ng
to them, have been enabled to foretell all the most remarkable
revolutions that have happened, during the space of six-and-thirty years,
in Europe. By these I knew, when any minister was disgraced, who should
be his successor. I daily passed some hours improving by his kind
conversation; and to him I am indebted for most of that knowledge of the
world I happen to possess.

He took various opportunities of cautioning me against the effects of an
ardent, sanguine temper; and my hatred of arbitrary power warned me to
beware of the determined persecution of Frederic, of his irreconcilable
anger, his intrigues and influence in the various courts of Europe, which
he would certainly exert to prevent my promotion, lest I should impede
his own projects, and lamented my future sufferings, which he plainly
foresaw. "Despots," said he, "always are suspicious, and abhor those who
have a consciousness of their own worth, of the rights of mankind, and
hold the lash in detestation. The enlightened are by them called the
restless spirits, turbulent and dangerous; and virtue there, where virtue
is unnecessary for the humbling and trampling upon the suffering subject,
is accounted a crime, of all others the most to be dreaded."

Hyndford taught me to know, and highly to value freedom: to despise
tyrants, to endure the worst of miseries, to emulate true greatness of
mind, to despise danger, and to honour only those whose elevation of soul
had taught them equally to oppose bigotry and despotism.

Bernes was a philosopher; but with the penetration of an Italian, more
cautious than Hyndford, yet equally honest and worthy. His friendship
for me was unbounded, and the time passed in their company was esteemed
by me most precious. The liberality of my sentiments, thirst after
knowledge and scientific acquirements gained their favour; our topics of
conversation were inexhaustible, and I acquired more real information at
Moscow than at Berlin, under the tuition of La Metri, Maupertuis, and
Voltaire.

CHAPTER XI.

Scarcely had I been six weeks in this city before I had an adventure
which I shall here relate; for, myself excepted, all the persons
concerned in it are now dead. Intrigues properly belong to novels. This
book is intended for a more serious purpose, and they are therefore here
usually suppressed. It cannot be supposed I was a woman-hater. Most of
the good or bad fortune I experienced originated in love. I was n