d in from Hanover, to walk before them in the
ways of heroism, and by command and by example guide Heavenwards their
affairs and them. And they hope that he will do it? Or perhaps that
their affairs will go thither of their own accord? Always a singular
People!--

Poor George, careless of these ulterior issues, has always trouble
enough with the mere daily details, Parliamentary insolences, Jacobite
plottings, South-Sea Bubbles; and wishes to hunt, when he gets over to
Hanover, rather than to make Marriage-Treaties. Besides, as Wilhelmina
tells us, they have filled him with lies, these Hanover Women and
their emissaries: "Your Princess Wilhelmina is a monster of ill-temper,
crooked in the back and what not," say they. If there is to be a
Marriage, double or single, these Improper Females must first be
persuaded to consent. [_Memoires de Bareith._] Difficulties enough. And
there is none to help; Friedrich Wilhelm cares little about the matter,
though he has given his Yes,--Yes, since you will.

But Sophie Dorothee is diligent and urgent, by all opportunities;--and,
at length, in 1723, the conjuncture is propitious. Domestic Jacobitism,
in the shape of Bishop Atterbury, has got, itself well banished;
Alberoni and his big schemes, years ago they are blown into outer
darkness; Charles XII. is well dead, and of our Bremen and Verden no
question henceforth; even the Kaiser's Spectre-Hunt, or Spanish Duel,
is at rest for the present, and the Congress of Cambrai is sitting, or
trying all it can to sit: at home or abroad, there is nothing, not even
Wood's Irish Halfpence, as yet making noise. And on the other hand, Czar
Peter is rumored (not without foundation) to be coming westward, with
some huge armament; which, whether "intended for Sweden" or not, renders
a Prussian alliance doubly valuable.

And so now at last, in this favorable aspect of the stars, King George,
over at Herrenhausen, was by much management of his Daughter Sophie's,
and after many hitches, brought to the mark. And Friedrich Wilhelm came
over too; ostensibly to bring home his Queen, but in reality to hear
his Father-in-law's compliance to the Double-Marriage,--for which his
Prussian Majesty is willing enough, if others are willing. Praised be
Heaven, King George has agreed to everything; consents, one propitious
day (Autumn 1723, day not otherwise dated),--Czar Peter's Armament, and
the questionable aspects in France, perhaps quickening his volitions
a li