History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 8 | Page 7

(PETIT-MAITRE MANQUE)." For example, once, strolling
about in a solemn Kaiser's Soiree in Vienna, he found in some quiet
corner the young Duke of Lorraine, Franz, who it is thought will be the
divine Maria Theresa's husband, and Kaiser himself one day. Foolish
Natzmer found this noble young gentleman in a remote corner of the
Soiree; went up, nothing loath, to speak graciosities and insipidities to
him: the noble young gentleman yawned, as was too natural, a wide
long yawn; and in an insipid familiar manner, foolish Natzmer
(Wilhelmina and the Berlin circles know it) put his finger into the noble
young gentleman's mouth, and insipidly wagged it there. "Sir, you seem
to forget where you are!" said the noble young gentleman; and closing
his mouth with emphasis, turned away; but happily took no farther
notice. [Wilhelmina, i. 310.] This is all we yet know of the history of
Natzmer, whose heedless ways and slap-dash speculations, tinted with
natural ingenuity and good-humor, are not unattractive to the Prince.
Hofmarschall and these two Kammerjunkers are of the lawyer species;
men intended for Official business, in which the Prince himself is now
to be occupied. The Prince has four lackeys, two pages, one valet. He
wears his sword, but has no sword-tash (PORTE EPEE), much less an
officer's uniform: a mere Prince put upon his good behavior again; not
yet a soldier of the Prussian Army, only hoping to become so again. He
wears a light-gray dress, "HECHTGRAUER (pike-gray) frock with
narrow silver cordings;" and must recover his uniform, by proving
himself gradually a new man.
For there is, along with the new household, a new employment laid out
for him in Custrin; and it shall be seen what figure he makes in that,
first of all. He is to sit in the DOMANEN-KAMMER or Government
Board here, as youngest Rath; no other career permitted. Let him learn
Economics and the way of managing Domain Lands (a very principal

item of the royal revenues in this Country): humble work, but useful;
which he had better see well how he will do. Two elder Raths are
appointed to instruct him in the Economic Sciences and Practices, if he
show faculty and diligence;--which in fact he turns out to do, in a
superior degree, having every motive to try.
This kind of life lasted with him for the next fifteen months, all through
the year 1731 and farther; and must have been a very singular, and was
probably a highly instructive year to him, not in the Domain Sciences
alone. He is left wholly to himself. All his fellow-creatures, as it were,
are watching him. Hundred-eyed Argus, or the Ear of Dionysius, that is
to say, Tobacco-Parliament with its spies and reporters,--no stirring of
his finger can escape it here. He has much suspicion to encounter: Papa
looking always sadly askance, sadly incredulous, upon him. He is in
correspondence with Grumkow; takes much advice from Grumkow
(our prompter-general, president in the Dionysius'-Ear, and not an
ill-wisher farther); professes much thankfulness to Grumkow, now and
henceforth. Thank you for flinging me out of the six-story window, and
catching me by the coat-skirts!--Left altogether to himself, as we said;
has in the whole Universe nothing that will save him but his own good
sense, his own power of discovering what is what, and of doing what
will be behooveful therein.
He is to quit his French literatures and pernicious practices, one and all.
His very flute, most innocent "Princess," as he used to call his flute in
old days, is denied him ever since he came to Custrin;--but by degrees
he privately gets her back, and consorts much with her; wails forth, in
beautiful adagios, emotions for which there is no other utterance at
present. He has liberty of Custrin and the neighborhood; out of Custrin
he is not to lodge, any night, without leave had of the Commandant. Let
him walk warily; and in good earnest study to become a new creature,
useful for something in the Domain Sciences and otherwise.

Chapter III.
WILHELMINA IS TO WED THE PRINCE OF BAIREUTH.

Crown-Prince Friedrich being settled so far, his Majesty takes up the
case of Wilhelmina, the other ravelled skein lying on hand. Wilhelmina
has been prisoner in her Apartment at Berlin all this while: it is proper
Wilhelmina be disposed of; either in wedlock, filially obedient to the
royal mind; or in some much sterner way, "within four walls," it is
whispered, if disobedient.
Poor Wilhelmina never thought of disobeying her parents: only, which
of them to obey? King looks towards the Prince of Baireuth again,
agreed on before those hurly-burlies now past; Queen looks far
otherwards. Queen Sophie still desperately believes in the English
match for Wilhelmina; and has subterranean correspondences with that
Court; refusing