It can be of interest only to you, Sire, who have known the King, and who discover traits of character in what to another are but simple words.

One finds in few others that confidence, or at least that kindliness (BONHOMIE), which characterizes your Majesty.

With you, one can indulge in rest; but with the King of Prussia, one had always to be under arms, prepared to parry and to thrust, and to keep the due middle between a small attack and a grand defence.

I proceed to the matter in hand, and shall speak to you of him for the last time.
"He had made me promise to come to Berlin.

I hastened thither directly after that little War [Potato-War], which he called 'an action where he had come as bailiff to perform an execution.' The result for him, as is known, was a great expense of men, of horses and money; some appearance of good faith and disinterestedness; little honor in the War; a little honesty in Policy, and much bitterness against us Austrians.