Biography is apt to forget the Literature there (having her reasons); but must at last take some notice of it, among the phenomena of the year.
To the young Prince himself, "courting tranquillity," as his door-lintel intimated, [_"Frederico tranquillitatem colenti"_ (Infra, p.

123).] and forbidden to be active except within limits, this of Literature was all along the great light of existence at Reinsberg; the supplement to all other employments or wants of employment there.

To Friedrich himself, in those old days, a great and supreme interest; while again, to the modern Biographer of him, it has become dark and vacant; a thing to be shunned, not sought.

So that the fact as it stood with Friedrich differs far from any description that can be given of the fact.

Alas, we have said already, and the constant truth is, Friedrich's literatures, his distinguished literary visitors and enterprises, which were once brand-new and brilliant, have grown old as a garment, and are a sorrow rather than otherwise to existing mankind! Conscientious readers, who would represent to themselves the vanished scene at Reinsberg, in this point more especially, must make an effort.
As biographical documents, these Poetries and Proses of the young man give a very pretty testimony of him; but are not of value otherwise.