and indisputable as in Eichel's
it would have been. Freytag put questions, and there passed several
Letters between Fredersdorf and him; but it was always uncomfortably
hazy to Freytag, and he never understood or guessed that the OEUVRE DE
POESIES was the vital item, and the rest formal in comparison. Which
is justly considered to have been an unlucky circumstance, as matters
turned. For help to himself, Freytag is to take counsel with one Hofrath
Schmidt; a substantial experienced Burgher of Frankfurt, whose rathship
is Prussian.

APRIL 21st, Freytag answers, That Schmidt and he received his Majesty's
All-gracious Orders the day before yesterday (Post takes eight days, it
would seem); that they have procured the necessary powers; and are now,
and will be, diligently watchful to execute the same. Which, one must
say, they in right earnest are; patrolling about, with lips strictly
closed, eyes vividly open; and have a man or two privately on watch
at the likely stations, on the possible highways;--and so continue,
Voltaire doing his ANNALS OF THE EMPIRE, and enjoying himself at
Gotha, for weeks after, ["Left Gotha 25th May" (Clog. in--OEuvres de
Voltaire,--xxv. 192 n.).]--much unconscious of their patrolling.

Freytag is in no respect a shining Diplomatist;--probably some EMERITUS
Lieutenant, doing his function for 30 pounds a year: but does it in a
practical solid manner. Writes with stiff brevity, stiff but distinct;
with perfect observance of grammar both in French and German; with good
practical sense, and faithful effort to do aright what his order is: no
trace of "MonSIR," of "OEuvre de PoesHie," to be found in Freytag; and
most, or all, of the ridiculous burs stuck on him by Voltaire, are to
be pulled off again as--as fibs, or fictions, solacing to the afflicted
Wit. Freytag is not of quick or bright intellect: and unluckily, just
at the crisis of Voltaire's actual arrival, both Schmidt and Fredersdorf
are off to Embden, where there is "Grand Meeting of the Embden Shipping
Company" (with comfortable dividends, let us hope),--and have left
Freytag to his own resources, in case of emergency.

THURSDAY, MAY 31st, "about eight in the evening," Voltaire does
arrive,--most prosperous journey hitherto, by Cassel, Marburg, Warburg,
and other places famous then or since; Landgraf of Hessen (wise Wilhelm,
whom we knew) honorably lodging him; innkeepers calling him "Your
Excellency," or "M. le Comte;"--and puts up at the