or of anything else noticeable:--and that is
the one fact now almost alone significant of Rothenburg. Much loved and
esteemed by the King; employed diplomatically, now and then; perhaps
talked with on such subjects, which was the highest distinction.
Poor man, he is in very bad health in these months; has never rightly
recovered of his wounds; and dies in the last days of 1751,--to the
bitter sorrow of the King, as is still on record. A highly respectable
dim figure, far more important in Friedrich's History than he looks. As
King's guest, he can in these months play no part.

Highly respectable too, and well worth talking to, though left very dim
to us in the Books, is Marshal Keith; who has been growing gradually
with the King, and with everybody, ever since he came to these parts
in 1747. A man of Scotch type; the broad accent, with its sagacities,
veracities, with its steadfastly fixed moderation, and its sly
twinkles of defensive humor, is still audible to us through the foreign
wrappages. Not given to talk, unless there is something to be said; but
well capable of it then. Friedrich, the more he knows him, likes him
the better. On all manner of subjects he can talk knowingly, and with
insight of his own. On Russian matters Friedrich likes especially to
hear him,--though they differ in regard to the worth of Russian troops.
"Very considerable military qualities in those Russians," thinks Keith:
"imperturbably obedient, patient; of a tough fibre, and are beautifully
strict to your order, on the parade-ground or off." "Pooh, mere rubbish,
MON CHER," thinks Friedrich always. To which Keith, unwilling to argue
too long, will answer: "Well, it is possible enough your Majesty may try
them, some day; if I am wrong, it will be all the better for us!" Which
Friedrich had occasion to remember by and by. Friedrich greatly respects
this sagacious gentleman with the broad accent: his Brother, the Lord
Marischal, is now in France: Ambassador at Paris, since September, 1751:
["Left Potsdam 28th August" (Rodenbeck, i. 220).] "Lord Marischal, a
Jacobite, for Prussian Ambassador in Paris; Tyrconnel, a Jacobite, for
French Ambassador in Berlin!" grumble the English.

FRACTIONS OF EVENTS AND INDICATIONS, FROM VOLTAIRE HIMSELF, IN THIS
TIME; MORE OR LESS ILLUMINATIVE WHEN REDUCED TO ORDER.

Here, selected from more, are a few "fire-flies,"--not dancing or
distracted, but authentic all, and stuck each on its spit; shedding a
fee