofexpense，playingburst—frogtotheoxofVersailles，whichlatterisitselfperhapsaratheruselessanimal。OfFriedrichWilhelm’staxesuponwigs；oftheold"Wig—inspectors，"andthefeatstheydid，pluckingoffmen’speriwigsonthestreet，toseeifthegovernment—stampwerethere，andtodiscouragewiggery，atleastallbutthesimplescratchorusefulWelsh—wig，amongmankind:ofthese，andofothersimilarthings，Icouldspeak；
butdonot。Thislittleincident，whichoccurredonceinthereview—groundontheoutskirtsofBerlin，willsufficetomarkhistemperinthatrespect。Itwasinthespringof1719；ourlittleFritzthensixyearsold，whoofcourseheardmuchtemporaryconfusedcommentary，directandoblique，triumphantmalelaughter，andperhapsrebelliousfemalesighs，onoccasionofsuchafeat。
CountRothenburg，Prussianbybirth，[Buchholz，NeuestePreuwssisch—BrandenburgischeGeschichte，i。28。]anaccomplishedandablepersoninthediplomaticandotherlinesofbusiness，butmuchusedtoParisanditsways，hadappearedlatelyinBerlin，asFrenchenvoy，——and，notunnaturally，inhighFrenchcostume；cocked—hat，peruke，lacedcoat，andtheothertrimmings。
He，andagroupofdashingfollowersandadherents，wereaccustomedtogoaboutinthatguise；verycapableofprovinginfectioustomankind。Whatistobedonewiththem？thinkstheanxiousFatherofhisPeople。TheyweretoappearattheensuinggrandReview，asFriedrichWilhelmunderstood。WhereuponFriedrichWilhelmtookhismeasuresinprivate。Dressedup，namely，hisScavenger—Executionerpeople（whattheycallPROFOSSENinPrussianregiments）inanenormousexaggerationofthatcostume；
cocked—hatsaboutanellindiameter，wigsreachingtothehoughs，withotherfittingstomatch:these，whenCountRothenburgandhiscompanyappearedupontheground，FriedrichWilhelmsummonedout，withsometrumpet—pealorburstoffield—music；andtheysolemnlycrossedCountRothenburg’sfieldofvision；thestrangestsetof，Phantasmshehadseenlately。Awakeningsalutaryreflectionsinhim。[Forster，i。165；Faasmann，LebenundThatendesallerdurchlauchtigstengc。KonigsvonPreussenFredericiWilhelmi（HambugundBreslau，1735），pp。223，319。]FancythatsceneinHistory；FriedrichWilhelmforcomic—symbolicDramaturgist。Godsandmen（oratleastHouyhnhnmhorses）mighthavesalutedit；withaHomericlaugh，——sohugeandvacantisit，withasuspicionofrealhumortoo:——butthemenwerenotpermitted，onparade，morethanasilentgrin，orgeneralirrepressiblerustlingmurmur；andonlythegodslaughedinextinguishably，ifsodisposed。TheScavenger—Executionerswentbacktotheirplace；andCountRothenburgtookaplainGermancostume，solongashecontinuedinthoseparts。
FriedrichWilhelmhasadumbroughwitandmockery，ofthatkind，onmanyoccasions；notwithoutgenialityinitsBrobdignagexaggerationandsimplicity。Likeawildbearofthewoodstakinghissport；withsomesenseofhumorintheroughskinofhim。
Verycapableofseeingthroughsumptuouscostumes；andrespectfulofrealitiesalone。NotinFrenchsumptuosity，butinnativeGermanthrift，doesthisKingseehissalvation；soasNatureconstructedhim:andtheworldwhichhaslonglostitsSpartans，willseeagainanoriginalNorth—GermanSpartan；andshriekagooddealoverhim；Naturekeepingherowncounselthewhile，andasitwere，laughinginhersleeveattheshrieksoftheflunkyworld。
ForNature，whenshemakesaSpartan，meansagooddealbyit；
anddoesnotexpectinstantapplauses，butonlygradualandlasting。
"Formyownpart，"exclaimsacertainEditoronce，"IperceivewelltherewasneveryetanygreatEmpirefounded，Roman，English，downtoPrussianorDutch，norinfactanygreatmassofworkgotachievedundertheSun，butitwasfoundedevenuponthishumble—lookingqualityofThrift，andbecameachievableinvirtueofthesame。Whichwillseemastrangedoctrine，inthesedaysofgold—nuggets，railway—fortunes，andmiraculous，sumptuositiesregardlessofexpense。Earnestreadersareinvitedtoconsiderit，nevertheless。Thoughnew；itisveryold；andasadmeaningliesinittousofthesetimes！Thatyouhavesquanderedinidlefooleries，buildingwheretherewasnobasis，yourHundredThousandSterling，yourEightHundredMillionSterling，istomeacomparativelysmallmatter。Youmaystillagainbecomerich，ifyouhaveatlastbecomewise。Butifyouhavewastedyourcapacityofstrenuous，devoutlyvaliantlabor，ofpatience，perseverance，self—denial，faithinthecausesofeffects；alas，ifyouroncejustjudgmentofwhatisworthsomethingandwhatisworthnothing，hasbeenwasted，andyoursilentsteadfastrelianceonthegeneralveracities，ofyourselfandofthings，isnolongerthere，——thenindeedyouhavehadaloss！Youare，infact，anentirelybankruptindividual；asyouwillfindbyandby。Yes；andthoughyouhadCaliforniainfee—simple；andcouldbuyalltheupholsteries，groceries，funded—properties，temporary（verytemporary）landedpropertiesoftheworld，atoneswoop，itwouldavailyounothing。HenceforthforyounoharvestsintheSeedfieldofthisUniverse，whichreservesitssalutarybounties，andnobleheaven—sentgifts，forquiteotherthanyou；andIwouldnotgiveapin’svalueforallYOUwilleverreapthere。Mereimaginaryharvests，sacksofnuggetsandthelike；emptyastheeast—wind；——
withalltheDemonslaughingatyou！DoyouconsiderthatNaturetooisaswollenflunky，hungryforveils；andcanbetakeninwithyoursublimeairsofsumptuosity，andthelargebalanceyouactuallyhaveinLombardStreet？Gotothe——GeneralCesspool，withyournuggetsandyourducats！"
Theflunkyworld，muchstriptofitsplushandfatperquisites，accusesFriedrichWilhelmbitterlyofavariceandthecognatevices。Butitisnotso；intrinsically，inthemain，hisprocedureistobedefinedashonorablethrift，——vergingtowardsavaricehereandthere；aspoorhumanvirtuesusuallyleantoonesideortheother！Hecanbemagnificentenoughtoo，andgrudgesnoexpense，whentheoccasionseemsworthy。Iftheoccasionisinevitable，andyetnotquiteworthy，Ihaveknownhimhaverecoursetostrangeshifts。TheCzarPeter，forexample，usedtoberatherofteninthePrussianDominions，oftenestonbusinessofhisown:suchamanistoberoyallydefrayedwhilewithus；
yetonewouldwishitdonecheap。Posthorses，"twohundredandeighty—sevenateverystation，"hehasfromtheCommunity；buttherestofhisexpenses，fromMemelallthewaytoWesel？FriedrichWilhelm’smarginalresponsetohisFINANZ—DIRECTORIUM，requiringordersonceonthatsubject，runsinthefollowingstrangetenor:
"Yes，alltheway（exceptBerlin，whichItakeuponmyself）；
andobserve，youcontrivetodoitfor6，000thalers（900
pounds），"——whichisuncommonlycheap，aboutlpoundpermile；——
won’tallowyouoneotherpenny（niteinenPfenniggebemehrdazu）；butyouare（sollenSie），"thisistheremarkablepoint，"togiveoutintheworldthatitcostsmefromThirtytoFortyThousand！"[1717:Forster，i。213。]SothathereistheMajestyofPrussia，whobeyondallmenabhorslies，givingorderstotellone？Alas，yes；akindoflie，orfib（whitefib，orevenGRAY），thepinchofThriftcompelling！Butwhatawindowintotheartlessinner—manofhisMajesty，eventhatGRAYfib；——notdonebyoneself，butorderedtobedonebytheservant，asifthatwerecheaper！
"Verginguponavarice，"sureenough:but，unlessweareunjustandunkind，hecanbynomeansbedescribedasaMISERKing。
Hecollectswhatishis；givesyouaccuratelywhatisyours。
Forwagespaidhewillseeworkdone；hewillascertainmoreandmorethattheworkdonebeworkneedfulforhim；andstrikeitoff，ifnot。ASpartanman，aswesaid，——thoughprobablyheknewaslittleoftheSpartansastheSpartansdidofhim。ButNatureisstillcapableofsuchproducts:ifinHellaslongagessince，whynotinBrandenburgnow？
ChapterV。
FRIEDRICHWILHELM’SONEWAR。
OneofFritz’searlieststrongimpressionsfromtheouterworldchancedtobeofWar，——soitchanced，thoughhehadshowntoolittletastethatway，andcouldnot，asyet，understandsuchphenomena；——andtheremusthavebeenmuchsemi—articulatequestioninganddialoguingwithDamedeRoucoulles，onhispart，aboutthematternowgoingon。
Intheyear1715，littleFritz’sthirdyear，camegranddoings，notofdrillonly，butofactualwarandfighting:the"StralsundExpedition，"FriedrichWilhelm’sonefeatinthatkind。Hugerumorofwhichfillsnaturallythematernalheart，theBerlinPalacedrawing—rooms；andoccupies，withnewvividinterests，allimaginationsyoungandold。Fortheactualbattledrumsarenowbeating，thebigcannon—wainsarecreakingunderway；andmilitarymentakefarewell，andmarch，tramp，tramp；Majestyingrenadier—guarduniformattheirhead:horse，footandartillery；
northwardtoStralsundontheBalticshore，whereaterriblehumanLionhastakenuphislairlately。CharlesXII。ofSweden，namely；
hehasbrokenoutofTurkishBenderorDemotica，andendedhisobstinatetorpor，atlast；hasriddenfourteenorsixteendays，heandagroomortwo，throughdesolatesteppesandmountainwildernesses，throughcrowdeddangerouscities；——"camebyViennaandbyCassel，thenthroughPommern；"leavinghis"royaltrainoftwothousandpersons"tofollowatitsleisure。He，forhispart，hasriddenwithoutpause，forward，everforward，indarkestincognito，theindefatigableman；——andfinally，onOld—HallowmasEve（22d—11thNovember，1714），farinthenight，aHorseman，withtwoothersstillfollowinghim，travel—splashed，and"whitewithsnow，"drewbridleatthegateofStralsund；and，tothesurpriseoftheSwedishsentinelthere，demandedinstantadmissiontotheGovernor。TheGovernor，atfirstalittlesurlyofhumor，sawgraduallyhowitwas；sprangoutofbed，andembracedthekneesofthesnowyman；Stralsundingeneralsprangoutofbed，andilluminateditself，thatsameHallow—Eve:——andinbrief，CharlesXII。，afterfiveyearsofeclipse，hasreappeareduponthestageofthings；andmenacestheworld，inhisoldfashion，fromthatCity。Fromwhichitbecomesurgenttomanyparties，andatlasttoFriedrichWilhelmhimself，thathebedislodged。
TherootofthisStralsundstorybelongstotheformerreign，asdidthegrandapparitionofCharlesXII。onthetheatreofEuropeanHistory，andtheterrorandastonishmenthecreatedthere。Heisnowthirty—threeyearsold；andonlythewindingup，bothofhimandoftheStralsundstory，fallswithinourpresentfield。Fifteenyearsago，itwasliketheburstingofacataractofbomb—shellsinadullball—room，thesuddenappearanceofthisyoungfightingSwedeamongtheluxuriousKingsandKingletsoftheNorth，allloungingaboutandlanguidlyminuettinginthatmanner，regardlessofexpense！FriedrichIV。ofDenmarkrejoicingoverredwine；AugusttheStronggraduallyproducinghis"threehundredandfifty—fourbastards；"[MemoiresdeBareith
（Wilhelmina’sBook，Londres，1812），i。111。]theseandotherneighborshadconfidentlysteptin，onvariouspretexts；thinkingtohelpthemselvesfromtheyoungman’sproperties，whowasstillaminor；whentheyoungminorsuddenlydevelopedhimselfasamajorandmaximus，andturnedouttobesuchaFire—Kingamongthem！
InconsequenceofwhichtherehadbeennoendofNortherntroubles；andallthroughtheLouis—FourteenthorMarlboroughgrand"SuccessionWar，"aspecial"NorthernWar"hadburntorsmoulderedonitsownscore；SwedesVERSUSSaxons，RussiansandDanes，bickeringinwearyintricatecontest，andkeepingthoseNorthernregionsinsmokeifnotonfire。CharlesXII。，forthelastfiveyears（eversincePultawa，andthesummerof1709），hadlainobstinatelydormantinTurkey；urgingtheTurkstodestroyCzarPeter。Whichtheyabsolutelycouldnot，thoughtheynowandthentried；andViziersnotafewlosttheirheadsinconsequence。
Charleslaysullenlydormant；DanesmeanwhileoperatinguponhisHolsteininterestsandadjoiningterritories；Saxons，Russians，batteringcontinuallyatSwedishPommern，continuallymarchingthither，andthenmarchinghomeagain，withoutsuccess，——alwaysthroughtheBrandenburgTerritory，astheyneedsmust。
WhichlattercircumstanceFriedrichWilhelm，whileyetonlyCrown—Prince，hadseenwithnaturaldispleasure，couldthathavehelpedit。ButCharlesXII。wouldnotyieldawhit；
sentordersperemptorily，fromhisbedatBenderorDemotica，thattheremustbenosurrender。Neithercouldthesluggishenemycompelsurrender。
Sothat，atlength，ithadgrownafeeblewearisomewelterofinextricablestrifes，withworn—outcombatants，exhaustedofallbuttheiranimosity；andseemedasifitwouldneverend。
Inveterateineffectivewar；ruinoustoallgoodinterestsinthoseparts。WhatmiserieshadHolsteinfromit，whichlasttoourownday！Mecklenburgalsoitinvolvedinsoretroubles，whichlastedlongenough，asweshallsee。ButBrandenburg，aboveall，maybeimpatient；Brandenburg，whichhasnobusinesswithitexceptthatofunluckyneighborhood。OneofFriedrichWilhelm’sveryfirstoperations，asKing，wastoendthisuglystateofmatters，whichhehadwitnessedwithimpatience，asPrince，foralongwhile。
HehadhailedeventheTreatyofUtrechtwithwelcome，inhopesitmightatleastendtheseNorthernbrabbles。ThistheTreatyofUtrechttriedtodo，butcouldnot:however，itgavehimbackhisPrussianFightingMen；whichhehasalreadyincreasedbysixregiments，raised，wemayperceive，ontheruinsofhislatecourt—flunkiesanddismissedgoldsticks；——withtheseFriedrichWilhelmwilltrytoendithimself。TheseheatonceorderedtoformaCamponhisfrontier，closetothattheatreofcontest；
andsignifiednowwithemphasis，inthebeginningof1713，thathedecidedlywishedtherewerepeaceinthosePommernregions。
Negotiationsinconsequence；[10thJune，1713:Buchholz，i。21。]
verywidenegotiations，LouisXIV。andtheKaiserlendinghand，topacifythesefightingNorthernKingsandtheirCzar:atlengththeHolsteinGovernment，representingtheirswornally，CharlesXII。，ontheoccasion，madeanofferwhichseemedpromising。
Theyproposedthat，Stettinanditsdependencies，thestrongfrontierTown，and，asitwere，keyofSwedishPommern，shouldbeevacuatedbytheSwedes，andbegarrisonedbyneutraltroops，PrussiansandHolsteinersinequalnumber；whichneutraltroopsshallprohibitanyhostileattackofPommernfromwithout，SwedenengagingnottomakeanyattackthroughPommernfromwithin。
ThatwillbeasgoodaspeaceinPommern，tillwegetageneralSwedishPeace。WithwhichFriedrichWilhelmgladlycomplies。
[22dJune，1713:Buchholz，i。21。]
Unhappily，however，theSwedishCommandantinStettinwouldnotgiveuptheplace，onanyrepresentativeorsecondaryauthority；
notwithoutanexpressorderinhisKing’sownhand。Which，ashisKingwasfaraway，inabstruseTurkishcircumstancesandlocalities，couldnotbehadatthemoment；andinvolvednewdifficultiesanduncertainties，newdelaywhichmightitselfbefatal。Theendwas，theRussiansandSaxonshadtocannonadethemanoutbyregularsiege:theythengaveuptheTowntoPrussiaandHolstein；butrequiredfirsttobepaidtheirexpensesincurredinsiegingit，——400，000thalers，astheycomputedanddemonstrated，orsomewhereabout60，000poundsofourmoney。
FriedrichWilhelmpaidthemoney（Holsteinnothavingagroschen）；
tookpossessionoftheTown，anddependenttownsandforts；
intendingwelltokeepthemtillrepaid。ThiswasinOctober，1713；andeversince，therehasbeenactualtranquillityinthoseparts:theembersoftheNorthernWarmaystillburnorsmoulderelsewhere，butheretheyarequiteextinct。Atfirst，itwasajointpossessionofStettin，HolsteinersandPrussiansinequalnumber；andifFriedrichWilhelmhadbeensureofhismoney，soitwouldhavecontinued。ButtheHolsteinershadpaidnothing；
CharlesXII’ssanctionnevercouldbeexpresslygot，andtheHolsteinersweremeredependentsofhis。BettertoincreaseourPrussianforce，bydegrees；and，insomegoodway，withaminimumofviolence，gettheHolsteinerssqueezedoutofStettin:
FriedrichWilhelmhassoorderedandcontrived。ThePrussianforcehavingnowgraduallyincreasedtodoubleinthisimportantgarrison，theHolsteinersarequietlydisarmed，onenight，andorderedtodepart，underpenalties；——whichwasdone。Holdingsuchapawn—ticketasStettin，buttonedinourownpocket，wecountnowonbeingpaidour60，000poundsbeforepartingwithit。
MattersturnedoutasFriedrichWilhelmhaddreadedtheymight。
HereisCharlesXII。comeback；inflexibleascoldSwedishiron；
willnothearofanyTreatydealingwithhispropertiesinthatmanner:Isheabankrupt，then，thatyouwillsellhistownsbyauction？Charlesdoesnot，atheart，believethatFriedrichWilhelmeverreallypaidthe60，000poundsCharlesdemands，forhisownpart，tohave，hisownSwedishTownofStettinrestoredtohim；andhasnottheleastintention，orindeedability，topaymoney。Vaintoanswer:"Stettin，forthepresent，isnotaSwedishTown；itisaPrussianPawn—ticket！"——Therewasmuchnegotiation，correspondence；LouisXIV。andtheKaisersteppinginagaintoproducesettlement。Tonopurpose。Louis，gallantoldBankrupt，triedhardtotakeCharles’spartwitheffect。Buthehad，himself，nomoneynow；couldonlytryfinessingbyambassadors，tryalittlemenacingbythem；neitherofwhichprofited。
FriedrichWilhelm，wantingonlypeaceonhisborders，afterfifteenyearsofextraneousuproarthere，haspaid60，000poundsinhardcashtohaveit:repayhimthatsum，withpromiseofpeaceonhisborders，hewillthenquitStettin；tillthennot。
BigwordsfromaFrenchAmbassadorinbigwig，willnotsuffice:
"Bullyinggoesfornothing（Bangemachengiltnicht），"——thethingcovenantedforwillneedtobedone！
PoorLouistheGreat，whomwenowcall"BANKRUPT—Great，"diedwhiletheseaffairswerepending；whileCharles，hisally，wasarguingandbattlingagainstalltheworld，withonlyagrandiloquentAmbassadortohelphimfromLouis。"J’aitropaimelaguerre，"saidLouisathisdeath，addressinganewsmallLouis（fiveyearsold），hisgreat—grandsonandsuccessor:"Ihavebeentoofondofwar；donotimitatemeinthat，nem’imitezpasencela。"[1stSeptember，1715。]Whichcounselalso，asweshallsee，wasconsiderablylostinair。
FriedrichWilhelmhadatruepersonalregardforCharlesXII。，amanmadeinmanyrespectsafterhisownheart；andwouldfainhavepersuadedhimintosofterbehavior。Butitwastonopurpose。
Charleswouldnotlistentoreasonsofpolicy；orbelievethathisestatewasbankrupt，orthathistownscouldbeputinpawn。
Danes，Saxons，Russians，evenGeorgeI。ofEngland（George—havingjustbought，oftheDanishKing，whohadgotholdofit，agreatHanoverbargain，BremenandVerden，oncheapterms，fromthequasi—bankruptestateofpoorCharles），——havetocombineagainsthim，andseetoputhimdown。AmongwhomPrussia，atlengthactuallyattackedbyCharlesintheStettinregions，hasreluctantlytotaketheleadinthatrepressivemovement。Onthe28thofApril，1715，FriedrichWilhelmdeclareswaragainstCharles；isalreadyonmarch，withagreatforce，towardsStettin，tocoerceandrepresssaidCharles。Nohelpforit，sosoreasitgoesagainstus:"WhywilltheveryKingwhomImostrespectcompelmetobehisenemy？"saidFriedrichWilhelm。[
OEuvresdeFrederic（HistoiredeBrandebourg），
i。132；Buchholz，i。28。]
OneofFriedrichWilhelm’soriginalitiesishisfarewellOrderandInstruction，tohisthreechiefMinisters，onthisoccasion。
Ilgen，Dohna，Prinzen，tacitduskyfigures，whomwemeetinPrussianBooks，andnevergaintheleastideaof，exceptasofgrim，rathercunning，mostreservedantiquarlangentlemen，——akindofhumaniron—safes，solemnlyfilled（undertripleandquadruplepatent—locks）withwhat，alas，hasnowallgrownwaste—paper，dustandcobweb，tous:——thesethreereservedcunningGentlemenaretokeepathrice—watchfuleyeonallsubordinateboardsandpersons，andseewellthatnobodynodordoamiss。BriefweeklyreporttohisMajestywillbeexpected；staffettes，shouldcasesofhothasteoccur:anyquestionsofyoursare"tobeputonasheetofpaperfoldeddown，towhichIcanwritemarginalia:"ifnothingparticularispassing，"NITSCHREIBEN，youdon’twrite。"Payoutnomoney，exceptwhatfallsduebytheBooks；none；——ifanextraordinarycaseforpaymentarise，consultmyWife，andshemustsignherorderforit。Generallyinmattersofanymoment，consultmyWife；butheronly，"exceptherandthePrivyCouncillors，nomortalistopokeintomyaffairs:"Isaynomortal，"SONSTKEINMENSCH。"
"MyWifeshallbetoldofallthings，"hesayselsewhere，"andcounselaskedofher。"TheruggedPaterfamilias，butthehumanone！"AndasIamaman，"continueshe，"andmaybeshotdead，IcommandyouandalltotakecareofFritz（FURFRITZZUSORGEN），asGodshallrewardyou。AndIgiveyouall，Wifetobeginwith，mycurse（MEINENPLUCH），thatGodmaypunishyouinTimeandEternity，ifyoudonot，aftermydeath，"——dowhat，OHeavens？——
burymeinthevaultoftheSchlosskirche，"Palace—ChurchatBerlin！"Andyoushallmakenograndto—do（KEINFESTIN）ontheoccasion。Onyourbodyandlife，nofestivalsandceremonials，exceptthattheregimentsoneaftertheotherfireavolleyoverme。"Isnotthisanursineman—of—genius，insomesort，asweoncedefinedhim？Headdssuddenly，andconcludes:"Iamassuredyouwillmanageeverythingwithalltheexactnessintheworld；
forwhichIshalleverzealously，aslongasIlive，beyourfriend。"[26thApril，1715:CosmarsundKlaproths
Staatsrath，s。223（inStenzel，iii。269）。Russians，SaxonsaffectedtointendjoiningFriedrichWilhelminhisPommernExpedition；andofthelattertheredid，underaso—calledField—MarshalvonWackerbarth，ofhighplumesandtitles，somefourthousand——ofwhomonlyColonelvonSeckendorf，commandingoneofthehorse—regiments，isremarkabletous——comeandserve。
Therest，andalltheRussians，hewasaswellpleasedtohaveatadistance。SomesixteenthousandDanesjoinedhim，too，withtheKingofDenmarkattheirhead；veryfurious，all，againsttheSwedish—ironHero；buttheywereremarkedtodoalmostnorealservice，exceptatseaalittleagainsttheSwedishships。
GeorgeI。alsohadafleetintheBaltic；butonly"toprotectEnglishcommerce。"Onthewhole，theSiegeofStralsund，towhichtheCampaignprettysoonreduceditself，wasdonemainlybyFriedrichWilhelm。HestayedtwomonthsinStettin，gettingallhispreliminariescompleted；hisgoodQueen，Wife"Feekin，"waswithhimforsometime，Iknownotwhethernoworafterwards。
IntheendofJune，heissuedfromStettin；tooktheinterjacentoutpostplaces；andthenopenedgroundbeforeStralsund，where，inafewdaysmore，theDanesjoinedhim。ItwasnowthemiddleofJuly:acombinedArmyofwell—nighfortythousandagainstCharles；
who，tomanhisworks，mustersaboutthefourthpartofthatnumber。[Pauli，viii。85—101；Buchholz，i。31—39；Forster，ii。34—39；Stenzel，iii。272—218。]
Stralsund，withitsouterlinesandinner，withitsmarshes，ditches，rampartsandabundantcannontothem，andleaning，onesideofit，onthedeepsea，whichSwedishshipscommandasyet，isverystrong。Wallenstein，weknow，oncetrieditwithfuriousassault，withbombardment，sapandstorm；sworehewouldhaveit，"thoughithungbyachainfromHeaven；"butcouldnotgetit，afterallhisvolcanicraging；andwasdrivenaway，partlybytheSwedesandarmedTownsfolk，chieflybythemarsh—feversandcontinuousrains。Stralsundhasbeentaken，sincethat，byPrussiansieging；asoldmen，fromtheGreatElector’stime，stillremember。[lOth—15thOctober，1678（Pauli，v。203，205）。]
ToLouisFourteenth’smenacingAmbassador，FriedrichWilhelmseemstointimatethatindeedbigbullyingwordswillnottakeit，butthatPrussiangunsandmen，onajustground，stillmay。
ThedetailsofthisSiegeofStralsundareallonrecord，andhadonceacertainfameintheworld；but，exceptasadistantecho，mustnotconcernushere。Itlastedtillmidwinter，undercontinualfiercecounter—movementsanddesperatesalliesfromtheSwedishLion，standingatbaythereagainstalltheworld。
ButFriedrichWilhelmwasvigilanceitself；andhehadhisAnhalt—Dessauswithhim，hisBorcks，Buddenbrocks，Finkensteins，veteranmenandcaptains，whohadlearnedtheirartunderMarlboroughandEugene。TheLionKing’sfiercesallies，anddesperatevalor，couldnotavail。Pointafterpointwaslostforhim。Koppen，aPrussianLieutenant—Colonel，nativetotheplace，whohasbathedinthosewatersinhisyouth，remembersthat，bywadingtothechin，youcouldgetroundtheextremityofCharles’smainouterline。Koppenstateshisproject，getsitapprovedof；——
wadesaccordingly，withaselectparty，undercloudofnight（4thofNovember，eveofGunpowder—day，amostcold—hotjob）；
otherrankedPrussianbattalionsawaitingintentlyoutside，withshoulderedfirelock，invisibleinthedark；whatwillbecomeofhim。Koppenwadessuccessfully；seizesthefirstbatteryofsaidline，——masterssaidlinewithitsbatteries，theoutsidebattalionsandhe。Irrepressibly，withhorribleuproarfromwithoutandfromwithin；theflyingSwedesscarcelygettinguptheTowndrawbridge，ashechasedthem。ThatimportantlineislosttoCharles。
NexttheytooktheIsleofRugenfromhim，whichshutsuptheharbor。LeopoldofAnhalt—Dessau，ourruggedfriend，inDanishboats，whichwerebutillnavigated，contrives，aboutaweekafterthatKoppenfeat，toeffectalanding—onRugenatnightfall；
beatsofftheweakSwedishparty；——entrenches，palisadeshimselftotheteeth，andliesdownunderarms。Thatlatterwasawiseprecaution。For，aboutfourinthemorning，Charlescomesinperson，witheightpiecesofcannonandfourthousandhorseandfoot:Charlesisstruckwithamazementatthepalisadeandditch（"MEINGOTT，whowouldhaveexpectedthis！"hewasheardmurmuring）；dashes，likeafire—flood，againstditchandpalisade；
tearsatthepaleshimself，whichproveimpregnabletohiscannonandhim。Hestormsandragesforward，againandagain，nowhere，nowthere；butismeteverywherebysteadydeadlymusketry；
andhastoretire，fruitless，aboutdaybreak，himselfwounded，andleavinghiseightcannons，andfourhundredslain。
PoorCharles，therehadbeennosleepforhimthatnight，andlittleforverymanynights:"ongettingtohorse，ontheshoreatStralsund，hefaintedrepeatedly；felloutofonefaintintoanother；butsuchwashisrage，healwaysrecoveredhimself，andgotonhorsebackagain。"[Buchholz，i。36。]PoorCharles:abitofrightroyalSwedish—Germanstuff，afterhiskind；andtragicallyillbestednowatlast！Thisishisexitheisnowmaking，——stillinaconsistentmanner。ItisfifteenyearsnowsincehewadedashoreatCopenhagen，andfirstheardthebulletswhistleroundhim。Sincewhichtime，whatacoursehasherun；crashingathwartallmannerofrankedarmies，diplomaticcombinations，rightonward，likeacannon—ball；tearingoffmanysolemnwigsinthoseNorthernparts，andscatteringthemuponthewinds，——evenashedidhisownfull—bottomwig，impatiently，onthatfirstdayatCopenhagen，tidingitunfurthersomeforactualbusinessinbatt1e。
[Kohler，Munzbelustigungen，xiv。213。]
Inaboutamonthhence，thelastimportanthornworkisforced；
Charles，himselfseenfiercelyfightingontheplace，issweptbackfromhislasthornwork；andthegeneralstorm，nowaltogetherirresistible，isevidentlyathand。Onentreatyfromhisfollowers，entreatyoftenrenewed，withtearseven（itissaid）
andonbendedknees，Charlesatlastconsentstogo。Heleftnoordersforsurrender；wouldnotnametheword；"leftonlyambiguousvagueorders。"Butonthe19thDecember，1715，hedoesactuallydepart；getsonboardalittleboat，towardsaSwedishfrigate，whichislyingaboveamileout；thewholeroadtowhich，betweenRugenandthemainland，isnowsolidice，andhastobecutasheproceeds。Thisslowoperation，whichlastedallday，wasvisible，anditsmeaningwellknown，inthebesiegers’lines。
TheKingofDenmarksawit；andbroughtabatterytobearuponit；
histhoughthadalwaysbeen，thatCharlesshouldbecapturedorkilledinStralsund，andnotallowedtogetaway。FriedrichWilhelmwasofquiteanothermind，andhadevenusedsecretinfluencestothateffect；eagerthatCharlesshouldescape。
Itissaid，heremonstratedverypassionatelywiththeDanishKingandthisbatteryofhis；nay，someadd，sinceremonstrancesdidnotavail，andthebatterystillthreatenedtofire，FriedrichWilhelmdrewupaPrussianregimentortwoatthemuzzlesofit，andsaid，Youshallshootusfirst，then。[Buchholz，p。138。]
Whichisapleasantmythatleast；andsymbolicalofwhattherealitywas。
Charlesreachedhisfrigateaboutnightfall，butmadelittlewayfromtheplace，owingtodefectofwind。Theysay，heevenheardthechamadebeatinginStralsundnextday，andthataDanishfrigatehadnearlytakenhim；bothwhichstatementsareperhapsalsoalittlemythical。CertainonlythathevanishedatthispointintoScandinavia；andgeneralEuropeneversawhimmore。
Vanishedintoacloudofuntenableschemes，guidedbyAlberoni，BaronGortzandothers；wildschemes，financial，diplomatic，warlike，nothingnotchimericalinthembuthisownunquenchablerealenergy；——andfoundhisdeath（byassassination，asappears）
inthetrenchesofFrederickshall，amongtheNorwayHills，onewinternight，threeyearshence。AssassinationinstigatedbytheSwedishOfficialPersons，itisthought。Thebulletpassedthroughbothhistemples；hehadclapthishanduponthehiltofhissword，andwasfoundleantagainsttheparapet，inthatattitude，——goneuponalongmarchnow。SovanishedCharlesTwelfth；
thedistressedOfficialPersonsandNobilityexplodinguponhiminthatratherdamnableway，——anxioustosliptheirmuzzlesatanycostwhatever。Amanofantiquecharacter；trueasachild，simple，evenbashful，andofastrengthandvalorrarelyexampledamongmen。Open—heartedAntiquepopulationswouldhavemuchworshippedsuchanAppearance；——Voltaire，too，fortheartificialModerns，hasmadeamythofhim，ofanothertype；oneofthoseimpossiblecast—irongentlemen，heroicallymad，suchastheyshowinthePlayhouses，pleasantbutnotprofitable，toanundiscerningPub1ic。[SeeAdlerfeld（MilitaryHistoryofCharlesXII。
London，1740，3vols。，"fromtheSwedish，"throughtheFrench）andKohler（Munzbelustigungen，
ubisupra），forsomeauthentictraitsofhislifeandhim。]
ThelastoftheSwedishKingsdiedinthisway；andtheunmuzzledOfficialPersonshavenotmademuchofkingingitinhisstead。
Charlesdied；and，aswemaysay，tookthelifeofSwedenalongwithhim；forithasnevershoneamongtheNationssince，orbeenmuchworthmentioning，exceptforitsmisfortunes，spasmodicimpotencesandunwisdoms。
Stralsundinstantlybeatthechamade，asweheard；andallwassurrenderandsubjectioninthoseregions。Surrender；notyetpacification，notwhileCharleslived；norforhalfacenturyafterhisdeath，couldMecklenburg，Holstein—Gottorp，andotherhisconfederates，escapeasadcoilofcalamitiesbequeathedbyhimtothem。FriedrichWilhelmreturnedtoBerlin，victoriousfromhisfirst，whichwasalsohislastPrussianWar，inJanuary，1716；
andwasdoubtlessahappyman，NOT"tobeburiedintheSchlosskirche（underpenaltyofGod’scurse），"buttofindhislittleFritzandFeekin，andalltheworld，merrytoseehim，andallthingsputsquareagain，abroadasathome。Heforbadethe"triumphalentry"whichBerlinwaspreparingforhim；enteredprivately；andorderedathanksgivingsermoninallthechurchesnextSunday。
THEDEVILINHARNESS:CREUTZTHEFINANCE—MINISTER。
IntheKing’sabsencenothingparticularhadoccurred，——exceptindeedthewalkingofadreadfulSpectre，threenightsover，inthecorridorsofthePalaceatBerlin；pastthedoorswhereourlittlePrinceandWilhelminaslept:bringingwithitnotairsfromHeaven，wemayfear，butblastsfromtheOtherplace！Thestalwartsentriesshookintheirpaces，andbecame"half—dead"fromterror。
"Ahorriblenoise，onenight，"saysWilhelmina，"whenallwereburiedinsleep:alltheworldstartedup，thinkingitwasfire；
buttheyweremuchsurprisedtofindthatitwasaSpectre。"
EvidentSpectre，seentopassthisway，"andglidealongthatgallery，asiftowardstheapartmentsoftheQueen’sLadies。"
CaptainoftheGuardcouldfindnothinginthatgallery，oranywhere，andwithdrewagain:——butlo，itreturnsthewayitwent！
Stalwartsentrieswerefoundmeltedintoactualdeliquiumofswooning，asthePreternaturalsweptbythissecondtime。
"Theysaid，ItwastheDevilinperson；raisedbySwedishwizardstokillthePrince—Royal。"[Wilhelmina，MemoiresdeBareith，i。18。]lPoorPrince—Royal；sleepingsound，wehope；
littlemorethanthreeyearsoldatthistime，andknowingnothingofit！——AllBerlintalkedoftheaffair。Peopledreadeditmightbea"Spectre"ofSwedishtendencies；aimingtoburnthePalace，spiritofftheRoyalChildren，anddooneknewnotwhat？
Notthatatall，byanymeans！TheCaptainoftheGuard，reinforcinghimselftodefianceevenofthePreternatural，does，onthethirdorfourthapparition，clutchtheSpectre；findshimtobe——aprowlingScullionofthePalace，employedherehewillnotsayhow；whoisstraightwaylockedinprison，andsoexorcisedatleast。Exorcismisperfect；butBerlinisleftguessingastotherest，——secretofitdiscoverableonlybytheQueen’sMajestyandsomefewmostinteriorparties。Tothefollowingeffect。
Spectre—Scullion，itturnsout，hadbeenemployedbyGrumkow，asspyupononeoftheQueen’sMaidsofHonor，——suspectedbyhimtobeaNo—maidofDishonor，andofillintentionstoo，——wholodgesinthatpartofthePalace:ofwhomHerrGrumkowwishesintenselytoknow，"HassheanintriguewithCreutzthenewFinance—Minister，orhasshenot？""Has，beyonddoubt！"theSpectre—Scullionhopeshehasdiscovered，beforeexorcism。
UponwhichGrumkow，essentiallyilluminatedastotherequiredparticular，managestogettheSpectre—Scullionlooseagain，notquitehanged；glozingthematterofftohisMajestyonhisreturn:
fortherest，ruinsentirelytheCreutzspeculation；andhastheNo—maidcalledofHonor——withwhomCreutzthoughttohaveseducedtheyoungKingalso，andmadetheyoungKingamenable——dismissedfromCourtinaperemptoryirrefragablemanner。ThisisthesecretoftheSpectre—Scullion，fullyrevealedbyWilhelminamanyyearsafter。
ThisoneshortglanceintotheSatan’sInvisible—WorldoftheBerlinPalace，wecouldnotbutaffordthereader，whenanactualGoblinofithappenedtobewalkinginourneighborhood。SuchanInvisible—WorldofSatanexistsinmosthumanHouses，andinallhumanPalaces；——withitsimps，familiardemons，spies，go—betweens，andindustriousbad—angels，continuallymountinganddescendingbyTHEIRJacob’s—Ladder，orPalaceBackstairs:
operateduponbyConjurersoftheGrumkow—Creutzorothersorts。
TyrannousMamsellLeti，[Leti，GovernesstoWilhelmina，butsoondismissedforinsolentcrueltyandotherbadconduct，wasdaughterofthatGregorioLeti（"ProtestantItalianRefugee，"
"HistoriographerofAmsterdam，"&c。&c。），whooncehadapensioninthiscountry；andwhowroteHistory—Books，aLifeofCromwelloneofthem，soregardlessofthedifferencebetweentrueandfalse。]treacherousMamsellRamen，valet—surgeonEversmann，andplentymore:readersofWilhelmina’sBookaretoowellacquaintedwiththem。NorareexpertConjurerswanting；
capabletoworkstrangefeatswithsoplasticanelementasFriedrichWilhelm’smind。LetthisoneshortglimpseofsuchSubterraneanWorldbesufficientindicationtothereader’sfancy。
Creutzwasnotdismissed，assomepeoplehadexpectedhemightbe。
CreutzcontinuesFinance—Minister；makesagreatfigureinthefashionableBerlinworldinthesecomingyears，andismuchtalkedofintheoldBooks，——though，asheworksmostlyunderground，andmerelydoesbudgetsandfinance—matterswithextremetalentandsuccess，weshallhopetohearalmostnothingmoreofhim。
Majesty，whileCrown—Prince，whenhefirstgothisregimentfromPapa，hadfoundthisCreutz"Auditor"init；apoorbuthandsomefellow，withperhapssevenshillingsaweektoliveupon；butwithsuchatalentforarranging，forreckoningandrecording，inbriefforcontrollingfinance，asmoreandmorecharmedtheroyalmind。
[Mauvillon（"ElderMauvillon，"ANONYMOUS），HistoiredeFredericGuillaumeI。，parM。deM——（AmsterdametLeipzig，1741），i。47。Avagueflimsycompilation；——givesabundant"State—Papers"（tosuchaswantthem），andechoesofoldNewspaperrumor。VerycopiousonCreutz。]
OneofMajesty’sfirstactswastoappointhimFinance—Minister；
[4thMay，1713:Preuss，i。349。n。]andtherehecontinuedsteady，nottobeoversetbylittleflawsofwindlikethisoftheSpectre—Scullion’sraising。Itiscertainhedid，himself，becomerich；andhelpedwelltomakehisMajestyso。WearetofancyhimhisMajesty’sbottle—holderinthatbattlewiththeFinanceNightmaresandImbroglios，whensomuchhadtobesubjugated，anddrilledintostep，inthatdepartment。Evidentlyalong—headedcunningfellow，muchoftheGrumkowtype；——standingverylowinWilhelmina’sjudgment；andill—seen，whennotavoidablealtogether，bytheQueen’sMajesty。"ThemanwasapoorCountryBailiff’s（AMTMANN’S，kindofTax—manager’s）son:fromAuditorofaregiment，"Papa’sownregiment，"hehadrisentobeDirectorofFinance，andaMinisterofState。Hissoulwasaslowashisbirth；itwasanassemblageofallthevices，"[Wilhelmina，i。16。]saysWilhelmina，inthelanguageofexaggeration。——Lethimstandbyhisbudgets；keepwelloutofWilhelmina’sandtheQueen’sway；——andveryespeciallybewareofcomingonGrumkow’sfieldagain。
ChapterVI。
THELITTLEDRUMMER。
ThisSiegeofStralsund，thelastmilitarysceneofCharlesXII。，andtheFIRSTeverpracticallyheardofbyourlittleFritz，whoisnowgettingintohisfourthyear，andmusthavethoughtagreatdealaboutitinhislittlehead，——PapaandevenMammabeingabsentonit，andsuchamarchingandrumoringgoingonallroundhim，——provedtobeotherwiseofsomeimportancetolittleFritz。
MostofhisTutorswerepickedupbythecarefulPapainthisStralsundbusiness。DuhandeJandun，ayoungFrenchgentleman，family—tutortoGeneralCountDohna（acousinofourMinisterDohna’s），butfonderoffightingthanofteachinggrammar；
whomFriedrichWilhelmfounddoingsoldier’sworkinthetrenches，andlikedthewaysof；he，asthefoundation—stoneoftutorage，istobefirstmentioned。AndthenCountFinkvonFinkenstein，adistinguishedveteran，highincommand（ofwhosequalitiesasHead—Tutor，oroccasionaltravellingguardianFriedrichWilhelmhadexperienceinhisownyoungdays[BiographischesLexikonaalerHeldenundMilitairpersonen，welchesichinPreussischenDienstenberumhtgemachthaben（4vols。
Berlin，1788），i。418，？Finkenatein。——Apraiseworthy，modest，highlycorrectBook，ofitskind；whichweshall，infuture，callMilitair—Lexikon，whenreferringtoit。]）；
andLieutenant—ColonelKalkstein，aprisoner—of—warfromtheSwedishside，whomFriedrichWilhelm，judgingwellofhim，adoptsintohisownservicewiththisview:thesethreecomeallfromStralsundSiege；andwereofvitalmomenttoourlittleFritzinthesubsequenttime。ColonelSeckendorf，again，whohadacommandinthefourthousandSaxonshere，andrefreshedintointimacyatransientoldacquaintancewithFriedrichWilhelm，——
isnothetooofterribleimportancetoFritzandhim？Asweshallseeintime！——
Fortherest，hereisanotherlittleincident。WesaidithadbeenadisappointmenttoPapathathislittleFritzshowedalmostnoappetiteforsoldiering，butfoundothersightsmoreinterestingtohimthanthedrill—ground。Sympathize，then，withtheearnestPapa，ashereturnshomeoneafternoon，——datenotgiven，buttoallappearanceofthatyear1715，whentherewassuchwar—rumoring，andmarchingtowardsStralsund；——andfoundthelittleFritz，withWilhelminalookingoverhim，struttingabout，andassiduouslybeatingalittledrum。
Thepaternalheartranoverwithgladfondness，invokingHeaventoconfirmtheomen。Motherwastoldofit；thephenomenonwastalkedof，——beautifulest，hopefulestoflittledrummers。PainterPesne，aFrenchImmigrant，orImportee，ofthelastreign，amanofgreatskillwithhisbrush，whomHistoryyetthanksonseveraloccasions，wassentfor；orheheardoftheincident，andvolunteeredhisservices。APortraitoflittleFritzdrumming，withWilhelminalookingon；towhich，probablyforthesakeofcolorandpictorialeffect，aBlackamoor，asidewithparasolinhand，grinningapprobation，hasbeenadded，——wassketched，anddexterouslyworkedoutinoil，byPainterPesne。Pictureapprovedbymankindthereandthen。Anditstillhangsonthewall，inaperfectstate，inCharlottenburgPalace；wherethejudicioustouristmayseeitwithoutdifficulty，andinstitutereflectionsonit。
AreallygracefullittlePicture；andcertainly，toPrussianmen，notwithoutweightofmeaning。NorperhapstoPicture—CollectorsandCognoscentigenerally，ofwhatevercouutry，——iftheycouldforget，foramoment，thecorreggiosityofCorreggio，andthelearnedbabbleoftheSale—roomandvarnishingAuctioneer；
andthink，"Whyitis，probably，thatPicturesexistinthisworld，andtowhatendthedivineartofPaintingwasbestowed，bytheearnestgods，uponpoormankind？"Icouldadviseit，once，foralittle！FlayingofSaintBartholomew，RapeofEuropa，RapeoftheSabines，PipingandAmoursofgoat—footedPan，RomulussuckledbytheWolf:allthis，andmuchelseoffabulous，distant，unimportant，nottosayimpossible，uglyandunworthy，shallpasswithoutundueseverityofcriticism，inaHouseholdofsuchopulenceasours，wheremuchgoestowaste，andwherethingsarenotonanearnestfootingforthislongwhilepast！AsCreatedObjects，orasPhantasmsofsuch，pictoriallydone，allthisshallhavemuchworth，orshallhavelittle。ButIsay，Herewithalisonenotphantasmal；ofindisputablecertainty，home—grown，justcommencingbusiness，whocarrieditfar！
Fritzisstill，ifnotin"long—clothes，"atleastinlongishandflowingclothes，ofthepetticoatsort，whichlookasofdark—bluevelvet，verysimple，prettyandappropriate；inacapofthesame；
hasashortraven’sfeatherinthecap；andlooksup，withafaceandeyesfullofbeautifulvivacityandchild’senthusiasm，oneofthebeautifulestlittlefigures，whilethelittledrumrespondstohisbitsofdrumsticks。SisterWilhelmina，tallerbysomethreeyears，looksoninprettymarchingattitude，andwithagraversmile。Blackamoor，andaccompanimentselegantenough；andfinallythefigureofagrenadier，onguard，seenfaroffthroughanopening，——makeupthebackground。
WehaveengravingsofthisPicture；whichareofclumsypoorquality，andmisrepresentitmuch:anexcellentCopyinoil，whatmightbecalledalmostafac—simileandtheperfectionofaCopy，isnow（1854）inLordAshburton’sCollectionhereinEngland。
IntheBerlinGalleries，——whicharemadeup，likeotherGalleries，ofgoat—footedPan，Europa’sBull，Romulus’sShe—Wolf，andthecorreggiosityofCorreggio；andcontain，forinstance，noPortraitofFredericktheGreat；noLikenessesatall，ornexttononeatall，ofthenobleseriesofHumanRealities，orofanypartofthem，whohavesprungnotfromtheidlebrainsofdreamingDilettanti，butfromtheHeadofGodAlmighty，tomakethispoorauthenticEarthalittlememorableforus，andtodoalittleworkthatmaybeeternalthere:——inthoseexpensiveHallsof"HighArt"
atBerlin，therewere，tomyexperience，fewPicturesmoreagreeablethanthisofPesne’s。Welcome，likeonetinyisletofRealityamidtheshorelessseaofPhantasms，tothereflectivemind，seriouslylovingandseekingwhatisworthyandmemorable，seriouslyhatingandavoidingwhatisthereverse，andintentnottoplaythedilettanteinthisworld。
ThesamePesne，anexcellentArtist，haspaintedFriedrichasPrince—Royal:abeautifulyoungmanwithMOIST—lookingenthusiasticeyesofextraordinarybrilliancy，smoothovalface；
considerablyresemblinghisMother。Afterwhichperiod，authenticPicturesofFriedricharesoughtfortolittlepurpose。ForitseemsheneversattoanyPainter，inhisreigningdays；andthePrussianChodowiecki，[PronounceKODOV—YETSKI；——andendeavortomakesomeacquaintancewiththis"PrussianHogarth，"whohasrealworthandoriginality。]SaxonGraff，EnglishCunninghamhadtopickuphisphysiognomyfromthedistance，intermittently，astheycould。NorisRauch’sgrandequestrianSculptureathingtobebelieved，orperhapspretendingmuchtobeso。ThecommonlyreceivedPortraitofFriedrich，whichallGermanlimnerscandrawatonce，——thecocked—hat，bigeyesandalertair，remindingyouofsomeuncommonlybriskInvalidDrill—sergeantorGreenwichPensioner，asmuchasofaRoyaiHero，——isnothingbutageneralextractandaverageofallthefacesofFriedrich，suchashasbeentacitlyagreedupon；andisdefinableasareceivedpictorial—myth，bynomeansasafact，orcredibleresemblanceoflife。
ButenoughnowofPictures。ThisoftheLittleDrummer，thepaintingandthethingpaintedwhichremaintous，maybetakenasFriedrich’sfirstappearanceonthestageoftheworld；
andwelcomedaccordingly。Itisoneoftheveryfewvisualitiesordefinitecertaintieswecanlayholdof，inthoseyoungyearsofhis，andbringconclusivelyhometoourimagination，outofthewastePrussiandust—cloudsofuninstructivegarrulitywhichpretendtorecordthemforus。WhetheritcameintoexistenceasashadowyemanationfromtheStralsundExpedition，canonlybematterofconjecture。Tojudgebysize，thesefiguresmusthavebeenpaintedabouttheyear1715；Fritzsomethreeorfouryearsold，hissisterWilhelminaseven。
Itremainsonlytobeintimated，thatFriedrichWilhelm，forhispart，hadgotallheclaimedfromthisExpedition:namely，StettinwiththedependentTowns，andquietnessinPommern。Stettinwas，fromofold，thecapitalofhisownpartofPommern；throwninalongwiththeotherpartsofPommern，andgiventoSweden（fromsheernecessity，itwasavowed），atthePeaceofWestphalia，sixtyyearsagoormore:——andnow，bygoodchance，ithascomeback。
Waitanotherhundredyears，andperhapsSwedishPommernaltogetherwillcomeback！ButfromallthisFriedrichWilhelmisstillfar。
Stettinandquietareallhedreamsofdemandingthere。
Stralsundhedidnotreckonhis；leftitwiththeDanes，toholdinpawntillsomegeneralTreaty。Norwastherefartheroutbreakofwarinthoseregions；thoughactualTreatyofPeacedidnotcometill1720，andmakematterssure。ItwasthenewQueenofSweden，UlriqueEleonora（Charles’syoungerSister，weddedtotheyoungLandgrafofHessen—Cassel），——muchaidedbyanEnglishEnvoy，——whomadethisPeacewithFriedrichWilhelm。AyoungEnglishEnvoy，calledLordCarteret，wasveryhelpfulinthismatter；oneofhisfirstfeatsinthediplomaticworld。ForwhichPeace，[Stockholm，21stJanuary，1720:inMauvillon（i。380—417）
theDocumentitselfatlarge。]FriedrichWilhelmwassothankful，goodpacificarmed—man，thathappeningtohaveaDaughterborntohimjustaboutthattime，hegavethelittlecreatureherSwedishMajesty’sname；anew"Ulrique，"whogrewtoproperstature，andbecamenotableinSweden，herself，byandby。[LouisaUlrique，born24thJuly，1720；QueenofSwedenintimecoming。]
ChapterVII。
TRANSITOFCZARPETER。
IntheAutumnof1717，PetertheGreat，cominghomefromhiscelebratedFrenchjourney，paidFriedrichWilhelmavisit；
andpassedfourdaysatBerlin。Ofwhichletusgiveoneglimpse，ifwecanwithbrevity。
FriedrichWilhelmandtheCzar，likeinseveralpoints，thoughsodissimilarinothers，hadalwaysacertainregardforoneanother；
andatthistime，theyhadbeenbroughtintocloserintercoursebytheircommonperilfromCharlesXII。，eversincethatStralsundbusiness。Theperilwasreal，especiallywithaGortzandAlberoniputtinghandtoit；andthealarm，therumor，anduncertaintyweregreatinthoseyears。ThewoundedLiondrivenindignantintohislair，withPlottingArtistsnowoperatingupontherageofthenobleanimal:whoknowswhatspringhewillnexttake？GeorgeI。
hadafleetcruisingintheBalticSounds，andagainafleet；——
paying，inthatobliqueway，forBremenandVerden；whichweregot，otherwise，suchabargaintohisHanover。CzarPeterhadmarchedanArmyintoDenmark；unitedRussiansandDanescountfiftythousandthere；foraconjunctinvasion，andprobabledestruction，ofSweden:butthatcametonothing；Charleslookingacrossuponittoodangerously，"visibleinclearweatheroverfromtheDanishside。"[1716:Fassmann，p。171。]SoPeter’stroopshavegonehomeagain；Denmarktoogladtogetthemaway。
PerhapstheywouldhavestayedinDenmarkaltogether；muchlikingthegreenpasturesandconvenientsituation，——hadnotAdmiralNorriswithhiscannonbeenthere！Perhaps？AndthePretenderiscomingagain，theysay？Andwhoknowswhatiscoming？——HowGortz，inaboutayearhencewaslaidholdof，andletgo，andthenultimatelytriedandbeheaded（oncehislionMasterwasdisposedof）；[19thMarch，1719:seeKohler（Munzbelustiggungen，vi。233—240，xvii。297—304）formanycuriousdetailsofGortzandhisend。]how，AmbassadorCellamare，andtheSpanishpartofthePlot，havingbeendiscoveredinParis，CardinalAlberoniatMadridwasdiscovered，andthewholemysterylaidbare；allthatmadbusiness，ofbringingthePretenderintoEngland，throwingoutGeorgeI。，throwingouttheRegentd’Orleans，andmuchmore，——isnowsunksilentenough，notworthyofreawakening；butitwasthenamostloudmatter；fillingtheEuropeanCourts，andespeciallythatofBerlin，withrumorsandapprehensions。NowonderFriedrichWilhelmwasgratefulforthatSwedishPeaceofhis，andnamedhislittledaughter"Ulrique"inhonorofit。Tumultuouscloud—worldofLaplandWitchcrafthadceasedhereby，anddaylighthadbegun:oldwomen（oroldCardinals）ridingthroughthesky，onbroomsticks，tomeetSatan，wherenowarethey？Thefactstilldimlyperceptibleis，Europe，thankstothatpairofBlack—Artists，GortzandAlberoni，nottomentionLawtheFinance—WizardandhisFrenchincantations，hadbeenkeptgenerally，forthesethreeorfouryearspast，inthestateofaHauntedHouse；riotousGoblins，ofunknowndireintent，walkingnowinthisapartmentofit，nowinthat；norestanywherefortheperturbedinhabitants。
AstoFriedrichWilhelm，hisplanin1717，asallalong，inthisbewitchedstateofmatters，was:TofortifyhisFrontierTowns；
Memel，Wesel，totherightandleft，especiallytofortifyStettin，hisnewacquisition；——andtoputhisArmy，andhisTreasury（orArmy—CHEST），moreandmoreinorder。Inthatwayweshallbettermeetwhatevergoblinstheremaybe，thinksFriedrichWilhelm。CountLottum，heroofthePrussiansatMalplaquet，isdoinghisscientificuttermostinStettinandthoseFrontierTowns。Fortherest，hisMajesty，invitedbytheCzarandFrance，hasbeenfoundwillingtomakepactionwiththem，asheiswithallpacificneighbors。Infact，theCzarandhehadtheirprivateConference，atHavelberg，lastyear，——Havelberg，somesixtymilesfromBerlin，ontheroadtowardsDenmark，asPeterwaspassingthatway；——ampleConferenceof。fivedays；[23d—28thNovember，1716:Fassmann，p。172。]——privatelyagreeingthere，aboutmanypointsconducivetotranquillity。Anditwasonthatsameerrand，thoughostensiblytolookafterArtandthehigherformsofCivilizationsocalled，thatPeterhadbeentoFranceonthiscelebratedoccasionof1717。WeknowhesawmuchArtwithal；
sawMarly，Trianonandthegrandeursandpolitenesses；——saw，amongotherthings，"aMedalofhimselffallaccidentallyathisfeet；"
politeMedal"justgettingstruckintheMint，witharisingsunonit；andthemotto，VIRESACQUIRITEUNDO。"[Voltaire，
OEuvresCompletes（HistoireduCzarPierre），xxxi。
336。——KohlerinMunzbelustigungen，xvii。386—392（thisveryMEDALthesubject），givesauthenticaccount，daybyday，oftheCzar’svisitthere。]OstensiblyitwastoseeCETTEBELLE
FRANCE；butprivatelywithaltheCzarwishedtomakehisbargain，withtheRegentd’Orleans，astothesegoblinswalkingintheNorthernandSouthernparts，andwhatwastobedonewiththem。
Andtheresulthasbeen，theCzar，FriedrichWilhelmandthesaidRegenthavejustconcludedanAgreement；[4thAugust，1717；
Buchholz，i。43。]undertakingingeneral，thatthegoblinsshallbewellwatched；thattheyThreewillstandbyoneanotherinwatchingthem。AndnowtheCzarwillvisitBerlininpassinghomewardsagain。Thatisthepositionofaffairs，whenhepaysthisvisit。PeterhadbeeninBerlinmorethanoncebefore；
butalmostalwaysinasuccinctrapidcondition；neverwithhis"Court"abouthimtillnow。Thisishislast，andbyfarhisgreatest，appearanceinBerlin。
Suchatransit，oftheBarbaricsemi—fabulousSovereignties，couldnotbutbewonderfultoeverybodythere。ItevidentlystruckWilhelmina’sfancy，nowinherninthyear，verymuch。WhatherlittleBrotherdidinit，orthoughtofit，Inowherefindhinted；
concludeonlythatitwouldremaininhisheadtoo，visibleoccasionallytotheendofhislife。Wilhelmina’sNarrative，veryloose，datelessormisdated，plainlywronginvariousparticulars，hasstillitsvalueforus:humaneyes，evenachild’s，areworthsomething，incomparisontohumanwant—of—eyes，whichistoofrequentinHistory—booksandelsewhere！——CzarPeterisnowforty—five，hisCzarinaCatherineaboutthirty—one。Itwasin1698
thathefirstpassedthisway，goingtowardsSaardamandpracticalShip—building:withinwhichtwentyyearswhataspellofworkdone！VictoryofPultawaiseightyearsbehindhim；[27thJune，1709。]victoriesinmanykindsarebehindhim:bythistimeheistobereckonedatriumphantCzar；andiscertainlythestrangestmixtureofheroicvirtueandbrutishSamoeidicsavagerytheworldatanytimehad。
ItwasSunday，19thSeptember，1717，whentheCzararrivedinBerlin。Beingalreadysatedwithscenicparades，hehadbeggedtobesparedallceremony；beggedtobelodgedinMonbijou，theQueen’slittleGarden—Palacewithriverandtreesroundit，wherehehopedtobequietest。Monbijouhasbeensetapartaccordingly；
theQueen，notinthebenignesthumor，sweepingallhercrystalsandbrittlethingsaway；knowingthemannersoftheMuscovites。
Norinthewayofceremonywastheremuch:KingandQueendroveouttomeethim；rampart—gunsgavethreebigsalvos，astheCzarishMajestysteptforth。"Iamgladtoseeyou，myBrotherFriedrich，"saidPeter，inGerman，hisonlyintelligiblelanguage；
shakinghandswiththeBrotherMajesty，inacordialhumanmanner。
TheQueenhe，stillmorecordially，"wouldhavekissed；"butthissheevaded，insomegracefuleffectiveway。AstotheCzarina，——
who，forOBSTETRICandotherreasons，ofnomomenttous，hadstayedinWeselallthetimehewasinFrance，——shefollowedhimnowattwodays’distance；notalongwithhim，asWilhelminahasit。Wilhelminasays，shekissedtheQueen’shand，andagainandagainkissedit；beggedtopresentherLadies，——"aboutfourhundredso—calledLadies，whowereofherSuite。"——Surelynotsomanyasfourhundred，youtoowittyPrincess？"MereGermanserving—maidsforthemostpart，"saysthewittyPrincess；"Ladieswhenthereisoccasion，thenactingaachambermaids，cooks，washerwomen，whenthatisover。"
QueenSophiewasaversetosalutethesecreatures；buttheCzarinaCatherinemakingreprisalsuponourMargravines，andtheKinglookingpainfullyearnestinit，sheprevaileduponherself。
WasthereeverseensuchatravellingtagraggeryofaSovereignCourtbefore？"Severalofthesecreatures[PRESQUETOUTES，saystheexaggerativePrincess]had，intheirarms，ababyinrichdress；andifyouasked，’Isthatyours，then？’theyanswered，makingsalaamsinRussianstyle，’TheCzardidmethehonor（m’afaitl’honneurdemefairecetenfant）！’"——
Whichstatement，ifwedeductthedue25percent，isprobablynotmythic，afterall。Adayortwoago，theCzarhadbeenatMagdeburg，onhiswayhither，intentuponinspectingmattersthere；andtheOfficialGentlemen，——PresidentCocceji（afterwardsaverycelebratedman）attheheadofthem，——waitedontheCzar，todowhatwasneedful。Onentering，withtheproperAddressorcomplimentaryHarangue，theyfoundhisCzarishMajesty"standingbetweentwoRussianLadies，"clearlyLadiesoftheabovesort；
fortheystoodclosebyhim，oneofhisarmswasroundtheneckofeach，andhishandsamusedthemselvesbytakinglibertiesinthatposture，allthetimeCoccejispoke。Nay，eventhiswasasnothingamongtheMagdeburgphenomena。Nextday，forinstance，thereappearedintheaudience—chamberacertainSerenehigh—pacingDukeofMecklenburg，withhisDuchess；——thrice—unfortunateDuke，ofwhomweshalltoooftenhearagain；who，aftersomeadventures，underCharlesXII。firstofall，andthenundertheenemiesofCharles，had，aboutayearago，afterdivorcinghisfirstWife，marriedaNieceofPeter’s:——DukeandDuchessarrivenow，byorderorgraciousinvitationoftheirSovereignUncle，toaccompanyhiminthoseparts；andareannouncedtoaneagerCzar，givingaudiencetohisselectMagdeburgpublic。AtsightofwhichmostdesirableDuchessandBrother’sDaughter，howPeterstartedup，satyr—like，claspingherinhisarms，andsnatchingherintoaninnerroom，withthedoorleftajar，andthere——ItistooSamoeidicforhumanspeech！andwouldexcelbelief，werenotthetestimonysostrong。[Pollnitz（Memoiren，
ii。95）givesFriedrichWilhelmasvoucher，"whousedtorelateitasfromeye—and—earwitnesses。"]ADukeofMecklenburg，itwouldappear，whomaycounthimselftheNON—PLUS—ULTRAofhusbandsinthatepoch；——asamongSovereignRulers，too，inasmallorgreatway，heseekshisfellowforill—luck！
DukeandDuchessaccompaniedtheCzartoBerlin，whereWilhelminamentionsthem，aspresentees；partofthose"fourhundred"
anomalies。TheytooktheCzarhomewiththemtoMecklenburg:whereindeedsomeRussianRegimentsofhis，lefthereontheirreturnfromDenmark，hadbeenveryusefulincoercingtherebelliousRitterschaft（KNIGHTAGE，orLanded—Gentry）ofthisDuke，——tillatlengththegeneraloutcry，andvoiceoftheReichitself，hadorderedthesaidRegimentstogetonmarchagain，andtakethemselvesaway。[TheLASTofthem，"July，1717；"twomonthsago。
（Michaelis，ii。418。）]Forallisrebellion，passiverebellion，inMecklenburg；taxesbeingsoindispensable；andtheKnightssodisinclined；andthisDukeaSovereign，——suchaswemayconstruefromhisquarrellingwithalmosteverybody，andhisNOT
quarrellingwithanUnclePeterofthatkind。[Onepoorhint，onhisbehalf，letusnotomit:"WIFEquittedhimin1719，andlivedatMoscowafterwards！"（GeneralMannstein，MemoirsofRussia，London，1770，p。27n。）]HistroublesasSovereignDuke，hisflightstoDantzig，oustings，returns，law—pleadingsandfoolishconfusions，lastedallhislife，thirtyyearstocome；andwerebequeathedasasorrowfullegacytoPosterityandtheneighboringCountries。Voltairesays，theCzarwishedtobuyhisDuchyfromhim。[Ubisupra，xxxi。414。]
Andtruly，forthiswretchedDuke，itwouldhavebeengoodtosellitatanyprice:buttherewereotherwordsthanhistosuchabargain，haditeverbeenseriouslymeditated。BythisextraordinaryDuchesshebecomesFather（realorputative）ofacertainPrincess，whomwemayhearof；andthroughheragainisGrandfatherofanunfortunateRussianPrince，muchbruitedabout，as"themurderedIwan，"insubsequenttimes。WithsuchaDukeandDuchessletouracquaintancebetheMINIMUMofwhatnecessitycompels。
Wilhelminagoesbyhearsayhitherto；and，itistobehoped，hadheardnothingoftheseMagdeburg—Mecklenburgphenomena；
butaftertheCzarina’sarrival，thelittlecreaturesawwithherowneyes:——
"Nextday，"thatis，Wednesday，22d"theCzarandhisSpousecametoreturntheQueen’svisit；andIsawtheCourtmyself。"
PalaceGrand—Apartments；Queenadvancingaduelength，eventotheouterguard—room；givingtheCzarinaherrighthand，andleadingherintoheraudience—chamberinthatdistinguishedmanner:
KingandCzarfollowedclose；——andhereitwasthatWilhelmina’spersonalexperiencesbegan。"TheCzaratoncerecognizedme，havingseenmebefore，fiveyearsago[March，1713]。Hecaughtmeinhisarms；felltokissingme，liketoflaytheskinoffmyface。Iboxedhisears，sprawled，andstruggledwithallmystrength；sayingIwouldnotallowsuchfamiliarities，andthathewasdishonoringme。Helaughedgreatlyatthisidea；madepeace，andtalkedalongtimewithme。Ihadgotmylesson:Ispokeofhisfleetandhisconquests；——whichcharmedhimsomuch，thathesaidmorethanoncetotheCzarina，’Ifhecouldhaveachildlikeme，hewouldwillinglygiveoneofhisProvincesinexchange。’