the life and adventures of baron trenck-2-第30章
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xious damps and vapours so poisoned my blood that an unskilful surgeon; who tortured me during nine months; with insult as a Prussian traitor; and state criminal; I lost the greatest part of my jaw。
〃Schottendorf was our governor and tyrant; a man who repaid the friendship he found in the mansion of my fatherswith cruelty。 He was ripe for the sickle; and Time cut him off。 Tormentini and Galer were his successors in office; by them we were carefully watched; but we were treated with commiseration。 Their precautions rendered imprisonment less wretched。 Ever shall I hold their memory sacred。 Yet; benevolent as they were; their goodness was exceeded by that of Rottensteiner; the head gaoler。 He considered his prisoners as his children; and he was their benefactor。 Of this I had experience; during two years after the release of Hallasch。
〃Here I but cursorily describe misery; at which the monarch shall shudder; if the blood of a tyrant flow not in his veins。 Theresa could not wish these things。 But she was fallible; and not omniscient。
〃From the above narrative; you will perceive how opposite the effects must be which the histories of Baron Trenck and of myself must produce。
〃Trenck left his dungeon shielded from contempt; the day of freedom was the day of triumph。 I; on the contrary; was exposed to every calamity。 The spirit of Trenck again raised itself。 I have laboured many a night that I might neither beg nor perish the following day: working for judges who neither knew law nor had powers of mind to behold the beauty of justice: settling accounts that; item after item; did not prove that the lord they were intended for; was an imbecile dupe。
〃Trenck remembers his calamities; but the remembrance is advantageous to himself and his family; while with me; the past did but increase; did but agonise; the present and the future。 He was not like me; obliged to crouch in presence of those vulgar; those incapable minds; that do but consider the bent back as the footstool of pride。 Every man is too busy to act in behalf of others; pity me therefore; but advise me not to hope assistance; by petitioning princes at second hand。 I know your good wishes; and; for these; I have nothing to return but barren thanks。I am; &c〃
The reasons why I published the foregoing letters are already stated; and will appear satisfactory to the reader。 Once more to affairs that concern myself。
I met at Berlin many old friends of both sexes; among others; an aged invalid came to see me; who was at Glatz; in 1746; when I cut my way through the guard。 He was one of the sentinels before my door; whom I had thrown down the stairs。
The hour of quitting Berlin; and continuing my journey into Prussia; towards Konigsberg; approached。 On the eve of my departure; I had the happiness of conversing with her Royal Highness the Princess Amelia; sister of Frederic the Great。 She protected me in my hour of adversity; heaped benefits upon me; and contributed to gain my deliverance。 She received me as a friend; as an aged patriot; and laid her commands upon me to write to my wife; and request that she would come to Berlin; in the month of June; with her two eldest daughters。 I received her promise that the happiness of the latter should be her care; nay; that she would remember my wife in her will。
At this moment; when about to depart; she asked me if I had money sufficient for my journey: 〃Yes; madam;〃 was my reply; 〃I want nothing; ask nothing; but may you remember my children!〃
The deep feeling with which I pronounced these words moved the princess; she showed me how she comprehended my meaning; and said; 〃Return; my friend; quickly: I shall be most happy to see you。〃
I left the room: a kind of indecision came over me。 I was inclined to remain longer at Berlin。 Had I done so; my presence would have been of great advantage to my children。 Alas! under the guidance of my evil genius; I began my journey。 The purpose for which I came to Berlin was frustrated: for after my departure; the Princess Amelia died!
Peace be to thy ashes; noble princess! Thy will was good; and be that sufficient。 I shall not want materials to write a commentary on the history of Frederic; when; in company with thee; I shall wander on the banks of Styx; there the events that happened on this earth may be written without danger。
So proceed we with our story。
CHAPTER X。
On the 22nd of March I pursued my journey to Konigsberg; but remained two days at the court of the Margrave of Brandenburg; where I was received with kindness。 The Margrave had bestowed favours on me; during my imprisonment at Magdeburg。
I departed thence through Soldin to Schildberg; here to visit my relation Sidau; who had married the daughter of my sister; which daughter my sister had by her first husband; Waldow; of whom I have before spoken。 I found my kinsman a worthy man; and one who made the daughter of an unfortunate sister happy。 I was received at his house within open arms; and; for the first time after an interval of two…and…forty years; beheld one of my own relations。
On my journey thither; I had the pleasure to meet with Lieutenant… General Kowalsky: This gentleman was a lieutenant in the garrison of Glatz; in 1745; and was a witness of my leap from the wall of the rampart。 He had read my history; some of the principal facts of which he was acquainted with。 Should anyone therefore doubt concerning those incidents; I may refer to him; whose testimony cannot be suspected。
From Schildberg I proceeded to Landsberg; on the Warta。 Here I found my brother…in…law; Colonel Pape; commander of the Gotz dragoons; and the second husband of my deceased sister: and here I passed a joyous day。 Everybody congratulated me on my return into my country。
I found relations in almost every garrison。 Never did man receive more marks of esteem throughout a kingdom。 The knowledge of my calamities procured me sweet consolation; and I were insensible indeed; and ungrateful; did my heart remain unmoved on occasions like these。
In Austria I never can expect a like reception; I am there mistaken; and I feel little inclination to labour at removing mistakes so rooted。 Yet; even there am I by the general voice; approved。 Yes; I am admired; but not known; pitied but not supported; honoured; but not rewarded。
When at Berlin; I discovered an error I had committed in the commencement of my life。 At the time I wrote I believed that the postmaster…general of Berlin; Mr Derschau; was my mother's brother; and the same person who; in 1742; was grand counsellor at Glogau; and afterwards; president in East Friesland。 I was deceived; the Derschau who is my mother's brother is still living; and president at Aurich in East Friesland。 The postmaster was the son of the old Derschau who died a general; and who was only distantly related to my mother。 Neither is the younger Derschau; who is the colonel of a regiment at Burg; the brother of my mother; but only her first cousin; one of their sisters married Lieut。…Colonel Ostau; whose son; the President Ostau; now lives on his own estate; at Lablack in Prussia。
I was likewise deceived in having suspected a lieutenant; named Mollinie; in the narrative I gave of my flight from Glatz; of having acted as a spy upon me at Braunau; and of having sent information to General Fouquet。 I am sorry。 This honest man is still alive; a captain in Brandenburg。 He was affected at my suspicion; fully justified himself; and here I publicly apologise。 He then was; and again is become my friend。
I have received a letter from one Lieutenant Brodowsky。 This gentleman is offended at finding his mother's name in my narrative; and demands I should retract my words。
My readers will certainly allow the virtue of Madame Brodowsky; at Elbing; is not impeached。 Although I have said I had the fortune to be beloved by her; I have nowhere intimated that I asked; or that she granted; improper favours。
By the desire of a person of distinction; I shall insert an incident which I omitted in a former part。 This person was an eye…witness of the incident I am about to relate; at Magdeburg; and reminded me of the affair。 It was my last attemp