were to be taken into consideration, and to keep up his zeal by this participation. He soon had the satisfaction too, to receive from the men, to whom he had confided Frederick, the most favourable advices of his increasing activity.

Meanwhile the prince did not neglect to accommodate himself to the wishes of the king in less important matters. Without having any fondness for the chase, he made reports on the condition of the game which he found in different sections of the country, of rare animals he had noticed, of the number of wild hogs he had killed, &c. &c. He also dropped, certainly not without intention, a number of remarks on military affairs in his letters, for he was still without the highest proof of parental forgiveness-a military uniform. Neither were voices of experienced friends wanting, who, by prudent advice, influenced the prince to adapt his personal conduct in society more and more to the wishes and inclinations of the king. Among these advisers, Grumbkow, only in this respect worthy, is particularly to be mentioned.

Meanwhile the relations in the royal family had assumed a form which inspired a hope of tranquillity after so many sorrows. Princess Wilhelmine had at last resolved to give her hand to one of the princes her father proposed, although her mother still favoured the alliance with England. Of three wooers, she chose the one with whom she was not acquainted, as both the others were known by, and disagreeable to her. It was the hereditary Prince of Baireuth, and she could not in truth, complain of the lot she had drawn; they were married on November 20th.

The king had promised his daughter, in return for yielding to his wishes, that the entire liberation of Frederick should take place immediately after her nuptials. The fourth day of the nuptial festivities was solemnized by a grand ball in the state rooms of the palace, and a minuet was just being performed, when Frederick entered. Not only his manner, but also his personal appearance had changed during the long period of his absence; he had grown taller and stronger. In the plain gray suit, which he still wore.

he mingled, unobserved, among the attendants near the door. No one but the king knew of his presence, and some time elapsed before he was recognized. At last the queen, who sat at play, was informed of his presence; she rose, went towards him and folded him in her arms. His sister was beside herself with joy when Grumbkow, with whom she was just then engaged in the dance, told her of her brother's arrival; but even she sought long with her eyes, before she recognized him. After welcoming him with the warmest affection, she threw herself at her father's feet, and expressed her gratitude to him with so much feeling that he could not repress his tears. In remarkable contrast to such tenderness, was the cold conduct of Frederick, so that he did not even escape a passing disapprobation from the king. This conduct probably was the effect of a resolution Frederick might have taken in consideration of his father, not to continue his intimacy with his sister in public, to the same degree, as it had formerly been the ground of so many accusations. Besides, he had become a different being, and his thoughts were not, as in earlier years, directed solely to plays and sports. His sister felt this estrangement deeply, but the former tenderness was soon re-established between them.

A few days subsequently, all the higher officers present at Berlin, led by the Prince of Dessau, requested Frederick's re-admission to the military service. On November 30th, he received the uniform of a regiment of infantry, to the command of which he was appointed. For the winter, however, he was once more obliged to change the uniform. for a civil dress, and return to his sphere of activity at Custrin. With renewed zeal, and to the constantly increasing satisfaction of his father, he entered upon the labours appointed to him. The journeys of inspection were extended; especially to the glass-houses in the vicinity; and their management, now offered him opportunities for the acquisition of knowledge. He used them carefully, and soon projected a plan of improvement in the management of glasshouses on all the domains of the state. The king, who was

pleased to hear of any increase in the revenue, commanded that Frederick's plan should be adopted throughout all the provinces. Neither were military affairs neglected; as an especial favour, Frederick requested the regulation of tactics, and sought to make himself competent for military service by zealously studying them.

After Frederick had recovered from an attack of fever, which afforded the king an opportunity of proving his revived parental affection by making careful arrangements for the health of his son, he was at length recalled to Berlin, in February, 1732, appointed colonel and commander of the Goltz regiment, and the city of Guppin assigned for his quarters. When Frederick took leave of President Munchow in Custrin, and the latter asked him at their last confidential conversation, what those might expect of him after his accession, who had been hostile to him during the dissension with the king; he replied, "I will heap coals of fire on their head." This intimation of forgiveness, couched in the language of Holy Writ, was consistent with the magnanimity displayed on many occasions in his subsequent career o glory and fame.

65

BATTLE OF PRAGUE, AND DEATH OF MARSHAL SCHWERIN.

REDERICK the Great did not distinguish himself as a military commander until after his accession to the throne; but he ultimately proved himself the equal, if not the superior of Napoleon. His merit in this respect consists in his having successfully resisted the combined efforts of the four leading powers of Europe, Austria, France, Russia, and England, with a handful of troops, and the resources of a country which had recently been erected into a kingdom, and or account of its apparent insignificance, was still refused that

title by its haughty and powerful enemies. To form an accurate estimate of the military talents of Frederick, it is necessary to follow him through all his arduous campaigns. This our limits will not permit. But I shall give a specimen of his battles, commencing with the celebrated battle of Prague, in which his favourite general, and his teacher in the art of war, Marshal Schwerin, was killed.

On the 1st of May, 1757, the Austrian army retired upon Prague, the left wing under Duke Charles in person, the right under Browne. The former passed through Prague, and encamped at Nusle, on the right bank of the Mulde; the latter crossed the river below the city, and took post at Malleschitz: the two divisions numbered 45,000 men. Count Thürheim occupied Prague, which, however, was utterly destitute of the means of resistance.

The Austrians had taken so favourable a position that it would have been very difficult to come at them. Their left wing was supported upon the hill called the Ziskaberg, and protected by the works of Frague; a declivity of several hundred feet covered the centre; the right wing occupied an eminence, at the foot of which lay the village of Stjerbohol, and this was the most accessible point. Frederick impatiently awaited the arrival of Schwerin. He had but few troops, and the strong Austrian army opposed to him might have handled him roughly. No sooner was he joined by the marshal, than the king informed him, on the 6th of May, that he was determined to attack Prince Charles without delay; that, to render the victory complete, Prince Maurice should throw a bridge of boats across the Mulde above Prague, cross the river with the whole right wing of Keith's corps, which was blockading what is called the little side of the city, and fall upon the rear of the enemy, while he himself (the king,) would attack him in front and flank. Schwerin and the other generals would have dissuaded him from the execution of this plan, which they thought to bold. The marshal's troops had made a long march and were fatigued: the ground on which the battle was to be fought