Louisa of Prussia and Her Times

e so fearfully that the Viennese, generally noted for their peaceful and submissive disposition, had committed an open riot-for the sole purpose, h

ing spring on its neatly arranged beds. Dense shrubbery covered the white walls of the house with evergreen verdure. Curtains as white and dazzling as fresh snow, and, between them, flower-pots filled with luxuriant plants, might be seen behind the glittering window-panes. Although there was nothing very peculiar about

and unassuming dress, seemed to be a servant of the house, but at all events a servant in whom entire confidence was reposed, as was indicated by the large bunch of keys, such as the lady of the house or a trusted housekeeper will carry, which hung at her side. An expression of serene calmness rendered her venerable features quite attractive, and a graceful smile played on her thin and bloodless lips as she now dropped her knitting upon her lap, and, with her body bent forward, commenced watching the merry play of the cat on the cus

pearance of the lady did not cause the latter to interrupt her merry play with the cat; and the mistress,

le bird, Paperl, screams again to-day. I am sure the

he bird so well, and why he has brought it along from England. Yes, if Paperl could sing, in that case it would not be strange if the Ka-, I

atharine," said the lady, "for the bird talks English,

alect, sounds by far better than that horrid English. I don't know why the doctor likes the ab

entle smile. "The parrot reminds my husband of his voyage to England

n than he was already when he went away. The English were unable to add to his glory, for he was already the most celebrated man in the whole world when he went there, and if that

ently to take up his abode in England. The queen promised him splendid apartments in Windsor Castle, and a large salary, and in return my husband was to do nothing but to perform every day f

from England, but she was aware that the lady liked to repeat it, and she liked it very much, too, to hear people talk about her belo

annot comprehend why the doctor said

ng to him. 'You shall have every thing the queen has offered you. You shall live at Windsor, and sing once a day with the queen. Of you, my dear doctor, I shall not be jealous, for you are an excellent and honest German gentleman.' And when the king had

our majesty. She would not cross the Danube in a skiff, much less make a trip beyond the sea. And, therefore, there is nothing left to me but to return myself to my little wife.'

intercourse with the emperor, the princes, and the highest dignitaries in the country. But he does not care for it. The fact is, our master is by far too modest; he is always so quiet and unassuming, that nobody, unless they knew him, would believe for a single moment that he is so far-famed a man; and then he d

e was a young music-teacher, and I was a hairdresser's daughter. He lived in a small room in my father's house, and as he often could not pay the rent, he gave me every day a lesson on the piano. But in those lessons, I did not only learn music-I learned to love him, too

he never wears one of them, not even the other day when the Princess Esterhazy called for him with her carriage to drive with h

I did not know the story myself, for you are aware my husband is always so modest, and never talks about his great triumphs in Loudon, and I would not have learned an

ce she asked her mistress with more than usua

ine's side, and looked with a pleasant smile at the cat who had come

ne, but I will have to shed a few tears while telling it. It was in Loudon, when my husband had

now have to call him doctor, which does not sound near as imposin

ue silk, on which his name had been embroidered in silver. His host wore the same name in silver beads on his coat-facings, so that he looked precisely as if he were my husband's servant, and dressed in his livery. Oh, it was a splendid festival which Mr. Shaw-that was the gentleman's name-gave him on that day. At length Mr. Shaw asked the doctor to give him a souvenir, whereupon he presented him with a snuff-box he had purchased in the course of the day for a few shillings; and when my husband requested the lady of the house, whom he pronounces the most beautiful woman on earth, to give him likewise a souvenir; Mrs. Shaw thereupon took the ribbon from her head and handed it to him; and

Shaw did not exactly please me. I am sure the doctor got the parrot also from her, and for that reason l

from my husband's finest quartets, singing and whistling the music to the bird every day during three or four weeks

octor's return from England." "I know the reason why. The bird hears here every day so much music, and so many new melodi

murmured Catharine. "What may be the meaning of th

g, but they commence as follows: 'Forget me not, forget me not-' Good Heaven! the bird has commenced scr

. The doctor has given

st intolerable. Go, Catharine, and

abominable beak, and if the chain did not prevent

nner. Just listen to it-it is yelling as though it were going to be roasted. It will disturb my husband, and yo

ng, and if it should try to bite, I will

campaign against the parrot. The cat followed them gravely and solemnly, and with an air as though it had taken t