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+The Project Gutenberg Etext Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck
+Volume 1
+#1 in our series by Baron Trenck
+
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+Title:  The Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck - Volume 1
+
+Author:  Baron Trenck
+
+Translator:  Thomas Holcroft
+
+June, 2001  [Etext #2668]
+
+
+The Project Gutenberg Etext Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck
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+This etext was scanned by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk
+from the 1892 Cassell & Co. edition.  Proofing was by Bridie, Rab
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+
+
+LIFE AND ADVENTURE OF BARON TRENCK - VOLUME 1
+
+
+
+
+TRANSLATED BY THOMAS HOLCROFT
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION.
+
+
+
+There were two cousins Von der Trenck, who were barons descended
+from an ancient house in East Prussia, and were adventurous
+soldiers, to whom, as to the adventurous, there were adventures that
+lost nothing in the telling, for they were told by the authors' most
+admiring friends--themselves.  Franz, the elder, was born in 1711,
+the son of an Austrian general; and Frederick, whose adventures are
+here told, was the son of a Prussian major-general.  Franz, at the
+age of seventeen, fought duels, and cut off the head of a man who
+refused to lend him money.  He stood six feet three inches in his
+shoes, knocked down his commanding officer, was put under arrest,
+offered to pay for his release by bringing in three Turks' heads
+within an hour, was released on that condition, and actually brought
+in four Turks' heads.  When afterwards cashiered, he settled on his
+estates in Croatia, and drilled a thousand of his tenantry to act as
+"Pandours" against the banditti.  In 1740, he served with his
+Pandours under Maria Theresa, and behaved himself as one of the more
+brutal sort of banditti.  He offered to capture Frederick of
+Prussia, and did capture his tent.  Many more of his adventures are
+vaingloriously recounted by himself in the Memoires du Baron Franz
+de Trenck, published at Paris in 1787.  This Trenck took poison when
+imprisoned at Gratz, and died in October, 1747, at the age of
+thirty-six.
+
+His cousin Frederick is the Trenck who here tells a story of himself
+that abounds in lively illustration of the days of Frederick the
+Great.  He professes that Frederick the King owed him a grudge,
+because Frederick the Trenck had, when eighteen years old,
+fascinated the Princess Amalie at a ball.  But as Frederick the
+Greater was in correspondence with his cousin Franz at the time when
+that redoubtable personage was planning the seizure of Frederick the
+Great, there may have been better ground for the Trenck's arrest
+than he allows us to imagine.  Mr. Carlyle shows that Frederick von
+der Trenck had been three months in prison, and was still in prison,
+at the time of the battle of the Sohr, in which he professes to have
+been engaged.  Frederick von der Trenck, after his release from
+imprisonment in 1763, married a burgomaster's daughter, and went
+into business as a wine merchant.  Then he became adventurous again.
+His adventures, published in German in 1786-7, and in his own French
+version in 1788, formed one of the most popular books of its time.
+Seven plays were founded on them, and ladies in Paris wore their
+bonnets a la Trenck.  But the French finally guillotined the author,
+when within a year of threescore and ten, on the 26th of July, 1794.
+He had gone to Paris in 1792, and joined there in the strife of
+parties.  At the guillotine he struggled with the executioner.
+
+H.M.
+
+
+
+THE LIFE OF BARON TRENCK.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+I was born at Konigsberg in Prussia, February 16, 1726, of one of
+the most ancient families of the country.  My father, who was lord
+of Great Scharlach, Schakulack, and Meichen, and major-general of
+cavalry, died in 1740, after receiving eighteen wounds in the
+Prussian service.  My mother was daughter of the president of the
+high court at Konigsberg.  After my father's death she married Count
+Lostange, lieutenant-colonel in the Kiow regiment of cuirassiers,
+with whom she went and resided at Breslau.  I had two brothers and a
+sister; my youngest brother was taken by my mother into Silesia; the
+other was a cornet in this last-named regiment of Kiow; and my
+sister was married to the only son of the aged General Valdow.
+
+My ancestors are famous in the Chronicles of the North, among the
+ancient Teutonic knights, who conquered Courland, Prussia, and
+Livonia.
+
+By temperament I was choleric, and addicted to pleasure and
+dissipation; my tutors found this last defect most difficult to
+overcome; happily, they were aided by a love of knowledge inherent
+in me, an emulative spirit, and a thirst for fame, which disposition
+it was my father's care to cherish.  A too great consciousness of
+innate worth gave me a too great degree of pride, but the endeavours
+of my instructor to inspire humility were not all lost; and habitual
+reading, well-timed praise, and the pleasures flowing from science,
+made the labours of study at length my recreation.
+
+My memory became remarkable; I am well read in the Scriptures, the
+classics, and ancient history; was acquainted with geography; could
+draw; learnt fencing, riding, and other necessary exercises.
+
+My religion was Lutheran; but morality was taught me by my father,
+and by the worthy man to whose care he committed the forming of my
+heart, whose memory I shall ever hold in veneration.  While a boy, I
+was enterprising in all the tricks of boys, and exercised my wit in
+crafty excuses; the warmth of my passions gave a satiric, biting
+cast to my writings, whence it has been imagined, by those who knew
+but little of me, I was a dangerous man; though, I am conscious,
+this was a false judgment.
+
+A soldier himself, my father would have all his sons the same; thus,
+when we quarrelled, we terminated our disputes with wooden sabres,
+and, brandishing these, contested by blows for victory, while our
+father sat laughing, pleased at our valour and address.  This
+practice, and the praises he bestowed, encouraged a disposition
+which ought to have been counteracted.
+
+Accustomed to obtain the prize, and be the hero of scholastic
+contentions, I acquired the bad habit of disputation, and of
+imagining myself a sage when little more than a boy.  I became
+stubborn in argument.; hasty to correct others, instead of patiently
+attentive:  and, by presumption, continually liable to incite
+enmity.  Gentle to my inferiors, but impatient of contradiction, and
+proud of resisting power, I may hence date, the origin of all my
+evils.
+
+How might a man, imbued with the heroic principles of liberty, hope
+for advancement and happiness, under the despotic and iron
+Government of Frederic?  I was taught neither to know nor to avoid,
+but to despise the whip of slavery.  Had I learnt hypocrisy, craft,
+and meanness, I had long since become field-marshal, had been in
+possession of my Hungarian estates, and had not passed the best
+years of my life in the dungeons of Magdeburg.  I was addicted to no
+vice:  I laboured in the cause of science, honour, and virtue; kept
+no vicious company; was never in the whole of my life intoxicated;
+was no gamester, no consumer of time in idleness nor brutal
+pleasures; but devoted many hundred laborious nights to studies that
+might make me useful to my country; yet was I punished with a
+severity too cruel even for the most worthless, or most villanous.
+
+I mean, in my narrative, to make candour and veracity my guides, and
+not to conceal my failings; I wish my work may remain a moral lesson
+to the world.  Yet it is an innate satisfaction that I am conscious
+of never having acted with dishonour, even to the last act of this
+distressful tragedy.
+
+I shall say little of the first years of my life, except that my
+father took especial care of my education, and sent me, at the age
+of thirteen, to the University of Konigsberg, where, under the
+tuition of Kowalewsky, my progress was rapid.  There were fourteen
+other noblemen in the same house, and under the same master.
+
+In the year following, 1740, I quarrelled with one young Wallenrodt,
+a fellow-student, much stronger than myself, and who, despising my
+weakness, thought proper to give me a blow.  I demanded
+satisfaction.  He came not to the appointed place, but treated my
+demand with contempt; and I, forgetting all further respect,
+procured a second, and attacked him in open day.  We fought, and I
+had the fortune to wound him twice; the first time in the arm, the
+second in the hand.
+
+This affair incited inquiry:- Doctor Kowalewsky, our tutor, laid
+complaints before the University, and I was condemned to three
+hours' confinement; but my grandfather and guardian, President
+Derschau, was so pleased with my courage, that he took me from this
+house and placed me under Professor Christiani.
+
+Here I first began to enjoy full liberty, and from this worthy man I
+learnt all I know of experimental philosophy and science.  He loved
+me as his own son, and continued instructing me till midnight.
+Under his auspices, in 1742, I maintained, with great success, two
+public theses, although I was then but sixteen; an effort and an
+honour till then unknown.
+
+Three days after my last public exordium, a contemptible fellow
+sought a quarrel with me, and obliged me to draw in my own defence,
+whom, on this occasion, I wounded in the groin.
+
+This success inflated my valour, and from that time I began to
+assume the air and appearance of a Hector.
+
+Scarcely had a fortnight elapsed before I had another with a
+lieutenant of the garrison, whom I had insulted, who received two
+wounds in the contest.
+
+I ought to remark, that at this time, the University of Konigsberg
+was still highly privileged.  To send a challenge was held
+honourable; and this was not only permitted, but would have been
+difficult to prevent, considering the great number of proud, hot-
+headed, and turbulent nobility from Livonia, Courland, Sweden,
+Denmark, and Poland, who came thither to study, and of whom there
+were more than five hundred.  This brought the University into
+disrepute, and endeavours have been made to remedy the abuse.  Men
+have acquired a greater extent of true knowledge, and have begun to
+perceive that a University ought to be a place of instruction, and
+not a field of battle; and that blood cannot be honourably shed,
+except in defence of life or country.
+
+In November, 1742, the King sent his adjutant-general, Baron Lottum,
+who was related to my mother, to Konigsberg, with whom I dined at my
+grandfather's.  He conversed much with me, and, after putting
+various questions, purposely, to discover what my talents and
+inclinations were, he demanded, as if in joke, whether I had any
+inclination to go with him to Berlin, and serve my country, as my
+ancestors had ever done:  adding that, in the army, I should find
+much better opportunities of sending challenges than at the
+University.  Inflamed with the desire of distinguishing myself, I
+listened with rapture to the proposition, and in a few days we
+departed for Potzdam.
+
+On the morrow after my arrival, I was presented to the King, as
+indeed I had before been in the year 1740, with the character of
+being, then, one of the most hopeful youths of the University.  My
+reception was most flattering; the justness of my replies to the
+questions he asked, my height, figure, and confidence, pleased him;
+and I soon obtained permission to enter as a cadet in his body
+guards, with a promise of quick preferment.
+
+The body guards formed, at this time, a model and school for the
+Prussian cavalry; they consisted of one single squadron of men
+selected from the whole army, and their uniform was the most
+splendid in all Europe.  Two thousand rix-dollars were necessary to
+equip an officer:  the cuirass was wholly plated with silver; and
+the horse, furniture, and accoutrements alone cost four hundred rix-
+dollars.
+
+This squadron only contained six officers and a hundred and forty-
+four men; but there were always fifty or sixty supernumeraries, and
+as many horses, for the King incorporated all the most handsome men
+he found in the guards.  The officers were the best taught of any
+the army contained; the King himself was their tutor, and he
+afterwards sent them to instruct the cavalry in the manoeuvres they
+had learnt.  Their rise was rapid if they behaved well; but they
+were broken for the least fault, and punished by being sent to
+garrison regiments.  It was likewise necessary they should be
+tolerably rich, as well as possess such talents as might be
+successfully employed, both at court and in the army.
+
+There are no soldiers in the world who undergo so much as this body
+guard; and during the time I was in the service of Frederic, I often
+had not eight hours' sleep in eight days.  Exercise began at four in
+the morning, and experiments were made of all the alterations the
+King meant to introduce in his cavalry.  Ditches of three, four,
+five, six feet, and still wider, were leaped, till that someone
+broke his neck; hedges, in like manner, were freed, and the horses
+ran careers, meeting each other full speed in a kind of lists of
+more than half a league in length.  We had often, in these our
+exercises, several men and horses killed or wounded.
+
+It happened more frequently than otherwise that the same experiments
+were repeated after dinner with fresh horses; and it was not
+uncommon, at Potzdam, to hear the alarm sounded twice in a night.
+The horses stood in the King's stables; and whoever had not dressed,
+armed himself, saddled his horse, mounted, and appeared before the
+palace in eight minutes, was put under arrest for fourteen days.
+
+Scarcely were the eyes closed before the trumpet again sounded, to
+accustom youth to vigilance.  I lost, in one year, three horses,
+which had either broken their legs, in leaping ditches, or died of
+fatigue.
+
+I cannot give a stronger picture of this service than by saying that
+the body guard lost more men and horses in one year's peace than
+they did, during the following year, in two battles.
+
+We had, at this time, three stations; our service, in the winter,
+was at Berlin, where we attended the opera, and all public
+festivals:  in the spring we were exercised at Charlottenberg; and
+at Potzdam, or wherever the King went, during the summer.  The six
+officers of the guard dined with the King, and, on gala days, with
+the Queen.  It may be presumed there was not at that time on earth a
+better school to form an officer and a man of the world than was the
+court of Berlin.
+
+I had scarcely been six weeks a cadet before the King took me aside,
+one day, after the parade, and having examined me near half an hour,
+on various subjects, commanded me to come and speak to him on the
+morrow.
+
+His intention was to find whether the accounts that had been given
+him of my memory had not been exaggerated; and that he might be
+convinced, he first gave me the names of fifty soldiers to learn by
+rote, which I did in five minutes.  He next repeated the subjects of
+two letters, which I immediately composed in French and Latin; the
+one I wrote, the other I dictated.  He afterwards ordered me to
+trace, with promptitude, a landscape from nature, which I executed
+with equal success; and he then gave me a cornet's commission in his
+body guards.
+
+Each mark of bounty from the monarch increased an ardour already
+great, inspired me with gratitude, and the first of my wishes was to
+devote my whole life to the service of my King and country.  He
+spoke to me as a Sovereign should speak, like a father, like one who
+knew well how to estimate the gifts bestowed on me by nature; and
+perceiving, or rather feeling, how much he might expect from me,
+became at once my instructor and my friend.
+
+Thus did I remain a cadet only six weeks, and few Prussians can
+vaunt, under the reign of Frederic, of equal good fortune.
+
+The King not only presented me with a commission, but equipped me
+splendidly for the service.  Thus did I suddenly find myself a
+courtier, and an officer in the finest, bravest, and best
+disciplined corps in Europe.  My good fortune seemed unlimited,
+when, in the month of August, 1743, the King selected me to go and
+instruct the Silesian cavalry in the new manoeuvres:  an honour
+never before granted to a youth of eighteen.
+
+I have already said we were garrisoned at Berlin during winter,
+where the officers' table was at court:  and, as my reputation had
+preceded me, no person whatever could be better received there, or
+live more pleasantly.
+
+Frederic commanded me to visit the literati, whom he had invited to
+his court:  Maupertuis, Jordan, La Mettrie, and Pollnitz, were all
+my acquaintance.  My days were employed in the duties of an officer,
+and my nights in acquiring knowledge.  Pollnitz was my guide, and
+the friend of my heart.  My happiness was well worthy of being
+envied.  In 1743, I was five feet eleven inches in height, and
+Nature had endowed me with every requisite to please.  I lived, as I
+vainly imagined, without inciting enmity or malice, and my mind was
+wholly occupied by the desire of earning well-founded fame.
+
+I had hitherto remained ignorant of love, and had been terrified
+from illicit commerce by beholding the dreadful objects of the
+hospital at Potzdam.  During the winter of 1743, the nuptials of his
+Majesty's sister were celebrated, who was married to the King of
+Sweden, where she is at present Queen Dowager, mother of the
+reigning Gustavus.  I, as officer of my corps, had the honour to
+mount guard and escort her as far as Stettin.  Here first did my
+heart feel a passion of which, in the course of my history, I shall
+have frequent occasion to speak.  The object of my love was one whom
+I can only remember at present with reverence; and, as I write not
+romance, but facts, I shall here briefly say, ours were mutually the
+first-fruits of affection, and that to this hour I regret no
+misfortune, no misery, with which, from a stock so noble, my destiny
+was overshadowed.
+
+Amid the tumult inseparable to occasions like these, on which it was
+my duty to maintain order, a thief had the address to steal my
+watch, and cut away part of the gold fringe which hung from the
+waistcoat of my uniform, and afterwards to escape unperceived.  This
+accident brought on me the raillery of my comrades; and the lady
+alluded to thence took occasion to console me, by saying it should
+be her care that I should be no loser.  Her words were accompanied
+by a look I could not misunderstand, and a few days after I thought
+myself the happiest of mortals.  The name, however, of this high-
+born lady is a secret, which must descend with me to the grave; and,
+though my silence concerning this incident heaves a void in my life,
+and indeed throws obscurity over a part of it, which might else be
+clear, I would much rather incur this reproach than become
+ungrateful towards my best friend and benefactress.  To her
+conversation, to her prudence, to the power by which she fixed my
+affections wholly on herself, am I indebted for the improvement and
+polishing of my bodily and mental qualities.  She never despised,
+betrayed, or abandoned me, even in the deepest of my distress; and
+my children alone, on my death-bed, shall be taught the name of her
+to whom they owe the preservation of their father, and consequently
+their own existence.
+
+I lived at this time perfectly happy at Berlin, and highly esteemed.
+The King took every opportunity to testify his approbation; my
+mistress supplied me with more money than I could expend; and I was
+presently the best equipped, and made the greatest figure, of any
+officer in the whole corps.  The style in which I lived was
+remarked, for I had only received from my father's heritage the
+estate of Great Scharlach; the rent of which was eight hundred
+dollars a year, which was far from sufficient to supply my then
+expenses.  My amour, in the meantime, remained a secret from my best
+and most intimate friends.  Twice was my absence from Potzdam and
+Charlottenberg discovered, and I was put under arrest; but the King
+seemed satisfied with the excuse I made, under the pretext of having
+been hunting, and smiled as he granted my pardon.
+
+Never did the days of youth glide away with more apparent success
+and pleasure than during these my first years at Berlin.  This good
+fortune was, alas, of short duration.  Many are the incidents I
+might relate, but which I shall omit.  My other adventures are
+sufficiently numerous, without mingling such as may any way seem
+foreign to the subject.  In this gloomy history of my life, I wish
+to paint myself such as I am; and, by the recital of my sufferings,
+afford a memorable example to the world, and interest the heart of
+sensibility.  I would also show how my fatal destiny has deprived my
+children of an immense fortune; and, though I want a hundred
+thousand men to enforce and ensure my rights, I will leave
+demonstration to my heirs that they are incontestable.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+
+
+In the beginning of September, 1744, war again broke out between the
+Houses of Austria and Prussia.  We marched with all speed towards
+Prague, traversing Saxony without opposition.  I will not relate in
+this place what the great Frederic said to us, with evident emotion,
+when surrounded by all his officers, on the morning of our departure
+from Potzdam.
+
+Should any one be desirous of writing the lives of him and his
+opponent, Maria Theresa, without flattery and without fear, let him
+apply to me, and I will relate anecdotes most surprising on this
+subject, unknown to all but myself, and which never must appear
+under my own name.
+
+All monarchs going to war have reason on their side; and the
+churches of both parties resound with prayers, and appeals to Divine
+Justice, for the success of their arms.  Frederic, on this occasion,
+had recourse to them with regret, of which I was a witness.
+
+If I am not mistaken, the King's army came before Prague on the 14th
+of September, and that of General Schwerin, which had passed through
+Silesia, arrived the next day on the other side of the Moldau.  In
+this position we were obliged to wait some days for pontoons,
+without which we could not establish a communication between the two
+armies.
+
+The height called Zischka, which overlooks the city, being guarded
+only by a few Croats, was instantly seized, without opposition, by
+some grenadiers, and the batteries, erected at the foot of that
+mountain, being ready on the fifth day, played with such success on
+the old town with bombs and red-hot balls that it was set on fire.
+The King made every effort to take the city before Prince Charles
+could bring his army from the Rhine to its relief.
+
+General Harsh thought proper to capitulate, after a siege of twelve
+days, during which not more than five hundred men of the garrison,
+at the utmost, were killed and wounded, though eighteen thousand men
+were made prisoners.
+
+Thus far we had met with no impediment.  The Imperial army, however,
+under the command of Prince Charles of Lorraine, having quitted the
+banks of the Rhine, was advancing to save Bohemia.
+
+During this campaign we saw the enemy only at a distance; but the
+Austrian light troops being thrice as numerous as ours, prevented us
+from all foraging.  Winter was approaching, dearth and hunger made
+Frederic determine to retreat, without the least hope from the
+countries in our rear, which we had entirely laid waste as we had
+advanced.  The severity of the season, in the month of November,
+rendered the soldiers excessively impatient of their hardships; and,
+accustomed to conquer, the Prussians were ashamed of and repined at
+retreat:  the enemy's light troops facilitated desertion, and we
+lost, in a few weeks, above thirty thousand men.  The pandours of my
+kinsman, the Austrian Trenck, were incessantly at our heels, gave us
+frequent alarms, did us great injury, and, by their alertness, we
+never could make any impression upon them with our cannon.  Trenck
+at length passed the Elbe, and went and burnt and destroyed our
+magazines at Pardubitz:  it was therefore resolved wholly to
+evacuate Bohemia.
+
+The King hoped to have brought Prince Charles to the battle between
+Benneschan and Kannupitz, but in vain:  the Saxons, during the
+night, had entered a battery of three-and-twenty cannon on a mound
+which separated two ponds:  this was the precise road by which the
+King meant to make the attack.
+
+Thus were we obliged to abandon Bohemia.  The dearth, both for man
+and horse, began to grow extreme.  The weather was bad; the roads
+and ruts were deep; marches were continual, and alarms and attacks
+from the enemy's light troops became incessant.  The discontent all
+these inspired was universal, and this occasioned the great loss of
+the army.
+
+Under such circumstances, had Prince Charles continued to harass us,
+by persuading us into Silesia, had he made a winter campaign,
+instead of remaining indolently at ease in Bohemia, we certainly
+should not have vanquished him, the year following, at Strigau; but
+he only followed at a distance, as far as the Bohemian frontiers.
+This gave Frederic time to recover, and the more effectually because
+the Austrians had the imprudence to permit the return of deserters.
+
+This was a repetition of what had happened to Charles XII. when he
+suffered his Russian prisoners to return home, who afterwards so
+effectually punished his contempt of them at the battle of Pultawa.
+
+Prague was obliged to be abandoned, with considerable loss; and
+Trenck seized on Tabor, Budweis, and Frauenberg, where he took
+prisoners the regiments of Walrabe Kreutz.
+
+No one would have been better able to give a faithful history of
+this campaign than myself, had I room in this place, and had I at
+that time been more attentive to things of moment; since I not only
+performed the office of adjutant to the King, when he went to
+reconnoitre, or choose a place of encampment, but it was, moreover,
+my duty to provide forage for the headquarters.  The King having
+only permitted me to take six volunteers from the body guard, to
+execute this latter duty, I was obliged to add to them horse
+chasseurs, and hussars, with whom I was continually in motion.  I
+was peculiarly fortunate on two occasions, by happening to come
+after the enemy when they had left loaded waggons and forage
+bundles.
+
+I seldom passed the night in my tent during this campaign, and my
+indefatigable activity obtained the favour and entire confidence of
+Frederic.  Nothing so much contributed to inspire me with emulation
+as the public praises I received, and my enthusiasm wished to
+perform wonders.  The campaign, however, but ill supplied me with
+opportunities to display my youthful ardour.
+
+At length no one durst leave the camp, notwithstanding the extremity
+of the dearth, because of the innumerable clouds of pandours and
+hussars that hovered everywhere around.
+
+No sooner were we arrived in Silesia, than the King's body guard
+were sent to Berlin, there to remain in winter quarters.
+
+I should not here have mentioned the Bohemian war, but that, while
+writing time history of my life, I ought not to omit accidents by
+which my future destiny was influenced.
+
+One day, while at Bennaschen, I was commanded out, with a detachment
+of thirty hussars and twenty chasseurs, on a foraging party.  I had
+posted my hussars in a convent, and gone myself, with the chasseurs,
+to a mansion-house, to seize the carts necessary for the conveyance
+of the hay and straw from a neighbouring farm.  An Austrian
+lieutenant of hussars, concealed with thirty-six horsemen in a wood,
+having remarked the weakness of my escort, taking advantage of the
+moment when my people were all employed in loading the carts, first
+seized our sentinel, and then fell suddenly upon them, and took them
+all prisoners in the very farm-yard.  At this moment I was seated at
+my ease, beside the lady of the mansion-house, and was a spectator
+of the whole transaction through the window.
+
+I was ashamed of and in despair at my negligence.  The kind lady
+wished to hide me when the firing was heard in the farm-yard.  By
+good fortune, the hussars, whom I had stationed in the convent, had
+learnt from a peasant that there was an Austrian detachment in the
+wood:  they had seen us at a distance enter the farmyard, hastily
+marched to our aid, and we had not been taken more than two minutes
+before they arrived.  I cannot express the pleasure with which I put
+myself at their head.  Some of the enemy's party escaped through a
+back door, but we made two-and-twenty prisoners, with a lieutenant
+of the regiment of Kalnockichen.  They had two men killed, and one
+wounded; and two also of my chasseurs were hewn down by the sabre,
+in the hay-loft, where they were at work.
+
+We continued our forage with more caution after this accident:  the
+horses we had taken served, in part, to draw the carts; and, after
+raising a contribution of one hundred and fifty ducats on the
+convent, which I distributed among the soldiers to engage them to
+silence, we returned to the army, from which we were distant about
+two leagues.
+
+We heard firing as we marched, and the foragers on all sides were
+skirmishing with the enemy.  A lieutenant and forty horse joined me;
+yet, with this reinforcement, I durst not return to the camp,
+because I learned we were in danger from more than eight hundred
+pandours and hussars, who were in the plain.  I therefore determined
+to take a long, winding, but secret route, and had the good fortune
+to come safe to quarters with my prisoners and five-and-twenty
+loaded carts.  The King was at dinner when I entered his tent.
+Having been absent all night, it was imagined I had been taken, that
+accident having happened the same day to many others.
+
+The instant I entered, the King demanded if I returned singly.  "No,
+please your Majesty," answered I; "I have brought five-and-twenty
+loads of forage, and two-and-twenty prisoners, with their officer
+and horses."
+
+The King then commanded me to sit down, and turning himself towards
+the English ambassador, who was near him, said, laying his hand on
+my shoulder, "C'est un Matador de ma jeunesse."
+
+A reconnoitring party was, at the same moment, in waiting before his
+tent:  he consequently asked me few questions, and to those he did
+ask, I replied trembling.  In a few minutes he rose from the table,
+gave a glance at the prisoners, hung the Order of Merit round my
+neck, commanded me to go and take repose, and set off with his
+party.
+
+It is easy to conceive the embarrassment of my situation; my
+unpardonable negligence deserved that I should have been broken,
+instead of which I was rewarded; an instance, this, of the great
+influence of chance on the affairs of the world.  How many generals
+have gained victories by their very errors, which have been
+afterwards attributed to their genius! It is evident the sergeant of
+hussars, who retook me and my men by bringing up his party, was much
+better entitled than myself to the recompense I received.  On many
+occasions have I since met with disgrace and punishment when I
+deserved reward.  My inquietude lest the truth should be discovered,
+was extreme, especially recollecting how many people were in the
+secret:  and my apprehensions were incessant.
+
+As I did not want money, I gave the sergeants twenty ducats each,
+and the soldiers one, in order to insure their silence, which, being
+a favourite with them, they readily promised.  I, however, was
+determined to declare the truth the very first opportunity, and this
+happened a few days after.
+
+We were on our march, and I, as cornet, was at the head of my
+company, when the King, advancing, beckoned me to come to him, and
+bade me tell him exactly how the affair I had so lately been engaged
+in happened.
+
+The question at first made me mistrust I was betrayed, but remarking
+the King had a mildness in his manner, I presently recovered myself,
+and related the exact truth.  I saw the astonishment of his
+countenance, but I at the same time saw he was pleased with my
+sincerity.  He spoke to me for half an hour, not as a King, but as a
+father, praised my candour, and ended with the following words,
+which, while life remains, I shall never forget:  "Confide in the
+advice I give you; depend wholly upon me, and I will make you a
+man."  Whoever can feel, may imagine how infinitely my gratitude
+towards the King was increased, by this his great goodness; from
+that moment I had no other desire than to live and die for his
+service.
+
+I soon perceived the confidence the King had in me after this
+explanation, of which I received very frequent marks, the following
+winter, at Berlin.  He permitted me to be present at his
+conversations with the literati of his court, and my state was truly
+enviable.
+
+I received this same winter more than five hundred ducats as
+presents.  So much happiness could not but excite jealousy, and this
+began to be manifest on every side.  I had too little disguise for a
+courtier, and my heart was much too open and frank.
+
+Before I proceed, I will here relate an incident which happened
+during the last campaign, and which will, no doubt, be read in the
+history of Frederic.
+
+On the rout while retreating through Bohemia, the King came to
+Kollin, with his horse-guards, the cavalry piquets of the head-
+quarters, and the second and third battalions of guards.  We had
+only four field pieces, and our squadron was stationed in one of the
+suburbs.  Our advance posts, towards evening, were driven back into
+the town, and the hussars entered pell-mell:  the enemy's light
+troops swarmed over the country, and my commanding officer sent me
+immediately to receive the King's orders.  After much search, I
+found him at the top of a steeple, with a telescope in his hand.
+Never did I see him so disturbed or undecided as on this occasion.
+Orders were immediately given that we should retreat through the
+city, into the opposite suburb, where we were to halt, but not
+unsaddle.
+
+We had not been here long before a most heavy rain fell, and the
+night became exceedingly dark.  My cousin Trenck made his approach
+about nine in the evening, with his pandour and janissary music, and
+set fire to several houses.  They found we were in the suburb, and
+began to fire upon us from the city windows.  The tumult became
+extreme:  the city was too full for us to re-enter:  the gate was
+shut, and they fired from above at us with our field-pieces.  Trenck
+had let in the waters upon us, and we were up to the girths by
+midnight, and almost in despair.  We lost seven men, and my horse
+was wounded in the neck.
+
+The King, and all of us, had certainly been made prisoners had my
+cousin, as he has since told me, been able to continue the assault
+he had begun:  but a cannon ball having wounded him in the foot, he
+was carried off, and the pandours retired.  The corps of Nassau
+arrived next day to our aid; we quitted Kollin, and during the march
+the King said to me, "Your cousin had nearly played us a malicious
+prank last night, but the deserters say he is killed."  He then
+asked what our relationship was, and there our conversation ended.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+
+
+It was about the middle of December when we came to Berlin, where I
+was received with open arms.  I became less cautious than formerly,
+and, perhaps, more narrowly observed.  A lieutenant of the foot
+guards, who was a public Ganymede, and against whom I had that
+natural antipathy and abhorrence I have for all such wretches,
+having indulged himself in some very impertinent jokes on the secret
+of my amour, I bestowed on him the epithet he deserved:  we drew our
+swords, and he was wounded.  On the Sunday following I presented
+myself to pay my respects to his Majesty on the parade, who said to
+me as he passed, "The storm and the thunder shall rend your heart;
+beware!" {1}  He added nothing more.
+
+Some little time after I was a few minutes too late on the parade;
+the King remarked it, and sent me, under arrest, to the foot-guard
+at Potzdam.  When I had been here a fortnight, Colonel Wartensleben
+came, and advised me to petition for pardon.  I was then too much a
+novice in the modes of the court to follow his counsel, nor did I
+even remark the person who gave it me was himself a most subtle
+courtier.  I complained bitterly that I had so long been deprived of
+liberty, for a fault which was usually punished by three, or, at
+most, six days' arrest.  Here accordingly I remained.
+
+Eight days after, the King being come to Potzdam, I was sent by
+General Bourke to Berlin, to carry some letters, but without having
+seen the King.  On my return I presented myself to him on the
+parade; and as our squadron was garrisoned at Berlin, I asked, "Does
+it please your Majesty that I should go and join my corps?"  "Whence
+came you?" answered he.  "From Berlin."  "And where were you before
+you went to Berlin?"  "Under arrest."  "Then under arrest you must
+remain!"
+
+I did not recover my liberty till three days before our departure
+for Silesia, towards which we marched, with the utmost speed, in the
+beginning of May, to commence our second campaign.
+
+Here I must recount an event which happened that winter, which
+became the source of all my misfortunes, and to which I must entreat
+my readers will pay the utmost attention; since this error, if
+innocence can be error, was the cause that the most faithful and the
+best of subjects became bewildered in scenes of wretchedness, and
+was the victim of misery, from his nineteenth to the sixtieth year
+of his age.  I dare presume that this true narrative, supported by
+testimonies the most authentic, will fully vindicate my present
+honour and my future memory.
+
+Francis, Baron of Trenck, was the son of my father's brother,
+consequently my cousin german.  I shall speak, hereafter, of the
+singular events of his life.  Being a commander of pandours in the
+Austrian service, and grievously wounded at Bavaria, in the year
+1743, he wrote to my mother, informing her he intended me, her
+eldest son, for his universal legatee.  This letter, to which I
+returned no answer, was sent to me at Potzdam.  I was so satisfied
+with my situation, and had such numerous reasons so to be,
+considering the kindness with which the King treated me, that I
+would not have exchanged my good fortune for all the treasures of
+the Great Mogul.
+
+On the 12th of February, 1744, being at Berlin, I was in company
+with Captain Jaschinsky, commander of the body guard, the captain of
+which ranks as colonel in the army, together with Lieutenant
+Studnitz, and Cornet Wagnitz.  The latter was my field comrade, and
+is at present commander-general of the cavalry of Hesse Cassel.  The
+Austrian Trenck became the subject of conversation, and Jaschinsky
+asked if I were his kinsman.  I answered, yes, and immediately
+mentioned his having made me his universal heir.  "And what answer
+have you returned?" said Jaschinsky.--"None at all."
+
+The whole company then observed that, in a case like the present, I
+was much to blame not to answer; that the least I could do would be
+to thank him for his good wishes, and entreat a continuance of them.
+Jaschinsky further added, "Desire him to send you some of his fine
+Hungarian horses for your own use, and give me the letter; I will
+convey it to him, by means of Mr. Bossart, legation counsellor of
+the Saxon embassy; but on condition that you will give me one of the
+horses.  This correspondence is a family, and not a state affair; I
+will make myself responsible for the consequences."
+
+I immediately took my commander's advice, and began to write; and
+had those who suspected me thought proper to make the least inquiry
+into these circumstances, the four witnesses who read what I wrote
+could have attested my innocence, and rendered it indubitable.  I
+gave my letter open to Jaschinsky, who sealed and sent it himself.
+
+I must omit none of the incidents concerning this letter, it being
+the sole cause of all my sufferings.  I shall therefore here relate
+an event which was the first occasion of the unjust suspicions
+entertained against me.
+
+One of my grooms, with two led horses, was, among many others, taken
+by the pandours of Trenck.  When I returned to the camp, I was to
+accompany the King on a reconnoitring party.  My horse was too
+tired, and I had no other:  I informed him of my embarrassment, and
+his Majesty immediately made me a present of a fine English courser.
+
+Some days after, I was exceedingly astonished to see my groom
+return, with my two horses, and a pandour trumpeter, who brought me
+a letter, containing nearly the following words:-
+
+"The Austrian Trenck is not at war with the Prussian Trenck, but, on
+the contrary, is happy to have recovered his horses from his
+hussars, and to return them to whom they first belonged," &c.
+
+I went the same day to pay my respects to the King, who, receiving
+me with great coldness, said, "Since your cousin has returned your
+own horses, you have no more need of mine."
+
+There were too many who envied me to suppose these words would
+escape repetition.  The return of the horses seems infinitely to
+have increased that suspicion Frederic entertained against me, and
+therefore became one of the principal causes of my misfortunes:  it
+is for this reason that I dwell upon this and suchlike small
+incidents, they being necessary for my own justification, and, were
+it possible, for that of the King.  My innocence is, indeed, at
+present universally acknowledged by the court, the army, and the
+whole nation; who all mention the injustice I suffered with pity,
+and the fortitude with which it was endured with surprise.
+
+We marched for Silesia, to enter on our second campaign:  which, to
+the Prussians, was as bloody and murderous as it was glorious.
+
+The King's head-quarters were fixed at the convent of Kamentz, where
+we rested fourteen days, and the army remained in cantonments.
+Prince Charles, instead of following us into Bohemia, had the
+imprudence to occupy the plain of Strigau, and we already concluded
+his army was beaten.  Whoever is well acquainted with tactics, and
+the Prussian manoeuvres, will easily judge, without the aid of
+calculation or witchcraft, whether a well or ill-disciplined army,
+in an open plain, ought to be victorious.
+
+The army hastily left its cantonments, and in twenty-four hours was
+in order of battle; and on the 14th of June, eighteen thousand
+bodies lay stretched on the plain of Strigau.  The allied armies of
+Austria and Saxony were totally defeated.
+
+The body guard was on the right; and previous to the attack, the
+King said to our squadron, "Prove today, my children, that you are
+my body guard, and give no Saxon quarter."
+
+We made three attacks on the cavalry, and two on the infantry.
+Nothing could withstand a squadron like this, which for men, horses,
+courage, and experience, was assuredly the first in the world.  Our
+corps alone took seven standards and five pairs of colours, and in
+less than an hour the affair was over.
+
+I received a pistol shot in my right hand, my horse was desperately
+wounded, and I was obliged to change him on the third charge.  The
+day after the battle all the officers were rewarded with the Order
+of Merit.  For my own part, I remained four weeks among the wounded,
+at Schweidnitz, where there were sixteen thousand men under the
+torture of the army surgeons, many of whom had not their wounds
+dressed till the third day.
+
+I was near three months before I recovered the use of my hand:  I
+nevertheless rejoined my corps, continued to perform my duty, and as
+usual accompanied the King when he went to reconnoitre.  For some
+time past he had placed confidence in me, and his kindness towards
+me continually increased, which raised my gratitude even to
+enthusiasm.
+
+I also performed the service of adjutant during this campaign, a
+circumstantial account of which no person is better enabled to write
+than myself, I having been present at all that passed.  I was the
+scholar of the greatest master the art of war ever knew, and who
+believed me worthy to receive his instructions; but the volume I am
+writing would be insufficient to contain all that personally relates
+to myself.
+
+I must here mention an adventure that happened at this time, and
+which will show the art of the great Frederic in forming youth for
+his service, and devotedly attaching them to his person.
+
+I was exceedingly fond of hunting, in which, notwithstanding it was
+severely forbidden, I indulged myself.  I one day returned, laden
+with pheasants; but judge my astonishment and fears when I saw the
+army had decamped, and that it was with difficulty that I could
+overtake the rear-guard.
+
+In this my distress, I applied to an officer of hussars, who
+instantly lent me his horse, by the aid of which I rejoined my
+corps, which always marched as the vanguard.  Mounting my own horse,
+I tremblingly rode to the head of my division, which it was my duty
+to precede.  The King, however, had remarked my absence, or rather
+had been reminded of it by my superior officer, who, for some time
+past, had become my enemy.
+
+Just as the army halted to encamp, the King rode towards me, and
+made a signal for me to approach, and, seeing my fears in my
+countenance, said, "What, are you just returned from hunting?"
+"Yes, your Majesty.  I hope--"  Here interrupting me, he added,
+"Well, well, for this time, I shall take no further notice,
+remembering Potzdam; but, however, let me find you more attentive to
+your duty."
+
+So ended this affair, for which I deserved to have been broken.  I
+must remind my readers that the King meant by the words remembering
+Potzdam, he remembered I had been punished too severely the winter
+before, and that my present pardon was intended as a compensation.
+
+This was indeed to think and act greatly; this was indeed the true
+art of forming great men:  an art much more effectual than that of
+ferocious generals, who threaten subalterns with imprisonment and
+chains on every slight occasion; and, while indulging all the
+rigours of military law, make no distinction of minds or of men.
+Frederic, on the contrary, sometimes pardoned the failings of
+genius, while mechanic souls he mechanically punished, according to
+the very letter of the laws of war.
+
+I shall further remark, the King took no more notice of my late
+fault, except that sometimes, when I had the honour to dine with
+him, he would ridicule people who were too often at the chase, or
+who were so choleric that they took occasion to quarrel for the
+least trifle.
+
+The campaign passed in different manoeuvres, marches, and
+countermarches.  Our corps was the most fatigued, as being encamped
+round the King's tent, the station of which was central, and as
+likewise having the care of the vanguard; we were therefore obliged
+to begin our march two hours sooner than the remainder of the army,
+that we might be in our place.  We also accompanied the King
+whenever he went to reconnoitre, traced the lines of encampment, led
+the horse to water, inspected the head-quarters, and regulated the
+march and encampment, according to the King's orders; the
+performance of all which robbed us of much rest, we being but six
+officers to execute so many different functions.
+
+Still further, we often executed the office of couriers, to bear the
+royal commands to detachments.  The King was particularly careful
+that the officers of his guards, whom he intended should become
+excellent in the art of tactics, should not be idle in his school.
+It was necessary to do much in order that much might be learnt.
+Labour, vigilance, activity, the love of glory and the love of his
+country, animated all his generals; into whom, it may be said, he
+infused his spirit.
+
+In this school I gained instruction, and here already was I selected
+as one designed to instruct others; yet, in my fortieth year, a
+great general at Vienna told me, "My dear Trenck, our discipline
+would be too difficult for you to learn; for which, indeed, you are
+too far advanced in life."  Agreeable to this wise decision was I
+made an Austrian invalid, and an invalid have always remained; a
+judgment like this would have been laughed at, most certainly, at
+Berlin.
+
+If I mistake not, the famous battle of Soor, or Sorau, was fought on
+the 14th day of September.  The King had sent so many detachments
+into Saxony, Bohemia, and Silesia, that the main army did not
+consist of more than twenty-five thousand men.  Neglecting advice,
+and obstinate in judging his enemy by numbers, and not according to
+the excellence of discipline, and other accidents, Prince Charles,
+blind to the real strength of the Prussian armies, had enclosed this
+small number of Pomeranian and Brandenburg regiments, with more than
+eighty-six thousand men, intending to take them all prisoners.
+
+It will soon be seen from my narrative with what kind of secrecy his
+plan was laid and executed.
+
+The King came into my tent about midnight; as he also did into that
+of all the officers, to awaken them; his orders were, "Secretly to
+saddle, leave the baggage in the rear, and that the men should stand
+ready to mount at the word of command."
+
+Lieutenant Studnitz and myself attended the King, who went in
+person, and gave directions through the whole army; meantime, break
+of day was expected with anxiety.
+
+Opposite the defile through which the enemy was to march to the
+attack eight field-pieces were concealed behind a hill.  The King
+must necessarily have been informed of the whole plan of the
+Austrian general, for he had called in the advanced posts from the
+heights, that he might lull him into security, and make him imagine
+we should be surprised in the midst of sleep.
+
+Scarcely did break of day appear before the Austrian artillery,
+situated upon the heights, began to play upon our camp, and their
+cavalry to march through the defile to the attack.
+
+As suddenly were we in battle array; for in less than ten minutes we
+ourselves began the attack, notwithstanding the smallness of our
+number, the whole army only containing five regiments of cavalry.
+We fell with such fury upon the enemy (who at this time were wholly
+employed in forming their men at the mouth of the defile, and that
+slowly, little expecting so sudden and violent a charge), that we
+drove them back into the defile, where they pressed upon each other
+in crowds; the King himself stood ready to unmask his eight field-
+pieces, and a dreadful and bloody slaughter ensued in this narrow
+place; from which the enemy had not the power to retreat.  This
+single incident gained the battle, and deceived all time hopes of
+Prince Charles.
+
+Nadasti, Trenck, and the light troops, sent to attack our rear, were
+employed in pillaging the camp.  The ferocious Croats met no
+opposition, while this their error made our victory more secure.  It
+deserves to be noticed that, when advice was brought to the King
+that the enemy had fallen upon and were plundering the camp, his
+answer was, "So much the better; they have found themselves
+employment, and will be no impediment to our main design."
+
+Our victory was complete, but all our baggage was lost; the
+headquarters, utterly undefended, were totally stripped; and Trenck
+had, for his part of the booty, the King's tent and his service of
+plate.
+
+I have mentioned this circumstance here, because that, in the year
+1740, my cousin Trenck, having fallen into the power of his enemies,
+who had instituted a legal, process against him, was accused, by
+some villanous wretches, of having surprised the King in bed at the
+battle of Sorau, and of having afterwards released him for a bribe.
+
+What was still worse, they hired a common woman, a native of Brunn,
+who pretended she was the daughter of Marshal Schwerin, to give in
+evidence that she herself was with the King when Trenck entered his
+tent, whom he immediately made prisoner, and as immediately
+released.
+
+To this part of the prosecution I myself, an eye-witness, can
+answer:  the thing was false and impossible.  He was informed of the
+intended attack.  I accompanied the watchful King from midnight till
+four in the morning, which time he employed in riding through the
+camp, and making the necessary preparations to receive the enemy;
+and the action began at five.  Trenck could not take the King in
+bed, for the battle was almost gained when he and his pandours
+entered the camp and plundered the head-quarters.
+
+As for the tale of Miss Schwerin, it is only fit to be told by
+schoolboys, or examined by the Inquisition, and was very unworthy of
+making part of a legal prosecution against an innocent man at
+Vienna.
+
+This incident, however, is so remarkable that I shall give in this
+work a farther account of my kinsman, and what was called his
+criminal process, at reading which the world will be astonished.  My
+own history is so connected with his that this is necessary, and the
+more so because there are many ignorant or wicked people at Vienna,
+who believe, or affirm, Trenck had actually taken the King of
+Prussia prisoner.
+
+Never yet was there a traitor of the name of Trenck; and I hope to
+prove, in the clearest manner, the Austrian Trenck as faithfully
+served the Empress-Queen as the Prussian Trenck did Frederic, his
+King.  Maria Theresa, speaking to me of him some time after his
+death, and the snares that had been laid for him, said, "Your
+kinsman has made a better end than will be the fate of his accusers
+and judges."
+
+Of this more hereafter:  I approach that epoch when my misfortunes
+began, and when the sufferings of martyrdom attended me from youth
+onward till my hairs grew grey.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+
+
+A few days after the battle of Sorau, the usual camp postman brought
+me a letter from my cousin Trenck, the colonel of pandours,
+antedated at Effek four months, of which the following is a copy:-
+
+"Your letter, of the 12th of February, from Berlin, informs me you
+desire to have some Hungarian horses.  On these you would come and
+attack me and my pandours.  I saw with pleasure, during the last
+campaign, that the Prussian Trenck was a good soldier; and that I
+might give you some proofs of my attachment, I then returned the
+horses which my men had taken.  If, however, you wish to have
+Hungarian horses, you must take mine in like manner from me in the
+field of battle:  or, should you so think fit, come and join one who
+will receive you with open arms, like his friend and son, and who
+will procure you every advantage you can desire," &c.
+
+At first I was terrified at reading this letter, yet could not help
+smiling.  Cornet Wagenitz, now general in chief of the Hesse Cassel
+forces, and Lieutenant Grotthausen, both now alive, and then
+present, were my camp comrades.  I gave them the letter to read, and
+they laughed at its contents.  It was determined to show it to our
+superior officer, Jaschinsky, on a promise of secrecy, and it was
+accordingly shown him within an hour after it was received.
+
+The reader will be so kind as to recollect that, as I have before
+said, it was this Colonel Jaschinsky who on the 12th of February,
+the same year, at Berlin, prevailed on me to write to the Austrian
+Trenck, my cousin; that he received the letter open, and undertook
+to send it according to its address; also that, in this letter, I in
+jest had asked him to send me some Hungarian horses, and, should
+they come, had promised one to Jaschinsky.  He read the letter with
+an air of some surprise; we laughed, and, it being whispered through
+the army that, in consequence of our late victory, detached corps
+would be sent into Hungary, Jaschinsky said, "We shall now go and
+take Hungarian horses for ourselves."  Here the conversation ended,
+and I, little suspecting future consequences, returned to my tent.
+
+I must here remark the following observations:-
+
+1st.  I had not observed the date of the letter brought by the
+postman, which, as I have said, was antedated four months:  this,
+however, the colonel did not fail to remark.
+
+2ndly.  The probability is that this was a net, spread for me by
+this false and wicked man.  The return of my horses, during the
+preceding campaign, had been the subject of much conversation.  It
+is possible he had the King's orders to watch me; but more probably
+he only prevailed on me to write that he might entrap me by a
+fictitious answer.  Certain it is, my cousin Trenck, at Vienna,
+affirmed to his death he never received any letter from me,
+consequently never could send any answer.  I must therefore conclude
+this letter was forged.
+
+Jaschinsky was at this time one of the King's favourites; his spy
+over the army; a tale-bearer; an inventor of wicked lies and
+calumnies.  Some years after the event of which I am now speaking,
+the King was obliged to break and banish him the country.
+
+He was then also the paramour of the beauteous Madame Brossart, wife
+of the Saxon resident at Berlin, and there can be little doubt but
+that this false letter was, by her means, conveyed to some Saxon or
+Austrian post-office, and thence, according to its address, sent to
+me.  He had daily opportunities of infusing suspicions into the
+King's mind concerning me; and, unknown to me, of pursuing his
+diabolical plan.
+
+I must likewise add he was four hundred ducats indebted to me.  At
+that time I had always a plentiful supply of money.  This booty
+became his own when I, unexamined, was arrested, and thrown into
+prison.  In like manner he seized on the greatest part of my camp
+equipage.
+
+Further, we had quarrelled during our first campaign, because he had
+beaten one of my servants; we even were proceeding to fight with
+pistols, had not Colonel Winterfield interfered, and amicably ended
+our quarrel.  The Lithuanian is, by nature, obstinate and
+revengeful; and, from that day, I have reason to believe he sought
+my destruction.
+
+God only knows what were the means he took to excite the King's
+suspicious; for it is incredible that Frederic, considering his
+WELL-KNOWN PROFESSIONS of public justice, should treat me in the
+manner he did, without a hearing, without examination, and without a
+court-martial.  This to me has ever remained a mystery, which the
+King alone was able to explain; he afterwards was convinced I was
+innocent:  but my sufferings had been too cruel, and the miseries he
+had inflicted too horrible, for me ever to hope for compensation.
+
+In an affair of this nature, which will soon he known to all Europe,
+as it long has been in Prussia, the weakest is always guilty.  I
+have been made a terrible example to this our age, how true that
+maxim is in despotic States.
+
+A man of my rank, having once unjustly suffered, and not having the
+power of making his sufferings known, must ever be highly rewarded
+or still more unjustly punished.  My name and injuries will ever
+stain the annals of Frederic THE GREAT; even those who read this
+book will perhaps suppose that I, from political motives of hope or
+fear, have sometimes concealed truth by endeavouring to palliate his
+conduct.
+
+It must ever remain incomprehensible that a monarch so clear-
+sighted, himself the daily witness of my demeanour, one well
+acquainted with mankind, and conscious I wanted neither money,
+honour, nor hope of future preferment; I say it is incomprehensible
+that he should really suppose me guilty.  I take God to witness, and
+all those who knew me in prosperity and misfortune, I never
+harboured a thought of betraying my country.  How was it possible to
+suspect me?  I was neither madman nor idiot.  In my eighteenth year
+I was a cornet of the body guard, adjutant to the King, and
+possessed his favour and confidence in the highest degree.  His
+presents to me, in one year, amounted to fifteen hundred dollars.  I
+kept seven horses, four men in livery; I was valued, distinguished,
+and beloved by the mistress of my soul.  My relations held high
+offices, both civil and military; I was even fanatically devoted to
+my King and country, and had nothing to wish.
+
+That I should become thus wretched, in consequence of this
+unfortunate letter, is equally wonderful:  it came by the public
+post.  Had there been any criminal correspondence, my kinsman
+certainly would not have chosen this mode of conveyance; since, it
+is well known, all such letters are opened; nor could I act more
+openly.  My colonel read the letter I wrote; and also that which I
+received, immediately after it was brought.
+
+The day after the receipt of this letter I was, as I have before
+said, unheard, unaccused, unjudged, conducted like a criminal from
+the army, by fifty hussars, and imprisoned in the fortress of Glatz.
+I was allowed to take three horses, and my servants, but my whole
+equipage was left behind, which I never saw more, and which became
+the booty of Jaschinsky.  My commission was given to Cornet
+Schatzel, and I cashiered without knowing why.  There were no legal
+inquiries made:  all was done by the King's command.
+
+Unhappy people! where power is superior to law, and where the
+innocent and the virtuous meet punishment instead of reward.
+Unhappy land! where the omnipotent "SUCH IS OUR WILL" supersedes all
+legal sentence, and robs the subject of property, life, and honour.
+
+I once more repeat I was brought to the citadel of Glatz; I was not,
+however, thrown into a dungeon, but imprisoned in a chamber of the
+officer of the guard; was allowed my servants to wait on me, and
+permitted to walk on the ramparts.
+
+I did not want money, and there was only a detachment from the
+garrison regiment in the citadel of Glatz, the officers of which
+were all poor.  I soon had both friends and freedom, and the rich
+prisoner every day kept open table.
+
+He only who had known me in this the ardour of my youth, who had
+witnessed how high I aspired, and the fortune that attended me at
+Berlin, can imagine what my feelings were at finding myself thus
+suddenly cast from my high hopes.
+
+I wrote submissively to the King, requesting to be tried by a court-
+martial, and not desiring any favour should I be found guilty.  This
+haughty tone, in a youth, was displeasing, and I received no answer,
+which threw me into despair, and induced me to use every possible
+means to obtain my liberty.
+
+My first care was to establish, by the intervention of an officer, a
+certain correspondence with the object of my heart.  She answered,
+she was far from supposing I had ever entertained the least thought
+treacherous to my country; that she knew, too well, I was perfectly
+incapable, of dissimulation.  She blamed the precipitate anger and
+unjust suspicions of the King; promised me speedy aid, and sent me a
+thousand ducats.
+
+Had I, at this critical moment, possessed a prudent and intelligent
+friend, who could have calmed my impatience, nothing perhaps might
+have been more easy than to have obtained pardon from the King, by
+proving my innocence; or, it may be, than to have induced him to
+punish my enemies.
+
+But the officers who then were at Glatz fed the flame of discontent.
+They supposed the money I so freely distributed came all from
+Hungary, furnished by the pandour chest; and advised me not to
+suffer my freedom to depend upon the will of the King, but to enjoy
+it in his despite.
+
+It was not more easy to give this advice than to persuade a man to
+take it, who, till then, had never encountered anything but good
+fortune, and who consequently supported the reverse with impatience.
+I was not yet, however, determined; because I could not yet resolve
+to abandon my country, and especially Berlin.
+
+Five months soon passed away in prison:  peace was concluded; the
+King was returned to his capital; my commission in the guards was
+bestowed on another, when Lieutenant Piaschky, of the regiment of
+Fouquet, and Ensign Reitz, who often mounted guard over me, proposed
+that they and I should escape together.  I yielded; our plan was
+fixed, and every preparatory step taken.
+
+At that time there was another prisoner at Glatz, whose name was
+Manget, by birth a Swiss, and captain of cavalry in the Natzmerschen
+hussars; he had been broken, and condemned by a court-martial to ten
+years' imprisonment, with an allowance of only four rix-dollars per
+month.
+
+Having done this man kindness, I was resolved to rescue him from
+bondage, at the same time that I obtained freedom for myself.  I
+communicated my design, and made the proposal, which was accepted by
+him, and measures were taken; yet were we betrayed by this vile man,
+who thus purchased pardon and liberty.
+
+Piaschky, who had been informed that Reitz was arrested, saved
+himself by deserting.  I denied the fact in presence of Manget, with
+whom I was confronted, and bribed the Auditor with a hundred ducats.
+By this means Reitz only suffered a year's imprisonment, and the
+loss of his commission.  I was afterwards closely confined in a
+chamber, for having endeavoured to corrupt the King's officers, and
+was guarded with greater caution.
+
+Here I will interrupt my narrative, for a moment, to relate an
+adventure which happened between me and this Captain Manget, three
+years after he had thus betrayed me--that is to say, in 1749, at
+Warsaw.
+
+I there met him by chance, and it is not difficult to imagine what
+was the salutation he received.  I caned him; he took this ill, and
+challenged me to fight with pistols.  Captain Heucking, of the
+Polish guards, was my second.  We both fired together; I shot him
+through the neck at the first shot, and he fell dead on the field.
+
+He alone, of all my enemies, ever died by my own hand; and he well
+merited his end, for his cowardly treachery towards the two brave
+fellows of whom I have spoken; and still more so with respect to
+myself, who had been his benefactor.  I own, I have never reproached
+myself for this duel, by which I sent a rascal out of the world.
+
+I return to my tale.  My destiny at Glatz was now become more
+untoward and severe.  The King's suspicions were increased, as
+likewise was his anger, by this my late attempt to escape.
+
+Left to myself, I considered my situation in the worst point of
+view, and determined either on flight or death.  The length and
+closeness of my confinement became insupportable to my impatient
+temper.
+
+I had always had the garrison on my side, nor was it possible to
+prevent my making friends among them.  They knew I had money, and,
+in a poor garrison regiment, the officers of which are all
+dissatisfied, having most of them been drafted from other corps, and
+sent thither as a punishment, there was nothing that might not be
+undertaken.
+
+My scheme was as follows:- My window looked towards the city, and
+was ninety feet from the ground in the tower of the citadel, out of
+which I could not get, without having found a place of refuge in the
+city.
+
+This an officer undertook to procure me, and prevailed on an honest
+soap-boiler to grant me a hiding place.  I then notched my pen-
+knife, and sawed through three iron bars; but this mode was too
+tedious, it being necessary to file away eight bars from my window,
+before I could pass through; another officer therefore procured me a
+file, which I was obliged to use with caution, lest I should be
+overheard by the sentinels.
+
+Having ended this labour, I cut my leather portmanteau into thongs,
+sewed them end to end, added the sheets of my bed, and descended
+safely from this astonishing height.
+
+It rained, the night was dark, and all seemed fortunate, but I had
+to wade through moats full of mud, before I could enter the city, a
+circumstance I had never once considered.  I sank up to the knees,
+and after long struggling, and incredible efforts to extricate
+myself, I was obliged to call the sentinel, and desire him to go and
+tell the governor, Trenck was stuck fast in the moat.
+
+My misfortune was the greater on this occasion, because that General
+Fouquet was then governor of Glatz.  He was one of the cruellest of
+men.  He had been wounded by my father in a duel; and the Austrian
+Trenck had taken his baggage in 1744, and had also laid the country
+of Glatz under contribution.  He was, therefore, an enemy to the
+very name of Trenck; nor did he lose any opportunity of giving
+proofs of his enmity, and especially on the present occasion, when
+he left me standing in the mire till noon, the sport of the
+soldiers.  I was then drawn out, half dead, only again to be
+imprisoned, and shut up the whole day, without water to wash me.  No
+one can imagine how I looked, exhausted and dirty, my long hair
+having fallen into the mud, with which, by my struggling, it was
+loaded.
+
+I remained in this condition till the next day, when two fellow-
+prisoners were sent to assist and clean me.
+
+My imprisonment now became more intolerable.  I had still eighty
+louis-d'ors in my purse, which had not been taken from me at my
+removal into another dungeon, and these afterwards did me good
+service.
+
+The passions soon all assailed me at once, and impetuous, boiling,
+youthful blood overpowered reason; hope disappeared; I thought
+myself the most unfortunate of men, and my King an irreconcileable
+judge, more wrathful and more fortified in suspicion by my own
+rashness.  My nights were sleepless, my days miserable; my soul was
+tortured by the desire of fame; a consciousness of innocence was a
+continued stimulus inciting me to end my misfortunes.  Youth,
+inexperienced in woe and disastrous fate, beholds every evil
+magnified, and desponds on every new disappointment, more especially
+after having failed in attempting freedom.  Education had taught me
+to despise death, and these opinions had been confirmed by my friend
+La Mettrie, author of the famous work, "L'Homme Machine," or "Man a
+Machine."
+
+I read much during my confinement at Glatz, where books were allowed
+me; time was therefore less tedious; but when the love of liberty
+awoke, when fame and affection called me to Berlin, and my baulked
+hopes painted the wretchedness of my situation; when I remembered
+that my loved country, judging by appearances, could not but
+pronounce me a traitor; then was I hourly impelled to rush on the
+naked bayonets of my guards, by whom, to me, the road of freedom was
+barred.
+
+Big with such-like thoughts, eight days had not elapsed since my
+last fruitless attempt to escape, when an event happened which would
+appear incredible, were I, the principal actor in the scene, not
+alive to attest its truth, and might not all Glatz and the Prussian
+garrison be produced as eye and ear witnesses.  This incident will
+prove that adventurous, and even rash, daring will render the most
+improbable undertakings possible, and that desperate attempts may
+often make a general more fortunate and famous than the wisest and
+best concerted plans.
+
+Major Doo {2} came to visit me, accompanied by an officer of the
+guard, and an adjutant.  After examining every corner of my chamber,
+he addressed me, taxing me with a second crime in endeavouring to
+obtain my liberty; adding this must certainly increase the anger of
+the King.
+
+My blood boiled at the word crime; he talked of patience; I asked
+him how long the King had condemned me to imprisonment; he answered,
+a traitor to his country, who has correspondence with the enemy,
+cannot be condemned for a certain time, but must depend for grace
+and pardon on the King.
+
+At that instant I snatched his sword from his side, on which my eyes
+had some time been fixed, sprang out of the door, tumbled the
+sentinel from the top to the bottom of the stairs, passed the men
+who happened to be drawn up before the prison door to relieve the
+guard, attacked them sword in hand, threw them suddenly into
+surprise by the manner in which I laid about me, wounded four of
+them, made way through the rest, sprang over the breastwork of the
+ramparts, and, with my sword drawn in my hand, immediately leaped
+this astonishing height without receiving the least injury.  I
+leaped the second wall with equal safety and good fortune.  None of
+their pieces were loaded; no one durst leap after me, and in order
+to pursue, they must go round through the town and gate of the
+citadel; so that I had the start full half an hour.
+
+A sentinel, however, in a narrow passage, endeavoured to oppose my
+flight, but I parried his fixed bayonet, and wounded him in the
+face.  A second sentinel, meantime, ran from the outworks, to seize
+me behind, and I, to avoid him, made a spring at the palisadoes;
+there I was unluckily caught by the foot, and received a bayonet
+wound in the upper lip; thus entangled, they beat me with the butt-
+end of their muskets, and dragged me back to prison, while I
+struggled and defended myself like a man grown desperate.
+
+Certain it is, had I more carefully jumped the palisadoes, and
+despatched the sentinel who opposed me, I might have escaped, and
+gained the mountains.  Thus might I have fled to Bohemia, after
+having, at noonday, broken from the fortress of Glatz, sprung past
+all its sentinels, over all its walls, and passed with impunity, in
+despite of the guard, who were under arms, ready to oppose me.  I
+should not, having a sword, have feared any single opponent, and was
+able to contend with the swiftest runners.
+
+That good fortune which had so far attended me forsook me at the
+palisadoes, where hope was at an end.  The severities of
+imprisonment were increased; two sentinels and an under officer were
+locked in with me, and were themselves guarded by sentinels without;
+I was beaten and wounded by the butt-ends of their muskets, my right
+foot was sprained, I spat blood, and my wounds were not cured in
+less than a month.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+
+
+I was now first informed that the King had only condemned me to a
+year's imprisonment, in order to learn whether his suspicions were
+well founded.  My mother had petitioned for me, and was answered,
+"Your son must remain a year imprisoned, as a punishment for his
+rash correspondence."
+
+Of this I was ignorant, and it was reported in Glatz that my
+imprisonment was for life.  I had only three weeks longer to repine
+for the loss of liberty, when I made this rash attempt.  What must
+the King think?  Was he not obliged to act with this severity?  How
+could prudence excuse my impatience, thus to risk a confiscation,
+when I was certain of receiving freedom, justification, and honour,
+in three weeks?  But, such was my adverse fate, circumstances all
+tended to injure and persecute me, till at length I gave reason to
+suppose I was a traitor, notwithstanding the purity of my
+intentions.
+
+Once more, then, was I in a dungeon, and no sooner was I there than
+I formed new projects of flight.  I first gained the intimacy of my
+guards.  I had money, and this, with the compassion I had inspired,
+might effect anything among discontented Prussian soldiers.  Soon
+had I gained thirty-two men, who were ready to execute, on the first
+signal, whatever I should command.  Two or three excepted, they were
+unacquainted with each other; they consequently could not all be
+betrayed at a time:  had chosen the sub-officer Nicholai to head
+them.
+
+The garrison consisted only of one hundred and twenty men from the
+garrison regiment, the rest being dispersed in the county of Glatz,
+and four officers, their commanders, three of whom were in my
+interest.  Everything was prepared; swords and pistols were
+concealed in the oven which was in my prison.  We intended to give
+liberty to all the prisoners, and retire with drums beating into
+Bohemia.
+
+Unfortunately, an Austrian deserter, to whom Nicholai had imparted
+our design, went and discovered our conspiracy.  The governor
+instantly sent his adjutant to the citadel, with orders that the
+officer on guard should arrest Nicholai, and, with his men, take
+possession of the casement.
+
+Nicholai was on the guard, and the lieutenant was my friend, and
+being in the secret, gave the signal that all was discovered.
+Nicholai only knew all the conspirators, several of whom that day
+were on guard.  He instantly formed his resolution, leaped into the
+casement, crying, "Comrades, to arms, we are betrayed!"  All
+followed to the guard-house, where they seized on the cartridges,
+the officer having only eight men, and threatening to fire on
+whoever should offer resistance, came to deliver me from prison; but
+the iron door was too strong, and the time too short for that to be
+demolished.  Nicholai, calling to me, bid me aid them, but in vain:
+and perceiving nothing more could be done for me, this brave man,
+heading nineteen others, marched to the gate of the citadel, where
+there was a sub-officer and ten soldiers, obliged these to accompany
+him, and thus arrived safely at Braunau, in Bohemia; for, before the
+news was spread through the city, and men were collected for the
+pursuit, they were nearly half-way on their journey.
+
+Two years after I met with this extraordinary man at Ofenbourg,
+where hue was a writer:  he entered immediately into my service, and
+became my friend, but died some months after of a burning fever, at
+my quarters in Hungary, at which I was deeply grieved, for his
+memory will be ever dear to me.
+
+Now was I exposed to all the storms of ill-fortune:  a prosecution
+was entered against me as a conspirator, who wanted to corrupt the
+officers and soldiers of the King.  They commanded me to name the
+remaining conspirators; but to these questions I made no answer,
+except by steadfastly declaring I was an innocent prisoner, an
+officer unjustly broken; unjustly, because I had never been brought
+to trial; that consequently I was released from all my engagements;
+nor could it be thought extraordinary that I should avail myself of
+that law of nature which gives every man a right to defend his
+honour defamed, and seek by every possible means to regain his
+liberty:  that such had been my sole purpose in every enterprise I
+had formed, and such should still continue to be, for I was
+determined to persist, till I should either be crowned with success,
+or lose my life in the attempt.
+
+Things thus remained:  every precaution was taken except that I was
+not put in irons; it being a law in Prussia that no gentleman or
+officer can be loaded with chains, unless he has first for some
+crime been delivered over to the executioner; and certainly this had
+not been my case.
+
+The soldiers were withdrawn from my chamber; but the greatest ill
+was I had expended all my money, and my kind mistress, at Berlin,
+with whom I had always corresponded, and which my persecutors could
+not prevent, at last wrote -
+
+
+"My tears flow with yours; the evil is without remedy--I dare no
+more--escape if you can.  My fidelity will ever be the same, when it
+shall be possible for me to serve you.--Adieu, unhappy friend:  you
+merit a better fate."
+
+
+This letter was a thunderbolt:- my comfort, however, still was that
+the officers were not suspected, and that it was their duty to visit
+my chamber several times a day, and examine what passed:  from which
+circumstance I felt my hopes somewhat revive.  Hence an adventure
+happened which is almost unexampled in tales of knight-errantry.
+
+A lieutenant, whose name was Bach, a Dane by nation, mounted guard
+every fourth day, and was the terror of the whole garrison; for,
+being a perfect master of arms, he was incessantly involved in
+quarrels, and generally left his marks behind him.  He had served in
+two regiments, neither of which would associate with him for this
+reason, and he had been sent to the garrison regiment at Glatz as
+punishment.
+
+Bach one day, sitting beside me, related how, the evening before, he
+had wounded a lieutenant, of the name of Schell, in the arm.  I
+replied, laughing, "Had I my liberty, I believe you would find some
+trouble in wounding me, for I have some skill in the sword."  The
+blood instantly flew in his face; we split off a kind of pair of
+foils from an old door, which had served me as a table, and at the
+first lunge I hit him on the breast.
+
+His rage became ungovernable, and he left the prison.  What was my
+astonishment when, a moment after, I saw him return with two
+soldiers' swords, which he had concealed under his coat.--"Now,
+then, boaster, prove," said he, giving me one of them, "what thou
+art able to do."  I endeavoured to pacify him, by representing the
+danger, but ineffectually.  He attacked me with the utmost fury, and
+I wounded him in the arm.
+
+Throwing his sword down, he fell upon my neck, kissed me, and wept.
+At length, after some convulsive emotions of pleasure, he said,
+"Friend, thou art my master; and thou must, thou shalt, by my aid,
+obtain thy liberty, as certainly as my name is Bach."  We bound up
+his arm as well as we could.  He left me, and secretly went to a
+surgeon, to have it properly dressed, and at night returned.
+
+He now remarked, that it was humanly impossible I should escape,
+unless the officer on guard should desert with me;--that he wished
+nothing more ardently than to sacrifice his life in my behalf, but
+that he could not resolve so far to forget his honour and duty to
+desert, himself, while on guard:  he notwithstanding gave me his
+word of honour he would find me such a person in a few days; and
+that, in the meantime, he would prepare everything for my flight.
+
+He returned the same evening, bringing with him Lieutenant Schell,
+and as he entered said, "Here is your man."  Schell embraced me,
+gave his word of honour, and thus was the affair settled, and as it
+proved, my liberty ascertained.
+
+We soon began to deliberate on the means necessary to obtain our
+purpose.  Schell was just come from garrison at Habelchwert to the
+citadel of Glatz, and in two days was to mount guard over me, till
+when our attempt was suspended.  I have before said, I received no
+more supplies from my beloved mistress, and my purse at that time
+only contained some six pistoles.  It was therefore resolved that
+Bach should go to Schweidnitz, and obtain money of a sure friend of
+mine in that city.
+
+Here must I inform the reader that at this period the officers and I
+all understood each other, Captain Roder alone excepted, who was
+exact, rigid, and gave trouble on all occasions.
+
+Major Quaadt was my kinsman, by my mother's side, a good, friendly
+man, and ardently desirous I should escape, seeing my calamities
+were so much increased.  The four lieutenants who successively
+mounted guard over me were Bach, Schroeder, Lunitz, and Schell.  The
+first was the grand projector, and made all preparations; Schell was
+to desert with me; and Schroeder and Lunitz three days after were to
+follow.
+
+No one ought to be surprised that officers of garrison regiments
+should be so ready to desert.  They are, in general, either men of
+violent passions, quarrelsome, overwhelmed with debts, or unfit for
+service.  They are usually sent to the garrison as a punishment, and
+are called the refuse of the army.  Dissatisfied with their
+situation, their pay much reduced, and despised by the troops, such
+men, expecting advantage, may be brought to engage in the most
+desperate undertaking.  None of them can hope for their discharge,
+and they live in the utmost poverty.  They all hoped by my means to
+better their fortune, I always having had money enough; and, with
+money, nothing is more easy than to find friends, in places where
+each individual is desirous of escaping from slavery.
+
+The talents of Schell were of a superior order; he spoke and wrote
+six languages, and was well acquainted with all the fine arts.  He
+had served in the regiment of Fouquet, had been injured by his
+colonel, who was a Pomeranian; and Fouquet, who was no friend to
+well-informed officers, had sent him to a garrison regiment.  He had
+twice demanded his dismissal, but the King sent him to this species
+of imprisonment; he then determined to avenge himself by deserting,
+and was ready to aid me in recovering my freedom, that he might, by
+that means, spite Fouquet.
+
+I shall speak more hereafter of this extraordinary man, that I must
+not in this place interrupt my story.  We determined everything
+should be prepared against the first time Schell mounted guard, and
+that our project should be executed on our next.  Thus, as he
+mounted guard every four days, the eighth was to be that of our
+flight.
+
+The governor meantime had been informed how familiar I was become
+with the officers, at which taking offence, he sent orders that my
+door should no more be opened, but that I should receive my food
+through a small window that had been made for the purpose.  The care
+of the prison was committed to the major, and he was forbidden to
+eat with me, under pain of being broken.
+
+His precautions were ineffectual; the officers procured a false key,
+and remained with me half the day and night.
+
+Captain Damnitz was imprisoned in an apartment by the side of mine.
+This man had deserted from the Prussian service, with the money
+belonging to his company, to Austria, where he obtained a commission
+in his cousin's regiment, who having prevailed on him to serve as a
+spy, during the campaign of 1744, he was taken in the Prussian
+territories, known, and condemned to be hanged.
+
+Some Swedish volunteers, who were then in the army, interested
+themselves in his behalf, and his sentence was changed to perpetual
+imprisonment, with a sentence of infamy.
+
+This wretch, who two years after, by the aid of his protectors, not
+only obtained his liberty but a lieutenant-colonel's commission, was
+the secret spy of the major over the prisoners; and he remarked
+that, notwithstanding the express prohibition laid on the officers,
+they still passed the greater part of their time in my company.
+
+The 24th of December came, and Schell mounted guard.  He entered my
+prison immediately, where he continued a long time, and we made our
+arrangements for flight when he next should mount guard.
+
+Lieutenant Schroeder that day dined with the governor, and heard
+orders given to the adjutant that Schell should be taken from the
+guard, and put under arrest.
+
+Schroeder, who was in the secret, had no doubt but that we were
+betrayed, not knowing that the spy Damnitz had informed the governor
+that Schell was then in my chamber.
+
+Schroeder, full of terror, came running to the citadel, and said to
+Schell, "Save thyself, friend; all is discovered, and thou wilt
+instantly be put under arrest."
+
+Schell might easily have provided for his own safety, by flying
+singly, Schroeder having prepared horses, on one of which he himself
+offered to accompany him into Bohemia.  How did this worthy man, in
+a moment so dangerous, act toward his friend?
+
+Running suddenly into my prison, he drew a corporal's sabre from
+under his coat, and said, "Friend, we are betrayed; follow me, only
+do not suffer me to fall alive into the hands of my enemies."
+
+I would have spoken:  but interrupting me, and taking me by the
+hand, he added, "Follow me; we have not a moment to lose."  I
+therefore slipped on my coat and boots, without having time to take
+the little money I had left; and, as we went out of the prison,
+Schell said to the sentinel, "I am taking the prisoner into the
+officer's apartment; stand where you are."
+
+Into this room we really went, but passed out at the other door.
+The design of Schell was to go under the arsenal, which was not far
+off, to gain the covered way, leap the palisadoes, and afterwards
+escape after the best manner we might.
+
+We had scarcely gone a hundred paces before we met the adjutant and
+Major Quaadt.
+
+Schell started back, sprang upon the rampart, and leaped from the
+wall, which was there not very high.  I followed, and alighted
+unhurt, except having grazed my shoulder.  My poor friend was not so
+fortunate; having put out his ankle.  He immediately drew his sword,
+presented it to me, and begged me to despatch him, and fly.  He was
+a small, weak man:  but, far from complying with his request, I took
+him in my arms, threw him over the palisadoes, afterwards got him on
+my back, and began to run, without very well knowing which way I
+went.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+
+
+It may not be unnecessary to remark those fortunate circumstances
+that favoured our enterprise.
+
+The sun had just set as we took to flight; the hoar frost fell.  No
+one would run the risk that we had done, by making so dangerous a
+leap.  We heard a terrible noise behind us.  Everybody knew us; but
+before they could go round the citadel, and through the town, in
+order to pursue us, we had got a full half league.
+
+The alarm guns were fired before we were a hundred paces distant; at
+which my friend was very much terrified, knowing that in such cases
+it was generally impossible to escape from Glatz, unless the
+fugitives had got the start full two hours before the alarm guns
+were heard; the passes being immediately all stopped by the peasants
+and hussars, who are exceedingly vigilant.  No sooner is a prisoner
+missed than the gunner runs from the guard-house, and fires the
+cannon on the three sides of the fortress, which are kept loaded day
+and night for that purpose.
+
+We were not five hundred paces from the walls, when all before us
+and behind us were in motion.  It was daylight when we leaped, yet
+was our attempt as fortunate as it was wonderful:  this I attributed
+to my presence of mind, and the reputation I had already acquired,
+which made it thought a service of danger for two or three men to
+attack me.
+
+It was besides imagined we were well provided with arms for our
+defence; and it was little suspected that Schell had only his sword,
+and I an old corporal's sabre.
+
+Among the officers commanded to pursue us was Lieutenant Bart, my
+intimate friend.  Captain Zerbst, of the regiment of Fouquet, who
+had always testified the kindness of a brother towards me, met us on
+the Bohemian frontiers, and called to me, "Make to time left,
+brother, and you will see some lone houses, which are on the
+Bohemian confines:  the hussars have ridden straight forward."  He
+then passed on as if he had not seen us.
+
+We had nothing to fear from the officers; for the intimacy between
+the Prussian officers was at that time so great, and the word of
+honour so sacred, that during my rigorous detention at Glatz I had
+been once six-and-thirty hours hunting at Neurode, at the seat of
+Baron Stillfriede; Lunitz had taken my place in the prison, which
+the major knew when he came to make his visit.  Hence may be
+conjectured how great was the confidence in which the word of the
+unfortunate Trenck was held at Glatz, since they did not fear
+letting him leave his dungeon, and hunt on the very confines of
+Bohemia.  This, too, shows the governor was deceived, in despite of
+his watchfulness and order, and that a man of honour, with money,
+and a good head and heart, will never want friends.
+
+These my memoirs will be the picture of what the national character
+then was; and will prove that, with officers who lived like
+brothers, and held their words so sacred, the great Frederick well
+might vanquish his enemies.
+
+Arbitrary power has now introduced the whip of slavery, and mechanic
+subordination has eradicated those noble and rational incitements to
+concord and honour.  Instead of which, mistrust and slavish fear
+having arisen, the enthusiastic spirit of the Brandenburg warrior
+declines, and into this error have most of the other European States
+fallen.
+
+Scarcely had I borne my friend three hundred paces before I set him
+down, and I looked round me, but darkness came on so fast that I
+could see neither town nor citadel; consequently, we ourselves could
+not be seen.
+
+My presence of mind did not forsake me:  death or freedom was my
+determination.  "Where are we, Schell?" said I to my friend.  "Where
+does Bohemia lie? on which side is the river Neiss?"  The worthy man
+could make no answer:  his mind was all confusion, and he despaired
+of our escape:  he still, however, entreated I would not let him be
+taken alive, and affirmed my labour was all in vain.
+
+After having promised, by all that was sacred, I would save him from
+an infamous death, if no other means were left, and thus raised his
+spirits, he looked round, and knew, by some trees, we were not far
+from the city gates.  I asked him, "Where is the Neiss?"  He pointed
+sideways--"All Glatz has seen us fly towards the Bohemian mountains;
+it is impossible we should avoid the hussars, the passes being all
+guarded, and we beset with enemies."  So saying, I took him on my
+shoulders, and carried him to the Neiss; here we distinctly heard
+the alarm sounded in the villages, and the peasants, who likewise
+were to form the line of desertion, were everywhere in motion, and
+spreading the alarm.  As it may not be known to all my readers in
+what manner they proceed on these occasions in Prussia, I will here
+give a short account of it.
+
+Officers are daily named on the parade whose duty it is to follow
+fugitives as soon as the alarm-guns are fired.
+
+The peasants in the villages, likewise, are daily appointed to rim
+to the guard of certain posts.  The officers immediately fly to
+these posts to see that the peasants do their duty, and prevent the
+prisoner's escape.  Thus does it seldom happen that a soldier can
+effect his escape unless he be, at the very least, an hour on the
+road before the alarm-guns are fired.
+
+I now return to my story.
+
+I came to the Neiss, which was a little frozen, entered it with my
+friend, and carried him as long as I could wade, and when I could
+not feel the bottom, which did not continue for more than a space of
+eighteen feet, he clung round me, and thus we got safely to the
+other shore.
+
+My father taught all his sons to swim, for which I have often had to
+thank him; since by means of this art, which is easily learnt in
+childhood, I had on various occasions preserved my life, and was
+more bold in danger.  Princes who wish to make their subjects
+soldiers, should have them educated so as to fear neither fire nor
+water.  How great would be the advantage of being able to cross a
+river with whole battalions, when it is necessary to attack or
+retreat before the enemy, and when time will not permit to prepare
+bridges!
+
+The reader will easily suppose swimming in the midst of December,
+and remaining afterwards eighteen hours in the open air, was a
+severe hardship.  About seven o'clock the hoar-fog was succeeded by
+frost and moonlight.  The carrying of my friend kept me warm, it is
+true, but I began to be tired, while he suffered everything that
+frost, the pain of a dislocated foot (which I in vain endeavoured to
+reset), and the danger of death from a thousand hands, could
+inflict.
+
+We were somewhat more tranquil, however, having reached the opposite
+shore of the Neiss, since nobody would pursue us on the road to
+Silesia.  I followed the course of the river for half an hour, and
+having once passed the first villages that formed the line of
+desertion, with which Schell was perfectly acquainted, we in a lucky
+moment found a fisherman's boat moored to the shore; into this we
+leaped, crossed the river again, and soon gained the mountains.
+
+Here being come, we sat ourselves down awhile on the snow; hope
+revived in our hearts, and we held council concerning how it was
+best to act.  I cut a stick to assist Schell in hopping forward as
+well as he could when I was tired of carrying him; and thus we
+continued our route, the difficulties of which were increased by the
+mountain snows.
+
+Thus passed the night; during which, up to the middle in snow, we
+made but little way.  There were no paths to be traced in the
+mountains, and they were in many places impassable.  Day at length
+appeared:  we thought ourselves near the frontiers, which are twenty
+English miles from Glatz, when we suddenly, to our great terror,
+heard the city clock strike.
+
+Overwhelmed, as we were, by hunger, cold, fatigue, and pain, it was
+impossible we should hold out through the day.  After some
+consideration, and another half-hour's labour, we came to a village
+at the foot of the mountain, on the side of which, about three
+hundred paces from us, we perceived two separate houses, which
+inspired us with a stratagem that was successful.
+
+We lost our hats in leaping the ramparts; but Schell had preserved
+his scarf and gorget, which would give him authority among the
+peasants.
+
+I then cut my finger, rubbed the blood over my face, my shirt, and
+my coat, and bound up my head, to give myself the appearance of a
+man dangerously wounded.
+
+In this condition I carried Schell to the end of the wood not far
+from these houses; here he tied my hands behind my back, but so that
+I could easily disengage them in ease of need:  and hobbled after
+me, by aid of his staff, calling for help.
+
+Two old peasants appeared, and Schell commanded them to run to the
+village, and tell a magistrate to come immediately with a cart.  "I
+have seized this knave," added he, "who has killed my horse, and in
+the struggle I have put out my ankle; however, I have wounded and
+bound him; fly quickly, bring a cart, lest he should die before he
+is hanged."
+
+As for me, I suffered myself to be led, as if half-dead, into the
+house.  A peasant was despatched to the village.  An old woman and a
+pretty girl seemed to take great pity on me, and gave me some bread
+and milk:  but how great was our astonishment when the aged peasant
+called Schell by his name, and told him he well knew we were
+deserters, having the night before been at a neighbouring alehouse
+where the officer in pursuit of us came, named and described us, and
+related the whole history of our flight.  The peasant knew Schell,
+because his son served in his company, and had often spoken of him
+when he was quartered at Habelschwert.
+
+Presence of mind and resolution were all that were now left.  I
+instantly ran to the stable, while Schell detained the peasant in
+the chamber.  He, however, was a worthy man, and directed him to the
+road toward Bohemia.  We were still about some seven miles from
+Glatz, having lost ourselves among the mountains, where we had
+wandered many miles.  The daughter followed me:  I found three
+horses in the stable, but no bridles.  I conjured her, in the most
+passionate manner, to assist me:  she was affected, seemed half
+willing to follow me, and gave me two bridles.  I led the horses to
+the door, called Schell, and helped him, with his lame leg, on
+horseback.  The old peasant then began to weep, and beg I would not
+take his horses; but he luckily wanted courage, and perhaps the will
+to impede us; for with nothing more than a dung-fork, in our then
+feeble condition, he might have stopped us long enough to have
+called in assistance from the village.
+
+And now behold us on horseback, without hats or saddles; Schell with
+his uniform scarf and gorget, and I in my red regimental coat.
+Still we were in danger of seeing all our hopes vanish, for my horse
+would not stir from the stable; however, at last, good horseman-
+like, I made him move:  Schell led the way, and we had scarcely gone
+a hundred paces, before we perceived the peasants coming in crowds
+from the village.
+
+As kind fortune would have it, the people were all at church, it
+being a festival:  the peasants Schell had sent were obliged to call
+aid out of church.  It was but nine in the morning; and had the
+peasants been at home, we had been lost past redemption.
+
+We were obliged to take the road to Wunshelburg, and pass through
+the town where Schell had been quartered a month before, and in
+which he was known by everybody.  Our dress, without hats or
+saddles, sufficiently proclaimed we were deserters:  our horses,
+however, continued to go tolerably well, and we had the good luck to
+get through the town, although there was a garrison of one hundred
+and eighty infantry, and twelve horse, purposely to arrest
+deserters.  Schell knew the road to Brummem, where we arrived at
+eleven o'clock, after having met, as I before mentioned, Captain
+Zerbst.
+
+He who has been in the same situation only can imagine, though he
+never can describe, all the joy we felt.  An innocent man,
+languishing in a dungeon, who by his own endeavours, has broken his
+chains, and regained his liberty, in despite of all the arbitrary
+power of princes, who vainly would oppose him, conceives in moments
+like these such an abhorrence of despotism, that I could not well
+comprehend how I ever could resolve to live under governments where
+wealth, content, honour, liberty, and life all depend upon a
+master's will, and who, were his intentions the most pure, could not
+be able, singly, to do justice to a whole nation.
+
+Never did I, during life, feel pleasure more exquisite than at this
+moment.  My friend for me had risked a shameful death, and now,
+after having carried him at least twelve hours on my shoulders, I
+had saved both him and myself.  We certainly should not have
+suffered any man to bring us, alive, back to Glatz.  Yet this was
+but the first act of the tragedy of which I was doomed the hero, and
+the mournful incidents of which all arose out of, and depended on,
+each other.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+
+
+Could I have read the book of fate, and have seen the forty years'
+fearful afflictions that were to follow, I certainly should not have
+rejoiced at this my escape from Glatz.  One year's patience might
+have appeased the irritated monarch, and, taking a retrospect of all
+that has passed, I now find it would have been a fortunate
+circumstance, had the good and faithful Schell and I never met,
+since he also fell into a train of misfortunes, which I shall
+hereafter relate, and from which he could never extricate himself,
+but by death.  The sufferings which I have since undergone will be
+read with astonishment.
+
+It is my consolation that both the laws of honour and nature justify
+the action.  I may serve as an example of the fortitude with which
+danger ought to be encountered, and show monarchs that in Germany,
+as well as in Rome, there are men who refuse to crouch beneath the
+yoke of despotism, and that philosophy and resolution are stronger
+than even those lords of slaves, with all their threats, whips,
+tortures, and instruments of death.
+
+In Prussia, where my sufferings might have made me supposed the
+worst of traitors, is my innocence universally acknowledged; and
+instead of contempt, there have I gained the love of the whole
+nation, which is the best compensation for all the ills I have
+suffered, and for having persevered in the virtuous principles
+taught me in my youth, persecuted as I have been by envy and
+malicious power.  I have not time further to moralise; the numerous
+incidents of my life would otherwise swell this volume to too great
+an extent.
+
+Thus in freedom at Braunau, on the Bohemian frontiers, I sent the
+two horses, with the corporal's sword, back to General Fouquet, at
+Glatz.  The letter accompanying them was so pleasing to him that all
+the sentinels before my prison door, as well as the guard under
+arms, and all those we passed, were obliged to run the gauntlet,
+although the very day before he had himself declared my escape was
+now rendered impossible.  He, however, was deceived; and thus do the
+mean revenge themselves on the miserable, and the tyrant on the
+innocent.
+
+And now for the first time did I quit my country, and fly like
+Joseph from the pit into which his false brethren had cast him; and
+in this the present moment of joy for my escape, the loss even of
+friends and country appeared to me the excess of good fortune.
+
+The estates which had been purchased by the blood of my forefathers
+were confiscated; and thus was a youth, of one of the noblest
+families in the land, whose heart was all zeal for the service of
+his King and country, and who was among those most capable to render
+them service, banished by his unjust and misled King, and treated
+like the worst of miscreants, malefactors, and traitors.
+
+I wrote to the King, and sent him a true state of my case; sent
+indubitable proofs of my innocence, and supplicated justice, but
+received no answer.
+
+In this the monarch may be justified, at least in my apprehension.
+A wicked man had maliciously and falsely accused me; Colonel
+Jaschinsky had made him suspect me for a traitor, and it was
+impossible he should read my heart.  The first act of injustice had
+been hastily committed; I had been condemned unheard, unjudged; and
+the injustice that had been done me was known too late; Frederic the
+Great found he was not infallible.  Pardon I would not ask, for I
+had committed no offence; and the King would not probably own, by a
+reverse of conduct, he had been guilty of injustice.  My resolution
+increased his obstinacy:  but, in the discussion of the cause, our
+power was very unequal.
+
+The monarch once really loved me; he meant my punishment should only
+be temporary, and as a trial of my fidelity.  That I had been
+condemned to no more than a year's imprisonment had never been told
+me, and was a fact I did not learn till long after.
+
+Major Doo, who, as I have said, was the creature of Fouquet, a mean
+and covetous man, knowing I had money, had always acted the part of
+a protector as he pretended to me, and continually told me I was
+condemned for life.  He perpetually turned the conversation on the
+great credit of his general with the King, and his own great credit
+with the general.  For the present of a horse, on which I rode to
+Glatz, he gave me freedom of walking about the fortress; and for
+another, worth a hundred ducats, I rescued Ensign Reitz from death,
+who had been betrayed when endeavouring to effect our escape.  I
+have been assured that on that very day on which I snatched his
+sword from his side, desperately passed through the garrison, and
+leaped the walls of the rampart, he was expressly come to tell me,
+after some prefatory threats, that by his general's intercession, my
+punishment was only to be a year's imprisonment, and that
+consequently I should be released in a few days.
+
+How vile were means like these to wrest money from the unfortunate!
+The King, after this my mad flight, certainly was never informed of
+the major's base cunning; he could only be told that, rather than
+wait a few days, I had chosen, in this desperate manner, to make my
+escape, and go over to the enemy.
+
+Thus deceived and strengthened in his suspicion, must he not imagine
+my desire to forsake my country, and desert to the enemy, was
+unbounded?  How could he do otherwise than imprison a subject who
+thus endeavoured to injure him and aid his foes?  Thus, by the
+calumnies of wicked men, did my cruel destiny daily become more
+severe; and at length render the deceived monarch irreconcilable and
+cruel.
+
+Yet how could it be supposed that I would not willingly have
+remained three weeks longer in prison, to have been honourably
+restored to liberty, to have prevented the confiscation of my
+estate, and to have once more returned to my beloved mistress at
+Berlin.
+
+And now was I in Bohemia, a fugitive stranger without money,
+protector, or friend, and only twenty years of age.
+
+In the campaign of 1744 I had been quartered at Braunau with a
+weaver, whom I advised and assisted to bury his effects, and
+preserve them from being plundered.  The worthy man received us with
+joy and gratitude.  I had lived in this same house but two years
+before as absolute master of him and his fate.  I had then nine
+horses and five servants, with the highest and most favourable hopes
+of futurity; but now I came a fugitive, seeking protection, and
+having lost all a youth like me had to lose.
+
+I had but a single louis-d'or in my purse, and Schell forty
+kreutzers, or some three shillings; with this small sum, in a
+strange country, we had to cure his sprain, and provide for all our
+wants.
+
+I was determined not to go to my cousin Trenck at Vienna, fearful
+this should seem a justification of all my imputed treasons; I
+rather wished to embark for the East Indies, than to have recourse
+to this expedient.  The greater my delicacy was the greater became
+my distress.  I wrote to my mistress at Berlin, but received no
+answer; possibly because I could not indicate any certain mode of
+conveyance.  My mother believed me guilty, and abandoned me; my
+brothers were still minors, and my friend at Schweidnitz could not
+aid me, being gone to Konigsberg.
+
+After three weeks' abode at Braunau, my friend recovered of his
+lameness.  We had been obliged to sell my watch, with his scarf and
+gorget, to supply our necessities, and had only four florins
+remaining.
+
+From the public papers I learned my cousin, the Austrian Trenck, was
+at this time closely confined, and under criminal prosecution.  It
+will easily be imagined what effect this news had upon me.
+
+Never till now had I felt any inconvenience from poverty; my wants
+had all been amply supplied, and I had ever lived among, and been
+highly loved and esteemed by, the first people of the land.  I was
+destitute, without aid, and undetermined how to seek employment, or
+obtain fame.
+
+At length I determined to travel on foot to Prussia to my mother,
+and obtain money from her, and afterwards enter into the Russian
+service.  Schell, whose destiny was linked to mine, would not
+forsake me.  We assumed false names:  I called myself Knert, and
+Schell, Lesch; then, obtaining passports, like common deserters, we
+left Braunau on the 21st of January, in the evening, unseen of any
+person, and proceeded towards Bielitz in Poland.  A friend I had at
+Neurode gave me a pair of pocket pistols, a musket, and three
+ducats; the money was spent at Braunau.  Here let me take occasion
+to remark I had lent this friend, in urgent necessity, a hundred
+ducats, which he still owed me; and when I sent to request payment,
+he returned me three, as if I had asked charity.
+
+Though a circumstantial description of our travels alone would fill
+a volume, I shall only relate the most singular accidents which
+happened to us; I shall also insert the journal of our route, which
+Schell had preserved, and gave me in 1776, when he came to see me at
+Aix-la-Chapelle, after an absence of thirty years.
+
+This may be called the first scene in which I appeared as an
+adventurer, and perhaps my good fortune may even have overbalanced
+the bad, since I have escaped death full thirty times when the
+chances were a hundred to one against me; certain it is I undertook
+many things in which I seemed to have owed my preservation to the
+very rashness of the action, and in which others equally brave would
+have found death.
+
+
+JOURNAL OF TRAVELS ON FOOT.
+
+
+From Braunau, in Bohemia, through Bielitz, in Poland, to Meseritsch,
+and from Meseritsch, by Thorn, to Ebling; in the whole 169 miles,
+{3} performed without begging or stealing.
+
+January 18th, 1747.--From Braunau, by Politz, to Nachod, three
+miles, we having three florins forty-five kreutzers in our purse.
+
+Jan. 19.--To Neustadt.  Here Schell bartered his uniform for an old
+coat, and a Jew gave him two florins fifteen kreutzers in exchange;
+from hence we went to Reichenau; in all, three miles.
+
+Jan. 20.--We went to Leitomischl, five miles.  Here I bought a loaf
+hot out of the oven, which eating greedily, had nearly caused my
+death.  This obliged us to rest a day, and the extravagant charge of
+the landlord almost emptied our purse.
+
+Jan. 22.--From Trubau, to Zwittau, in Moravia, four miles.
+
+Jan. 23.--To Sternberg, six miles.  This day's journey excessively
+fatigued poor Schell, his sprained ankle being still extremely weak.
+
+Jan. 24.--To Leipnik, four miles, in a deep snow, and with empty
+stomachs.  Here I sold my stock-buckle for four florins.
+
+Jan. 25.--To Freiberg, by Weiskirch, to Drahotusch, five miles.
+Early in the morning we found a violin and case on the road; the
+innkeeper in Weiskirch gave us two florins for it, on condition that
+he should return it to the owner on proving his right, it being
+worth at least twenty.
+
+Jan. 26.--To Friedek, in Upper Silesia, two miles.
+
+Jan. 27.--To a village, four miles and a half.
+
+Jan. 28.--Through Skotschau, to Bielitz, three miles.  This was the
+last Austrian town on the frontiers of Poland, and Captain Capi, of
+the regiment of Marischall, who commanded the garrison, demanded our
+passports.  We had false names, and called ourselves common Prussian
+deserters; but a drummer, who had deserted from Glatz, knew us, and
+betrayed us to the captain, who immediately arrested us very rudely,
+and sent us on foot to Teschin (refusing us a hearing), four miles
+distant.
+
+Here we found Lieut.-Colonel Baron Schwarzer, a perfectly worthy
+man, who was highly interested in our behalf, and who blamed the
+irregular arbitrary conduct of Captain Capi.  I frankly related my
+adventures, and he used every possible argument to persuade me,
+instead of continuing my journey through Poland to go to Vienna, but
+in vain; my good genius, this time, preserved me--would to God it
+ever had!  How many miseries had I then avoided, and how easily
+might I have escaped the snares spread for me by the powerful, who
+have seized on my property, and in order to secure it, have hitherto
+rendered me useless to the state by depriving me of all post or
+preferment.
+
+I returned, therefore, a second time to Beilitz, travelling these
+four miles once more.  Schwarzer lent us his own horse and four
+ducats, which I have since repaid, but which I shall never forget,
+as they were of signal service to me, and procured me a pair of new
+boots.
+
+Irritated against Captain Capi, we passed through Beilitz without
+stopping, went immediately to Biala, the first town in Poland, and
+from thence sent Capi a challenge to fight me, with sword or pistol,
+but received no answer; and his non-appearance has ever confirmed
+him in my opinion a rascal.
+
+And here suffer me to take a retrospective view of what was my then
+situation.  By the orders of Capi I was sent prisoner as a
+contemptible common deserter, and was unable to call him to account.
+In Poland, indeed, I had that power, but was despised as a vagabond
+because of my poverty.  What, alas! are the advantages which the
+love of honour, science, courage, or desire of fame can bestow,
+wanting the means that should introduce us to, and bid us walk erect
+in the presence of our equals?  Youth depressed by poverty, is
+robbed of the society of those who best can afford example and
+instruction.  I had lived familiar with the great, men of genius had
+formed and enlightened me; I had been enumerated among the
+favourites of a court; and now was I a stranger, unknown,
+unesteemed, nay, condemned, obliged to endure the extremes of cold,
+hunger, and thirst; to wander many a weary mile, suffering both in
+body and mind, while every step led me farther from her whom most I
+loved, and dearest; yet had I no fixed plan, no certain knowledge in
+what these my labours and sufferings should end.
+
+I was too proud to discover myself; and, indeed, to whom could I
+discover myself in a strange land?  My name might have availed me in
+Austria, but in Austria, where this name was known, would I not
+remain; rather than seek my fortune there, I was determined to shun
+whatever might tend to render me suspicious in the eyes of my
+country.  How liable was a temper so ardent as mine, in the midst of
+difficulties, fatigues, and disappointments, hard to endure, to
+betray me into all those errors of which rash youth, unaccustomed to
+hardship, impatient of contrariety, are so often guilty!  But I had
+taken my resolution, and my faithful Schell, to whom hunger or ease,
+contempt or fame, for my sake, were become indifferent, did whatever
+I desired.
+
+Once more to my journal.
+
+Feb. 1.--We proceeded four miles from Biala to Oswintzen, I having
+determined to ask aid from my sister, who had married Waldow, and
+lived much at her case on a fine estate at Hanmer, in Brandenburg,
+between Lansberg, on the Warta and Meseritsch, a frontier town of
+Poland.  For this reason we continued our route all along the
+Silesian confines to Meseritsch.
+
+Feb. 2.--To Bobrek and Elkusch, five miles.  We suffered much this
+day because of the snow, and that the lightness of our dress was ill
+suited to such severe weather.  Schell, negligently, lost our purse,
+in which were nine florins.  I had still, however, nineteen grosch
+in my pocket (about half-a-crown).
+
+Feb. 3.--To Crumelew, three miles; and
+
+Feb. 4.--To Wladowiegud Joreck, three miles more; and from thence,
+on.
+
+Feb. 5.--To Czenstochowa, where there is a magnificent convent,
+concerning which, had I room, I might write many remarkable things,
+much to the disgrace of its inhabitants.
+
+We slept at an inn kept by a very worthy man, whose name was Lazar.
+He had been a lieutenant in the Austrian service, where he had
+suffered much, and was now become a poor innkeeper in Poland.  We
+had not a penny in our purse, and requested a bit of bread.  The
+generous man had compassion on us, and desired us to sit down and
+eat with himself.  I then told him who we were, and trusted him with
+the motives of our journey.  Scarcely had we supped, before a
+carriage arrived with three people.  They had their own horses, a
+servant and a coachman.
+
+This is a remarkable incident, and I must relate it
+circumstantially, though as briefly as possible.
+
+We had before met this carriage at Elkusch, and one of these people
+had asked Schell where we were going; he had replied, to
+Czenstochowa; we therefore had not the least suspicion of them,
+notwithstanding the danger we ran.
+
+They lay at the inn, saluted us, but with indifference, not seeming
+to notice us, and spoke little.  We had not been long in bed, before
+our host came to awaken us, and told us with surprise, these
+pretended merchants were sent to arrest us from Prussia; that they
+had offered, first, fifty, afterwards, a hundred ducats, if he would
+permit them to take us in his house, and carry us into Silesia:
+that he had firmly rejected the proposal, though they had increased
+their promises:  and that at last they had given him six ducats to
+engage his silence.
+
+We clearly saw these were an officer and under-officers sent by
+General Fouquet, to recover us.  We conjectured by what means they
+had discovered our route, and imagined the information they had
+received could only come from one Lieutenant Molinie, of the
+garrison of Habelschwert, who had come to visit Schell, as a friend,
+during our stay at Braunau.  He had remained with us two days, and
+had asked many questions concerning the road we should take, and he
+was the only one who knew it.  He was probably the spy of Fouquet,
+and the cause of what happened afterwards, which, however, ended in
+the defeat of our enemies.
+
+The moment I heard of this infamous treachery, I was for entering
+with my pistols primed, into the enemy's chamber, but was prevented
+by Schell and Lazar:  the latter entreated me, in the strongest
+manner, to remain at his house till I should receive a supply from
+my mother, that I might be enabled to continue my journey with more
+ease and less danger:  but his entreaties were ineffectual; I was
+determined to see her, uncertain as I was of what effect my letter
+had produced.  Lazar assured me, we should, most infallibly, be
+attacked on the road.  "So much the better," retorted I; "that will
+give me an opportunity of despatching them, sending them to the
+other world, and shooting them as I would highwayman."  They
+departed at break of day, and took the road to Warsaw.
+
+We would have been gone, likewise, but Lazar, in some sort, forcibly
+detained us, and gave us the six ducats he had received from the
+Prussians, with which we bought us each a shirt, another pair of
+pocket pistols, and other urgent necessaries; then took an
+affectionate leave of our host, who directed us on our way, and we
+testified our gratitude for the great services done us.
+
+Feb. 6.--From Czenstochowa to Dankow, two miles.  Here we expected
+an attack.  Lazar had told us our enemies had one musket:  I also
+had a musket, and an excellent sabre, and each of us was provided
+with a pair of pistols.  They knew not we were so well armed, which
+perhaps was the cause of their panic, when they came to engage.
+
+Feb. 7.--We took the road to Parsemechi:  we had not been an hour on
+the road, before we saw a carriage; as we drew near, we knew it to
+be that of our enemies, who pretended it was set in the snow.  They
+were round it, and when they saw us approach, began to call for
+help.  This, we guessed, was an artifice to entrap us.  Schell was
+not strong; they would all have fallen upon me, and we should easily
+have been carried off, for they wanted to take us alive.
+
+We left the causeway about thirty paces, answering--"we had not time
+to give them help;" at which they all ran to their carriage, drew
+out their pistols, and returning full speed after us, called, "Stop,
+rascals!"  We began to run, but I suddenly turning round, presented
+my piece, and shot the nearest dead on the spot.  Schell fired his
+pistols; our oppressors did the same, and Schell received a ball in
+the neck at this discharge.  It was now my turn; I took out my
+pistols, one of the assailants fled, and I enraged, pursued him
+three hundred paces, overtook him, and as he was defending himself
+with his sword, perceiving he bled, and made a feeble resistance,
+pressed upon him, and gave him a stroke that brought him down.  I
+instantly returned to Schell, whom I found in the power of two
+others that were dragging him towards the carriage, but when they
+saw me at their heels, they fled over the fields.  The coachman,
+perceiving which way the battle went, leaped on his box, and drove
+off full speed.
+
+Schell, though delivered, was wounded with a ball in the neck, and
+by a cut in the right hand, which had made him drop his sword,
+though he affirmed he had run one of his adversaries through.
+
+I took a silver watch from the man I had killed, and was going to
+make free with his purse, when Schell called, and showed me a coach
+and six coming down a hill.  To stay would have exposed us to have
+been imprisoned as highwaymen; for the two fugitives who had escaped
+us would certainly have borne witness against us.  Safety could only
+be found in flight.  I, however, seized the musket and hat of him I
+had first killed, and we then gained the copse, and after that the
+forest.  The road was round about, and it was night before we
+reached Parsemechi.
+
+Schell was besmeared with blood; I had bound up his wound the best I
+could; but in Polish villages no surgeons are to be found:  and he
+performed his journey with great difficulty.  We met with two Saxon
+under-officers here, who were recruiting for the regiment of guards
+at Dresden.  My six feet height and person pleased them, and they
+immediately made themselves acquainted with me.  I found them
+intelligent, and entrusted them with our secret, told them who we
+were, related the battle we had that day had with our pursuers, and
+I had not reason to repent of my confidence in them.  Schell had his
+wounds dressed, and we remained seven days with these good Saxons,
+who faithfully kept us company.
+
+I learned, meantime, that of the four men by whom we had been
+assaulted, one only, and the coachman, returned to Glatz.  The name
+of the officer who undertook this vile business was Gersdorf; he had
+a hundred and fifty ducats in his pocket when found dead.  How great
+would our good fortune have been, had not that cursed coach and six,
+by its appearance, made us take to flight; since the booty would
+have been most just!  Fortune, this time, did not favour the
+innocent; and though treacherously attacked, I was obliged to escape
+like a guilty wretch.  We sold the watch to a Jew for four ducats,
+the hat for three florins and a half, and the musket for a ducat,
+Schell being unable to carry it farther.  We left most of this money
+behind us at Parsemechi.  A Jew surgeon sold us some dear plaisters,
+which we took with us and departed.
+
+Feb. 15.--From Parsemechi, through Vielum, to Biala, four miles.
+
+Feb. 16.--Through Jerischow to Misorcen, four miles and a half.
+
+Feb. 17.--To Osterkow and Schwarzwald, three miles.
+
+Feb. 18.--To Sdune, four miles.
+
+Feb. 19.--To Goblin two miles.
+
+Here we arrived wholly destitute of money.  I sold my coat to a Jew,
+who gave me four florins and a coarse waggoner's frock, in exchange,
+which I did not think I should long need, as we now drew nearer to
+where my sister lived, and where I hoped I should be better
+equipped.  Schell, however, grew weaker and weaker; his wounds
+healed slowly, and were expensive; the cold was also injurious to
+him, and, as he was not by nature cleanly in his person, his body
+soon became the harbour of every species of vermin to be picked up
+in Poland.  We often arrived wet and weary, to our smoky, reeking
+stove-room.  Often were we obliged to lie on straw, or bare boards;
+and the various hardships we suffered are almost incredible.
+Wandering as we did, in the midst of winter, through Poland, where
+humanity, hospitality, and gentle pity, are scarcely so much as
+known by name; where merciless Jews deny the poor traveller a bed,
+and where we disconsolately strayed, without bread, and almost
+naked:  these were sufferings, the full extent of which he only can
+conceive by whom they have been felt.  My musket now and then
+procured us an occasional meal of tame geese, and cocks and hens,
+when these were to be had; otherwise, we never took or touched
+anything that was not our own.  We met with Saxon and Prussian
+recruiters at various places; all of whom, on account of my youth
+and stature, were eager to inveigle me.  I was highly diverted to
+hear them enumerate all the possibilities of future greatness, and
+how liable I was hereafter to become a corporal:  nor was I less
+merry with their mead, ale, and brandy, given with an intent to make
+me drunk.  Thus we had many artifices to guard against; but thus had
+we likewise, very luckily for us, many a good meal gratis.
+
+Feb. 21.--We went from Goblin to Pugnitz, three miles and a half.
+
+Feb. 22.--Through Storchnest to Schmiegel, four miles.
+
+Here happened a singular adventure.  The peasants at this place were
+dancing to a vile scraper on the violin:  I took the instrument
+myself, and played while they continued their hilarity.  They were
+much pleased with my playing:  but when I was tired, and desired to
+have done, they obliged me, first by importunities, and afterwards
+by threats, to play on all night.  I was so fatigued, I thought I
+should have fainted; at length they quarrelled among themselves.
+Schell was sleeping on a bench, and some of them fell upon his
+wounded hand:  he rose furious:  I seized our arms, began to lay
+about me, and while all was in confusion, we escaped, without
+further ill-treatment.
+
+What ample subject of meditation on the various turns of fate did
+this night afford!  But two years before I danced at Berlin with the
+daughters and sisters of kings:  and here was I, in a Polish hut, a
+ragged, almost naked musician, playing for the sport of ignorant
+rustics, whom I was at last obliged to fight.
+
+I was myself the cause of the trifling misfortune that befell me on
+this occasion.  Had not my vanity led me to show these poor peasants
+I was a musician, I might have slept in peace and safety.  The same
+vain desire of proving I knew more than other men, made me through
+life the continued victim of envy and slander.  Had nature, too,
+bestowed on me a weaker or a deformed body, I had been less
+observed, less courted, less sought, and my adventures and mishaps
+had been fewer.  Thus the merits of the man often become his
+miseries; and thus the bear, having learned to dance, must live and
+die in chains.
+
+This ardour, this vanity, or, if you please, this emulation, has,
+however, taught me to vanquish a thousand difficulties, under which
+others of cooler passions and more temperate desires would have
+sunk.  May my example remain a warning; and thus may my sufferings
+become somewhat profitable to the world, cruel as they have been to
+myself!  Cruel they were, and cruel they must continue; for the
+wounds I have received are not, will not, cannot be healed.
+
+Feb. 23.--From Schmiegel to Rakonitz, and from thence to Karger
+Holland, four miles and a half.  Here we sold, to prevent dying of
+hunger, a shirt and Schell's waistcoat for eighteen grosch, or nine
+schostacks.  I had shot a pullet the day before, which necessity
+obliged us to eat raw.  I also killed a crow, which I devoured
+alone, Schell refusing to taste.  Youth and hard travelling created
+a voracious appetite, and our eighteen grosch were soon expended.
+
+Feb. 24.--We came through Benzen to Lettel, four miles.  Here we
+halted a day, to learn the road to Hammer, in Brandenburg, where my
+sister lived.  I happened luckily to meet with the wife of a
+Prussian soldier who lived at Lettel, and belonged to Kolschen,
+where she was born a vassal of my sister's husband.  I told her who
+I was, and she became our guide.
+
+Feb. 26.--To Kurschen and Falkenwalde.
+
+Feb. 27.--Through Neuendorf and Oost, and afterwards through a
+pathless wood, five miles and a half to Hammer, and here I knocked
+at my sister's door at nine o'clock in the evening.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+
+
+A maidservant came to the door, whom I knew; her name was Mary, and
+she had been born and brought up in my father's house.  She was
+terrified at seeing a sturdy fellow in a beggar's dress; which
+perceiving, I asked, "Molly, do not you know me?"  She answered,
+"No;" and I then discovered myself to her.  I asked whether my
+brother-in-law was at home.  Mary replied, "Yes; but he is sick in
+bed."  "Tell my sister, then," said I, "that I am here."  She showed
+me into a room, and my sister presently came.
+
+She was alarmed at seeing me, not knowing that I had escaped from
+Glatz, and ran to inform her husband, but did not return.
+
+A quarter of an hour after the good Mary came weeping, and told us
+her master commanded us to quit the premises instantly, or he should
+be obliged to have us arrested, and delivered up as prisoners.  My
+sister's husband forcibly detained her, and I saw her no more.
+
+What my feelings must be, at such a moment, let the reader imagine.
+I was too proud, too enraged, to ask money; I furiously left the
+house, uttering a thousand menaces against its inhabitants, while
+the kind-hearted Mary, still weeping, slipped three ducats into my
+hand, which I accepted.
+
+And, now behold us once more in the wood, which was not above a
+hundred paces from the house, half dead with hunger and fatigue, not
+daring to enter any habitation, while in the states of Brandenburg,
+and dragging our weary steps all night through snow and rain, until
+our guide at length brought us back, at daybreak, once again to the
+town of Lettel.
+
+She herself wept in pity at our fate, and I could only give her two
+ducats for the danger she had run; but I bade her hope more in
+future; and I afterwards sent for her to Vienna, in 1751, where I
+took great care of her.  She was about fifty years of age, and died
+my servant in Hungary, some weeks before my unfortunate journey to
+Dantzic, where I fell into my enemies' hands, and remained ten years
+a prisoner at Magdeburg.
+
+We had scarcely reached the wood, before, in the anguish of my
+heart, I exclaimed to Schell, "Does not such a sister, my friend,
+deserve I should fire her house over her head?"  The wisdom of
+moderation, and calm forbearance, was in Schell a virtue of the
+highest order; he was my continual mentor; my guide, whenever my
+choleric temperament was disposed to violence.  I therefore honour
+his ashes; he deserved a better fate.
+
+"Friend," said he, on this occasion, "reflect that your sister may
+be innocent, may be withheld by her husband; besides, should the
+King discover we had entered her doors, and she had not delivered us
+again into his power, she might become as miserable as we were.  Be
+more noble minded, and think that even should your sister be wrong,
+the time may come when her children may stand in need of your
+assistance, and you may have the indescribable pleasure of returning
+good for evil."
+
+I never shall forget this excellent advice, which in reality was a
+prophecy.  My rich brother-in-law died, and, during the Russian war,
+his lands and houses were laid desolate and in ruins; and, nineteen
+years afterwards, when released from my imprisonment at Magdeburg, I
+had an opportunity of serving the children of my sister.  Such are
+the turns of fate; and thus do improbabilities become facts.
+
+My sister justified her conduct; Schell had conjectured the truth;
+for ten years after I was thus expelled her house, she showed,
+during my imprisonment, she was really a sister.  She was shamefully
+betrayed by Weingarten, secretary to the Austrian ambassador at
+Berlin; lost a part of her property, and at length her life fell an
+innocent sacrifice to her brother.
+
+This event, which is interwoven with my tragical history, will be
+related hereafter:  my heart bleeds, my very soul shudders, when I
+recollect this dreadful scene.
+
+I have not the means fully to recompense her children; and
+Weingarten, the just object of vengeance, is long since in the
+grave; for did he exist, the earth should not hide him from my
+sword.
+
+I shall now continue my journal:  deceived in the aid I expected, I
+was obliged to change my plan, and go to my mother, who lived in
+Prussia, nine miles beyond Konigsberg.
+
+Feb. 28.--We continued, tired, anxious, and distressed, at Lettel.
+
+March 1.--We went three miles to Pleese, and on the 2nd, a mile and
+a half farther to Meseritz.
+
+March 3.--Through Wersebaum to Birnbaum, three miles.
+
+March 4.--Through Zircke, Wruneck, Obestchow, to Stubnitz, seven
+miles, in one day, three of which we had the good fortune to ride.
+
+March 5.--Three miles to Rogosen, where we arrived without so much
+as a heller to pay our lodgings.  The Jew innkeeper drove us out of
+his house; we were obliged to wander all night, and at break of day
+found we had strayed two miles out of the road.
+
+We entered a peasant's cottage, where an old woman was drawing bread
+hot out of the oven.  We had no money to offer, and I felt, at this
+moment, the possibility even of committing murder, for a morsel of
+bread, to satisfy the intolerable cravings of hunger.  Shuddering,
+with torment inexpressible, at the thought, I hastened out of the
+door, and we walked on two miles more to Wongrofze.
+
+Here I sold my musket for a ducat, which had procured us many a
+meal:  such was the extremity of our distress.  We then satiated our
+appetites, after having been forty hours without food or sleep, and
+having travelled ten miles in sleet and snow.
+
+March 6.--We rested, and came, on the 7th, through Genin, to a
+village in the forest, four miles.
+
+Here we fell in with a gang of gipsies (or rather banditti)
+amounting to four hundred men, who dragged me to their camp.  They
+were mostly French and Prussian deserters, and thinking me their
+equal, would force me to become one of their hand.  But, venturing
+to tell my story to their leader, he presented me with a crown, gave
+us a small provision of bread and meat, and suffered us to depart in
+peace, after having been four and twenty hours in their company.
+
+March 9.--We proceeded to Lapuschin, three miles and a half; and the
+10th to Thorn, four miles.
+
+A new incident here happened, which showed I was destined, by
+fortune, to a variety of adventures, and continually to struggle
+with new difficulties.
+
+There was a fair held at Thorn on the day of our arrival.
+Suspicions might well arise, among the crowd, on seeing a strong
+tall young man, wretchedly clothed, with a large sabre by his side,
+and a pair of pistols in his girdle, accompanied by another as
+poorly apparelled as himself, with his hand and neck bound up, and
+armed likewise with pistols, so that altogether he more resembled a
+spectre than a man.
+
+We went to an inn, but were refused entertainment:  I then asked for
+the Jesuits' college, where I inquired for the father rector.  They
+supposed at first I was a thief, come to seek an asylum.  After long
+waiting and much entreaty his jesuitical highness at length made his
+appearance, and received me as the Grand Mogul would his slave.  My
+case certainly was pitiable:  I related all the events of my life,
+and the purport of my journey; conjured him to save Schell, who was
+unable to proceed further, and whose wounds grew daily worse; and
+prayed him to entertain him at the convent till I should have been
+to my mother, have obtained money, and returned to Thorn, when I
+would certainly repay him whatever expense he might have been at,
+with thanks and gratitude.
+
+Never shall I forget the haughty insolence of this priest.  Scarcely
+would he listen to my humble request; thou'd and interrupted me
+continually, to tell me, "Be brief, I have more pressing affairs
+than thine."  In fine, I was turned away without obtaining the least
+aid; and here I was first taught jesuitical pride; God help the poor
+and honest man who shall need the assistance of Jesuits!  They, like
+all other monks, are seared to every sentiment of human pity, and
+commiserate the distressed by taunts and irony.
+
+Four times in my life I have sought assistance and advice from
+convents, and am convinced it is the duty of every honest man to aid
+in erasing them from the face of the earth.
+
+They succour rascals and murderers, that their power may be idolised
+by the ignorant, and ostentatiously exert itself to impede the
+course of law and justice; but in vain do the poor and needy
+virtuous apply to them for help.
+
+The reader will pardon my native hatred of hypocrisy and falsehood,
+especially when he hears I have to thank the Jesuits for the loss of
+all my great Hungarian estates.  Father Kampmuller, the bosom friend
+of the Count Grashalkowitz, was confessor to the court of Vienna,
+and there was no possible kind of persecution I did not suffer from
+priestcraft.  Far from being useful members of society, they take
+advantage of the prejudices of superstition, exist for themselves
+alone, and sacrifice every duty to the support of their own
+hierarchy, and found a power, on error and ignorance, which is
+destructive of all moral virtue.
+
+Let us proceed.  Mournful and angry, I left the college, and went to
+my lodging-house, where I found a Prussian recruiting-officer
+waiting for me, who used all his arts to engage me to enlist;
+offering me five hundred dollars, and to make me a corporal, if I
+could write.  I pretended I was a Livonian, who had deserted from
+the Austrians, to return home, and claim an inheritance left me by
+my father.  After much persuasion, he at length told me in
+confidence, it was very well known in the town that I was a robber;
+that I should soon be taken before a magistrate, but that if I would
+enlist he would ensure my safety.
+
+This language was new to me; my passion rose instantaneously; I
+remembered my name was Trenck, I struck him, and drew my sword; but,
+instead of defending himself, he sprang out of the chamber, charging
+the host not to let me quit the house.  I knew the town of Thorn had
+agreed with the King of Prussia, secretly, to deliver up deserters,
+and began to fear the consequences.  Looking through the window, I
+presently saw two under Prussian officers enter the house.  Schell
+and I instantly flew to our arms, and met the Prussians at the
+chamber door.  "Make way," cried I, presenting my pistols.  The
+Prussian soldiers drew their swords, but retired with fear.  Going
+out of the house, I saw a Prussian lieutenant, in the street, with
+the town-guard.  These I overawed, likewise, by the same means, and
+no one durst oppose me, though every one cried, "Stop thief!"  I
+came safely, however, to the Jesuits' convent; but poor Schell was
+taken, and dragged to prison like a malefactor.
+
+Half mad at not being able to rescue him, I imagined he must soon be
+delivered up to the Prussians.  My reception was much better at the
+convent than it had been before, for they no longer doubted but I
+was really a thief, who sought an asylum.  I addressed myself to one
+of the fathers, who appeared to be a good kind of a man, relating
+briefly what had happened, and entreated he would endeavour to
+discover why they sought to molest us.
+
+He went out, and returning in an hour after, told me, "Nobody knows
+you:  a considerable theft was yesterday committed at the fair:  all
+suspicious persons are seized; you entered the town accoutred like
+banditti.  The man where you put up is employed as a Prussian
+enlister, and has announced you as suspicious people.  The Prussian
+lieutenant therefore laid complaint against you, and it was thought
+necessary to secure your persons."
+
+My joy, at hearing this, was great.  Our Moravian passport, and the
+journal of our route, which I had in my pocket, were full proofs of
+our innocence.  I requested they would send and inquire at the town
+where we lay the night before.  I soon convinced the Jesuit I spoke
+truth; he went, and presently returned with one of the syndics, to
+whom I gave a more full account of myself.  The syndic examined
+Schell, and found his story and mine agreed; besides which, our
+papers that they had seized, declared who we were.  I passed the
+night in the convent without closing my eyes, revolving in my mind
+all the rigours of my fate.  I was still more disturbed for Schell,
+who knew not where I was, but remained firmly persuaded we should be
+conducted to Berlin; and, if so, determined to put a period to his
+life.
+
+My doubts were all ended at ten in the morning when my good Jesuit
+arrived, and was followed by my friend Schell.  The judges, he said,
+had found us innocent, and declared us free to go where we pleased;
+adding, however, that he advised us to be upon our guard, we being
+watched by the Prussian enlisters; that the lieutenant had hoped, by
+having us committed as thieves, to oblige me to enter, and that he
+would account for all that had happened.
+
+I gave Schell a most affectionate welcome, who had been very ill-
+used when led to prison, because he endeavoured to defend himself
+with his left hand, and follow me.  The people had thrown mud at
+him, and called him a rascal that would soon be hanged.  Schell was
+little able to travel farther.  The father-rector sent us a ducat,
+but did not see us; and the chief magistrate gave each of us a
+crown, by way of indemnification for false imprisonment.  Thus sent
+away, we returned to our lodging, took our bundles, and immediately
+prepared to leave Thorn.
+
+As we went, I reflected that, on the road to Elbing, we must pass
+through several Prussian villages, and inquired for a shop where we
+might purchase a map.  We were directed to an old woman who sat at
+the door across the way, and were told she had a good assortment,
+for that her son was a scholar.  I addressed myself to her, and my
+question pleased her, I having added we were unfortunate travellers,
+who wished to find, by the map, the road to Russia.  She showed us
+into a chamber, laid an atlas on the table, and placed herself
+opposite me, while I examined the map, and endeavoured to hide a bit
+of a ragged ruffle that had made its appearance.  After steadfastly
+looking at me, she at length exclaimed, with a sad and mournful
+tone--"Good God! who knows what is now become of my poor son!  I can
+see, sir, you too are of a good family.  My son would go and seek
+his fortune, and for these eight years have I had no tidings of him.
+He must now be in the Austrian cavalry."  I asked in what regiment.
+"The regiment of Hohenhem; you are his very picture."  "Is he not of
+my height?"  "Yes, nearly."  "Has he not light hair?"  "Yes, like
+yours, sir."  "What is his name?"  "His name is William."  "No, my
+dear mother," cried I, "William is not dead; he was my best friend
+when I was with the regiment."  Here the poor woman could not
+contain her joy.  She threw herself round my neck, called me her
+good angel who brought her happy tidings:  asked me a thousand
+questions which I easily contrived to make her answer herself, and
+thus, forced by imperious necessity, bereft of all other means, did
+I act the deceiver.
+
+The story I made was nearly as follows: --I told her I was a soldier
+in the regiment of Hohenhem, that I had a furlough to go and see my
+father, and that I should return in a month, would then take her
+letters, and undertake that, if she wished it, her son should
+purchase his discharge, and once more come and live with his mother.
+I added that I should be for ever and infinitely obliged to her, if
+she would suffer my comrade, meantime, to live at her house, he
+being wounded by the Prussian recruiters, and unable to pursue his
+journey; that I would send him money to come to me, or would myself
+come back and fetch him, thankfully paying every expense.  She
+joyfully consented, told me her second husband, father-in-law to her
+dear William, had driven him from home, that he might give what
+substance they had to the younger son; and that the eldest had gone
+to Magdeburg.  She determined Schell should live at the house of a
+friend, that her husband might know nothing of the matter; and, not
+satisfied with this kindness, she made me eat with her, gave me a
+new shirt, stockings, sufficient provisions for three days, and six
+Lunenburg florins.  I left Thorn, and my faithful Schell, the same
+night, with the consolation that he was well taken care of; and
+having parted from him with regret, went on the 13th two miles
+further to Burglow.
+
+I cannot describe what my sensations were, or the despondence of my
+mind, when I thus saw myself wandering alone, and leaving,
+forsaking, as it were, the dearest of friends.  These may certainly
+be numbered among the bitterest moments of my life.  Often was I
+ready to return, and drag him along with me, though at last reason
+conquered sensibility.  I drew near the end of my journey, and was
+impelled forward by hope.
+
+March 14.--I went to Schwetz, and
+
+March 15.--To Neuburg and Mowe.  In these two days I travelled
+thirteen miles.  I lay at Mowe, on some straw, among a number of
+carters, and, when I awoke, perceived they had taken my pistols, and
+what little money I had left, even to my last penny.  The gentlemen,
+however, were all gone.
+
+What could I do?  The innkeeper perhaps was privy to the theft.  My
+reckoning amounted to eighteen Polish grosch.  The surly landlord
+pretended to believe I had no money when I entered his house, and I
+was obliged to give him the only spare shirt I had, with a silk
+handkerchief, which the good woman of Thorn had made me a present
+of, and to depart without a single holler.
+
+March 16.--I set off for Marienburg, but it was impossible I should
+reach this place, and not fall into the hands of the Prussians, if I
+did not cross the Vistula, and, unfortunately, I had no money to pay
+the ferry, which would cost two Polish schellings.
+
+Full of anxiety, not knowing how to act, I saw two fishermen in a
+boat, went to them, drew my sabre, and obliged them to land me on
+the other side; when there, I took the oars from these timid people,
+jumped out of the boat, pushed it off the shore, and left it to
+drive with the stream.
+
+To what dangers does not poverty expose man!  These two Polish
+schellings were not worth more than half a kreutzer, or some
+halfpenny, yet was I driven by necessity to commit violence on two
+poor men, who, had they been as desperate in their defence as I was
+obliged to be in my attack, blood must have been spilled and lives
+lost; hence it is evident that the degrees of guilt ought to be
+strictly and minutely inquired into, and the degree of punishment
+proportioned.  Had I hewn them down with my sabre, I should surely
+have been a murderer; but I should likewise surely have been one of
+the most innocent of murderers.  Thus we see the value of money is
+not to be estimated by any specific sum, small or great, but
+according to its necessity and use.  How little did I imagine when
+at Berlin, and money was treated by me with luxurious neglect, I may
+say, with contempt, I should be driven to the hard necessity, for a
+sum so apparently despicable, of committing a violence which might
+have had consequences so dreadful, and have led to the commission of
+an act so atrocious!
+
+I found Saxon and Prussian recruiters at Marion-burgh, with whom,
+having no money, I ate, drank, listened to their proposals, gave
+them hopes for the morrow, and departed by daybreak.
+
+March 17.--To Elbing, four miles.
+
+Here I met with my former worthy tutor, Brodowsky, who was become a
+captain and auditor in the Polish regiment of Golz.  He met me just
+as I entered the town.  I followed triumphantly to his quarters; and
+here at length ended the painful, long, and adventurous journey I
+had been obliged to perform.
+
+This good and kind gentleman, after providing me with immediate
+necessaries, wrote so affectionately to my mother, that she came to
+Elbing in a week, and gave me every aid of which I stood in need.
+
+The pleasure I had in meeting once more this tender mother, whose
+qualities of heart and mind were equally excellent, was
+inexpressible.  She found a certain mode of conveying a letter to my
+dear mistress at Berlin, who a short time after sent me a bill of
+exchange for four hundred ducats upon Dantzic.  To this my mother
+added a thousand rix-dollars, and a diamond cross worth nearly half
+as much, remained a fortnight with me, and persisted, in spite of
+all remonstrance, in advising me to go to Vienna.  My determination
+had been fixed for Petersburg; all my fears and apprehensions being
+awakened at the thought of Vienna, and which indeed afterwards
+became the source of all my cruel sufferings and sorrows.  She would
+not yield in opinion, and promised her future assistance only in
+case of my obedience; it was my duty not to continue obstinate.
+Here she left me, and I have never seen her since.  She died in
+1751, and I have ever held her memory in veneration.  It was a
+happiness for this affectionate mother that she did not hive to be a
+witness of my afflictions in the year 1754.
+
+An adventure, resembling that of Joseph in Egypt, happened to me in
+Elbing.  The wife of the worthy Brodowsky, a woman of infinite
+personal attraction, grew partial to me; but I durst not act
+ungratefully by my benefactor.  Never to see me more was too painful
+to her, and she even proposed to follow me, secretly, to Vienna.  I
+felt the danger of my situation, and doubted whether Potiphar's wife
+offered temptations so strong as Madame Brodowsky.  I owned I had an
+affection for this lady, but my passions were overawed.  She
+preferred me to her husband, who was in years, and very ordinary in
+person.  Had I yielded to the slightest degree of guilt, that of the
+present enjoyment, a few days of pleasure must have been followed by
+years of bitter repentance.
+
+Having once more assumed my proper name and character, and made
+presents of acknowledgment to the worthy tutor of my youth, I became
+eager to return to Thorn.
+
+How great was my joy at again meeting my honest Schell!  The kind
+old woman had treated him like a mother.  She was surprised, and
+half terrified, at seeing me enter in an officer's uniform, and
+accompanied by two servants.  I gratefully and rapturously kissed
+her hand, repaid, with thankfulness, every expense (for Schell had
+been nurtured with truly maternal kindness), told her who I was,
+acknowledged the deceit I had put upon her concerning her son, but
+faithfully promised to give a true, and not fictitious account of
+him, immediately on my arrival at Vienna.  Schell was ready in three
+days, and we left Thorn, came to Warsaw, and passed thence, through
+Crakow, to Vienna.
+
+I inquired for Captain Capi, at Bilitz, who had before given me so
+kind a reception, and refused me satisfaction; but he was gone, and
+I did not meet with him till some years after, when the cunning
+Italian made me the most humble apologies for his conduct.  So goes
+the world.
+
+My journey from Dantzic to Vienna would not furnish me with an
+interesting page, though my travels on foot thither would have
+afforded thrice as much as I have written, had I not been fearful of
+trifling with the reader's patience.
+
+In poverty one misfortune follows another.  The foot-passenger sees
+the world, becomes acquainted with it, converses with men of every
+class.  The lord luxuriously lolls and slumbers in his carriage,
+while his servants pay innkeepers and postillions, and passes
+rapidly over a kingdom, in which he sees some dozen houses, called
+inns; and this he calls travelling.  I met with more adventures in
+this my journey of 169 miles, than afterwards in almost as many
+thousand, when travelling at ease, in a carriage.
+
+Here, then, ends my journal, in which, from the hardships therein
+related, and numerous others omitted, I seem a kind of second
+Robinson Crusoe, and to have been prepared, by a gradual increase
+and repetition of sufferings, to endure the load of affliction which
+I was afterwards destined to bear.
+
+Arrived at Vienna in the month of April, 1747.
+
+And now another act of the tragedy is going to begin.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+
+
+After having defrayed the expenses of travelling for me and my
+friend Schell, for whose remarkable history I will endeavour to find
+a few pages in due course, I divided the three hundred ducats which
+remained with him, and, having stayed a month at Vienna, he went to
+join the regiment of Pallavicini, in which he had obtained a
+lieutenant-colonel's commission, and which was then in Italy.
+
+Here I found my cousin, Baron Francis Trenck, the famous partisan
+and colonel of pandours, imprisoned at the arsenal, and involved in
+a most perplexing prosecution.
+
+This Trenck was my father's brother's son.  His father had been a
+colonel and governor of Leitschau, and had possessed considerable
+lordships in Sclavonia, those of Pleternitz, Prestowacz, and
+Pakratz.  After the siege of Vienna, in 1683, he had left the
+Prussian service for that of Austria, in which he remained sixty
+years.
+
+That I may not here interrupt my story, I shall give some account of
+the life of my cousin Baron Francis Trenck, so renowned in the war
+of 1741, in another part, and who fell, at last, the shameful
+sacrifice of envy and avarice, and received the reward of all his
+great and faithful services in the prison of the Spielberg.
+
+The vindication of the family of the Trencks requires I should speak
+of him; nor will I, in this, suffer restraint from the fear of any
+man, however powerful.  Those indeed who sacrificed a man most
+ardent in his country's service to their own private and selfish
+views, are now in their graves.
+
+I shall insert no more of his history here than what is interwoven
+with my own, and relate the rest in its proper place.
+
+A revision of his suit was at this time instituted.  Scarcely was I
+arrived in Vienna before his confidential agent, M. Leber, presented
+me to Prince Charles and the Emperor; both knew the services of
+Trenck, and the malice of his enemies; therefore, permission for me
+to visit him in his prison, and procure him such assistance as he
+might need, was readily granted.  On my second audience, the Emperor
+spoke so much in my persecuted cousin's favour that I became highly
+interested; he commanded me to have recourse to him on all
+occasions; and, moreover, owned the president of the council of war
+was a man of a very wicked character, and a declared enemy of
+Trenck.  This president was the Count of Lowenwalde, who, with his
+associates, had been purposely selected as men proper to oppress the
+best of subjects.
+
+The suit soon took another face; the good Empress Queen, who had
+been deceived, was soon better informed, and Trenck's innocence
+appeared, on the revision of the process most evidently.  The trial,
+which had cost them twenty-seven thousand florins, and the sentence
+which followed, were proved to have been partial and unjust; and
+that sixteen of Trenck's officers, who most of them had been broken
+for different offences, had perjured themselves to insure his
+destruction.
+
+It is a most remarkable circumstance that public notice was given,
+in the Vienna Gazette, to the following purport.
+
+"All those who have any complaints to make against Trenck, let them
+appear, and they shall receive a ducat per day, so long as the
+prosecution continues."
+
+It will readily be imagined how fast his accusers would increase,
+and what kind of people they were.  The pay of these witnesses alone
+amounted to fifteen thousand florins.  I now began the labour in
+concurrence with Doctor Gerhauer, and the cause soon took another
+turn; but such was the state of things, it would have been necessary
+to have broken all the members of the council of war, as well as
+counsellor Weber, a man of great power.  Thus, unfortunately,
+politics began to interfere with the course of justice.
+
+The Empress Queen gave Trenck to understand she required he should
+ask her pardon; and on that condition all proceedings should be
+stopped, and he immediately set at liberty.  Prince Charles, who
+knew the court of Vienna, advised me also to persuade my cousin to
+comply; but nothing could shake his resolution.  Feeling his right
+and innocence, he demanded strict justice; and this made ruin more
+swift.
+
+I soon learned Trenck must fall a sacrifice--he was rich--his
+enemies already had divided among them more than eighty thousand
+florins of his property, which was all sequestered, and in their
+hands.  They had treated him too cruelly, and knew him too well, not
+to dread his vengeance the moment he should recover his freedom.
+
+I was moved to the soul at his sufferings, and as he had vented
+public threats, at the prospect of approaching victory over his
+enemies, they gained over the Court Confessor:  and, dreading him as
+they did, put every wily art in practice to insure his destruction.
+I therefore, in the fulness of my heart, made him the brotherly
+proposition of escaping, and, having obtained his liberty, to prove
+his innocence to the Empress Queen.  I told him my plan, which might
+easily have been put in execution, and which he seemed perfectly
+decided to follow.
+
+Some days after, I was ordered to wait on field-marshal Count
+Konigseck, governor of Vienna.  This respectable old gentleman,
+whose memory I shall ever revere, behaved to me like a father and
+the friend of humanity, advised me to abandon my cousin, who he gave
+me clearly to understand had betrayed me by having revealed my
+proposed plan of escape, willing to sacrifice me to his ambition in
+order to justify the purity of his intentions to the court, and show
+that, instead of wishing to escape, he only desired justice.
+
+Confounded at the cowardly action of one for whom I would willingly
+have sacrificed my life, and whom I only sought to deliver, I
+resolved to leave him to his fate, and thought myself exceedingly
+happy that the worthy field-marshal would, after a fatherly
+admonition, smother all farther inquiry into this affair.
+
+I related this black trait of ingratitude to Prince Charles of
+Lorraine, who prevailed on me to again see my cousin, without
+letting him know I knew what had passed, and still to render him
+every service in my power.
+
+Before I proceed I will here give the reader a per-'trait of this
+Trenck.
+
+He was a man of superior talents and unbounded ambition; devoted,
+even fanatically, to his sovereign; his boldness approached
+temerity; he was artful of mind, wicked of heart, vindictive and
+unfeeling.  His cupidity equalled the utmost excess of avarice, even
+in his thirty-third year, in which he died.  He was too proud to
+receive favours or obligations from any man, and was capable of
+ridding himself of his best friend if he thought he had any claims
+on his gratitude or could get possession of his fortune.
+
+He knew I had rendered him very important services, supposed his
+cause already won, having bribed the judges, who were to revise the
+sentence, with thirty thousand florins, which money I received from
+his friend Baron Lopresti, and conveyed to these honest counsellors.
+I knew all his secrets, and nothing more was necessary to prompt his
+suspicious and bad heart to seek my destruction.
+
+Scarcely had a fortnight elapsed, after his having first betrayed
+me, before the following remarkable event happened.
+
+I left him one evening to return home, taking under my coat a bag
+with papers and documents relating to the prosecution, which I had
+been examining for him, and transcribing.  There were at this time
+about five-and-twenty officers in Vienna who had laid complaints
+against him, and who considered me as their greatest enemy because I
+had laboured earnestly in his defence.  I was therefore obliged, on
+all occasions, to be upon my guard.  A report had been propagated
+through Vienna that I was secretly sent by the King of Prussia to
+free my cousin from imprisonment; he, however, constantly denied, to
+the hour of his death, his ever having written to me at Berlin;
+hence also it will follow the letter I received had been forged by
+Jaschinsky.
+
+Leaving the Arsenal, I crossed the court, and perceived I was
+closely followed by two men in grey roquelaures, who, pressing upon
+my heels, held loud and insolent conversation concerning the runaway
+Prussian Trenck.  I found they sought a quarrel, which was a thing
+of no great difficulty at that moment, for a man is never more
+disposed to duelling than when he has nothing to lose, and is
+discontented with his condition.  I supposed they were two of the
+accusing officers broken by Trenck, and endeavoured to avoid them,
+and gain the Jew's place.
+
+Scarcely had I turned down the street that leads thither before they
+quickened their pace.  I turned round, and in a moment received a
+thrust with a sword in the left side, where I had put my bag of
+papers, which accident alone saved my life; the sword pierced
+through the papers and slightly grazed the skin.  I instantly drew,
+and the heroes ran.  I pursued, one of them tripped and fell.  I
+seized him; the guard came up:  he declared he was an officer of the
+regiment of Kollowrat, showed his uniform, was released, and I was
+taken to prison.  The Town Major came the next day, and told me I
+had intentionally sought a quarrel with two officers, Lieutenants F-
+g and K-n.  These kind gentlemen did not reveal their humane
+intention of sending me to the other world.
+
+I was alone, could produce no witness, they were two.  I must
+necessarily be in the wrong, and I remained six days in prison.  No
+sooner was I released, than these my good friends sent to demand
+satisfaction for the said pretended insult.  The proposal was
+accepted, and I promised to be at the Scotch gate, the place
+appointed by them, within an hour.  Having heard their names, I
+presently knew them to be two famous swaggerers, who were daily
+exercising themselves in fencing at the Arsenal, and where they
+often visited Trenck.  I went to my cousin to ask his assistance,
+related what had happened, and, as the consequences of this duel
+might be very serious, desired him to give me a hundred ducats, that
+I might be able to fly if either of them should fall.
+
+Hitherto I had expended my own money on his account, and had asked
+no reimbursement; but what was my astonishment when this wicked man
+said to me, with a sneer, "Since, good cousin, you have got into a
+quarrel without consulting me, you will also get out of it without
+my aid!"  As I left him, he called me back to tell me, "I will take
+care and pay your undertaker;" for he certainly believed I should
+never return alive.
+
+I ran now, half-despairing, to Baron Lopresti, who gave me fifty
+ducats and a pair of pistols, provided with which I cheerfully
+repaired to the field of battle.
+
+Here I found half a dozen officers of the garrison.  As I had few
+acquaintances in Vienna, I had no second, except an old Spanish
+invalid captain, named Pereyra, who met me going in all haste, and,
+having learned whither, would not leave me.
+
+Lieutenant K-n was the first with whom I fought, and who received
+satisfaction by a deep wound in the right arm.  Hereupon I desired
+the spectators to prevent farther mischief; for my own part I had
+nothing more to demand.  Lieutenant F-g next entered the lists, with
+threats, which were soon quieted by a lunge in the belly.  Hereupon
+Lieutenant M-f, second to the first wounded man, told me very
+angrily--"Had I been your man, you would have found a very different
+reception."  My old Spaniard of eighty proudly and immediately
+advanced, with his long whiskers and tottering frame, and cried--
+"Hold!  Trenck has proved himself a brave fellow, and if any man
+thinks proper to assault him further, he must first take a breathing
+with me."  Everybody laughed at this bravado from a man who scarcely
+could stand or hold a sword.  I replied--"Friend, I am safe, unhurt,
+and want not aid; should I be disabled, you then, if you think
+proper, may take my place; but, as long as I can hold a sword, I
+shall take pleasure in satisfying all these gentlemen one after
+another."  I would have rested myself a moment, but the haughty M-f,
+enraged at the defeat of his friend, would not give me time, but
+furiously attacked me, and, having been wounded twice, once in the
+hand and again in the groin, he wanted to close and sink me to the
+grave with himself, but I disarmed and threw him.
+
+None of the others had any desire to renew the contest.  My three
+enemies were sent bleeding to town; and, as M-f appeared to be
+mortally wounded, and the Jesuits and Capuchins of Vienna refused me
+an asylum, I fled to the convent of Keltenberg.
+
+I wrote from the convent to Colonel Baron Lopresti, who came to me.
+I told him all that had passed, and by his good offices had liberty,
+in a week, to appear once more at Vienna.
+
+The blood of Lieutenant F-g was in a corrupt state, and his wound,
+though not in itself dangerous, made his life doubtful.  He sent to
+entreat I would visit him, and, when I went, having first requested
+I would pardon him, gave me to understand I ought to beware of my
+cousin.  I afterwards learned the traitorous Trenck had promised
+Lieutenant F-g a company and a thousand ducats if he would find
+means to quarrel with me and rid the world of me.  He was deeply in
+debt, and sought the assistance of Lieutenant K-n; and had not the
+papers luckily preserved me, I had undoubtedly been despatched by
+his first lunge.  To clear themselves of the infamy of such an act,
+these two worthy gentlemen had pretended I had assaulted them in the
+streets.
+
+I could no more resolve to see my ungrateful and dangerous kinsman,
+who wished to have me murdered because I knew all his secrets, and
+thought he should be able to gain his cause without obligation to me
+or my assistance.  Notwithstanding all his great qualities, his
+marked characteristic certainly was that of sacrificing everything
+to his private views, and especially to his covetousness, which was
+so great that, even at his time of life, though his fortune amounted
+to a million and a half, he did not spend per day more than thirty
+kreutzers.
+
+No sooner was it known that I had forsaken Trenck than General Count
+Lowenwalde, his most ardent enemy, and president of the first
+council of war, by which he had been condemned, desired to speak to
+me, promised every sort of good fortune and protection, if I would
+discover what means had secretly been employed in the revision of
+the process; and went so far as to offer me four thousand florins if
+I would aid the prosecution against my cousin.  Here I learned the
+influence of villains in power, and the injustice of judges at
+Vienna.  The proposal I rejected with disdain, and rather determined
+to seek my fortune in the East Indies than continue in a country
+where, under the best of Queens, the most loyal of subjects, and
+first of soldiers, might be rendered miserable by interested, angry,
+and corrupt courtiers.  Certain it is, as I now can prove, though
+the bitterest of my enemies, and whose conduct towards me merited my
+whole resentment, he was the best soldier in the Austrian army, had
+been liberal of his blood and fortune in the Imperial service, and
+would still so have continued had not his wealth, and his contempt
+for Weber and Lowenwalde put him in the power of those wretches who
+were the avowed enemies of courage and patriotism, and who only
+could maintain their authority, and sate their thirst of gain, by
+the base and wicked arts of courts.  Had my cousin shared the
+plunder of the war among these men, he had not fallen the martyr of
+their intrigues, and died in the Spielberg.  His accusers were,
+generally, unprincipled men of ruined fortunes, and so insufficient
+were their accusations that a useful member of society ought not,
+for any or all of them, to have suffered an hour's imprisonment.
+Being fully informed, both of all the circumstances of the
+prosecution and the inmost secrets of his heart, justice requires I
+should thus publicly declare this truth and vindicate his memory.
+While living he was my bitterest enemy, and even though dead, was
+the cause of all my future sufferings; therefore the account I shall
+give of him will certainly be the less liable to suspicion, where I
+shall show that he, as well as myself, deserved better of Austria.
+
+I was resolved forever to forsake Vienna.  The friends of Trenck all
+became distrustful of him because of his ingratitude to me.  Prince
+Charles still endeavoured to persuade me to a reconciliation, and
+gave me a letter of recommendation to General Brown, who then
+commanded the Imperial army in Italy.  But more anxious of going to
+India, I left Vienna in August, 1748, desirous of owing no
+obligation to that city or its inhabitants, and went for Holland.
+Meantime, the enemies of Trenck found no one to oppose their
+iniquitous proceedings, and obtained a sentence of imprisonment, in
+the Spielberg, where he too late repented having betrayed his
+faithful adviser, and prudent friend.  I pitied him, and his judges
+certainly deserved the punishment they inflicted:  yet to his last
+moments he showed his hatred towards me was rooted, and, even in the
+grave, strove by his will to involve me in misfortune, as will
+hereafter be seen.
+
+I fled from Vienna, would to God it had been for ever; but fate by
+strange ways, and unknown means, brought me back where Providence
+thought proper I should become a vessel of wrath and persecution:  I
+was to enact my part in Europe, and not in Asia.  At Nuremberg I met
+with a body of Russians, commanded by General Lieuwen, my mother's
+relation, who were marching to the Netherlands, and were the peace-
+makers of Europe.  Major Buschkow, whom I had known when Russian
+resident at Vienna, prevailed on me to visit him, and presented me
+to the General.  I pleased him, and may say, with truth, he behaved
+to me like a friend and a father.  He advised me to enter into the
+Russian service, and gave me a company of dragoons, in the regiment
+of Tobolski, on condition I should not leave him, but employ myself
+in his cabinet:  and his confidence and esteem for me were
+unbounded.
+
+Peace followed; the army returned to Moravia, without firing a
+musket, and the head-quarters were fixed at Prosnitz.
+
+In this town a public entertainment was given, by General Lieuwen,
+on the coronation day of the Empress Elizabeth; and here an
+adventure happened to me, which I shall ever remember, as a warning
+to myself, and insert as a memento to others.
+
+The army physician, on this day, kept a Faro bank for the
+entertainment of the guests.  My stock of money consisted of two and
+twenty ducats.  Thirst of gain, or perhaps example, induced me to
+venture two of these, which I immediately lost, and very soon, by
+venturing again to regain them, the whole two and twenty.  Chagrined
+at my folly, I returned home:  I had nothing but a pair of pistols
+left, for which, because of their workmanship, General Woyekow had
+offered me twenty ducats.  These I took, intending by their aid to
+attempt to retrieve my loss.  Firing of guns and pistols was heard
+throughout the town, because of the festival, and I, in imitation of
+the rest, went to the window and fired mine.  After a few
+discharges, one of my pistols burst, and endangered my own hand, and
+wounded my servant.  I felt a momentary despondency, stronger than I
+ever remember to have experienced before; insomuch that I was half
+induced, with the remaining pistol, to shoot myself through the
+head.  I however, recovered my spirits, asked my servant what money
+he had, and received from him three ducats.  With these I repaired,
+like a desperate gamester, once more to the Faro table, at the
+General's, again began to play, and so extraordinary was my run of
+luck, I won at every venture.  Having recovered my principal, I
+played on upon my winnings, till at last I had absolutely broke the
+Doctor's bank:  a new bank was set up, and I won the greatest part
+of this likewise, so that I brought home about six hundred ducats.
+
+Rejoiced at my good fortune, but recollecting my danger, I had the
+prudence to make a solemn resolution never more to play at any game
+of chance, to which I have ever strictly adhered.
+
+It were to be wished young men would reflect upon the effects of
+gaming, remembering that the love of play has made the most
+promising and virtuous, miserable; the honest, knaves; and the
+sincere, deceivers and liars.  Officers, having first lost all their
+own money, being entrusted with the soldiers' pay, have next lost
+that also; and thus been cashiered, and eternally disgraced.  I
+might, at Prosnitz, have been equally rash and culpable.  The first
+venture, whether the gamester wins or loses, ensures a second; and,
+with that, too often destruction.  My good fortune was almost
+miraculous, and my subsequent resolution very uncommon; and I
+entreat and conjure my children, when I shall no longer be living to
+advise and watch for their welfare, most determinedly to avoid play.
+I seemed preserved by Providence from this evil but to endure much
+greater.
+
+General Lieuwen, my kind patron, sent me, from Crakow, to conduct a
+hundred and forty sick men down the Vistula to Dantzic, where there
+were Russian vessels to receive and transport them to Riga.
+
+I requested permission of the General to proceed forward and visit
+my mother and sister, whom I was very desirous to see:  at Elbing,
+therefore, I resigned the command to Lieutenant Platen, and,
+attended by a servant, rode to the bishopric of Ermeland, where I
+appointed an interview with them in a frontier village.
+
+Here an incident happened that had nearly cost me my life.  The
+Prussians, some days before, had carried off a peasant's son from
+this village, as a recruit.  The people were all in commotion.  I
+wore leathern breeches, and the blue uniform of the Russian cavalry.
+They took me for a Prussian, at the door, and fell upon me with
+every kind of weapon.  A chasseur, who happened to be there, and the
+landlord, came to my assistance, while I, battling with the
+peasants, had thrown two of them down.  I was delivered, but not
+till I had received two violent bruises, one on the left arm, and
+another which broke the bridge of my nose.  The landlord advised me
+to escape as fast as possible, or that the village would rise and
+certainly murder me; my servant, therefore, who had retired for
+defence, with a pair of pistols, into the oven, got ready the horses
+and we rode off.
+
+I had my bruises dressed at the next village; my hand and eyes were
+exceedingly swelled, but I was obliged to ride two miles farther, to
+the town of Ressel, before I could find an able surgeon, and here I
+so far recovered in a week, that I was able to return to Dantzic.
+My brother visited me while at Ressel, but my good mother had the
+misfortune, as she was coming to me, to be thrown out of her
+carriage, by which her arm was broken, so that she and my sister
+were obliged to return, and I never saw her more.
+
+I was now at Dantzic, with my sick convoy, where another most
+remarkable event happened, which I, with good reason, shall ever
+remember.
+
+I became acquainted with a Prussian officer, whose name I shall
+conceal out of respect to his very worthy family; he visited me
+daily, and we often rode out together in the neighbourhood of
+Dantzic.
+
+My faithful servant became acquainted with his, and my astonishment
+was indeed great when he one day said to me, with anxiety, "Beware,
+sir, of a snare laid for you by Lieutenant N-; he means to entice
+you out of town and deliver you up to the Prussians."  I asked him
+where he learned this.  "From the lieutenant's servant," answered
+he, "who is my friend, and wishes to save me from misfortune."
+
+I now, with the aid of a couple of ducats, discovered the whole
+affair, and learned it was agreed, between the Prussian resident,
+Reimer, and the lieutenant, that the latter should entice me into
+the suburb of Langfuhr, where there was an inn on the Prussian
+territories.  Here eight recruiting under-officers were to wait
+concealed, and seize me the moment I entered the house, hurry me
+into a carriage, and drive away for Lauenberg in Pomerania.  Two
+under-officers were to escort me, on horseback, as far as the
+frontiers, and the remainder to hold and prevent me from calling for
+help, so long as we should remain on the territories of Dantzic.
+
+I farther learned my enemies were only to be armed with sabres, and
+that they were to wait behind the door.  The two officers on
+horseback were to secure my servant, and prevent him from riding off
+and raising an alarm.
+
+These preparations might easily have been rendered fruitless, by my
+refusing to accept the proposal of the lieutenant, but vanity gave
+me other advice, and resentment made me desirous of avenging myself
+for such detestable treachery.
+
+Lieutenant N- came, about noon, to dine with me as usual, was more
+pensive and serious than I had ever observed him before, and left me
+at four in the afternoon, after having made a promise to ride early
+next day with him as far as Langfuhr.  I observed my consent gave
+him great pleasure, and my heart then pronounced sentence on the
+traitor.  The moment he had left me I went to the Russian resident,
+M. Scheerer, an honest Swiss, related the whole conspiracy, and
+asked whether I might not take six of the men under my command for
+my own personal defence.  I told him my plan, which he at first
+opposed; but seeing me obstinate, he answered at last, "Do as you
+please; I must know nothing of the matter, nor will I make myself
+responsible."
+
+I immediately joined my soldiers, selected six men, and took them,
+while it was dark, opposite the Prussian inn, hid them in the corn,
+with an order to run to my help with their firelocks loaded the
+first discharge they should hear, to seize all who should fall into
+their power, and only to fire in case of resistance.  I provided
+them with fire-arms, by concealing them in the carriage which
+brought them to their hiding-place.
+
+Notwithstanding all these precautions, I still thought it necessary
+to prevent surprise, by informing myself what were the proceedings
+of my enemies, lest my intelligence should have been false; and I
+learned from my spies that, at four in the morning, the Prussian
+resident, Reimer, had left the city with post horses.
+
+I loaded mine and my servant's horse and pocket pistols, prepared my
+Turkish sabre, and, in gratitude to the lieutenant's man, promised
+to take him into my service, being convinced of his honesty.
+
+The lieutenant cheerfully entered about six in the morning,
+expatiated on the fineness of the weather, and jocosely told me I
+should be very kindly received by the handsome landlady of Langfuhr.
+
+I was soon ready; we mounted, and left the town, attended by our
+servants.  Some three hundred paces from the inn, my worthy friend
+proposed that we should alight and let our servants lead the horses,
+that we might enjoy the beauty of the morning.  I consented, and
+having dismounted, observed his treacherous eyes sparkle with
+pleasure.
+
+The resident, Reimer, was at the window of the inn, and called out,
+as soon as he saw me, "Good-morrow, captain, good-morrow; come, come
+in, your breakfast is waiting."  I, sneering, smiled, and told him I
+had not time at present.  So saying, I continued my walk, but my
+companion would absolutely force me to enter, took me by the arm,
+and partly struggled with me, on which, losing all patience, I gave
+him a blow which almost knocked him down, and ran to my horses as if
+I meant to fly.
+
+The Prussians instantly rushed from behind their door, with clamour,
+to attack me.  I fired at the first; my Russians sprang from their
+hiding-place, presented their pieces, and called, Stuy, stuy,
+yebionnamat.
+
+The terror of the poor Prussians may well be supposed.  All began to
+run.  I had taken care to make sure of my lieutenant, and was next
+running to seize the resident, but he had escaped out of the back
+door, with the loss only of his white periwig.  The Russians had
+taken four prisoners, and I commanded them to bestow fifty strokes
+upon each of them in the open street.  An ensign, named Casseburg,
+having told me his name, and that he had been my brother's
+schoolfellow, begged remission, and excused himself on the necessity
+which he was under to obey his superiors.  I admitted his excuses
+and suffered him to go.  I then drew my sword and bade the
+lieutenant defend himself; but he was so confused, that, after
+drawing his sword, he asked my pardon, laid the whole blame upon the
+resident, and had not the power to put himself on his guard.  I
+twice jerked his sword out of his hand, and, at last, taking the
+Russian corporal's cane, I exhausted my strength with beating him,
+without his offering the least resistance.  Such is the meanness of
+detected treachery.  I left him kneeling, saying to him, "Go,
+rascal, now, and tell your comrades the manner in which Trenck
+punishes robbers on the highway."
+
+The people had assembled round us during the action, to whom I
+related the affair, and the attack having happened on the
+territories of Dantzic, the Prussians were in danger of being stoned
+by the populace.  I and my Russians marched off victorious,
+proceeded to the harbour, embarked, and three or four days after,
+set sail for Riga.
+
+It is remarkable that none of the public papers took any notice of
+this affair; no satisfaction was required.  The Prussians, no doubt,
+were ashamed of being defeated in an attempt so perfidious.
+
+I since have learnt that Frederic, no doubt by the false
+representations of Reimer, was highly irritated, and what afterwards
+happened proves his anger pursued me through every corner of the
+earth, till at last I fell into his power at Dantzic, and suffered a
+martyrdom most unmerited and unexampled.
+
+The Prussian envoy, Goltz, indeed, made complaints to Count
+Bestuchef, concerning this Dantzic skirmish, but received no
+satisfaction.  My conduct was justified in Russia, I having defended
+myself against assassins, as a Russian captain ought.
+
+Some dispassionate readers may blame me for not having avoided this
+rencontre, and demanded personal satisfaction of Lieutenant N -.
+But I have through life rather sought than avoided danger.  My
+vanity and revenge were both roused.  I was everywhere persecuted by
+the Prussians, and I was therefore determined to show that, far from
+fearing, I was able to defend myself.
+
+I hired the servant of the lieutenant, whom I found honest and
+faithful, and whom I comfortably settled in marriage, at Vienna, in
+1753.  After my ten years' imprisonment, I found him poor, and again
+took him into my service, in which he died, at Zwerbach, in 1779.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+
+
+And now behold me at sea, on my voyage to Riga.  I had eaten
+heartily before I went on board; a storm came on; I worked half the
+night, to aid the crew, but at length became sea-sick, and went to
+lie down.  Scarcely had I closed my eyes before the master came with
+the joyful tidings, as he thought, that we were running for the port
+of Pillau.  Far from pleasing, this, to me, was dreadful
+intelligence.  I ran on deck, saw the harbour right before me, and a
+pilot coming off.  The sea must now be either kept in a storm, or I
+fall into the hands of the Prussians; for I was known to the whole
+garrison of Pillau.
+
+I desired the captain to tack about and keep the sea, but he would
+not listen to me.  Perceiving this, I flew to my cabin, snatched my
+pistols, returned, seized the helm, and threatened the captain with
+instant death if he did not obey.  My Russians began to murmur; they
+were averse to encountering the dangers of the storm, but luckily
+they were still more averse to meet my anger, overawed, as they
+were, by my pistols, and my two servants, who stood by me
+faithfully.
+
+Half an hour after, the storm began to subside, and we fortunately
+arrived the next day in the harbour of Riga.  The captain, however,
+could not be appeased, but accused me before the old and honourable
+Marshal Lacy, then governor of Riga.  I was obliged to appear, and
+reply to the charge by relating the truth.  The governor answered,
+my obstinacy might have occasioned the death of a hundred and sixty
+persons; I, smiling, retorted, "I have brought them all safe to
+port, please your Excellency; and, for my part, my fate would have
+been much more merciful by falling into the hands of my God than
+into the hands of my enemies.  My danger was so great that I forgot
+the danger of others; besides, sir, I knew my comrades were
+soldiers, and feared death as little as I do."  My answer pleased
+the fine grey-headed general, and he gave me a recommendation to the
+chancellor Bestuchef at Moscow.
+
+General Lieuwen had marched from Moravia, for Russia, with the army,
+and was then at Riga.  I went to pay him my respects; he kindly
+received me, and took me to one of his seats, named Annaburg, four
+miles from Riga.  Here I remained some days, and he gave me every
+recommendation to Moscow, where the court then was.  It was intended
+I should endeavour to obtain a company in the regiment of
+cuirassiers, the captains of which then ranked as majors, and he
+advised me to throw up my commission in the Siberian regiment of
+Tobolski dragoons.  Peace be to the names and the memory of this
+worthy man!  May God reward this benevolence!  From Riga I departed,
+in company with M. Oettinger, lieutenant-colonel of engineers, and
+Lieutenant Weismann, for Moscow.  This is the same Weismann who
+rendered so many important services to Russia, during the last war
+with the Turks.
+
+On my arrival, after delivering in my letters of recommendation, I
+was particularly well received by Count Bestuchef.  Oettinger, whose
+friendship I had gained, was exceedingly intimate with the
+chancellor, and my interest was thereby promoted.
+
+I had not been long at Moscow before I met Count Hamilton, my former
+friend during my abode at Vienna.  He was a captain of cavalry, in
+the regiment of General Bernes, who had been sent as imperial
+ambassador to Russia.
+
+Bernes had been ambassador at Berlin in 1743, where he had
+consequently known me during the height of my favour at the court of
+Frederic.  Hamilton presented me to him, and I had the good fortune
+so far to gain his friendship, that, after a few visits, he
+endeavoured to detach me from the Russian service, offering me the
+strongest recommendations to Vienna, and a company in his own
+regiment.  My cousin's misfortunes, however, had left too deep an
+impression on my mind to follow his advice.  The Indies would then
+have been preferred by me to Austria.
+
+Bernes invited me to dine with him in company with his bosom friend,
+Lord Hyndford, the English ambassador.  How great was the pleasure I
+that day received!  This eminent statesman had known me at Berlin,
+and was present when Frederic had honoured me with saying, C'est un
+matador de ma jeunesse.  He was well read in men, conceived a good
+opinion of my abilities, and became a friend and father to me.  He
+seated me by his side at table, and asked me, "Why came you here,
+Trenck?"  "In search of bread and honour, my lord," answered I,
+"having unmeritedly lost them both in my own country."  He further
+inquired the state of my finances; I told him my whole store might
+be some thirty ducats.
+
+"Take my counsel," said he; "you have the necessary qualifications
+to succeed in Russia, but the people here despise poverty, judge
+from the exterior only, and do not include services or talents in
+the estimate; you must have the appearance of being wealthy.  I and
+Bernes will introduce you into the best families, and will supply
+you with the necessary means of support.  Splendid liveries, led
+horses, diamond rings, deep play, a bold front, undaunted freedom
+with statesmen, and gallantry among the ladies, are the means by
+which foreigners must make their way in this country.  Avail
+yourself of them, and leave the rest to us."  This lesson lasted
+some time.  Bernes entered in the interim, and they determined
+mutually to contribute towards my promotion.
+
+Few of the young men who seek their fortune in foreign countries
+meet incidents so favourable.  Fortune for a moment seemed willing
+to recompense my past sufferings, and again to raise me to the
+height from which I had fallen.  These ambassadors, here again by
+accident met, had before been witnesses of my prosperity when at
+Berlin.  The talents I possessed, and the favour I then enjoyed,
+attracted the notice of all foreign ministers.  They were bosom
+friends, equally well read in the human heart, and equally
+benevolent and noble-minded; their recommendation at court was
+decisive; the nations they represented were in alliance with Russia,
+and the confidence Bestuchef placed in them was unbounded.
+
+I was now introduced into all companies, not as a foreigner who came
+to entreat employment, but as the heir of the house of Trenck, and
+its rich Hungarian possessions, and as the former favourite of the
+Prussian monarch.
+
+I was also admitted to the society of the first literati, and wrote
+a poem on the anniversary of the coronation of the Empress
+Elizabeth.  Hyndford took care she should see it, and, in
+conjunction with the chancellor, presented me to the sovereign.  My
+reception was most gracious.  She herself recommended me to the
+chancellor, and presented me with a gold-hilted sword, worth a
+thousand roubles.  This raised me highly in the esteem of all the
+houses of the Bestuchef party.
+
+Manners were at that time so rude in Russia, that every foreigner
+who gave a dinner, or a ball, must send notice to the chancellor
+Bestuchef, that he might return a list of the guests allowed to be
+invited.  Faction governed everything; and wherever Bestuchef was,
+no friend of Woranzow durst appear.  I was the intimate of the
+Austrian and English ambassadors; consequently, was caressed and
+esteemed in all companies.  I soon became the favourite of the
+chancellor's lady, as I shall hereafter notice; and nothing more was
+wanting to obtain all I could wish.
+
+I was well acquainted with architectural design, had free access to
+the house and cabinet of the chancellor, where I drew in company
+with Colonel Oettinger, who was then the head architect of Russia,
+and made the perspective view of the new palace, which the
+chancellor intended to build at Moscow, by which I acquired
+universal honour.  I had gained more acquaintance in, and knowledge
+of, Russia in one month, than others, wanting my means, have done in
+twelve.
+
+As I was one day relating my progress to Lord Hyndford, he, like a
+friend, grown grey in courts, kindly took the trouble to advise me.
+From him I obtained a perfect knowledge of Russia; he was acquainted
+with all the intrigues of European courts, their families, party
+cabals, the foibles of the monarchs, the principles of their
+government, the plots of the great Peter, and had also made the
+peace of Breslau.  Thus, having been the confidential friend of
+Frederic, he was intimately acquainted with his heart, as well as
+the sources of his power.  Hyndford was penetrating, noble-minded,
+had the greatness of the Briton, without his haughtiness; and the
+principles, by which he combined the past, the present, and the
+future, were so clear, that I, his scholar, by adhering to them,
+have been enabled to foretell all the most remarkable revolutions
+that have happened, during the space of six-and-thirty years, in
+Europe.  By these I knew, when any minister was disgraced, who
+should be his successor.  I daily passed some hours improving by his
+kind conversation; and to him I am indebted for most of that
+knowledge of the world I happen to possess.
+
+He took various opportunities of cautioning me against the effects
+of an ardent, sanguine temper; and my hatred of arbitrary power
+warned me to beware of the determined persecution of Frederic, of
+his irreconcilable anger, his intrigues and influence in the various
+courts of Europe, which he would certainly exert to prevent my
+promotion, lest I should impede his own projects, and lamented my
+future sufferings, which he plainly foresaw.  "Despots," said he,
+"always are suspicious, and abhor those who have a consciousness of
+their own worth, of the rights of mankind, and hold the lash in
+detestation.  The enlightened are by them called the restless
+spirits, turbulent and dangerous; and virtue there, where virtue is
+unnecessary for the humbling and trampling upon the suffering
+subject, is accounted a crime, of all others the most to be
+dreaded."
+
+Hyndford taught me to know, and highly to value freedom:  to despise
+tyrants, to endure the worst of miseries, to emulate true greatness
+of mind, to despise danger, and to honour only those whose elevation
+of soul had taught them equally to oppose bigotry and despotism.
+
+Bernes was a philosopher; but with the penetration of an Italian,
+more cautious than Hyndford, yet equally honest and worthy.  His
+friendship for me was unbounded, and the time passed in their
+company was esteemed by me most precious.  The liberality of my
+sentiments, thirst after knowledge and scientific acquirements
+gained their favour; our topics of conversation were inexhaustible,
+and I acquired more real information at Moscow than at Berlin, under
+the tuition of La Metri, Maupertuis, and Voltaire.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+
+
+Scarcely had I been six weeks in this city before I had an adventure
+which I shall here relate; for, myself excepted, all the persons
+concerned in it are now dead.  Intrigues properly belong to novels.
+This book is intended for a more serious purpose, and they are
+therefore here usually suppressed.  It cannot be supposed I was a
+woman-hater.  Most of the good or bad fortune I experienced
+originated in love.  I was not by nature inconstant, and was
+incapable of deceit even in amours.  In the very ardour of youth I
+always shunned mere sensual pleasures.  I loved for more exalted
+reasons, and for such sought to be beloved again.  Love and
+friendship were with me always united; and these I was capable of
+inciting, maintaining, and deserving.  The most difficult of access,
+the noblest, and the fairest, were ever my choice:  and my
+veneration for these always deterred me from grosser gratifications.
+By woman I was formed; by the faith of woman supported under
+misfortunes; in the company of woman enjoyed the few hours of
+delight my life of sorrows has experienced.  Woman, beautiful and
+well instructed, even now, lightens the burden of age, the world's
+tediousness and its woes; and, when these are ended, I would rather
+wish mine eyes might be closed by fair and virgin hands, than, when
+expiring, fixed on a hypocritical priest.
+
+My adventures with women would amply furnish a romance:  but enough
+of this, I should not relate the present, were it not necessary to
+my story.
+
+Dining one public day with Lord Hyndford, I was seated beside a
+charming young lady of one of the best families in Russia, who had
+been promised in marriage, though only seventeen, to an old invalid
+minister.  Her eyes soon told me she thought me preferable to her
+intended bridegroom.  I understood them, lamented her hard fate, and
+was surprised to hear her exclaim, "Oh, heavens! that it were
+possible you could deliver me from my misfortune:  I would engage to
+do whatever you would direct."
+
+The impression such an appeal must make on a man of four and twenty,
+of a temperament like mine, may easily be supposed.  The lady was
+ravishingly beautiful; her soul was candour itself, and her rank
+that of a princess; but the court commands had already been given in
+favour of the marriage; and flight, with all its inseparable
+dangers, was the only expedient.  A public table was no place for
+long explanations.  Our hearts were already one.  I requested an
+interview, and the next day was appointed, the place the Trotzer
+garden, where I passed three rapturous hours in her company:  thanks
+to her woman, who was a Georgian.
+
+To escape, however, from Moscow, was impossible.  The distance
+thence to any foreign country was too great.  The court was not to
+remove to Petersburg till the next spring, and her marriage was
+fixed for the first of August.  The misfortune was not to be
+remedied, and nothing was left us but patience perforce.  We could
+only resolve to fly from Petersburg when there, the soonest
+possible, and to take refuge in some corner of the earth, where we
+might remain unknown of all.  The marriage, therefore, was
+celebrated with pomp, though I, in despite of forms, was the true
+husband of the princess.  Such was the state of the husband imposed
+upon her, that to describe it, and not give disgust, were
+impossible.
+
+The princess gave me her jewels, and several thousand roubles, which
+she had received as a nuptial present, that I might purchase every
+thing necessary for flight; my evil destiny, however, had otherwise
+determined.  I was playing at ombre with her, one night, at the
+house of the Countess of Bestuchef, when she complained of a violent
+headache, appointed me to meet her on the morrow, in the Trotzer
+gardens, clasped my hand with inexpressible emotion, and departed.
+Alas!  I never beheld her more, till stretched upon the bier!
+
+She grew delirious that very night, and so continued till her death,
+which happened on the sixth day, when the small-pox began to appear.
+During her delirium she discovered our love, and incessantly called
+on me to deliver her from her tyrant.  Thus, in the flower of her
+age, perished one of the most lovely women I ever knew, and with her
+fled all I held most dear.
+
+All my plans were now to be newly arranged.  Lord Hyndford alone was
+in the secret, for I hid no secrets from him:  he strengthened me in
+my first resolution, and owned that he himself, for such a mistress,
+might perhaps have been weak enough to have acted as I had done.
+Almost as much moved as myself, he sympathised with me as a friend,
+and his advice deterred me from ending my miseries, and descending
+with her, whom I have loved and lost, to the grave.  This was the
+severest trial I had ever felt.  Our affection was unbounded, and
+such only as noble hearts can feel.  She being gone, the whole world
+became a desert.  There is not a man on earth, whose life affords
+more various turns of fate than mine.  Swiftly raised to the highest
+pinnacle of hope, as suddenly was I cast headlong down, and so
+remarkable were these revolutions that he who has read my history
+will at last find it difficult to say whether he envies or pities me
+most.  And yet these were, in reality, but preparatory to the evils
+that hovered over my devoted head.  Had not the remembrance of past
+joys soothed and supported me under my sufferings, I certainly
+should not have endured the ten years' torture of the Magdeburg
+dungeon, with a fortitude that might have been worthy even of
+Socrates.
+
+Enough of this.  My blood again courses swifter through my veins as
+I write!  Rest, gentle maiden, noble and lovely as thou wert!  For
+thee ought Heaven to have united a form so fair, animated as it was,
+by a soul so pure, to ever-blooming youth and immortality.
+
+My love for this lady became well-known in Moscow; yet her corpulent
+overgrown husband had not understanding enough to suppose there was
+any meaning in her rhapsodies during her delirium.
+
+Her gifts to me amounted in value to about seven thousand ducats.
+Lord Hyndford and Count Bernes both adjudged them legally mine, and
+well am I assured her heart had bequeathed me much more.
+
+To this event succeeded another, by which my fortune was greatly
+influenced.  The Countess of Bestuchef was then the most amiable and
+witty woman at Court.  Her husband, cunning, selfish, and shallow,
+had the name of minister, while she, in reality, governed with a
+genius, at once daring and comprehensive.  The too pliant Elizabeth
+carelessly left the most important things to the direction of
+others.  Thus the Countess was the first person of the Empire, and
+on whom the attention of the foreign ministers was fixed.
+
+Haughty and majestic in her demeanour, she was supposed to be the
+only woman at court who continued faithful to her husband; which
+supposition probably originated in her art and education, she being
+a German born:  for I afterwards found her virtue was only pride,
+and a knowledge of the national character.  The Russian lover rules
+despotic over his mistress:  requires money, submission, and should
+he meet opposition, threatens her with blows, and the discovery of
+her secret.
+
+During Elizabeth's reign foreigners could neither appear at court,
+nor in the best company, without the introduction of Bestuchef.  I
+and Sievers, gentlemen of the chamber, were at that time the only
+Germans who had free egress and regress in all houses of fashion; my
+being protected by the English and Austrian ambassadors gave me very
+peculiar advantages, and made my company everywhere courted.
+
+Bestuchef had been resident, during the late reign, at Hamburg, in
+which inferior station he married the countess, at that time, though
+young and handsome, only the widow of the merchant Boettger.  Under
+Elizabeth, Bestuchef rose to the summit of rank and power, and the
+widow Boettger became the first lady of the empire.  When I knew her
+she was eight and thirty, consequently no beauty, though a woman
+highly endowed in mind and manners, of keen discernment, disliking
+the Russians, protecting the Prussians, and at whose aversions all
+trembled.
+
+Her carriage towards the Russians was, what it must be in her
+situation, lofty, cautious, and ironical, rather than kind.  To me
+she showed the utmost esteem on all occasions, welcomed me at her
+table, and often admitted me to drink coffee in company with herself
+alone and Colonel Oettinger.  The countess never failed giving me to
+understand she had perceived my love for the princess N- ; and,
+though I constantly denied the fact, she related circumstances which
+she could have known, as I thought, only from my mistress herself;
+my silence pleased her; for the Russians, when a lady had a
+partiality for them, never fail to vaunt of their good fortune.  She
+wished to persuade me she had observed us in company, had read the
+language of our eyes, and had long penetrated our secret.  I was
+ignorant at that time that she had then, and long before,
+entertained the maid of my mistress as a spy in her pay.
+
+About a week after the death of the princess, the countess invited
+me to take coffee with her, in her chamber; lamented my loss, and
+the violence of that passion which had deprived me of all my
+customary vivacity, and altered my very appearance.  She seemed so
+interested in my behalf, and expressed so many wishes, and so ardent
+to better my fate, that I could no longer doubt.  Another
+opportunity soon happened, which confirmed these my suspicions:  her
+mouth confessed her sentiments.  Discretion, secrecy, and fidelity,
+were the laws she imposed, and never did I experience a more ardent
+passion from woman.  Such was her understanding and penetration, she
+knew how to rivet my affections.
+
+Caution was the thing most necessary.  She contrived, however, to
+make opportunity.  The chancellor valued, confided in me, and
+employed me in his cabinet; so that I remained whole days in his
+house.  My captainship of cavalry was now no longer thought of:  I
+was destined to political employment.  My first was to be gentleman
+of the chamber, which in Russia is an office of importance, and the
+prospect of futurity became to me most resplendent.  Lord Hyndford,
+ever the repository of my secrets, counselled me, formed plans for
+my conduct, rejoiced at my success, and refused to be reimbursed the
+expense he had been at, though now my circumstances were prosperous.
+
+The degree of credit I enjoyed was soon noticed:  foreign ministers
+began to pay their court to me:  Goltz, the Prussian minister, made
+every effort to win me, but found me incorruptible.
+
+The Russian alliance was at this time highly courted by foreign
+powers; the humbling of Prussia was the thing generally wished and
+planned:  and nobody was better informed than myself of ministerial
+and family factions at this court.
+
+My mistress, a year after my acquaintance with her, fell into her
+enemies' power, and with her husband, was delivered over to the
+executioner.  Chancellor Bestuchef, in the year 1756, was forced to
+confession by the knout.  Apraxin, minister of war, had a similar
+fate.  The wife of his brother, then envoy in Poland, was, by the
+treachery of a certain Lieutenant Berger, with three others of the
+first ladies of the court, knouted, branded, and had their tongues
+cut out.  This happened in the year 1741, when Elizabeth ascended
+the throne.  Her husband, however, faithfully served:  I knew him as
+Russian envoy, at Vienna, 1751.  This may indeed be called the love
+of our country, and thus does it happen to the first men of the
+state:  what then can a foreigner hope for, if persecuted, and in
+the power of those in authority?
+
+No man, in so short a space of time, had greater opportunities than
+I, to discover the secrets of state; especially when guided by
+Hyndford and Bernes, under the reign of a well-meaning but short-
+sighted Empress, whose first minister was a weak man, directed by
+the will of an able and ambitious wife, and which wife loved me, a
+stranger, an acquaintance of only a few months, so passionately that
+to this passion she would have sacrificed every other object.  She
+might, in fact, be considered as Empress of Russia, disposing of
+peace or war, and had I been more prudent or less sincere, I might
+in such a situation, have amassed treasures, and deposited them in
+full security.  Her generosity was boundless; and, though obliged to
+pay above a hundred thousand roubles, in one year, to discharge her
+son's debts, yet might I have saved a still larger sum; but half of
+the gifts she obliged me to receive, I lent to this son, and lost.
+So far was I from selfish, and so negligent of wealth, that by
+supplying the wants of others, I often, on a reverse of fortune,
+suffered want myself.
+
+This my splendid success in Russia displeased the great Frederic,
+whose persecution everywhere attended me, and who supposed his
+interest injured by my success in Russia.  The incident I am going
+to relate was, at the time it happened, well known to, and caused
+much agitation among all the foreign ambassadors.
+
+Lord Hyndford desired I would make him a fair copy of a plan of
+Cronstadt, for which he furnished the materials, with three
+additional drawings of the various ships in the harbour, and their
+names.  There was neither danger nor suspicion attending this; the
+plan of Cronstadt being no secret, but publicly sold in the shops of
+Petersburg.  England was likewise then in the closest alliance with
+Russia.  Hyndford showed the drawing to Funk, the Saxon envoy, his
+intimate friend, who asked his permission to copy it himself.
+Hyndford gave him the plan signed with my name; and after Funk had
+been some days employed copying it, the Prussian minister, Goltz,
+who lived in his neighbourhood, came in, as he frequently paid him
+friendly visits.  Funk, unsuspectingly, showed him my drawing, and
+both lamented that Frederic had lost so useful a subject.  Goltz
+asked to borrow it for a couple of days, in order to correct his
+own; and Funk, one of the worthiest, most honest, and least
+suspicious of men, who loved me like a brother, accordingly lent the
+plan.
+
+No sooner was Goltz in possession of it than he hurried to the
+chancellor, with whose weakness he was well acquainted, told him his
+intent in coming was to prove that a man, who had once been
+unfaithful to his king and country, where he had been loaded with
+favours, would certainly betray, for his own private interest, every
+state where he was trusted.  He continued his preface, by speaking
+of the rapid progress I had made in Russia, and the free entrance I
+had found in the chancellor's house, where I was received as a son,
+and initiated in the secrets of the cabinet.
+
+The chancellor defended me:  Goltz then endeavoured to incite his
+jealousy, and told him my private interviews with his wife,
+especially in the palace-garden, were publicly spoken of.  This he
+had learned from his spies, he having endeavoured, by the snares he
+laid, to make my destruction certain.
+
+He likewise led Bestuchef to suspect his secretary, S-n, was a party
+in the intrigue; till at last the chancellor became very angry;
+Goltz then took my plan of Cronstadt from his pocket, and added,
+"Your excellency is nourishing a serpent in your bosom.  This
+drawing have I received from Trenck, copied from your cabinet
+designs, for two hundred ducats."  He knew I was employed there
+sometimes with Oettinger, whose office it was to inspect the
+buildings and repairs of the Russian fortifications.  Bestuchef was
+astonished; his anger became violent, and Goltz added fuel to the
+flame, by insinuating, I should not be so powerfully protected by
+Bernes, the Austrian ambassador, were it not to favour the views of
+his own court.  Bestuchef mentioned prosecution and the knout; Goltz
+replied my friends were too powerful, my pardon would be procured,
+and the evil this way increased.  They therefore determined to have
+me secretly secured, and privately conveyed to Siberia.
+
+Thus, while I unsuspectingly dreamed of nothing but happiness, the
+gathering storm threatened destruction, which only was averted by
+accident, or God's good providence.
+
+Goltz had scarcely left the place triumphant, when the chancellor
+entered, with bitterness and rancour in his heart, into his lady's
+apartment, reproached her with my conduct, and while she endeavoured
+to soothe him, related all that had passed.  Her penetration was
+much deeper than her husband's:  she perceived there was a plot
+against me:  she indeed knew my heart better than any other, and
+particularly that I was not in want of a poor two hundred ducats.
+She could not, however, appease him, and my arrest was determined.
+She therefore instantly wrote me a line to the following purport.
+
+"You are threatened, dear friend, by a very imminent danger.  Do not
+sleep to-night at home, but secure yourself at Lord Hyndford's till
+you hear farther from me."
+
+Secretary S-n, her confidant (the same who, not long since, was
+Russian envoy at Ratisbon) was sent with the note.  He found me,
+after dinner, at the English ambassador's, and called me aside.  I
+read the billet, was astonished at its contents, and showed it Lord
+Hyndford.  My conscience was void of reproach, except that we
+suspected my secret with the countess had been betrayed to the
+chancellor, and fearing his jealousy, Hyndford commanded me to
+remain in his house till we should make further discovery.
+
+We placed spies round the house where I lived; I was inquired for
+after midnight, and the lieutenant of the police came himself and
+searched the house.
+
+Lord Hyndford went, about ten in the morning, to visit the
+chancellor, that he might obtain some intelligence, who immediately
+reproached him for having granted an asylum to a traitor.  "What has
+this traitor done?" said Hyndford.  "Faithlessly copied a plan of
+Cronstadt, from my cabinet drawings," said the chancellor; "which he
+has sold to the Prussian minister for two hundred ducats."
+
+Hyndford was astonished; he knew me well, and also knew that he had
+then in money and jewels, more than eight thousand ducats of mine in
+his own hands:  nor was he less ignorant of the value I set on
+money, or of the sources whence I could obtain it, when I pleased.
+"Has your excellency actually seen this drawing of Trenck's?"--"Yes,
+I have been shown it by Goltz."--"I wish I might likewise be
+permitted to see it; I know Trenck's drawing, and make myself
+responsible that he is no traitor.  Here is some mystery; be so kind
+as to desire M. Goltz will come and bring his plan of Cronstadt.
+Trenck is at my house, shall be forthcoming instantly, and I will
+not protect him if he proves guilty."
+
+The Chancellor wrote to Goltz; but he, artful as he was, had no
+doubt taken care to be informed that the lieutenant of the police
+had missed his prey.  He therefore sent an excuse, and did not
+appear.  In the meantime I entered; Hyndford then addressed me, with
+the openness of an Englishman, and asked, "Are you a traitor,
+Trenck?  If so, you do not merit my protection, but stand here as a
+state prisoner.  Have you sold a plan of Cronstadt to M. Goltz?"  My
+answer may easily be supposed.  Hyndford rehearsed what the
+chancellor had told him; I was desired to leave the room, and Funk
+was sent for.  The moment he came in, Hyndford said, "Sir, where is
+that plan of Cronstadt which Trenck copied?"  Funk, hesitating,
+replied, "I will go for it."  "Have you it," continued Hyndford, "at
+home?  Speak, upon your honour."--"No, my Lord, I have lent it, for
+a few days, to M. Goltz, that he may take a copy."
+
+Hyndford immediately then saw the whole affair, told the chancellor
+the history of this plan, which belonged to him, and which he had
+lent to Funk, and requested a trusty person might be sent with him
+to make a proper search.  Bestuchef named his first secretary, and
+to him were added Funk and the Dutch envoy, Schwart, who happened
+then to enter.  All went together to the house of Goltz.  Funk
+demanded his plan of Cronstadt; Goltz gave it him, and Funk returned
+it to Lord Hyndford.
+
+The secretary and Hyndford both then desired he would produce the
+plan of Cronstadt which he had bought of Trenck for two hundred
+ducats.  His confusion now was great, and Hyndford firmly insisted
+this plan should be forthcoming, to vindicate the honour of Trenck,
+whom he held to be an honest man.  On this, Goltz answered, "I have
+received my king's commands to prevent the preferment of Trenck in
+Russia, and I have only fulfilled the duty of a minister."
+
+Hyndford spat on the ground, and said more than I choose to repeat;
+after which the four gentlemen returned to the chancellor, and I was
+again called.  Everybody complimented me, related to me what had
+passed, and the chancellor promised I should be recompensed;
+strictly, however, forbidding me to take any revenge on the Prussian
+ambassador, I having sworn, in the first transports of anger, to
+punish him wherever I should find him, even were it at the altar's
+foot.
+
+The chancellor soothed me, kept me to dine with him, and endeavoured
+to assuage my boiling passions.  The countess affected indifference,
+and asked me if suchlike actions characterised the Prussian nation.
+Funk and Schwart were at table.  All present congratulated me on my
+victory, but none knew to whom I was indebted for my deliverance
+from the hasty and unjust condemnation of the chancellor, although
+my protectress was one of the company.  I received a present of two
+thousand roubles the next day from the chancellor, with orders to
+thank the Empress for this mark of her bounty, and accept it as a
+sign of her special favour.  I paid these my thanks some days after.
+The money I disregarded, but the amiable Empress, by her enchanting
+benevolence, made me forget the past.  The story became public, and
+Goltz appeared neither in public, nor at court.  The manner in which
+the countess personally reproached him, I shall out of respect pass
+over.  Bernes, the crafty Piedmontese, assured me of revenge,
+without my troubling myself in the matter, and--what happened after
+I know not; Goltz appeared but little in company, fell ill when I
+had left Russia, and died soon after of a consumption.
+
+This vile man was, no doubt, the cause of all the calamities which
+fell upon me.  I should have become one of the first men in Russia:
+the misfortune that befel Bestuchef and his family some years
+afterward might have been averted:  I should never have returned to
+Vienna, a city so fatal to the name of Trenck:  by the mediation of
+the Russian Court, I should have recovered my great Sclavonian
+estates; my days of persecution at Vienna would have passed in peace
+and pleasure:  nor should I have entered the dungeon of Magdeburg.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+
+
+How little did the Great Frederic know my heart.  Without having
+offended, he had rendered me miserable, had condemned me to
+imprisonment at Glatz on mere suspicion, and on my flying thence,
+naked and destitute, had confiscated my paternal inheritance.  Not
+contented with inflicting all these calamities, he would not suffer
+me peaceably to seek my fortune in a foreign land.
+
+Few are the youths who, in so short a time, being expelled their
+native country with disgrace, by their own efforts, merits, and
+talents, have obtained honour and favour so great, acquired such
+powerful friends, or been entrusted with confidence equally
+unlimited in transactions so important.  Enraged as I was at the
+treachery of Goltz, had opportunity offered, I might have been
+tempted even to turn my native country into a desert; nor do I deny
+that I afterwards promoted the views of the Austrian envoy, who knew
+well how to cherish the flame that had been kindled, and turn it to
+his own use.  Till this moment I never felt the least enmity either
+to my country or king, nor did I suffer myself, on any occasion, to
+be made the agent of their disadvantage.
+
+No sooner was I entrusted more intimately with cabinet secrets, than
+I discovered the state of factions, and that Bestuchef and Apraxin
+were even then in Prussian pay; that a counterpoise, by their means,
+might be formed to the prevalence of the Austrian party.
+
+Hence we may date the change of Russian politics in the year 1762.
+Here also we may find a clue to the contradictory orders, artifices,
+positions, retreats and disappointments of the Russian army, in the
+seven years' war, beginning in 1756.  The countess, who was obliged
+to act with greater caution, foresaw the consequence of the various
+intrigues in which her husband was engaged:  her love for me
+naturally drew her from her former party; she confided every secret
+to me, and ever remained till her fall, which happened in 1758,
+during my imprisonment, my best friend and correspondent.  Hence was
+I so well informed of all the plans against Prussia, to the years
+1754 and 1756; much more so than many ministers of the interested
+courts, who imagined they alone were in the secret.  How many after
+events could I then have foretold!  Such was the perverseness of my
+destiny, that where I should most have been sought for, and best
+known, there was I least valued.
+
+No man, in my youth, would have believed I should live to my
+sixtieth year, untitled and obscure.  In Berlin, Petersburg, London,
+and Paris, have I been esteemed by the greatest statesmen, and now
+am I reduced to the invalid list.  How strange are the caprices of
+fortune!  I ought never to have left Russia:  this was my great
+error, which I still live to repent.
+
+I have never been accustomed to sleep more than four or five hours,
+so that through life I have allowed time for paying visits and
+receiving company.  I have still had sufficient for study and
+improvement.  Hyndford was my instructor in politics; Boerhaave,
+then physician to the court, my bosom friend, my tutor in physic and
+literary subjects.  Women formed me for court intrigues, though
+these, as a philosopher, I despised.
+
+The chancellor had greatly changed his carriage towards me since the
+incident of the plan.  He observed my looks, showed he was
+distrustful, and desirous of revenge.  His lady, as well as myself,
+remarked this, and new measures became necessary.  I was obliged to
+act an artful, but, at the same time, a very dangerous part.
+
+My cousin, Baron Trenck, died in the Spielberg, October 4, 1749, and
+left me his heir, on condition I should only serve the house of
+Austria.  In March, 1750, Count Bernes received the citation sent me
+to enter on this inheritance.  I would hear nothing of Vienna; the
+abominable treatment of my cousin terrified me.  I well knew the
+origin of his prosecution, the services he had rendered his country,
+and had been an eye-witness of the injustice by which he was repaid.
+Bernes represented to me that the property left me was worth much
+above a million:  that the empress would support me in pursuit of
+justice, and that I had no personal enemy at Vienna, that a million
+of certain property in Hungary was much superior to the highest
+expectations in Russia, where I myself had beheld so many changes of
+fortune, and the effects of family cabals.  Russia he painted as
+dangerous, Vienna as secure, and promised me himself effectual
+assistance, as his embassy would end within the year.  Were I once
+rich, I might reside in what country I pleased; nor could the
+persecutions of Frederic anywhere pursue me so ineffectually as in
+Austria.  Snares would be laid for me everywhere else, as I had
+experienced in Russia.  "What," said he, "would have been the
+consequence, had not the countess warned you of the impending
+danger?  You, like many other honest and innocent men, would have
+been sent to Siberia.  Your innocence must have remained untested,
+and yourself, in the universal opinion, a villain and a traitor."
+
+Hyndford spoke to me in the same tone, assured me of his eternal
+protection, and described London as a certain asylum, should I not
+find happiness at Vienna.  He spoke of slavery as a Briton ought to
+speak, reminded me of the fate of Munich and Osterman, painted the
+court such as I knew it to be, and asked me what were my
+expectations, even were I fortunate enough to become general or
+minister in such a country.
+
+These reasonings at length determined me; but having plenty of
+money, I thought proper to take Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Holland
+in my way, and Barnes was in the meantime to prepare me a favourable
+reception at Vienna.  He desired, also, I would give him authority
+to get possession of the estates to which I was heir.  My mistress
+strongly endeavoured to detain me, but yielded at length to the
+force of reason.  I tore myself away, and promised, on my honour, to
+return as soon as I had arranged my affairs at Vienna.  She made the
+proposition of investing me within some foreign embassy, by which I
+might render the most effectual services to the court at Vienna.  In
+this hope we parted with heavy hearts:  she presented me with her
+portrait, and a snuffbox set with diamonds; the first of these,
+three years after was torn from my bosom by the officers in my first
+dungeon at Magdeburg, as I shall hereafter relate.  The chancellor
+embraced me, at parting, with friendship.  Apraxin wept, and clasped
+me in his arms, prophesying at the same time, I should never be so
+happy as in Russia.  I myself foreboded misfortune, and quitted
+Russia with regret, but still followed the advice of Hyndford and
+Bernes.
+
+From Moscow I travelled to Petersburg, where I found a letter, at
+the house of Baron Wolf, the banker, from the countess, which rent
+my very heart, and almost determined me to return.  She endeavoured
+to terrify me from proceeding to Vienna, yet inclosed a bill for
+four thousand roubles, to aid me on my journey, were I absolutely
+bent to turn my back on fortune.
+
+My effects, in money and jewels, amounted to about thirty-six
+thousand florins; I therefore returned the draft, intreated her
+eternal remembrance, and that she would reserve her favour and
+support to times in which they might become needful.  After
+remaining a few days at Petersburg, I journeyed, by land, to
+Stockholm; taking with me letters of recommendation from all the
+foreign envoys
+
+I forgot to mention that Funk was inconsolable for my departure; his
+imprudence had nearly plunged me into misery, and destroyed all my
+hopes in Russia.  Twenty-two years after this I met the worthy man,
+once more in Dresden.  He, there, considered himself as the cause of
+all the evils inflicted on me, and assured me the recital of my
+sufferings had been so many bitter reproaches to his soul.  Our
+recapitulation of former times gave us endless pleasure, and it was
+the sweetest of joys to meet and renew my friendship with such a
+man, after having weathered so many storms of fate.
+
+At Stockholm I wanted for no recommendation; the Queen, sister to
+the great Frederic, had known me at Berlin, when I had the honour,
+as an officer of the body guard, of accompanying her to Stettin.  I
+related my whole history to her without reserve.  She, from
+political motives, advised me not to make any stay at Stockholm, and
+to me continued till death, an ever-gracious lady.  I proceeded to
+Copenhagen, where I had business to transact for M. Chaise, the
+Danish envoy at Moscow:  from whom also I had letters of
+recommendation.  Here I had the pleasure of meeting my old friend,
+Lieutenant Bach, who had aided me in my escape from my imprisonment
+at Glatz.  He was poor and in debt, and I procured him protection,
+by relating the noble manner in which he behaved I also presented
+him with five hundred ducats, by the aid of which he pushed his
+fortune.  He wrote to me in the year 1776, a letter of sincere
+thanks, and died a colonel of hussars in the Danish service in 1776.
+
+I remained in Copenhagen but a fortnight, and then sailed in a Dutch
+ship, from Elsineur to Amsterdam.  Scarcely had we put to sea,
+before a storm arose, by which we lost a mast and bowsprit, had our
+sails shattered, and were obliged to cast anchor among the rocks of
+Gottenburg, where our deliverance was singularly fortunate.
+
+Here we lay nine days before we could make the open sea, and here I
+found a very pleasant amusement, by going daily in the ship's boat
+from rock to rock, attended by two of my servants, to shoot wild
+ducks, and catch shell-fish; whence I every evening returned with
+provisions, and sheep's milk, bought of the poor inhabitants, for
+the ship's crew.
+
+There was a dearth among these poor people.  Our vessel was laden
+with corn; some of this I purchased, to the amount of some hundreds
+of Dutch florins, and distributed wherever I went.  I also gave one
+of their ministers a hundred florins for his poor congregation, who
+was himself in want of bread, and whose annual stipend amounted to
+one hundred and fifty florins.
+
+Here in the sweet pleasure of doing good, I left behind me much of
+that money I had so easily acquired in Russia; and perhaps had we
+stayed much longer should myself have left the place in poverty.  A
+thousand blessings followed me, and the storm-driven Trenck was long
+remembered and talked of at Gottenburg.
+
+In this worthy employment, however, I had nearly lost my life.
+Returning from carrying corn, the wind rose, and drove the boat to
+sea.  I not understanding the management of the helm, and the
+servants awkwardly handling the sails, the boat in tacking was
+overset.  The benefit of learning to swim, I again experienced, and
+my faithful servant, who had gained the rock, aided me when almost
+spent.  The good people who had seen the shallop overset, came off
+in their boats to my assistance.  An honest Calmuc, whom I had
+brought from Russia, and another of my servants perished.  I saw the
+first sink after I had reached the shore.
+
+The kind Swedes brought me on board, and also righted and returned
+with the shallop.  For some days I was sea-sick.  We weighed anchor,
+and sailed for the Texel, the mouth of which we saw, and the pilots
+coming off, when another storm arose, and drove us to the port of
+Bahus, in Norway, into which we ran, without farther damage.  In
+some few days we again set sail, with a fair wind, and at length
+reached Amsterdam.
+
+Here I made no long stay; for the day after my arrival, an
+extraordinary adventure happened, in which I was engaged chiefly by
+my own rashness.
+
+I was a spectator while the harpooners belonging to the whale
+fishery were exercising themselves in darting their harpoons, most
+of whom were drunk.  One of them, Herman Rogaar by name, a hero
+among these people, for his dexterity with his snickasnee, came up,
+and passed some of his coarse jests upon my Turkish sabre, and
+offered to fillip me on the nose.  I pushed him from me, and the
+fellow threw down his cap, drew his snickasnee, challenged me,
+called me monkey-tail, and asked whether I chose a straight, a
+circular, or a cross cut.
+
+Thus here was I, in this excellent company, with no choice but that
+of either fighting or running away.  The robust, Herculean fellow
+grew more insolent, and I, turning round to the bystanders, asked
+them to lend me a snickasnee.  "No, no," said the challenger, "draw
+your great knife from your side, and, long as it is, I will lay you
+a dozen ducats you get a gash in the cheek."  I drew; he confidently
+advanced with his snickasnee, and, at the first stroke of my sabre,
+that, and the hand that held it, both dropped to the ground, and the
+blood spouted in my face.
+
+I now expected the people would, indubitably, tear me to pieces; but
+my fear was changed into astonishment at hearing a universal shout
+applauding the vanquisher of the redoubted Herman Rogaar who, so
+lately feared for his strength and dexterity, became the object of
+their ridicule.  A Jew spectator conducted me out of the crowd, and
+the people clamorously followed me to my inn.  This kind of duel, by
+which I gained honour, would anywhere else have brought me to the
+highest disgrace.  A man who knew the use of the sabre, in a single
+day, might certainly have disabled a hundred Herman Rogaars.  This
+story may instruct and warn others.  He that is quarrelsome shall
+never want an enemy.  My temerity often engaged me in disputes
+which, by timely compliance and calmness, might easily have been
+avoided; but my evil genius always impelled me into the paths of
+perplexity, and I seldom saw danger till it was inevitable
+
+I left Amsterdam for the Hague, where I had been recommended to Lord
+Holderness, the English ambassador, by Lord Hyndford; to Baron
+Reisbach, by Bernes; to the Grand Pensionary Fagel, by Schwart; and
+from the chancellor I had a letter to the Prince of Orange himself I
+could not, therefore, but be everywhere received with all possible
+distinction.  Within these recommendations, and the knowledge I
+possessed, had I had the good fortune to have avoided Vienna, and
+gone to India, where my talents would have insured me wealth, how
+many tears of affliction had I been spared!  My ill fortune,
+however, had brought me letters from Count Bernes, assuring me that
+heaven was at Vienna, and including a citation from the high court,
+requiring me to give in my claim of inheritance.  Bernes further
+informed me the Austrian court had assured him I should meet with
+all justice and protection, and advised me to hasten my journey, as
+the executorship of the estates of Trenck was conducted but little
+to my advantage.
+
+This advice I took, proceeded to Vienna, and from that moment all my
+happiness had an end.  I became bewildered in lawsuits, and the arts
+of wicked men, and all possible calamities assaulted me at once, the
+recital of which would itself afford subject matter for a history.
+They began by the following incidents:-
+
+One M. Schenck sought my acquaintance at the Hague.  I met with him
+at my hotel, where he intreated I would take him to Nuremberg,
+whence he was to proceed to Saxony.  I complied, and bore his
+expenses; but at Hanau, waking in the morning, I found my watch, set
+with diamonds, a ring worth two thousand roubles, a diamond snuff-
+box, with my mistress's picture, and my purse, containing about
+eighty ducats, stolen from my bed-side, and Schenck become
+invisible.  Little affected by the loss of money, at any time, I yet
+was grieved for my snuff-box.  The rascal, however, had escaped, and
+it was fortunate that the remainder of my ready money, with my bills
+of exchange, were safely locked up.
+
+I now pursued my journey without company, and arrived in Vienna.  I
+cannot exactly recollect in what month, but I had been absent about
+two years; and the reader will allow that it was barely possible for
+any man, in so short a time, to have experienced more various
+changes of fate, though many smaller incidents have been suppressed.
+The places, where my pledged fidelity required discretion will be
+easily supposed, as likewise will the concealment of court
+intrigues, and artifices, the publication of which might even yet
+subject me to more persecutions.  All writers are not permitted to
+speak truth of monarchs and ministers.  I am the father of eight
+children, and parental love and duty vanquish the inclination of the
+author; and this duty, this affection, have made me particularly
+cautious in relating what happened to me at Vienna, that I might,
+thereby, serve them more effectually than by indulging the pride of
+the writer, or the vengeance of the man.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+
+
+Since accounts so various, contradictory, and dishonourable to the
+name of Trenck, have been circulated in Vienna, concerning facts
+which happened thirty-seven years ago, I will here give a short
+abstract of them, and such as may he verified by the records of the
+court.  I pledge my honour to the truth of the statement, and were I
+so allowed, would prove it, to the conviction of any unprejudiced
+court of justice:  but this I cannot hope, as princes are much more
+disposed to bestow unmerited favours than to make retribution to
+those whom they have unjustly punished.
+
+Francis Baron Trenck died in the Spielberg, October 4th, 1749.  It
+has been erroneously believed in Vienna that his estates were
+confiscated by the sentence which condemned him to the Spielberg.
+He had committed no offence against the state, was accused of none,
+much less convicted.  The court sentence was that the administration
+of his estate should be committed to Counsellor Kempf and Baron
+Peyaczewitz, who were selected by himself, and the accounts of his
+stewards and farmers were to be sent him yearly.  He continued, till
+his death, to have the free and entire disposal of his property.
+
+Although, before his death, he sent for his advocate, Doctor Berger,
+and by him petitioned the Empress she would issue the necessary
+orders to the Governor of the Spielberg, to permit the entrance of
+witnesses, and all things necessary to make a legal will, it by no
+means follows that he petitioned her for permission to make this
+will.  The case is too clear to admit of doubt.  The royal commands
+were given, that he should enjoy all freedom of making his will.
+Permission was also given that, during his sickness, he might be
+removed to the capuchin convent, which was equal to liberty, but
+this he refused to accept.
+
+Neither was his ability to make a will questioned.  The advocate was
+only to request the Queen's permission to supply some formalities,
+which had been neglected, when he purchased the lordships of Velika
+and Nustar, which petition was likewise granted.  The royal mandate
+still exists, which commissioned the persons therein named as
+trustees to the estate and effects of Trenck, and this mandate runs
+thus:  "Let the last will of Trenck be duly executed:  let dispatch
+be used, and the heir protected in all his rights."  Confiscation,
+therefore, had never been thought of, nor his power to make a will
+questioned.
+
+I will now show how I have been deprived of this valuable
+inheritance, while I have been obliged to pay above sixty thousand
+florins, to defray legacies he had left; and when this narrative is
+read, it will no longer be affirmed at Vienna, that by the favours
+of the court I inherited seventy-six thousand florins, or the
+lordship of Zwerbach from Trenck, I shall proceed to my proofs.
+
+The father of Baron Trenck, who died in the year 1743, governor of
+Leitschau, in Hungary, named me in his will the successor of his
+son, should he die without heirs male.
+
+This will was sent to be proved, according to form, at Vienna, after
+having been authenticated in the most legal manner in Hungary.  The
+court called Hofkriegsrath, at Vienna, neglected to provide a
+curator for the security of the next heir; yet this could not annul
+my right of succession.  When Trenck succeeded his father, he
+entered no protest to this, his father's will; therefore, dying
+without children, in the year 1749, my claim was indisputable.  I
+was heir had he made no will:  and even in case of confiscation, my
+title to his father's estates still remained valid.
+
+Trenck knew this but too well:  he, as I have before related, was my
+worst enemy, and even attempted my life.  I will therefore proceed
+to show the real intent of this his crafty testament.
+
+Determined no longer to live in confinement, or to ask forgiveness,
+by which, it is well known, he might have obtained his freedom,
+having lost all hopes of reimbursing his losses, his avarice was
+reduced to despair.  His desire of fame was unbounded, and this
+could no way be gratified but by having himself canonized for a
+saint, after spending his life in committing all the ravages of a
+pandour.  Hence originated the following facts:-
+
+He knew I was the legal claimant to his father's estates.  His
+father had bought with the family money, remitted from Prussia, the
+lordships of Prestowacz and Pleternitz, in Sclavonia, and he
+himself, during his father's life, and with his father's money, had
+purchased the lordship of Pakratz, for forty thousand florins:  this
+must therefore descend also to me, he having no more power to will
+this from me, than he had the remainder of his paternal inheritance.
+The property he himself had gained was consigned to administrators,
+but a hundred thousand florins had been expended in lawsuits, and
+sixty-three suits continued actually pending against him in court;
+the legacies he bequeathed amounted to eighty thousand florins.
+These, he saw, could not be paid, should I claim nothing more than
+the paternal inheritance; he, therefore, to render me unfortunate
+after his death, craftily named me his universal heir, without
+mentioning his father's will, but endeavoured, by his mysterious
+death, and the following conditions, to enforce the execution of his
+own will.
+
+First,--I was to become a Catholic.
+
+Secondly,--I was to serve only the house of Austria; and,
+
+Lastly,--He made his whole estate, without excepting the paternal
+inheritance, a Fidei commissum.
+
+Hence arose all my misfortunes, as indeed was his intention; for,
+but a short time before his death, he said to the Governor, Baron
+Kottulinsky, "I shall now die contented, since I have been able to
+trick my cousin, and render him wretched."
+
+His death, believed in Vienna to be miraculous, happened after the
+following manner; and by this he had induced many weak people, who
+really believed him a saint, to further his views.
+
+Three days before his death, while in perfect health, he desired the
+governor of the Spielberg would send for his confessor, for that St.
+Francis had revealed to him he should be removed into life
+everlasting on his birth-day at twelve o'clock.  The capuchin was
+sent for, but the prediction laughed at.
+
+The day, however, after the departure of his confessor, he said,
+"Praise be to God, my end approaches; my confessor is dead, and has
+appeared to me."  Strange as it may seem; it was actually found to
+be true that the priest was dead.  He now had all the officers of
+the garrison of Brunn assembled, tonsured his head like a capuchin,
+took the habit of the order, publicly confessed himself in a sermon
+of an hour's length, exhorted them all to holiness, acted the part
+of a most exemplary penitent, embraced all present, spoke with a
+smile of the insignificance of all earthly possessions, took his
+leave, knelt down to prayers, slept calmly, rose, prayed again, and
+about eleven in the forenoon, October 4th, taking his watch in his
+hand, said, "Thanks be to my God, my last hour approaches."  All
+laughed at such a farce from a man of such a character; yet they
+remarked that the left side of his face grew pale.  He then leaned
+his arm on the table, prayed, and remained motionless, with his eyes
+closed.  The clock struck twelve--no signs of life or motion could
+be discovered; they spoke to him, and found he was really dead.
+
+The word miracle was echoed through the whole country, and the
+transmigration of the Pandour Trenck, from earth to heaven, by St.
+Francis, proclaimed.  The clue to this labyrinth of miracles, known
+only to me, is truly as follows:- He possessed the secret of what is
+called the aqua tofana, and had determined on death.  His confessor
+had been entrusted with all his secrets, and with promissory notes,
+which he wished to invalidate.  I am perfectly certain that he had
+returned a promissory note of a great prince, given for two hundred
+thousand florins, which has never been brought to account.  The
+confessor, therefore, was to be provided for, that Trenck might not
+be betrayed, and a dose of poison was given him before he set off
+for Vienna:  his death was the consequence.  He took similar means
+with himself, and thus knew the hour of his exit; finding he could
+not become the first on earth, he wished to be adored as a saint in
+heaven.  He knew he should work miracles when dead, because he
+ordered a chapel to be built, willed a perpetual mass, and
+bequeathed the capuchins sixty thousand florins.
+
+Thus died this most extraordinary man, in the thirty-fourth year of
+his age, to whom nature had denied none of her gifts; who had been
+the scourge of Bavaria; the terror of France; and who had, with his
+supposed contemptible pandours, taken above six thousand Prussian
+prisoners.  He lived a tyrant and enemy of men, and died a
+sanctified impostor.
+
+Such was the state of affairs, as willed by Trenck, when I came to
+Vienna, in 1759, where I arrived with money and jewels to the amount
+of twenty thousand florins.
+
+Instead of profiting by the wealth Trenck had acquired, I expended a
+hundred and twenty thousand florins of my own money, including what
+devolved to me from my uncle, his father, in the prosecution of his
+suits.  Trenck had paid two hundred ducats to the tribunal of
+Vienna, in the year 1743, to procure its very reprehensible silence
+concerning a curator, to which I was sacrificed, as the new judges
+of this court refused to correct the error of their predecessors.
+Such are the proceedings of courts of justice in Vienna!
+
+On my first audience, no one could be received more kindly than I
+was, by the Empress Queen.  She spoke of my deceased cousin with
+much emotion and esteem, promised me all grace and favour, and
+informed me of the particular recommendations she had received, on
+my behalf, from Count Bernes.  Finding sixty-three cases hang over
+my head, in consequence of the inheritance of Trenck, to obtain
+justice in any one of which in Vienna, would have employed the whole
+life of an honest man, I determined to renounce this inheritance,
+and claim only under the will and as the heir of my uncle.
+
+With this view I applied for and obtained a copy of that will, with
+which I personally appeared, and declared to the court that I
+renounced the inheritance of Francis Trenck, would undertake none of
+his suits, nor be responsible for his legacies, and required only
+his father's estates, according to the legal will, which I produced;
+that is to say, the three lordships of Pakratz, Prestowacz, and
+Pleneritz, without chattels or personal effects.  Nothing could be
+more just or incontrovertible than this claim.  What was my
+astonishment, to be told, in open court, that Her Majesty had
+declared I must either wholly perform the articles of the will of
+Trenck, or be excluded the entire inheritance, and have nothing
+further to hope.  What could be done?  I ventured to remonstrate,
+but the will of the court was determined and absolute:  I must
+become a Roman Catholic.
+
+In this extremity I bribed a priest, who gave me a signed
+attestation, "That I had abjured the accursed heresy of
+Lutheranism."  My religion, however, remained what it had ever been.
+General Bernes about this time returned from his embassy, and I
+related to him the lamentable state in which I found my affairs.  He
+spoke to the Empress in my behalf, and she promised everything.  He
+advised me to have patience, to perform all that was required of me,
+and to make myself responsible for the depending suits.  Some family
+concerns obliged him, as he informed me, to make a journey to Turin,
+but his return would be speedy:  he would then take the management
+of my affairs upon himself, and insure my good fortune in Austria.
+Bernes loved me as his son, and I had reason to hope, from his
+assurance, I should be largely remembered in his will, which was the
+more probable, as he had neither child nor relations.  He parted
+from me, like a father, with tears in his eyes; but he had scarcely
+been absent six weeks before the news arrived of his death, which,
+if report may be credited, was effected by poison, administered by A
+FRIEND.  Ever the sport of fortune, thus were my supporters snatched
+from me at the very moment they became most necessary.
+
+The same year was I, likewise, deprived by death of my friend and
+protector, Field-marshal Konigseck, Governor of Vienna, when he had
+determined to interest himself in my behalf.  I have been beloved by
+the greatest men Austria ever produced, but unfortunately have been
+persecuted by the chicanery of pettifoggers, fools, fanatics, and
+priests, who have deprived me of the favour of my Empress, guiltless
+as I was of crime or deceit, and left my old age in poverty.
+
+My ills were increased by a new accident.  Soon after the departure
+of Bernes, the Prussian minister, taking me aside, in the house of
+the Palatine envoy, M. Becker, proposed my return to Berlin, assured
+me the King had forgotten all that was past, was convinced of my
+innocence, that my good fortune would there be certain, and be
+pledged his honour to recover the inheritance of Trenck.  I
+answered, the favour came too late; I had suffered injustice too
+flagrant, in my own country, and that I would trust no prince on
+earth whose will might annihilate all the rights of men.  My good
+faith to the King had been too ill repaid; my talents might gain me
+bread in any part of the world, and I would not again subject myself
+to the danger of unmerited imprisonment.
+
+His persuasions were strong, but ineffectual.  "My dear Trenck,"
+said he, "God is my judge that my intentions are honest; I will
+pledge myself, that my sovereign will insure your fortune:  you do
+not know Vienna; you will lose all by the suits in which you are
+involved, and will be persecuted because you do not carry a rosary."
+
+How often have I repented I did not then return to Berlin!  I should
+have escaped ten years' imprisonment; should have recovered the
+estates of Trenck:  should not have wasted the prime of life in the
+litigation of suits, and the writing of memorials; and should have
+certainly been ranked among the first men in my native country.
+Vienna was no place for a man who could not fawn and flatter:  yet
+here was I destined to remain six-and-thirty years, unrewarded,
+unemployed; and through youth and age, to continue on the list of
+invalid majors.
+
+Having rejected the proposition of the Prussian envoy, all my hopes
+in Vienna were ruined; for Frederic, by his residents and
+emissaries, knew how to effect whatever he pleased in foreign
+courts, and determined that the Trenck who would no longer serve or
+confide in him should at least find no opportunity of serving
+against him:  I soon became painted to the Empress as an arch
+heretic who never would be faithful to the house of Austria, and
+only endeavoured to obtain the inheritance of Trenck that he might
+devote himself to Prussia.  This I shall hereafter prove; and
+display a scene that shall be the disgrace of many, by whom the
+Empress was induced to harbour unjust suspicions of an able and
+honest man.  I here stand erect and confident before the world;
+publish the truth, and take everlasting shame to myself, if any man
+on earth can prove me guilty of one treacherous thought.  I owe no
+thanks; but so far from having received favours, I have six and
+thirty years remained unable to obtain justice, though I have all
+the while been desirous of shedding my blood in defence of the
+monarchy where I have thus been treated.  Till the year 1746, I was
+equally zealous and faithful to Prussia; yet my estates there,
+though confiscated, were liable to recovery:  in Hungary, on the
+contrary, the sentence of confiscation is irrevocable.  This is a
+remarkable proof in favour of my honour, and my children's claims.
+
+Surely no reader will be offended at these digressions; my mind is
+agitated, my feelings roused, remembering that my age and grey hairs
+deprive me of the sweet hope of at length vanquishing opposition,
+either by patience, or forcing justice, by eminent services, or
+noble efforts.
+
+This my history will never reach a monarch's eye, consequently no
+monarch, by perceiving, will be induced to protect truth.  It may,
+indeed, be criticised by literati; it will certainly be decried by
+my persecutors, who, through life, have been my false accusers, and
+will probably, therefore, be prohibited by the priests.  All
+Germany, however, will read, and posterity perhaps may pity, should
+my book escape the misfortune of being classed among improbable
+romances; to which it is the more liable, because that the
+biographers of Frederic and Maria Theresa, for manifest reasons,
+have never so much as mentioned the name of Trenck.
+
+Once more to my story:  I was now obliged to declare myself heir,
+but always cum reservatione juris mei, not as simply claiming under
+the will of Francis Trenck I was obliged to take upon myself the
+management of the sixty-three suits, and the expenses attending any
+one of these are well known in Vienna.  My situation may be
+imagined, when I inform the reader I only received, from the whole
+estate of Trenck, 3,600 florins in three years, which were scarcely
+sufficient to defray the expenses of new year's gifts to the
+solicitors and masters in chancery.  How did I labour in stating and
+transcribing proofs for the court!  The money I possessed soon
+vanished.  My Prussian relations supported me, and the Countess
+Bestuchef sent me the four thousand roubles I had refused at
+Petersburg.  I had also remittances from my faithful mistress in
+Prussia; and, in addition, was obliged to borrow money at the
+usurious rate of sixty per cent.  Bewildered as I was among lawyers
+and knaves, my ambition still prompted me to proceed, and all things
+are possible to labour and perseverance; but my property was
+expended:  and, at length, I could only obtain that the contested
+estates should be made a Fidei commissum, or put under trust;
+whereby, though they were protected from being the further prey of
+others, I did not inherit them as mine.  In this pursuit was my
+prime of life wasted, which might have been profitably and
+honourably spent.
+
+In three years, however, I brought my sixty-three suits to a kind of
+conclusion; the probabilities were this could not have been effected
+in fifty.  Exclusive of my assiduity, the means I took must not be
+told; it is sufficient that I here learnt what judges were, and thus
+am enabled to describe them to others.
+
+For a few ducats, the president's servant used to admit me into a
+closet where I could see everything as perfectly as if I had myself
+been one of the council.  This often was useful, and taught me to
+prevent evil; and often was I scarcely able to refrain bursting in
+upon this court.
+
+Their appointed hour of meeting was nine in the morning, but they
+seldom assembled before eleven.  The president then told his beads,
+and muttered his prayers.  Someone got up and harangued, while the
+remainder, in pairs, amused themselves with talking instead of
+listening, after which the news of the day became the common topic
+of conversation, and the council broke up, the court being first
+adjourned some three weeks, without coming to any determination.
+This was called judicium delegatum in causis Trenkiansis; and when
+at last they came to a conclusion, the sentence was such as I shall
+ever shudder at and abhor.
+
+The real estates of Trenck consisted in the great Sclavonian manors,
+called the lordships of Pakratz, Prestowatz, and Pleternitz, which
+he had inherited from his father, and were the family property,
+together with Velika and Nustak, which he himself had purchased:
+the annual income of these was 60,000 florins, and they contained
+more than two hundred villages and hamlets.  The laws of Hungary
+require -
+
+1st.  That those who purchase estates shall obtain the consensus
+regius (royal consent).
+
+2nd.  That the seller shall possess, and make over the right of
+property, together with that of transferring or alienating, and
+
+3dly.  That the purchaser shall be a native born, or have bought his
+naturalisation.
+
+In default of all, or any of these, the Fiscus, on the death of the
+purchaser, takes possession, repaying the summa emptitia, or
+purchase-money, together within what can be shown to have been laid
+out in improvements, or the summa inscriptitia, the sum at which it
+stands rated in the fiscal register.
+
+Without form or notice, the Hungarian Fiscal President, Count
+Grassalkowitz, took possession of all the Trenck estates on his
+decease, in the name of the Fiscus.  The prize was great, not so
+much because of the estates themselves, as of the personal property
+upon them.  Trenck had sent loads of merchandise to his estates, of
+linen, ingots of gold and silver from Bavaria, Alsatia, and Silesia.
+He had a vast storehouse of arms, and of saddles; also the great
+silver service of the Emperor Charles VII., which he had brought
+from Munich, with the service of plate of the King of Prussia; and
+the personal property on these estates was affirmed considerably to
+exceed in value the estates themselves.
+
+I was not long since informed by one of the first generals, whose
+honour is undoubted, that several waggons were laden with these rich
+effects and sent to Mihalefze.  His testimony was indubitable; he
+knew the two pandours, who were the confidants of Trenck, and the
+keepers of his treasures; and these, during the general plunder,
+each seized a bag of pearls, and fled to Turkey, where they became
+wealthy merchants.  His rich stud of horses were taken, and the very
+cows driven off the farms.  His stand of arms consisted of more than
+three thousand rare pieces.  Trenck had affirmed he had sent linen
+to the amount of fifty thousand florins, in chests from Dunnhausen
+and Cersdorf, in the county of Glatz, to his estates.  The pillage
+was general; and when orders came to send all the property of Trenck
+and deliver it to his universal heir, nothing remained that any
+person would accept.  I have myself seen, in a certain Hungarian
+nobleman's house, some valuable arms, which I knew I had been robbed
+of! and I bought at Esseck some silver plates on which were the arms
+of Prussia, that had been sold by Counsellor D-n, who had been
+empowered to take possession of these estates, and had thus rendered
+himself rich.  Of this I procured an attestation, and proved the
+theft:  I complained aloud at Vienna, but received an order from the
+court to be silent, under pain of displeasure, and also to go no
+more into Sclavonia.  The principal reason of my loss of the landed
+property in Hungary was my having dared to make inquiries concerning
+the personal, not one guinea of which was ever brought to account.
+I then proved my right to the family estates, left by my uncle,
+beyond all dispute, and also of those purchased by my cousin.  The
+commissions appointed to inquire into these rights even confirmed
+them; yet after they had been thus established, I received the
+following order from the court, in the hand of the Empress herself:-
+"The president, Count Grassalkowitz, takes it upon his conscience
+that the Sclavonian estates do not descend to Trenck, in natura; he
+must therefore receive the summa emptitia et inscriptitia, together
+with the money he can show to have been expended in improvements."
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+
+
+And herewith ended my pleadings and my hopes.  I had sacrificed my
+property, laboured through sixty-three inferior suits, and lost this
+great cause without a trial.  I could have remained satisfied with
+the loss of the personal property:  the booty of a soldier, like the
+wealth amassed by a minister, appears to me little better than a
+public robbery; but the acquirements of my ancestors, my birth-right
+by descent, of these I could not be deprived without excessive
+cruelty.  Oh patience! patience!--Yet shall my children never become
+the footmen, nor grooms, of those who have robbed them of their
+inheritance; and to them I bequeathed my rights in all their power:
+nor shall any man prevent my crying aloud, so long as justice shall
+not be done.
+
+The president, it is true, did not immediately possess himself of
+the estates, but he took good care his friends should have them at
+such rates that the sale of them did not bring the fiscal treasury
+150,000 florins, while I, in real and personal property, lost a
+million and a half; nay, probably a sum equal to this in personal
+property alone.
+
+The summa inscriptitia et emptitia for all these great estates only
+amounted to 149,000 florins, and this was to be paid by the chamber,
+but the president thought proper to deduct 10,000 on pretence the
+cattle had been driven off the estate of Pakratz; and, further,
+36,000 more, under the shameful pretence that Trenck, to recruit his
+pandours, had drained the estates of 3,600 vassals, who had never
+returned; the estates, therefore, must make them good at the rate of
+thirty florins per head, which would have amounted to 108,000
+florins; but, with much difficulty, this sum was reduced, as above
+stated, to 36,000 florins, each vassal reckoned at ten florins per
+head.  Thus was I obliged, from the property of my family, to pay
+for 3,600 men who had gloriously died in war, in defence of the
+contested rights of the great Maria Theresa; who had raised so many
+millions of contributions for her in the countries of her enemies;
+who, sword in hand, had stormed and taken so many towns, and
+dispersed, or taken prisoners, so many thousands of her foes.  Would
+this be believed by listening nations?
+
+All deductions made for legacies, fees, and formalities, there
+remained to me 63,000 florins, with which I purchased the lordship
+of Zwerbach, and I was obliged to pay 6,000 florins for my
+naturalisation.  Thus, when the sums are enumerated which I expended
+on the suits of Trenck, received from my friends at Berlin and
+Petersburg, it will be found that I cannot, at least, have been a
+gainer by having been made the universal heir of the immensely rich
+Trenck.  With regret I write these truths in support of my
+children's claims, that they may not, in my grave, reproach me for
+having neglected the duty of a father.
+
+I will mere add a few particulars which may afford the reader matter
+for meditation, cause him to commiserate my fate, and give a picture
+of the manner in which the prosecution was carried on against
+Trenck.
+
+One Schygrai, a silly kind of beggarly baron, who was treated as a
+buffoon, was invited in the year 1743 to dine with Baron
+Pejaczewitz, when Trenck happened to be present.  The conversation
+happened to turn on a kind of brandy made in this country, and
+Trenck jocularly said he annually distilled this sort of brandy from
+cow-dung to the value of thirty thousand florins.  Schygrai supposed
+him serious, and wished to learn the art, which Trenck promised to
+teach him Pejaczewitz told him he could give him thirty thousand
+load of dung.
+
+"But where shall I get the wood?" said Schygrai.  "I will give you
+thirty thousand klafters," answered Trenck.  The credulous baron,
+thinking himself very fortunate, desired written promises, which
+they gave him; and that of Trenck ran thus:  "I hereby permit and
+empower Baron Schygrai to sell gratis, in the forest of Tscherra
+Horra, thirty thousand klafters of wood.
+
+"Witness my hand,
+"TRENCK."
+
+
+Trenck was no sooner dead than the Baron brought his note, and made
+application to the court.  His attorney was the noted Bussy, and the
+court decreed the estates of Trenck should pay at the rate of one
+form thirty kreutzers per klafter, or forty-five thousand florins,
+with all costs, and an order was given to the administrators to pay
+the money.
+
+Just at this time I arrived at Vienna, from Petersburg.  Doctor
+Berger, the advocate of Trenck, told me the affair would admit of no
+delay.  I hastened to the Empress, and obtained an order to delay
+payment.  An inquiry was instituted, and this forest of Tscherra
+Horra was found to be situated in Turkey.  The absurdity and
+injustice were flagrant, and it was revoked.  I cannot say how much
+of these forty-five thousand florins the Baron had promised to the
+noble judge and the attorney.  I only know that neither of them was
+punished.  Had not some holidays luckily intervened, or had the
+attorney expected my arrival, the money would have been paid, and an
+ineffectual attempt to obtain retribution would have been the
+consequence, as happened in many similar instances.
+
+I have before mentioned the advertisement inviting all who had any
+demands or complaints against Trenck to appear, with the promise of
+a ducat a day; and it is mere proper to add that the sum of fifteen
+thousand florins was brought to account, and paid out of the estates
+of Trenck.  For this shameful purpose some thousand of florins were
+paid besides to this species of claimants and though, after
+examination, their pretensions all proved to be futile, and
+themselves were cast in damages, yet was none of this money ever
+refunded, or the false claimants punished.  Among these the
+pretended daughter of General Schwerin received two thousand
+florins, notorious as was her character.  Again, Trenck was accused
+of having appropriated the money to his own use, and treated as if
+convicted.  After his death a considerable demand was accordingly
+made.  I happening, however, to meet with Ruckhardt, his quarter-
+master, he with asseverations declared that, instead of being
+indebted to the regiment, the regiment was more than a hundred
+thousand florins indebted to him, advised me to get attestations
+from the captains, and assured me he himself would give in a clear
+statement of the regiment's accounts.
+
+I followed his advice, hastened to the regiment, and obtained so
+many proofs, that the quarter-master of the regiment, who, with the
+major, had in reality pocketed the money, was imprisoned and put in
+irons.  What became of the thief or the false witness afterward I
+know not; I only know that nothing was refunded, that the quarter-
+master found protectors, detained the money, and, some years after
+this vile action, purchased a commission.  One instance more.
+
+Trenck, to the corps of infantry he commanded, added a corps of
+hussars, which he raised and provided with horses and accoutrements
+sold by auction.  My demand on this account was upwards of sixty
+thousand florins, to which I received neither money nor reply.  He
+had also expended a hundred thousand florins for the raising and
+equipping his three thousand pandours; in consequence of which a
+signed agreement had been given by the Government that these hundred
+thousand florins should be repaid to his heir, or he, the heir,
+should receive the command of the regiment.  The regiment, however,
+at his decease, was given to General Simschen; and as for the
+agreement, care was taken it should never come into my hands.  Thus
+these hundred thousand florins were lost.
+
+Yet it has been wickedly affirmed he was imprisoned in the Spielberg
+for having embezzled the regiment's money; whereas, I would to God I
+only was in possession of the sums he expended on this regiment; for
+he considered the regiment as his own; and great as was his avarice,
+still greater was his desire of fame, and greater still his love for
+his Empress, for whom he would gladly have yielded both property and
+life.
+
+Within respect to the money that was to have been repaid for
+improvement of the estates, I must add, these estates were bought at
+a time when the country had been left desolate by the Turks, and the
+reinstalment of such places as had fallen into their hands, and the
+erecting of farmhouses, mills, stocking them with horses, cattle,
+and seed corn, according to my poor estimate, could not amount to
+less than eighty thousand florins; but I was forbidden to go into
+Sclavonia, and the president offered, as an indemnification, four
+thousand florins.  Everybody was astonished, but he, within the
+utmost coolness, told me I must either accept this or nothing.  The
+hearers of this sentence cast their eyes up to heaven and pitied me.
+I remonstrated, and thereby only made the matter worse.  Grief and
+anxiety occasioned me to take a journey into Italy, passing through
+Venice, Rome, and Florence.
+
+On my return to Vienna, I, by a friendly interference in behalf of a
+woman whose fears rather than guilt had brought her into danger,
+became suspected myself; and the very officious officers of the
+police had me imprisoned as a coiner without the least grounds for
+any such accusation except their own surmises.  I was detained
+unheard nine days, and when, having been heard, I had entirely
+justified myself, was again restored to liberty; public declaration
+was then made in the Gazette that the officers of the police had
+acted too precipitately.
+
+This was the satisfaction granted, but this did not content me.  I
+threatened the counsellor by whom my character had been so aspersed,
+and the Empress, condescending to mediate, bestowed on me a
+captainship of cavalry in the Cordova cuirassiers.
+
+Such was the recompense I received for wounds so deep, and such the
+neglect into which I was thrown at Vienna.  Discontent led me to
+join my regiment in Hungary.
+
+Here I gained the applause of my colonel, Count Bettoni, who himself
+told the Empress I, more than any other, had contributed to the
+forming of the regiment.  It may well be imagined how a man like me,
+accustomed, as I had been, to the first company of the first courts,
+must pass my time among the Carpathian mountains, where neither
+society nor good books were to be found, nor knowledge, of which I
+was enamoured, improved.  The conversation of Count Bettoni, and the
+chase, together with the love of the general of the regiment, old
+Field-marshal Cordova, were my only resources; the persecutions,
+neglect, and even contempt, I received at Vienna, were still the
+same.
+
+In the year 1754, in the month of March, my mother died in Prussia,
+and I requested the permission of the court that held the
+inheritance of Trenck, as a fidei commissum, to make a journey to
+Dantzic to settle some family affairs with my brothers and sister,
+my estates being confiscated.  This permission was granted, and
+thither I went in May, where I once more fell into the hands of the
+Prussians; which forms the second great and still more gloomy epoch
+in my life.  All who read what follows will shudder, will
+commiserate him who, feeling himself innocent, relates afflictions
+he has miserably encountered and gloriously overcome.
+
+I left Hungary, where I was in garrison, for Dantzic, where I had
+desired my brothers and sister to meet me that we might settle our
+affairs.  My principal intent, however, was a journey to Petersburg,
+there to seek the advice and aid of my friends, for law and
+persecution were not yet ended at Vienna; and my captain's pay and
+small income scarcely sufficed to defray charges of attorneys and
+counsellors.
+
+It is here most worthy of remark that I was told by Prince Ferdinand
+of Brunswick, governor of Magdeburg, he had received orders to
+prepare my prison at Magdeburg before I set out from Hungary.
+
+Nay, more; it had been written from Vienna to Berlin that the King
+must beware of Trenck, for that he would be at Dantzic at the time
+when the King was to visit his camp in Prussia
+
+What thing more vile, what contrivance more abominable, could the
+wickedest wretch on earth find to banish a man his country, that he
+might securely enjoy the property of which the other had been
+robbed?  That this was done I have living witnesses in his highness
+Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick and the Berlin ministry, from whose
+mouths I learned this artifice of villainy.  It is the more
+necessary to establish this truth, because no one can comprehend why
+the GREAT FREDERIC should have proceeded against me in a manner so
+cruel that, when it comes to be related, must raise the indignation
+of the just, and move hearts of iron to commiserate.
+
+Men so vile, so wicked, as I have described them, in conjunction
+with one Weingarten, secretary to Count Puebla, then Austrian
+minister at Berlin, have brought on me these my misfortunes.
+
+This was the Weingarten who, as is now well known, betrayed all the
+secrets of the Austrian court to Frederic, who at length was
+discovered in the year 1756, and who, when the war broke out,
+remained in the service of Prussia.  This same Weingarten, also, not
+only caused my wretchedness, but my sister's ruin and death, as he
+likewise did the punishment and death of three innocent men, which
+will hereafter be shown.
+
+It is an incontrovertible truth that I was betrayed and sold by men
+in Vienna whose interest it was that I should be eternally silenced.
+
+I was immediately visited by my brothers and sister on my arrival at
+Dantzic, where we lived happy in each other's company during a
+fortnight, and an amicable partition was made of my mother's
+effects; my sister perfectly justified herself concerning the manner
+in which I was obliged to fly from her house an the year 1746:  our
+parting was kind, and as brother and sister ought to part.
+
+Our only acquaintance in Dantzic was the Austrian resident, M.
+Abramson, to whom I brought letters of recommendation from Vicuna,
+and whose reception of us was polite even to extravagance.
+
+This Abramson was a Prussian born, and had never seen Vienna, but
+obtained his then office by the recommendation of Count Bestuchef,
+without security for his good conduct, or proof of his good morals,
+heart, or head.  He was in close connection with the Prussian
+resident, Reimer; and was made the instrument of my ruin.
+
+Scarcely had my brothers and sister departed before I determined to
+make a voyage by sea to Russia.  Abramson contrived a thousand
+artifices, by which he detained me a week longer in Dantzic, that,
+he in conjunction with Reimer, might make the necessary
+preparations.
+
+The King of Prussia had demanded that the magistrates of Dantzic
+should deliver me up; but this could not be done without offending
+the Imperial court, I being a commissioned officer in that service,
+with proper passports; it was therefore probable that this
+negotiation required letters should pass and repass; and for this
+reason Abramson was employed to detain me some days longer, till, by
+the last letters from Berlin, the magistrates of Dantzic were
+induced to violate public safety and the laws of nations.  Abramson,
+I considered as my best friend, and my person as in perfect
+security; he had therefore no difficulty in persuading me to stay.
+
+The day of supposed departure on board a Swedish ship for Riga
+approached, and the deceitful Abramson promised me to send one of
+his servants to the port to know the hour.  At four in the afternoon
+he told me he had himself spoken to the captain, who said he would
+not sail till the next day; adding that he, Abramson, would expect
+me to breakfast, and would then accompany me to the vessel.  I felt
+a secret inquietude which made me desirous of leaving Dantzic, and
+immediately to send all my luggage, and to sleep on board.  Abramson
+prevented me, dragging me almost forcibly along with him, telling me
+he had much company, and that I must absolutely dine and sup at his
+house; accordingly I did not return to my inn till eleven at night.
+
+I was but just in bed when I heard a tremendous knocking at my
+chamber door, which was not shut, and two of the city magistrates
+with twenty grenadiers entered my chamber, and surrounded my bed so
+suddenly that I had not time to take to my arms and defend myself.
+My three servants had been secured and I was told that the most
+worthy magistracy of Dantzic was obliged to deliver me up as a
+delinquent to his majesty the King of Prussia.
+
+What were my feelings at seeing myself thus betrayed!  They silently
+conducted me to the city prison, where I remained twenty-four hours.
+About noon Abramson came to visit me, affected to be infinitely
+concerned and enraged, and affirmed he had strongly protested
+against the illegality of this proceeding to the magistracy, as I
+was actually in the Austrian service; but that they had answered him
+the court of Vienna had afforded them a precedent, for that, in
+1742, they had done the same by the two sons of the burgomaster
+Rutenberg, of Dantzic, and that, therefore, they were justified in
+making reprisal; and likewise, they durst not refuse the most
+earnest request accompanied with threats, of the King of Prussia.
+
+Their plea of retaliation originated as follows:- There was a kind
+of club at Vienna, the members of which were seized for having
+committed the utmost extravagance and debauchery, two of whom were
+the sons of the burgomaster Rutenberg, and who were sentenced to the
+pillory.  Great sums were offered by the father to avoid this public
+disgrace, but ineffectually--they were punished, their punishment
+was legal, and had no similarity whatever to my case, nor could it
+any way justly give pretence of reprisal.
+
+Abramson, who had in reality entered no protest whatever, but rather
+excited the magistracy, and acted in concert with Reimer, advised me
+to put my writings and other valuable effects into his hands,
+otherwise they would be seized.  He knew I had received letters of
+exchange from my brothers and sister, about seven thousand florins,
+and these I gave him, but kept my ring, worth about four thousand,
+and some sixty guineas, which I had in my purse.  He then embraced
+me, declared nothing should be neglected to effect my immediate
+deliverance; that even he would raise the populace for that purpose;
+that I could not be given up to the Prussians in less than a week,
+the magistracy being still undetermined in an affair so serious, and
+he left me, shedding abundance of crocodile tears, like the most
+affectionate of friends.
+
+The next night two magistrates, with their posse, came to my prison,
+attended by resident Reimer, a Prussian officer and under officers,
+and into their hands I was delivered.  The pillage instantly began;
+Reimer tore off my ring, seized my watch, snuff-box, and all I had,
+not so much as sending me a coat or shirt from my effects; after
+which, they put me into a close coach with three Prussians.  The
+Dantzic guard accompanied the carriage to the city gate, that was
+opened to let me pass; after which the Dantzic dragoons escorted me
+as far as Lauenburg in Pomerania.
+
+I have forgotten the date of this miserable day; but to the best of
+my memory, it must have been in the beginning of June.  Thirty
+Prussian hussars, commanded by a lieutenant, relieved the dragoons
+at Lauenburg, and thus was I escorted from garrison to garrison,
+till I arrived at Berlin.
+
+Hence it was evidently falsely affirmed, by the magistracy of
+Dantzic, and the conspirator Abramson, who wrote in his own excuse
+to Vienna, that my seizure must be attributed wholly to my own
+imprudence, and that I had exposed myself to this arrest by going
+without the city gates, where I was taken and carried off; nor was
+it less astonishing that the court of Vienna should not have
+demanded satisfaction for the treachery of the Dantzickers toward an
+Austrian officer.  I have incontrovertibly proved this treachery,
+after I had regained my liberty Abramson indeed they could not
+punish, for during my imprisonment he had quitted the Austrian for
+the Prussian service, where he gradually became so contemptible,
+that in the year 1764, when I was released from my imprisonment, he
+was himself imprisoned in the house of correction; and his wife,
+lately so rich, was obliged to beg her bread.  Thus have I generally
+lived to see the fall of my betrayers; and thus have I found that,
+without indulging personal revenge, virtue and fortitude must at
+length triumph over the calumniator and the despot.
+
+This truth will be further proved hereafter, nor can I behold,
+unmoved, the open shame in which my persecutors live, and how they
+tremble in my presence, their wicked deeds now being known to the
+world Nay, monarchs may yet punish their perfidy:- Yet not so!--May
+they rather die in possession of wealth they have torn from me!  I
+only wish the pity and respect of the virtuous and the wise.
+
+But, though Austria has never resented the affront commenced on the
+person of an officer in its service, still have I a claim on the
+city of Dantzic, where I was thus treacherously delivered up, for
+the effects I there was robbed of, the amount of which is between
+eleven and twelve thousand florins.  This is a case too clear to
+require argument, and the publication of this history will make it
+known to the world.  This claim also, among others, I leave to the
+children of an unfortunate father.
+
+Enough of digression; let us attend to the remarkable events which
+happened on the dismal journey to Berlin.  I was escorted from
+garrison to garrison, which were distant from each other two, three,
+or at most five miles; wherever I came, I found compassion and
+respect.  The detachment of hussars only attended me two days; it
+consisted of twelve men and an officer, who rode with me in the
+carriage.
+
+The fourth day I arrived at -, where the Duke of Wirtemberg, father
+of the present Grand Duchess of Russia, was commander, and where his
+regiment was in quarters.  The Duke conversed with me, was much
+moved, invited me to dine, and detained me all the day, where I was
+not treated as a prisoner.  I so far gained his esteem that I was
+allowed to remain there the next day; the chief persons of the place
+were assembled, and the Duchess, whom he had lately married,
+testified every mark of pity and consideration.  I dined with him
+also on the third day, after which I departed in an open carriage,
+without escort, attended only by a lieutenant of his regiment.
+
+I must relate this, event circumstantially for it not only proves
+the just and noble character of the Duke, but likewise that there
+are moments in which the brave may appear cowards, the clear-sighted
+blind, and the wise foolish; nay, one might almost be led to
+conclude, from this, that my imprisonment at Magdeburg, was the
+consequence of predestination, since I remained riveted in stupor,
+in despite of suggestions, forebodings, and favourable
+opportunities.  Who but must be astonished, having read the daring
+efforts I made at Glatz, at this strange insensibility now in the
+very crisis of my fate?  I afterwards was convinced it was the
+intention of the noble-minded Duke that I should escape, and that he
+must have given particular orders to the successive officers.  He
+would probably have willingly subjected himself to the reprimands of
+Frederic if I would have taken to fight.  The journey through the
+places where his regiment was stationed continued five days, and I
+everywhere passed the evenings in the company of the officers, the
+kindness of whom was unbounded I slept in their quarters without
+sentinel, and travelled in their carriages, without other guard than
+a single officer in the carriage.  In various places the high road
+was not more than two, and sometimes one mile from the frontier
+road; therefore nothing could have been easier than to have escaped;
+yet did the same Trenck, who in Glatz had cut his way through thirty
+men to obtain his freedom, that Trenck, who had never been
+acquainted with fear, now remain four days bewildered, and unable to
+come to any determination.
+
+In a small garrison town, I lodged in the house of a captain of
+cavalry, and continually was treated by him with every mark of
+friendship.  After dinner he rode at the head of his squadron to
+water the horse, unsaddled.  I remained alone in the house, entered
+the stable, saw three remaining horses, with saddles and bridles; in
+my chamber was my sword and a pair of pistols.  I had but to mount
+one of the horses and fly to the opposite gate.  I meditated on the
+project, and almost resolved to put it in execution, but presently
+became undetermined by some secret impulse.  The captain returned
+some time after, and appeared surprised to find me still there.  The
+next day he accompanied me alone in his carriage; we came to a
+forest, he saw some champignons, stopped, asked me to alight, and
+help him to gather them; he strayed more than a hundred paces from
+me, and gave me entire liberty to fly; yet notwithstanding all this,
+I voluntarily returned, suffering myself to be led like a sheep to
+the slaughter.
+
+I was treated so well, during my stay at this place, and escorted
+with so much negligence, that I fell into a gross error.  Perceiving
+they conveyed me straight to Berlin, I imagined the King wished to
+question me concerning the plan formed for the war, which was then
+on the point of breaking out.  This plan I perfectly knew, the
+secret correspondence of Bestuchef having all passed through my
+hands, which circumstance was much better known at Berlin than at
+Vienna.  Confirmed in this opinion, and far from imagining the fate
+that awaited me, I remained irresolute, insensible, and blind to
+danger.  Alas, how short was this hope!  How quickly was it
+succeeded by despair! when, after four days' march, I quitted the
+district under the command of the Duke of Wirtemberg, and was
+delivered up to the first garrison of infantry at Coslin!  The last
+of the Wirtemberg officers, when taking leave of me, appeared to be
+greatly affected; and from this moment till I came to Berlin, I was
+under a strong escort, and the given orders were rigorously
+observed.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+
+
+Arrived here, I was lodged over the grand guardhouse, with two
+sentinels in my chamber, and one at the door.  The King was at
+Potzdam, and here I remained three days; on the third, some staff-
+officers made their appearance, seated themselves at a table, and
+put the following questions to me:-
+
+First.  What was my business at Dantzic?
+
+Secondly.  Whether I was acquainted with M. Goltz, Prussian
+ambassador to Russia?
+
+Thirdly.  Who was concerned with me in the conspiracy at Dantzic?
+
+When I perceived their intention, by these interrogations, I
+absolutely refused to reply, only saying I had been imprisoned in
+the fortress of Glatz, without hearing, or trial by court-martial;
+that, availing myself of the laws of nature, I had by my own
+exertions procured my liberty, and that I was now a captain of
+cavalry in the imperial service; that I demanded a legal trial for
+my first unknown offence, after which I engaged to answer all
+interrogatories, and prove my innocence; but that at present, being
+accused of new crimes, without a hearing concerning my former
+punishment, the procedure was illegal.  I was told they had no
+orders concerning this, and I remained dumb to all further
+questions.
+
+They wrote some two hours, God knows what; a carriage came up; I was
+strictly searched, to find whether I had any weapons; thirteen or
+fourteen ducats, which I had concealed, were taken from me, and I
+was conducted under a strong escort, through Spandau to Magdeburg.
+The officer here delivered me to the captain of the guard at the
+citadel; the town major came, and brought me to the dungeon,
+expressly prepared for me; a small picture of the Countess of
+Bestuchef, set with diamonds, which I had kept concealed in my
+bosom, was now taken from me; the door was shut, and here was I
+left.
+
+My dungeon was in a casemate, the fore part of which, six feet wide
+and ten feet long, was divided by a party wall.  In the inner wall
+were two doors, and a third at the entrance of the casemate itself.
+The window in the seven-feet-thick wall was so situated that, though
+I had light, I could see neither heaven nor earth; I could only see
+the roof of the magazine; within and without this window were iron
+bars, and in the space between an iron grating, so close and so
+situated, by the rising of the walls, that it was impossible I
+should see any parson without the prison, or that any person should
+see me.  On the outside was a wooden palisade, six feet from the
+wall, by which the sentinels were prevented from conveying anything
+to me.  I had a mattress, and a bedstead, but which was immovably
+ironed to the floor, so that it was impossible I should drag it, and
+stand up to the window; beside the door was a small iron stove and a
+night table, in like manner fixed to the floor.  I was not yet put
+in irons, and my allowance was a pound and a half per day of
+ammunition bread, and a jug of water.
+
+From my youth I had always had a good appetite, and my bread was so
+mouldy I could scarcely at first eat the half of it.  This was the
+consequence of Major Reiding's avarice, who endeavoured to profit
+even by this, so great was the number of unfortunate prisoners;
+therefore, it is impossible I should describe to my readers the
+excess of tortures that, during eleven months, I felt from ravenous
+hunger.  I could easily every day have devoured six pounds of bread;
+and every twenty-four hours after having received and swallowed my
+small portion, I continued as hungry as before I began, yet must
+wait another twenty-four hours for a new morsel.  How willingly
+would I have signed a bill of exchange for a thousand ducats, on my
+property at Vienna, only to have satiated my hunger on dry bread!
+For, so extreme was it, that scarcely had I dropt into a sweet
+sleep.  Therefore I dreamed I was feasting at some table luxuriously
+loaded, where, eating like a glutton, the whole company were
+astonished to see me, while my imagination was heated by the
+sensation of famine.  Awakened by the pains of hunger, the dishes
+vanished, and nothing remained but the reality of my distress; the
+cravings of nature were but inflamed, my tortures prevented sleep,
+and, looking into futurity, the cruelty of my fate suffered, if
+possible, increase, from imagining that the prolongation of pangs
+like these was insupportable.  God preserve every honest man from
+sufferings like mine!  They were not to be endured by the villain
+most obdurate.  Many have fasted three days, many have suffered want
+for a week, or more; but certainly no one, beside myself, ever
+endured it in the same excess for eleven months.  Some have supposed
+that to eat little might become habitual, but I have experienced the
+contrary.  My hunger increased every day; and of all the trials of
+fortitude my whole life has afforded, this, of eleven months, was
+the most bitter.
+
+Petitions, remonstrances, were of no avail; the answer was--"We must
+give no more, such is the King's command."  The Governor, General
+Borck, born the enemy of man, replied, when I entreated, at least,
+to have my fill of bread, "You have feasted often enough out of the
+service of plate taken from the King, by Trenck, at the battle of
+Sorau; you must now eat ammunition bread in your dirty kennel.  Your
+Empress makes no allowance for your maintenance, and you are
+unworthy of the bread you eat, or the trouble taken about you."
+Judge, reader, what pangs such insolence, added to such sufferings
+must inflict.  Judge what were my thoughts, foreseeing, as I did, an
+endless duration to this imprisonment and these torments.
+
+My three doors were kept ever shut, and I was left to such
+meditations as such feelings and such hopes might inspire.  Daily,
+about noon, once in twenty-four hours, my pittance of bread and
+water was brought.  The keys of all the doors were kept by the
+governor; the inner door was not opened, but my bread and water were
+delivered through an aperture.  The prison doors were opened only
+once a week, on a Wednesday, when the governor and town major, my
+hole having been first cleaned, paid their visit.
+
+Having remained thus two months, and observed this method was
+invariable, I began to execute a project I had formed, of the
+possibility of which I was convinced.
+
+Where the night-table and stove stood, the floor was bricked, and
+this paving extended to the wall that separated my casemate from the
+adjoining one, in which was no prisoner.  My window was only guarded
+by a single sentinel; I therefore soon found, among those who
+successively relieved guard, two kind-hearted fellows, who described
+to me the situation of my prison; hence I perceived I might effect
+my escape, could I but penetrate into the adjoining casemate, the
+door of which was not shut.  Provided I had a friend and a boat
+waiting for me at the Elbe, or could I swim across that river, the
+confines of Saxony were but a mile distant.
+
+To describe my plan at length would lead to prolixity, yet I must
+enumerate some of its circumstances, as it was remarkably intricate
+and of gigantic labour.
+
+I worked through the iron, eighteen inches long, by which the night-
+table was fastened, and broke off the clinchings of the nails, but
+preserved their heads, that I might put them again in their places,
+and all might appear secure to my weekly visitors.  This procured me
+tools to raise up the brick floor, under which I found earth.  My
+first attempt was to work a hole through the wall, seven feet thick
+behind, and concealed by the night-table.  The first layer was of
+brick.  I afterwards came to large hewn stones.  I endeavoured
+accurately to number and remember the bricks, both of the flooring
+and the wall, so that I might replace them and all might appear
+safe.  This having accomplished, I proceeded.
+
+The day preceding visitation all was carefully replaced, and the
+intervening mortar as carefully preserved; the whole had, probably,
+been whitewashed a hundred times; and, that I might fill up all
+remaining interstices, I pounded the white stuff this afforded,
+wetted it, made a brush of my hair, then applied this plaster,
+washed it over, that the colour might be uniform, and afterwards
+stripped myself, and sat with my naked body against the place, by
+the heat of which it was dried.
+
+While labouring, I placed the stones and bricks upon my bedstead,
+and had they taken the precaution to come at any other time in the
+week, the stated Wednesday excepted, I had inevitably been
+discovered; but, as no such ill accident befell me, in six months my
+Herculean labours gave me a prospect of success.
+
+Means were to be found to remove the rubbish from my prison; all of
+which, in a wall so thick, it was impossible to replace; mortar and
+stone could not be removed.  I therefore took the earth, scattered
+it about my chamber, and ground it under my feet the whole day, till
+I had reduced it to dust; this dust I strewed in the aperture of my
+window, making use of the loosened night-table to stand upon, I tied
+splinters from my bedstead together, with the ravelled yarn of an
+old stocking, and to this I affixed a tuft of my hair.  I worked a
+large hole under the middle grating, which could not be seen when
+standing on the ground, and through this I pushed my dust with the
+tool I had prepared in the outer window, then, waiting till the wind
+should happen to rise, during the night I brushed it away, it was
+blown off, and no appearance remained on the outside.  By this
+simple expedient I rid myself of at least three hundred weight of
+earth, and thus made room to continue my labours; yet, this being
+still insufficient, I had recourse to another artifice, which was to
+knead up the earth in the form of sausages, to resemble the human
+faeces:  these I dried, and when the prisoner came to clean my
+dungeon, hastily tossed them into the night-table, and thus
+disencumbered myself of a pound or two more of earth each week.  I
+further made little balls, and, when the sentinel was walking, blew
+them, through a paper tube, out of the window.  Into the empty space
+I put my mortar and stones, and worked on successfully.
+
+I cannot, however, describe my difficulties after having penetrated
+about two feet into the hewn stone.  My tools were the irons I had
+dug out, which fastened may bedstead and night-table.  A
+compassionate soldier also gave me an old iron ramrod and a
+soldier's sheath knife, which did me excellent service, more
+especially the latter, as I shall presently more fully show.  With
+these two I cut splinters from my bedstead, which aided me to pick
+the mortar from the interstices of the stone; yet the labour of
+penetrating through this seven-feet wall was incredible; the
+building was ancient, and the mortar occasionally quite petrified,
+so that the whole stone was obliged to be reduced to dust.  After
+continuing my work unremittingly for six months, I at length
+approached the accomplishment of my hopes, as I knew by coming to
+the facing of brick, which now was only between me and the adjoining
+casemate.
+
+Meantime I found opportunity to speak to some of the sentinels,
+among whom was an old grenadier called Gelfhardt, whom I here name
+because he displayed qualities of the greatest and most noble kind.
+From him I learned the precise situation of my prison, and every
+circumstance that might best conduce to my escape.
+
+Nothing was wanting but money to buy a boat, and crossing the Elbe
+with Gelfhardt, to take refuge in Saxony.  By Gelfhardt's means I
+became acquainted with a kind-hearted girl, a Jewess, and a native
+of Dessau, Esther Heymannin by name, and whose father had been ten
+years in prison.  This good, compassionate maiden, whom I had never
+seen, won over two other grenadiers, who gave her an opportunity of
+speaking to me every time they stood sentinel.  By tying my
+splinters together, I made a stick long enough to reach beyond the
+palisades that were before my window, and thus obtained paper,
+another knife, and a file.
+
+I now wrote to my sister, the wife of the before-mentioned only son
+of General Waldow; described my awful situation, and entreated her
+to remit three hundred rix-dollars to the Jewess, hoping, by this
+means, I might escape from my prison.  I then wrote another
+affecting letter to Count Puebla, the Austrian ambassador at Berlin,
+in which was enclosed a draft for a thousand florins on my effects
+at Vienna, desiring him to remit these to the Jewess, having
+promised her that sum as a reward for her fidelity.  She was to
+bring the three hundred rix-dollars my sister should send to me, and
+take measures with the grenadiers to facilitate my flight, which
+nothing seemed able to prevent, I having the power either to break
+into the casemate or, aided by the grenadiers and the Jewess' to cut
+the locks from the doors and that way escape from my dungeon.  The
+letters were open, I being obliged to roll them round the stick to
+convey them to Esther.
+
+The faithful girl diligently proceeded to Berlin, where she arrived
+safe, and immediately spoke to Count Puebla.  The Count gave her the
+kindest reception, received the letter, with the letter of exchange,
+and bade her go and speak to Weingarten, the secretary of the
+embassy, and act entirely as he should direct.  She was received by
+Weingarten in the most friendly manner, who, by his questions, drew
+from her the whole secret, and our intended plan of flight, aided by
+the two grenadiers, and also that she had a letter for my sister,
+which she must carry to Hammer, near Custrin.  He asked to see this
+letter; read it, told her to proceed on her Journey, gave her two
+ducats to bear her expenses, ordered her to come to him on her
+return, said that during this interval he would endeavour to obtain
+her the thousand florins for my draft, and would then give her
+further instructions.
+
+Esther cheerfully departed for Hammer, where my sister, then a
+widow, and no longer, as in 1746, in dread of her husband, joyful to
+hear I was still living, immediately gave her three hundred rix-
+dollars, exhorting her to exert every possible means to obtain my
+deliverance.  Esther hastened back with the letter from my sister to
+Berlin, and told all that passed to Weingarten, who read the letter,
+and inquired the names of the two grenadiers.  He told her the
+thousand florins from Vienna were not yet come, but gave her twelve
+ducats; bade her hasten back to Magdeburg, to carry me all this good
+news, and then return to Berlin, where he would pay her the thousand
+florins.  Esther came to Magdeburg, went immediately to the citadel,
+and, most luckily, met the wife of one of the grenadiers, who told
+her that her husband and his comrade had been taken and put in irons
+the day before.  Esther had quickness of perception, and suspected
+we had been betrayed; she therefore instantly again began her
+travels, and happily came safe to Dessau.
+
+Here I must interrupt my narrative, that I may explain this infernal
+enigma to my readers, an account of which I received after I had
+obtained my freedom, and still possess, in the handwriting of this
+Jewess.  Weingarten, as was afterwards discovered, was a traitor,
+and too much trusted by Count Puebla, he being a spy in the pay of
+Prussia, and one who had revealed, in the court of Berlin, not only
+the secrets of the Imperial embassy, but also the whole plan of the
+projected war.  For this reason he afterwards, when war broke out,
+remained at Berlin in the Prussian service.  His reason for
+betraying me was that he might secure the thousand florins which I
+had drawn for on Vienna; for the receipt of the 24th of May, 1755,
+attests that the sum was paid, by the administrators of my effects,
+to Count Puebla, and has since been brought to account; nor can I
+believe that Weingarten did not appropriate this sum to himself,
+since I cannot be persuaded the ambassador would commit such an
+action, although the receipt is in his handwriting, as may easily be
+demonstrated, it being now in my possession.  Thus did Weingarten,
+that he might detain a thousand florins with impunity, bring new
+evils upon me and upon my sister, which occasioned her premature
+death; caused one grenadier to run the gauntlet three successive
+days, and another to be hung.
+
+Esther alone escaped, and since gave me an elucidation of the whole
+affair.  The report at Magdeburg was, that a Jewess had obtained
+money from my sister and bribed two grenadiers, and that one of
+these had trusted and been betrayed by his comrade.  Indeed, what
+other story could be told at Magdeburg, or how could it be known I
+had been betrayed to the Prussian ministry by the Imperial
+secretary?  The truth, however, is as I have stated:  my account-
+book exists, and the Jewess is still alive.
+
+Her poor imprisoned father was punished with more than a hundred
+blows to make him declare whether his daughter had entrusted him
+with the plot, or if he knew whither she was fled, and miserably
+died in fetters.  Such was the mischief occasioned by a rascal!  And
+who might be blamed but the imprudent Count Puebla?
+
+In the year 1766, this said Jewess demanded of me a thousand
+florins; and I wrote to Count Puebla, that, having his receipt for
+the sum, which never had been repaid, I begged it might be restored.
+He received my agent with rudeness, returned no answer, and seemed
+to trouble himself little concerning my loss.  Whether the heirs of
+the Count be, or be not, indebted to me these thousand florins and
+the interest, I leave the world to determine.  Thrice have I been
+betrayed at Vienna and sold to Berlin, like Joseph to the Egyptians.
+My history proves the origin of my persuasion that residents,
+envoys, and ambassadors must be men of known worth and honesty, and
+not the vilest of rascals and miscreants.  But, alas! the effects
+and money they have robbed me of have never been restored; and for
+the miseries they have brought upon me, they could not be
+recompensed by the wealth of any or all the monarchs on earth.
+Estates they may, but truth they cannot confiscate; and of the
+villainy of Abramson and Weingarten I have documents and proofs that
+no court of justice could disannul.  Stop, reader, if thou hast a
+heart, and in that heart compassion for the unfortunate!  Stop and
+imagine what my sensations are while I remember and recount a part
+only of the injustice that has been done me, a part only of the
+tyranny I have endured!  By this last act of treachery of Weingarten
+was I held in chains, the most horrible, for nine succeeding years!
+By him was an innocent man brought to the gallows!  By him, too, my
+sister, my beloved, my unfortunate sister, was obliged to build a
+dungeon at her own expense! besides being amerced in a fine, the
+extent of which I never could learn.  Her goods were plundered, her
+estates made a desert, her children fell into extreme poverty, and
+she herself expired in her thirty-third year, the victim of cruelty,
+persecution, her brother's misfortunes, and the treachery of the
+Imperial embassy!
+
+
+
+Footnotes:
+
+{1}  A common expression with Frederic when he was angry, and which
+has since become proverbial among the Prussian and other German
+officers.  See Critical Review, April, 1755.
+
+{2}  The same Doo who was governor of Glatz during the Seven Years'
+war, and who, having been surprised by General Laudohu, was made
+prisoner, which occasioned the loss of Glatz.  The King broke him
+with infamy, and banished him with contempt.  In 1764 he came to
+Vienna, where I gave him alms.  He was, by birth, an Italian, a
+selfish, wicked man; and, while major under the government of
+Fouquet, at Glatz, brought many people to misery.  He was the
+creature of Fouquet, without birth or merit; crafty, malignant, but
+handsome, and, having debauched his patron's daughter, afterwards
+married her; whence at first his good, and at length his ill
+fortune.  He wanted knowledge to defend a fortress against the
+enemy, and his covetousness rendered him easy to corrupt.
+
+{3}  The German mile contains from four to seven English miles, and
+this variation appears to depend on the ignorance of the people and
+on the roads being in some places but little frequented.  It seems
+probable the Baron and his friend might travel about 809 English
+miles.--TRANSLATOR.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg eText Life and Adventures of Baron
+Trenck - Vol. 1
+
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