supported by some of the inferior class of favourites;
but as she is considered as holding her office only during pleasure, she
is not courted, though far from neglected, by the persons of a higher
rank. The two candidates for a more substantial degree of favour are
Mdlle. Vienk and Mdlle. Bethman." Of the Emperor Leopold we are told the
following anecdote:--"Kinckel said that Bishopswerder told him, that Lord
Elgin, when in Italy, would have succeeded in making a triple alliance for
the purpose of general peace and tranquillity, when he was with the
Emperor Leopold at Florence, if he had not run too much after Madame
Lamberti, (Leopold's mistress,) and by that means displeased and soured
him." The father of the Princess was not one whit better than his royal
brethren. His mistress, Mdlle. de Hertzfeldt, lived at court, and was on
intimate terms with the rest of the family. She appears to have been a
clever woman, and well acquainted with the character of the Princess. Lord
Malmesbury, who had known her formerly, made no scruple of applying to her
for information. "In the evening with Mdlle. de Hertzfeldt--old Berlin
acquaintance, now Duke's mistress--much altered, but still clever and
agreeable--full of lamentations and fears--says the Duke has been cruelly
used--abuses the king of Prussia--she always thought him a _bete_, and not
a _bonne bete_--talks of the _Illumines_ and their sects--her apartment
elegantly furnished, and she herself with all the _appareil_ of her
situation. She was at first rather ashamed to see me, but soon got over
it." Her advice regarding the future treatment of the Princess is so
interesting that we give it entire.

"Je vous conjure, faites que le prince fasse mener, au commencement,
une vie retiree a la Princesse. Elle a toujours ete tres genee et
tres observee, et il le falloit ainsi. Si elle se trouve tout a coup
dans le monde sans restriction aucune, elle ne marchera pas a pas
egaux. Elle n'a pas le coeur deprave--elle n'a jamais rien fait de
mauvais, mais la parole en elle devance toujours la pensee; elle se
livre a ceux a qui elle parle sans reserve, et de la il s'ensuit
(meme dans cette petite cour) qu'on lui prete des sens et des
intentions que ne lui ont jamais appartenus. Que ne sera-t-il pas en
Angleterre--ou elle sera entouree de femmes adroites et intriguantes,
_auxquelles elle se livrera a corps perdu_, (si le Prince permet