ls her "an
English JUNGFRAU, LADY SALISBURY, who actually sent a sum of money,"
[Preuss, ii. 124, whose reference is merely _ "Gentleman's Magazine_
for 1758." Both in the ANNUAL REGISTER of that Year (i. 86),and in the
_Gentleman's Magazine,_ pp. 142, 177, the above Paragraph and Letters
are copied from the Newspapers, but without the smallest commentary
(there or elsewhere), or any mention of a "Lady Salisbury."] would not
itself be satisfactory: but, by good chance, there is still living, in
Salisbury City, a very aged Gentleman, well known for his worth, and
intelligence on such matters, who, being inquired of, makes reply at
once: That the First Earl of Malmesbury (who was of his acquaintance,
and had many anecdotes and reminiscences of Friedrich, all noted down,
it was understood, with diplomatic exactitude, but never yet published
or become accessible) did, as "I well remember, among other things,
mention the King's telling him that he," the King, "had received a
Thousand Pounds from Miss Wyndham; with a part of which he had bought
the Flute then in his hand." [Letter from John Fowler, Esq., "Salisbury,
2d April, 1860," to a Friend of mine (PENES ME): of Barbara's identity,
or otherwise, with the Antwerp Embden Lady, Mr. F. can say nothing.]
Which latter circumstance, too, is curious. For, at all times, however
straitened Friedrich's Exchequer might be, it was his known habit,
during this War, to have always, before the current year ended, the ways
and means completely settled and provided for the year coming; so that
everything could be at once paid in money (good money or bad,--good
still up to this date);--And nothing was observed to fall short, so much
as the customary liberality of his gifts to those about him. I infer,
therefore: Friedrich had decided to lay out this 1,000 pounds in what he
would call luxuries, chiefly gifts,--and, among other things, had said
to himself, "I will have a new flute, too!" Probably one of his last;
for I understand he had, by this time (Malmesbury's time, 1772),
ceased much playing, and ceased altogether not long after. [Preuss, i.
371-373.]

James Harris, First Earl of Malmesbury, was Resident at Berlin, 1772:
that is all the date we have for the King's saying, "And with part of
it I bought this Flute!" Date of Lord Malmesbury's mention of it at
Salisbury, we have none,--likeliest there might be various dates;
a thing mentioned more than once, and not improvable by dating.
T