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。