o appear before the Judge of me and my
persecutors. Be death but thought a transition from motion to rest. Few
are the delights of this world for him who, like me, has learned to know
it. Murmur not, despair not of Providence. Me, through storms, it has
brought to haven; through many griefs to self-knowledge; and through
prisons to philosophy. He only can tranquilly descend to annihilation
who finds reason not to repent he has once existed. My rudder broke not
amid the rocks and quicksands, but my bark was cast upon the strand of
knowledge. Yet, even on these clear shores are impenetrable clouds. I
have seen more distinctly than it is supposed men ought to see. Age will
decay the faculties, and mental, like bodily sight, must then decrease. I
even grew weary of science, and envied the blind-born, or those who, till
death, have been wilfully hoodwinked. How often have I been asked, "What
didst thou see?" And when I answered with sincerity and truth, how often
have I been derided as a liar, and been persecuted by those who
determined not to see themselves, as an innovator singular and rash!

Sire, I further say to thee, teach thy descendants to seek the golden
mean, and say with Gellert--"The boy Fritz needs nothing;--his stupidity
will insure his success, Examine our wealthy and titled lords, what are
their abilities and honours, then inquire how they were attained, and, if
thou canst, discover in what true happiness consists."

Once more to my prison. The failure of my escape, and the recovery of
life from this state of despair, led me to moralise deeper than I had
ever done before; and in this depth of thought I found unexpected
consolation and fortitude, and a firm persuasion I yet should accomplish
my deliverance.

Gelfhardt, my honest grenadier, had infused fresh hope, and my mind now
busily began to meditate new plans. A sentinel was placed before my
door, that I might be more narrowly watched, and the married men of the
Prussian states were appointed to this duty, who, as I will hereafter
show, were more easy to persuade in aiding my flight than foreign
fugitives. The Pomeranian will listen, and is by nature kind, therefore
may easily be moved, and induced to succour distress.

I began to be more accustomed to my irons, which I had before found so
insupportable; I could comb out my long hair, and could tie it at last
with one hand. My beard, which had so long remained unshaven, gave me a
grim ap