ad been lavished upon the
useless strife.

During this war, the debt of England had increased to seventy million
pounds sterling; the yearly interest on the debt was four and a half
million crowns. The Austrians calculated their debt at five hundred
million guldens; France at two thousand million livres; Sweden was
almost bankrupt, and unfortunate Saxony had to pay to Prussia during the
war over seven million crowns.

In the strict meaning of the term, Prussia had made no debt, but she
was, in fact, as much impoverished as her adversaries. The Prussian
money which was circulated during the war was worthless.

At the close of the war, all those who carried these promissory notes
shared the fate of the rich man in the fairy tale. The money collected
at night turned to ashes before morning. This was the fatal fruit of
the war which for seven years had scourged Europe. Prussia, however,
had reason to be satisfied and even grateful. Although bleeding from a
thousand wounds, exhausted and faint unto death, she promised a speedy
recovery; she was full of youthful power and energy--had grown, morally,
during this seven years' struggle--had become great under the pressure
of hardship and self-denial, and now ranked with the most powerful
nations of Europe.

To-day, however, suffering and destitution were forgotten: only
smiling, joyous faces were seen in Berlin. The whole city seemed to be
invigorated by the golden rays of fortune; no one appeared to suffer,
no one to mourn for the lost--and yet amongst the ninety-eight thousand
inhabitants of Berlin, over thirty thousand received alms weekly--so
that a third of the population were objects of charity. To-day no one
thirsted, no one was hungry; all hearts were merry, all faces glad!

They had not seen their great King Frederick for seven years; they would
look upon him to-day. The royal family had arrived from Magdeburg.

Every one hastened to the streets to see Frederick, who on his departure
had been but the hero-king of Prussia, but who now, on his return, was
the hero of all Europe--whom all nations greeted--whose name was uttered
in Tartary, in Africa, with wonder and admiration--yes, in all parts of
the civilized and uncivilized world!

The streets were filled with laughing crowds; all pressed toward the
Frankfort gate, where the king was to enter. The largest arch of
triumph was erected over this gate, and all other streets were decorated
somewhat in the same manne