Inow，withtheaidofacoupleofducats，discoveredthewholeaffair，andlearneditwasagreed，betweenthePrussianresident，Reimer，andthelieutenant，thatthelattershouldenticemeintothesuburbofLangfuhr，wheretherewasaninnonthePrussianterritories。Hereeightrecruitingunder—officersweretowaitconcealed，andseizemethemomentIenteredthehouse，hurrymeintoacarriage，anddriveawayforLauenberginPomerania。Twounder—officersweretoescortme，onhorseback，asfarasthefrontiers，andtheremaindertoholdandpreventmefromcallingforhelp，solongasweshouldremainontheterritoriesofDantzic。
Ifartherlearnedmyenemieswereonlytobearmedwithsabres，andthattheyweretowaitbehindthedoor。Thetwoofficersonhorsebackweretosecuremyservant，andpreventhimfromridingoffandraisinganalarm。
Thesepreparationsmighteasilyhavebeenrenderedfruitless，bymyrefusingtoaccepttheproposalofthelieutenant，butvanitygavemeotheradvice，andresentmentmademedesirousofavengingmyselfforsuchdetestabletreachery。
LieutenantN—came，aboutnoon，todinewithmeasusual，wasmorepensiveandseriousthanIhadeverobservedhimbefore，andleftmeatfourintheafternoon，afterhavingmadeapromisetorideearlynextdaywithhimasfarasLangfuhr。Iobservedmyconsentgavehimgreatpleasure，andmyheartthenpronouncedsentenceonthetraitor。ThemomenthehadleftmeIwenttotheRussianresident，M。Scheerer，anhonestSwiss，relatedthewholeconspiracy，andaskedwhetherImightnottakesixofthemenundermycommandformyownpersonaldefence。Itoldhimmyplan，whichheatfirstopposed；butseeingmeobstinate，heansweredatlast，"Doasyouplease；Imustknownothingofthematter，norwillImakemyselfresponsible。"
Iimmediatelyjoinedmysoldiers，selectedsixmen，andtookthem，whileitwasdark，oppositethePrussianinn，hidtheminthecorn，withanordertoruntomyhelpwiththeirfirelocksloadedthefirstdischargetheyshouldhear，toseizeallwhoshouldfallintotheirpower，andonlytofireincaseofresistance。Iprovidedthemwithfire—arms，byconcealingtheminthecarriagewhichbroughtthemtotheirhiding—place。
Notwithstandingalltheseprecautions，Istillthoughtitnecessarytopreventsurprise，byinformingmyselfwhatweretheproceedingsofmyenemies，lestmyintelligenceshouldhavebeenfalse；andI
learnedfrommyspiesthat，atfourinthemorning，thePrussianresident，Reimer，hadleftthecitywithposthorses。
Iloadedmineandmyservant’shorseandpocketpistols，preparedmyTurkishsabre，and，ingratitudetothelieutenant’sman，promisedtotakehimintomyservice，beingconvincedofhishonesty。
Thelieutenantcheerfullyenteredaboutsixinthemorning，expatiatedonthefinenessoftheweather，andjocoselytoldmeI
shouldbeverykindlyreceivedbythehandsomelandladyofLangfuhr。
Iwassoonready；wemounted，andleftthetown，attendedbyourservants。Somethreehundredpacesfromtheinn，myworthyfriendproposedthatweshouldalightandletourservantsleadthehorses，thatwemightenjoythebeautyofthemorning。Iconsented，andhavingdismounted，observedhistreacherouseyessparklewithpleasure。
Theresident，Reimer，wasatthewindowoftheinn，andcalledout，assoonashesawme，"Good—morrow，captain，good—morrow；come，comein，yourbreakfastiswaiting。"I，sneering，smiled，andtoldhimI
hadnottimeatpresent。Sosaying，Icontinuedmywalk，butmycompanionwouldabsolutelyforcemetoenter，tookmebythearm，andpartlystruggledwithme，onwhich，losingallpatience，Igavehimablowwhichalmostknockedhimdown，andrantomyhorsesasifImeanttofly。
ThePrussiansinstantlyrushedfrombehindtheirdoor，withclamour，toattackme。Ifiredatthefirst；myRussianssprangfromtheirhiding—place，presentedtheirpieces，andcalled，Stuy，stuy，yebionnamat。
TheterrorofthepoorPrussiansmaywellbesupposed。Allbegantorun。Ihadtakencaretomakesureofmylieutenant，andwasnextrunningtoseizetheresident，buthehadescapedoutofthebackdoor，withthelossonlyofhiswhiteperiwig。TheRussianshadtakenfourprisoners，andIcommandedthemtobestowfiftystrokesuponeachofthemintheopenstreet。Anensign，namedCasseburg，havingtoldmehisname，andthathehadbeenmybrother’sschoolfellow，beggedremission，andexcusedhimselfonthenecessitywhichhewasundertoobeyhissuperiors。Iadmittedhisexcusesandsufferedhimtogo。Ithendrewmyswordandbadethelieutenantdefendhimself；buthewassoconfused，that，afterdrawinghissword，heaskedmypardon，laidthewholeblameupontheresident，andhadnotthepowertoputhimselfonhisguard。I
twicejerkedhisswordoutofhishand，and，atlast，takingtheRussiancorporal’scane，Iexhaustedmystrengthwithbeatinghim，withouthisofferingtheleastresistance。Suchisthemeannessofdetectedtreachery。Ilefthimkneeling，sayingtohim，"Go，rascal，now，andtellyourcomradesthemannerinwhichTrenckpunishesrobbersonthehighway。"
Thepeoplehadassembledroundusduringtheaction，towhomI
relatedtheaffair，andtheattackhavinghappenedontheterritoriesofDantzic，thePrussianswereindangerofbeingstonedbythepopulace。IandmyRussiansmarchedoffvictorious，proceededtotheharbour，embarked，andthreeorfourdaysafter，setsailforRiga。
Itisremarkablethatnoneofthepublicpaperstookanynoticeofthisaffair；nosatisfactionwasrequired。ThePrussians，nodoubt，wereashamedofbeingdefeatedinanattemptsoperfidious。
IsincehavelearntthatFrederic，nodoubtbythefalserepresentationsofReimer，washighlyirritated，andwhatafterwardshappenedproveshisangerpursuedmethrougheverycorneroftheearth，tillatlastIfellintohispoweratDantzic，andsufferedamartyrdommostunmeritedandunexampled。
ThePrussianenvoy，Goltz，indeed，madecomplaintstoCountBestuchef，concerningthisDantzicskirmish，butreceivednosatisfaction。MyconductwasjustifiedinRussia，Ihavingdefendedmyselfagainstassassins，asaRussiancaptainought。
Somedispassionatereadersmayblamemefornothavingavoidedthisrencontre，anddemandedpersonalsatisfactionofLieutenantN—。
ButIhavethroughliferathersoughtthanavoideddanger。Myvanityandrevengewerebothroused。IwaseverywherepersecutedbythePrussians，andIwasthereforedeterminedtoshowthat，farfromfearing，Iwasabletodefendmyself。
Ihiredtheservantofthelieutenant，whomIfoundhonestandfaithful，andwhomIcomfortablysettledinmarriage，atVienna，in1753。Aftermytenyears’imprisonment，Ifoundhimpoor，andagaintookhimintomyservice，inwhichhedied，atZwerbach，in1779。
CHAPTERX。
Andnowbeholdmeatsea，onmyvoyagetoRiga。IhadeatenheartilybeforeIwentonboard；astormcameon；Iworkedhalfthenight，toaidthecrew，butatlengthbecamesea—sick，andwenttoliedown。ScarcelyhadIclosedmyeyesbeforethemastercamewiththejoyfultidings，ashethought，thatwewererunningfortheportofPillau。Farfrompleasing，this，tome，wasdreadfulintelligence。Iranondeck，sawtheharbourrightbeforeme，andapilotcomingoff。Theseamustnowbeeitherkeptinastorm，orI
fallintothehandsofthePrussians；forIwasknowntothewholegarrisonofPillau。
Idesiredthecaptaintotackaboutandkeepthesea，buthewouldnotlistentome。Perceivingthis，Iflewtomycabin，snatchedmypistols，returned，seizedthehelm，andthreatenedthecaptainwithinstantdeathifhedidnotobey。MyRussiansbegantomurmur；theywereaversetoencounteringthedangersofthestorm，butluckilytheywerestillmoreaversetomeetmyanger，overawed，astheywere，bymypistols，andmytwoservants，whostoodbymefaithfully。
Halfanhourafter，thestormbegantosubside，andwefortunatelyarrivedthenextdayintheharbourofRiga。Thecaptain，however，couldnotbeappeased，butaccusedmebeforetheoldandhonourableMarshalLacy，thengovernorofRiga。Iwasobligedtoappear，andreplytothechargebyrelatingthetruth。Thegovernoranswered，myobstinacymighthaveoccasionedthedeathofahundredandsixtypersons；I，smiling，retorted，"Ihavebroughtthemallsafetoport，pleaseyourExcellency；and，formypart，myfatewouldhavebeenmuchmoremercifulbyfallingintothehandsofmyGodthanintothehandsofmyenemies。MydangerwassogreatthatIforgotthedangerofothers；besides，sir，Iknewmycomradesweresoldiers，andfeareddeathaslittleasIdo。"Myanswerpleasedthefinegrey—headedgeneral，andhegavemearecommendationtothechancellorBestuchefatMoscow。
GeneralLieuwenhadmarchedfromMoravia，forRussia，withthearmy，andwasthenatRiga。Iwenttopayhimmyrespects；hekindlyreceivedme，andtookmetooneofhisseats，namedAnnaburg，fourmilesfromRiga。HereIremainedsomedays，andhegavemeeveryrecommendationtoMoscow，wherethecourtthenwas。ItwasintendedIshouldendeavourtoobtainacompanyintheregimentofcuirassiers，thecaptainsofwhichthenrankedasmajors，andheadvisedmetothrowupmycommissionintheSiberianregimentofTobolskidragoons。Peacebetothenamesandthememoryofthisworthyman！MayGodrewardthisbenevolence！FromRigaIdeparted，incompanywithM。Oettinger，lieutenant—colonelofengineers，andLieutenantWeismann，forMoscow。ThisisthesameWeismannwhorenderedsomanyimportantservicestoRussia，duringthelastwarwiththeTurks。
Onmyarrival，afterdeliveringinmylettersofrecommendation，I
wasparticularlywellreceivedbyCountBestuchef。Oettinger，whosefriendshipIhadgained，wasexceedinglyintimatewiththechancellor，andmyinterestwastherebypromoted。
IhadnotbeenlongatMoscowbeforeImetCountHamilton，myformerfriendduringmyabodeatVienna。Hewasacaptainofcavalry，intheregimentofGeneralBernes，whohadbeensentasimperialambassadortoRussia。
BerneshadbeenambassadoratBerlinin1743，wherehehadconsequentlyknownmeduringtheheightofmyfavouratthecourtofFrederic。Hamiltonpresentedmetohim，andIhadthegoodfortunesofartogainhisfriendship，that，afterafewvisits，heendeavouredtodetachmefromtheRussianservice，offeringmethestrongestrecommendationstoVienna，andacompanyinhisownregiment。Mycousin’smisfortunes，however，hadlefttoodeepanimpressiononmymindtofollowhisadvice。TheIndieswouldthenhavebeenpreferredbymetoAustria。
Bernesinvitedmetodinewithhimincompanywithhisbosomfriend，LordHyndford，theEnglishambassador。HowgreatwasthepleasureI
thatdayreceived！ThiseminentstatesmanhadknownmeatBerlin，andwaspresentwhenFrederichadhonouredmewithsaying，C’estunmatadordemajeunesse。Hewaswellreadinmen，conceivedagoodopinionofmyabilities，andbecameafriendandfathertome。Heseatedmebyhissideattable，andaskedme，"Whycameyouhere，Trenck？""Insearchofbreadandhonour，mylord，"answeredI，"havingunmeritedlylostthembothinmyowncountry。"Hefurtherinquiredthestateofmyfinances；Itoldhimmywholestoremightbesomethirtyducats。
"Takemycounsel，"saidhe；"youhavethenecessaryqualificationstosucceedinRussia，butthepeopleheredespisepoverty，judgefromtheexterioronly，anddonotincludeservicesortalentsintheestimate；youmusthavetheappearanceofbeingwealthy。IandBerneswillintroduceyouintothebestfamilies，andwillsupplyyouwiththenecessarymeansofsupport。Splendidliveries，ledhorses，diamondrings，deepplay，aboldfront，undauntedfreedomwithstatesmen，andgallantryamongtheladies，arethemeansbywhichforeignersmustmaketheirwayinthiscountry。Availyourselfofthem，andleavetheresttous。"Thislessonlastedsometime。Bernesenteredintheinterim，andtheydeterminedmutuallytocontributetowardsmypromotion。
Fewoftheyoungmenwhoseektheirfortuneinforeigncountriesmeetincidentssofavourable。Fortuneforamomentseemedwillingtorecompensemypastsufferings，andagaintoraisemetotheheightfromwhichIhadfallen。Theseambassadors，hereagainbyaccidentmet，hadbeforebeenwitnessesofmyprosperitywhenatBerlin。ThetalentsIpossessed，andthefavourIthenenjoyed，attractedthenoticeofallforeignministers。Theywerebosomfriends，equallywellreadinthehumanheart，andequallybenevolentandnoble—minded；theirrecommendationatcourtwasdecisive；thenationstheyrepresentedwereinalliancewithRussia，andtheconfidenceBestuchefplacedinthemwasunbounded。
Iwasnowintroducedintoallcompanies，notasaforeignerwhocametoentreatemployment，butastheheirofthehouseofTrenck，anditsrichHungarianpossessions，andastheformerfavouriteofthePrussianmonarch。
Iwasalsoadmittedtothesocietyofthefirstliterati，andwroteapoemontheanniversaryofthecoronationoftheEmpressElizabeth。Hyndfordtookcaresheshouldseeit，and，inconjunctionwiththechancellor，presentedmetothesovereign。Myreceptionwasmostgracious。Sheherselfrecommendedmetothechancellor，andpresentedmewithagold—hiltedsword，worthathousandroubles。ThisraisedmehighlyintheesteemofallthehousesoftheBestuchefparty。
MannerswereatthattimesorudeinRussia，thateveryforeignerwhogaveadinner，oraball，mustsendnoticetothechancellorBestuchef，thathemightreturnalistoftheguestsallowedtobeinvited。Factiongovernedeverything；andwhereverBestuchefwas，nofriendofWoranzowdurstappear。IwastheintimateoftheAustrianandEnglishambassadors；consequently，wascaressedandesteemedinallcompanies。Isoonbecamethefavouriteofthechancellor’slady，asIshallhereafternotice；andnothingmorewaswantingtoobtainallIcouldwish。
Iwaswellacquaintedwitharchitecturaldesign，hadfreeaccesstothehouseandcabinetofthechancellor，whereIdrewincompanywithColonelOettinger，whowasthentheheadarchitectofRussia，andmadetheperspectiveviewofthenewpalace，whichthechancellorintendedtobuildatMoscow，bywhichIacquireduniversalhonour。Ihadgainedmoreacquaintancein，andknowledgeof，Russiainonemonth，thanothers，wantingmymeans，havedoneintwelve。
AsIwasonedayrelatingmyprogresstoLordHyndford，he，likeafriend，growngreyincourts，kindlytookthetroubletoadviseme。
FromhimIobtainedaperfectknowledgeofRussia；hewasacquaintedwithalltheintriguesofEuropeancourts，theirfamilies，partycabals，thefoiblesofthemonarchs，theprinciplesoftheirgovernment，theplotsofthegreatPeter，andhadalsomadethepeaceofBreslau。Thus，havingbeentheconfidentialfriendofFrederic，hewasintimatelyacquaintedwithhisheart，aswellasthesourcesofhispower。Hyndfordwaspenetrating，noble—minded，hadthegreatnessoftheBriton，withouthishaughtiness；andtheprinciples，bywhichhecombinedthepast，thepresent，andthefuture，weresoclear，thatI，hisscholar，byadheringtothem，havebeenenabledtoforetellallthemostremarkablerevolutionsthathavehappened，duringthespaceofsix—and—thirtyyears，inEurope。BytheseIknew，whenanyministerwasdisgraced，whoshouldbehissuccessor。Idailypassedsomehoursimprovingbyhiskindconversation；andtohimIamindebtedformostofthatknowledgeoftheworldIhappentopossess。
Hetookvariousopportunitiesofcautioningmeagainsttheeffectsofanardent，sanguinetemper；andmyhatredofarbitrarypowerwarnedmetobewareofthedeterminedpersecutionofFrederic，ofhisirreconcilableanger，hisintriguesandinfluenceinthevariouscourtsofEurope，whichhewouldcertainlyexerttopreventmypromotion，lestIshouldimpedehisownprojects，andlamentedmyfuturesufferings，whichheplainlyforesaw。"Despots，"saidhe，"alwaysaresuspicious，andabhorthosewhohaveaconsciousnessoftheirownworth，oftherightsofmankind，andholdthelashindetestation。Theenlightenedarebythemcalledtherestlessspirits，turbulentanddangerous；andvirtuethere，wherevirtueisunnecessaryforthehumblingandtramplinguponthesufferingsubject，isaccountedacrime，ofallothersthemosttobedreaded。"
Hyndfordtaughtmetoknow，andhighlytovaluefreedom：todespisetyrants，toenduretheworstofmiseries，toemulatetruegreatnessofmind，todespisedanger，andtohonouronlythosewhoseelevationofsoulhadtaughtthemequallytoopposebigotryanddespotism。
Berneswasaphilosopher；butwiththepenetrationofanItalian，morecautiousthanHyndford，yetequallyhonestandworthy。Hisfriendshipformewasunbounded，andthetimepassedintheircompanywasesteemedbymemostprecious。Theliberalityofmysentiments，thirstafterknowledgeandscientificacquirementsgainedtheirfavour；ourtopicsofconversationwereinexhaustible，andIacquiredmorerealinformationatMoscowthanatBerlin，underthetuitionofLaMetri，Maupertuis，andVoltaire。
CHAPTERXI。
ScarcelyhadIbeensixweeksinthiscitybeforeIhadanadventurewhichIshallhererelate；for，myselfexcepted，allthepersonsconcernedinitarenowdead。Intriguesproperlybelongtonovels。
Thisbookisintendedforamoreseriouspurpose，andtheyarethereforehereusuallysuppressed。ItcannotbesupposedIwasawoman—hater。MostofthegoodorbadfortuneIexperiencedoriginatedinlove。Iwasnotbynatureinconstant，andwasincapableofdeceiteveninamours。IntheveryardourofyouthI
alwaysshunnedmeresensualpleasures。Ilovedformoreexaltedreasons，andforsuchsoughttobebelovedagain。Loveandfriendshipwerewithmealwaysunited；andtheseIwascapableofinciting，maintaining，anddeserving。Themostdifficultofaccess，thenoblest，andthefairest，wereevermychoice：andmyvenerationforthesealwaysdeterredmefromgrossergratifications。
BywomanIwasformed；bythefaithofwomansupportedundermisfortunes；inthecompanyofwomanenjoyedthefewhoursofdelightmylifeofsorrowshasexperienced。Woman，beautifulandwellinstructed，evennow，lightenstheburdenofage，theworld’stediousnessanditswoes；and，whentheseareended，Iwouldratherwishmineeyesmightbeclosedbyfairandvirginhands，than，whenexpiring，fixedonahypocriticalpriest。
Myadventureswithwomenwouldamplyfurnisharomance：butenoughofthis，Ishouldnotrelatethepresent，wereitnotnecessarytomystory。
DiningonepublicdaywithLordHyndford，IwasseatedbesideacharmingyoungladyofoneofthebestfamiliesinRussia，whohadbeenpromisedinmarriage，thoughonlyseventeen，toanoldinvalidminister。Hereyessoontoldmeshethoughtmepreferabletoherintendedbridegroom。Iunderstoodthem，lamentedherhardfate，andwassurprisedtohearherexclaim，"Oh，heavens！thatitwerepossibleyoucoulddelivermefrommymisfortune：Iwouldengagetodowhateveryouwoulddirect。"
Theimpressionsuchanappealmustmakeonamanoffourandtwenty，ofatemperamentlikemine，mayeasilybesupposed。Theladywasravishinglybeautiful；hersoulwascandouritself，andherrankthatofaprincess；butthecourtcommandshadalreadybeengiveninfavourofthemarriage；andflight，withallitsinseparabledangers，wastheonlyexpedient。Apublictablewasnoplaceforlongexplanations。Ourheartswerealreadyone。Irequestedaninterview，andthenextdaywasappointed，theplacetheTrotzergarden，whereIpassedthreerapturoushoursinhercompany：thankstoherwoman，whowasaGeorgian。
Toescape，however，fromMoscow，wasimpossible。Thedistancethencetoanyforeigncountrywastoogreat。ThecourtwasnottoremovetoPetersburgtillthenextspring，andhermarriagewasfixedforthefirstofAugust。Themisfortunewasnottoberemedied，andnothingwasleftusbutpatienceperforce。WecouldonlyresolvetoflyfromPetersburgwhenthere，thesoonestpossible，andtotakerefugeinsomecorneroftheearth，wherewemightremainunknownofall。Themarriage，therefore，wascelebratedwithpomp，thoughI，indespiteofforms，wasthetruehusbandoftheprincess。Suchwasthestateofthehusbandimposeduponher，thattodescribeit，andnotgivedisgust，wereimpossible。
Theprincessgavemeherjewels，andseveralthousandroubles，whichshehadreceivedasanuptialpresent，thatImightpurchaseeverythingnecessaryforflight；myevildestiny，however，hadotherwisedetermined。Iwasplayingatombrewithher，onenight，atthehouseoftheCountessofBestuchef，whenshecomplainedofaviolentheadache，appointedmetomeetheronthemorrow，intheTrotzergardens，claspedmyhandwithinexpressibleemotion，anddeparted。
Alas！Ineverbeheldhermore，tillstretcheduponthebier！
Shegrewdeliriousthatverynight，andsocontinuedtillherdeath，whichhappenedonthesixthday，whenthesmall—poxbegantoappear。
Duringherdeliriumshediscoveredourlove，andincessantlycalledonmetodeliverherfromhertyrant。Thus，intheflowerofherage，perishedoneofthemostlovelywomenIeverknew，andwithherfledallIheldmostdear。
Allmyplanswerenowtobenewlyarranged。LordHyndfordalonewasinthesecret，forIhidnosecretsfromhim：hestrengthenedmeinmyfirstresolution，andownedthathehimself，forsuchamistress，mightperhapshavebeenweakenoughtohaveactedasIhaddone。
Almostasmuchmovedasmyself，hesympathisedwithmeasafriend，andhisadvicedeterredmefromendingmymiseries，anddescendingwithher，whomIhavelovedandlost，tothegrave。ThiswastheseveresttrialIhadeverfelt。Ouraffectionwasunbounded，andsuchonlyasnobleheartscanfeel。Shebeinggone，thewholeworldbecameadesert。Thereisnotamanonearth，whoselifeaffordsmorevariousturnsoffatethanmine。Swiftlyraisedtothehighestpinnacleofhope，assuddenlywasIcastheadlongdown，andsoremarkableweretheserevolutionsthathewhohasreadmyhistorywillatlastfinditdifficulttosaywhetherheenviesorpitiesmemost。Andyetthesewere，inreality，butpreparatorytotheevilsthathoveredovermydevotedhead。Hadnottheremembranceofpastjoyssoothedandsupportedmeundermysufferings，Icertainlyshouldnothaveenduredthetenyears’tortureoftheMagdeburgdungeon，withafortitudethatmighthavebeenworthyevenofSocrates。
Enoughofthis。MybloodagaincoursesswifterthroughmyveinsasIwrite！Rest，gentlemaiden，nobleandlovelyasthouwert！FortheeoughtHeaventohaveunitedaformsofair，animatedasitwas，byasoulsopure，toever—bloomingyouthandimmortality。
Myloveforthisladybecamewell—knowninMoscow；yethercorpulentovergrownhusbandhadnotunderstandingenoughtosupposetherewasanymeaninginherrhapsodiesduringherdelirium。
Hergiftstomeamountedinvaluetoaboutseventhousandducats。
LordHyndfordandCountBernesbothadjudgedthemlegallymine，andwellamIassuredherhearthadbequeathedmemuchmore。
Tothiseventsucceededanother，bywhichmyfortunewasgreatlyinfluenced。TheCountessofBestuchefwasthenthemostamiableandwittywomanatCourt。Herhusband，cunning，selfish，andshallow，hadthenameofminister，whileshe，inreality，governedwithagenius，atoncedaringandcomprehensive。ThetoopliantElizabethcarelesslyleftthemostimportantthingstothedirectionofothers。ThustheCountesswasthefirstpersonoftheEmpire，andonwhomtheattentionoftheforeignministerswasfixed。