strictest obedience to his will and commands, and do all that was expected of a faithful servant, subject, and son. He emphatically pointed out to him the importance of an oath, and added, that, should he ever break it, he would forfeit his right to the succession, perhaps his life. Frederick declared himself ready for this oath, but requested his father to send it to him previously, so as to take it into serious consideration, and give it with thorough conviction. His father granted the prayer.

Until the preparations for his admission to the Board of Domains and his future residence were completed, he remained in his prison, and continued those edifying contemplations with the chaplain. On November 17th the deputation appointed by the king arrived at Custrin. After Frederick had taken the prescribed oath, and his sword and riband had been returned, he went to church and partook of the Lord's Supper.

Fredereck also wrote a special letter to the king, in which he avowed his submission, again asked forgiveness, and assured him, that it was not the deprivation of liberty, but the change of his own mind, which had convinced him of his error. As yet, the king had only forgiven his son, and not Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick. He was not permitted to wear an uniform, but a simple, gray, civil suit, with narrow silver lace. But he begged the king, through Chaplain Muller, who now returned to Berlin, to grant him a belt to the sword which he had returned to him. When the king heard the request of his son, he exclaimed, in joyful surprise, "Is Fred a soldier too? Why, that is well!"

NIVERSAL was the joy, when the pardon of the prince became known. The great apprehension which had been entertained for his fate, had made him only more dear to the people than he was before. The Austrian

party took good care to give the whole credit of his pardon to the Imperial court. The Imperial ambassador, Count Lukendorf, did not find it very difficult to induce the king to say, without reserve, in his answer to the emperor's letter of intercession, that the Crown Prince owed his pardon solely to the emperor, and that he hoped his son would ever show himself sensible of the kindness exerted in his behalf. Frederick also was induced to write a letter of thanks to the emperor, wherein he was obliged to express the same sentiments.

It was also through the advice of Lukendorf that the king had demanded that oath of Frederick, and fixed Custrin as his scene of action for the present. In the public circular, however, wherein the king communicated the pardon of the prince to the several courts, he gave, as the only causes, his royal mercy and parental clemency.

A separate house as a residence, was assigned to Frederick at Custrin, as also a small number of domestics, and a very limited income. The latter he was obliged to husband very economically, and render regular accounts of it. At the sessions of the board, where he appeared for the first time on November 21st, he took part as the youngest war and domain councillor, without the privilege of a vote, however. In the individual portions of his new vocation, in police and financial affairs, as also in rural economy and the management of domains, he received separate, theoretical instruction. Otherwise his situation was still very much confined; he durst not leave the city; French books, and even musical exercises were prohibited.

President Munchow took pains, however, to inake his sojourn at Custrin as agreeable as possible; neither were social attractions wanting which soon restored the natural serenity and ingenuousness of Frederick's mind. Among others, the widowed Countess von Mantruffel, had won his regards, though by the charms of a cultivated mind. When before the end of the year, she was about making a journey to her possessions, he sent her, his own destiny already parodied, a jocular cabinet order, in which he protested in the most solemn manner, against her contemplated desertion, and declared his most high displeasure with reference to such a criminal undertaking. Nor was the prohibition in regard to music strictly observed, as he was permitted to receive lessons from Fredersdorf, a very accomplished player on the flute. Frederick had previously become acquainted with him in passing on a journey through Frankfort. Afterwards he became Frederick's privy chamberlain; and Fredersdorf remained dear to him till his death.

The prince had flattered himself, that his unconditional and sincere submission to the will of the king would also regain him the heart of his father. But as yet the king was by no means freed from all distrust of his son; he still suspected that his unavoidable submission was deception, and that the heart of his son was not capable of love towards him. When the winter was passed, and Frederick had not been gladdened by a sign of direct personal interest from his father; when he had mastered the studies which were given him, with an activity of mind, that astonished his instructors, and yet the sphere of his action remained as limited as ever, a fresh attack of gloom threatened to overpower him. He began to make new plans, not without the knowledge and participation of the king, however, to rid himself of his oppressive condition.

General Grumbkow, in the interest of the Austrian party, made every exertion to bring about a complete reconciliation between father and son. In May he received the first nearer proof of parental forgiveness: some religious books and an admonitory letter. But several months passed by before the king could bring himself to see Frederick again. At length he arrived at Custrin on the occasion of a journey on August 15, 1731. He sent for Frederick. The personal appearance of his son had changed so much during the past year, that it could not but make a favourable impression on the king.

The French levity of his manners was gone, and manly seriousness had taken its place. As soon as the king saw the prince, the latter fell at his feet; the king permitted him to rise, and in an emphatical speech again placed his transgressions before him; told him, nothing had wounded him so sensibly as the Crown Prince's want of confidence in him; that all he had done for the good of his house and the state, was intended only for him, and that he had desired nothing but the friendship of the Crown Prince.

During the interview, the latter conducted himself so much to the satisfaction of his father, and answered the questions propounded to him, concerning the history of his flight, with

so much candour and sincerity, that all the past was graciously forgiven. When the king was ready to continue his journey, and Frederick accompanied him to the carriage, his father embraced him before all the people, assured him that he no longer doubted his fidelity and should take further care of his interest. Frederick was affected with lively joy, as were also the surrounding crowds, who had gathered around the building and awaited in anxious expectation the result of this interview.

The immediate consequence of this reconciliation was, that Frederick received greater liberty than heretofore, although the king by no means intended to place things on their old footing. He wisely determined, in reference to the true welfare of his son, to let him thoroughly complete his apprenticeship at Custrin. He was obliged to attend the meetings of the board as before, but so that he sat next the president, signed with him, and gave his vote, in all matters. At the same time, he was to visit the royal domains in the neighbourhood of Custrin, accompanied by an experienced councillor, and practically study all subjects, which he had hitherto only learnt theoretically. His domestic conveniences were also cared for; his wardrobe was enlarged, and an equipage was at his disposal.

Frederick devoted himself with great zeal to his enlarged sphere of action. In his journeys to the several domains he made it a point to be instructed on all the minutiae of economical superintendence; he gave an account of every thing to the king, and exerted himself to make such propositions towards improvements and increase of revenue, as appeared feasible to him. Thus he suggested, for instance, that on one domain a waste spot should be made arable and turned into a farm, of which he transmitted a detailed plan; that on another domain, the dilapidated buildings could be rebuilt in a better style; that on a third, a large fen might be cleared and reclaimed for agricultural purposes, &c. &c. The king joined with heartfelt pleasure in these propositions, endeavoured to draw Frederick's attention to all the minutia which