the first witness; he deposes, after alluding to the sumptuous
dinings and drinkings there:--

"One day the two Kings, after dinner, went in domino to the
redoubt [RIDOTTO, what we now call ROUT or evening party].
August had a mind to take an opportunity, and try whether the
reports of Friedrich Wilhelm's indifference to the fair sex were
correct or not. To this end, he had had a young damsel (JUNGE
PERSON) of extraordinary beauty introduced into some side-room;
where they now entered. She was lying on a bed, in a loose gauzy
undress; and though masked, showed so many charms to the eye that
the imagination could not but judge very favorably of the rest.
The King of Poland approached, in that gallant way of his, which
had gained him such favor with women. He begged her to unmask;
she at first affected reluctance, and would not. He then told her
who he was; and said, He hoped she would not refuse, when two
Kings begged her to show them this complaisance. She thereupon
took off her mask, and showed them one of the loveliest faces in
the world. August seemed quite enchanted; and said, as if it had
been the first time he ever saw her, He could not comprehend how
so bewitching a beauty had hitherto remained unknown to him.

"Friedrich Wilhelm could not help looking at her. He said to the
King of Poland, 'She is very beautiful, it must be owned;'--but at
the same instant turned his eyes away from her; and left the room,
and the ridotto altogether without delay; went home, and shut
himself in his room. He then sent for Herr von Grumkow, and
bitterly complained that the King of Poland wanted to tempt him.
Herr von Grumkow, who was neither so chaste nor so conscientious
as the King, was for making a jest of the matter; but the King