Frederick the Great and His Fam

ut slowly and with much difficulty. Coughing and murmuring peevish words to himself, he slipped into the allee leading to the terraces. Hi

, his malice, his egotism. He had the same passion for gold-much gold; not, however, to hoard, but to lavish. His life was ever divided between base covetousness and thoughtless prodigality. When he had revelled and gormandized through the first days of every month, he was forced, during the last weeks, to suffer privation and hunger, or to borrow from those who were good-natured and credulous enough to lend him. There was also one other source of revenue which the adroit courtier knew how to use to his advantage. He was a splendid

en he has respectable and comfortable castles in the midst of the city, and on a level plain. One might truly think that the king

, and gave him strength to go onward more rapidly, and he soon reached the upper platform of the terrace, upon which the cas

l," said he, "and it is expressly c

pping boldly to the door. "I must speak to his maje

s the king's attention," said the intrepid Deesen. "I am command

the door. An angry dispute arose, and Pollnitz made his screeching voice resound so powerfully, he might well hope

gainst my people. I have made peace with the Gauls, mark that, and do not dare again to crow so loud. What do you want? Do your credito

ble to arrest me; they know that would avail nothing. I come on most grave and impo

seventy-six years. Deliberate a moment; if that which you tell me is not important, and requiring speedy attention, I will

ighty, and requires immediate att

aid Frederick, stepping into the adjoining roo

to allude to a subject which is so old that it

o speak of yoursel

as withered and faded in a subterranean prison; but it now threatens to put forth n

You come as a salaried family spy who has snapped up some greasy morsels of scandal. Your eyes are glowing with malicious

melia and Trenck,"

or a moment, then turned and wal

ck, at last, turning his back upon Pollnitz,

has pointed out to the princess a sure way to reach the ear of the empress, and to obtain an intercessor with her. She will appeal to the fireman of the empress, and this influential man will undertake to entreat Maria Theresa to ask for Trenck's release. This will take place imm

king, as Pollnit

r. "I have nothing more to say; it seems to

are greatly mistaken. Not one farthing will I pay for these lies. Do you think that Austria lies on the borders of Tartary? There, a barber is minister; and you, forsooth, will make a f

shed truth. The page of the princess listened, a

r this intelligence, which

, s

sound boxes on the ear, then go to bed and drink

hing but the pure truth; no mat

ud commanding voice. "Do not say another word, and do not dare to repeat t

head to the door, but, before he opene

has thirty-one days. Even if in your majesty's wisdom you decide

is the way of the world; evil is rewarded and good actions trodden under foot. You are not worth a

n?" said Polln

he castle, call the page of the princess,

e appeared to forget that his ministers were waiting for him; he thought of his sister Amelia's l

from the grave of her heart. Let her turn to the fireman of the empress, and may my pious aunt be warmed up by his representations and prayers! I will not interfere; and if Maria Theresa intercedes for Trenck, I will not remember that he is a rebellious subje

window and passed into the oth

t. Better to die of grief and disappointment than to be m