"Wa, Wa, what great God is this, that pulls down the strength of the strongest Kings!"-- The poor King's state is very restless, fluctuates from day to day; he is impatient of bed; sleeps very ill; is up whenever possible; rolls about in his wheeled-chair, and even gets into the air: at one time looking strong, as if there were still months in him, and anon sunk in fainting weakness, as if he had few minutes to live.

Friedrich at Reinsberg corresponds very secretly with Dr.Eller; has other friends at Potsdam whose secret news he very anxiously reads.

To the last he cannot bring himself to think it "serious." [Letter to Eller, 25th May, 1740 (_OEuvres_ ), xvi.

184.] On Thursday, 26th of May, an express from Eller, or the Potsdam friends, arrives at Reinsberg: He is to come quickly, if he would see his Father again alive! The step may have danger, too; but Friedrich, a world of feelings urging him, is on the road next morning before the sun.

His journey may be fancied; the like of it falls to all men.