第27章
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  Unpermittedthings,onceforall,hemustavoidtodo:perhapshewillgraduallydiscoverthatmanyofthemwerefoolishthingsbetternotdone。Hewalkswarily;tothisallthingscontinuallyadmonish。Wetraceinhimsomerealdesiretobewise,todoandlearnwhatisusefulifhecanhere。Butthegrandproblem,whichisrealityitselftohim,isalways,ToregainfavorwithPapa。

  Andthis,Papabeingwhatheis,givesatwisttoallotherproblemstheyoungmanmayhave,fortheymustallshapethemselvesbythis;andintroducessomethingofartificial,——notproperlyofhypocritical,forthattooisfataliffoundout,——butofcalculated,reticent,ofhalf—sincere,ontheSon’spart:

  aninevitablefeature,plentifullyvisibleintheirCorrespondencenowandhenceforth。CorrespondingwithPapaandhisGrumkow,andwatched,ateverystep,bysuchanArgusastheTobacco—Parliament,realfranknessofspeechisnotquitetherecommendablething;apparentfranknessmaybethesafer!

  BesidesmasteryintheDomainSciences,IperceivetheCrown—Princehadtostudyhereanotherart,usefultohiminafterlife:theartofwearingamonghisfellow—creaturesapolitecloak—of—darkness。Graduallyhebecomesmasterofitasfeware:

  amanpolitelyimpregnabletotheintrusionofhumancuriosity;

  abletolookcheerilyintotheveryeyesofmen,andtalkinasocialwayfacetoface,andyetcontinueintrinsicallyinvisibletothem。AnartnolessessentialtoRoyaltythanthatoftheDomainSciencesitself;and,——ifatallconsummatelydone,andwithascornofmendacityforhelp,asinthiscase,——adifficultart。ItisthechieffeatureintheTwoorThreeThousandLETTERS

  weyethaveofFriedrich’stoallmannerofcorrespondents:

  Letterswrittenwiththegracefulestflowingrapidity;polite,affable,——refusingtogiveyoutheleastglimpseintohisrealinnerman,ortellyouanyparticularyoumightimpertinentlywishtoknow。

  AstheHistoryofFriedrich,inthisCustrinepoch,andindeedinallepochsandparts,isstilllittleotherthanawhirlpoolofsimmeringconfusions,dustmainly,andsibyllinepaper—shreds,inthepagesofpoorDryasdust,perhapswecannotdobetterthansnatchashredortwo(ofthepartlylegiblekind,orcapableofbeingmadelegible)outofthathideouscaldron;pinthemdownattheirproperdates;andtryifthereadercan,bysuchmeans,catchaglimpseofthethingwithhisowneyes。Hereisshredfirst;aPieceinGrumkow’shand。

  Thistreatsofaverygrandincident;whichformsaneraorturning—pointintheCustrinlife。Majestyhasactually,afterhopeslongheldoutofsuchathing,lookedinupontheProdigalatCustrin,intestimonyofpossiblepardoninthedistance;——seeshimagain,forthefirsttimesincethatsceneatWeselwiththedrawnsword,afteryearandday。Grumkow,forbehoofofSeckendorfandtheViennapeople,hasdrawnarough\"Protocol\"ofit;

  andhereitis,snatchedfromtheDust—whirlwinds,andfaithfullypresentedtotheEnglishreader。HisMajestyistravellingtowardsSonnenburg,onsomegrandKnight—of—MaltaCeremonythere;

  andhaltsatCustrinforacoupleofhoursashepasses:——

  GRUMKOW’S\"PROTOKOLL\"OFTHE15thAUGUST,1731;ORSUMMARY

  OFWHATTOOKPLACEATCUSTRINTHATDAY。

  \"HisMajestyarrivedatCustrinyesterday[GESTERNMonday15th,——

  hournotmentioned],andproceededatoncetotheGovernmentHouse,withanattendanceofseveralhundredpersons。

  Major—GeneralLepel,\"CommandantofCustrin,\"ColonelDerschauandmyselfareimmediatelysentfortohisMajesty’sapartmentthere。

  Privy—CouncillorWalden,\"Prince’sHofmarschall,asolidlegalman,\"isorderedbyhisMajestytobringtheCrown—Princeoverfromhishouse;whoaccordinglyinafewminutes,attendedbyRohwedelandNatzmer,\"thetwoKammerjunkers,\"enteredtheroomwherehisMajestyandwewere。

  \"SosoonashisMajesty,turninground,hadsightofhim,theCrown—Princefellathisfeet。Havingbiddenhimrise,hisMajestysaidwithaseveremien:——

  \"’Youwillnowbethinkyourselfwhatpassedyearanddayago;

  andhowscandalouslyyousawfittobehaveyourself,andwhatagodlessenterpriseyoutookinhand。AsIhavehadyouaboutmefromthebeginning,andmustknowyouwell,Ididallintheworldthatwasinmypower,bykindnessandbyharshness,tomakeanhonorablemanofyou。AsIrathersuspectedyourevilpurpose,I

  treatedyouintheharshestandsharpestwayintheSaxonCamp,’

  atRadewitz,inthosegaladays,’inhopesyouwouldconsideryourself,andtakeanotherlineofconduct;wouldconfessyourfaultstome,andbegforgiveness。Butallinvain;yougrewevermorestiffnecked。Whenayoungmangetsintofollieswithwomen,onemaytrytooverlookitasthefaultofhisage:buttodowithforethoughtbasenesses(LACHETEEN)anduglyactions;’thatisunpardonable。Youthoughttocarryitthroughwithyourheadstronghumor:butharkye,mylad(HORE,MEINKERL),ifthouwertsixtyorseventyinsteadofeighteen,thoucouldstnotcrossmyresolutions。’Itwouldtakeabiggermantodothat,mylad!

  ’Andas,uptothisdate(BISDATO)Ihavemanagedtosustainmyselfagainstanycomer,therewillbemethodsfoundofbringingtheetoreasontoo!——

  \"’HowhavenotI,onalloccasions,meanthonorablybyyou!

  LasttimeIgotwindofyourdebts,howdidI,asaFather,admonishyoutotellmeall;Iwouldpayall,youwereonlytotellmethetruth。Whereuponyousaid,Therewerestilltwothousandthalersbeyondthesumnamed。Ipaidthesealsoatonce;

  andfanciedIhadmadepeacewithyou。Andthenitwasfound,byandby,youowedmanythousandsmore;andasyounowknewyoucouldnotpay,itwasasgoodasifthemoneyhadbeenstolen;——

  nottoreckonhowtheFrenchvermin,Montholieuandpartner,cheatedyouwiththeirnewloans。’Pfui!——’Nothingtouchedmesomuch[continueshisMajesty,vergingtowardsthepathetic],asthatyouhadnotanytrustinme。AllthisthatIwasdoingforaggrandizementoftheHouse,theArmyandFinances,couldonlybeforyou,ifyoumadeyourselfworthyofit!IheredeclareIhavedoneallthingstogainyourfriendship;——andallhasbeeninvain!’AtwhichwordstheCrown—Prince,withaverysorrowfulgesture,threwhimselfathisMajesty’sfeet,\"——tears(presumably)

  inboththeireyesbythistime。

  \"’WasitnotyourintentiontogotoEngland?’askedhisMajestyfartheron。ThePrinceanswered’JA!’——’Thenhearwhattheconsequenceswouldhavebeen。YourMotherwouldhavegotintothegreatestmisery;Icouldnotbuthavesuspectedshewastheauthorofthebusiness。YourSisterIwouldhavecast,forlife,intoaplacewheresheneverwouldhaveseensunandmoonagain。ThenonwithmyArmyintoHanover,andburnandravage;yes,ifithadcostmelife,landandpeople。Yourthoughtlessandgodlessconduct,seewhatitwasleadingto。Iintendedtoemployyouinallmannerofbusiness,civil,military;buthow,aftersuchanaction,couldIshowthefaceofyoutomyOfficers(soldiers)andotherservants?——Theonewayofrepairingallthisis,Thatyouseek,regardlessofyourverylifeincomparison,tomakethefaultgoodagain!’AtwhichwordstheCrown—PrincemournfullythrewhimselfathisRoyalMajesty’sfeet;beggingtobeputuponthehardestproofs:Hewouldendureallthings,soastorecoverhisMajesty’sgraceandesteem。

  \"WhereupontheKingaskedhim:’WasitthouthattemptedstKatte;

  ordidKattetemptthee?’TheCrown—Princewithouthesitationanswered,’Itemptedhim。’——’Iamgladtohearthetruthfromyou,atanyrate。’\"

  TheDialoguenowbranchesout,intocomplexgeneralform;outofwhich,intentuponabridging,wegatherthefollowingpoints。

  KingLOQUITUR:——

  \"HowdoyoulikeyourCustrinlife?StillasmuchaversiontoWusterhausen,andtowearingyourshroud[STERBEKITTEL,nameforthetightuniformyouwouldnowbesogladof,andthinkquiteotherthanashroud!]asyoucalledit?\"Prince’sanswerwanting。

  ——\"Likelyenoughmycompanydoesnotsuityou:IhavenoFrenchmanners,andcannotbringoutBON—MOTSinthePETIT—MAITREway;

  andtrulyregardallthatasathingtobeflungtothedogs。

  IamaGermanPrince,andmeantoliveanddieinthatcharacter。

  Butyoucannowsaywhatyouhavegotbyyourcapricesandobstinateheart;hatingeverythingthatIliked;andifI

  distinguishedanyone,despisinghim!IfanOfficerwasputinarrest,youtooktolamentingabouthim。Yourrealfriends,whointendedyourgood,youhatedandcalumniated;thosethatflatteredyou,andencouragedyourbadpurpose,youcaressed。

  Youseewhatthathascometo。InBerlin,inallPrussiaforsometimeback,nobodyasksafteryou,Whetheryouareintheworldornot;andwereitnotoneortheothercomingfromCustrinwhoreportsyouasplayingtennisandwearingFrenchhair—bags,nobodywouldknowwhetheryouwerealiveordead。\"

  Hardsayings;towhichthePrince’sanswers(iftherewereanybeyondmournfulgestures)arenotgiven。WecomenowuponPredestination,ortheGNADENWAHL;andlearn(withrealinterest,notofthelaughingsortalone)howhis\"Majesty,inthemostconclusiveway,setforththehorribleresultsofthatAbsolute—Decreenotion;whichmakesoutGodtobetheAuthorofSin,andthatJesusChristdiedonlyforsome!UponwhichtheCrown—Princevowedanddeclared(HOCHUNDTHEUER),hewasnowwhollyofhisMajesty’sorthodoxopinion。\"

  TheKing,nowthoroughlymoved,expressessatisfactionattheorthodoxy;andaddswithenthusiasm,\"WhengodlessfellowsaboutyouspeakagainstyourdutiestoGod,theKingandyourCountry,fallinstantlyonyourknees,andpraywithyourwholesoultoJesusChristtodeliveryoufromsuchwickedness,andleadyouonbetterways。Andifitcomeinearnestfromyourheart,Jesus,whowouldhaveallmensaved,willnotleaveyouunheard。\"No!AndsomayGodinhismercyaidyou,poorsonFritz。Andasforme,inhopesthetimecomingwillshowfruits,Iforgiveyouwhatispast。——TowhichtheCrown—Princeansweredwithmonosyllables,withmanytears;\"kissinghisMajesty’sfeet;\"——andastheKing’seyeswerenotdry,hewithdrewintoanotherroom;revolvingmanythingsinhisalteredsoul。

  \"ItbeinghisMajesty’sbirthday[4thAugustbyOLDSTYLE,15thbyNEW,forty—thirdbirthday],thePrince,allbeweptandinemotion,followedhisFather;and,againfallingprostrate,testifiedsuchheartfeltjoy,gratitudeandaffectionoverthisblessedanniversary,asquitetouchedtheheartofPapa;whoatlastclaspedhiminhisarms[poorsoul,afterall!],andhurriedouttoavoidblubberingquitealoud。Hesteptintohiscarriage,\"

  intendingforSonnenburg(chieflybywater)thisevening,whereaSereneCousin,oneoftheSchwedtMargraves,HeadKnightofMalta,hashisestablishment。

  \"TheCrown—PrincefollowedhisMajestyout;and,inthepresenceofmanyhundredpeople,kissedhisMajesty’sfeet\"again(linengaiters,notDay—and—Martinshoes);\"andwasagainembracedbyhisMajesty,whosaid,’Behavewell,asIseeyoumean,andIwilltakecareofyou,’whichthrewtheCrown—Princeintosuchanecstasyofjoyasnopencanexpress;\"andsothecarriagesrolledaway,——towardstheKnights—of—MaltabusinessandPalaceoftheHeadKnightofMalta,inthefirstplace。[Forster,iii。50—54。]

  Thesearethemainpoints,saysGrumkow,reportingnextday;

  andthereadermustinterpretthemashecan,ACrown—Princewithexcellenthistrionictalents,thinksthereader。Well;acertainexaggeration,immensityofwishbecomingitselfenthusiasm;

  somewhatofthat:butthatisbynomeansthewholeoreventhemainpartofthephenomenon,Oreader。ThisCrown—PrincehasarealaffectiontohisFather,asweshallintimeconvinceourselves。Say,atlowest,aCrown—Princeloyaltofact;abletorecognizeoverwhelmingfact,andawarethathemustsurrenderthereto。Surrenderoncemade,theelementmuchclearsitself;

  Papa’ssideofthequestiongettingfairlystatedforthefirsttime。Sureenough,Papa,isGod’sVicegerentinseveralundeniablerespects,mostimportantsomeofthem:bettertryifwecanobeyPapa。

  DimoldFassmannyieldsasparkortwo,——astohisMajesty’serrandatSonnenburg。Majestyisgoingtopresideto—morrow\"attheInstallationofyoungMargrafKarl,newHERRMEISTER

  (Grand—Master)oftheKnightsofSt。John\"there;\"theOfficehavingsuddenlyfallenvacantlately。\"Officewhichisanheirloom;——usuallyheldbyoneoftheMargraves,half—unclesoftheKing,——somejuniorofthem,notprovidedforatSchwedtorotherwise。MargrafAlbert,thelastoccupant,anoldgentlemanofsixty,diedlately,\"bystrokeofapoplexywhileatdinner;\"

  [21stJune,1731:Fassmann,p。423;Pollnitz,ii。390。]——andhiseldestSon,MargrafKarl,withwhomhisMajestylodgesto—night,isnowHerrmeister。\"Majestycameat6P。M。toSonnenburg[musthaveleftCustrinaboutfive];forty—twoRittersmadeatSonnenburgnextday,\"——acertainColonelorLieutenant—GeneralvonWreech,whomweshallsoonseeagain,isoneofthem;Seckendorfanother。\"FreshRITTER—SCHLAG[\"Knight—stroke,\"BatchofKnightsdubbed]atSonnenburg,29thSeptembernext,\"whichshallnottheleastconcernus。NoteMargrafKarl,however,thenewHerrmeister;

  forheprovesasoldierofsomemark,andwillturnupagainintheSilesianWars;——aswillapoorBrotherofhisstillmoreimpressively,\"shotdeadbesidetheKing,\"ononeoccasionthere。

  WeaddthisofDickens,foralltheDiplomatists,andadiscerningpublicgenerally,aremuchstruckwiththeEventatCustrin;

  andtaketowritingofitasnews;——and\"Mr。Ginkel,\"DutchAmbassadorhere,aningenious,honestandobservantman,wellenoughknowntous,hasbeenouttosupwiththePrince,nextday;

  andthusreportsofhimtoDickens:\"Mr。Ginkel,whosuppedwiththePrinceonThursdaylast,\"dayaftertheInterview,\"tellsmethathisRoyalHighnessisextremelyimprovedsincehehadseenhim;beinggrownmuchtaller;andthathisconversationissurprisingforhisage,aboundingingoodsenseandtheprettiestturnsofexpression。\"[Despatch,18thAugust,1731。]

  Hereareothershreds,snatchedfromtheWitch—Caldron,andpinneddown,eachatitsplace;whichgiveusoneortwosubsequentglimpses:——

  POTSDAM,21stAUGUST,1731(KingtoWoldentheHofmarschall)……

  \"Crown—Princeshalltravelover,andpersonallyinspect,thefollowingDomains:Quartschen,Himmelstadt,Carzig,Massin,Lebus,GollowandWollup,\"dingymoor—farmsdeartoAntiquarians;\"travelovertheseandnotanyother。Permissionalwaystobeasked,ofhisRoyalMajesty,inwriting,andmentionmadetowhichofthemtheCrown—Princemeanstogo。Someonetobealwaysinattendance,whocangivehimfitinstructionaboutthehusbandry;andastheCrown—Princehasyetonlylearnedthetheory,hemustnowbediligenttolearnthesamepractically。Forwhichenditmustbeminutelyexplainedtohim,Howthehusbandryismanaged,——howploughed,manured,sown,ineveryparticular;andwhatthedifferencesofgoodandbadhusbandryare,sothathemaybeableofhimselftoknowandjudgethesame。OfCattle—husbandrytoo,andtheaffairsofBrewing(VIEHZUCHTUNDBRAUWESEN),thedueunderstandingtobegivenhim;andinthematterofBrewing,showhimhowthingsarehandled,mixed,thebeerdrawnoff,barrelled,andallhowtheydowithit(WIEUBERALLDABEIVERFAHREN);

  alsothemalt,howitmustbeprepared,andwhatlike,whengood。

  Usefuldiscoursetobekeptupwithhimonthesejourneys;

  pointingouthowandwhythisisandthat,andwhetheritcouldnotbebetter:\"——OKingofathousand!——\"Haslibertytoshootstags,moorcocks(HUHNER)andthelike;andasmall—hunt[KLEINE

  JAGD,notaPARFORCEorbigone]canbegotupforhisamusementnowandthen;\"furthermore\"alittleduck—shootingfromboat,\"onthesedgywatersthere,——ifthepoorsoulshouldcareaboutit。

  Wolden,oroneoftheKammerjunkers,toaccompanyalways,andberesponsible。\"NoMADCHENorFRAUENSMENSCH,\"noshadowofwomankind;——\"keepaneyeonhim,youthree!\"

  ThesethingsareinthePrussianArchives;ofdatetheweekafterthatinterview。Intwoweeksfarther,followsthePrince’sspeculationaboutCarzigandtheBuildingofaFarmsteadthere;

  withPapa’s\"realcontentmentthatyoucomeuponsuchproposals,andseektomakeimprovements。Only\"——

  WUSTERHAUSEN,11thSEPTEMBER(KingtoCrown—Prince)……\"Onlyyoumustexaminewhetherthereismeadow—groundenough,andhowmanyacrescanactuallybeallottedtothatFarm。[HearhisMajesty!]

  TakeaLand—surveyorwithyou;andhaveallwellconsidered;andexactlyinformyourselfwhatkindoflanditis,whetheritcanonlygrowrye,orwhethersomeofitisbarley—land:youmustconsideritYOURSELF,anddoitalloutofyourownhead,thoughyoumayconsultwithothersaboutit。Ingrazing—ground(HUTHUNG)

  Ithinkitwillnotfail;ifonlythemeadow—land\"——

  infact,itfailsinnothing;andisgotalldone(\"woodlaidouttoseasonstraightway,\"and\"whatdiggingandstubbingthereis,proceededwiththroughthewinter\"):doneinasuccessfulandinstructivemanner,bothCarzigandHimmelstadt,thoughwewillsaynothingfartherofthem。[Forster,i。387—392。]

  CUSTRIN,22dSEPTEMBER(Crown—PrincetoPapa)……\"HavebeenatLebus;excellentlandoutthere;fineweatherforthehusbandman。\"

  \"MajorRoder,\"unknownMajor,\"passedthisway;anddinedwithme,lastWednesday。Hehasgotaprettyfellow(SCHONENKERL)formyMostAll—GraciousFather’sregiment[thePotsdamGiants,whereI

  usedtobe];whomIcouldnotlookuponwithoutbleedingheart。

  IdependonmyMostAll—GraciousFather’sGrace,thathewillbegoodtome:IaskfornothingandnohappinessintheworldbutwhatcomesfromYou;andhopeYouwill,someday,remembermeingrace,andgivemetheBlueCoattoputonagain!\"[BRIEFWECHSEL

  MITVATER(OEuvres,xxvii。part3d,p。27)。]——TowhichPapaanswersnothing,oronly\"Hm,na,timeMAYcome!\"

  Carziggoesonstraightway;Papacharmedtograntthemoneys;

  \"woodlaidouttoseason,\"andmuch\"stubbinganddigging\"setonfoot,beforethemonthends。Carzig;anddirectlyontheheelofit,onliketerms,Himmelstadt,——butofallthiswemustsaynomore。ItisclearthePrinceislearningtheDomainSciences;

  eagertoprovehimselfaperfectsonintheeyesofPapa。Papa,inhopefulmoments,askshimself:\"Towhomshallwemarryhim,then;

  howsettlehim?\"ButwhatthePrince,inhisownheart,thoughtofitall;howhelooked,talked,lived,inunofficialtimes?

  HerehasacrabbeddimDocumentturnedup,which,ifitwerenotnearlyundecipherabletothereaderandme,wouldthrowlightonthepoint:——

  SCHULENBURG’STHREELETTERSTOGRUMKOW,ONVISITSTOTHE

  CROWN—PRINCE,DURINGTHECUSTRINTIME。

  ThereaderknowsLieutenant—GeneralSchulenburg;stifflittlemilitarygentlemanofgraveyears,nephewofthemaypoleEMERITA

  whoiscalledDuchessofKendalinEngland。\"HadahorseshotunderhimatMalplaquet;\"battlingsandexperiencesenough,beforeandsince。Hasrealsense,abundantrealpedantry;aPrussiansoldiereveryinch。HepresidedintheCopenickCourt—martial;

  heisdeeplyconcernedintheseCrown—Princedifficulties。

  HisMajestyevenhonorshimbyexpectingheshouldquietlykeepamonitorialeyeupontheCrown—Prince;——beinghisneighborinthoseparts;Colonel—CommandantofaregimentofHorseatLandsbergnotmanymilesoff。HehasjustbeenatVienna[September,1731

  (Militair—Lexikon,iii。433)。]onsome\"business\",(quasi—diplomaticprobably,whichcanremainunknowntous);andhasreporteduponit,orotherwisefinisheditoff,atBerlin;——whencerapidlyhometoLandsbergagain。Onthewayhomewards,andaftergettinghome,hewritesthesethreeLetters;

  off—handandinallprivacy,andofcoursewithabusinesssincerity,toGrumkow;——littlethinkingtheywouldonedaygetprinted,andwanderintotheselatitudestobescannedandscrutinized!UndoubtedlyanintricatecrabbedDocumenttous;

  butthenanindubitableone。Crown—Prince,Schulenburghimself,andtheactualfigureofTimeandPlace,areheremirroredforus,withabusinesssincerity,inthemindofSchulenburg,——asfromanaccidentalpatchofwater;ruffledbog—water,insadtwilight,andwithsedgesandtwigsintervening;butundertheseconditionswedolookwithourowneyes!

  Couldnotone,byanyconceivablemethod,interpretintolegibilitythisabstrusedullDocument;andsopickouthereandthereaglimpse,actualface—to—faceview,ofCrown—PrinceFriedrichinhislight—grayfrockwiththenarrowsilvertresses,inhiseclipsedconditionthereintheCustrinregion?Allisverymysteriousabouthim;hisinwardopinionaboutallmannerofmatters,fromtheGNADENWAHLtothelateDouble—MarriageQuestion。

  Evenhisoutwardmanneroflife,initsflesh—and—bloodphysiognomy,——wesearchinvainthroughtonsofdustylucubrationtotallywithoutinterest,tocatchhereandtherethecornerofafeatureofit。LetustrySchulenburg。WeshallknowatanyratethattoGrumkow,intheAutumn1731,thesewordswereluculentandsignificant:consciouslytheytellussomethingofyoungFriedrich;unconsciouslyagooddealofLieutenant—GeneralSchulenburg,whowithhisstricttheologies,hismilitarystiffnesses,hisreticent,pipe—clayed,rigorousandyethumanways,isworthlookingat,asanantiquespeciesextinctinourtime。HeisjusthomefromVienna,gettingtowardshisowndomicilefromBerlin,fromCustrin,andhasseenthePrince。

  Hewritesinawretchedwaysidetavern,orpost—house,betweenCustrinandLandsberg,——dateshisletter\"WIEN(Vienna),\"asifhewerestillintheimperialCity,sooff—handishe。

  No。1。TOHISEXCELLENZ(addashovelfulofothertitles)

  LIEUTENANT—GENERALHERRBARONVONGRUMKOW,PRESIDENTOFTHE

  KRIEGES—UNDDOMANEN—DIRECTORIUM,OFTHE(infact,Vice—PresidentoftheTobacco—Parliament)INBERLIN。

  \"WIEN[properlyBerlin—LandsbergHighway,othersideofCustrin],4thOctober,1731。

  \"IregretmuchtohavemissedthepleasureofseeingyourExcellencyagainbeforeIleftBerlin。Isetoffbetweensevenandeightinthemorningyesterday,andgottoCustrin[seventymilesorso]beforesevenatnight。ButthePrincehadgone,thatday,totheBailliageofHimmelstadt\"(uptheWartaCountry,eastwardsomefive—and—thirtymiles,muchpreparatorydiggingandstubbingthere);andhe\"sleptatMassin[circuitousroadback],whereheshotafewstagsthismorning。AsIwastoldhemightprobablydineatKammin[stillnearerCustrin,twelvemilesfromit;

  halfthatdistanceeastofZorndorf,——markthat,Oreader(seeMap)]withMadamColonelSchoning,Idrovethither。Hehadarrrivedthereamomentbeforeme。\"AndwhoisMadamSchoning,ladyofKamminhere?——Patience,reader。

  \"Ifoundhimmuchgrown;anairofhealthandgayetyabouthim。

  Hecaressedmegreatly(MEGRACIEUSAFORT);afterwardsquestionedmeaboutmywayoflifeinVienna;andasked,ifIhaddivertedmyselfwellthere?Itoldhimwhatbusinesshadbeentheoccasionofmyjourney,andthatthisratherthanamusementshadoccupiedme;fortherest,thattherehadbeengreataffluenceofcompany,andnolackofdiversions。HespokealongtimetoMadamdeWreech\"——

  \"Wrochem\"Schulenburgcallsher:youngWifeofLieutenant—GeneralvonWreech,aMarlboroughCampaigner,madeaKnightofMaltatheotherday;[Militair—Lexikon,iv。269。]——

  HIScharmingyoungWife,andDaughterofMadamColonelSchoningourhostesshere;livesatTamsel,inhighstyle,intheseparts:

  marktheyoungLadywell,——

  \"whodidnotappearindifferenttohim。\"No!——\"andinfactshewasinallherbeauty;acomplexionoflilyandrose。\"

  Charmingcreature;concerningwhomthereareanecdotesstillafloat,andatleastversesofthisPrince’swriting;nottoowellseenbyWreech,latelymadeaKnightofMalta,who,thoughonlyturningforty,isperhapstwiceherage。Thebeautifulest,cleverest,——fancyit;andwhetherthepeatyNeumarkproducesnothinginthefloralkind!

  \"Wewenttodinner;heaskedmetositbesidehim。

  Theconversationfell,amongothertopics,ontheElectorPalatine’sMistress,\"crotchetyoldgentleman,neveroutofquarrels,withHeidelbergProtestants,heirsofJulichandBerg,andingeneralwithanunreasonableworld,whomwesawatMannheimlastyear;hasaMistress,——\"ElectorYalatine’sMistress,calledTaxis。Crown—Princesaid:’IshouldliketoknowwhatthatgoodoldgentlemandoeswithaMistress?’Ianswered,thatthefashionhadcomesomuchinvogue,PrincesdidnotthinktheywerePrincesunlesstheyhadmistresses;andthatIwasamazedatthefacilityofwomen,howtheycouldshuttheireyesonthesadreverseoffortunenearlyinevitableforthem;——andinstancedtheexampleofMadamGravenitz\"——

  \"Gravenitz;\"examplelatelyfallenoutatWurtemberg,aswepredicted。PrayersoftheCountry,\"Deliverusfromevil,\"arenowansweredthere:Gravenitzquiteoverwithit!Alas,yes;latelyfallenfromherhighestateinWurtemberg,andbecomethetopicofdinner—tables;seizedbysoldiersinthenight—time;vainherhighrefusals,assurancesofbeingtoounwelltodress,\"Shallgoinyourshift,then,\"——isinprison,totallyeclipsed。[Michaelis,iii。440;Pollnitz,i。297。]Calmingherfury,shewillgetout;

  andwearisomelywanderaboutinfashionablecapitals,TOUJOURSUN

  LAVEMENTASESTROUSSES!

  \"Therewereothersubjectstouchedupon;andIalwaysendeavoredtodeducesomethingofmoralinstructionfromthem,\"beingamilitarygentlemanoftheoldschool。

  \"Amongotherthings,hesaid,Helikedthegreatworld,andwascharmedtoobservetheridiculousweaksideofsomepeople。

  ’Thatisexcellent,’saidI,’ifoneprofitbyitoneself:butifitisonlyforamusement,suchamotiveisworthlittle;weshouldratherlookoutforourownridiculousweakside。’Onrising,HofmarschallWoldensaidtome,\"withoutmuchsincerity,\"’YOU

  havedonewelltopreachalittlemoralitytohim。’ThePrincewenttoawindow,andbeckonedmethither。

  \"’Youhavelearnednothingofwhatistobecomeofme?’saidhe。

  Ianswered:’ItissupposedyourRoyalHighnesswillreturntoBerlin,whentheMarriage[Wilhelmina’s]takesplace;butastowhatwillcomenext,Ihaveheardnothing。ButasyourHighnesshasfriends,theywillnotfailtodotheirendeavor;andM。deGrumkowhastoldmehewouldtrytopersuadetheKingtogiveyouaregiment,inorderthatyourHighnessmighthavesomethingtodo。’Itseemedasifthatwouldgivehimpleasure。Ithentookthelibertyofsaying:’Monseigneur,themost,atpresent,dependsonyourself。——’Howso?’askedhe。Ianswered,’Itisonlybyshowinggoodconduct,andproofsofrealwisdomandworth,thattheKing’sentirefavorcanbegainedFirstofall,tofearGod’\"——And,infact,Ilaunchednowintoamoralpreachment,ordiscursiveDialogue,ofgreatlength;muchneedingtohavetheskirtsofittuckedup,inawayoffaithfulabridgment,forbehoofofpoorEnglishreaders。Asfollows:——

  \"SCHULENBURG:IfyourHighnessbehavewell,theKingwillaccordwhatyouwant:butitisabsolutelynecessarytobeginbythat。——

  PRINCE:IdonothingthatcandispleasetheKing。——

  SCHULENBURG:Itwouldbealittlesoonyet!ButIspeakofthefuture。YourHighness,thegrandthingIrecommendistofearGod!

  Everybodysays,youhavethesentimentsofanhonestman;

  excellent,that,forabeginning;butwithoutthefearofGod,yourHighness,thepassionsstiflethefinestsentiments。

  Mustleadalifeclearofreproach;andmoreparticularlyonthechapterofwomen!NeednotimagineyoucandotheleastthingwithouttheKing’sknowingit:ifyourHighnesstakethebadroad,hewillwishtocorrectit;theendwillbe,hewillbringyoubacktolivebesidehim;whichwillnotbeveryagreeable。——

  PRINCE:Hmph,No!——SCHULENBURG:OftheruintohealthIdonotspeak;I——PRINCE:Pooh,oneisyoung,oneisnotmasterofthat;\"

  ——and,infact,onthisdelicatechapter,whichrunstosomelength,Princeanswersaswildishyoungfellowswill;quizzingmygraveself,withglancesevenathisMajesty,onallegedoldpeccadilloesofours。WhichallegationsorinferencesIrebuttedwithemphasis。\"But,Iconfess,thoughIemployedallmyrhetoric,hisminddidnotseemtoalter;anditwillbeamiracleifhechangeonthishead。\"Alas,General!Can’tbehelped,Ifear!

  \"HesaidhewasnotafraidofanythingsomuchasoflivingconstantlybesidetheKing。——SCHULENBURG:Armyourselfwithpatience,Monseigneur,ifthathappen。Godhasgivenyousenseenough;perseveretouseitfaithfullyonalloccasions,youwillgainthegoodgracesoftheKing。——PRINCE:Impossible;beyondmypower,indeed,saidhe;andmadeathousandobjections。——

  SCHULENBURG:YourHighnessislikeonethatwillnotlearnatradebecauseyoudonotalreadyknowit。Begin;youwillcertainlyneverknowitotherwise!Beforerisinginthemorning,formaplanforyourday,\"——infact,bemoral,oh,bemoral!

  HisHighnessnowgotuponthemarriagestalkedofforhim;

  animportantpointfortheyoungman。Hespoke,hopefullyrather,ofthemarriagewiththePrincessofMecklenburg,——NieceofthelateCzarPetertheGreat;DaughterofthatunhappyDukewhoisinquarrelwithhisRitters,andatroubletoallhisneighbors,andtousamongthenumber。ReadersrecollectthatyoungLady’sSereneMother,andameetingsheoncehadwithherUnclePeter,——atMagdeburg,adozenyearsago,inapublicdrawing—roomwithalcovenear;anecdotenotlightlytobeprintedinhumantypes,norrepeatedwherenotnecessary。TheMotherisnowdead;Fatherstilluptotheeyesinpuddleandtrouble:butasfortheyoungLadyherself,sheisNiecetothenowCzarinaAnne;bylawofprimogenitureHeiressofalltheRussias;somethingofamatchtruly!

  \"Buttherewillbedifficulties;yourHighnesstochangeyourreligion,foronething?——PRINCE:Won’t,byanymeans:——

  SCHULENBURG:AndgiveupthesuccessiontoPrussia?——

  PRINCE:ArightfoolifIdid!——SCHULENBURG:Thenthismarriagecomestonothing。——Thereuponnexthesaid,IftheKaiserissostrongforus,lethimgivemehissecondDaughter;\"luckyFranzofLorraineistogetthefirst。——\"SCHULENBURG:Areyouserious?——

  PRINCE:Whynot?withaDuchyortwoitwoulddoverywell。——

  SCHULENBURG:NoDuchiespossibleunderthePragmaticSanction,yourHighness:besides,yourchangeofreligion?——PRINCE:Oh,astothat,never!——ThenthismarriagealsocomestonothingOftheEnglish,andtheirDouble—Marriage,andtheirHothambrabble,hespokelightly,asofanextinctmatter,——intermsyourExcellencywilllike。

  \"But,saidI,sinceyouspeaksomuchofmarriages,Isupposeyouwishtobemarried?——PRINCE:No;butiftheKingabsolutelywillhaveit,Iwillmarrytoobeyhim。Afterthat,Iwillshovemywifeintothecorner(PLANTERAILAMAFEMME),andliveaftermyownfaucy。——SCHULENBURG:Horribletothinkof!For,inthefirstplace,yourHighness,isitnotwrittenintheLawofGod,AdulterersshallnotinherittheKingdomofHeaven?\"Andinthesecondplace;andinthethirdandfourthplace!——Toallwhichheansweredaswildyoungfellowsdo,especiallyifyouforcemarriageonthem。\"Icanperceive,ifhemarries,itwillonlybetohavemorelibertythannow。Itiscertain,ifhehadhiselbowsfree,hewouldstrikeout(S’ENDONNERAITAGAUCHE)。Hesaidtomeseveraltimes:’Iamyoung;Iwanttoprofitbymyyouth。’\"

  Aquestionableyoungfellow,HerrGeneral;especiallyifyouforcemarriageonhim。

  \"Thisconversationdone,\"continuestheGeneral,\"hesettotalkingwiththeMadamWreech,\"andhercomplexionoflilyandrose;\"buthedidnotstaylong;droveoffaboutfive[dinneratthestrokeoftwelveinthosecountries],invitingmetoseehimagainatCustrin,whichIpromised。\"

  AndsothePrinceisoffintheAutumnsunset,drivingdownthepeatyhollowoftheWarta,throughunpicturesquecountry,whichproducesWreechsandincomparableflowersnevertheless。Yes;andifhelookasixmilestotheright,thereisthesmokeoftheeveningkettlesfromZorndorf,risingintothesky;andacrosstheRiver,atwentymilestotheleft,isKunersdorf:poorsleepysandyhamlets;wherenettlesoftheDevilaretobepluckedoneday!——

  \"ThebeautifulWreechdroveofftoTamsel,\"herfinehouse;Itothiswretchedtavern;where,acoupleofhoursafterthatconversation,Ibeganwritingitalldown,andhavenothingelsetodoforthenight。YourExcellency’smostmoral,stiff—necked,pipe—clayedandextremelyobedient,\"VONSCHULENBUBG。\"

  [Forster,iii。65—71。]

  ThisyoungmanmaybeorthodoxonPredestination,andoutwardlygrowingallthataPapacouldwish;butherearestrangeheterodoxies,hereisplentyofmutinouscapriciousfireintheinteriorofhim,HerrGeneral!Infact,ayoungmanunfortunatelysituated;alreadybecomesolitaryinCreation;hasnot,excepthimself,afriendintheworldavailablejustnow。

  TempestuousPapastormsoneway,tempestuousMammaNatureanother;andbetweentheoutsidsandtheinsidethereareinconsistenciesenough。

  ConcerningthefairWreechofTamsel,withhercomplexionoflilyandrose,thereensuedbyandbymuchwhispering,andrumoringunderbreath;whichhassurvivedintheapocryphalAnecdote—Books,notintoodistinctaform。Here,fromfirsthand,arethreewords,whichwemaytaketobetheessenceofthewhole。

  Grumkowreporting,inasordid,occasionallysmutty,spymanner,tohisSeckendorf,fromBerlin,eightortenmonthshence,hasthiscasualexpression:\"He[KingFriedrichWilhelm]toldmeinconfidencethatWreech,theColonel’sWife,is——toP。R。

  (Prince—Royal);andthatWreechvowedhewouldnotownitforhis。

  AndhisMajestyinsecretisratherpleased,\"addsthesmuttyspy。

  [GrumkowtoSeckendorf,Berlin,20thAugust,1732(Forster,iii。

  112)。]ElsewhereIhavereadthatthepoorobject,whichactuallycameasanticipated(maleorfemale,Iforget),didnotlivelong;——norhadFriedrich,byanyopportunity,anotherchildinthisworld。DomesticTamselhadtoallayitselfasitbestcould;

  andthefairWreechbecamemuchastrangertoFriedrich,——

  surprisinglysotoFriedrichtheKING,asperhapswemaysee。——

  Predestination,GNADENWAHL,HerrGeneral:whatisorthodoxyonPredestination,withtheseaccompaniments![ForWreech,seeBenekendorf,v。94;forSchulenburg,ib。26;——andMilitair—Lexikon,iii。432,433,andiv。268,269。Vacantonthegossipingpoints;cautiouslyofficial,boththese。]WegonowtotheSecondLetterandtheThird,——fromLandsbergaboutafortnightlater:——

  No。2。TOHISEXCELLENCY(shovelfuloftitles)VONGRUMKOW,INBERLIN。

  \"LANDSBERG,19thOctober,1731。

  \"Thedaybeforeyesterday[thatis,Wednesday,17thOctober]I

  receivedanOrder,TohaveonlyfiftyHorseatthatpost,and\"——

  OrderwhichshowsusthattherehasfallenoutsomerecruitingsquabbleonthePolishFrontierhereabouts;thatthePolackgentlemenhaveseizedcertainCorporalsofours,butareaboutrestoringthem;Orderandaffairwhichweshallomit。\"Corporalswillbegotback:butasthesePolackgentlemen:willsee,bythecoursetaken,thatwehavenogreatstomachforBITING,Ifancytheywillgrowmoreinsolent;then,’warewhotriestorecruitthereforthefuture!

  \"OnthesamedayIwasapprised,fromCustrin,ThatthePrince—RoyalhadresolvedonanexcursiontoCarzig,andthencetotheBailliageofHimmelstadt[diggingandstubbingnowonfootatHimmelstadttoo],whichisbutacoupleofmiles[\"DEMI—MILLE\"

  German。]fromthis;thattherewouldbealittlehuntbetweenthetwoBailliages;andthatifIchosetocome,Imight,andthePrincewoulddinewithme。\"——WhichIdid;andso,hereagain,Thursday,18thOctober,1731,inthoseremoteWarta—OderCountries,isaglimpseofhisRoyalHighnessatfirsthand。

  Schulenburgcontinues;noteventakinganewparagraph,whichindeedheneverdoes:——

  \"TheyhadshutupacoupleofSPIESSER(youngroes),andsomestags,intheoldwreckofaSAUGARTEN[Boar—park,betweenCarzigandHimmelstadt;FASTRUINIRTENSAUGARTEN,hecallsit,daintilythrowinginatouchofGermanhere]:thePrinceshotoneortwoofthem,andhiscompanionsthelike;butitdoesnotseemasifthisamusementweremuchtohistaste。HewentontoHimmelstadt;

  andatnoonhearrivedhere,\"inmypoorDomicileatLandsberg。

  \"Atoneo’clockwewenttotable,andsattillfour。Hespokeonlyofveryindifferentthings;exceptsayingtome:’Doyouknow,theKinghaspromised400,000crowns(60,000pounds)towardsdisengagingthoseBailliagesoftheMargrafofBaireuth’s,’\"——

  oldMargraf,Bailliagespawnedtoraisereadycash;readersrememberwhatinterminableLaw—pleadingtherewas,tillFriedrichWilhelmputitintoaliquidstate,\"Paymebackthemoneys,then!\"[Supra,pp。161—163。]——\"’400,000thalerstotheoldMargraf,incasehisPrince(Wilhelmina’snowBridegroom)haveasonbymySister。’Ianswered,Ihadheardnothingofit。——’But,’

  saidhe,’thatisagreatdealofmoney!Andsomehundredthousandsmorehavegonethelikeroad,toAnspach,whoneverwillbeabletorepay。ForallismuchindisorderatAnspach。GivetheMargrafhisHeron—hunt(CHASSEAUHERON),hecaresfornothing;

  andhispeoplepluckhimatnoallowance。’Isaid:ThatifthesePrinceswouldregulatetheirexpenditure,theymight,littlebylittle,payofftheirdebts;thatIhadbeentoldatViennatheBaireuthBailliagesweremortgagedonverylowterms,thosewhonowheldthemmakingeightortenpercentoftheirmoney;\"——thattheMargrafoughttomakeaneffort;andsoon。\"IsawverywellthattheseLoanstheKingmakesarenottohismind。

  \"Directlyonrisingfromtable,hewentaway;excusinghimselftome,Thathecouldnotpassthenighthere;thattheKingwouldnotlikehissleepingintheTown;besidesthathehadstillseveralthingstocompleteinaReporthewassendingofftohisMajesty。

  HewenttoNassin,andsleptthere。Formyownshare,Ididnotpresshimtoremain;whatIdidwasratherinthewayofform。

  TherewerewithhimPresidentMunchow,\"civilgentlemanwhomweknow,\"anEngineerCaptainReger,andthethreeGentlemenofhisCourt,\"Wolden,Rohwedel,Katzmerwhooncetwirledhisfingerinacertainmouth,theinsipidfellow。

  MAPGOESHERE————————————————

  \"Heisnogreateater;butIobservedhelikesthesmalldishes(PETITSPLATS)andthehightastes:hedoesnotcareforfish;

  thoughIhadveryfinetrouts,henevertouchedthem。Hedoesnottakebrownsoup(SOUPEAUBOUILLON)。Itdidnotseemtomehecaredforwine:hetastesatallthewines;butcommonlystandsbyburgundywithwater。

  \"IintroducedtohimalltheOfficersofmyRegimentwhoarehere;

  hereceivedtheminthestyleofaking[ENROI,plentyofquietprideinhim,HerrGeneral]。Itiscertainhefeelswhatheisbornto;andifeverhegettoit,willstandonthetopofit。

  Astome,Imeantokeepmyselfretired;andshallseeofhimaslittleasIcan。Iperceivewellhedoesnotlikeadvice,\"

  especiallywhenadministeredinthewayofpreachment,bystiffoldmilitarygentlemenoftheall—wisestamp;——\"anddoesnottakepleasureexceptwithpeopleinferiortohiminmind。Hisfirstaimistofindouttheridiculoussideofeveryone,andhelovestobanterandquiz。ItisafaultinaPrince:heoughttoknowpeople’sfaults,andnottomakethemknowntoanybodywhatever,\"

  ——which,weperceive,isnotquitethemethodwithprivategentlemenoftheall—wisetype!——

  \"IspeaktoyourExcellencyasafriend;andassureyouheisaPrincewhohastalent,butwhowillbetheslaveofhispassions(SEFERADOMINERPARSESPASSIONS,\"——notafelicitousprophecy,HerrGeneral);\"andwilllikenobodybutsuchasencouragehimtherein。Forme,IthinkallPrincesarecastinthesamemould;

  thereisonlyamoreandaless。

  \"Atparting,heembracedmetwice;andsaid,’IamsorryIcannotstaylonger;butanothertimeIwillprofitbetter。’Wolden[oneoftheThree]toldmehecouldnotdescribehowwell—intentionedforyourExcellencythePrince—Royalis[cunningdog!],whosaysoftentoWolden[doubtlessguessingitwillbere—said],’IfI

  cannotshowhimmygratitude,Iwillhisposterity:’\"——profoundlyobligedtotheGrumkowkindredfirstandlast!——\"IremainyourExcellency’s\"mostpipe—clayed\"VONSCHULENBURG。\"

  [Forster,iii。71—73。]

  Andso,aftersurveyofthespademenatCarzigandHimmelstadt(whereColonelWreech,bytheway,isAMTS—HAUPTMANN,officialHead—Man),aftershootingaSPIESSERortwo,anddiningandtalkinginthissort,hisRoyalHighnessgoestosleepatMassin;

  andendsonedayofhisthenlife。WeproceedtoLetterNo。3。

  AdayortwoafterNo。2,itwouldappear,hisMajesty,whoiscommonlyatWusterhausenhuntinginthisseason,hasbeenrapidlyouttoCrossen,intheseLandsbergregions(tosouth,withinaday’sdriveofLandsberg),rapidlylookingaftersomething;

  GrumkowandanotherOfficialattendinghim;——otherOfficial,\"Truchsess,\"isTruchsessvonWaldburg,aworthysoldierandgentlemanofthoseparts,whomweshallagainhearof。

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