第25章
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  HisBrother,thePageKeith,ispackedintotheFusileerRegiment,atWeselhere;andtherewalkssentry,unheardoffortherestofhislife。SomuchfortheKeiths。[Preuss:FriedrichmitseinenVerwandtenundFreunden,pp。330,392。——See,onthisandtheotherpoints,Pollnitz,Memoiren,ii。352—374(andcorrecthismanyblunders)。]

  OtherdifficultythereisastothePrisonofthePrince。WeselisastrongTown;butforobviousreasonsonenearerBerlin,fartherfromthefrontier,wouldbepreferable。TowardsBerlin,however,thereisnorouteallonPrussianground:fromthesedividedCleveCountrieswehavetocrossabitofHanover,abitofHessen—Cassel:supposetheseSereneHighnessesweretointerfere?

  Notlikelytheywillinterfere,answerancientmilitarymen,ofduegrimness;atanyrate,wecangoaroundaboutroad,andtheyneednotknow!Thatisthemethodsettledon;neighborhoodofBerlin,clearlysomewherethere,mustbetheplace?OldCastleofMittenwalde,intheWusterhausenenvirons,letthatbethefirstresting—point,then;Rochow,Waldau,andtheWeselFusileer—Colonelhere,suremen,withatrooperortwoforescort,shallconductthePrisoner。ByTreuenbrietzen,bycircuitousroads:swift,silent,steady,——andwithvigilance,asyoushallanswer!——Thesepreliminariessettled,FriedrichWilhelmdrivesoffhomewards,blackCareridingbehindhim。HereachesBerlin,Sunday,27thAugust;findsaworldgonealltoakindofdoomsdaywithhimthere,poorgentleman。

  SCENEATBERLINONMAJESTY’SARRIVAL。

  OnSundayevening,27thAugust,1730,hisMajesty,whohadrestedovernightatPotsdamfromhisrapidjourney,droveintoBerlinbetweenfourandfiveintheafternoon。DeserterFritzisfollowing,underescortofhisthreemilitarygentlemen,ataslowerrateandbycircuitousroutes,soastoavoidtheterritoriesofHanoverandHessen,——towardsMittenwaldeintheWusterhausenneighborhood。ThemilitarygentlemenarevigilantasArgus,and,thoughpityingthepoorPrince,mustberigorousasRhadamanthus。Hisattemptsatescape,ofwhichtraditionmentionsmorethanone,theywillnotreporttoPapa,norevennoticetothePrincehimself;butwilltakecaretorenderfutile,oneandall:hisMajestymaybesecureonthatscore。

  Thescenesthatfollowareunusualinroyalhistory;andhavingbeenreportedintheworldwithinfinitenoiseandcensure,madeupoflaughterandhorror,itwillbehooveustobethemoreexactinrelatingthemastheyactuallybefell。Verydifficulttopull,outofthatravelledcart—loadofchaoticthrums,hereathreadandthereathread,capableofbeingbroughttothestraightstate,andwovenintolegiblenarrative!Butperhaps,bythatmethodthemingledlaughterandhorrorwillmodifyitselfalittle。Whatwecanwellsayis,thatpityalsooughtnottobewanting。ThenextsixmonthswereundoubtedlybyfarthewretchedestofFriedrichWilhelm’slife。ThepoorKing,exceptthathewasnotconsciousofintendingwrong,butmuchthereverse,walkedinthehollownightofGehenna,allthatwhile,andwasoftenliketobedrivenmadbytheturnthingshadtaken。

  Hereisscenefirst:WilhelminareportshisMajesty’sarrivalthatSundayafternoon,tothefollowingeffect;shewaspresentintheadventure,andnotaspectatressonly:——

  \"TheQueenwasaloneinhisMajesty’sApartment,waitingforhimasheapproached。Atsightofher,inthedistance,hecalledout:

  ’YourloselofaSon(VOTREINDIGNEFILS)hasendedatlast;

  youhavedonewithHIM,’orwordstothateffect。’What,’criedtheQueen,’youhavehadthebarbaritytokillhim?’’Yes,Itellyou,——butwhereisthesealedDesk?’TheQueenwenttoherownApartmenttofetchit;Iranintoherthereforamoment:shewasoutofherself,wringingherhands,cryingincessantly,andsaidwithoutceasing:’MONDIEU,MONFILS(OGod,mySon)!’Breathfailedme;IfellfaintingintothearmsofMadamedeSonsfeld。\"——

  TheQueentookawaytheWriting—case;Kingtoreouttheletters,andwentoff;uponwhichtheQueencamedownagaintous。

  \"Welearnedfromsomeattendantthat,atleast,myBrotherwasnotdead。TheKingnowcameback。Weallrantokisshishands;butmehenosoonernoticedthanrageandfurytookpossessionofhim。

  Hebecameblackintheface,hiseyessparklingfire,hismouthfoaming。’InfamousCANAILLE,’saidhe;’darestthoushowthyselfbeforeme?Go,keepthyscoundrelofaBrothercompany!’Andsosaying,heseizedmewithonehand,slappingmeonthefacewiththeother,’——clenchedasafist(POING),——’severalblows;oneofwhichstruckmeonthetemple,sothatIfellback,andshouldhavesplitmyheadagainstacornerofthewainscot,hadnotMadamedeSonsfeldcaughtmebythehead—dressandbrokenthefall。Ilayonthegroundwithoutconsciousness。TheKing,inafrenzy,wasforstrikingmewithhisfeet;hadnottheQueen,mySisters,andtherest,runbetween,andthosewhowerepresentpreventedhim。Theyallrankedthemselvesroundme,whichgaveMesdamesdeKameckeandSonsfeldtimetopickmeup。Theyputmeinachairintheembrasureofawindow;threwwateronmyfacetobringmetolife:whichcareIlamentablyreproachedthemwith,deathbeingathousandtimesbetter,inthepassthingshadcometo。TheQueenkeptshrieking,herfirmnesshadquitelefther:

  shewrungherhands,andranindespairupanddowntheroom。

  TheKing’sfacewassodisfiguredwithrage,itwasfrightfultolookupon。Thelittleoneswereontheirknees,beggingforme,\"——

  [Wilhelmina,i。265—267。]

  ——poorlittlebeings,whatagroup:Amelia,theyoungestgirl,aboutsix;Henri,inhisbitsoftrousers,hardlyoverfour!——

  Fortherest,Iperceive,thisroomwasonthefirstoralowerfloor,andsuchnoiseswereveryaudible。TheGuardhadturnedoutatthenoise;andacrowdwascollectingtoseeandhear:

  \"Moveon!Moveon!\"

  \"TheKinghadnowchangedhistune:headmittedthatmyBrotherwasstillalive;butvowedhorriblyhewouldputhimtodeath,andlaymefastwithinfourwallsfortherestofmylife。HeaccusedmeofbeingthePrince’saccomplice,whosecrimewashightreason;——alsoofhavinganintrigueoflovewithKatte,towhom,hesaid,Ihadborneseveralchildren。\"ThetimidGouvernanteflamedupatthisunheard—ofinsult:\"’Thatisnottrue,’saidshe,fiercely;’whoeverhastoldyourMajestysuchathinghastoldalie!’’Oh,sparemyBrother,andIwillmarrytheDukeofWeissenfels,’whimperedI;butinthegreatnoisehedidnothear;

  andwhileIstrovetorepeatitlouder,Sonsfeldclaptherhandkerchiefonmyface。

  \"Hustlingasidetogetridofthehandkerchief,IsawKattecrossingtheSquare。FoursoldierswereconductinghimtotheKing;trunks,myBrother’sandhisown,sealed,werecomingonintherear。Paleanddowncast,hetookoffhishattosaluteme,\"——

  poorKatte,tomealwayssoprostrateinsilentrespect,andnowsounhappy!\"Amomentafter,theKing,hearinghewascome,wentoutexclaiming,’NowIshallhaveproofaboutthescoundrelFritzandtheoffscouring(CANAILLE)Wilhelmina;clearproofstocuttheheadsoffthem。’\"——ThetwoHofdamesagaininterfered;andoneofthem,Kameckeitwas,rebukedhim;toldhim,inthetoneofaprophetess,Totakecarewhathewasdoing。WhomhisMajestygazedintowithastonishment,butratherwithrespectthanwithanger,saying,\"Yourintentionsaregood!\"

  AndsohisMajestyflungout,seekingKatte;andvanished:

  Wilhelminasawnomoreofhimforaboutayearafter;

  beingorderedtoherroom,andkeptprisonerthereonlowdiet,withsentriesguardingherdoors,andnooutlookbuttheworsthorrorherimaginationpleasedtopaint。

  ThisisthecelebratedassaultofpaternalMajestyonWilhelmina;

  therumorofwhichhasgoneintoalllands,excitingwonderandhorror,butcouldnotbesoexactasthisaccountatfirsthand。

  Naturallythecrowdofstreet—passengers,oncedispersedbytheGuard,carriedthematterabroad,andtherewasnoendofsympatheticexaggerations。ReportraninBerlin,forexample,thatthepoorPrincesswaskilled,beatenortrampledtodeath;

  whichweclearlyseeshewasnot。Voltaire,inthatmassofangrycalumnies,verymendaciousindeed,whichhecallsVIEPRIVEEDU

  ROIDEPRUSSE,mentionsthematterwithemphasis;andsaysfarther,ThePrincessoncedidhim(Voltaire)the\"honortoshowhimablackmarkshecarriedonherbreasteverafter;\"——whichislikeliertobefalsethantrue。CaptainGuyDickens,theLegationaryCaptain,whoseemsaclear,ingenuousandingeniousman,andofcoursehadaccesstothehighestcirclesofrefinedrumor,reportsthematterabouttendaysafter,withseveralerrors,inthismanner:——

  \"BERLIN,5thSEPTEMBER,1730。Fourorfivedaysago[bytheAlmanacnine,anddirectlyonhisMajesty’sreturn,whichDickenshadannouncedaweekagowithoutthatfactattached],theKingdreadfullyill—treatedWilhelminainbed[notinbedatall];

  wholeCastle(SCHLOSSorPalace)wasalarmed;Guardturnedout,\"——

  toclearawaythecrowd,asweperceive。Notproperlyacrowd,suchwasnotpermissiblethere:butastagnationofthepassers—bywouldnaturallyensueonthatesplanade;tilltheGuardturnedout,andindicatedwithemphasis,\"Moveon!\"Dickenshearsfartherthat\"theQueenfaresnobetter;\"——suchisthestateofrumorinBerlinatpresent。

  PoorKattehadahardaudienceofittoo。HefellatFriedrichWilhelm’sfeet;andwasspurnedandcaned;——fortherest,beyondwhatwasalreadyevident,hadlittleornothingtoconfess:

  Intentionofflightandofaccompanyinginflightveryundeniable;

  althoughpreliminariesandulteriorconditionsofsaidflightnotperfectlyknowntoKatte;knownonlythatthethoughtofraisingtroubleinforeignCourts,ortheleastvestigeoftreasonagainsthisMajesty,hadnotenteredevenintotheirdreams。Anameortwoofpersonswhohadknown,orguessed,oftheseoperations,iswrungfromKatte;——nameofaLieutenantSpaen,forone;who,beingonguard,hadadmittedKatteintoPotsdamonceortwiceindisguise:——forhimandforthelikeofhim,ofwhateverrankorwhicheversex,letarrestsbemadeout,andthescentaswithsleuth—houndsbediligentlyfollowedonallsides;andKatte,striptofhisuniform,belockedupinthegrimmestmanner。

  Berlin,withtherumorofthesethings,isamuch—agitatedcity。

  ChapterVIII。

  SEQUELTOCROWN—PRINCEANDFRIENDS。

  AsfortheCrown—Prince,prosecutinghiscircuitousroute,hearrivessafeatMittenwalde;islodgedintheoldCastlethere,Ithink,fortwonights(butthedate,intheseindexlessBooks,isblownawayagain),inaroombareofallthings,withsentriesatthedoor;andlooksout,expectingGrumkowandtheOfficialstomakeassaultonhim。OneoftheseOfficials,acertain\"Gerber,FiscalGeneral,\"who,asheadofPrussianFiscals(kindofPublicProsecutor,orsupremeEssenceofBailiffs,CatchpolesandGrand—Juriesallinone),wearsaredcloak,——gavethePrinceadreadfulstart。RedcloakistheBerlinHangman’sorHeadsman’sdress;andpoorFriedrichhadtheideahisendhadsummarilycomeinthismanner。Soonseeingitwasotherwise,hisspiritsrecovered,perhapsrosebytheshock。

  HefrontedGrumkowandtheOfficials,withahigh,almostcontemptuouslook;answeredpromptly,——ifpossible,withoutlying,andyetwithouttellinganything;——showedself—possession,pride;

  retortedsometimes,\"Haveyounothingmoretoask?\"Grumkowfindingtherewasnowaymadeintoanything,notevenintothesecretoftheWritingcaseandtheRoyalWomen’soperationsthere,beganatlast,asWilhelminasays,tohint,ThatinhisMajesty’sservicethereweremeansofbringingoutthetruthinspiteofrefractoryhumors;thattherewasathingcalledtherack,notyetabolishedinhisPrussianMajesty’sdominions!Friedrichownedafterwards,hisbloodrancold。However,heputonahighlook:

  \"AHangman,suchasyou,naturallytakespleasureintalkingofhistoolsandhistrade:butonmetheywillnotproduceanyeffect。Ihaveownedeverything;——andalmostregrettohavedoneso。ForitisnotmyparttostandquestioningsandbandyresponseswithaCOQUINCOMMEVOUS,scoundrellikeyou,\"reportsWilhelmina,[i。280。]thoughwehopetheactualtermwasslightlylesscandid!——Grumkowgatheredhisnotestogether;andwenthisways,withthemaninredcloakandtherest;thusfinishingthesceneinMittenwalde。Mittenwalde,whichweusedtoknowlongsince,inourWusterhausenrideswithpoorDuhan;littlethinkingwhatawaitedusthereoneday。

  Mittenwaldebeingfinished,Friedrich,onMonday,6thSeptember,1730,issentforwardtoCustrin,astronglittletowninaquietCountry,somesixtyorseventymileseastwardofBerlin。Ontheeveningofthe5thhefindshimselflodgedinastrongroomoftheFortressthere,——roomconsistingafbarewallslightedfromfarup;nofurniture,noteventheneedfulest;everythingindicatingthattheproudspiritandtheironlawsshallherehavetheirdueloutatleisure,andseewhichisstronger。

  HisswordwastakenfromhimatWesel;sword,uniform,everymarkofdignity,allarenowgone:heiscladinbrownprison—dressoftheplainestcutandcloth;hisdietisfixedattenpenceaday(\"tobegotfromthecook’sshop,sixgroschenfordinner,fourforsupper\");[Order,14thSeptember,1730(inForster,i。372)。]

  foodtobecutforhim,noknifeallowed。Roomistobeopened,morning,noonandevening,\"ontheaveragenotabovefourminuteseachtime;\"lights,orsingletallow—light,tobeextinguishedatsevenP。M。Absolutesolitude;nofluteallowed,farfromit;

  nobooksallowed,excepttheBibleandaPrayer—Book,——orperhapsNoltenius’sMANUAL,ifhetookahankeringforit。There,shutoutfromthebabbleoffools,andconversingonlywiththedumbVeracities,withthehugeinarticulatemeaningsofDestiny,NecessityandEternity,letthefoolofaFritzbethinkhimself,ifthereisanythoughtinhim!There,amongtheBogsoftheOder,theverysedgesgettingbrownallroundhim,andtheverycurlewsflyingoffforhappierclimes,lethimwait,tillthequestionofhisdoom,ratheranabstrusequestion,ripenintheroyalbreast。

  AsforWilhelmina,sheiscloseprisonerinherapartmentsintheBerlinPalaoe,sentriespacingateveryoutlet,formanymonthstocome。Wilhelminaalmostratherlikesit,suchadogofanexistencehasshehadhitherto,forwantofbeingwellletalone。

  Sheplays,reads;composesmusic;smugglesletterstoandfromMamma,——oneinPencil,frommyBrothereven,OHeavens!Wilhelminaweeps,nowandthen,withhergoodSonsfeld;hopesneverthelesstherewillbesomedawntothisRAGNAROK,orgeneral\"twilightofthegods。\"FriedrichWilhelm,convincedthatEnglandhashadahandinthistreason,signifiesofficiallytohisExcellencyCaptainDickens,ThattheEnglishnegotiationaareconcluded;

  thatneitherinthewayofSingle—MarriagenorofDouble—MarriagewillhehaveanythingmoretodowithEngland。\"Well,\"answersEngland,\"whocanhelpit?Negotiationwasnotquiteofourseeking。Letitsoend!\"[Dickens’sDespatch,25thSeptember,1730;andHarrington’sAnswertoit,of6thOctober:Seckendorf(inForster,iii。9),23dSeptember。]——Nayatdinneroneday(Seckendorfreports,whileFritzwasontheroadtoCustrin)heproposesthetoast,\"DownfallofEngland!\"[Seckendorf(inForster,iii。11)。]andwouldhavehadtheQueendrinkit;

  whonaturallywept,butIconjecturecouldnotbemadetodrink。

  HerMajestyisaweeping,almostbroken—heartedwoman;hisMajestyaraging,almostbroken—heartedman。SeckendorfandGrumkoware,asitwere,toovictorious;andnowhavetheirapprehensionsonthatlatterscore。Buttheylookonwithcountenanoeswellveiled,andtouchthehelmjudiciouslyinTobacco—Parliament,intentonthenearestharborofrefuge。

  HerMajestyneverthelesssteadilypersists;merelysinksdeeperoutofsightwithherEnglishschemes;duckingtillthewavegoby。Messages,desperateappealsstillgo,throughMamsellBulow,Wilhelmina’sHofdame,andotherchannels;nayWilhelminathinkstherewerestillintentionsonthepartofEngland,andthatthenon—fulfilmentofthematthelastmomentturnedonaccident;

  English\"Courierarrivedsomehourstoolate,\"thinksWilhelmina。

  [Wilhelmina(i。369,384),andPreussandothersafterher。]

  Butthatisamistake。Thenegotiation,inspiteofherMajesty’sendeavors,wasessentiallyout;England,aftersuchamessage,couldnot,nordid,stirfartherinthematter。

  InthatWriting—casehisMajestyfoundwhatweknow;nothingbutmysteriouseffectsoffemaleart,andnolightwhatever。Itisagreatsourceofwrathandofsorrowtohim,thatneitherintheWriting—case,norinKatte’sorthePrince’sso—called\"Confessions,\"canthethingbeseeninto。Adeeperbottomitmusthave,thinkshisMajesty,butknowsnotwhatorwhere。TooverturntheCountry,belike;andflingtheKaiser,andEuropeanBalanceofPower,bottomuppermost?Metheypresumablymeanttopoison!hetellsSeckendorfoneday。[Dickens’sDespatch,16thSeptember,1730。]WaseverFathermorecarefulforhischildren,soulandbody?Anxious,toexcess,tobringthemupinorthodoxnurtureandadmonition:andthisishowtheyrewardme,HerrFeldzeugmeister!

  \"Hadhehonestlyconfessed,andtoldmethewholetruth,atWesel,Iwouldhavemadeitupwithhimquietlythere。Butnowitmustgoitslengths;andthewholeworldshallbejudgebetweenus。\"

  [Seckendorf(Forster,ubisupra),23dSeptember。]

  HisMajestyisinaflamingheight。Hearrests,punishesandbanishes,wherethereistraceofcooperationorconnectionwithDeserterFritzandhisschemes。TheBulows,brotherandsister,brotherintheKing’sservice,sisterinWilhelmina’s,respectablegoldstickpeople,originallyofHanover,arehurledouttoLithuaniaandtheworld’send:letthemliveinMemel,andrepentastheycan。MinisterKnyphausen,alwaysofEnglishtendencies,he,withhisWife,——towhomitisspeciallyhard,whileGeneralSchwerin,gallantwittyKurt,onceofMecklenburg,staysbehind,——

  isorderedtodisappear,andfollowhisprivateruralbusinessfaroff;nominister,evermore。TheLieutenantSpaenoftheGiantRegiment,whokeptfalsewatch,anddidnottellofKatte,getscashieringandayearinSpandau。Hewanderedelse—whither,andcametosomethingafterwards,poorSpaen。[Preuss,i。63,66。]

  BooksellerHanauwiththisbadFritz’sBooks:ToMemelwithhimalso;lethimdealinmoreorthodoxkindsofLiteraturethere。

  ItisdangeroustohavelenttheCrown—Princemoney,contrarytotheRoyalEdict;luckyiflossofyourmoneywillsettletheaccount。WitnessFrenchMontholieu,forone;Count,orwhateverhestyledhimself;nailedtothegallows(ineffigy)afterhehadfled。ItisdangeroustohavespokenkindlytotheCrown—Prince,oralmosttohavebeenspokentobyhim。DorisRitter,acomelyenoughgoodgirl,nothingofabeauty,butgiventomusic,PotsdamCANTOR’S(Precentor’s)daughter,haschancedtobestandinginthedoor,perhapstobesingingwithindoors,onceortwice,whenthePrincepassedthatway:Princeinquiredabouthermusic,gavehermusic,spokeacivility,asyoungmenwill,——nothingmore,uponmyhonor;thoughhisMajestybelievestherewasmuchmore;

  andcondemnspoorDoristobewhiptbytheBeadle,andbeathempforthreeyears。Rhadamanthusisastrictjudge,yourMajesty;

  andmightbeatriflebetterinformed!——PoorDorisgotoutofthissadPickle,onherownstrength;andwedded,anddidwellenough,——PrinceandKinghappilyleavingheralonethenceforth。

  Voltaire,twentyyearsafter,hadthepleasureofseeingheratBerlin:\"WifeofoneShommers,ClerkoftheHackney—CoachOffice,\"——read,Schomer,FARMERoftheBerlinHackney—CoachEnterpriseingeneral;decidedlyapoorman。Wife,bythistime,wasgrownhardenoughoffeature:\"tall,lean;lookedlikeaSibyl;nottheleastappearancehowshecouldeverhavedeservedtobewhiptforaPrince。\"[Voltaire,OEuvres

  (calumniousViePriveeduRoidePrusse),ii。51,52。Preuss,i。64,66。]

  TheexcellentTutoroftheCrown—Prince,goodDuhandeJandun,forwhatfaultorcomplicityweknownot,ishurledofftoMemel;

  orderedtolivethere,——onwhatresourcesisequallyunknown。

  Apparentlyhisfaultwasthegeneralone,ofhavingmiseducatedthePrince,andintroducedtheseFrenchLiteratures,foreignpoisonouselementsofthoughtandpracticeintothemindofhisPupil,whichhaveruinedtheyoungman。ForhisMajestyperceivesthatthereliesthesourceofit;thatonlytotalperversionoftheheartandjudgment,firstofall,canhavebroughtaboutthesedreadfulissuesofconduct。AndindeedhisMajestyunderstands,oncredibleinformation,thatDeserterFritzentertainsveryheterodoxopinions;opiniononPredestination,forone;——whichisitselfcalculatedtobetheverymotherofmischief,inayoungmindinclinedtoevil。TheheresyaboutPredestination,orthe\"FREIEGNADENWAHL(ElectionbyFreeGrace),\"ashisMajestytermsit,accordingtowhichamanispreappointedfromallEternityeithertosalvationortheopposite(whichisFritz’snotion,andindeedisCalvin’s,andthatofmanybenightedcreatures,thisEditoramongthem),appearstohisMajestyanaltogethershockingone;norwouldthewholeSynodofDort,orCalvin,orSt。

  Augustineinperson,aidedbyaThirty—Editorpower,reconcilehisMajesty’spracticaljudgmenttosuchatenet。What!MaynotDeserterFritzsaytohimself,evennow,orinwhateverotherdeepsofsinhemayfallinto,\"Iwasforedoomedtoit:howcouldI,orhowcanI,helpit?\"ThemindofhisMajestyshudders,asiflookingovertheedgeofanabyss。HeismeditatingmuchwhethernothingcanbedonetosavethelostFritz,atleastthesoulofhim,fromthishorribledelusion:——hurlsforthyourfineDuhan,withhismetaphysics,toremoteMemel,asthefirststep。

  Andsignifieswithal,thoughasyetonlyhistoricallyandinaspeculativeway,toFinkensteinandKalksteinthemselves,Thattheirmethodoftrainingupayoungsoul,todoGod’swill,andaccomplishusefulworkinthisworld,doesbynomeansappeartotheroyalmindanadmirableone![HisLettertothem(3dDecember,1730)inForster,ii。382。]FinkensteinandKalksteinwerealwayscovertlyratheroftheQueen’sparty,andnowstandreprimanded,andinmarkeddisfavor。

  ThatthetreasonousmysteryofthisCrown—Prince(parricidal,itislikely,andtendingtoupsettheUniverse)mustbeinvestigatedtotheverybottom,andbecondignlypunished,probablywithdeath,hisMajestyperceivestoowell;andalsowhatterribledifficulties,formalandessential,therewillbe,Butwhateverbecomeofhisperishablelife,oughtnot,ifpossible,thesoulofhimtobesavedfromtheclawsofSatan!\"ClawsofSatan;\"\"brandfromtheburning;\"\"forChristourSaviour’ssake;\"\"inthenameofthemostmercifulGod,Father,SonandHolyGhost,Amen:\"——soFriedrichWilhelmphrasesit,inthoseconfusedolddocumentsandCabinetLettersofhis;[Forster,i。374,379,&c。]whichawakenastrangefeelingintheattentivereader;andshowustheruggedestofhumancreaturesmeltedintoblubberingtenderness,andgrowlinghuskilysomethingwhichweperceiveisrealprayer。Herehasabusinessfallenout,suchasseldomoccurredbefore!——

  ChapterIX。

  COURT—MARTIALONCROWN—PRINCEANDCONSORTS。

  Therumorofthesethingsnaturallyfillsallminds,andoccupiesallhumantongues,inBerlinandPrussia,thoughanEdictthreatens,Thatthetonguesshallbecutoutwhichspeakoftheminanyway,[Dickens,of7thNovember,1730。]andsoundsfarandwideintoforeignCourtsandCountries,wherethereisnosuchEdict。FriedrichWilhelm’sconduct,lookedatfromwithout,appearsthatofahideousroyalogre,orblindanthropophagousPolyphemusfallenmad。Lookedatfromwithin,wherethePolyphemushashisreasons,andakindofinnerrushlighttoenlightenhispath;andisnotbentonman—eating,butondisciplineinspiteofdifficulties,——itisawildenoughpieceofhumanity,notsomuchludicrousastragical。Neverwasaroyalbearsoledaboutbeforebyapairofconjuringpipersinthemarket,orbroughttosuchapassinhisdancingforthem!

  \"GeneralGinkel,theDutchAmbassadorhere,\"writesDickens,\"toldmeofaninterviewhehadwiththeKing;\"beingorderedbytheirHighMightinessestosolicithisMajestyinthismatter。

  King\"harbors’mostmonstrouswickeddesigns,notfittobespokenofinwords,’reportsGinkel。’Itiscertain,’addedhe,’iftheKingofPrussiacontinueinthemindheisinatpresent,weshallseesceneshereaswickedandbloodyasanythatwereeverheardofsincethecreationoftheworld。’’Willsacrificehiswholefamily,’nottheCrown—Princealone;’everybodyexceptGrumkowbeing,ashefancies,inconspiracyagainsthim。’PoorenchantedKing!——’Andallthesethingshesaidwithsuchimprecationsanddisorderedlooks,foamingatthemouthallthewhile,asitwasterribleeithertoseeorhear。’\"ThatisGinkel’sreport,asDickensconveysit。[Despatch,7thSeptember,1730。]Anothertime,onneworder,amonthlater,whenGinkelwentagaintospeakawordforthepoorPrisoner,hefoundhisMajestyclothednotindeliriousthunder,butinsorrowfulthickfog;Ginkel\"wasthelessabletojudgewhattheKingofPrussiameanttodowithhisSon,asitwasevidenttheKinghimselfdidnotknow。\"

  [Ib。10thOctober。]

  PoorFriedrichWilhelm,throughthesemonths,wandersabout,shiftingfromroomtoroom,inthenight—time,likeamanpossessedbyevilfiends;\"ordershiscarriageforWusterhausenattwointhemorning,\"butfindsheisnobetterthere,andreturns;

  drinksagreatdeal,\"hasnotgonetobedsoberforamonthpast。\"

  [Ib。19thDecember,1730。]Onenighthecomesglidinglikeaperturbedghost,aboutmidnight,withhiscandleinhishand,intotheQueen’sapartment;says,wildlystaring,\"Hethinksthereissomethinghauntinghim:\"——OFeekin,erringdisobedientWife,wiltnotthouprotectme,afterall?WhithercanIflywhenhaunted,excepttothee?Feekin,likeaprudentwoman,makesnocriticism;

  ordersthathisMajesty’sbedbemadeupinherapartmenttillthesephenomenacease。[Ib。27thFebruary,1731。]Amuch—agitatedroyalFather。

  ThequestionwhatistobedonewiththisunhappyCrown—Prince,aDeserterfromthearmy,arebelagainstthepaternalMajesty,andabelieverinthedoctrineofElectionbyFreeGrace,orthataman’sgoodorillconductisforedoomeduponhimbydecreeofGod,——becomesmoreintricatethelongeronethinksofit。

  SeckendorfandGrumkow,alarmedatbeingtoovictorious,aresetagainstviolenthighmethods;andsuggestthisandthatconsideration:\"Whoisitthatcanlegallytry,condemn,orsummontohisbar,aCrown—Prince?HeisPrinceoftheEmpire,aswellasyourMajesty’sSon!\"——\"Well,heisHeiroftheSovereignMajestyinPrussia,too;andColonelinthePotsdamGuards!\"answersFriedrichWilhelm。

  Atlength,aftersixorsevenweeksofabstrusemeditation,itissettledinTobacco—Parliamentandtheroyalbreast,ThatKatteandtheCrown—Prince,asDesertersfromthePrussianArmy,canandshallbetriedbyCourt—Martial;tothatnopower,ontheearthoroutofit,canhaveanyobjectionworthattendingto。LetafairCourt—Martialofourhighestmilitarycharactersbeselectedandgotready。Letthat,asavoiceofRhadamanthus,speakuponthetwoculprits;andtelluswhatistobedone。BythemiddleofOctober,thingsonFriedrichWilhelm’ssidehavegotsofar。

  CROWN—PRINCEINCUSTRIN。

  PoorFriedrichmeanwhilehashadagrimtimeofit,thesetwomonthsback;leftalone,incoarsebrownprison—dress,withinhisfourbarewallsatCustrin;inuninterrupted,unfathomablecolloquywiththeDestiniesandtheNecessitiesthere。TheKing’ssternordersmustbefulfilledtotheletter;theCrown—Princeisimmuredinthatmanner。AtBerlin,therearethewildestrumorsastothestatehehasfalleninto;\"coveredwithragsandvermin,unshaven,nocomballowedhim,lightshisownfire,\"saysonetestimony,whichCaptainDickensthinksworthreporting。Forthetruthis,nounofficialeyecanseetheCrown—Prince,orknowwhatstateheisin。Andwefind,inspiteoftheEdict,\"tongues,\"not\"cutout,\"keptwaggingatahighrate。\"Peopleofallranksareunspeakablyindignant\"atcertainheightsofthebusiness:

  \"MargravineAlbertsaidpublicly,’AtyrantasbadasNero!’\"

  [Dickens,7thNovember,2dDecember,1730。]

  HowlongtheCrown—Prince’sdefianthumorheldout,wearenottold。BythemiddleofOctobertherecomesproposalof\"entireconfession\"fromthePrince;andthough,whenPapasendsdeputiesaccordingly,thereisnexttonothingnewconfessed,andPapa’sangerblazesoutagain,probablywemaytakethisastheturning—pointonhisSon’spart。Withhim,ofcourse,thatmoodofmindcouldnotlast。Thereisnowildestlionbut,findinghisbarsaremadeofiron,ceasestobitethem。TheCrown—Princethere,inhishorror,indignationanddespair,hadalucidhumanjudgmentinhim,too;loyaltofacts,andwellknowingtheirinexorablenature,Justsentimentsareinthisyoungman,notcapableofpermanentdistortionintospasmbyanyformofinjusticelaidonthem。Itisnotlongtillhebeginstodiscern,athwartthisterrible,quasi—infernalelement,thatsothefactsare;andthatnothingbutdestruction,andnohonorthatwerenotdishonor,willbegotbynotconformingtothefacts。MyFathermaybeatyrant,anddrivenmadagainstme:well,well,letnotmeatleastgomad!

  Grumkowisbusyonthemildsideofthebusiness;ofcourseGrumkowandallofficialmen。Grumkowcannotbutaskhimselfthisquestionamongothers:HowiftheKingshouldsuddenlydieuponus!GrumkowisoutatCustrin,andagainout;explainingtothePrince,whattheenormoussituationis;howinflexible,inexorable,andofperilandhorrorincalculabletoMotherandSisterandselfandroyalHouse;andthatthereisonepossibilityofgoodissue,andonlyone:thatofloyallyyielding,whereonecannotresist。Bydegrees,someluridtroublousbutperceptiblelight—gleambreaksathwarttheblackwhirlwindofourindignationanddespair;andsanerthoughtsbegintoinsinuatethemselves。

  \"Obey,thouartnotthestrongest,therearestrongerthanthou!

  Allmen,thehighestamongthem,arecalledtolearnobedience。\"

  Moreover,thefirstsweepofroyalfurybeingpast,hisMajesty’ssternregulationsatCustrinbegantorelaxinfulfilment;tobeobeyedonlybythoseimmediatelyresponsible,andinletterratherthaninspiritevenbythose。PresidentvonMunchowwhoisheadoftheDomain—Kammer,chiefrepresentativeofGovernmentatCustrin,andresidesintheFortressthere,venturesafteralittle,thePrince’sdoorsbeingclosedaswesaw,tohaveanorificeboredthroughthefloorabove,andtherebytocommunicatewiththePrince,andsympatheticallyask,Whathecandoforhim?

  Manythings,booksamongothers,are,undercunningcontrivance,smuggledinbythejudiciousMunchow,willingtoriskhimselfinsuchaservice。Forexample,Munchowhasason,acleverboyofsevenyearsold;who,tothewonderofneighbors,goesintochild’s—petticoatsagain;andtestifiestheliveliestdesiretobeadmittedtothePrince,andbearhimcompanyalittle!SurelythelawofNo—companydoesnotextendtothatofaninnocentchild?

  Theinnocentchildhasarowofpocketsallroundtheinsideofhislonggown;andgoesladen,miscellaneously,likeashipofthedesert,orcockboatnotforbiddentocrosstheline。Thentherearestools,onestoolatleastindispensabletohumannature;

  andtheinsideofthis,onceyouopenit,isachest—of—drawers,containingpaper,ink,newliteratureandmuchelse。NoendtoMunchow’agood—will,andhisingenuityisgreat。[Preuss,i。46。]

  ACaptainFouquetalso,furtheredIthinkbytheOldDessauer,whosemanheis,comestoCustrinGarrison,ondutyorasvolunteer,byandby。HeisanoldfriendofthePrince’s;

  ——ranoff,beingtheDessauer’slittlepage,totheSiegeofStralsund,longago,tobetheDessauer’slittlesoldierthere:

  ——aready—witted,hot—tempered,highlyestimableman;andhisrealdutyhereistodothePrincewhatservicemaybepossible。HeisoftenwiththePrince;theirlightisextinguishedpreciselyatseveno’clock:\"Verywell,Lieutenant,\"hewouldsay,\"youhavedoneyourorderstotheCrown—Prince’slight。ButhisMajestyhasnoconcernwithCaptainFouquet’scandles!\"andthereuponwouldlightapair。Nay,IhaveheardofLieutenantswhopunctuallyblewoutthePrince’slight,asamatterofdutyandcommand;andthenkindleditagain,asacivilityleftfreetohumannature。

  Inshort,hisMajesty’sorderscanonlybefulfilledtotheletter;CommandantLepelandallOfficersarewillingnottoseewheretheycanhelpseeing。EvenintheletterhisMajesty’sordersaresevereenough。

  SENTENCEOFCOURT—MARTIAL。

  MeanwhiletheCourt—Martial,selectedwithintensestudy,installsitselfatCopenick;andonthe25thofOctobercommenceswork。

  ThisDeserterCrown—Princeandhisaccomplices,especiallyKattehischiefaccomplice,whatistobedonewiththem?CopenickliesontheroadtoCustrin,withinamorning’sdriveofBerlin;

  thereisanancientPalacehere,androomforaCourt—Martial。

  \"QUEFAIRE?ILSONTDESCANONS!\"saidtheoldPrussianRaths,wanderingaboutinthesewoods,whenGustavusandhisSwedeswereatthedoor。\"QUEFAIRE?\"maythenewmilitarygentlementhinktothemselves,hereagain,whilethebrownleavesrustledownuponthem,afterahundredyears!

  TheCourtconsistsofaPresident,Lieutenant—GeneralSchulenburg,anelderlyMalplaquetgentlemanofgoodexperience;oneofthemanySchulenburgsconspicuousforsoldiering,andotherwise,inthosetimes。HeisnephewofGeorgeI。’sleanmistress;whoalsowasaSchulenburgoriginally,andconspicuousnotforsoldiering。

  Leanmistresswesay;nottheFatone,orcataractoftallow,witheyebrowslikeacart—wheel,anddimcoalydisksforeyes,whowasGeorgeI。’shalf—sister,probablynothismistressatall;andwhonow,asCountessofDarlingtonsocalled,sitsatIsleworthwithgoodfatpensions,andatameravencome—of—will,——probablytheSOULofGeorgeI。insomeform。[SeeWalpole,

  Reminiscences。]Notthisone,wesay:——butthethread—paperDuchessofKendal,actualEx—mistress;whotoreherhairontheroadwhenapoplexyovertookpoorGeorge,andwhonowattendschapeldiligently,pooroldanatomyorleanhumannail—rod。ForthesakeoftheEnglishreadersearchingintowhatiscalled\"History,\"I,withindignation,endeavortodiscriminatethesetwobeingsonceagain;thateachmaybeeach,tillbotharehappilyforgottentoalleternity。Itwasthelatter,leanmay—poleornail—rodone,thatwasAuntofSchulenburg,theelderlyMalplaquetgentlemanwhonowpresidesatCopenick。Andletthereaderrememberhim;forhewillturnuprepeatedlyagain。

  TheCourtconsistedfartherofthreeMajor—Generals,amongwhomI

  nameonlyGrumkow(Major—Generalbyrankthoughmoreofadiplomatistandblack—artistthanasoldier),andSchwerin,KurtvonSchwerinofMecklenburg(whomMadamKnyphausenregrets,inhernowexiletotheCountry);threeColonels,Derschauoneofthem;

  threeLieutenant—Colonels,threeMajorsandthreeCaptains,allofwhomshallbenamelesshere。Lastlycomethreeofthe\"Auditor\"ortheJudge—Advocatesort:Mylius,theCompilerofsadPrussianQuartos,knowntosome;Gerber,whoseredcloakhasfrightenedusoncealready;andtheAuditorofKatte’sregiment。AcompleteCourt—Martial,andofsymmetricalstructure,bytheruleofthree;——ofwhoseproceedingsweknowmainlytheresult,norseekmuchtoknowmore。ThisCourtmetonWednesday,25thOctober,1730,inthelittleTownofCopenick;andinsixdayshadended,signed,sealedanddespatchedtohisMajesty;andgotbacktoBerlinontheTuesdaynext。HisMajesty,whoisnowatWusterhausen,inhuntingtime,findsconclusionstothefollowingeffect:——

  AccomplicesoftheCrown—Princearetwo:FIRST,LieutenantKeith,actualdeserter(whocannotbecaught):Tobehangedineffigy,cutinfourquarters,andnailedtothegallowsatWesel:——GOOD,sayshisMajesty。SECONDLY,LieutenantKatteoftheGens—d’Armes,intendeddeserter,notactuallydeserting,andmuchtemptedthereto:Allthingsconsidered,PerpetualFortressArresttoLieutenantKatte:——NOTGOODthis;BADthis,thinksMajesty;thisprovokesfromhisMajestyanangryrebuketothetoolaxCourt—Martial。Rebukewhichcanstillberead,ingrowling,unlucidphraseology;butwitharhadamanthineideaclearenoughinit,andwithapracticalpurportonlytooclear:ThatKattewasaswornsoldier,oftheGens—d’Armeseven,orBody—guardofthePrussianMajesty;anddidnevertheless,intheteethofhisoath,\"worshiptheRisingSun\"whenmindedtodesert;didplotandcolleaguewithforeignCourtsinaidofsaidRisingSun,andofanintendedhighcrimeagainstthePrussianMajestyitselfonRisingSun’spart;farfromatoncerevealingthesame,asdutyorderedLieutenantKattetodo。ThatKatte’scrimeamountstohigh—treason(CRIMENLOESOEMAJESTATIS);thattheruleis,FIATJUSTITIA,ET

  PEREATMUNDUS;——andthat,inbrief,Katte’sdoomis,andisherebydeclaredtobe,Death。DeathbythegallowsandhotpincersistheusualdoomofTraitors;buthisMajestywillsayinthiscase,Deathbytheswordandheadsmansimply;certaincircumstancesmovingtheroyalclemencytogosofar,nofarther。AndtheCourt—MartialhasstraightwaytoappriseKatteofthissame:

  andsodoing,\"shallsay,ThathisMajestyissorryforKatte:

  butthatitisbetterhediethanthatjusticedepartoutoftheworld。\"[Preuss,i。44。]

  ThisistheirondoomofKatte;whichnoprayerorinfluenceofmortalwillavailtoalter,——lestjusticedepartoutoftheworld。

  Katte’sFatherisaGeneralofrank,CommandantofKonigsbergatthismoment;Katte’sGrandfatherbytheMother’sside,oldFieldmarshalWartensleben,isamaningoodfavorwithFriedrichWilhelm,andofhighesteemandmarkinhiscountryforhalfacenturypast。Butallthiscaneffectnothing。OldWartenslebenthinksoftheDaughterhelost;forhappilyKatte’sMotherisdeadlongsince。OldWartenslebenwritestoFriedrichWilhelm;hismournfulLetter,andFriedrichWilhelm’smournfulbutinexorableanswer,canbereadintheHistories;butshowonlywhatwealreadyknow。

  Katte’sMother,FieldmarshalWartensleben’sDaughter,diedin1706;leavingKatteonlytwoyearsold。Heisnowtwenty—six;

  veryyoungforsuchgraveissues;andhisfateiscertainlyveryhard。Pooryoungsoul,hedidnotresistfarther,orquarrelwiththeinevitableandinexorable。HelistenedtoChaplainMulleroftheGens—d’Armes;admittedprofoundly,afterhisfashion,thatthegreatGodwasjust,andthepoorKattesinful,foolish,onlytobesavedbymiracleofmercy;andpiouslypreparedhimselftodieontheseterms。TherearethreeLettersofhistohisGrandfather,whichcanstillberead,oneoftheminWilhelmina’sBook,[Wilhelmina,i。302。]thesoundofitlikethatofdirgesborneonthewind,WilhelminaevidentlypitiesKatteverytenderly;inherheartshehasafineroyal—maidenkindoffeelingtothepooryouth。Hedidheartilyrepentandsubmit;leftwithChaplainMulleraPaperofpiousconsiderations,admonishingthePrincetosubmit。TheseareKatte’slastemploymentsinhisprisonatBerlin,aftersentencehadgoneforth。

  KATTE’SEND,6thNOVEMBER,1780。

  OnSundayevening,6thNovember,itisintimatedtohim,unexpectedlyatthemoment,thathehastogotoCustrin,andtheredie;——carriagenowwaitingatthegate。Kattemastersthesuddenflurry;signifiesthatallisready,then;andso,underchargeofhisoldMajorandtwobrotherOfficers,who,andChaplainMuller,areinthecarriagewithhim,atroopofhisownoldCavalryRegimentescorting,heleavesBerlin(ratheronsuddensummons);drivesallnight,towardsCustrinandimmediatedeath。

  Wordsofsympathywerenotwanting,towhichKatteansweredcheerily;grimfacesworeacloudofsorrowforthepooryouththatnight。ChaplainMuller’sexhortationswereferventandcontinual;and,fromtimetotime,therewereheard,hoarselymelodiousthroughthedampdarknessandthenoiseofwheels,snatchesof\"devotionalsinging,\"ledbyMuller。

  Itwasinthegrayofthewintermorning,6thNovember,1730,thatKattearrivedinCustringarrison。HetookkindleaveofMajorandmen:Adieu,mybrothers;goodbewithyouevermore!——And,aboutnineo’clockheisontheroadtowardstheRampartoftheCastle,whereascaffoldstands。Kattewore,byorder,abrowndressexactlylikethePrince’s;thePrinceisalreadybroughtdownintoalowerroomtoseeKatteashepasses(to\"seeKattedie,\"hadbeentheroyalorder;buttheysmuggledthatintoabeyance);

  andKatteknowsheshallseehim。FaithfulMullerwasinthedeath—caralongwithKatte:andhehadadjoinedtohimselfoneBesserer,theChaplainoftheGarrison,inthissadfunction,sincearriving。HereisaglimpsefromBesserer,whichwemaytakeasbetterthannothing:——

  \"His(Katte’s)eyesweremostlydirectedtoGod;andwe(MullerandI),onourpart,strovetoholdhisheartupheavenwards,bypresentingtheexamplesofthosewhohaddiedintheLord,——asofGod’sSonhimself,andStephen,andtheThiefontheCross,——till,undersuchdiscoursing,weapproachedtheCastle。Here,afterlongwistfullookingabout,hedidgetsightofhisbelovedJonathan,\"

  RoyalHighnesstheCrown—Prince,\"atawindowintheCastle;

  fromwhomhe,withthepolitestandmosttenderexpression,spokeninFrench,tookleave,withnolittleemotionofsorrow。\"[LettertoKatte’sFather(Extract,inPreuss,FriedrichmitFreundenundVerwandten,p。7)。]

  PresidentMunchowandtheCommandantwerewiththePrince;

  whoseemotionsonemayfancy;butnotdescribe。SeldomdidanyPrinceormanstandinsuchapredicament。Vaintosay,andagainsay:\"InthenameofGod,Iaskyou,stoptheexecutiontillI

  writetotheKing!\"Impossiblethat;aseasilystopthecourseofthestars。AndsohereKattecomes;cheerfulloyaltystillbeamingonhisface,deathnownigh。\"PARDONNEZ—MOI,MONCHERKATTE!\"

  criedPriedrichinatone:Pardonme,dearKatte;oh,thatthisshouldbewhatIhavedoneforyou!——\"DeathissweetforaPrinceIlovesowell,\"saidKatte,\"LAMORTESTDOUCEPOURUNSIAIMABLE

  PRINCE;\"[Wilhelmina,i。307;Preuss,i。45。]andfaredon,——roundsomeangleoftheFortress,itappears;notinsightofFriedrich;

  whosankintoafaint,andhadseenhislastglimpseofKatteinthisworld。

  Thebodylayalldayuponthescaffold,byroyalorder;andwasburiedatnightobscurelyinthecommonchurchyard;friends,insilence,tookmarkoftheplaceagainstbettertimes,——andKatte’sdustnowlieselsewhere,amongthatofhisownkindred。

  \"Neverwassuchatransactionbeforeorsince,inModernHistory,\"

  criestheangryreader:\"cruel,likethegrindingofhumanheartsundermillstones,like——\"Orindeedlikethedoingsofthegods,whicharecruel,thoughnotthatalone?Thisiswhat,aftermuchsortingandsifting,Icouldgettoknowaboutthedefinitefactsofit。Commentary,notlikelytobeveryfinalatthisepoch,thereaderhimselfshallsupplyatdiscretion。

  ENDOFBOOK7

  HistoryofFriedrichIIofPrussiaV8

  byThomasCarlyleCarlyle’s\"HistoryofFriedrichIIofPrussia\"

  BOOKVIII。

  CROWN—PRINCERETRIEVED:LIFEATCUSTRIN。

  November,1730—February,1732。

  ChapterI。

  CHAPLAINMULLERWAITSONTHECROWN—PRINCE。

  Friedrich’sfeelingsatthisjuncturearenotmadeknowntousbyhimselfintheleast;orcrediblybyothersinanyconsiderabledegree。AsindeedintheseconfusedPrussianHistory—Books,copulentinnugatorypedantismsandlearnedmarine—stores,allthatishumanremainsdistressinglyobscuretous;soseldom,andthenonlyasthroughendlesscloudsofever—whirlingidledust,canwecatchthesmallestdirectfeatureoftheyoungman,andofhisrealdemeanorormeaning,onthepresentorotheroccasions!

  Butitisevidentthislastphenomenonfelluponhimlikeanoverwhelmingcataract;crushedhimdownundertheimmensityofsorrow,confusionanddespair;hisowndeathnotatheorynow,butprobablyanearfact,——awelcomeoneinwildmoments,andthenanonsounwelcome。Frustrate,bankrupt,chargeablewithafriend’slostlife,sureenoughhe,forone,is:whatistobecomeofhim?

  Whitherishetoturn,thoroughlybeaten,foiledinallhisenterprises?Proudyoungsoulashewas:therulingPowers,betheyjust,betheyunjust,haveprovedtoohardforhim!WehearoftragicvestigesstilltraceableofFriedrich,belongingtothistime:textsofScripturequotedbyhim,pencil—sketchesofhisdrawing;expressiveofaminddwellinginGolgothas,andpathetically,notdefiantly,contemplatingtheveryworst。

  ChaplainMulleroftheGens—d,Armes,beingfoundapiousandintelligentman,hashisordersnottoreturnatoncefromCustrin;buttostaythere,anddealwiththePrince,onthathorriblePredestinationtopicandhisotherunexampledbackslidingswhichhaveendedso。Mullerstayedaccordingly,foracoupleofweeks,intenselybusyonthePredestinationtopic,andgenerallyinassuaging,andmutuallymollifying,paternalMajestyandafflictedSon。Inallwhichhehadgoodsuccess;

  andespeciallyonthePredestinationpointwastriumphantlysuccessful。MullerleftalittleBookinrecordofhisproceduresthere;which,haditnotbeenboundovertotheofficialtone,mighthavetoldussomething。HisCorrespondencewiththeKing,duringthosetwoweeks,haslikewisebeenmostlyprinted;

  [Forster,i。376—379。]andisofcoursestillmoreofficial,——

  teachingusnexttonothing,exceptpoorFriedrichWilhelm’sprofoundlydevotionalmood,anxietiesabout\"theclawsofSatan\"

  andthelike,whichweweregladtohearofabove。InMullerotherwiseissmallhelpforus。

  But,fiftyyearsafterwards,therewasaliveaSonofthisMuller’s;aninnocentCountryParson,notwantinginsense,andwithmuchsimplicityandveracity;whowasfishedoutbyNicolai,andsettorecallingwhathisFatherusedtosayofthisadventure,muchthegrandestofhislife。InMullerJunior’sLetterofReminiscencestoNicolaiwefindsomedetails,gotfromhisFather,whichareworthgleaning:——

  \"WhenmyFatherfirstattempted,byroyalorder,tobringtheCrown—Princetoacknowledgmentandrepentanceofthefaultcommitted,Crown—Princegavethisexcuseorexplanation:’AshisFathercouldnotendurethesightofhim,hehadmeanttogetoutofthewayofhisdispleasure,andgotoaCourtwithwhichhisFatherwasinfriendshipandrelationship,’\"——clearlyindicatingEngland,thinktheMullersJuniorandSenior。

  \"ForproofthattheintentionwastowardsEnglandthisothercircumstanceserves,thattheoneconfidant——HerrvanKeith,ifI

  mistakenot[no,youdon’tmistake],hadalreadybespokenashipforpassageout。\"——Hereissomethingstillmoreunexpected:——

  \"MyFatherusedtosay,hefoundanexcellentknowledgeandconvictionofthetruthsofreligionintheCrown—Prince。BythePrince’sarrangement,myFather,whoatfirstlodgedwiththeCommandant,hadtotakeuphisquartersintheroomrightabovethePrince;whodaily,oftenasearlyassixinthemorning,rappedontheceilingforhimtocomedown;andthentheywoulddisputeanddiscuss,sometimeshalf—dayslong,aboutthedifferenttenetsoftheChristianSects;——andmyFathersaid,thePrincewasperfectlyathomeinthePolemicDoctrinesoftheReformed(Calvinistic)Church,eventotheminutestpoints。AsmyFatherbroughthimproofsfromScripture,thePrinceaskedhimonetime,Howhecouldkeepchapterandversesoexactlyinhismemory?

  FatherdrewfromhispocketalittleHand—Concordance,andshowedithimasonehelp。ThishehadtoleavewiththePrinceforsomedays。Ongettingitback,hefoundinsideonthefly—leaf,sketchedinpencil,\"——whatisrathernotabletoHistory,——\"thefigureofamanonhisknees,withtwoswordshangingcrosswiseoverhishead;andatthebottomthesewordsofPsalmSeventy—third(verses25,26),WhomhaveIinHeavenbutthee?AndthereisnoneuponearththatIdesirebesidesthee。

  Myfleshandmyheartfaintethandfaileth;butGodisthestrengthofmyheart,andmyportionforever。\"——

  PoorFriedrich,thisisaveryunexpectedpen—sketchonhispart;

  butanundeniableone;betokeningabstrusenight—thoughtsandforebodingsinthepresentjuncture!——

  \"Whoeverconsidersthisfineknowledgeofreligion,andreflectsonthepeculiarcharacterandgeniusoftheyoungHerr,whichwaseverstrugglingtowardslightandclearness(foratthattimehehadnotbecomeindifferenttoreligion,heoftenprayedwithmyFatheronhisknees),——willfindthatitwasmorallyimpossiblethisyoungPrincecouldhavethought[assomefoolishpersonshaveasserted]ofthrowinghimselfintothearmsofPapalSuperstition[seekinghelpatVienna,marryinganAustrianArchduchess,andI

  knownotwhat]orallowtheintriguesofCatholicPrieststo\"——

  Ohno,HerrMuller,nobodybutveryfoolishpersonscouldimaginesuchathingofthisyoungHerr。

  \"WhenmyFather,HerrvonKatte’sexecutionbeingended,hastenedtotheCrown—Prince;hefindshimmiserablyill(SEHRALTERIRT);

  adviseshimtotakeacooling—powderinwater,bothwhichmaterialswerereadyonthetable。Thishepressesonhim:butthePrincealwaysshakeshishead。\"Suspectspoison,youthink?

  \"HereuponmyFathertakesfromhispocketapaper,inwhichhecarriedcooling—powderforhisownuse;shakesoutaportionofitintohishand,andsointohismouth;andnowtheCrown—PrincegripsatmyFather’spowder,andtakesthat。\"Privatelytobemadeawaywith;deathresolveduponinsomeway!thinksthedesperateyoungman?[Nicolai,Anekdoten,

  vi。183—189。]

  ThatsceneofKatte’sexecution,andofthePrince’sandotherpeople’spositioninregardtoit,hasneveryetbeenhumanlysetforth,otherwisetheresponsehadbeendifferent。Nothumanlysetforth,——andsowasonlybarkedat,asbytheinfinitudeoflittledogs,inallcountries;andcouldneveryetberespondedtoinaustereVOXHUMANA,deepasaDEPROFUNDIS,terribleasaChorusofAEschylus,——forineffectthatisratherthecharacterofit,hadthebarkingoncepleasedtocease。\"KingofPrussiacannotsleep,\"writesDickens:\"theofficerssitupwithhimeverynight,andinhisslumbersheravesandtalksofspiritsandapparitions。\"[Despatch,3dOctober,1730。]Wesawhim,ghost—like,inthenight—time,glidingabout,seekingshelterwithFeekinagainstghosts;Ginkelbydaylightsawhim,nowcladinthunderoustornado,andanoninsorrowfulfog。Here,fartheron,isanewitem,——andjoinedtoitandtheothers,aremarkableoldone:——

  \"InregardtoWilhelmina’smarriage,andwhetheraFathercannotgivehisdaughterinwedlocktowhomhepleases,therehavebeeneightDivinesconsulted,fourLutheran,fourReformed(Calvinist);

  who,allbutone[heoftheGarrisonChurch,arhadamanthinefellowinserge],haveanswered,’No,yourMajesty!’ItisremarkablethathisMajestyhasnotgonetobedsoberforthismonthpast。\"[Dickens,9thand19thDecember,1730。]

  WhatSeckendorfandGrumkowthoughtofallthesephenomena?

  Theyhavedonetheirjobtoowell。Theyareallformercy;

  leanwiththeirwholeweightthatway,——inblackqualms,oneofthemwithal,thinkingtremulouslytohimself,\"WhatifhisnowMajestyweretodieuponus,intheinterim!\"

  ChapterII。

  CROWN—PRINCETOREPENTANDNOTPERISH。

  InregardtoFriedrich,theCourt—MartialneedsnoamendmentfromtheKing;thesentenceonFriedrich,aLieutenant—Colonelguiltyofdesertion,is,fromPresidentandallmembersexcepttwo,Deathasbylaw。Thetwowhodissented,invokingroyalclemencyandpardon,wereMajor—Generalsbyrank,——Schwerin,assomewrite,oneofthem,orifnotSchwerin,thenLinger;andforcertain,Donhof,——twoworthygentlemennotknowntoanyofmyreaders,nortome,exceptasnames,TherestareallcoldlyofopinionthatthemilitarycodesaysDeath。Othercodesandconsiderationsmaysaythisandthat,whichitisnotintheirprovincetotouchupon;thisiswhatthemilitarycodesays:andtheyleaveitthere。

  TheJuniusBrutusofaRoyalMajestyhadansweredinhisownheartgrimly,Wellthen!ButhisCouncillors,OldDessauer,Grumkow,Seckendorf,oneandallinterposevehemently。\"PrinceoftheEmpire,yourMajesty,notaLieutenant—Colonelonly!Mustnot,cannot;\"——naygoodoldBuddenbrock,inthefireofstillunsuccessfulpleading,toreopenhiswaistcoat:\"IfyourMajestyrequiresblood,takemine;thatotheryoushallneverget,solongasIcanspeak!\"ForeignCourtsinterpose;Sweden,theDutch;

  theEnglishinacircuitousway,roundbyViennatowit;

  finallytheKaiserhimselfsendsanAutograph;[Date,11thOctober,1730(Forster,i。380)。]forpoorQueenSophiehasappliedeventoSeckendorf,willbefriendswithGrumkowhimself,andinherdespairisknockingateverydoor。JuniusBrutusissaidtohavehadpaternalaffectionswithal。FriedrichWilhelm,aloneagainstthewhispersofhisownheartandthevoicesofallmen,yieldsatlastinthiscause。ToSeckendorf,whohaschalkedoutamilderdidacticplanoftreatment,stillrigorousenough,[HisLettertotheKing,1stNovember,1730(inForster,i。375,376)。]heatlastadmitsthatsuchplanisperhapsgood;thattheKaiser’sLetterhasturnedthescalewithhim;andthedidacticmethod,notthebeheadingone,shallbetried。ThatDonhofandSchwerin,withtheirtalkofmercy,with\"theireyesupontheRisingSun,\"asisevident,havedonethemselvesnogood,andshallperhapsfinditsooneday。Butthat,atanyrate,Friedrich’slifeisspared;Katte’sexecutionshallsufficeinthatkind。Repentance,prostratesubmissionandamendment,——

  thesemaydoyetmorefortheprodigal,ifhewillinheartreturn。Thesepoints,sometimebeforethe8thofNovember,wefindtobeasgoodassettled。

  Theunhappyprodigalisinnoconditiontoresistfarther。

  ChaplainMullerhadintroducedhimselfwithKatte’sdyingadmonitiontotheCrown—Princetorepentandsubmit。

  ChaplainMuller,withhiswholesomecooling—powders,withhisghostlycounsels,andconsiderationsoftemporalandeternalnature,——wesawhowheprosperedalmostbeyondhope。EvenonPredestination,andtherealnatureofElectionbyFreeGrace,alliscomingright,orcome,reportsMuller。TheChaplain’sReports,FriedrichWilhelm’sgrimlymollifiedResponsesonthesame:

  theyarewritten,andinconfusedformhavebeenprinted;

  butshallbesparedtheEnglishreader。AndGrumkowhasbeenoutatCustrin,preachingtothesamepurportfromothertexts:

  Grumkow,withthethoughteverpresenttohim,\"WhatifFriedrichWilhelmshoulddie?\"isnaturallyaneloquentpreacher。Enough,ithasbeensettled(perhapsbeforethedayofKatte’sdeath,oratthelatestthreedaysafterit,aswecansee),ThatifthePrincewill,andcanwithfreeconscience,takeanOath(\"nomentalreservation,\"markyou!)ofcontriterepentance,ofperfectprostratesubmission,andpurposeoffutureentireobedienceandconformitytothepaternalmindinallthings,\"GNADENWAHL\"

  included,——thepaternalmindmaypossiblyrelaxhisdurancealittle,andputhimgraduallyonproofagain。[King’sLettertoMuller,8thNovember(Forster,i。379)。]

  Towardswhichissue,asChaplainMullerreports,theCrown—Princeisvisiblygravitating,withallhisweightandwill。TheveryGNADENWAHLissettled;theyoungsoul(trulyaloverofTruth,yourMajesty)tapsonhisceiling,myfloorbeingoverhead,beforethewintersunrises,asasignalthatImustcomedowntohim;

  soeagertohaveerroranddarknesspurgedaway。Believeshimself,asIbelievehim,readytoundertakethatOath;desires,however,toseeitfirst,thathemaymaturelystudyeveryclauseofit。——

  Sayyouverilyso?answersMajesty。AndMAYmyursineheartflowoutagain,andblubbergratefullyoverasinnersaved,apoorSonpluckedasbrandfromtheburning?\"God,theMostHigh,giveHisblessingonit,then!\"concludesthepaternalMajesty:\"AndasHeoften,bywondrousguidances,strangepathsandthornysteps,willbringmenintotheKingdomofChrist,somayourDivineRedeemerhelpthatthisprodigalsonbebroughtintoHiscommunion。

  Thathisgodlessheartbebeatentillitissoftenedandchanged;

  andsohebesnatchedfromtheclawsofSatan。ThisgrantustheAlmightyGodandFather,forourLordJesusChristandHispassionanddeath’ssake!Amen!——Iam,fortherest,yourwell—affectionedKing,FRIEDRICHWILHELM(WUSTERHAUSEN,8thNOVEMBER,1730)。\"

  [Forster,i。379。]

  CROWN—PRINCEBEGINSANEWCOURSE。

  ItwasMonday,6thNovember,whenpoorKattedied。Withinafortnight,onthesecondSundayafter,therehasaSelectCommission,Grumkow,Borck,Buddenbrock,withthreeotherSoldiers,andthePrivyCouncillorThulmeyer,comeouttoCustrin:

  thereandthen,Sunday,November19th,[Nicolai,exactestofmen,onlythatDocumentswereoccasionallylessaccessibleinhistime,gives(ANEKDOTEN,vi。187),\"Saturday,November25th,\"asthedayoftheOath;but,nodoubt,thelaterinquirers,Preuss(i。56)

  andothers,havefoundhimwronginthissmallinstance。]theseSeven,withduesolemnity,administertheOath(termsofOathconceivablebyreaders);Friedrichbeingfoundready。HesignstheOath,aswellasaudiblyswearsit:whereuponhisswordisrestoredtohim,andhisprison—dooropened。HestepsforthtotheTownChurchwithhisCommissioners;takesthesacrament;

  listens,withallCustrin,toanillusiveSermononthesubject;

  \"texthappilychosen,preacherhandlingitwell。\"TextwasPsalmSeventy—seventh,verseeleventh(tenthofourEnglishversion),AndIsaid,Thisismyinfirmity;butIwillremembertheyearsoftherighthandoftheHostHigh;or,asLuther’sversionmoreintelligiblygivesit,ThisIhavetosuffer;therighthandoftheMostHighcanchangeall。Preacher(notMullerbutanother)rosegraduallyintodidacticpathos;Prince,andallCustrin,wereweeping,ornearweeping,atthecloseofthebusiness。[Preuss,i。56。]

  StraightfromChurchthePrinceisconducted,nottotheFortress,buttoacertainTownMansion,whichheistocallhisownhenceforth,underconditions:anerringPrincehalfliberated,andmercifullyputonproofagain。Hisfirstacthereistowrite,ofhisowncomposition,orhelpedbysomeofficialhand,thisLettertohisAll—serenestPapa;whichmustbeintroduced,though,excepttoreadersofGermanwhoknowthe\"DERE\"(TheirO),\"ALLERDURCHLAUCHTIGSTER,\"andstrangepipe—claysolemnityoftheCourt—style,itisliketobeingreatpartlostinanytranslation:——

  \"CUSTRIN,19thNovember,1730。

  \"ALL—SERENESTANDALL—GRACIOUSESTFATHER,——ToyourRoyalMajesty,myAll—graciousestFather,have,\"——I。E。\"Ihave,\"ifonedurstwritethe\"I,\"——\"bymydisobedienceasTheirO[YourO]subjectandsoldier,notlessthanbymyundutifulnessasTheirOSon,givenoccasiontoajustwrathandaversionagainstme。WiththeAll—obedientestrespectIsubmitmyselfwhollytothegraceofmymostAll—graciousFather;andbeghim,MostAll—graciouslytopardonme;asitisnotsomuchthewithdrawalofmylibertyinasadarrest(MALHEUREUSENARREST),asmyownthoughtsofthefaultIhavecommitted,thathavebroughtmetoreason:Who,withall—obedientestrespectandsubmission,continuetillmyend,\"MyAll—graciousestKing’sandFather’sfaithfullyobedientestServantandSon,\"FRIEDRICH。\"

  [Preuss,i。56,57;andAnonymous,FriedrichsdesGrossenBriefeanseinenVater(Berlin,PosenundBromberg,1838),p。3。]

  ThisnewHouseofFriedrich’sinthelittleTownofCustrin,hefindsarrangedforhimonrigorouslythriftyprinciples,yetasarealHouseholdofhisown;andevenintheformofaCourt,withHofmarschall,Kammerjunkers,andtheotheradjuncts;——Courtreducedtoitssimplestexpression,astheFrenchsay,andprobablythecheapestthatwaseversetup。Hafmarschall(Court—marshal)isoneWolden,acivilianOfficialhere。

  TheKammerjunkersareRohwedelandNatzmer;MatzmerJunior,sonofadistinguishedFeldmarschall:\"agood—heartedbutfoolishforwardyoungfellow,\"saysWilhelmina;\"thefailureofacoxcomb(PETIT—MAITREMANQUE)。\"Forexample,once,strollingaboutinasolemnKaiser’sSoireeinVienna,hefoundinsomequietcornertheyoungDukeofLorraine,Franz,whoitisthoughtwillbethedivineMariaTheresa’shusband,andKaiserhimselfoneday。

  FoolishNatzmerfoundthisnobleyounggentlemaninaremotecorneroftheSoiree;wentup,nothingloath,tospeakgraciositiesandinsipiditiestohim:thenobleyounggentlemanyawned,aswastoonatural,awidelongyawn;andinaninsipidfamiliarmanner,foolishNatzmer(WilhelminaandtheBerlincirclesknowit)puthisfingerintothenobleyounggentleman’smouth,andinsipidlywaggeditthere。\"Sir,youseemtoforgetwhereyouare!\"saidthenobleyounggentleman;andclosinghismouthwithemphasis,turnedaway;buthappilytooknofarthernotice。[Wilhelmina,i。310。]ThisisallweyetknowofthehistoryofNatzmer,whoseheedlesswaysandslap—dashspeculations,tintedwithnaturalingenuityandgood—humor,arenotunattractivetothePrince。

  HofmarschallandthesetwoKammerjunkersareofthelawyerspecies;menintendedforOfficialbusiness,inwhichthePrincehimselfisnowtobeoccupied。ThePrincehasfourlackeys,twopages,onevalet。Hewearshissword,buthasnosword—tash(PORTE

  EPEE),muchlessanofficer’suniform:amerePrinceputuponhisgoodbehavioragain;notyetasoldierofthePrussianArmy,onlyhopingtobecomesoagain。Hewearsalight—graydress,\"HECHTGRAUER(pike—gray)frockwithnarrowsilvercordings;\"

  andmustrecoverhisuniform,byprovinghimselfgraduallyanewman。

  Forthereis,alongwiththenewhousehold,anewemploymentlaidoutforhiminCustrin;anditshallbeseenwhatfigurehemakesinthat,firstofall。HeistositintheDOMANEN—KAMMERorGovernmentBoardhere,asyoungestRath;noothercareerpermitted。LethimlearnEconomicsandthewayofmanagingDomainLands(averyprincipalitemoftheroyalrevenuesinthisCountry):humblework,butuseful;whichhehadbetterseewellhowhewilldo。TwoelderRathsareappointedtoinstructhimintheEconomicSciencesandPractices,ifheshowfacultyanddiligence;——whichinfactheturnsouttodo,inasuperiordegree,havingeverymotivetotry。

  Thiskindoflifelastedwithhimforthenextfifteenmonths,allthroughtheyear1731andfarther;andmusthavebeenaverysingular,andwasprobablyahighlyinstructiveyeartohim,notintheDomainSciencesalone。Heisleftwhollytohimself。

  Allhisfellow—creatures,asitwere,arewatchinghim。

  Hundred—eyedArgus,ortheEarofDionysius,thatistosay,Tobacco—Parliamentwithitsspiesandreporters,——nostirringofhisfingercanescapeithere。Hehasmuchsuspiciontoencounter:

  Papalookingalwayssadlyaskance,sadlyincredulous,uponhim。

  HeisincorrespondencewithGrumkow;takesmuchadvicefromGrumkow(ourprompter—general,presidentintheDionysius’—Ear,andnotanill—wisherfarther);professesmuchthankfulnesstoGrumkow,nowandhenceforth。Thankyouforflingingmeoutofthesix—storywindow,andcatchingmebythecoat—skirts!——Leftaltogethertohimself,aswesaid;hasinthewholeUniversenothingthatwillsavehimbuthisowngoodsense,hisownpowerofdiscoveringwhatiswhat,andofdoingwhatwillbebehoovefultherein。

  HeistoquithisFrenchliteraturesandperniciouspractices,oneandall。Hisveryflute,mostinnocent\"Princess,\"asheusedtocallhisfluteinolddays,isdeniedhimeversincehecametoCustrin;——butbydegreesheprivatelygetsherback,andconsortsmuchwithher;wailsforth,inbeautifuladagios,emotionsforwhichthereisnootherutteranceatpresent。HehaslibertyofCustrinandtheneighborhood;outofCustrinheisnottolodge,anynight,withoutleavehadoftheCommandant。Lethimwalkwarily;andingoodearneststudytobecomeanewcreature,usefulforsomethingintheDomainSciencesandotherwise。

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