ured to the
inclemencies of weather; they are taught to ride, to swim, and are
steeled to all the fatigue of war. Their hearts are formed for
friendship, which they cannot fail to attain. Happy the nation in
defence of which they are to act!

How ridiculous these their _Royal Highnesses_ appear who, though born to
rule, are not deserving to be the lackeys to the least of those whom they
treat with contempt; and yet who swell, strut, stride, and contemplate
themselves as creatures essentially different by nature, and of a
superior rank in the scale of beings, though, in reality, their minds are
of the lowest, the meanest class.

Happy the state whose prince is impressed with a sense that the people
are not his property, but he the property of the people! A prince
beloved by his people will ever render a nation more happy those he whose
only wish is to inspire fear.

The pleasure I received at Berlin was great indeed. When I went to
court, the citizens crowded to see me, and when anyone among them said,
"That is Trenck," the rest would cry, "Welcome once more to your
country," while many would reach me their hands, with the tears standing
in their eyes. Frequent were the scenes I experienced of this kind. No
malefactor would have been so received. It was the reward of innocence;
this reward was bestowed throughout the Prussian territories.

Oh world, ill-judging world, deceived by show! Dost thou not blindly
follow the opinion of the prince, be he severe, arbitrary, or just? Thy
censure and thy praise equally originate in common report. In Magdeburg
I lay, chained to the wall, ten years, sighing in wretchedness, every
calamity of hunger, cold, nakedness, and contempt. And wherefore?
Because the King, deceived by slanderers, pronounced me worthy of
punishment. Because a wise King mistook me, and treated me with
barbarity. Because a prudent King knew he had done wrong, yet would not
have it so supposed. So was his heart turned to stone; nay, opposed by
manly fortitude, was enraged to cruelty. Most men were convinced I was
an innocent sufferer; "Yet did they all cry out the more, saying, let him
be crucified!" My relations were ashamed to hear my name. My sister was
barbarously treated because she assisted me in my misfortunes. No man
durst avow himself my friend, durst own I merited compassion; or, much
less, that the infallible King had erred. I was the most despised,
forlorn man on earth; and when t