* * * * * V---- is pregnant, and does not suffer the King to go from her side one minute. He is most vulgarly smitten with that little figure; he sees nothing but through her eyes; he does nought but by her directions. They say, in town, that she makes him do many a good action[3]; I know nothing of it. What do they call good? Is it, perhaps, that now he meddles with the concerns of the land, and reads every scrap himself? Pray what has a King ministers for, and why does he pay them? Let those work, and let him be merry and amuse himself! State-affairs are much too tedious to interfere with them. As soon as I have him again, I will soon make him sensible that my philosophy is the best of all, and alone suits a monarch. He shall be no secretary; not he, indeed; he shall not daily stain his fingers with ink, and sign nonsense. Rietz and M---- may do that. A-propos, let me soon know the pleasing intelligence, of which you gave me a hint not long since. Aqua toffana won’t do, dear mother, for we are not yet intimate enough with V---- to approach her thus. It ought to be a subtile and expeditious remedy, such a one as will rid us of that fool without creating any suspicion. This moment Rietz comes to inform me, that the King has raised Miss V---- to a Countess I----heim. He has sent her to-day, by Rietz, the Imperial diploma, together with a brilliant hair pin, of great value. For God’s sake, speak with S---- about the matter, lest you will have me lose my senses. Minna! Minna! only don’t be so violent. S---- has been busy for us all. In the afternoon he will send you the box with the powder, you know, and which has arrived from Venice only last night. F---- went thither post, day and night, and stopt but one day at Vienna to take a little rest. It costs 2000 zechins, but its effect is worth more than 2000 millions. But hush and be close! and, for God’s sake, no more confidents! * * * * * She is safely gone to eternal rest, mother, and we may again be tranquil. During the first fortnight the King has been inconsolable, and would suffer nobody in his presence, for he was actually in love with the silly creature. But he will come round again, I hope. To-morrow I give a _fête_ at Charlottenburg, and there I will muster up what charms I have to rivet the rambler for ever. Your powder, dear mother, must again do the business. I have now good hopes all goes on to my wishes. FOOTNOTES: [1] A street in Berlin, so called from the plantation of lime-trees laid out there.