r husbands from them. He shows
the parents the faro-bank at which their sons are losing their property,
and sometimes extends a hand to save them from destruction. That is a
good police, and it must be acknowledged that yours does not resemble
it."

"If your majesty desires it, I can establish such a police in Berlin as
De Sartines has in Paris. But your majesty must do two things: First,
you must give me a million of thalers annually."

"Ah! a million! Your secret police is rather expensive. Continue. What
do you desire besides the million?"

"Secondly, the permission to destroy the peace of families, the
happiness of your subjects--to make the son a spy upon his father--the
mother an informer against her daughter--the students and servants the
betrayers of their teachers and employers. If your majesty will permit
me to undermine the confidence of man to his fellow-man--of the brother
to his sister--of the parents to their children--of the husbands to
their wives by buying their secrets from them--if I may reward such
treachery, then, your majesty, we can have such a police as De Sartines
has in Paris. But I do not think that it will promote propriety or
prevent crime."

The king had listened to him with increasing interest, his brow growing
clearer and clearer as the bold speaker continued. When he finished,
the king ceased his walk, and stood motionless before him, looking fully
into his excited countenance.

"It is, then, your positive conviction that a secret police brings with
it those evils you have depicted?"

"Yes, your majesty, it is my positive conviction."

"He may be right," said the king, thoughtfully. "Nothing demoralizes men
so much as spies and denunciations, and a good government should punish
and not reward the miserable spies who betray their fellow-creatures for
gold with the wicked intention of bringing them into misfortune. A
good government should not follow the Jesuits' rule--'That the end
consecrates the means.'"

"Will your majesty, then, graciously allow me to dispense with a secret
police?"

"Well, yes. We will remain as we are, and De Sartines may keep his
secret police. It would not suit us, and Berlin shall not be still
further demoralized by spies and betrayers. Therefore, no more of the
secret police. When crime shows itself by day we will punish it. We will
leave it to Providence to bring it to light. Continue to report to me,
therefore, who has died and who has been born;