ng a word. This was
one of his special Reviews [that was it!]. He rode (MARCHAIT) generally
alone, in utter silence; it was then that he had his REGARD TERRIBLE,
and his features took the impress of severity, to say no more. [Is
displeased with the Review, I doubt, though Bouille saw nothing
amiss;--and merely tells us farther:] At the Reviews the King inspects
strictly one regiment after another: it is he that selects the very
Corporals and Sergeants, much more the Upper Officers; nominating for
vacancies what Cadets are to fill them,--all of whom are Nobles." Yes,
with rare exceptions, all. Friedrich, democratic as his temper was, is
very strict on this point; "because," says he repeatedly, "Nobles have
honor; a Noble that misbehaves, or flinches in the moment of crisis, can
find no refuge in his own class; whereas a man of lower birth always can
in his." [_OEuvres de Frederic,_ (more than once).] Bouille continues:--

"After Review, dined with his Majesty. Just before dinner he gave to the
assembled Generals the 'Order' for to-morrow's Manoeuvres [as we saw in
Conway's case, ten years ago]. This lasted about a quarter of an hour;
King then saluted everybody, taking off TRES-AFFECTUEUSEMENT his hat,
which he immediately put on again. Had now his affable mien, and was
most polite to the strangers present. At dinner, conversation turned
on the Wars of Louis XIV.; then on English-American War,--King always
blaming the English, whom he does not like. Dinner lasted three hours.
His Majesty said more than once to me [in ill humor, I should almost
guess, and wishful to hide it]: 'Complete freedom here, as if we were in
our Tavern, Sir (ICI, TOUTE LIBERTE, MONSIEUR, COMME SI NOUS ETIONS AU
CABARET)!' On the morrow," August 20th, "dined again. King talked of
France; of Cardinal Richelieu, whose principles of administration he
praised. Repeated several times, that 'he did not think the French
Nation fit for Free Government.' At the Reviews, Friedrich did not
himself command; but prescribed, and followed the movements; criticised,
reprimanded and so forth. On horseback six hours together, without
seeming fatigued.

"King left for Breslau 25th August [24th, if it were of moment]. Bouille
followed thither; dined again. Besides Officers, there were present
several Polish Princes, the Bishop of the Diocese, and the Abbot
Bastiani. King made pleasantries about religion [pity, that]; Bastiani
not slow with repartees", of a defensive