252 Ten Years of my Life. 



Potsdam, wliich is indeed ,a beautiful place. We s:.w Sans' 

 Souci, the new Palace, the Marmor Palace, which all inter' 

 ested me much, as I had never before seen such royal residen' 

 ces. We visited also the tomb of Frederick the Great, which 

 is in a very simple vault underneath the pulpit in the garrison 

 church. 



Meanwhile the book of my husband, ' My Diary in Mexico,' 

 written at Rorschach, had been published both in the English 

 and German languages. Though much had been written be- 

 fore about that dreadful catastrophe in Mexico, this book was 

 received more kindly by the public than we could expect, and 

 was read by many persons of high standing and influence in 

 the Prussian capital. 



In the commencement of November Felix was received by 

 the King, who was extremely gracious, and invited him on the 

 nth to dinner. He returned from there much elated and full 

 of good hopes. Many of his old comrades remembered him 

 now and behaved very kindly, and were willing to assist him 

 in his endeavours to re-enter the Prussian army. Amongst 

 them was Prince Krafift Hohenlohe-Ingelfingen, who was a 

 general in the Prussian Artillery, much in favour with the 

 King. He came frequently to see us, and behaved altogether 

 extremely kindly and serviceably. 



The Queen of Prussia was at that time not in town, and that 

 was an impediment to my being presented to other members of 

 the Royal Family, and at Court. On November 12, however, 

 Baron Magnus called and made a very important and myste- 

 rious face. He said he came at the request of the Princess 

 Charles, the sister of the Queen, who wished to see me, though 

 it was somewhat against etiquette. 



In consequence I wrote to the first lady of honour to the 

 Princess, requesting an audience. The former, a Countess 

 von Hagen, and the Countess von Seydewitz, lady-in-waiting, 

 immediately called on me, but I was not at home. 



On the 14th I went to the palace of Prince Charles, where I 

 was received by her Royal Highness in the presence of her 

 lady-in-waiting, the forenamed Countess Seydewitz, one of the 

 handsomest ladies and finest figures I have ever seen. The 

 Princess received me with the utmost kindness, and I had 

 good reason to be highly gratified with my first appearance 

 amongst persons belonging to the Prussian Court, for every- 

 body was extremely poHte and kind to me. 



