Frederick the Great and His Cou

-table, his arms folded, and his glance fixed upon Boden. Many a bold man had trembled at the ea

g me," said Frederick, sternly; "le

ience and indulgence; I fear that my words

mine how far I can grant yo

young king's eye-in that bold eye in which is written a great and glorious future for Prussia; I understood that we, who had served the sainted king, might not appear worthy or young enough to carry out the purposes of the royal successor of Frederick William. I waited, also, for my dismissal; but it came not. Your majesty did not remove me from my office, and I confess this gave me pleasure. I said to myself, The king will not destroy, he will improve; and if h

ound amongst the papers of my father all the accounts of the states-general, you can understand that I know exactly what I receive as revenue and what I am to disburse. Besides all this, I will not fatigue myse

The finances are the blood-vessels of the State, and the whole body would si

this revenue, you are the surgeon only when I need the lancet; then will you stri

tely; "your majesty can dismiss me, but you

angry a tone that even the two listen

already smell, even here, the refreshing fragrance of

h the over-bold, even as the glance of Jove crushed the Titans. Yes, you are right, B

his lips, le

ather. You were the favorite of Frederick William, but you are not mine; and I will

s my opinions freely to your majesty, to give you counsel according to the best of my strength and my ability. It rema

l only when it is demanded; as I did not desire yo

as you had all the papers relating to the states general. Every one of your majesty's ministers is acquainted with these matters, and yet they would not feel able to decide the question of the disbursing of the kingly revenue, to

"but I am not willing to be restrained in my operations by narrow-minded laws; I

st and ashes; this is proved by the half million of happy men who now inhabit them in peace and comfort. More than three millions of dollars did the king give to Lithuania, which was a howling wilderness, filled with famine and pestilence, until relieve

The king has turned away from him; see, he goes to the window and looks without; he will give himself time to master his scorn and conquer the desire which he feels to crush this daring

resigned to all; he thought, with Pollnitz and Fredersdorf, that the king would crush him

y to imitate him. I will begin by putting my court upon a truly royal footing; I will live as it becomes the King of Pruss

, your majesty

ed hastily over it, while the king folded his a

," murmured Fredersdorf; "it is not his manner ge

eads my plan!" said Pollnitz, gnashing his teeth;

ing, standing still before Bod

ajesty, I ha

what think

h debt, could have drawn out such a plan, for the realization of which, not only

ak this fellow's ne

he lips of Frederick. "You do no

, and if you are resolved to take from the State treasury the sum necessar

how you stand as to the means necessary to build the pala

receiv

disbursed the

re, I c

n I your king and

be taken from the money set apart for the maintenance of the army and the assistance of famished and suffering villages and towns. I acknowledge that the court of his sainted majesty was somewhat niggardly, and that you, sire, may jus

d the king; "never, nev

urpose from your royal treasury; it contains now seven millions of dollars, and as there

ey is set apart for other objects; you shall take

nsequence of such a course. You declare you will not dimi

ndifferently; "write a command fo

n painful surprise, and a profoun

n of a portfolio; I belong to the old and cautious time, and my ideas do not suit the young era. I ask your majesty, in all humility and submission, to give me my dismissal. Here is the pape

the king, with

it was a long time before this coward

y should we listen? Boden has handed in his resignation, and the king has accepted it. I confess my back aches fr

il called, as he had something of importance to communicate. Without doubt he will present me to-day with the deed of the ho

ignation; after a short silence he added: "It seems t

had occasion to take this step earlier, but

ick, drawing near to Boden, and laying his hand o

old-a touching and gentle expression spoke in every noble fe

y will not accept

wished to know if you were only a submissive servant or an honest man; I had long to wait, and your patience and forbearance were great. To-day I put you to the extremest proof, and by God! if you had carried out my unjust and unwise instructions, I would not only have deprived you of your office, but I would have held you to a strict account. You would have been a dishonest servant, who, in order to flatter the king, was willing to sin against the people. The welfare of my people is holy to me, and they shall not be oppressed by new taxes. Praised be God! I can say I understand my duties; may every ruler do the same. May they keep their eyes steadily fixed upon their great calling; may they feel that this exaltation, this rank of which they are so proud, so jealous, is the gift of the people, whose happiness is intrusted to them; that millions of m

oyful tears and a noble ambition; he bowed

en to my fatherland in g

e king. "You are content to serve me, provided I do not dim

ppy to serve my king,"

e is a poor creature, that the world has little use for. I am resolved to serve my country with all my powers; but I will stand alone, independent, self-sustaining. My ministers will only be my instruments to carry out my purposes; they will have much to do, and have no influence. I will

o truly as God will give me strength, I will serve

proach his successor. The king cannot thank you for this; but as a son, I thank you-I say, 'Come to my heart, true and faithful servant.' We kings are too poor to reward our servants in any other way than by confiding love." The king opened his arms and pressed Boden to his heart, who wept aloud. "And now," cried the king, "we understand each other, and know what we have to expect, and that is always a great gain in this world, full of disappointment, hypocrisy, and cunning. I will now give you a proof that I do not close my ear to the reasonable counsels of my ministe

y of Berlin,