his first, which was also his last Prussian
War, in January, 1716; and was doubtless a happy man, NOT "to be buried
in the Schlosskirche (under penalty of God's curse)," but to find his
little Fritz and Feekin, and all the world, merry to see him, and all
things put square again, abroad as at home. He forbade the "triumphal
entry" which Berlin was preparing for him; entered privately; and
ordered a thanksgiving sermon in all the churches next Sunday.

THE DEVIL IN HARNESS: CREUTZ THE FINANCE-MINISTER.

In the King's absence nothing particular had occurred,--except indeed
the walking of a dreadful Spectre, three nights over, in the corridors
of the Palace at Berlin; past the doors where our little Prince and
Wilhelmina slept: bringing with it not airs from Heaven, we may fear,
but blasts from the Other place! The stalwart sentries shook in their
paces, and became "half-dead" from terror. "A horrible noise, one
night," says Wilhelmina, "when all were buried in sleep: all the world
started up, thinking it was fire; but they were much surprised to find
that it was a Spectre." Evident Spectre, seen to pass this way, "and
glide along that gallery, as if towards the apartments of the Queen's
Ladies." Captain of the Guard could find nothing in that gallery, or
anywhere, and withdrew again:--but lo, it returns the way it went!
Stalwart sentries were found melted into actual delirium of swooning,
as the Preternatural swept by this second time. "They said, It was the
Devil in person; raised by Swedish wizards to kill the Prince-Royal."
[Wilhelmina, _Memoires de Bareith_, i. 18.]l Poor Prince-Royal; sleeping
sound, we hope; little more than three years old at this time, and
knowing nothing of it!--All Berlin talked of the affair. People dreaded
it might be a "Spectre" of Swedish tendencies; aiming to burn the
Palace, spirit off the Royal Children, and do one knew not what?

Not that at all, by any means! The Captain of the Guard, reinforcing
himself to defiance even of the Preternatural, does, on the third or
fourth apparition, clutch the Spectre; finds him to be--a prowling
Scullion of the Palace, employed here he will not say how; who is
straightway locked in prison, and so exorcised at least. Exorcism is
perfect; but Berlin is left guessing as to the rest,--secret of it
discoverable only by the Queen's Majesty and some few most interior
parties. To the following effect.

Spectre-Scullion, it turns out, had been employed