Theartfulhecanencounterwithart；thosewhomenace，withfortitude；andwithwiseforesightcanaverttherisingstorm。Heseeksnotsplendourinsumptuousandostentatiousretinue；butifhecanonlyenrichthestate，andbeholdthepoorhappy，heishimselfwillingtoremainpoor。Hisestate，Briess，nearBerlin，isnoChanteloup，butamodeltothosepatriotswhowouldstudyeconomy。
Herehe，everyWednesday，enjoysrecreation。Theservicesherendersthekingdomcostitonlyfivethousandrix—dollarsyearly；
he，therefore，liveswithoutostentation，yetbecominghisstate，andwithsplendourwhensplendourisnecessary。Hedoesnotplunderthepublictreasurythathemaypreservehisownprivateproperty。
ThismanwillliveintheannalsofPrussia：whowasemployedundertheGreatFrederic；hadsomuchinfluenceinthecabinetsofEurope；
andwasawitnessofthelastactions，thelastsensations，ofhisdyingking；yetwhoneverasked，noreverreceived，theleastgratuity。ThisistheministerwhoseconversationIhadthehappinesstopartakeatAix—la—ChapelleandSpa，whosewelfareisthewishofmyheart，andwhosememoryIshalleverrevere。
Iwasreceivedwithdistinctionathistable，andbecameacquaintedwiththosewhosesciencehadbenefitedthePrussianstates；norwasanythingmoreflatteringtomyself—lovethanthatmenliketheseshouldthinkmeworthytheirfriendship。
NotmanydaysafterIwaspresentedtothecourtbythePrussianchamberlain，PrinceSacken，asitisnotcustomaryatBerlinforaforeignsubjecttobepresentedbytheministerofhisowncourt。
ThoughaPrussiansubject，IworetheImperialuniform。
TheKingreceivedmewithcondescension；alleyesweredirectedtowardsme，eachwelcomedmetomycountry。Thismovedmethemoreasitwasremarkedbytheforeignministers，whoaskedwhothatAustrianofficercouldbewhowasreceivedwithsomuchaffectionandsuchevidentjoyinBerlin。Thegraciousmonarchhimselfgavetokensofpleasureatbeholdingmethussurrounded。AmongtherestcametheworthyGeneralPrittwitz，whosaidaloud—
"Thisisthegentlemanwhomighthaveruinedmetoeffecthisowndeliverance。"
Confusedatsopublicadeclaration，Idesiredhimtoexpoundthisriddle；andheadded—
"IwasobligedtobeoneofyourguardsonyourunfortunatejourneyfromDantzictoMagdeburg，in1754，whenIwasalieutenant。OntheroadIcontinuedalonewithyouinanopencarriage。Thisgaveyouanopportunitytoescape，butyouforbore。IafterwardssawthedangertowhichIhadexposedmyself。Hadyoubeenlessnoble—
minded，hadsuchaprisonerescapedthroughmynegligence，Ihadcertainlybeenruined。TheKingbelievedyoualikedangerousanddeservingofpunishment。Ihereacknowledgeyouasmysaviour，andamingratitudeyourfriend。"Iknewnotthatthegenerousman，whowishedmesowell，wasthepresentGeneralPrittwitz。Thatheshouldhimselfremindmeofthisincidentdoeshimthegreaterhonour。
Havingbeenintroducedatcourt，Ithoughtitnecessarytoobserveceremonies，andwaspresentedbytheImperialambassador，PrinceReuss，toallforeignministers，andsuchfamiliesasareinthehabitofadmittingsuchvisits。IwasreceivedbythePrinceRoyal，thereigningQueen，theQueen—Dowager，andtheroyalfamilyintheirvariousplaces，withfavournevertobeforgotten。HisRoyalHighnessPrinceHenryinvitedmetoaprivateaudience，continuedlonginconversationwithme，promisedmehisfutureprotection，admittedmetohisprivateconcerts，andsometimesmademesupatcourt。
AlikereceptionIexperiencedinthepalaceofPrinceFerdinandofBrunswick，whereIfrequentlydinedandsupped。Hisprincesstookdelightinhearingmynarratives，andloadedmewithfavour。
PrinceFerdinand’smodeofeducatingchildrenisexemplary。Thesonsareinstructedinthesoldier’sduties，theirbodiesareinuredtotheinclemenciesofweather；theyaretaughttoride，toswim，andaresteeledtoallthefatigueofwar。Theirheartsareformedforfriendship，whichtheycannotfailtoattain。Happythenationindefenceofwhichtheyaretoact！
HowridiculousthesetheirROYALHIGHNESSESappearwho，thoughborntorule，arenotdeservingtobethelackeystotheleastofthosewhomtheytreatwithcontempt；andyetwhoswell，strut，stride，andcontemplatethemselvesascreaturesessentiallydifferentbynature，andofasuperiorrankinthescaleofbeings，though，inreality，theirmindsareofthelowest，themeanestclass。
Happythestatewhoseprinceisimpressedwithasensethatthepeoplearenothisproperty，buthethepropertyofthepeople！A
princebelovedbyhispeoplewilleverrenderanationmorehappythosehewhoseonlywishistoinspirefear。
ThepleasureIreceivedatBerlinwasgreatindeed。WhenIwenttocourt，thecitizenscrowdedtoseeme，andwhenanyoneamongthemsaid，"ThatisTrenck，"therestwouldcry，"Welcomeoncemoretoyourcountry，"whilemanywouldreachmetheirhands，withthetearsstandingintheireyes。FrequentwerethescenesIexperiencedofthiskind。Nomalefactorwouldhavebeensoreceived。Itwastherewardofinnocence；thisrewardwasbestowedthroughoutthePrussianterritories。
Ohworld，ill—judgingworld，deceivedbyshow！Dostthounotblindlyfollowtheopinionoftheprince，behesevere，arbitrary，orjust？Thycensureandthypraiseequallyoriginateincommonreport。InMagdeburgIlay，chainedtothewall，tenyears，sighinginwretchedness，everycalamityofhunger，cold，nakedness，andcontempt。Andwherefore？BecausetheKing，deceivedbyslanderers，pronouncedmeworthyofpunishment。BecauseawiseKingmistookme，andtreatedmewithbarbarity。BecauseaprudentKingknewhehaddonewrong，yetwouldnothaveitsosupposed。Sowashisheartturnedtostone；nay，opposedbymanlyfortitude，wasenragedtocruelty。MostmenwereconvincedIwasaninnocentsufferer；"Yetdidtheyallcryoutthemore，saying，lethimbecrucified！"Myrelationswereashamedtohearmyname。Mysisterwasbarbarouslytreatedbecausesheassistedmeinmymisfortunes。Nomandurstavowhimselfmyfriend，durstownImeritedcompassion；or，muchless，thattheinfallibleKinghaderred。Iwasthemostdespised，forlornmanonearth；andwhenthusputontherack，hadIthereexpired，myepitaphwouldhavebeen，"Hereliesthetraitor，Trenck。"
Fredericisdead，andthesceneischanged；anothermonarchhasascendedthethrone，andthegrubhaschangedtoabeautifulbutterfly！ThewitnessestoallIhaveassertedarestillliving，loudlynowproclaimthetruth，andembracemewithheart—feltaffection。
Doestheworthofamandependuponhisactions？hisrewardorpunishmentuponhisvirtue？Inarbitrarystates，certainlynot。
Theydependonthebreathofaking！Fredericwasthemostpenetratingprinceofhisage，butthemostobstinatealso。Avicedreadfultothosewhomheselectedasvictims，whomustbesacrificedtothepromotingofhisarbitraryviews。
Howmanyperished，thesinofferingsofFrederic’sobstinateself—
will，whoseorphanchildrennowcrytoGodforvengeance！Thedead，alas！cannotplead。Trialbeganandendedwithexecution。Thefewwords——ITISTHEKING’SCOMMAND——werewordsofhorrortothepoorcondemnedwretchdeniedtopleadhisinnocence！YetwhatistheUkase（Imperialorder）inRussia，Telestnotrebonplaisir（Suchisourpleasure）inFrance，ortheAllergnadigsteHofresolution（Theall—gracioussentenceofthecourt），pronouncedwiththesweettoneofaViennamatron？Inwhatdothesedifferfromthearbitraryorderofamilitarydespot？
Everyprayerofmanshouldbeconsecratedtoman’sgeneralgood；forhimtoobtainfreedomanduniversaljustice！Togethershouldwecrywithonevoice，and，ifunabletoshacklearbitrarypower，stillshouldweendeavourtoshowhowdangerousitis！Thepriestsoflibertyshouldofferuptheirthankstothemonarchwhodeclares"thewordofpower"anullity，and"thesentence"ofjusticeomnipotent。
WhocannamethecourtinEuropewhereLouis，Peter，orFrederic，eachandallsurnamedTheGreat，havenotbeen，andarenot，imitatedasmodelsofperfection？。Lettres—de—cachet，theknout，andcabinet—orders，supersedingallright，arebecomelaw！
Noreasoning，saysthecorporaltothepoorgrenadier，whomhecanes！——Noreasoning！exclaimjudges；thecourthasdecided。——Noreasoning，rashandpertinaciousTrenck，willtheprudentreaderecho。Throwthypeninthefire，andexposenotthyselftobecomethemartyrofastateinquisition。
Myfateis，andmustremain，criticalandundecided。Ihavesix—
and—thirtyyearsbeenintheserviceofAustria，unrewarded，andbeholdingtherepeatedandgenerouseffortsImadeeffectuallytoservethatstate，unnoticed。TheEmperorJosephsupposesmeold，thatthefruitiswasted，andthatthehuskonlyremains。ItisalsosupposedIshouldnotbesatisfiedwithalittle。Tocontinuetooppresshimwhohasoncebeenoppressed，andwhopossessqualitiesthatmaymakeinjusticemanifest，isthepolicyofstates。
MyjourneytoBerlinhasgiventheslandererfurtheropportunityofpaintingmeasasuspiciouscharacter：Ismileattheineffectualattempt。
IappearedintheImperialuniformandbeliedsuchinsinuations。Tothispurposeitwaswrittentocourt，inNovember，whenIwentintoHungary，"ThemotionsofTrenckoughttobeobservedinHungary。"
Yepoormaliciousblood—suckersofthevirtuous！Yeshallnotbeabletohurtahairofmyhead。Yecannotinjurethemanwhohassixtyyearslivedinhonour。Iwillnot，inmyoldage，bringuponmyselfthereproachofinconstancy，treachery，ordesireofrevenge。
Iwillbetraynopoliticalsecrets：IwishnottoinjurethosebywhomIhavebeeninjured。——SuchactsIwillnevercommit。Ineveryetdescendedtotheofficeofspy，norwillIdiearewardedvillain。
Yes，IappearedinBerlinamongtheuprightandthejust。Insteadofbeingitssupposedenemy，Iwasdeclaredanhonourtomycountry。
IappearedintheImperialuniformandfulfilledthedutiesofmystation：andnowmustthePrussianTrenckreturntoAustria，theretoperformafather’sduty。
YetmoreofwhathappenedinBerlin。
SomedaysafterIhadbeenpresentedtotheKing，Ientreatedaprivateaudience，andonthe12thofFebruaryreceivedthefollowingletter：—
"Inanswertoyourletterofthe8thofthismonth，Iinformyouthat，ifyouwillcometometo—morrow，atfiveo’clockintheafternoon，Ishallhavethepleasuretospeakwithyou；meantime，I
prayGodtotakeyouintohisholykeeping。
"FREDERICWILLIAM。
"Berlin，Feb。12，1787。"
"P。S。——Aftersigningtheabove，Ifinditmoreconvenienttoappointto—morrow，atnineinthemorning，aboutwhichtimeyouwillcomeintotheapartmentnamedtheMarmorKammer（marblechamber）。"
TheanxietywithwhichIexpectedthiswished—forinterviewmaywellbeconceived。IfoundthePrussianTitusalone，andhecontinuedinconversationwithmemorethananhour。
Howkindwasthemonarch！Howgreat！Hownoblydidheconsolemeforthepast！Howentirelydidhisassuranceoffavouroverpowermywholesoul！Hehadreadthehistoryofmylife。WhenprinceofPrussia，hehadbeenaneyewitness，inMagdeburg，ofmymartyrdom，andmyattemptstoescape。HisMajestypartedfrommewithtokensofesteemandcondescension。——Myeyesbadeadieu，butmyheartremainedinthemarblechamber，incompanywithaprincecapableofsensationssodignified；andmywishesforhiswelfareareeternal。
IhavesincetravelledthroughthegreaterpartofthePrussianstates。Whereisthecountryinwhichthepeopleareallsatisfied？
Manycomplainedofhardtimes，orindustryunrewarded。Myanswerwas：—
"Friends，kneelwiththerisingsun，andthanktheGodofheaventhatyouarePrussians。Ihaveseenandknownmuchofthisworld，andIassureyou，youareamongthehappiestpeopleofEurope。
Causesofcomplainteverywhereexist；butyouhaveaking，neitherobstinate，ambitious，covetous，norcruel：hiswillisthathispeopleshouldhavecauseofcontent，andshouldheerrbychance，hisheartisnottoblameifthesubjectsuffers。"
Prussiaisneitherwantinginablenorlearnedmen。Thewarmthofpatriotsglowsintheirveins。Everythingremainswithequalstability，asunderthereignofFrederic；andshouldthethunderburst，thereadyconductorswillrendertheshockineffectual。
Hertzbergstilllaboursinthecabinet，stillthinks，writes，andactsashehasdoneforyears。Thekingisdesirousthatjusticeshallbedonetohissubjects，andwillpunish，perhaps，withmoreseverity，wheneverhefindshimselfdeceived，thanfromthegoodnessofhisdisposition，mightbesupposed。Thetreasuryisfull，thearmycontinuesthesame，andthereislittlereasontodoubtbutthatindustry，population，andwealthwillincrease。Nonebutthevileandthewickedwouldleavethekingdom；whiletheoppressedandbestsubjectsofotherstateswouldflyfromtheirnativecountry，certainoffindingencouragementandsecurityinPrussia。
ThepersonalqualitiesofFredricWilliammeritdescription。Heistallandhandsome，hismienismajestic，andhisaccomplishmentsofmindandbodywouldprocurehimtheloveofmen，werehenotaking。
Heisaffablewithoutdeceit，friendlyandkindinconversation，andstatelywhenstatelinessisnecessary。Heisbountiful，butnotprofuse；heknowsthatwithouteconomythePrussianmustsink。Heisnottormentedbythespiritofconquest，hewishesharmtononation，yethewillcertainlynotsufferothernationstomakeencroachments，norwillhebeterrifiedbymenaces。
ThewiseFrederic，whenliving，thoughhimselflearned，andaloverofthesciences，neverencouragedtheminhiskingdom。Germany，underhisreign，mighthaveforgottenherlanguage：hepreferredtheliteratureofFrance。Konigsberg，oncetheseminaryoftheNorth，contains，atpresent，fewprofessors，orstudents；theformerarefallenintodisrepute，andareillpaid；thelatterrepairtoLeipsicandGottingen。Wehaveeveryreasontosupposethepresentmonarch，thoughnostudiousmanhimself，willencouragetheacademiesoftheliterati，thatmenlearnedinjurisprudenceandthesciencesmaynotbewanting：whichwantisthemoretobeapprehendedasthenobilitymust，withoutexception，serveinthearmy，sothatlearninghasbutfewadherents，andthesearedeprivedofthemeansofimprovement。
FredericWilliamisalsotoomuchthefriendofmentosufferthemtopineinprisons。Heabhorsthebarbaritywithwhichthesoldiersarebeaten：hisofficerswillnotbefetteredhandandfoot；
slavishsubordinationwillbebanished，andthenobleinheartwillbethenobleoftheland。Mayhe，inhispeople，findperfectcontent！Mayhispeoplebeeverworthyofsuchaprince！Longmayhereign，andmayhisministersbeeverenlightenedandhonourablemen！
Hesentformeasecondtime，conversedmuchwithme，andconfirmedthoseideaswhichmyfirstinterviewhadinspired。
Onthe11thofMarchIpresentedmysonatanotheraudience，whomI
intendedforthePrussianservice。TheKingbestowedacommissiononhiminthePosadowskydragoons，atmyrequest。
IsawhimatthereviewatVelau，andhissuperiorofficersformedgreatexpectationsfromhiszeal。TimewilldiscoverwhetherhewhoisintheAustrian，orthisinthePrussianservice，willfirstobtaintherewardsduetotheirfather。Shouldtheybothremainunnoticed，IwillbestowhimontheGrandTurk，ratherthanonEuropeancourts，whenceequitytomeandmineisbanished。
ToAustriaIowenothanks；allthatcouldbetakenfrommewastaken。IwasacaptainbeforeIenteredthoseterritories，and，aftersix—and—thirtyyears’service，Ifindmyselfintherankofinvalidmajor。TheproofofallIhaveasserted，andofhowlittleIamindebtedtothisstateismostincontestable，sincethehistoryofmylifeisallowedbytheroyalcensortobepubliclysoldinVienna。
Itisremarkablethatoneonlyofalltheeightofficers，withwhomIserved，inthebodyguard，in1745，isdead。Lieutenant—colonelCountBlumenthallivesinBerlin；PannewitziscommanderoftheKnightsofMalta：bothgavemeafriendlyreception。Wagnitzislieutenant—generalintheserviceofHesse—Cassel；hewasmytentcomrade，andwasacquaintedwithallthathappened。KalkreuterandGrethusenliveontheirestates，andJaschinskyisnowaliveatKonigsberg，butsuperannuated，andtorturedbysickness，andremorse。He，insteadofpunishment，hasfortyyearsenjoyedapensionofathousandrix—dollars。Ihaveseenmylandsconfiscated，oftheincomeofwhichIhavebeenforty—twoyearsdeprived，andneveryetreceivedretribution。
Timemustdecide；thekingisgenerous，andIhavetoomuchpridetobecomeabeggar。ThenameofTrenckshallbefoundinthehistoryoftheactsofFrederic。Atyranthimself，hewastheslaveofhispassions；andevendidnotthinkaninquiryintomyinnocenceworththetrouble。Tobeashamedofdoingright，becausehehasdonewrong，ortopersistinerror，thatfools，andfoolsonly，canthinkhiminfallible，isadreadfulprincipleinaruler。
SinceIhavebeenatBerlin，andwasreceivedtherewithsomanytestimoniesoffriendship，thenewspapersofGermanyhavepublishedvariousarticlesconcerningme，intendingtocontributetomyhonourorease。TheysaidmyeldestdaughterisappointedthegovernessoftheyoungPrincess。Thishasbeenthejokeofsomewittycorrespondent；formyeldestdaughterisbutfifteen，andstandsinneedofagovernessherself。Perhapstheymaysupposememeanenoughtocirculatefalsehood。
IdailyreceivelettersfromallpartsofGermany，whereinthesensationsofthefeelingheartareevident。AmongtheseletterswasonewhichIreceivedfromBahrdt，ProfessoratHalle，datedApril10，1787whereinhesays，"Receive，nobleGerman，thethanksofonewho，likeyou，hasencountereddifficulties；yet，farinferiortothoseyouhaveencountered。You，withgiganticstrength，havemetahostoffoes，andconquered。Thepestsofmenattackedmealso。Fromtowntotown，fromlandtoland，Iwaspursuedbypriestcraftandpersecution；yetIacquiredfame。IfledforrefugeandreposetothestatesofFrederic，butfoundthemnot。
Ihaveeightyearslabouredunderafflictionwithperseverance，buthavefoundnoreward。ByindustryhaveImademyselfwhatIam；byministerialfavour，never。Wornoutandweak，thehistoryofyourlife，worthysir，fellintomyhands，andpouredbalsamintomywounds。ThereIsawsufferingsimmeasurablygreater；there，indeed，beheldfortitudemostworthyofadmiration。Comparedtoyou，ofwhatcouldIcomplain？Receive，nobleGerman，mywarmestthanks；
whileIlivetheyshallflow。Andshouldyoufindafortunatemoment，inthepresenceofyourKing，speakofmeasoneconsignedtopoverty；asonewhosetalentsareburiedinoblivion。Saytohim——’MightyKing！stretchforththyhand，anddryuphistears。’I
knowthenoblenessofyourmind，anddoubtnotyourgoodwishes。"
TotheProfessor’sletterIreturnedthefollowinganswer：—
"Iwasaffected，sir，byyourletter。Ineveryetwasunmoved，whenthepenwasobedienttothedictatesoftheheart。Ifeelforyoursituation；andifmyexamplecanteachwisdomeventothewise，I
havecausetotriumph。Thisisthesweetestofrewards。AtBerlinIhavereceivedmuchhonour，butlittlemore。Menaredeaftohimwhoconfidesonlyinhisright。WhathaveIgained？Shadowyfameformyself，andthevapourofhopeformyheirs！
"TruthandTrenck，mygoodfriend，flourishnotincourts。Youcomplainofpriestcraft。Hewhowoulddisturbtheircovetousness，hewhospeaksagainstthefalseopinionstheyscatter，considersnotpriests，andtheiraim，whichistodazzlethestupidandstupefythewise。Deprecatetheirwrath！avoidtheirpoisonedshafts，ortheywillinfecttinypeace：willblastthyhonour。Andwhereforeshouldweincurthisdanger。Tocureignoranceoferrorisimpossible。Letusthensilentlystealtoourgraves，andthussmallweescapethebreathofenvy。Hewhoshouldenjoyalleventhoughtcouldgrasp，shouldyethavebutlittle。Havingacquiredthisknowledge，thepassionsofthesoularelulledtoapathy。I
beholderror，andIlaugh；dothou，myfriend，laughalso。Ifthatcancomfortus，menwilldoourmemoryjustice——whenwearedead！
Fameplantsherlaurelsoverthegrave，andtheretheyflourishbest。
"BARONTRENCK
"Schangulach，nearKonigsberg，April30th，1787。"
"P。S——Ihavespoken，worthyProfessor，thefeelingsofmyheart，inanswertoyourkindpanegyric。Youwillbutdomejustice，whenyoubelieveIthinkandactasIwritewithrespecttomyinfluenceatcourt，itisasinsignificantatBerlinasatViennaoratConstantinople"
AmongthevariouslettersIhavereceived，asitmayansweragoodpurpose，Ihopethereaderwillnotthinktheinsertionofthefollowingimproper。
Inaletterfromanunknowncorrespondent，whodesiredmetospeakforthispersonatBerlin，eightotherswereenclosed。Theycamefromtheabovepersonindistress，tothiscorrespondent：andIwasrequestedtoletthemappearintheBerlinJournal。Iselectedtwoofthem，andherepresentthemtotheworld，asitcandomeinjury，whiletheydescribeanunhappyvictimofanextraordinarykind：andmayperhapsobtainhimsomerelief。
Shouldthishopebeverified，Iamacquaintedwithhimwhowishestoremainconcealed，canintroducehimtotheknowledgeofsuchasmightwishtointerfereinhisbehalf。Shouldtheynot，thereaderwillstillfindthemwell—writtenandaffectingletters；suchasmayinspirecompassion。ThefollowingisthefirstofthoseIselected。
LETTERI
"Neuland，Feb12th，1787。
"IthoughtIhadsosatisfactorilyansweredyoubymylast，thatyouwouldhaveleftmeinpeacefulpossessionofmysorrows！butyourremarks，entreaties，andremonstrances，succeedeachotherwithsuchrapidity，thatIaminducedtorenewthecontest。Cowardice，I
believe，youareconvinced，isnotanativeinmyheart，andshouldInowyield，youmightsupposethatageandthemiseriesIhavesuffered，hadweakenedmypowersofmindaswellasbody；andthatI
oughttohavebeenclassedamongtheunhappymultitudeswhosesufferingshavesunkthemtodespondency。
"BaronTrenck，thatmanofmanywoes，oncesodespised，butwhonowisheldinadmiration，wherehewasbeforesomuchtheobjectofhatred；whonowspeakssoloudlyinhisowndefence，where，formerly，themanwhohadbutwhisperedhisnamewouldhavelivedsuspected；BaronTrenckyouproposeasanexampleofsalvationforme。Youarewrong。Haveyouconsideredhowdissimilarourpastliveshavebeen；howdifferent，too，areourcircumstances？Or，omittingthese，haveyouconsideredtowhomyouwouldhavemeappeal？
"In1767，Ibecameacquainted，inVienna，withthissuffereroffortitude，thisagreeablecompanion。Wearetaughtthatanobleaspectbespeaksacorrespondingmind；thisIbelievehimtopossess。
ButwhatexpectationscanIformfromBaronTrenck？
"Iwillbrieflyanswerthequestionsyouhaveput。BaronTrenckwasamanborntoinheritgreatestates；thisandthefireofhisyouth，fannedbyflatteringhopesfromhisfamouskinsman，renderedhimtoohaughtytohisKing；andthisalonewastheoriginofallhisfuturesufferings。I，onthecontrary，thoughthesonofaSilesiannoblemanofproperty，didnotinheritsomuchasthepayofacommonsoldier；thefamilyhavingbeenrobbedbythehandofpower，afterbeingaccusedbywickednessunderthemaskofvirtue。Youknowmyfather’sfate，theesteeminwhichhewasheldbytheEmpressTheresa；andthatapretendedmiraclewastheoccasionofhisfall。
Suddenlywasheplungedfromtheheighttowhichindustry，talents，andvirtuehadraisedhim，tothedepthofpoverty。Atlength，atthebeginningofthesevenyears’war，oneoftheKingofPrussia’ssubjectsrepresentedhimtotheAustriancourtasadangerouscorrespondentofMarshalSchwerin’s。Thenatsixtyyearsofage，myfatherwasseizedatJagerndorf，andimprisonedinthefortressofGratz，inStyria。Hehadanallowancejustsufficienttokeephimaliveinhisdungeon；but，forthespaceofsevenyears，neverbeheldthesunriseorset。Iwasaboywhenthishappened，however，Iwasnotheard。IonlyreceivedsomepecuniaryrelieffromtheEmpress，withpermissiontoshedmybloodinherdefence。
Inthissituationwefirstvowedeternalfriendship；butfromthisI
soonwassnatchedbymyfather’senemies。WhattheEmpresshadbestowed，herministerstorefromme。Iwasseizedatmidnight，andwasbrought，incompanywithtwootherofficers，tothefortressofGratz。HereIremainedimmuredsixyears。Mytruenamewasconcealed，andanothergivenme。
"Peacebeingrestored，Trenck，I，andmyfatherwerereleased；butthemodeofourreleasewasverydifferent。ThefirstobtainedhisfreedomattheintercessionofTheresa，she，too，affordedhimaprovision。We，onthecontrary，accordingtotheamnesty，stipulatedinthetreatyofpeace，wereledfromourdungeonsasstateprisoners，withoutinquiryconcerningtheverityorfalsehoodofourcrimes。Extremepoverty，wretchedness，andmisery，wereourrewardforthesufferingswehadendured。
"Notonlywasmyhealthdestroyed，butmyjawbonewaslost，eatenawaybythescurvy。IlaidbeforeFrederictheGreattheproofsofthecalamitiesIhadundergone，andthedismalstatetowhichIwasreduced，byhisfoe，andforhissake；entreatedbreadtopreservemeandmyfatherfromstarving，buthisearwasdeaftomyprayer，hisheartinsensibletomysighs。
"Providence，however，raisedmeupasaviour，——CountGellhornwastheman。AfterthetakingofBreslau，hehadbeenalsosentastateprisonertoGratz。Duringhisimprisonment，hehadheardthereportofmysufferingsandmyinnocence。NosoonerdidhelearnIwasreleased，thanhebecamemybenefactor，myfriend，andrestoredmetotheconverseofmen，towhichIhadsolongbeendead。
"Ideferthecontinuanceofmynarrativetothenextpost。Theremembranceofpastwoesinflictnewones。Iameternally。"