"It afflicted me a little that the King still has doubts of me,
while I am obeying in such a matter, diametrically opposite to my
own ideas. In what way shall I offer stronger proofs? I may give
myself to the Devil, it will be to no purpose; nothing but the old
song over again, doubt on doubt.--Don't imagine I am going to
disoblige the Duke, the Duchess or the Daughter, I beseech you!
I know too well what is due to them, and too much respect their
merits, not to observe the strictest rules of what is proper,--
even if I hated their progeny and them like the pestilence.

"I hope to speak to you with open heart at Berlin.--You may think,
too, how I shall be embarrassed, having to do the AMOROSO perhaps
without being it, and to take an appetite for mute ugliness,--for
I don't much trust Count Seckendorf's taste in this article,"--in
spite of his testimonies in Tobacco-Parliament and elsewhere.
"Monsieur! Once more, get this Princess to learn by heart the
ECOLE DES MARIS and the ECOLE DES FEMMES; that will do her much
more good than TRUE CHRISTIANITY by the late Mr. Arndt! [Johann
Arndt ("late" this long while back), Von wahren
Christenthum, Magdeburg, 1610.] If, besides, she would
learn steadiness of humor (TOUJOURS DANSER SUR UN PIED), learn
music; and, NOTA BENE, become rather too free than too virtuous,--
ah then, my dear General, then I should feel some liking for her,
and a Colin marrying a Phyllis, the couple would be in accordance:
but if she is stupid, naturally I renounce the Devil and her.--
It is said she has a Sister, who at least has common sense.
Why take the eldest, if so? To the King it must be all one.
There is also a Princess Christina Marie of Eisenach [real name
being Christina WILHELMINA, but no matter], who would be quite my
fit, and whom I should like to try for. In fine, I mean to come