Frederick the Great and His Court

mself, all was silent and solitary; in one might be heard joyous strains of music, in the other no sound

in passing near the palace at a late hour of the night, you might hear the heavy blows of a hammer, and consider them a bulletin of the king's health. If he worked at night, the good people of Berlin knew their king to be sleepless and suffering, and that it would be dangerous to meet him in his walk on the following day, for some thoughtless word, or careless look, or even the cut of a coat, would bring down on the offender a stinging blow or a severe reprimand. Only a few days had passed since the king had caused the arrest of two young ladies, and sent them to the fortress of Spandau, becaus

himself with his tools. This employment had a beneficial effect: it not only caused the king to forgot his sufferings, but was often the means of relief. The constant and rapid motion

gout; this evil spirit had been exorcised by honest la

adly embrace the universe. He commanded the servant, who was waiting in the adjoining room, to call togethe

at the queen's ball," sai

t, and Baron von Goltz, and Hacke, the Duke of Holstein, and General Schwerin. Quick, quick! In ten minutes they must all be here, but let no one know why he is sent for. Whisper to each one that he must come to me, and that he must

s, ordered, with breathless haste, two servants to carry the tobacco, the pipes, and the beer-mugs into t

stood in the king's ante-room, asking each other, with pale faces,

ed Guard, sat at the round table, on which the pipes, and the mugs, filled with foaming beer, were already placed. He had conde

t, "the gentlemen are w

r them?" said the king, blowing

forbade me t

han you have ever seen me; that I am standing by the door with

was opened, perceived the king standing in a threatening

s? What orders do you bring us from his majest

ed a terrified ex

bursts. He commanded me to say that each of you must enter the room

had all seen the threatening appearance of the king, as he stood by the door wi

," said the grand chamberlain,

t regard etiquette, and would be most indignant if we pai

ence of you all. If you decline the honor, it is du

Schwerin, "but a most probable beating, and Baron

his majesty will become impatien

ount von Goltz, "who

ry thing to his majesty, therefore I will pl

r with a firm step, a

stick still higher. They saw Eckert enter, with his head bowe

he anger of the king dire

aid the servant, with a

ing more was seen. Four times was this scene repeated; four times was the king seen in this threatening attitude. But as General Schwerin, the last of the six gentlemen, entered the room, the king no longer stood near the door, but lay in his armchair, l

he joke succeeded to perfection. Yours, also, Schwerin. Do you at last know what

the cannon thunders my heart is joyful, but it is very heavy under the thunder of your

emen, away with all constraint and etiquette. We will suppose the king to be at the ball. I am o

e chairs, which were placed round the table; the other gentleme