Louisa of Prussia and Her Times

anner. She wore the regular court dress-a long black robe and a large cap of black crape. In her white hands, half covered with black silk glov

lone, and under these circumstances even a mistress of ceremonies at the royal court might feel at liberty to violate the rules of that etiquette which on all other occasions was the noble la

and crown princess,' I cannot permit any longer now that they have ascended the royal throne. Hence I am determined to speak to the young king on this first

g uniform entered the room. It was young King Frederick William III., on his return from the interior

t from his large blue eyes the kindness and gentleness of his excellent heart was beaming, an

ceremonies, approached the opposite door. But the mistress of ceremonies, evidently anxious

e violated in this manner, and I must beg your majesty to infor

ing to do to-day what I am in the habit of doing every

ess of ceremonies, in dismay. "But,

eing," said the king, smiling, "and, for my part, I

you not to apply that vulgar name to her majesty in the presence of other pe

which people will feel for us, if her majesty remains a woman in the noblest and truest meaning of the word, and my wi

o me. For an hour already I have been waiting here for your majesty's arrival, and you must now graciou

my dear countess," said the

o beseech your majesty on this memorable day to confer upon me the power

hat is what you want me to do, I suppose

he dignity and majesty of royalty if the king and

ss of ceremonies! You may accuse me just as much as you please, but pray let me hear no more co

ing at me; nevertheless, I deem it incumbent on me to raise my warning voice. Etiquette is something sublime and holy-it is the sacred wall separating the s

uredly. "Indeed, I am afraid I must have committed a great crime against etiquette. Tell me, therefore, where

others. It frequently occurs that your majesty, before other people, addresses the queen quite unceremoniously with 'thou,' nay, your majesty even in speaking of her majesty to strangers or s

his house of mine has been transfor

emain in this humble house after your accession to the t

my dear countess, cannot

een's household has to be largely increased; hereafter we must have four ladies of honor, four ladies of the bedchamber, and other servants in the same pro-portion. According t

tment of the mistress of ceremonies, and therefore we need not allude to it. As to your other

other things, and I must do so to-day-my duty requires it

wistful glance

res it, you may proceed,"

fflicts me, and which I cannot but deem highly pernicious, is gaining ground everywhere. It has even now infected the ladies and gentlemen of the court. And having often heard your majesty, in conversation with her majesty the queen, contrary to etiquette, use the vulgar German language instead of the French tongue, which is the language of the courts throughout Germany, they believe they have a perf

urt, for it behooves Germans to feel and think and speak like Germans; and that will also be the most reliable bulwark against the bloody waves of the French Republic, in case it should desire to invade Germany. Now you know my views, my dear mistress of ceremonies, and if your book of ceremonies prescribes that all court officers should converse in French, I request you to expunge that article and to insert in its place the following: 'Prussia, being a German state, of course everybody is at liberty to speak German.' This will also be the rule at court, except in the presence of persons not familiar with the German language. Pray don't forget t

r her for a moment,

murmured: "this door, however, directly leads to her through the small hall a

l side door, slipped through the silent hall and across the sma

ing immediately opened the door. A lady in deep mour

exclaimed, and her glorious blue eyes gazed upon him wit

ed in her aspect. And indeed it was a charming and beaut

s of her slightly-blushing cheeks her splendid auburn hair was flowing down in waving ringlets; her noble and pure forehead arose above a nose of classical regularity, and her figur

ing. "Not a word of welcome f

He preserve you to me as long as I live!" replied the king,

upon his shoulder. Thus they reposed in each other's arms, silent in their unutterable de

uickly turned around in a somewhat startled manner, they beheld the Countess von Vos

uld not hel

nd that is precisely as it ought to be in a Christian family. But you are a charming mistress of ceremonies, and hereafter we will call you

onies, well aware of the meaning of this nod, with

up to her husba

quarrel about eti

uickly. "The mistress of ceremonies demands that I should a

ndicates your approach-and that herald is altogether sufficient, and it pleases

ing, fervently, laying his arm upon his wife's

I believe the mistress of ceremonies will get up a large number of new rules, and lec

re right," said

ms, she added: "Tell me, my lord and king, inasmuch as this is the first time that you come to me

the king, merrily; "and I pledge you my word that yo

that I am resting under your protection, let me lean my head upon your shoulder, like the ivy supporting itself on the trunk of the strong oak. And now listen to my wishes. In the first place, I want

in spite of all mistresses of

art, not to permit etiquette to do violence to your feelings toward me, and always to call me, even in the p

r her and kissed

ay me to grant what is only my own dearest wish. Yes, Louisa, we will always call each other by

husband with a sweet smile. "I am afraid you cannot grant it, and the mistress of ceremonie

nies has lectured you also today a

t these duties of royalty once attended to, may we not be permitted, like all others, to go home, and in the midst of our dear little family circle repose after the fatiguing pomp and splendor of the festivities? Let us not give up our beloved home for the large royal palace! Do not ask me to leave a house in which I have passed the happiest and finest days of my life. See, here in these dear old rooms of mine, every thing reminds me of you, and whenever I am walking through them, the whole secret history of our love and happiness stands

-my guardian angel!" exclaime

oaching you, I laid my arm around your neck, and my head on your breast, and thereupon I whispered three words which only God and my husband's ears were to hear. And you heard them, and you uttered a loud cry of joy, and before I knew how it happened, I saw you on your knees before me, kissing my feet and the hem of my garment, and applying a name to me that sounded like heavenly music, and made my heart overflow with ecstasy and suffused my cheeks with a deep blush. And I don't know again how it happened, but I felt that I was kneeling by your side, and we were lifting up our folded hands to heaven, thanking God for the great bliss He had vouchsafed to us, and praying Him to bless our child, unknown to us as yet, but already so dearly beloved. Oh, and last, my own Frederick, do you remember that other hour in my bedroom? You were sitting at my bedside, with folded hands, praying, and yet, during your prayer, ga

ile from your lips, nor the expression of rapturous joy from your features. You lay there as if overwhelmed wit

heart now commenced beating in my breast like a hammer. I looked at you, but my lips were not strong enough to utter the question. However, you understood me well enough, and drawing close to my bedside, and kneeling down and laying the babe into my arms, you said, in a voice which I shall never forg

lmed with emotion,

ecatingly, "I am very foo

lder of her husband, who had drawn his arm around her waist. All at once she raised her head, and fixing her large and radiant eyes upon the deeply-moved face of the king, she aske

pered here, and here it shall bloom and bear fruit. Your wish shall be fulfilled; we will continue living here as man and wife, and if the king and queen have to give fe

you?" exclaimed the queen, encircling his neck with h

ing her in his arms. "I hope your last wish is a real one, and not mere

mile. "I can confide it to you, to you alone, and you must promise to kee

most readily

bility, to do honor to my exalted position by your side. In return, however, my beloved lord and friend-in return, next summer, when the roses are blooming, you must give me a day-a day that is to belong exclusively to myself; and on that day we will forget the cares of royalty, and only remember that we are a pair of happy young lovers. Of course, we shall not spend that day in Berlin, nor in Parez either; but like two merry birds, we will fly far, far away to my home in Mecklenburg, to the paradise of my early years-to the castle

me confess, Louisa, I wish the winter were over alread

rs and the incense of flattery. Through all the mist I shall constantly inhale the sweet fragrance of the roses of the future, and on the stiff

sa, you need no such consolation, for God has intended you for a queen, and even the burdens and cares of your position will only surround you like enchanting genii. You know at all times how to find the right word and the right deed, and the Graces have showered upon you the most winning charms to fascinate all hearts, in whatever you may be doing. On the other hand, I am awkward and ill at ease. I know it only too well; my unhappy childhood, grie

, musingly. "Oh, assist me, my dearest friend. Tell me

s my inward eye always will behold you. Oh, I also have some charming recollections, and although I cannot narrate them in words as fascinating and glowing as yours

leaning her beautiful head on her husband's shoulder. "Let

ing, "for can there be any thing more attractive for me than to think of you and

some beautiful piece of music that one likes better and understa