He was, indeed, an old man, like those he came amongst, and now saluted.

An expression of imperishable youth lighted up his pale, sunken face, and his eyes flashed with as much daring and fire as thirty-eight years before, when he had assembled his young officers around him in this very hall, to announce to them that he would march against Austria.

How many wars, how many battles, how many illusions, victories, and defeats had the king experienced in these thirty-eight years! How little the youthful, fiery king of that day resembled the weak old man of to-day; how little in common the young King Frederick had with "Alten Fritz." And now in this feeble body dwelt the same courageous spirit.

In the course of these years King Frederick II had become Frederick the Great! And great he was to-day, this little old man--great in his intentions and achievements, never heeding his own debility and need of repose.

All his thoughts and endeavors concentrated on the welfare of his people and his country--on the greatness and glory of Germany.