at
is, to all the Court." "Saw Dr. Eller decomposing water into elastic
air [or thinking he did so, 1743]; saw the Opera of TITUS, which is a
masterpiece of music [by Friedrich himself, with the important aid of
Graun]: it was, without vanity, a treat the King gave me, or rather gave
himself; he wished I should see him in his glory.

"His Opera-House is the finest in Europe. Charlottenburg is a delicious
abode: Friedrich does the honors there, the King knowing nothing of
it.... One lives at Potsdam as in the Chateau of a French Seigneur who
had culture and genius,--in spite of that big Battalion of Guards, which
seems to me the terriblest Battalion in this world.

"Jordan is still the same,--BON GARCON ET DISCRET; has his oddities, his
1,600 crowns (240 pounds) of pension. D'Argens is Chamberlain, with a
gold key at his breast-pocket, and 100 louis inside, payable monthly.
Chasot [whom readers made acquaintance with at Philipsburg long since],
instead of cursing his destiny, must have taken to bless it: he is Major
of Horse, with income enough. And he has well earned it, having saved
the King's Baggage at the last Battle of Chotusitz,"--what we did not
notice, in the horse-charges and grand tumults of that scene.

"I passed some days [a fortnight in all] at Baireuth. Her Royal
Highness, of course, spoke to me of you. Baireuth is a delightful
retreat, where one enjoys whatever there is agreeable in a Court,
without the bother of grandeur. Brunswick, where I am, has another
species of charm. 'Tis a celestial Voyage this of mine, where I pass
from Planet to Planet,"--to tumultuous Paris; and, I do hope, to
my unique Maupertuis awaiting me there at last. [Voltaire, lxxiii.
122-125.]'

We have only to remark farther, that Friedrich had again pressed
Voltaire to come and live with him, and choose his own terms; and that
Voltaire (as a second string to his bow, should this fine Diplomatic
one fail) had provisionally accepted. Provisionally; and with one most
remarkable clause: that of leaving out Madame,--"imagining it would be
less agreeable to you if I came with others (AVEC D'AUTRES); and I own,
that belonging to your Majesty alone, I should have my mind more at
ease:" [_OEuvres de Voltaire, _ lxxiii. 112,116 (Proposal and Response,
both of them "7th October," five days before leaving Berlin).]--whew!
And then to add a third thing: That Madame, driven half delirious, by
these delays, and gyratings from Planet to Planet,