One must know how to choose friends; and that of ESPRIT, though a pretty thing, is by no means the one requisite, if indeed it be a requisite at all.

This present Wit Colony was the best that Friedrich ever had; and we may all see how good it was.

He took, at last more and more, into bantering his Table-Companions (which I do not wonder at), as the chief good he could get of them.

And had, as we said, especially in his later time, in the manner of Dublin Hackney-Coachmen, established upon each animal its RAW; and makes it skip amazingly at touch of the whip.

"Cruel mortal!" thought his cattle:--but, after all, how could he well help it, with such a set?
Native Literary Men, German or Swiss, there also were about Friedrich's Court: of them happily he did not require ESPRIT; but put them into his Academy; or employed them in practical functions, where honesty and good sense were the qualities needed.