ina once more kindling the old dark Books
into some light for us,--the essential particulars are briefly as
follows.

Monday, 8th June, 1733, the Crown-Prince is again over from Ruppin:
King, Queen and Crown-Prince are rendezvoused at Potsdam; and they set
off with due retinues towards Wolfenbuttel, towards Salzdahlum the Ducal
Schloss there; Sister Wilhelmina sending blessings, if she had them, on
a poor Brother in such interesting circumstances. Mamma was "plunged
in black melancholy;" King not the least; in the Crown-Prince nothing
particular to be remarked. They reached Salzdahlum, Duke Ludwig Rudolf
the Grandfather's Palace, one of the finest Palaces, with Gardens,
with antiques, with Picture-Galleries no end; a mile or two from
Wolfenbuttel; built by old Anton Ulrich, and still the ornament of
those parts;--reached Salzdahlum, Wednesday the 10th; where Bride,
with Father, Mother, much more Grandfather, Grandmother, and all the
sublimities interested, are waiting in the highest gala; Wedding to be
on Friday next.

Friday morning, this incident fell out, notable and somewhat
contemptible: Seckendorf, who is of the retinue, following his bad
trade, visits his Majesty who is still in bed:--"Pardon, your Majesty:
what shall I say for excuse? Here is a Letter just come from Vienna; in
Prince Eugene's hand;--Prince Eugene, or a Higher, will say something,
while it is still time!" Majesty, not in impatience, reads the little
Prince's and the Kaiser's Letter. "Give up this, we entreat you for
the last time; marry with England after all!" Majesty reads, quiet as a
lamb; lays the Letter under his pillow; will himself answer it; and
does straightway, with much simple dignity, to the effect, "For certain,
Never, my always respected Prince!" [Account of the Interview by
Seckendorf, in Forster, iii, 148-155; Copy of the answer itself is in
the State-Paper Office here.] Seckendorf, having thus shot his last
bolt, does not stay many hours longer at Salzdahlum;--may as well quit
Friedrich Wilhelm altogether, for any good he will henceforth do upon
him. This is the one incident between the Arrival at Salzdahlum and the
Wedding there.

Same Friday, 12th June, 1733, at a more advanced hour, the Wedding
itself took effect; Wedding which, in spite of the mad rumors and
whispers, in the Newspapers, Diplomatic Despatches and elsewhere, went
off, in all respects, precisely as other weddings do; a quite human
Wedding now and afterwards.