magine that you are in your own study, conversing frankly and
freely with a highly-honored friend, to whom politeness and attention
are due."

The king, with his flute in hand, was walking up and down the room, when
the door opened, and Major Quintus entered with Gellert.

Frederick immediately laid his flute aside, and advanced to meet
the poet with a gracious smile. Gellert's gentle and intellectual
countenance was composed, and his eyes were not cast down or confused by
the piercing glance of the king.

"Is this Professor Gellert?" said the king, with a slight salutation.

"Yes, your majesty," said Gellert, bowing profoundly.

"The English ambassador has spoken well of you," said the king; "he has
read many of your works."

"That proves him to be a thoughtful and benevolent gentleman, who hopes
something from German writers," said Gellert, significantly.

Frederick smiled, and perhaps to excite him still more, said quickly:

"Tell me, how does it happen, Gellert, that we have so few celebrated
writers?"

"Your majesty sees before you now a German poet whom even the French
have translated, and who call him the German La Fontaine."

"That is great praise, great praise," said the king, whose large eyes
fastened themselves more attentively upon Gellert's modest, expressive
face. "You are then called the German La Fontaine? Have you ever read La
Fontaine?"

"Yes, sire, but I did not imitate him," said Gellert, ingenuously, "I am
an original."

The king nodded gayly; Gellert's quick frankness pleased him.

"Good," he said, "you are an excellent poet; but why do you stand
alone?"

Gellert shrugged his shoulders slightly.

"Your majesty is prejudiced against the Germans."

"No, I cannot admit that," said the king, quickly.

"At least against German writers," replied Gellert.

"Yes, that is true; I cannot deny that. Why have we no good writers in
Germany?"

"We have them, sire," said Gellert, with noble pride. "We boast a
Maskow, a Kramer--who has set Bossuet aside."

"How!" cried the king, astonished; "Bossuet? Ah, sir, how is it possible
for a German to set Bossuet aside?"

"Kramer has done so, and with great success," said Gellert, smiling.
"One of your majesty's most learned professors has said that Kramer has
the eloquence of Bossuet, and more profound historical accuracy."

The king appeared really astonished, and walked several times
thoughtfully up and down his room.

"Was my learned prof