raciously
press!' And on Thursday, not Wednesday, on those curious terms, the
visit would terminate. This trait is in the Anecdote-Books: but its
authenticity does not rest on that uncertain basis; singularly enough,
it comes to me, individually, by two clear stages, from Friedrich's
Sister the Duchess of Brunswick, who, if anybody, would know it well!"
[My informant is Sir George Sinclair, Baronet, of Thurso; his was the
distinguished Countess of Finlater, still remembered for her graces of
mind and person, who had been Maid-of-Honor to the Duchess.]

DINNER WITH THE QUEEN.--The Queen, a prudent, simple-minded, worthy
person, of perfect behavior in a difficult position, seems to have been
much respected in Berlin Society and the Court Circles. Nor was the King
wanting in the same feeling towards her; of which there are still
many proofs: but as to personal intercourse,--what a figure has that
gradually taken! Preuss says, citing those who saw: "When the King,
after the Seven-Years War, now and then, in Carnival season, dined
with the Queen in her Apartments, he usually said not a word to her. He
merely, on entering, on sitting down at table and on leaving it, made
the customary bow; and sat opposite to her. Once, in the Seventies
[years 1770, years now past], the Queen was ill of gout; table was in
her Apartments; but she herself was not there, she sat in an easy-chair
in the drawing-room. On this occasion the King stepped up to the Queen,
and inquired about her health. The circumstance occasioned, among the
company present, and all over Town as the news spread, great wonder and
sympathy (VERWUNDERUNG UND THEILNAHME). This is probably the last time
he ever spoke to her." [Preuss, iv. 187.]

THE TWO GRAND-NEPHEWS.--"The King was fond of children; liked to have
his Grand-Nephews about him. One day, while the King sat at work in his
Cabinet, the younger of the two, a boy of eight or nine [who died soon
after twenty], was playing ball about the room; and knocked it once and
again into the King's writing operation; who twice or oftener flung it
back to him, but next time put it in his pocket, and went on. 'Please
your Majesty, give it me back!' begged the Boy; and again begged:
Majesty took no notice; continued writing. Till at length came, in the
tone of indignation, 'Will your Majesty give me my ball, then?' The
King looked up; found the little Hohenzollern planted firm, hands on
haunches, and wearing quite a peremptory