Friedrich drove off from Anspach, twenty miles, to see and
consult), was in a disconsolate moulting condition, and could
promise or advise nothing satisfactory, during the dinner one took
with him. [September 19th, "under a shady tree, after muster of the
troops" (Rodenbeck, p. 93).] Four days running about on those
errands had yielded his Prussian Majesty nothing. "Whilst he
(Prussian Majesty) was on this Anspach excursion, the Margraf of
Baireuth, who is lately made Field-marshal of his Circle, spoke
much to me of present affairs: a young Prince, full of worth and
courage, who loves the French, hates the Austrians,"--and would
fain make himself generally useful. "To whom I suggested this
and that" (does your Lordship observe?), if it could ever come
to anything.

"The King of Prussia, on returning to Baireuth [guess, 20th
September], did not speak the least word of business to the
Margraf: which much surprised the latter! He surprised him still
more by indicating some intention to retain forcibly at Berlin the
young Duke of Wurtemberg, under pretext, 'that Madam his Mother
intended to have him taken to Vienna,' for education. To anger this
young Duke, and drive his Mother to despair, was not the method for
acquiring credit in the Circle of Swabia, and getting the Princes
brought to unite!

"The Duchess of Wurtemberg, who was there at Baireuth, by
appointment, to confer with the King of Prussia, sent to seek me.
I found her all dissolved in tears. 'Ah!' said she,--[But why is
our dear Wilhelmina left saying nothing; invisible, behind the
curtains of envious Chance, and only a skirt of them lifted to show
us this Improper Duchess once more!]--'Ah!' said she (the Improper