man may have, for
they must all shape themselves by this; and introduces something of
artificial,--not properly of hypocritical, for that too is fatal if
found out,--but of calculated, reticent, of half-sincere, on the Son's
part: an inevitable feature, plentifully visible in their Correspondence
now and henceforth. Corresponding with Papa and his Grumkow, and
watched, at every step, by such an Argus as the Tobacco-Parliament,
real frankness of speech is not quite the recommendable thing; apparent
frankness may be the safer! Besides mastery in the Domain Sciences, I
perceive the Crown-Prince had to study here another art, useful to him
in after life: the art of wearing among his fellow-creatures a polite
cloak-of-darkness. Gradually he becomes master of it as few are: a man
politely impregnable to the intrusion of human curiosity; able to look
cheerily into the very eyes of men, and talk in a social way face to
face, and yet continue intrinsically invisible to them. An art no less
essential to Royalty than that of the Domain Sciences itself; and,--if
at all consummately done, and with a scorn of mendacity for help, as in
this case,--a difficult art. It is the chief feature in the Two or
Three Thousand LETTERS we yet have of Friedrich's to all manner of
correspondents: Letters written with the gracefulest flowing rapidity;
polite, affable,--refusing to give you the least glimpse into his real
inner man, or tell you any particular you might impertinently wish to
know.

As the History of Friedrich, in this Custrin epoch, and indeed in all
epochs and parts, is still little other than a whirlpool of simmering
confusions, dust mainly, and sibylline paper-shreds, in the pages of
poor Dryasdust, perhaps we cannot do better than snatch a shred or two
(of the partly legible kind, or capable of being made legible) out of
that hideous caldron; pin them down at their proper dates; and try if
the reader can, by such means, catch a glimpse of the thing with his own
eyes. Here is shred first; a Piece in Grumkow's hand.

This treats of a very grand incident; which forms an era or
turning-point in the Custrin life. Majesty has actually, after hopes
long held out of such a thing, looked in upon the Prodigal at Custrin,
in testimony of possible pardon in the distance;--sees him again, for
the first time since that scene at Wesel with the drawn sword, after
year and day. Grumkow, for behoof of Seckendorf and the Vienna people,
has drawn a