in his fantastic semi-fabulous way. [Bielfeld, i. 68-77; ib. 81.]'
Friedrich himself seemed moderately glad to see Bielfeld; received
his high-flown congratulations with a benevolent yet somewhat
composed air; and gave him afterwards, in the course of weeks, an
unexpectedly small appointment: To go to Hanover, under Truchsess
von Waldburg, and announce our Accession. Which is but a simple,
mostly formal service; yet perhaps what Bielfeld is best equal to.

The Britannic Majesty, or at least his Hanover people have been
beforehand with this civility; Baron Munchhausen, no doubt by
orders given for such contingency, had appeared at Berlin with the
due compliment and condolence almost on the first day of the New
Reign; first messenger of all on that errand; Britannic Majesty
evidently in a conciliatory humor,--having his dangerous Spanish
War on hand. Britannic Majesty in person, shortly after, gets
across to Hanover; and Friedrich despatches Truchsess, with
Bielfeld adjoined, to return the courtesy.

Friedrich does not neglect these points of good manners;
along with which something of substantial may be privately
conjoined. For example, if he had in secret his eye on Julich and
Berg, could anything be fitter than to ascertain what the French
will think of such an enterprise? What the French; and next to
them what the English, that is to say, Hanoverians, who meddle
much in affairs of the Reich. For these reasons and others he
likewise, probably with more study than in the Bielfeld case,
despatches Colonel Camas to make his compliment at the French
Court, and in an expert way take soundings there. Camas, a fat
sedate military gentleman, of advanced years, full of observation,
experience and sound sense,--"with one arm, which he makes do the