History of Friedrich II of Prussia, vol 8 | Page 9

her own way yet! whisper the
well-affected). Refuse to do it, her Majesty, your Royal Brother, you
yourself Royal Highness, God only knows what the unheard-of issue
will be for you all! Do it, let us advise you: you must, you must!--
Wilhelmina wrung her hands; ran distractedly to and fro; the
well-affected whispering to her, the others "conversing at a window."
At length she did it. Will marry whom her all-gracious Papa appoints;
never wished or meant the least disobedience; hopes, beyond all things,
his paternal love will now return, and make everybody blessed;--and oh,
reconcile Mamma to me, ye well-affected! adds she.--Bravissimo!
answer they: her Majesty, for certain, will reconcile herself;
Crown-Prince get back from Custrin, and all will be well. [Wilhelmina,
i. 327-333.]
Friedrich Wilhelm was overjoyed; Queen Sophie Dorothee was in
despair. With his Majesty, who "wept" like a paternal bear, on
re-embracing Wilhelmina the obedient some days hence, it became a
settled point, and was indicated to Wilhelmina as such, That the
Crown-Prince would, on her actual wedding, probably get back from
Custrin. But her Majesty's reconcilement,--this was very slow to follow.
Her Majesty was still in flames of ire at their next interview; and poor
Wilhelmina fainted, on approaching to kiss her hand. "Disgraced,
vanquished, and my enemies triumphing!" said her Majesty; and vented
her wrath on Wilhelmina; and fell ill (so soon as there was leisure), ill,
like to die, and said, "Why pretend to weep, when it is you that have

killed me!"--and indeed was altogether hard, bitter, upon the poor
Princess; a chief sorrow to her in these trying months. Can there be
such wrath in celestial minds, venting itself so unreasonably?--At
present there is no leisure for illness; grand visitors in quantity have
come and are coming; and the Court is brilliant exceedingly;--his
Majesty blazing out into the due magnificence, which was very great
on this occasion, domestic matters looking up with him again. The
Serenities of Brunswick are here, young and old; much liked by
Friedrich Wilhelm; and almost reckoned family people,--ever since
their Eldest Son was affianced to the Princess Charlotte here, last visit
they made. To Princess Charlotte, Wilhelmina's second
junior,--mischievous, coquettish creature she, though very pretty and
insinuating, who seems to think her Intended rather a phlegmatic young
gentleman, as Wilhelmina gradually discovers. Then there is old Duke
Eberhard Ludwig, of Wurtemberg, whom we saw at Ludwigsburg last
year, in an intricate condition with his female world and otherwise, he
too announces himself,--according to promise then given. Old Duke
Eberhard Ludwig comes, stays three weeks in great splendor
ofwelcome;--poor old gentleman, his one son is now dead; and things
are getting earnest with him. On his return home, this time, he finds,
according to order, the foul witch Gravenitz duly cleared away;
reinstates his injured Duchess, with the due feelings, better late than
never; and dies in a year or two, still childless.--
These are among the high guests at Berlin; and there are plenty of
others whom we do not name. Magnificent dining; with
"six-and-twenty blackamoors," high-colored creatures, marching up the
grand staircase, round the table, round it, and then down again,
melodious, doing "janizary music," if you happen to prefer that
kind;--trained creatures these blackamoors, all got when boys, and set
to cymballing and fifing betimes, adds my authority. [Fassmann, p. 726,
&c.] Dining, boar-hunting (if the boar be huntable), especially
reviewing, fail not in those fine summer days.
One evening, it is Sunday, 27th of May, latish, while the high guests,
with Queen and Wilhelmina, are just passing in to supper (King's
Majesty having "gone to bed at seven," to be well astir for the review

to-morrow), a sound of wheels is heard in the court. Modest
travelling-equipage rolls up into the inner court; to the foot of the grand
staircase there, whither only Princes come:--who can it be? The Queen
sends to inquire. Heavens, it is the Hereditary Prince of Baireuth!
"Medusa's Head never produced such effect as did this bit of news:
Queen sat petrified; and I," by reflex, was petrified too! Wilhelmina
passed the miserablest night, no wink of sleep; and felt quite ill in the
morning;-- in dread, too, of Papa's rough jests,--and wretched enough.
She had begged much, last night! to be excused from the review. But
that could not be: "I must go," said the Queen after reflection, "and you
with me." Which they did;--and diversified the pomp and circumstance
of mock-war by a small unexpected scene.
Queen, Princess and the proper Dames had, by his Majesty's order, to
pass before the line: Princess in much trouble, "with three caps huddled
on me, to conceal myself," poor soul. Margraf of Schwedt, at the head
of his regiment, "looked swollen with rage," high hopes gone in this
manner;--and saluted us