niform, by proving himself gradually a
new man.

For there is, along with the new household, a new employment laid out
for him in Custrin; and it shall be seen what figure he makes in that,
first of all. He is to sit in the DOMANEN-KAMMER or Government Board
here, as youngest Rath; no other career permitted. Let him learn
Economics and the way of managing Domain Lands (a very principal item of
the royal revenues in this Country): humble work, but useful; which he
had better see well how he will do. Two elder Raths are appointed to
instruct him in the Economic Sciences and Practices, if he show faculty
and diligence;--which in fact he turns out to do, in a superior degree,
having every motive to try.

This kind of life lasted with him for the next fifteen months, all
through the year 1731 and farther; and must have been a very singular,
and was probably a highly instructive year to him, not in the Domain
Sciences alone. He is left wholly to himself. All his fellow-creatures,
as it were, are watching him. Hundred-eyed Argus, or the Ear of
Dionysius, that is to say, Tobacco-Parliament with its spies and
reporters,--no stirring of his finger can escape it here. He has
much suspicion to encounter: Papa looking always sadly askance, sadly
incredulous, upon him. He is in correspondence with Grumkow; takes
much advice from Grumkow (our prompter-general, president in the
Dionysius'-Ear, and not an ill-wisher farther); professes much
thankfulness to Grumkow, now and henceforth. Thank you for flinging me
out of the six-story window, and catching me by the coat-skirts!--Left
altogether to himself, as we said; has in the whole Universe nothing
that will save him but his own good sense, his own power of discovering
what is what, and of doing what will be behooveful therein.

He is to quit his French literatures and pernicious practices, one and
all. His very flute, most innocent "Princess," as he used to call his
flute in old days, is denied him ever since he came to Custrin;--but by
degrees he privately gets her back, and consorts much with her; wails
forth, in beautiful adagios, emotions for which there is no other
utterance at present. He has liberty of Custrin and the neighborhood;
out of Custrin he is not to lodge, any night, without leave had of the
Commandant. Let him walk warily; and in good earnest study to become a
new creature, useful for something in the Domain Sciences and otherwise.

Chapter III. -- WILHELMINA