testation of this was sent me by Count Hertzberg.
Although the family of Trenck had a hundred years been landholders in
Hungary, yet was my attorney obliged to solicit the instrument called
ritter-diploma, for which, under pain of execution, I must pay two
thousand florins.

By decree a Prussian nobleman is not noble in Austria, where every lackey
can purchase a diploma, making him a knight of the Empire, for twelve
hundred wretched florins!--where such men as P--- and Grassalkowitz have
purchased the dignity of a prince!

Tortured by the courts, terrified by hailstorms, I determined to publish
my works, in eight volumes, and this history of my life.

Fourteen months accomplished this purpose. My labours found a favourable
reception through all Germany, procured me money, esteem, and honour. By
my writings only will I seek the means of existence, and by trying to
obtain the approbation and the love of men.

CHAPTER IX.

On the 22nd of August, 1786, the news arrived that Frederic the Great had
left this world!

* * * * *

The present monarch, the witness of my sufferings in my native country,
sent me a royal passport to Berlin. The confiscation of my estates was
annulled, and my deceased brother, in Prussia, had left my children his
heirs.

* * * * *

I journey, within the Imperial permission, back to my country, from which
I have been two-and-forty years expelled! I journey--not as a pardoned
malefactor, but as a man whose innocence has been established by his
actions, has been proved in his writings, and who is journeying to
receive his reward.

Here I shall once more encounter my old friends my relations, and those
who have known me in the days of my affliction. Here shall I appear, not
as my country's Traitor, but as my country's Martyr!

Possible, though little probable, are still future storms. For these
also I am prepared. Long had I reason daily to curse the rising sun,
and, setting, to behold it with horror. Death to me appears a great
benefit: a certain passage from agitation to peace, from motion to rest.
As for my children, they, jocund in youth, delight in present existence.
When I have fulfilled the duties of a father, to live or die will then be
as I shall please.

Thou, O God! my righteous Judge, didst ordain that I should be an example
of suffering to the world; Thou madest me what I am, gavest me these
strong passions, these quick nerves, this thrilling of the blood, when