must be our main topic here, there is that of Improving the
Domesticities, the Household Enjoyments such as they were;--
especially definable as Renewal of the old Reinsberg Program;
attempt more strenuous than ever to realize that beautiful ideal.
Which, and the total failure of which, and the consequent quasi-
abandonment of it for time coming, are still, intrinsically and by
accident, of considerable interest to modern readers.

Curious, and in some sort touching, to observe how that old
original Life-Program still re-emerges on this King: "Something of
melodious possible in one's poor life, is not there? A Life to the
Practical Duties, yes; but to the Muses as well!"--Of Friedrich's
success in his Law-Reforms, in his Husbandries, Commerces and
Furtherances, conspicuously great as it was, there is no
possibility of making careless readers cognizant at this day.
Only by the great results--a "Prussia QUADRUPLED" in his time, and
the like--can studious readers convince themselves, in a cold and
merely statistic way. But in respect of Life to the Muses, we have
happily the means of showing that in actual vitality; in practical
struggle towards fulfillment,--and how extremely disappointing the
result was. In a word, Voltaire pays his Fifth and final Visit in
this Period; the Voltaire matter comes to its consummation. To
that, as to one of the few things which are perfectly knowable in
this Period of TEN-YEARS PEACE, and in which mankind still take
interest, we purpose mostly to devote ourselves here.

Ten years of a great King's life, ten busy years too; and nothing
visible in them, of main significance, but a crash of Author's
Quarrels, and the Crowning Visit of Voltaire? Truly yes, reader;
so it has been ordered. Innumerable high-dressed gentlemen, gods of