82 AT HEAD-QUARTERS. 



and reported myself at once at head -quarters. I was 

 shown into a large room of the first hotel in Flensburg 

 and there found seated at a long table a number of 

 officers of all ranks and of every arm of the service. 

 On the sofa at the narrow end of the table sat two 

 young princes, whilst General Wrangel occupied the 

 first place next the sofa at the end of one of the long 

 sides. When I had delivered my report the General 

 rose and with him the whole assemblage, as it was 

 contrary to etiquette to be seated while the commander- 

 in-chief stood. 



The General expressed astonishment at my being 

 there, as it was only a few hours since he had 

 made out the order for my attendance. When I ex- 

 plained that I had turned back immediately at the 

 conclusion of the march, he thought I must be very 

 tired and should drink a cup of tea. At his express 

 order I had to seat myself at his place and take a 

 cup of tea. whilst the rest of the company to my great 

 embarrassment remained standing. It gave me the 

 impression that the commander-in-chief wished to use 

 the opportunity, to show that he honoured merit 

 without respect of rank, and to give at the same time 

 a little exercise in etiquette. In the ensuing conver- 

 sation the General expressed his acknowledgments for 

 the protection of the Kiel harbour by submarine mines, 

 as well as for the occupation of the fort of Friedrichs- 

 ort. Further he said, it would now be necessary, to 

 make the protection of Kiel harbour as strong as 

 possible, and also to secure the harbour of Eckernforde 



