young Soldier-Apprentice all this was, of course, in pleasant
contrast with the Potsdam Guard-house; and Friedrich Wilhelm himself is
understood to have liked at least the dinners, and the airy courteous
ways, light table-wit and extreme good humor of the host. A successful
visit; burns off like successful fire-works, piece after piece: and what
more is to be said? Of all this nothing;--nor, if we could help it,
of another little circumstance, not mentioned by the Newspapers or
Fassmann, which constitutes the meaning of this Visit for us now. It is
a matter difficult to handle in speech. An English Editor, chary of
such topics, will let two witnesses speak, credible both, though not
eye-witnesses; and leave it to the reader so. Babbling Pollnitz is the
first witness; he deposes, after alluding to the sumptuous dinings and
drinkings there:--

"One day the two Kings, after dinner, went in domino to the redoubt
[RIDOTTO, what we now call ROUT or evening party]. August had a mind to
take an opportunity, and try whether the reports of Friedrich Wilhelm's
indifference to the fair sex were correct or not. To this end, he had
had a young damsel (JUNGE PERSON) of extraordinary beauty introduced
into some side-room; where they now entered. She was lying on a bed, in
a loose gauzy undress; and though masked, showed so many charms to the
eye that the imagination could not but judge very favorably of the rest.
The King of Poland approached, in that gallant way of his, which had
gained him such favor with women. He begged her to unmask; she at first
affected reluctance, and would not. He then told her who he was; and
said, He hoped she would not refuse, when two Kings begged her to show
them this complaisance. She thereupon took off her mask, and showed them
one of the loveliest faces in the world. August seemed quite enchanted;
and said, as if it had been the first time he ever saw her, He could not
comprehend how so bewitching a beauty had hitherto remained unknown to
him.

"Friedrich Wilhelm could not help looking at her. He said to the King
of Poland, 'She is very beautiful, it must be owned;'--but at the
same instant turned his eyes away from her; and left the room, and the
ridotto altogether without delay; went home, and shut himself in his
room. He then sent for Herr von Grumkow, and bitterly complained that
the King of Poland wanted to tempt him. Herr von Grumkow, who was
neither so chaste nor so conscientious as the King, w