e. That it is indisputable Friedrich did not now
live with his Wife, nor seem to concern himself with the empire of
women at all; having, except now and then his Sisters and some Foreign
Princess on short visit, no women in his Court; and though a great judge
of Female merits, graces and accomplishments, seems to worship women
in that remote way alone, and not in any nearer. Which occasioned great
astonishment in a world used so much to the contrary. And gave rise to
many conjectures among the idle of mankind, "What, on Earth, or under
Earth, can be the meaning of it?"--and among others, to the above
scandalous rumor, as some solacement to human malice and impertinent
curiosity.

2. That an opposite rumor--which would indeed have been pretty fatal
to this one, but perhaps still more disgraceful in the eyes of a Demon
Newswriter--was equally current; and was much elaborated by the curious
impertinent. Till Nicolai got hold of it, in Herr Dr. Zimmermann's
responsible hands; and conclusively knocked it on the head. [See
Zimmermann's--Fragmente,--and Nicolai patiently pounding it to powder
(whoever is curious on this disgusting subject).]

3". That, for me, proof in the affirmative, or probable indication that
way, has not anywhere turned up. Nowhere for me, in these extensive
minings and siftings. Not the least of probable indication; but
contrariwise, here and there, rather definite indications pointing
directly the opposite way. [For example ("CORRESPONDENCE WITH
FREDERSDORF"),--OEuvres,--xxvii. iii. 145.] Friedrich, in his own
utterances and occasional rhymes, is abundantly cynical; now and then
rises to a kind of epic cynicism, on this very matter. But at no time
can the painful critic call it cynicism as of OTHER than an observer;
always a kind of vinegar cleanness in it, EXCEPT in theory. Cynicism
of an impartial observer in a dirty element; observer epically sensible
(when provoked to it) of the brutal contemptibilities which lie in Human
Life, alongside of its big struttings and pretensions. In Friedrich's
utterances there is that kind of cynicism undeniable;--and yet he had
a modesty almost female in regard to his own person; "no servant
having ever seen him in an exposed state." [Preuss, i. 376.] Which
had considerably strengthened rumor No. 2. O ye poor impious
Long-eared,--Long-eared I will call you, instead of Two-horned and with
only One hoof cloven! Among the tragical platitudes of Human Nature,
nothing so