s were filled with anger, and the love
which we could not assert was strengthened in its concealment. It needed
only a spark to bring about an explosion, and the theatre was so
fortunate as to kindle this spark in the hearts of the loyal Prussians.
On the evening of that 10th of March, a small family drama which I had
written was to be performed. It was the simple and affecting history of
a family celebrating happily the reunion of a mother and her children.
The mother's name was Louisa, and this name was sufficient to fill the
house with a distinguished audience. All felt that the theatre was on
that day the only place where the public heart, devoted to the queen,
was allowed to throb for her; where glances could be exchanged and
understood, and where it was permitted to whisper, 'It is her birthday
to-day! Heaven bless her!' Every seat was occupied in the galleries as
well as in the dress-circle, in the orchestra stalls as well as in the
pit, everywhere reigned the same joyous commotion. Only in the boxes of
the French, faces were seen that cast an angry and hostile expression on
that audience.--The curtain rose, and the performance commenced. The
actor Lange and myself appeared in the first scene. Lange had to play
the part of a friend of the house, happening to arrive there on that
day. I represented the son of Louisa, the mother, and appeared on the
stage with a large bouquet on my breast. 'Why do you look so happy and
well-dressed to-day?' said Lange. 'I suppose you are celebrating a
family festival?' 'Yes!' I exclaimed in a loud and joyous voice, 'we are
celebrating a family festival, and it is a beautiful festival; we are
celebrating the return of our beloved mother, God bless her! God bless
the dear lady who is to receive these flowers!' Carried away by my
enthusiasm, I tore the bouquet from my breast, and held it out toward
the audience. Moved by one and the same feeling of love and admiration,
the whole assembly rose, and thousands of voices shouted, as it were
with one mouth and from one heart, 'God bless her! God bless the dear
lady--the adored mother!' Oh, queen, it was a sublime moment, and God
counted the tears and understood the prayers that we addressed to Him.
He has restored to us our queen, the beloved mother of her country and
people!"

The queen at first listened smilingly: gradually, however, her
countenance became grave. She was standing with profound emotion in
front of Iffland, when he conclud