--his Majesty blazing out into the due
magnificence, which was very great on this occasion, domestic matters
looking up with him again. The Serenities of Brunswick are here, young
and old; much liked by Friedrich Wilhelm; and almost reckoned family
people,--ever since their Eldest Son was affianced to the Princess
Charlotte here, last visit they made. To Princess Charlotte,
Wilhelmina's second junior,--mischievous, coquettish creature she,
though very pretty and insinuating, who seems to think her Intended
rather a phlegmatic young gentleman, as Wilhelmina gradually discovers.
Then there is old Duke Eberhard Ludwig, of Wurtemberg, whom we saw at
Ludwigsburg last year, in an intricate condition with his female world
and otherwise, he too announces himself,--according to promise then
given. Old Duke Eberhard Ludwig comes, stays three weeks in great
splendor of welcome;--poor old gentleman, his one son is now dead; and
things are getting earnest with him. On his return home, this time, he
finds, according to order, the foul witch Gravenitz duly cleared away;
reinstates his injured Duchess, with the due feelings, better late than
never; and dies in a year or two, still childless.--

These are among the high guests at Berlin; and there are plenty of
others whom we do not name. Magnificent dining; with "six-and-twenty
blackamoors," high-colored creatures, marching up the grand staircase,
round the table, round it, and then down again, melodious, doing
"janizary music," if you happen to prefer that kind;--trained creatures
these blackamoors, all got when boys, and set to cymballing and fifing
betimes, adds my authority. [Fassmann, p. 726, &c.] Dining, boar-hunting
(if the boar be huntable), especially reviewing, fail not in those fine
summer days.

One evening, it is Sunday, 27th of May, latish, while the high guests,
with Queen and Wilhelmina, are just passing in to supper (King's
Majesty having "gone to bed at seven," to be well astir for the
review to-morrow), a sound of wheels is heard in the court. Modest
travelling-equipage rolls up into the inner court; to the foot of the
grand staircase there, whither only Princes come:--who can it be?
The Queen sends to inquire. Heavens, it is the Hereditary Prince of
Baireuth! "Medusa's Head never produced such effect as did this bit
of news: Queen sat petrified; and I," by reflex, was petrified too!
Wilhelmina passed the miserablest night, no wink of sleep; and felt
quite ill in t