George’spoorleanMistress，comingonattheusualrateoftheroad，wasmet，nextmorning，bythesadtidings。Shesprangfromhercarriageintothedustyhighway；toreherhair（orheaddress），half—frantic；declaredherselfaruinedwoman；anddrovedirecttoBerlin，theretocomposeheroldmind。ShewasnotillseenatCourtthere；hadherconnectionsintheworld。FieldmarshalSchulenburg，whooncehadthehonoroffighting（nottohisadvantage）withCharlesXII。，andhadsincegrownfamousbyhisAnti—TurkperformancesintheVenetianservice，isaBrotherofthispoorMaypole’s；andthereisaNephewofhers，oneofFriedrichWilhelm’sField—Officershere，whomweshallmeetbyandby。ShehasbeenobligingtoQueenSophieonoccasions；theycan，anddo，nowweepheartilytogether。IbelieveshereturnedtoEngland，beingDuchessofKendal，withheavypensionsthere；
and"assiduouslyattendeddivineordinances，accordingtotheGermanProtestantform，everafterwards。"Poorfoolisholdsoul，whatisthisworld，withallitsdukeries！——
TheotherorfatMistress，"CataractoffluidTallow，"CountessofDarlington，whomItaketohavebeenaHalf—Sisterrather，satsorrowfulatIsleworth；andkeptformanyyearsaBlackRaven，whichhadcomeflyinginuponher；whichshesomehowunderstoodtobethesoul，orconnectedwiththesoul，ofhisMajestyofhappymemory。[HoraceWalpole，Reminiscences。]
GoodHeavens，whatfatfluid—tallowystupor，andentirelysordiddarkness，dwellsamongmankind；andoccasionallyfindsitselfliftedtotheverytop，bywayofsample！——
FriedrichWilhelmwepttenderlytoBrigadierDubourgay，theBritishMinisteratBerlin（anoldmilitarygentleman，ofdiplomaticmerit，whospellsratherill），whentheyspokeofthissadmatter。MypooroldUncle；hewassogoodtomeinboyhood，inthoseolddays，whenIbloodedCousinGeorge’snose！
Notunkind，ah，onlyproudandsad；andwascalledsulky，beingoffewwordsandheavy—laden。Ahme，yourExcellenz；ifthelittlenightingaleshavea11fallensilent，whatmaynotI，hisSonandsephew，do？——AndtheruggedMajestyblubberedwithgreattenderness；havingfountainsoftearswithal，hiddenintherockyheartofhim，notsuspectedbyeveryone。[Dubourgay’sDespatches，intheState—PaperOffice。]
IaddonlythattheFabrice，whohadpoorGeorgeinhisarmsthatnight，isamanworthmentioning。ThesameFabrice（Fabricius，orperhapsGOLDSCHMIDTinGerman）whowentasEnvoyfromtheHolstein—GottorppeopletoCharlesXII。inhisTurkishtime；
andstayedwithhisSwedishMajestythere，forayearortwo，indeedtillthecatastrophecame。HisOfficialLETTERSfromthatsceneareinprint，thislongwhile，thoughconsiderablyforgotten；[AnecdotesduSejourduRoideSuideaBender，ouLettresdeM。leBarondeFabricepourservird’elaircissemental’HistoiredeCharlesXII。（Hambourg，1760，8vo）。]
alittleVolume，worthmanybigonesthathavebeenpublishedonthatsubject。ThesameFabrice，followingHanoverafterwards，cameacrosstoLondoninduecourse；andtherehedidanothermemorablething:madeacquaintancewiththeMonsieurArouet，thenayoungFrenchExilethere，ArouetJunior（"LEJEUNEorL。J。"），who，——
byaningeniousanagram，contrivedinhisindignationatsuchbanishment，——writeshimselfVOLTAIREeversince；whohasbeenpublishingaHENRIADE，anddoingotherthings。NowitwasbyquestioningthisFabrice，andindustriouslypickingthememoryofhimclean，thatM。deVoltairewroteanotherbook，muchmoreofan"Epic"thanHenriIV。，——aHISTORY，namely，OFCHARLESXII。；[SeeVoltaire，OEuvresCompletes，ii。149，xxx。7，127。
Cameoutin1731（ib。xxx。Avant—Propos，p。ii）。]whichseemstomethebest—writtenofallhisBooks，andwantsnothingbutTRUTH
（indeedadreadfulwant）tomakeitapossessionforever。
VOLTAIRE，ifyouwantfinewriting；ADLERFELDandFABRICE，ifyouwouldseethefeaturesoftheFact:thesethreearestilltheBooksuponCharlesXII。
HISPRUSSIANMAJESTYFALLSINTOONEOFHISHYPOCHONDRIACALFITS。
Beforethisevent，hisMajestywasingloomyhumor；andspecialvexationshadsuperaddedthemselves。EarlyintheSpring，adifficulthuffofquarrel，theconsummationofagoodmanygrudgeslongsubsisting，hadfallenoutwithhisneighborofSaxony，theMajestyofPoland，August，whomwehaveformerlyheardof，aconspicuousMajestyinthosedays；calledeven"AugusttheGreat"
bysomepersonsinhisowntime；butnowchieflyrememberedbyhissplendorofupholstery，hisenormousexpenditureindrinkingandotherwise，alsobyhisthreehundredandfifty—fourBastards（probablythemaximumofanyKing’sperformanceinthatline），andcalledAugustDERSTARKE，"AugustthePhysicallyStrong。"
ThisexemplarySovereigncouldnotwellbeamanaccordingtoFriedrichWilhelm’sheart:accordinglytheyhadtheirhuffsandlittlecollisionsnowandthen:thatoftheProtestantDirectorateandHeidelbergProtestants，forinstance；indeeditwasgenerallyaboutProtestantism；andmorelatelytherehadbeenhighwordsandcorrespondingsaboutthe"ProtestantsofThorn"（abadtragedy，ofJesuitintrusionandPolishferocity，enactedtherein1724）；
[AccountofitinBuchholz，i。98—102。]——inwhichsadbusinessFriedrichWilhelmloyallyinterfered，thoughBritannicGeorgeofblessedmemoryandotherswerebutlukewarm；andnothingcouldbedoneinit。NothingexceptangrycorrespondencewithKingAugust；
veryprovokingtothepoorsoul，whohadnohandbutanominaloneintheThorncatastrophe，beingdrivenintoitbyhisunrulyDietalone。
Infact，August，withhisglitteringeyesandexcellentphysicalconstitution，wasaverygood—humoredfellow；supremelypleasantinsociety；andbynomeanswishfultocheatyou，ordoyouamischiefinbusiness，——unlesshisnecessitiescompelledhim；
whichoftenweregreat。ButFriedrichWilhelmalwayskeptagoodeyeonsuchpoints；andhadhimselfsufferednothingfromthegayeupepticSonofBelial，eitherintheiroldStralsundcopartneryorotherwise。Sothat，exceptfortheseProtestantaffairs，——andalas，oneotherlittlecause，——FriedrichWilhelmhadcontentedlyleftthePhysicallyStrongtohisowncourse，doingthecivilitiesoftheroadtohimwhentheymet；andnothingillhadfallenoutbetweenthem。Thisotherlittlecause——alas，itistheoldstoryofrecruiting；one’spoorHobbyagaingivingoffence！
Specialrecruitingbrabblestherehadbeen；severelawspassedinSaxonyaboutthesekidnappingoperations:andalwaysintheDiets，whenquestionroseofthismatter，Augusthadbeenparticularlyloudinhisdenouncings。Whichwasunkind，thoughnotunexpected。
Butnow，intheSpringof1727，herehasaworsecasethananyarisen。
CaptainNatzmer，ofIknownotwhatPrussianRegiment，"Sachsen—WeimarCuirassiers"[Militair—Lexikon，iii。104。]oranother，haddroptoverintoSaxony，toseewhatcouldbedoneinpickingupatallmanortwo。Tallmen，oneortwo，CaptainNatzmerdidpickup，nayatalldeserterortwo（Saxonsoldier，inveigledtodesert）；butfindinghisoperationsgetair，hehastilywithdrewintoBrandenburgterritoryagain。
SaxonOfficialsfollowedhimintoBrandenburgterritory；snapthimbackintoSaxon；triedhimbySaxonlawthere；——Saxonlaw，expressinsuchcase，condemnshimtobehanged；andthatishisdoomaccordingly。
"CaptainNatzmertoswingonthegallows？TakenonBrandenburgterritorytoo，andnottheleastnoticegivenme？"FriedrichWilhelmblazesintoflamingwhirlwind；sendsanOfficialGentleman，oneKatsch，tohisExcellenzBaronvonSuhm（theCrown—Prince’scultivatedfriend），withthisappallingmessage:
"IfNatzmerbehanged，forcertainIwillusereprisals；
youyourselfshallswing！"WhereuponSuhm，inpanic，fledoverthemarchestohisMaster；whobulliedhimforhispusillanimousterrors；andappliedtoFriedrichWilhelm，infinefrenzyofindignantastonishment，"What，inHeaven’sname，suchmeditatedoutrageonthelawofnations，andflatinsulttotheMajestyofKings，canhavemeant？"FriedrichWilhelm，thefirstfurybeingspent，seesthatheisquiteoutofsquare；disavowsthereprisalsuponSuhm。"MessagemisdeliveredbymyOfficialGentleman，thatstupidKatsch；neverdidintendtohangSuhm；oh，no；"withmuchothercorrespondence；[InMauvillon（ii。189—195）moreofitthananyonewillread。]——andisveryangryathimself，andattheNatzmeraffair，whichhasbroughthimintothisbadpass。
Intoopenimpropriety；intodangerofanutterrupture，hadKingAugustbeenofquarrelsometurn。ButKingAugustwasnotquarrelsome；andthenSeckendorfandtheTobacco—Parliament，——ontheKaiser’sscore，whowantsPragmaticSanctionandmuchelseoutofthesetwoKings，andcanatnoratehavethemquarrelinthepresentjuncture，——wereeagertoquenchthefire。KingAugustletNatzmergo；Suhmreturnedtohispost；[Pollnitz，ii。254。]andthingshustledthemselvesintosomeuneasypostureofsilenceagain；——uneasytothesensitivefancyofFriedrichWilhelmaboveall。ThisishisworstcollisionwithhisNeighborofSaxony；
andspringingfromone’sHobbyagain！——
Thesesorrows，thedeathofGeorgeI。，withanxietiesastoGeorgeII。andthecoursehemighttake；allthis，itwasthought，preyeduponhisMajesty’sspirits；——Wilhelminasaysitwas"thefrequentcarousalswithSeckendorf，"andanaffairchieflyoftheroyaldigestive—apparatus。Likeenough；——orbothmightcombine。ItiscertainhisMajestyfellintooneofhishypochondriasatthistime；talkedof"abdicating"andothergloomythings，andwasveryblackindeed。SothatSeckendorfandGrumkowbegantobealarmed。
ItisseveralmonthsagohehadFranketheHalleMethodistgivingghostlycounsel；hisMajestyceasedtohavetheNewspapersreadatdinner；andlistenedtolugubriousFranke’sexhortationsinstead。
DidEnglishreaderseverhearofFranke？LetthemmakeamomentaryacquaintancewiththisfamousGermanSaint。AugustHermannFranke，aLubeckman，born1663；ProfessorofTheology，ofHebrew，LecturerontheBible；awandering，persecuted，piousman。
Founderofthe"Pietists，"akindofGermanMethodists，whoarestillafamedSectinthatcountry；andoftheWAISENHAUS，atHalle，grandOrphan—house，builtbycharitablebeggingsofFranke，whichalsostillsubsists。Areverendgentleman，verymournfulofvisage，nowsixty—four；andforthepresent，atBerlin，discoursingofthingseternal，inwhatWilhelminathinksaverylugubriousmanner。Well；butsurelyinaveryseriousmanner！
TheshadowsofdeathwerealreadyroundthispoorFranke；andinafewweeksmore，hehadhimselfdeparted。[Died8thJune，1727。]
ButhearWilhelmina，whataccountshegivesofherownandtheyoungGrenadier—Major’sbehavioronthesemournfuloccasions。
Seckendorf’sdinnerssheconsiderstobethecause；
allspiritual，sorrowsonlyanadjunctnotworthmentioning。
Itiscertainenough。
"HisMajestybegantobecomevaletudinary；andthehypochondriawhichtormentedhimrenderedhishumorverymelancholy。
MonsieurFranke，thefamousPietist，founderoftheOrphan—houseatHalleUniversity，contributednotalittletoexaggeratethatlatterevil。ThisreverendgentlemanentertainedtheKingbyraisingscruplesofconscienceaboutthemostinnocentmatters。
Hecondemnedallpleasures；damnableallofthem，hesaid，evenhuntingandmusic。YouweretospeakofnothingbuttheWordofGodonly；allotherconversationwasforbidden。Itwasalwayshethatcarriedontheimprovingtalkattable；wherehedidtheofficeofreader，asifithadbeenarefectoryofmonks。TheKingtreatedustoasermoneveryafternoon；hisvalet—de—chambregaveoutapsalm，whichweallsang；youhadtolistentothissermonwithasmuchdevoutattentionasifithadbeenanapostle’s。
MyBrotherandIhadallthemindintheworldtolaugh；
wetriedhardtokeepfromlaughing；butoftenweburstout。
Thereuponreprimand，withalltheanathemasoftheChurchhurledoutonus；whichwehadtotakewithacontritepenitentair，athingnoteasytobringyourfacetoatthemoment。Inaword，thisdogofaFranke[hediedwithinfewmonths，poorsoul，CE
CHIENDEFRANKE]ledusthelifeofasetofMonksofLaTrappe。
"SuchexcessofbigotryawakenedstillmoregothicthoughtsintheKing。HeresolvedtoabdicatethecrowninfavorofmyBrother。
Heusedtotalk，Hewouldreserveforhimself10，000crownsayear；andretirewiththeQueenandhisDaughterstoWusterhausen。
There，addedhe，IwillpraytoGod；andmanagethefarmingeconomy，whilemywifeandgirlstakecareofthehouseholdmatters。Youareclever，hesaidtome；Iwillgiveyoutheinspectionofthelinen，whichyoushallmendandkeepinorder，takinggoodchargeoflaundrymatters。Frederika[nowthirteen，marriedtoANSPACHtwoyearshence]，whoismiserly，shallhavechargeofallthestoresofthehouse。Charlotte[noweleven，DuchessofBRUNSWICKbyandby]shallgotomarketandbuyourprovisions；andmyWifeshalltakechargeofthelittlechildren，[saysFriedrichWilhelm]，andofthekitchen。"[Littlechildrenare:1。SophieDorothee，noweight，whomarriedMargrafofSchwedt，andwasunhappy；2。Ulrique，agravelittlesoulofseven，QueenofSwedenafterwards；3。AugustWilhelm，agenowfive，becameFatherofanewFriedrichWilhelm，whowasKingbyandby，andproducedtheKingsthatstillare；4。Amelia，nowfour，borninthewaywesaw；and5。HENRI，stillinarms，justbeginningtowalk。TherewillbeaSixthandnomore（sonofthisSixth，aBerlinROUEwaskilled，in1806，attheBattleofJena，oradayortwobefore）；buttheSixthisnotyetcometohand。]
PoorFriedrichWilhelm；whataninnocentIDYLLIUM；——whichcannotbeexecutedbyaKing。"HehadevenbeguntoworkatanInstruction，orFarewellAdvice，formyBrother；"andtopointtowardsvarioussteps，whichalarmedGrumkowandSeckendorftoahighdegree。"[Wilhelmina，MemoiresdeBareith，i。108。]
"Abdication，"withaCrown—PrincereadytofallintothearmsofEngland，andasuddenfinistoourBlack—Art，willbynomeanssuitSeckendorfandGrumkow！YethereisWintercoming；
solitaryWusterhausen，withthemistywindspipingroundit，willmakemattersworse:somethingmustbecontrived；andwhat？
Thetwo，afterstudy，persuadeFieldmarshalFlemmingoveratWarsaw（AugusttheStrong’schiefman，theFlemmingofVoltaire’sCHARLESXII。；Prussianbybirth，thoughthislongwhileinSaxonservice），ThatifhetheFieldmarshalweretopay，accidentally，asitwere，alittlevisittohisnativeBrandenburgjustnow，itmighthavefineeffectsonthosefoolishBerlin—Warsawcloudsthathadrisen。TheFieldmarshal，wellaffectedinsuchacase，managesthelittlevisit，readilypersuadingthePolishMajesty；
anddissipatesthecloudsstraightway，——beingwellreceivedbyFriedrichWilhelm，andsecondedbytheTobacco—Parliamentwithallitsmight。OutatWusterhauseneverythingiscomfortablysettled。
NayMadamFlemming，young，brilliant，anddirectfromtheseatoffashion；itwasshethatfirst"builtup"Wilhelmina’shaironjustprinciples，andputsomelifeintoherappearance。
[Wilhelmina，i。117。]AndnowtheFieldmarshal（Tobacco—Parliamentsuggestingit）hintsfarther，"IfhisPrussianMajesty，inthemeregreatnessofhismind，weretoappearsuddenlyinDresdenwhenhisroyalFriendwasnextthere，——whatasunburstaftercloudswerethat；howwelcometothePolishMajesty！"——"Hm，Na，wouldit，then？"——ThePolishMajestyputsthatoutofquestion；
speciallysendsinvitationfortheCarnival—timejustcoming；
andFriedrichWilhelmwill，accordingly，seeDresdenandhimonthatoccasion。[Ib。i。108，109；Pollnitz，ii。254；Fassman，p。374。]Inthosedays，Carnivalmeans"FashionableSeason，"ruralnobilityrallyingtohead—quartersforawhile，andsocialgayetiesgoingon；andinProtestantCountriesitmeansnothingmore。
This，insubstance，wastherealoriginofFriedrichWilhelm’ssuddenvisittoDresden，whichastonishedtheworld，inJanuarynext。ItmakesagreatfigureintheoldBooks。ItdidkindleDresdenCarnivalandthePhysicallyStrongintosupremeillumination，forthetimebeing；andprovedthesealofgoodagreement，andevenofakindoffriendlinessbetweenthisheteroclitepairofSovereigns，——ifanybodynowcaredforthosepoints。ItiswithourCrown—Prince’sshareinitthatwearealoneconcerned；andthatmayrequireaChaptertoitself。
ChapterIII。
VISITTODRESDEN。
Oneofthemostimportantadventures，forouryoungCrown—Prince，wasthisvisitofhis，alongwithPapa，toDresdenintheCarnivalof1728。VisitcontrivedbySeckendorfandCompany，aswehaveseen，todiverttheKing’smelancholy，andwithoutviewtotheCrown—Princeatall。TheCrown—Prince，nowsixteen，andnotinthebestfavorwithhisFather，hadnotbeenintendedtoaccompany；
wastostayatPotsdamanddiligentlydrill:neverthelessanestafettecameforhimfromthegallantPolishMajesty；——
WilhelminahadspokenawordtogoodSuhm，whowrotetohisKing，andthehospitablemessagecame。Friedrichmadenoloitering，——toDresdenisbutahundredmiles，onegoodday；——hearrivedthereonthemorrowafterhisFather；King"onthe14thJanuary，1728，"
datesFassmann；"Crown—Princeonthe15th，"whichIfindwasThursday。TheCrown—PrincelodgedwithFieldmarshalFlemming；
FriedrichWilhelm，havingcomeinnostate，refusedKingAugust’spressings，andtookuphisquarterswith"theGeneralFieldmarshalWackerbarth，CommandantinDresden，"——pleasantoldmilitarygentleman，whohadbesiegedStralsundalongwithhimintimesgone。ExceptGrumkow，Derschauandoneortwooflessimportance，withthedueminimumofValetry，hehadbroughtnoretinue；
theCrown—PrincehadFinkensteinandKalksteinwithhim，TutorandSub—Tutor，officiallythere。AndhelodgeswitholdCountFlemmingandhiscleverfashionableMadam，——thediligentbutunsuccessfulFlemming，acourtierofthehighestcivility，thoughiracund，and"withapassionformakingTreaties，"whomweknowsinceCharlesXII。’stime。
Amongsttheroundofsplendorsnowsetonfoot，FriedrichWilhelmhad，byaccidentofNature，thespectacleofahouseonfire，——
ratherasymboliconeinthoseparts，——affordedhim，almosttostartwith。DeepinthefirstSaturdaynight，orratherabouttwointhemorningofSunday，Wackerbarth’sgrandhouse，kindlingbynegligencesomewhereinthegarrets，blazedup，irrepressible；
and，withitsendlessupholsteries，withafinelibraryeven，wentallintoflame:sothathisMajesty，scarcelysavinghisCHATOULLE
（boxofpreciosities），hadtohurryoutinundress；——overtoFlemming’swherehisSonwas；wheretheybothcontinuedthenceforth。Thiswastheonetouchofrough，amidsomuchofdulcetthatoccurred:noevil，thistouch，almostratherotherwise，excepttopoorWackerbarth，whosefineHouselaywreckedbyit。
ThevisitlastedtillFebruary12th，fourweeksandaday。
Neverwassuchthrice—magnificentCarnivalamusements:
illuminations，cannon—salvoingsandfire—works；operas，comedies，redoubts，sow—baitings，foxandbadger—baiting，reviewing，runningatthering:——dinnersofnever—imaginedquality，this，asadailyitem，needsnoexpressmention。
TotheyoungSoldier—Apprenticeallthiswas，ofcourse，inpleasantcontrastwiththePotsdamGuard—house；andFriedrichWilhelmhimselfisunderstoodtohavelikedatleastthedinners，andtheairycourteousways，lighttable—witandextremegoodhumorofthehost。Asuccessfulvisit；burnsofflikesuccessfulfire—works，pieceafterpiece:andwhatmoreistobesaid？Ofallthisnothing；——nor，ifwecouldhelpit，ofanotherlittlecircumstance，notmentionedbytheNewspapersorFassmann，whichconstitutesthemeaningofthisVisitforusnow。Itisamatterdifficulttohandleinspeech。AnEnglishEditor，charyofsuchtopics，willlettwowitnessesspeak，credibleboth，thoughnoteye—witnesses；andleaveittothereaderso。BabblingPollnitzisthefirstwitness；hedeposes，afteralludingtothesumptuousdiningsanddrinkingsthere:——
"OnedaythetwoKings，afterdinner，wentindominototheredoubt[RIDOTTO，whatwenowcallROUToreveningparty]。
Augusthadamindtotakeanopportunity，andtrywhetherthereportsofFriedrichWilhelm’sindifferencetothefairsexwerecorrectornot。Tothisend，hehadhadayoungdamsel（JUNGE
PERSON）ofextraordinarybeautyintroducedintosomeside—room；
wheretheynowentered。Shewaslyingonabed，inaloosegauzyundress；andthoughmasked，showedsomanycharmstotheeyethattheimaginationcouldnotbutjudgeveryfavorablyoftherest。
TheKingofPolandapproached，inthatgallantwayofhis，whichhadgainedhimsuchfavorwithwomen。Hebeggedhertounmask；
sheatfirstaffectedreluctance，andwouldnot。Hethentoldherwhohewas；andsaid，Hehopedshewouldnotrefuse，whentwoKingsbeggedhertoshowthemthiscomplaisance。Shethereupontookoffhermask，andshowedthemoneoftheloveliestfacesintheworld。Augustseemedquiteenchanted；andsaid，asifithadbeenthefirsttimeheeversawher，Hecouldnotcomprehendhowsobewitchingabeautyhadhithertoremainedunknowntohim。
"FriedrichWilhelmcouldnothelplookingather。HesaidtotheKingofPoland，’Sheisverybeautiful，itmustbeowned；’——butatthesameinstantturnedhiseyesawayfromher；andlefttheroom，andtheridottoaltogetherwithoutdelay；wenthome，andshuthimselfinhisroom。HethensentforHerrvonGrumkow，andbitterlycomplainedthattheKingofPolandwantedtotempthim。
HerrvonGrumkow，whowasneithersochastenorsoconscientiousastheKing，wasformakingajestofthematter；buttheKingtookaveryserioustone；andcommandedhimtotelltheKingofPolandinhisname，’Thathebeggedhimverymuchnottoexposehimagaintoaccidentsofthatnature，unlesshewishedtohavehimquitDresdenatonce。’HerrvonGrumkowdidhismessage。
TheKingofPolandlaughedheartilyatit；wentstraighttoFriedrichWilhelm，andexcusedhimself。TheKingofPrussia，however，kepthisgrimlook；sothatAugustceasedjoking，andturnedthedialogueonsomeothersubject。"[Pollnitz，ii。256。]
ThisisPollnitz’stestimony，gatheredfromthewhispersoftheTabagie，orrumorsintheCourt—circles，andmaybetakenasindisputableinthemain。Wilhelmina，derivingfromsimilarsources，andequallyuncertainindetails，paintsmoreartistically；norhassheforgottenthesequelforherBrother，whichatpresentistheessentialcircumstance:——
"Oneevening，whentheritesofBacchushadbeenwellattendedto，theKingofPolandledtheKing[myFather]，strollingabout，bydegrees，intoaroomveryrichlyornamented，allthefurnitureandarrangementsofwhichwereinaquiteexquisitetaste。TheKing，charmedwithwhathesaw，pausedtocontemplatethebeautiesofitalittle；when，allonasudden，acurtainrose，anddisplayedtohimoneofthemostextraordinarysights。ItwasagirlintheconditionofourFirstParents，carelesslylyingonabed。
ThiscreaturewasmorebeautifulthantheypaintVenusandtheGraces；shepresentedtoviewaformofivorywhiterthansnow，andmoregracefullyshapedthantheVenusde’MediciatFlorence。
Thecabinetwhichcontainedthistreasurewaslightedbysomanywax—candlesthattheirbrilliancydazzledyou，andgaveanewsplendortothebeautiesofthegoddess。
"TheAuthorsofthisfinecomedydidnotdoubtbuttheobjectwouldmakeanimpressionontheKing’sheart；butitwasquiteotherwise。Nosoonerhadhecasthiseyesonthebeautythanhewhirledroundwithindignation；andseeingmyBrotherbehindhim，hepushedhimroughlyoutoftheroom，andimmediatelyquittedithimself；veryangryatthescenetheyhadbeengivinghim，Hespokeofit，thatsameevening，toGrumkow，inverystrongterms；
anddeclaredwithemphasisthatifthelikefrolicsweretriedonhimagain，hewouldatoncequitDresden。
"WithmyBrotheritwasotherwise。InspiteoftheKing’scare，hehadgotafullviewofthatCabinetVenus；andthesightofherdidnotinspireinhimsomuchhorrorasinhisfather。"
[Wilhelmina，i。112。]——Verylikelynot！——Andinfact，"heobtainedherfromtheKingofPoland，inarathersingularway（d’unefaconassezsinguliere）"——describable，incondensedterms，asfollows:——
Wilhelminasays，herpoorBrotherhadbeenalreadycharmedoverheadandearsbyagayyoungbaggageofaCountessOrzelska；
averyhighandairyCountessthere；whosehistoryisnottobetouched，exceptuponcompulsion，andasifwithapairoftongs，——
thricefamousassheoncewasinthisSaxonCourtofBeelzebub。
ShewasKingAugust’snaturaldaughter；aFrenchmillinerinWarsawhadproducedherforhimthere。Induetime，amaleofthethreehundredandfifty—four，oneRutowski，soldierbyprofession，whomweshallagainhearof，tookherformistress；regardlessofnaturalhalf—sisterhood，whichperhapshedidnotknowof。
TheadmiringRutowski，beingofaparticipativeturn，introducedher，afterawhile，tohishonoredparentandhers；bywhomnext——
Heavens，humanlanguageisunequaltothehistoryofsuchthings！
AnditisinthiscapacityshenowshinessupremeintheSaxonCourt；oglingpooryoungFritz，anddrivinghimdistracted；——whichphenomenontheBeelzebubParent—Lovernoticedwithpainandjealousy，itwouldappear。
"HisPolishMajestydistinguishedherextremely，"saysPollnitz，[Memoires，ii。261。]"andwascontinuallyvisitingher；sothattheuniversalinferencewas"——totheaboveunspeakableeffect。"Shewasoffinefigure；hadsomethinggrandinherairandcarriage，andtheprettiesthumorintheworld。
Sheoftenappearedinmen’sclothes，whichbecameherverywell。
Peoplesaidshewasextremelyopen—handed；"asindeedtheBeelzebubParent—Loverwasofthelikequality（whenhehadcashabouthim），andtoher，atthistime，hewasprofusebeyondlimit。
TrulyatemptingaspectoftheDevil，thisexpensiveOrzelska:
somethingbeautifulinher，iftherearenoLawsinthisUniverse；
notsobeautiful，ifthereare！EnoughtoturntheheadofapoorCrown—Prince，ifshelike，forsometime。Heisjustsixteengone；
oneoftheprettiestladsandsprightliest；hishomage，clearlyenough，isnotdisagreeabletothebaggage。WhereforejealousAugust，theBeelzebub—Parent，takeshismeasures；signifiestoFritz，indirectterms，orbydiscreetdiplomatichintsandinnuendoes，ThathecanhavetheCabinetVenus（Formerahername，ofOpera—singerkind）；——hopingtherebythattheOrzelskawillbeleftaloneintimecoming。A"faconassezsinguliere"
foraSovereignMajestyandBeelzebubParent—Lover，thinksWilhelmina。
ThushasourpoorFritzfallenintothewakeofBeelzebub；andisnotinagoodway。Undersuchandnobetterguidance，inthisillicitprematuremanner，hegetshisintroductiontotheparadiseoftheworld。TheFormera，beautifulaspaintedChaos；yes，her；——
andwhynot，afterawhile，theOrzelskatoo，allthesame？
AwonderfulArmida—Garden，sureenough。Andcannotoneadorethepainteddivinebeautiesthere（lovelyascertainapplesoftheDeadSea），forsometime？——Themiseriesallthisbroughtintohisexistence，——intohisrelationswithaFatherveryrigorousinprinciple，andwithaUniversestillmoreso，——foryearstocome，wereneitherfewnorsmall。AndthatisthemainoutcomeoftheDresdenvisitingsforhimandus。——
GreatpledgespassbetweenthetwoKings；PrussianCrown—PrincedecoratedwiththeOrderoftheSaxonEagle，orwhatsupremedistinctiontheyhad:RutowskitakenovertoBerlintolearnwaranddrill，wherehedidnotremainlong:infactacertainlikingseemstohaverisenbetweenthetwoheterocliteindividualities，whichisperhapsworthrememberingasapointinnaturalhistory，ifnototherwise。Oneothersmallresultofthevisitisofpictorialnature。InthefamedDresdenGallerythereisstillaPicture，highup，visibleifyouhaveglasses，wheretheSaxonCourt—Painter，onFriedrichWilhelm’sbiddingitissaid，soonaftertheseauspiciousoccurrences，representsthetwoMajestiesaslargeaslife，intheirrespectivecostumesandfeatures（shortPotsdamGrenadier—ColonelandtallSaxonDariusorSardanapalus），intheactofshakinghands；symbolicallyburyingpastgrudges，andswearingeternalfriendship，sotospeak。[Forster，i。226。]
TothisEditorthePicturedidnotseemgoodformuch；
butFriedrichWilhelm’sPortraitinit，noneofthebest，maybeofusetotravellingfriendsofhiswhohavenoother。
Thevisitendedonthe12thofFebruary，astheNewspaperstestify。Longbeforedaybreak，atthreeinthemorning，FriedrichWilhelm，"whohadsmokedafterdinnertillninethenightbefore，"
andtakenleaveofeverybody，wasontheroad；butwasastonishedtofindKingAugustandtheElectoralPrinceorHeir—Apparent（whohadprivatelysatupforthepurpose）insistonconductinghimtohiscarriage。[Boyer，xxxv。l98。]"Greattokensofaffection，"
knowntotheNewspapers，therewere；andonetokennotyetknown，apromiseonKingAugust’spartthathewouldreturnthisever—memorablecomplimentinpersonatPotsdamandBerlininafewmonths。Remember，then！——
AsforthepoorCrown—Prince，whomalreadyhisFatherdidnotlike，henowfellintocircumstancesmoreabstrusethaneverinthatandotherrespects。Badhealth，adangerouslingeringfitofthat，soonafterhisreturnhome，wasoneofthefirstconsequences。Frequentfitsofbadhealth，forsomeyearscoming；
withominousrumors，consultationsofphysicians，andreportstothepaternalMajesty，whichproducedsmallcomfortinthatquarter。Thesadtruth，dimlyindicated，issufficientlyvisible:
hislifeforthenextfourorfiveyearswas"extremelydissolute。"Pooryoungman，hehasgotintoadisastrouscourse；
consortschieflywithdebauchedyoungfellows，asLieutenantsKatte，Keith，andothersoftheirstamp，wholeadhimonwaysnotpleasanttohisFather，norconformabletotheLawsofthisUniverse。Health，eitherofbodyorofmind，isnottobelookedforinhispresentwayoflife。Thebrightyoungsoul，withitsfinestrengthsandgifts；wallowinglikeayoungrhinocerosinthemud—bath:——somesay，itiswholesomeforahumansoul；notwe！
Allthisistoocertain；risingtoitsheightintheyearswearenowgotto，andnotendingforfourorfiveyearstocome:andthereadercanconceiveallthis，andwhetheritseffectsweregoodornot。FriedrichWilhelm’sold—standingdisfavorisconvertedintoopenaversionandprotest，manytimesintofitsofsorrow，rageanddespair，onhislucklessSon’sbehalf；——anditappearsdoubtfulwhetherthisbrightyounghumansoul，comparableforthepresenttoarhinoceroswallowinginthemud—bath，withnothingbutitssnoutvisible，andadirtygurgleallthesounditmakes，willevergetoutagainornot。
Therhinocerossoulgotout；butnotuninjured；alas，no；
bitterlypolluted，tragicallydimmedofitsfinestradiancesfortheremainderoflife。ThedistinguishedSauerteig，inhisSPRINGWURZELN，hasthesewords:"Toburnaway，inmadwaste，thedivinearomasandplainlycelestialelementsfromourexistence；
tochangeourholy—of—holiesintoaplaceofriot；tomakethesoulitselfhard，impious，barren！Surelyadayiscoming，whenitwillbeknownagainwhatvirtueisinpurityandcontinenceoflife；howdivineistheblushofyounghumancheeks；howhigh，beneficent，sternlyinexorableifforgotten，isthedutylaid，notonwomenonly，butoneverycreature，inregardtotheseparticulars？Well；ifsuchadaynevercomeagain，thenIperceivemuchelsewillnevercome。Magnanimityanddepthofinsightwillnevercome；heroicpurityofheartandofeye；noblepiousvalor，toamendusandtheageofbronzeandlacquer，howcantheyevercome？Thescandalousbronze—lacquerage，ofhungryanimalisms，spiritualimpotenciesandmendacities，willhavetorunitscourse，tillthePitswallowit。"——
InthecaseofFriedrich，itiscertainsuchadayneverfullycame。The"ageofbronzeandlacquer，"soasitthenstood，——
relievedtrulybyabackboneofrealSpartanIRON（ofrightbattleSTEELwhenneeded）:thiswasalltheworldheevergottodreamof。Hisideal，comparedtothatofsome，wasbutlow；
hisexistenceahardandbarren，thoughagenuineone，andonlyworthmuchmemoryintheabsenceofbetter。Enoughofallthat。
THEPHYSICALLYSTRONGPAYSHISCOUNTER—VISIT。
AugusttheStrongpaidhisReturn—visitinMayfollowing。Ofwhichsublimetransaction，stupendousasitthenwastotheJournalisticmind，weshouldnowmakenomention，exceptforitsconnectionwiththosepoints，——andmoreespeciallyforafoolishrumor，whichnowroseaboutPrinceFredandtheDouble—Marriage，onoccasionofit。Themagnificenceofthisvisitandreceptionbeingsoextreme，——KingAugust，foroneitem，sailingtoit，withsoundoftrumpetandhautbois，insilkenflotillasgayerthanCleopatra’s，downtheElbe，——therewasarushtowardsBerlinofwhatwewillnotcallthescum，butmustcallthefoamofmankind，rushoftheidlemoneyedpopulationsfromallcountries；andsuchacrowdthere，forthethreeweeks，aswasseldomseen。Foameverywhereisstirredup，andencouragedtogetunderway。
PrinceFrederickofHanoverandEngland，"DukeofEdinburgh"astheynowcallhim，"DukeofGloucester"nolonger，itwouldseem，nor"PrinceofWales"asyet；he，foamyasanother，hadthoughtsofcoming；andrumorofhimroseveryhighinBerlin，——howhighwehavestillsingularproof。Hereisamyth，generatedinthebusyCourt—ImaginationofBerlinatthistime；writtendownbyPollnitzasplainfactafterwards；andfromhimidlycopiedintoCOXE
[Coxe’sWalpole（London，1798），i。520。]andotherEnglishBooks。WeabridgefromwateryPollnitz，takingcareofanysensehehas。Thisiswhatranincertainhigh—frizzledheadsthenandthere:andwasdealtoutinwhisperstoaprivilegedfew，wateryPollnitz’sinformersamongthem，tilltheygotamythmadeofit。FrederickDukeofEdinburgh，secondhopeofEnglandatthistime，heisthehero。
Itappears，thislooseyounggentleman，standinginnofavorwithhissovereignFather，hadneveryetbeenacrosstoEngland，theroyalParentpreferringrathernottohavehiminsight；andwaslivingidleatHanover；veryeagertobeweddedtoWilhelmina，asonegrandandatpresentgrandestresourceofhisexistence。ItisnowMay，1728；andFrederickDukeofEdinburghistwenty—one。
HewritestohisAuntandintendedMother—in—law，QueenSophie（datenotascertainabletoaday，Noteburntassoonasread）:
"Thathecanendurethistantalizingsuspensenolonger；
suchendlesshigglingaboutasupremeblessedness，virtuallyagreedupon，maybesporttoothers，butisdeathtohim。Thathewillcomeprivatelyatonce，andwedhisWilhelmina；andsomakeanend；thebig—wigstoadjustitafterwardsastheycanandmay。"
WhereuponSophieDorothee，gladdestofwomen，sendsforDubourgaytheBritishAmbassador（BrigadierDubourgay，therespectableoldgentlemanwhospellsill，whoisstrongfortheDouble—Marriagealways），totellhimwhatfinenewsthereis，andwhatanswershehassent。RespectableDubourgaystandssilent，withlengtheningface:"YourMajesty，howunfortunatethatIofallmennowhearit！ImustinstantlydespatchacourierwiththenewstoLondon！"
Andtherespectableman，stoicallydeaftoherMajesty’sentreaties，toallconsiderationsbutthatofhisevidentduty，"sendsthecourier"（thinksPollnitz）；——nipstherebythatfineHanoverspeculationinthebud，seesPrinceFredatoncesummonedovertoEngland，andproducesseveraleffects。Nearlythewholeofwhich，onexaminingtheDocuments，[Dubourgay’sDespatches（1728:
29May，1June，5October），intheState—PaperOfficehere。]
provestobemyth。
Pollnitzhimselfaddstwocircumstances，inregardtoit，whichareprettyimpossible:as，first，thatFriedrichWilhelmhadjoyfullyconsentedtothisclandestinemarriage，andwaseagerlywaitingforit；second，thatGeorgeII。toohadprivatelyfavoredoreveninstigatedtheadventure，beingatheartwillingtoescapethetroubleofMessagestoParliament，toputhisSoninthewrong，andIknownotwhat。[Pollnitz，ii。272—274。]Theparticlesoffactintheaffairarelikewisetwo:First，thatQueenSophie，andfromhertheCourtierPublicgenerally，expectedtheHanoverRoyalHighness，whoprobablyhadrealthoughtsofseeingBerlinandhisIntended，onthisoccasion；DubourgayreportsdailyrumorsoftheRoyalHighnessbeingactually"seen"thereinanevanescentmanner；andWilhelminasays，herMotherwassocertainofhim，"shetookeveryassormulefortheRoyalHighness，"——heartilyindifferenttoWilhelmina。Thisisthefirstparticleoffact。
TheSecondis，thatasubalternOfficialabouttheRoyalHighness，oneLamotheofHanover，whohadappearedinBerlinaboutthattime，wasthrownintoprisonnotlongafter，forwhatmisbehaviornoneknew，——forencouragingdissoluteRoyalHighnessinwildschemes，itwasguessed。AndsotheMythgrew，andwasfoundreadyforPollnitzandhisfollowers。RoyalHighnessdidcomeovertoEngland；notthenastheMythbears，butninemonthsafterwardsinDecembernext；andfoundothermeansofirritatinghisimperative，flighty，irascibleandratherfoolishlittleFather，inanever—increasingdegree。"VerycoldlyreceivedatCourt，"itissaid:illseenbyWalpoleandthePowers；beingtoolikelytobecomeafocusofOppositionthere。
TheVisit，meanwhile，thoughtherecamenoDukeofEdinburghtoseeit，wassublimeintheextreme；PolishMajestybeingmagnificenceitself；andthefrugalFriedrichWilhelmlightinguphisdimCourtintoinsurpassablebrilliancy，regardlessofexpense；sothateventheSmokingParliament（whereAugustattendednowandthen）becameluminous。TheCrown—Prince，whoinlatemonthshadlanguishedinastateofmiserablehealth，inamannerominoustohisphysicians，confinedmostlytohisroomorhisbed，wasnowhappilyonfootagain；——andWilhelminanotesonecircumstancewhichmuchcontributedtohisrecovery:ThatthefairOrzelskahadattendedhernatural（orunnatural）Parent，onthisoccasion；andseemedtobe，asWilhelminathinks，uncommonlykindtotheCrown—Prince。TheHeir—ApparentofSaxony，ataciturn，inoffensive，ratheropaque—lookinggentleman，nowturnedofthirty，andgoneovertoPapistrylongsince，withviewstobeKingofPolandbyandby，whichprovedeffectualasweshallfind，wasalsohere:CountBruhl，too，stillinaverysubalterncapacity，andotherswhomweandtheCrown—Princeshallhavetoknow。TheHeir—Apparent’sWife（actualKaiser’sNiece，lateKaiserJoseph’sDaughter，asevereAustrianlady，haughtierthanlovely）
hasstayedathomeinDresden。
Buthere，atfirsthand，isaslightviewofthatuniquePolishMajesty，theSaxonManofSin；whichthereadermaybepleasedtoacceptoutofidlecuriosity，iffornobetterreason。WeabridgefromWilhelmina；[i。124。]whomFassmann，kindledtotripleaccuracybythisgrandbusiness，isathandtocorrectwhereneedful:[DesglorwurdigstenFurstenundHerrn，HerrnFriedrichAugustidesGrossenLebenundHelden—Thaten
（OfthatmostgloriousPrinceandLord，LordFriedrichAugusttheGreat，KingofPoland，&c。，theLifeandHeroicDeeds），byD。F。
（DavidFassmann），FrankfurtandLeipzig，1734；12mo，pp。1040。
Aworkwrittenwithupturnedeyesofprostrateadmirationfor"DEROMAJESTAT"（’Theiro’Majesty）AUGUSTTHEGREAT；"exacttoo，butdealingmerelywiththeCLOTHESofthematter，andsuchamatter:workunreadable，exceptoncompulsion，tothestupidestmortal。ThesameFassmann，whowasattheFairofSt。Germain，wholodgedsometimeswiththePotsdamGiant，andwhosewaysareallfallendarktous。]"TheKingofPolandarriveduponusatBerlinonthe29thofMay，"saysWilhelmina；hadbeenatPotsdam，underFriedrichWilhelm’scare，forthreedayspast:Saturdayafternoon，29thMay，1728；thatiswithexactitudetheever—memorabledate。
HepaidhisrespectsinherMajesty’sapartment，foraninstant，thatevening；butmadehisformalvisitnextday。Verygrandindeed。Carriedbytwoshiningparti—coloredcreatures，heyducsso—called，throughdoublerowsofmerepeeragesandsublimities，inasublimesedan（beinglameofafoot，footlatelyamputatedoftwotoes，sorestillopen）:"inasedancoveredwithredvelvetgalloonedwithgold，"saysthedevoutFassmann，tremblinglyexact，"upthegrandstaircasealongthegrandGallery；"inwhichsupremeregion（ApartmentsofthelateKingFriedrichofgorgeousmemory）
herMajestynowisfortheoccasion。"TheQueenreceivedhimatthedoorofherthirdAntechamber，"saysWilhelmina；thirdoroutmostAntechamber，endofthatgrandGalleryanditspeeragesandshiningcreatures:"hegavetheQueenhishand，andledherin。"WePrincesseswerethere，atleastthegrownonesofuswere。
Allstanding，excepttheQueenonly。"Herefusedtosit，andagainrefused；"stoicallytalkedgraciosities，disregardingthepainofhisfoot；anddidnot，tillrefusalthreatenedtobecomeuncivil，complywithherMajesty’sentreaties。"Howunpolite！"smiledhetousyoungones。"Hehadamajesticportandphysiognomy；anaffablepoliteairaccompaniedallhismovements，allhisactions。"
Kindofstereotypedsmileonhisface；nothingoftheinnergloomvisibleonourCharlesII。andsimilarmenofsin。HelookedoftenatWilhelmina，andwascomplimentarytoadegree，——forreasonsundivinabletoWilhelmina。Fortherest，"muchbrokenforhisage；"theterribledebaucheries（LESDEBAUCHESTERRIBLES）havinghadtheireffectonhim。HehasfallenWidowerlastyear。HispoorWifewasaBrandenburg—BaireuthPrincess；adevoutkindofwoman；
austerelywitnessingtheirremediableinherlot。Hehasgotfaronwithhisthreehundredandfifty—four；isnowgoingfifty—five；——lameofafoot，aswesee，whichthegreatPetitofPariscannotcure，neitherhenoranySurgeon，butcanonlyalleviatebycuttingofftwotoes。Pinkofpoliteness，nodoubtofit；butotherwisethestrangestdilapidatedhulkofatwo—leggedanimalwithoutfeathers；probably，infact，thechiefNaturalSolecismundertheSunatthatepoch；——extremelycomplimentarytousPrincesses，tomeespecially。"HequittedherMajesty’sApartmentafteranhour’sconversation:sherosetoreconducthim，buthewouldbynomannerofmeanspermitthat，"——andsovanished，carriedoffdoubtlessbytheshiningcreaturesagain。
The"ElectoralPrince"Heir—Apparent，nextmadehisvisit；
buthewasadrysubjectincomparison，ofwhomnoPrincesscansaymuch。PrinceFriedrichwillknowhimbetterbyandby。
YoungMaurice，"CountofSaxony，"famedafterwardsasMARECHALDE
SAXE，healsoisherewithhisHalf—SisterOrzelskaandtheothers，inthetrainofthepaternalManofSin；andmakesacquaintancewithFriedrich。HeissonofthefemaleKonigsmarkcalledAurora（"whoaloneofmortalscouldmakeCharlesTwelfthflyhisground"）；nephew，therefore，ofthemaleKonigsmarkwhowascutdownlongagoatHanover，andburiedinthefireplace。
HeresembleshisFatherinstrength，vivacity，aboveallthingsindebauchery，anddisregardoffinance。Theymarriedhimatthedueyearstosomepoorrichwoman；butwithherhehasalreadyended；
withherandwithmanyothers。Courland，AdrienneLecouvreur，AnneIwanownawiththebigcheek:——thereaderhasperhapssearchedoutthesethingsforhimselffromthedullHistory—Books；——orperhapsitwasbetterforhimifheneversoughtthem？DukedomofCourland，connectedwithPolishsovereignty，andnowabouttofallvacant，wasoneofCountMaurice’sgrandsalliesintheworld。
AdrienneLecouvreur，foolishFrenchActress，lenthimallthe30，000poundsshehadgatheredbyholdingthemirroruptoNatureandotherwise，toprosecutethisCourlandbusiness；whichprovedimpossibleforhim。Hewasadventurousenough，audaciousenough；
foughtwell；buttheproblemwas，TofallinlovewiththeDowagerAnneIwanowna，CousinofCzarPeterII。；bigbrazenRussianwoman（suchacheekthePicturesgiveher，insizeandsomewhatinexpressionlikeaWestphaliaham！），whowasWidowofthelastactiveDuke:——andthis，withallhisadventurousaudacity，CountMauricecouldnotdo。ThebigWidowdiscoveredthathedidnotlikeWestphaliahamsinthatparticularform；thatheonlypretendedtolikethem；uponwhich，injustindignation，shedisownedanddismissedhim；andfallingherselftobeCzarinanotlongafterwards，andtakingBierentheCourlanderforherbeloved，shemadeBierenDuke，andCourlandbecameimpossibleforCountMaurice。
However，hetooisadashingyoungfellow；"circularblackeyebrows，eyesglitteringbright，partlywithanimalvivacity，partlywithspiritual；"standssixfeetinhisstockings，breakshorse—shoeswithhishands；fullofirregularingenuityandaudacity；hasbeensoldieringabout，eversincebirthalmost；
andunderstandsmanyathing，thoughtheworstSPELLEReverknown。
WithhimtooyoungFritzismuchcharmed:theflower，he，oftheillegitimatethreehundredandfifty—four，andprobablythechiefachievementoftheSaxonManofSininthisworld，wherehetooksuchtrouble。Friedrichandhemaintainedsomeoccasionalcorrespondenceafterwards；but，tojudgebyFriedrich’spartofit（merepolitecongratulationsonFontenoy，andthelike），itmusthavebeenofthelastvacuity；andtousitisnowabsolutezero，howeverclearlyspeltandprinted。[Givenaltogetherin
OEuvresdeFredericleGrand，xvii。300—309。
Seefarther，whoeverhascuriosity，Preuss，FriedrichsLebensgeschichte，iii。167—169；Espagnac，
VieduComtedeSaxe（agoodlittlemilitaryBook，doneintoGerman，Leipzig，1774，2vols。）；Cramer，
DenkwurdigkeitenderGrafinAuroravonKonigsmark
（Leipzig，1836）；&c。&c。]
ThePhysicallyStrong，insomethreeweeks，afterkindlingsuchaneffulgenceaboutBerlinaswasneverseenbeforeorsinceinFriedrichWilhelm’sreign，wenthiswayagain，——"towardsPolandfortheDiet，"ornoneofuscareswhitherorforwhat。HereatBerlinhehasbeensublimeenough。SomeofthephenomenasurpassedanythingWilhelminaeversaw:suchfloodsandrowsofresplendentpeoplecrowdingintodinner；andshecouldnotbutcontrastthesplendorofthePolishretinuesandtheirplumagesanddraperies，withthestrait—buttonedPrussiandignitaries，allinmeresoldieruniform，succinct"bluecoat，whitelinengaiters，"andnosuperfluityevenintheepaulettesandredfacings。Attable，shesays，theydrankmuch，talkedlittle，andboredoneanotheragreatdeal（S’ENNUYOIENTBEAUCOUP）。
OFPRINCESSWHILHELMINA’SFOURKINGSANDOTHERINEFFECTUALSUITORS。
DilapidatedPolishMajesty，weobserved，wasextremelyattentivetoWilhelmina；norcouldsheascertain，forlongafter，whattheparticularreasonwas。Longafter，Wilhelminaascertainedthattherehadbeenthewonderfulestschemeconcocting，orasgoodasconcocted，intheseswearingsofeternalfriendship:nootherthanthatofmarryingher，Wilhelmina，nowaslimmaidencomingnineteen，tothisdilapidatedSaxonManofSingoing（orlimping）
fifty—five，andbrokenbyDEBAUCHESTERRIBLES（riversofchampagneandtokay，foroneitem），whohadfallenaWidowerlastyear！
Theyhadschemeditallout，Wilhelminaunderstands:FriedrichWilhelmtoadvancesuchandsuchmoneysasdowry，andothersfurthermoreasloan，fortheoccasionsofhisPolishMajesty，whicharemanifold；WilhelminatohaveTheLausitz（LUSATIA）forjointure，LausitztobeFriedrichWilhelm’spledgewithal；
andotherintricateconditions；[Wilhelmina，i。114。]whatwouldWilhelminahavethought？Oneshudderstocontemplate；——hopesitmightmostlybeloosebrain—webandcourtierspeculation，neversettledtowardsfact。
Itiscertain，thedilapidatedPolishMajestyhavingbecomeaWidower，questionswouldrise，Willnothemarryagain？Andwithwhom？Certainalso，hewantsFriedrichWilhelm’salliance；
havinggreatschemesontheanvil，whichareliketobedelicateandperilous，——schemesof"partitioningPoland，"noless；thatistosay，cuttingofftheoutskirtsofPoland，flingingthemtoneighboringSovereignsaspropitiation，orpriceofgood—will，andrenderingtheresthereditaryinhisfamily。PragmaticSanctiononceaccededto，wouldprobablypropitiatetheKaiser？Forwhich，andotherreasons，PolishMajestystillkeepsthatcardinhishand。FriedrichWilhelm’salliance，withsuchanarmyandsuchatreasury，theusesofthatareevidenttothePolishMajesty。——
BytheblessingofHeaven，however，hismarriagewithWilhelminanevercametoanything:hisElectoralPrince，Heir—Apparent，objectedtothejointuresandalienations，softly，steadily；
andtheprojecthadtodropbeforeWilhelminaeverknewofit。
Andthismanisprobablyoneofthe"FourKings"shewastobeaskedby？ASwedishOfficer，withsomeskillinpalmistry，manyyearsago，lookedintoherinnocentlittlehand，andprophesied，"Shewastobeintermsofcourtship，engagementorasgoodasengagement，withFourKings，andtowednoneofthem。"Wilhelminacountstheminhermaturedays。TheFIRSTwillsurpriseeverybody，——CharlesXII。ofSweden；——whonevercanhavebeenmuchofasuitor，theratherastheyoungLadywasthenonlysixgone；
butwho，might，likeenough，betalkedof，bytransientthird—parties，inthoseoldStralsundtimes。TheSECOND，——cannotWEguesswhothesecondis？TheTHIRDisthisAugustthedilapidatedStrong。AstotheSECOND，Wilhelminaseesalready，incredulousmoments，thatitmaybeHanoverFred，whomshewillnevermarryeither；——anddoesnotsee（nordid，atthetimeofwritingherMemoires，"in1744"saytheBooks）thatFredneverwouldcometoKingship，andthatthePalmistrywasincompleteinthatpoint。TheFOURTH，again，isclearlyyoungCzarPeterII。；ofwhomtherewastransienttalkorproject，someshorttimeafterthisofthedilapidatedTHIRD。
Butthattoocametonothing；thepooryoungladdiedwhileonlyfifteen；nayhehadalready"falleninlovewithhisAuntElizabeth"（INFAMECATINDUNORDintimecoming），andgivenupthePrussianprospect。[HewastheGreatPeter’sGrandson（Sonhavinggoneatragicalroad）；Czar，May，1727——January，1730:
AnneIwanowna（GreatPeter’sNiece，elderBrother’sDaughter），ourCourlandfriendwiththebigcheek，succeeded；tillherdeath，October，1740:then，aftersomeslightshockofrevolution，theElizabethjustmentioned，whowasDaughteroftheGreatPeterbyhislittlebrownCzarinaCatherinewhomweoncemet。
SeeMannstein，MemoirsofRussia（London，1770），pp。1—23，forsomeaccountofPeterII。；andtherestoftheVolumeforareallyintelligentHistoryofthisAnne，atleastofherWars，whereMannsteinhimselfusuallyhadpart。
Allwhichwouldbenothing，oralmostless，toWilhelmina，walkingfancy—freethere，——wereitnotforPapaandMamma，andtheimportunateinsidiousby—standers。Whodomakeathingofit，firstandlast！Neverinanyromanceorstage—playwasyoungLady，withoutblame，withoutfurtheranceandwithouthindranceofherown，sotormentedaboutasettlementinlife；——passiveshe，allthewhile，mereclayinthehandsofthepotter；andbeggingtheUniversetohavetheextremegoodnessonlytoleaveheralone！——
Thustoo，amongthetrainofKingAugustinthisBerlinvisit，acertainSoldierOfficialofhis，DukeofSachsenWeissenfels，JohannAdolfbyname，apoorCadetCousinoftheSaxonHouse，——
anotherelderlyRoyalHighnessofsmallpossibility，——wasparticularlyattentivetoWilhelmina；nowandonsubsequentoccasions。TitularDukeofWeissenfels，BrotheroftherealDuke，andnotevensureofthesuccessionasyet；butlivingonKingAugust’spay；notwithoutcapacityofdrinkandthelike，someallege:——otherwiseamerebetitled，betasselledelderlymilitarygentleman，ofnospecialqualities，evilorgood；——whowilloftenturnupagaininthisHistory；butfailsalwaystomakeanyimpressiononusexceptthatofaSereneHighnessintheabstract；
unexceptionableHumanMask，ofpoliteturn，behungwithtitles，andnodoubtastomachintheinsideofit:henow，andafterwards，byallopportunities，diligentlycontinuedhisattentionsintheWilhelminaquarter。Foragoodwhileitwasneverguessedwhathecouldbedrivingat；tillatlastQueenSophie，becomingawareofit，tookhimtotask；withcoldseverity，remindedhimthatsomethingsareonone’slevel，andsomethingsnot。Towhichhumblybowing，inunfeignedpenitence，heretiredfromtheaudacity，backforemost:Wouldneverevenindreamshavepresumed，hadnothisPrussianMajestyauthorized；
wouldnow，sinceHERPrussianMajestyhadthatfeeling，withdrawsilently，andliveforgotten，asanobscureRoyalHighnessintheabstract（thoughfallenWidowerlately）oughttodo。Andsoatleasttherewasanendofthatmatter，onemighthope，——thoughineffectitstillabortivelystartedupnowandthen，onPapa’spart，inhisfrantichumors，foryearstocome。
ThenthereistheMargrafofSchwedt，FriedrichWilhelmbyname，chiefPrinceoftheBlood，hisMajesty’sCousin，andtheOldDessauer’sNephew；noneofthelikeliestofmen，intrinsicallytaken:heandhisDowagerMother——theDessauer’sSister，ahigh—going，tacitlyobstinateoldDowager（whodresses，ifI
recollect，inflagrantcolors）——areverytroublesometoWilhelmina。TheflagrantDame——shemighthavebeen"Queen—Mother"
onceforsooth，hadPapaandmyBrotherbutbeenmadeawaywith！——
watcheshertime，andisdiligentbyallopportunities。
ChapterIV。
DOUBLE—MARRIAGEPROJECTISNOTDEAD。
AndtheDouble—Marriage，insuchcircumstances，arewetoconsideritasdead，then？InthesoulofQueenSophieandthoseshecaninfluence，itlivesflame—bright；butwithallothersithasfallenintoaverydimstate。FriedrichWilhelmisstillprivatelywilling，perhapsinadegreewishful；butthedelays，thesuperciliousneglectshavemuchdisgustedhim；andhe，inthemeanwhile，entertainsthosenewspeculations。GeorgeII。，neveraloverofthePrussianMajesty’snorlovedbyhim，hasbeenveryhighanddistanteversincehisAccession；offensiveratherthanotherwise。Healsoisunderstoodtobevaguelywillingforthething；willingenough，woulditbesokindasaccomplishitselfwithouttroubletohim。Butthesettlements，theapplicationstoParliament:——andallforthisperverseFred，whohasbecomeunlovely，andirritatesourroyalmind？Georgepushesthematterintoitspigeon—holesagain，whenbroughtbeforehim。
HigherthoughtsoccupythesouloflittleGeorge。CongressofSoissons，ConventionofthePardo，[Or，ineffect，"TreatyofMadrid，"6thMarch，1728。ThiswasthePREFACEtoSoissons；
Termagantatlengthconsentingthere，"atherPalaceofthePardo"
（Kaiserandalltheworldurgingherfortenmonthspast），toacceptthePeace，andleaveoffbesiegingGibraltartonopurpose（Coxe，i。303）。]TreatyofSeville；aparttobeactedontheworld—theatre，withapplauses，withenvies，almostfromtheverydemi—gods？GreatKaisers，overshadowingNaturewiththeirPragmaticSanctions，theirpreternaturalDiplomacies，andmakingtheTerrestrialBalancereelhitherandthither；——Kaiserstobeclenchedperhapsbyone’sdexterityofgrasp，andtheBalancesteadiedagain？PrussianDouble—Marriage！
OneroyalsoulthereiswhoneverwillconsenttohavetheDouble—Marriagedie:QueenSophie。Shehadpassedherownprivateact—of—parliamentforit；shewasaveryobstinatewife，toahusbandequallyobstinate。"JEBOULEVERSERAIL’EMPIRE，"writessheonce；"IwilloverturntheGermanEmpire，"iftheydrivemetoit，inthismatter。[LettercopiedbyDubourgay（inDespatch，markedPRIVATE，toLordTownshend，3d—14thMay，1729）；noclearaddressgiven，——probablytoDubourgayhimself，CONVEYEDby"aLady"（oneoftheQueen’sLadies），ashedimlyintimates。]WhatsecretmanoeuvringandendeavoringwentonunweariedlyonroyalSophie’spart，weneednotsay；norinwhatbadelement，ofdarknessandmendacity，ofeavesdropping，rumoring，backstairsintriguing，theaffairnowmoved。ShecorrespondsonitwithQueenCarolineofEngland；shekeepshertwochildrentruetoit，especiallyherSon，themoreimportantofthem。
CROWN—PRINCEFRIEDRICHWRITESCERTAINLETTERS。
QueenSophiedidnotoverturntheEmpire，butshedidalmostoverturnherownandherfamily’sexistence，bythesecourses；
whichwerenotwiseinhercase。ItiscertainshepersuadedCrown—PrinceFriedrich，whowasalwayshisMother’sboy，andwhoperhapsneededlittlebiddinginthisinstance，"towritetoQueenCarolineofEngland；"Lettersoneorseveral:thrice—dangerousLetters；settingforth（insubstance），HisdeathlessaffectiontothatBeautyoftheworld，herMajesty’sdivineDaughterthePrincessAmelia（averyparagonofyoungwomen，tojudgebyherpictureandone’sownimagination）；andlikewisethefirmresolutionhe，FriedrichCrown—Prince，hasformed，andthevowheherebymakes，Eithertowedthatcelestialcreaturewhenpermitted，orelseneveranyoftheDaughtersofEveinthisworld。CongressesofSoissons，SmokingParliaments，PreliminariesofthePardoandTreatiesofSevillemaygohowtheycan。Ifwell，itshallbewell:ifnotwell，hereismyvow，solemnpromiseandunchangeabledetermination，whichyourgraciousMajestyishumblyentreatedtolayupinthetabletsofyourroyalheart，andtorememberonmybehalf，shouldbaddaysarise！——
ItisclearsuchLettersweresent；atwhatdatefirstbeginning，wedonotknow；——possiblybeforethisdate？Norwouldmattersrisetothevowingpitchallatonce。OneLetter，supremelydangerousshoulditcometobeknown，Wilhelminahascopiedforus，[Wilhelmina，i。183。]——inOfficialstyle（foritistheMother’scompositionthisone）andwithoutdatetoit:——theguessabledateisabouttwoyearshence；andwewillgivethepoorDocumentfartheron，iftherebeplaceforit。
SuchparticularsareyetdeeplyunknowntoFriedrichWilhelm；
buthesurmisesthegeneraldriftofthingsinthatquarter；
andhowadisobedientSon，crossinghisFather’swillineverypoint，abetshisMother’sdisobedience，itselfaudaciousenough，inregardtothisone。ItisafearfulaggravationofFriedrichWilhelm’sill—humorwithsuchaSon，whichhaslongbeenuponthegrowinghand。Hisdislikes，weknow，wereotherwiseneitherfewnorsmall。Mere"disLIKES"properlysocalled，ordissimilaritiestoFriedrichWilhelm，agoodmanyofthem；dissimilaritiesalsotoaHigherPattern，some！ButthesetroublesoftheDouble—Marriagewillnowhurrythem，thejustandtheunjustofthem，towardstheflamingpitch。Thepooryouthhasabadtime；andthepoorFathertoo，whosehumorweknow！Surlygustsofindignation，notunfrequentlycuffsandstrokes；orstillworse，asettledaversion，andrageofthechronickind；studiedneglectandcontempt，——soasnoteventohelphimattable，butleavehimfastingwhiletheotherseat；[Dubourgay，SCAPIUS。]thistheyoungmanhastobear。Theinnumerablemaltreatments，authenticallychronicledinWilhelmina’sandtheotherBooks，thoughinadateless，unintelligiblemanner，wouldmakeatragicsum！——
HerearetwoBillets，copiedfromthePrussianState—Archives，whichwillshowustowhatheightmattershadgone，inthistheyoungman’sseventeenthyear。
TOHISMAJESTY（fromtheCrown—Prince）。
"WUSTERHAUSEN，11thSeptember，1728。
MYDEARPAPA，——Ihavenot，foralongwhile，presumedtocometomydearPapa；partlybecauseheforbademe；butchieflybecauseI
hadreasontoexpectastillworsereceptionthanusual:and，forfearofangeringmydearPapabymypresentrequest，Ihavepreferredmakingitinwritingtohim。
IthereforebegmydearPapatobegracioustome；andcanheresaythat，afterlongreflection，myconsciencehasnotaccusedmeofanytheleastthingwithwhichIcouldreproachmyself。ButifIhave，againstmywillandknowledge，doneanythingthathasangeredmydearPapa，Iherewithmostsubmissivelybegforgiveness；andhopemydearPapawilllayasidethatcruelhatredwhichIcannotbutnoticeinallhistreatmentofme。
Icouldnototherwisesuitmyselftoit；asIalwaysthoughtIhadagraciousPapa，andnowhavetoseethecontrary。Itakeconfidence，then，andhopethatmydearPapawillconsiderallthis，andagainbegracioustome。And，inthemeanwhile，I
assurehimthatIwillnever，allmydays，failwithmywill；
and，notwithstandinghisdisfavortome，remain"MydearPapa’s"MostfaithfulandobedientServantandSon，"FRIEDRICH。"
TowhichFriedrichWilhelm，byreturnofmessenger，writeswhatfollows。Veryimplacable，wemayperceive；——notcallinghisPetitioner"Thou，"askindPaternitymighthavedictated；
infinitelylessbythepolitetitle"They（SIE），"whichlatterindeed，thedistinguishedtitleof"SIC，"hisPrussianMajesty，wecanremark，reservesforForeignersofthesupremestquality，anddomesticPrincesoftheBlood；namingallotherPrussiansubjects，andpoorFritzinthisplace，"He（ER），"inthestyleofagentlemantohisvalet，——whichstyleevenavaletofthesenewdaysofourswouldbeunwillingtoputupwith。"ER，He，""His"
andtheotherderivativessoundloftilyrepulsiveintheGermanear；andlayopenimpassablegulfsbetweentheSpeakerandtheSpoken—to。"Hisobstinate"——Butwemust，afterall，sayTHYandTHOUforintelligibility’ssake:——
"Thyobstinateperversedisposition[KOPF，head]，whichdoesnotlovethyFather，——forwhenonedoeseverything[everythingcommanded]andreallylovesone’sFather，onedoeswhattheFatherrequires，notwhileheistheretoseeit，butwhenhisbackisturnedtoo[HisMajesty’sstyleisveryabstruse，ill—spelt，intricate，andinthisinstancetripsitself，andfallsonitsfacehere，amereintricatenominativewithoutaverb！]——Fortherest，thouknow’stverywellthatIcanendurenoeffeminatefellow（EFEMINIRTENKERL），whohasnohumaninclinationinhim；
whoputshimselftoshame，cannotridenorshoot；andwithalisdirtyinhisperson；frizzleshishairlikeafool，anddoesnotcutitoff。AndallthisIhave，athousandtimes，reprimanded；
butallinvain，andnoimprovementinnothing（KEINEBESSERUNGIN
NITSIST）。Fortherest，haughty，proudasachurl；speakstonobodybutsomefew，andisnotpopularandaffable；andcutsgrimaceswithhisface，asifhewereafool；anddoesmywillinnothingunlessheldtoitbyforce；nothingoutoflove；——andhaspleasureinnothingbutfollowinghisownwhims[ownKOPF]，——nousetohiminanythingelse。Thisistheanswer。