Frederick the Great and His Cou

RIAN AMB

fter which the court would take coffee in the newly furnished rooms of the dowager queen, and a mask b

a life. Even the good old citizens of Berlin seemed to appreciate this new administration, which brought so much money to the poorer classes, such heavy profits t

rs were astonished at this "Golden Cabinet," and declared that such splendor and magnificence could not be found in the palaces of Paris or London. The people of Berlin, as we have said, were becoming proud of their court

jest or bon mot; who proposed a concert every evening, in which he himself took part; who surrounded himself with artists, poets, and gay cavaliers, with whom he passed many nights of wild mirth and ga

and splendor, the king with his regiments would leave Berlin and proceed to Silesia. But even the troops did not know their destination. The journals had announced that the army would leave Berlin to go into new winter quarters, and

k of our pleasure. I will see you this evening at the ball; we wi

test Parisian style. The king desired to appear once more in great splendor before exchanging the saloon for the camp. Never had he bestowed such care upon his toilet; never ha

good Austrian ambassador must be very cunning indeed if he discovers a warrior in this perfumed fop. I think he will be able to t

Austria. Frederick was right: the marquis had been deceived by the mask of harmless gayety and thoughtless happiness assumed by the king and court. He had been sent by the empress with private in

ived by the gay and thoughtless manner of the king, an

e of the king; the ladies and gentlemen of the court were scattered through the rooms

"with the firm conviction that the k

somewhat shaken," replied Manteuffel, "for this

golden cabinet. There was a sudden silence, and all

; it appeared to afford him a certain pleasure to exhibit himself to the admiring

stly rings, so white and soft, that they would do honor to the most high-bred lady; at that slender foot, in its glittering shoe. Do you wish to convince me that this small foot will m

ent for refreshment, until you have induced your empress to send her army to Silesia. If you do not, if you despise my advice, the King of Prussia will reach Silesia before you

ng, that the marquis felt his confidence somewhat shaken, and looked doubtfully

hose thoughts he read in their countenances. He now met the eye of the marquis, and motioned to him to come forwar

the intentions of the king were known, this was an interesting piece of acting; while for the uninitiated,

e king, making a deep and ceremonious bow.

y come to take

ust obey her commands, happy as I should be, if I were priv

ld be most beneficial to you, marq

cold is an evil that co

evils which will haras

ovinces. This poor Silesia has given only care and sorrow to the empress; but, perhaps, for that reason, she loves it so well, and would so gladly assist it. But even Nature seems to prevent the accomplishment of her noble i

nothing could happen to the traveller that could

life, in crossing the deep marshes, covered with standing water, which are common in t

firm conviction of his success, and the noble pride of his open and truth-loving nature, it pleased him to allow the mask to fall, which had concealed

in. I will go in your place into Silesia, and inform my honored cousin, Maria Theresa, with the voice of my cannon, that the Sil

rching to Breslau?" aske

s are too dangerous for a single traveller, and I in

majesty intends making a descent on

ose among the courtiers; the hands of the generals sought their swords, as if they w

make no descent upon the lands of the Empress of Austria; I will only reclaim what is mine-mine by acknowledged right, by inheritance, and by solemn contract. The rec

perhaps, ruin the house of Austria, but y

reject the propositions which I have mad

r troops are fair to see; the Austrian army has not that glitter

id, impetuously; "eh bien, I will conv

f dismissal. The audience was at an end. The ambassador made

ore the noble countenance of the king had r

the mask ball; I have thrown aside my mask for a moment, but yo