instantly lent me his horse, by the aid of which I rejoined my
corps, which always marched as the vanguard. Mounting my own horse,
I tremblingly rode to the head of my division, which it was my duty
to precede. The King, however, had remarked my absence, or rather
had been reminded of it by my superior officer, who, for some time
past, had become my enemy.

Just as the army halted to encamp, the King rode towards me, and
made a signal for me to approach, and, seeing my fears in my
countenance, said, "What, are you just returned from hunting?"
"Yes, your Majesty. I hope--" Here interrupting me, he added,
"Well, well, for this time, I shall take no further notice,
remembering Potzdam; but, however, let me find you more attentive to
your duty."

So ended this affair, for which I deserved to have been broken. I
must remind my readers that the King meant by the words remembering
Potzdam, he remembered I had been punished too severely the winter
before, and that my present pardon was intended as a compensation.

This was indeed to think and act greatly; this was indeed the true
art of forming great men: an art much more effectual than that of
ferocious generals, who threaten subalterns with imprisonment and
chains on every slight occasion; and, while indulging all the
rigours of military law, make no distinction of minds or of men.
Frederic, on the contrary, sometimes pardoned the failings of
genius, while mechanic souls he mechanically punished, according to
the very letter of the laws of war.

I shall further remark, the King took no more notice of my late