using him at least
grave domestic difficulties.--Page 271 (173).

VI. Joachim II. Again active in the Reformation, and staunch,

though generally in a cautious, weighty, never in a rash,
swift way, to the great cause of Protestantism and to all
good causes. He was himself a solemnly devout man; deep,
awe-stricken reverence dwelling in his view of this
universe. Most serious, though with a jocose dialect,
commonly having a cheerful wit in speaking to men. Luther's
books he called his Seelenschatz, (soul's treasure); Luther
and the Bible were his chief reading. Fond of profane
learning, too, and of the useful or ornamental arts; given
to music, and "would himself sing aloud" when he had a
melodious leisure hour.

VII. Johann George, a prudent thrifty Herr; no mistresses, no luxuries
allowed; at the sight of a new-fashioned coat he would fly out on an
unhappy youth and pack him from his presence. Very strict in point of
justice; a peasant once appealing to him in one of his inspection
journeys through the country--

"Grant me justice, Durchlaucht, against so and so; I am your
Highness's born subject." "Thou shouldst have it, man, wert
thou a born Turk!" answered Johann George.

Thus, generally, we find this line of Electors representing in Europe
the Puritan mind of England in a somewhat duller, but less dangerous,
form; receiving what Protestantism could teach of honesty and common
sense, but not its anti-Catholic fury, or its selfish spiritual anxiety.
Pardon of sins is not to be had from Tetzel; neither, the Hohenzollern
mind advises with itself, from even Tetzel's master, for either the
buying, or the asking. On the whole, we had better commit as few as
possible, and live just lives and plain ones.

A conspicuous thrift, veracity, modest solidity, looks
through the conduct of this Herr; a determined Protestant he
too, as indeed all the following were and are.

VIII. Joachim Friedrich. Gets hold of Prussia, which hitherto, you
observe, has always been spoken of as a separate country from
Brandenburg. March 11, 1605--"squeezed his way into the actual
guardianship of Preussen and its imbecile Duke, which was his by right."

For my own part, I do not trouble myself much about these rights, never
being able to make out any single one, to begin with, except the right
to keep everything and every place about you in as good ord