Third-Party, [Rodenbeck, ii. 217.] "the King had Kammer-Director
Meyen summoned to him with his Register-Books, Schedules and
Reports [what they call ETATS]; and was but indifferently contented
with Meyen and them." And in short, "ordering Meyen to remodel
these into a more distinct condition,"--we may now introduce the
Herr Kriegsrath Roden, a subaltern, in rank, but who has perhaps a
better head than Meyen, to judge of these ETATS. Roden himself
shall now report. This is the Royal Dialogue with Roden;
accurately preserved for us by him;--I wish it had been better
worth the reader's trouble; but its perfect credibility in every
point will be some recommendation to it.

"MONDAY, 6th JUNE, 1763, about 11 A.M., his Majesty arrived in
Wesel," says Roden (confirming to us the authentic Third-Party);
"I waited on Adjutant-General Colonel von Anhalt to announce
myself; who referred me to Kriegsrath Coper ["MEIN SEGRETER KOPER"
is a name we have heard before], who told me to be ready so soon as
Dinner should be over. Dinner was no sooner over [2 P.M. or so],
than the Herr Kammer-Director Meyen with his ETATS was called in.
His Majesty was not content with these, Herr Meyen was told;
and they were to be remodelled into a more distinct condition.
The instant Herr Meyen stept out, I was called in. His Majesty was
standing with his back to the fire; and said:--

KING. "'Come nearer [Roden comes nearer]. Prince Ferdinand [of
Brunswick, whom we generally call DUKE and great, to distinguish
him from a little Prussian Prince Ferdinand] has told me much good
of you: where do you come from?'

RODEN. "'From Soest' [venerable "stone-old" little Town, in