Old Fritz and the New Era

, informing him of the concluded purchase of the Schmettau villa, and o

ld not return from this campaign, then this certain person and the two poor worms ar

l so harshly with the prince, or br

ors are mere puppets in the hands of Providence. We act without knowing why, for we are unknowingly the tools of an invisible hand. Often the result of our actions is the reverse of our hopes! Let all things take their course, as it best pleases God, and let us not think to master Fate. [Footnote: The king's words.-"Posthumous Works," vol.

sire, except that the young

rrange the conditions under which he will allow us to enlist men for my army in his duchy. I hope

ght his dear friend with him whom the people in

he weathe

sed the hearts and excited the imaginations of all Germany. If I am not deceived, a great future opens for this poet, and he will be a

r soil. Moreover, this star of the first magnitude-this Herr Goethe-I remember him well; I wish to know nothing of him. He has quite turned the heads of all the love-sick fools with hi

only produced a furor in Germany, but throughout Europe-throughout the world even. That which public opinion s

the has wrought no good; it has made the healthy sick, and has not restored invalids to health. Since its appearance a mad love-fever has seized all the young people, and silly sentimentalities and flirtations have become the fashion. These modern Werthers behave as if love were a tarantula, with the bite of which they must bec

stands unnoticed and unknown under the shadow of your throne; while the French lady, with her brilliant attire and painted cheeks, is always welcomed. I beg your maje

g a pinch of snuff; "I am very curious to kno

German author. It has emancipated our country's literature from its clumsy, awkward childhood, and presented it as an ardent, inspired youth, ready for combat, up

rsuade me that bungling is master-work. It is not the poverty of the mind, but the fault of the language, which is not capable of expressing with brevity and precision. For how

ty of Tacitus can be imitated in the German language. I wil

ise appeared during the Bavarian war of succession, in the winter of 1779] Until then, a truce. I insist upon it-good German authors are entirely wanting to us German

or example, Lessing, who has written two dramas, of which every

he king, with indifference. "I h

y, 'Minna von Barnhelm,' was writte

f all. In Germany, Melpomene has untutored admirers, some walking on stilts, others crawling in the mire, from the altars of the god

to become acquainted with 'Minna

You will not persuade me to read your things which you call German comedies and tragedies. I will take good care; my teeth are not strong enou

ister, "I shall employ to translate a portion of Tacitus i

et us keep the peace, Herzberg. When one is about to go to war, it is well to be

ter, feelingly. "I beg pardon a thousand times, if I have allowed myself to be carri

as been retarded by outward circumstances, which prevented her rising to an equality with her neighbors. We shall one day have classical writers, and every one will read them to cultivate himself. Our neighbors will learn German, and it

lances the noble, intelligent face of Herzberg brighten,

you are again contented?"

y for the German language, your

heart if you do not t

of your majesty to grant him a gracious look, and invite him to your presence. If you find no pleasure in 'Th

a grown-up daughter! It is an immoral piece, which excites the tear-glands, and ends as 'Werther,' by the hero blowing his brains out. It is directed against all morals, and against marriage; therefore it was forbidden." [

not only written 'Stella,'

es de Beaumarchais,'" interrupted the king. "

on, which Johann Wolfgang Goethe has writte

sting platitudes. [Footnote: The king's own words.-See "Posthumous Works," vol. iii.] Do not be angry again, you must have patience with the old boy! I shall rejoice heartily if this Herr Goethe becomes a classic writer one day, as you say. I shall not live to witness it. I only see the embryo where you see the full-grown author. We will talk further about it whe

back and forth, while he took leave and withdrew. After a few moments

his fiery eyes which confounded and confused the footman

you, and do you not know what you have to do?" Frederick continued to

's lunch, and all that he had to do was to open the doo

otman still stood irresolute, when hi

ing under the puzzling

ck, shrugging his shoulders; "you ar

cried Schultz, a

drunkards nor gossips, and do not take for truth what they have experienced in their drunken fits. I do not want such fellows as you are at all; you are only fit food for cannon, and for that you shall serve. Go to

hat I have done," cried Schultz, wh

sleben, and present yourself to enter the guards at once. Away with you!

ging down, with difficulty restraining the

im a lesson. I want no gossips around me. He need only wear the uniform two weeks or so, that will bring him to reason. Then I will pa

conversation with the castellan of Sans-Souci. At this instant the footman entere

broug

the castellan upon the terrace.

ke's, our nephew. I met him returning from the parade in company with the duke, who expressed to me the strong desire his secretary had to visit the celebrated house of the great philosopher of Sans-Souci, and see the room once occupied by V

he shall take care not to come in my way, so that I shall be obliged to meet him. Tell this

bring themselves forward. Yes! I believe that man has a future. He looks like the youthful god Apollo, who may have condescended to descend to earth! He shall not entrap me with his beautiful head. If he is the man who makes good and bad weather in Weimar, he shall learn that rain and sunshine at Sans-Souci do not depend upon him; that the sun and clouds here do not care whether Herr Goethe is in the world or not. For sunshine and storm we depend upon the Great Weather-Maker, to whom we must all bow; evil and good days in Prussia shall emanate from me, so long as I live. Sometimes I succeed in causing a little suns

rg-the sunshine beaming from the munificence of Frederick. Wilhelmine Enke had passed the whole day in admiring the beautiful and tasteful arrangement of the villa. Every piece of

ppiness for you, dearest, for my heart is

the rich and happy woman. To you I owe this home, this foot of earth, which I can call my own. Here blossom the f

not even to disclose to you. I could not receive your thanks, for I have not deserved them. From the king comes your good fortune, not from me. The day will come when I can requite you, when the poor crown prince becomes the rich king. On that day the golden rain shall again shower upon you, never to cease, and, vying with the shower of gold, the brightest sunbeams play continually around you. As king, I will rewa

are no longer a despised, homeless creature," they whispered. "You have a home, a foot of earth to call your own. Make yourself a name, that you may be of consequence in the world. You are clever and beautiful, and with your prudence and beauty you can win a glorious future! Remember the Marquise de P

agnificence, and sparkling with gems. She saw around her elegantly-attired ladies and gentlemen, in brilliant uniforms, glittering with orders; saw every-where smiling faces, and respectful manners. She saw all eyes turned to her, and heard only flattering wor

ice behind her. Startled, she turned, and beheld the tall figur

ried, amazed. "How d

if rooted to the floor, she stood with outstretched arms imploring the approaching form. The figure smiled, but there was something commanding in its manner, and in the fiery eyes, which rested upon her. When quite near her, it raise

lhelmine?" he asked, in

l fixed upon him. "You are Caglios

did w

urrounded with splendor and magnificence. I saw myself glittering with gems; a king knelt at my feet. I was encircled by richly-attired courtiers, who bowed before me

liostro, solemnly, "that

with iron-barred windows, and a small iron door closed in the dreary white walls-it was a prison! And I heard whispered around me: 'Woe to you, fallen and dethroned one! You h

soul, still it was dark within; you pursued the way of unbelief, and desired not to walk in the way of knowledge. I sent messe

ou would come to me, and extend to me a helping hand: if I seized it, the

this house." "How did you know it?" asked Wilhelmine, astonished. With a pitying smile he answered: "I know every thing that I will, and I see many things that I would willingly close my eyes upon. I see

er the hot breath of his lips. "I will pity you-I will protect you. Rise, my daughter!" He assisted her to rise, and imprinted a passionate kiss upon her hand. "From this hour I count you

of bliss to you. You shall hear, see, and be silen

agliostro. "Let the doors stand open; they shall be guarded,

, mas

votion and contrition, and await the future. Kneel, my daughter, kneel!

eamed, and covered her eyes. When she ventured to look up, only soft moonlight penetrated from the high window into the ap

RUCIANS AND PO