f Duke
and Duchess," always fast friends to Friedrich, and the latter ever
afterwards his correspondent, "may be conceived, but not adequately
expressed; as both the Serenities were touched, in the most affecting
manner, by the honor of so great a King's sudden presence among them.

"His Majesty requested that the Frau von Buchwald, our Most Gracious
Duchess's Hof-Dame, whose qualities he much valued, might dine with
them,"--being always fond of sensible people, especially sensible women.
"The whole Highest and High company [Royal, that is, and Ducal] was,
during table, uncommonly merry. The King showed himself altogether
content; and his bright clever talk and sprightly sallies, awakening
everybody to the like, left not the least trace visible of the weighty
toils he was then engaged in;--as if the weightier these were, the less
should they fetter the noble openness (FREYMUTHIGKEIT) of this high
soul, which is not to be cast down by the heaviest burden.

"His Majesty having taken leave of Duke and Duchess, and graciously
permitted the chiefest persons of the Gotha Court to pay their respects,
withdrew to his Army." [Letter in _Helden-Geschichte,_ iv. 638, 639.]
Slept, I find elsewhere, "at Gamstadt, on the floor of a little Inn;"
meaning to examine Posts in that part, next morning.

Here has been a cheerful little scene for Friedrich; the last he has
in these black weeks. A laborious Predecessor, striving to elucidate,
leaves me this Note:--

"What a pity one knows nothing, nor can know, about this Duke and
Duchess, though their names, especially the latter's name, are much
tossed to and fro in the Books! We heard of them, favorably, in
Voltaire's time; and may again, at least of the Lady, who is henceforth
a Correspondent of Friedrich's. The above is a dim direct view of them,
probably our last as well as first. Duke's name is Friedrich III.; I do
believe, a man of solidity, honor and polite dignified sense, a highly
respectable Duke of Sachsen-Gotha, contented to be obscure, and quietly
do what was still do-able in that enigmatic situation. He is Uncle to
our George III.;--his Sister is the now Princess-Dowager of Wales, with
a Lord Bute, and I know not what questionable figures and intrigues, or
suspicions of intrigue, much about her. His Duchess, Louisa Dorothee,
is a Princess of distinguished qualities, literary tastes,--Voltaire's
Hostess, Friedrich's Correspondent: a bright and quietly shining
illumination t