ns. King George [my Grandfather, and Grand Uncle]
arrived on the 8th, about seven in the evening;"--dusky shades already
sinking over Nature everywhere, and all paths growing dim. Abundant
flunkies, of course, rush out with torches or what is needful. "The King
of Prussia, the Queen and all their Suite received him in the Court of
the Palace, the 'Apartments' being on the ground-floor. So soon as he
had saluted the King and Queen, I was presented to him. He embraced me;
and turning to the Queen said to her, 'Your daughter is very big of
her age!' He gave the Queen his hand, and led her into her apartment,
whither everybody followed them. As soon as I came in, he took a light
from the table, and surveyed me from head to foot. I stood motionless as
a statue, and was much put out of countenance. All this went on without
his uttering the least word. Having thus passed me in review, he
addressed himself to my Brother, whom he caressed much, and amused
himself with, for a good while." Pretty little Grandson this, your
Majesty;--any future of history in this one, think you? "I," says
Wilhelmina, "took the opportunity of slipping out;"--hopeful to get
away; but could not, the Queen having noticed.

"The Queen made me a sign to follow her; and passed into a neighboring
apartment, where she had the English and Germans of King George's Suite
successively presented to her. After some talk with these gentlemen, she
withdrew; leaving me to entertain them, and saying: 'Speak English to
my Daughter; you will find she speaks it very well.' I felt much less
embarrassed, once the Queen was gone; and picking up a little courage, I
entered into conversation with these English. As I spoke their language
like my mother-tongue, I got pretty well out of the affair, and
everybody seemed charmed with me. They made my eulogy to the Queen; told
her I had quite the English air, and was made to be their Sovereign one
day. It was saying a great deal on their part: for these English think
themselves so much above all other people, that they imagine they are
paying a high compliment when they tell any one he has got English
manners.

"Their King [my Grandpapa] had got Spanish manners, I should say: he was
of an extreme gravity, and hardly spoke a word to anybody. He saluted
Madam Sonsfeld [my invaluable thrice-dear Governess] very coldly;
and asked her 'If I was always so serious, and if my humor was of the
melancholy turn?' 'Anything but that, Sire,'