several domains he made it a point to be instructed in all the minutiae of economical superintendence. He gave an account of everything to the king, and exerted himself to make such propositions towards improvements and increase of revenue, as appeared feasible to him. Nor did he neglect to accommodate himself to the wishes of the king in less important matters. Without having any fondness for the chase, he made reports on the condition of the game which he found in different parts of the country, of rare animals he had noticed, of the number of wild hogs he had killed, &c. He also, in his letters, dropped a number of remarks on military matters, for he was still without the highest proof of parental forgiveness-a military uniform.

Meanwhile the relations in the royal family had assumed a form which inspired a hope of tranquillity, after so many sorrows. Princess Wilhelmine had at last resolved to give her hand to one of the princes her father proposed, although her mother still favoured the alliance with England. She was married to the hereditary prince of Baireuth, on November 20th.

The king had promised his daughter, in return for yielding to his wishes, that the entire liberation of Frederick should take place immediately after her nuptials. The fourth day of the marriage festivities was solemnized by a grand ball in the state-rooms of the palace, and a minuet was in course of being danced when Frederick entered. Not only his manner, but also his personal appearance had changed during the

long period of his absence. He had grown taller and stronger. In the plain gray suit, which he still wore, he mingled, unobserved, among the attendants near the door. No one but the king knew of his presence, and some time elapsed before he was recognized. At last, the queen, who sat at play, was informed of his presence; she rose, went towards him and folded him in her arms. His sister was beside herself with joy when Grumbkow, with whom she was just then engaged in the dance, told her of her brother's arrival; but she sought long before she recognized him. When at last she did, she welcomed him with the warmest affection, then she threw herself at her father's feet, and expressed her gratitude to him with so much. feeling that he could not repress his tears. In remarkable contrast to such tenderness, was the cold conduct of Frederick, so that he did not escape a passing disapprobation from the king. This conduct probably was the effect of a resolution Frederick might have taken, in consideration of his father, not to continue his intimacy with his sister, in public, to the same degree, as it had formerly been the ground of so many accusations. Besides, he had become a different being, and his thoughts were not, as in earlier years, directed solely to plays and sports. His sister felt this estrangement deeply, but the former tender relations were soon re-established between them.

A few days subsequently, all the higher officers then at Berlin, with the prince of Dessau at their head, requested Frederick's re-admission to the military

service. On November 30, he received the uniform of a regiment of infantry, to the command of which he was appointed. For the winter, however, he was once more obliged to change the uniform for a civil dress, and return to his sphere of activity at Custrin. There he had an attack of fever, which afforded the king an opportunity of proving his revived parental affection, by making careful arrangements for his health and comfort. After his recovery, he was at length recalled to Berlin, in February 1732, appointed colonel and commander of the Goltz regiment, and the city of Guppin assigned for his quarters. When Frederick took leave of President Munchow in Custrin, and the latter asked him, at their last confidential conversation, what those who had been hostile to him, during his dissension with the king, might expect of him after his accession to the throne, he replied, "I will heap coals of fire on their head."

This intimation of forgiveness, couched in the language of Scripture, was consistent with the magnanimity displayed on many occasions in his subsequent career of glory and fame.

150

THE FISHERMAN'S REBELLION.

UNDER the government of the Spanish Viceroy, the Duke d'Arcos, the people of Naples were condemned to feel, in all its force, the oppressive influence of foreign dominion; their wealth was drained away by frequent impositions, which, notwithstanding the privileges granted by the Emperor Charles V. to his fedelissimo Popolo Napolitano, had continually increased from his time; and the numerous levies, when aggregrated, made indeed a frightful mass. The government also extorted large sums, every year, from this impoverished nation, to send to their master, the Spanish monarch, under the specious title of presents. These were much like the gifts which Henry VIII. of England obtained from his Parliament. As the wants of the Spanish nation increased, the Neapolitans became utterly impoverished;* but the haughty viceroy made no account of the wretchedness of the people, and determined to struggle with them, to the division of the last ducat. Nearly every necessary of life was already grievously taxed; the price of bread was trebled, and there was scarcely any money in circulation. In 1646, the government, wishing to make a fresh donation, imposed a new gabella, or duty, on all fruits and vegetables; this

* In nineteen years, namely, from 1628 to 1647, these donations to Philip III. and Philip IV., amounted to 100,000,000 ducats.

was, as it were, taking away the very staff of life from the lower classes of that crowded city. Numbers of them, consequently, perished for want, or languished in the midst of plenty-for nature was still as kind, and as productive as ever. The patience and forbearance of the people were at length exhausted; and they were ready to make any effort, to relieve themselves from such intolerable suffering. As yet, however, no one offered himself as leader; and their only efforts were prayers, supplications, and tears, poured out to the viceroy, whenever he appeared abroad, but which he heard, saw, and forgot. From prayers they proceeded to menaces; and one Saturday, as he was proceeding to celebrate a religious festival at the church of La Madonna del Carmine, they so beset and terrified his excellency, that, from pure fear, he gave them his promise to take away, entirely, the detested gabella. There was no appearance that this promise would be performed. The rage and indignation of the people increased; and, just at this period, they heard of the public tumult and struggle in Sicily, by means of which the Sicilians had entirely shaken off the burdensome imposition. This inspired them with envy and courage to do the like; and Naples became the scene of discord and fury. The viceroy began to feel the most serious alarm, and would, perhaps, have willingly abolished the tax; but some of the wealthy inhabitants of Naples, had, at various times, advanced money to the government, and by that means had become the proprietors of the