so, in a temporary manner, feel that there was
such a thing as a gentleman's suitable apparel. He would take his
music-lessons, follow his clandestine studies, in that favorable
dress:--thus Buffon, we hear, was wont to shave, and put on clean linen,
before he sat down to write, finding it more comfortable so. Though,
again, there have been others who could write in considerable disorder;
not to say litter, and palpable imperfection of equipment: Samuel
Johnson, for instance, did some really grand writing in a room where
there was but one chair, and that one incapable of standing unless you
sat on it, having only three feet. A man is to fit himself to what is
round him: but surely a Crown-Prince may be indulged in a little brocade
in his leisure moments!--

Fritz and Quantz sat doing music, an unlawful thing, in this pleasant,
but also unlawful costume; when Lieutenant Katte, who was on watch in
the outer room, rushes in, distraction in his aspect: Majesty just here!
Quick, double quick! Katte snatches the music-books and flutes, snatches
Quantz; hurries with him and them into some wall-press, or closet for
firewood, and stands quaking there. Our poor Prince has flung aside
his brocade, got on his military coatie; and would fain seem busy with
important or indifferent routine matters. But, alas, he cannot undo
the French hairdressing; cannot change the graceful French bag into the
strict Prussian queue in a moment. The French bag betrays him; kindles
the paternal vigilance,--alas, the paternal wrath, into a tornado pitch.
For his vigilant suspecting Majesty searches about; finds the brocade
article behind a screen; crams it, with loud indignation, into the
fire; finds all the illicit French Books; confiscates them on the
spot, confiscates all manner of contraband goods:--and there was mere
sulphurous whirlwind in those serene spaces for about an hour! If
his Majesty had looked into the wood-closet? His Majesty, by Heaven's
express mercy, omitted that. Haude the Bookseller was sent for; ordered
to carry off that poisonous French cabinet-library in mass; sell every
Book of it, to an undiscerning public, at what price it will fetch.
Which latter part of his order, Haude, in deep secrecy, ventured to
disobey, being influenced thereto. Haude, in deep secrecy, kept the
cabinet-library secure; and "lent" the Prince book after book from it,
as his Royal Highness required them.

Friedrich, it is whispered in Tobacco-Parliament,