8 



The news was fresh at the time, from a perfectly reliable 

 source, and probably new even to you. It was an expres- 

 sion of the King's to the effect that the danger in 

 which that daring ambassador was involved might be 

 considered as blown over. Since then your Excellency 

 has had the news from all sides, and my story is out 

 of date. 



At last we Prussians have got a general popular 

 representation, or rather we have had it this long 

 while, only we did not know it. My Lord Bishop Eylert* 

 has opened our eyes and spoken the great word first 

 a second Mirabeau that, in lucidity of thought and 

 boldness of expression. I can fancy not only the 

 " Rittersaal," but the whole Schloss, trembling as those 

 mighty words thundered in the Assembly, " The re- 

 presentation of the whole nation, of all estates and inte- 

 rests is the "Ordensfest" (Chapter Anniversary !)f I 

 bow with reverence and admiration before this colossal 

 audacity, this new, unheard-of combination, whereby the 

 miserable Institutions which hitherto have passed cur- 

 rent as the representative Institutions of Europe, whether 

 as Parliaments, Chambers, States-General, Cortes and 

 the like, were hurled back again into their nothing- 

 ness. I have heard the orator only through the dumb 

 mouth of the " State Grazette." But your Excellency 

 was doubtless present, and you surely pity me, and say 

 as of old was said when a speech of Demosthenes was 

 read, " Oh, if you had only heard the man deliver it !" 

 To have witnessed the approving smile, the gracious 

 satisfaction, and the cheerful glances of the as- 



* Eulemann Friedrich Eylert, an evangelical bishop and author of a " Life 

 of Friedrich Wilhelm III." TR. 



f The Ordensfest was the anniversary meeting of the Chapters of the 

 Orders of the Black and Red Eagle. TR. 



