we will do as the gods, and, like Jupiter, envelop ourselves in a
cloud. Let it be well understood, however, not for the purpose of
deluding a Semele or any other woman, at all times, and in all
circumstances, we have been true to our wives, and in this
particular the prince royal might well take his father as an
example."

"Sire, he could do that in all things," exclaimed Count von Goltz,
blowing a cloud of smoke from his lips.

"He thinks at some future day to govern the kingdom with his book-
learning and his poems," said the king, laughing. "Instead of
occupying himself with useful things, drilling recruits, drawing
plans, and studying the art of war, he devotes his time to the
acquirement of useless and superficial knowledge, which benefits no
one, and is most injurious to himself. A dreaming scholar can never
be a good king; and he who, instead of sword and sceptre, wields the
pen and fiddle-bow, will never be a good general." "Nevertheless,
no regiment made a finer appearance, or was better drilled, at the
last review, than that of the prince royal," said the Duke of
Holstein.

The king cast a distrustful look at him, and muttered a few words
which no one understood. He was never pleased to hear any defence of
the prince royal, and suspected every one who praised him.

"Your majesty forgets that this is a sitting of the Tobacco Club and
not of the State Council," said Pollnitz, in a fawning voice. "If
your majesty designed to be angry, it was not necessary to light the
pipes and fill the beer-mugs; for while you are neither smoking nor