ce, offering me the strongest recommendations to
Vienna, and a company in his own regiment. My cousin's misfortunes,
however, had left too deep an impression on my mind to follow his advice.
The Indies would then have been preferred by me to Austria.

Bernes invited me to dine with him in company with his bosom friend, Lord
Hyndford, the English ambassador. How great was the pleasure I that day
received! This eminent statesman had known me at Berlin, and was present
when Frederic had honoured me with saying, _C'est un matador de ma
jeunesse_. He was well read in men, conceived a good opinion of my
abilities, and became a friend and father to me. He seated me by his
side at table, and asked me, "Why came you here, Trenck?" "In search of
bread and honour, my lord," answered I, "having unmeritedly lost them
both in my own country." He further inquired the state of my finances; I
told him my whole store might be some thirty ducats.

"Take my counsel," said he; "you have the necessary qualifications to
succeed in Russia, but the people here despise poverty, judge from the
exterior only, and do not include services or talents in the estimate;
you must have the appearance of being wealthy. I and Bernes will
introduce you into the best families, and will supply you with the
necessary means of support. Splendid liveries, led horses, diamond
rings, deep play, a bold front, undaunted freedom with statesmen, and
gallantry among the ladies, are the means by which foreigners must make
their way in this country. Avail yourself of them, and leave the rest to
us." This lesson lasted some time. Bernes entered in the interim, and
they determined mutually to contribute towards my promotion.

Few of the young men who seek their fortune in foreign countries meet
incidents so favourable. Fortune for a moment seemed willing to
recompense my past sufferings, and again to raise me to the height from
which I had fallen. These ambassadors, here again by accident met, had
before been witnesses of my prosperity when at Berlin. The talents I
possessed, and the favour I then enjoyed, attracted the notice of all
foreign ministers. They were bosom friends, equally well read in the
human heart, and equally benevolent and noble-minded; their
recommendation at court was decisive; the nations they represented were
in alliance with Russia, and the confidence Bestuchef placed in them was
unbounded.

I was now introduced into all companies,