The Project Gutenberg Etext Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck
Volume 2
#2 in our series by Baron Trenck


Copyright laws are changing all over the world, be sure to check
the copyright laws for your country before posting these files!!

Please take a look at the important information in this header.
We encourage you to keep this file on your own disk, keeping an
electronic path open for the next readers.  Do not remove this.

*It must legally be the first thing seen when opening the book.*
In fact, our legal advisors said we can't even change margins.

**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**

**Etexts Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**

*These Etexts Prepared By Hundreds of Volunteers and Donations*

Information on contacting Project Gutenberg to get Etexts, and
further information is included below.  We need your donations.


Title:  The Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck - Volume 2

Author:  Baron Trenck

Translator:  Thomas Holcroft

June, 2001  [Etext #2669]


The Project Gutenberg Etext Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck
*****This file should be named 2labt10.txt or 2labt10.zip******

Corrected EDITIONS of our etexts get a new NUMBER, 2labt11.txt
VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, 2labt10a.txt


This etext was scanned by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk
from the 1892 Cassell & Co. edition.  Proofing was by Bridie, Rab
Hughes and Roland Chapman.

Project Gutenberg Etexts are usually created from multiple editions,
all of which are in the Public Domain in the United States, unless a
copyright notice is included.  Therefore, we usually do NOT keep any
of these books in compliance with any particular paper edition.


We are now trying to release all our books one month in advance
of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing.

Please note:  neither this list nor its contents are final till
midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement.
The official release date of all Project Gutenberg Etexts is at
Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month.  A
preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment
and editing by those who wish to do so.  To be sure you have an
up to date first edition [xxxxx10x.xxx] please check file sizes
in the first week of the next month.  Since our ftp program has
a bug in it that scrambles the date [tried to fix and failed] a
look at the file size will have to do, but we will try to see a
new copy has at least one byte more or less.


Information about Project Gutenberg (one page)

We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work.  The
time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours
to get any etext selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright
searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc.  This
projected audience is one hundred million readers.  If our value
per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2
million dollars per hour this year as we release thirty-six text
files per month, or 432 more Etexts in 1999 for a total of 2000+
If these reach just 10% of the computerized population, then the
total should reach over 200 billion Etexts given away this year.

The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away One Trillion Etext
Files by December 31, 2001.  [10,000 x 100,000,000 = 1 Trillion]
This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers,
which is only ~5% of the present number of computer users.

At our revised rates of production, we will reach only one-third
of that goal by the end of 2001, or about 3,333 Etexts unless we
manage to get some real funding; currently our funding is mostly
from Michael Hart's salary at Carnegie-Mellon University, and an
assortment of sporadic gifts; this salary is only good for a few
more years, so we are looking for something to replace it, as we
don't want Project Gutenberg to be so dependent on one person.

We need your donations more than ever!


All donations should be made to "Project Gutenberg/CMU": and are
tax deductible to the extent allowable by law.  (CMU = Carnegie-
Mellon University).

For these and other matters, please mail to:

Project Gutenberg
P. O. Box  2782
Champaign, IL 61825

When all other email fails. . .try our Executive Director:
Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com>
hart@pobox.com forwards to hart@prairienet.org and archive.org
if your mail bounces from archive.org, I will still see it, if
it bounces from prairienet.org, better resend later on. . . .

We would prefer to send you this information by email.

******

To access Project Gutenberg etexts, use any Web browser
to view http://promo.net/pg.  This site lists Etexts by
author and by title, and includes information about how
to get involved with Project Gutenberg.  You could also
download our past Newsletters, or subscribe here.  This
is one of our major sites, please email hart@pobox.com,
for a more complete list of our various sites.

To go directly to the etext collections, use FTP or any
Web browser to visit a Project Gutenberg mirror (mirror
sites are available on 7 continents; mirrors are listed
at http://promo.net/pg).

Mac users, do NOT point and click, typing works better.

Example FTP session:

ftp metalab.unc.edu
login: anonymous
password: your@login
cd pub/docs/books/gutenberg
cd etext90 through etext99 or etext00 through etext01, etc.
dir [to see files]
get or mget [to get files. . .set bin for zip files]
GET GUTINDEX.??  [to get a year's listing of books, e.g.,
GUTINDEX.99]
GET GUTINDEX.ALL [to get a listing of ALL books]

***

**Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor**

(Three Pages)


***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS**START***
Why is this "Small Print!" statement here?  You know: lawyers.
They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with
your copy of this etext, even if you got it for free from
someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our
fault.  So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement
disclaims most of our liability to you.  It also tells you how
you can distribute copies of this etext if you want to.

*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS ETEXT
By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
etext, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept
this "Small Print!" statement.  If you do not, you can receive
a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this etext by
sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person
you got it from.  If you received this etext on a physical
medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request.

ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM ETEXTS
This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-
tm etexts, is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor
Michael S. Hart through the Project Gutenberg Association at
Carnegie-Mellon University (the "Project").  Among other
things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright
on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and
distribute it in the United States without permission and
without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules, set forth
below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this etext
under the Project's "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark.

To create these etexts, the Project expends considerable
efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain
works.  Despite these efforts, the Project's etexts and any
medium they may be on may contain "Defects".  Among other
things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or
corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged
disk or other etext medium, a computer virus, or computer
codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below,
[1] the Project (and any other party you may receive this
etext from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm etext) disclaims all
liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including
legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR
UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE
OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

If you discover a Defect in this etext within 90 days of
receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any)
you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that
time to the person you received it from.  If you received it
on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and
such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement
copy.  If you received it electronically, such person may
choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to
receive it electronically.

THIS ETEXT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS".  NO OTHER
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS
TO THE ETEXT OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or
the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the
above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you
may have other legal rights.

INDEMNITY
You will indemnify and hold the Project, its directors,
officers, members and agents harmless from all liability, cost
and expense, including legal fees, that arise directly or
indirectly from any of the following that you do or cause:
[1] distribution of this etext, [2] alteration, modification,
or addition to the etext, or [3] any Defect.

DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm"
You may distribute copies of this etext electronically, or by
disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this
"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg,
or:

[1]  Only give exact copies of it.  Among other things, this
     requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the
     etext or this "small print!" statement.  You may however,
     if you wish, distribute this etext in machine readable
     binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form,
     including any form resulting from conversion by word pro-
     cessing or hypertext software, but only so long as
     *EITHER*:

     [*]  The etext, when displayed, is clearly readable, and
          does *not* contain characters other than those
          intended by the author of the work, although tilde
          (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may
          be used to convey punctuation intended by the
          author, and additional characters may be used to
          indicate hypertext links; OR

     [*]  The etext may be readily converted by the reader at
          no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent
          form by the program that displays the etext (as is
          the case, for instance, with most word processors);
          OR

     [*]  You provide, or agree to also provide on request at
          no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the
          etext in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC
          or other equivalent proprietary form).

[2]  Honor the etext refund and replacement provisions of this
     "Small Print!" statement.

[3]  Pay a trademark license fee to the Project of 20% of the
     net profits you derive calculated using the method you
     already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  If you
     don't derive profits, no royalty is due.  Royalties are
     payable to "Project Gutenberg Association/Carnegie-Mellon
     University" within the 60 days following each
     date you prepare (or were legally required to prepare)
     your annual (or equivalent periodic) tax return.

WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO?
The Project gratefully accepts contributions in money, time,
scanning machines, OCR software, public domain etexts, royalty
free copyright licenses, and every other sort of contribution
you can think of.  Money should be paid to "Project Gutenberg
Association / Carnegie-Mellon University".

We are planning on making some changes in our donation structure
in 2000, so you might want to email me, hart@pobox.com beforehand.




*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END*





This etext was scanned by David Price, email ccx074@coventry.ac.uk
from the 1892 Cassell & Co. edition.  Proofing was by Bridie, Rab
Hughes and Roland Chapman.





LIFE AND ADVENTURE OF BARON TRENCK - VOLUME 2




TRANSLATED BY THOMAS HOLCROFT




INTRODUCTION.




Thomas Holcroft, the translator of these Memoirs of Baron Trenck,
was the author of about thirty plays, among which one, The Road to
Ruin, produced in 1792, has kept its place upon the stage.  He was
born in December, 1745, the son of a shoemaker who did also a little
business in horse-dealing.  After early struggles, during which he
contrived to learn French, German, and Italian, Holcroft contributed
to a newspaper, turned actor, and wrote plays, which appeared
between the years 1791 and 1806.  He produced also four novels, the
first in 1780, the last in 1807.  He was three times married, and
lost his first wife in 1790.  In 1794, his sympathy with ideals of
the French revolutionists caused him to be involved with Hardy,
Horne Tooke, and Thelwall, in a charge of high treason; but when
these were acquitted, Holcroft and eight others were discharged
without trial.

Holcroft earned also by translation.  He translated, besides these
Memoirs of Baron Trenck, Mirabeau's Secret History of the Court of
Berlin, Les Veillees du Chateau of Madame de Genlis, and the
posthumous works of Frederick II., King of Prussia, in thirteen
volumes.

The Memoirs of Baron Trenck were first published at Berlin as his
Merkwurdige Lebensbeschreibung, in three volumes octavo, in 1786 and
1787.  They were first translated into French by Baron Bock (Metz,
1787); more fully by Letourneur (Paris, 1788); and again by himself
(Strasbourg, 1788), with considerable additions.  Holcroft
translated from the French versions.

H.M.



THE LIFE OF BARON TRENCK.



CHAPTER I.



Blessed shade of a beloved sister!  The sacrifice of my adverse and
dreadful fate!  Thee could I never avenge!  Thee could the blood of
Weingarten never appease!  No asylum, however sacred, should have
secured him, had he not sought that last of asylums for human
wickedness and human woes--the grave!  To thee do I dedicate these
few pages, a tribute of thankfulness; and, if future rewards there
are, may the brightest of these rewards be thine.  For us, and not
for ours, may rewards be expected from monarchs who, in apathy, have
beheld our mortal sufferings.  Rest, noble soul, murdered though
thou wert by the enemies of thy brother.  Again my blood boils,
again my tears roll down my cheeks, when I remember thee, thy
sufferings in my cause, and thy untimely end!  I knew it not; I
sought to thank thee; I found thee in the grave; I would have made
retribution to thy children, but unjust, iron-hearted princes had
deprived me of the power.  Can the virtuous heart conceive
affliction more cruel?  My own ills I would have endured with
magnanimity; but thine are wrongs I have neither the power to forget
nor heal.

Enough of this. -

The worthy Emperor, Francis I., shed tears when I afterwards had the
honour of relating to him in person my past miseries; I beheld them
flow, and gratitude threw me at his feet.  His emotion was so great
that he tore himself away.  I left the palace with all the
enthusiasm of soul which such a scene must inspire.

He probably would have done more than pitied me, but his death soon
followed.  I relate this incident to convince posterity that Francis
I. possessed a heart worthy an emperor, worthy a man.  In the
knowledge I have had of monarchs he stands alone.  Frederic and
Theresa both died without doing me justice; I am now too old, too
proud, have too much apathy, to expect it from their successors.
Petition I will not, knowing my rights; and justice from courts of
law, however evident my claims, were in these courts vain indeed to
expect.  Lawyers and advocates I know but too well, and an army to
support my rights I have not.

What heart that can feel but will pardon me these digressions!  At
the exact and simple recital of facts like these, the whole man must
be roused, and the philosopher himself shudder.

Once more:- I heard nothing of what had happened for some days; at
length, however, it was the honest Gelfhardt's turn to mount guard;
but the ports being doubled, and two additional grenadiers placed
before my door, explanation was exceedingly difficult.  He, however,
in spite of precaution, found means to inform me of what had
happened to his two unfortunate comrades.

The King came to a review at Magdeburg, when he visited Star-Fort,
and commanded a new cell to be immediately made, prescribing himself
the kind of irons by which I was to be secured.  The honest
Gelfhardt heard the officer say this cell was meant for me, and gave
me notice of it, but assured me it could not be ready in less than a
month.  I therefore determined, as soon as possible, to complete my
breach in the wall, and escape without the aid of any one.  The
thing was possible; for I had twisted the hair of my mattress into a
rope, which I meant to tie to a cannon, and descend the rampart,
after which I might endeavour to swim across the Elbe, gain the
Saxon frontiers, and thus safely escape.

On the 26th of May I had determined to break into the next casemate;
but when I came to work at the bricks, I found them so hard and
strongly cemented that I was obliged to defer the labour till the
following day.  I left off, weary and spent, at daybreak, and should
any one enter my dungeon, they must infallibly discover the breach.
How dreadful is the destiny by which, through life, I have been
persecuted, and which has continually plunged me headlong into
calamity, when I imagined happiness was at hand!

The 27th of May was a cruel day in the history of my life.  My cell
in the Star-Fort had been finished sooner than Gelfhardt had
supposed; and at night, when I was preparing to fly, I heard a
carriage stop before my prison.  O God! what was my terror, what
were the horrors of this moment of despair!  The locks and bolts
resounded, the doors flew open, and the last of my poor remaining
resources was to conceal my knife.  The town-major, the major of the
day, and a captain entered; I saw them by the light of their two
lanterns.  The only words they spoke were, "Dress yourself," which
was immediately done.  I still wore the uniform of the regiment of
Cordova.  Irons were given me, which I was obliged myself to fasten
on my wrists and ankles; the town-major tied a bandage over my eyes,
and, taking me under the arm, they thus conducted me to the
carriage.  It was necessary to pass through the city to arrive at
the Star-Fort; all was silent, except the noise of the escort; but
when we entered Magdeburg I heard the people running, who were
crowding together to obtain a sight of me.  Their curiosity was
raised by the report that I was going to be beheaded.  That I was
executed on this occasion in the Star-Fort, after having been
conducted blindfold through the city, has since been both affirmed
and written; and the officers had then orders to propagate this
error that the world might remain in utter ignorance concerning me.
I, indeed, knew otherwise, though I affected not to have this
knowledge; and, as I was not gagged, I behaved as if I expected
death, reproached my conductors in language that even made them
shudder, and painted their King in his true colours, as one who,
unheard, had condemned an innocent subject by a despotic exertion of
power.

My fortitude was admired, at the moment when it was supposed I
thought myself leading to execution.  No one replied, but their
sighs intimated their compassion; certain it is, few Prussians
willingly execute such commands.  The carriage at length stopped,
and I was brought into my new cell.  The bandage was taken from my
eyes.  The dungeon was lighted by a few torches.  God of heaven!
what were my feelings when I beheld the whole floor covered with
chains, a fire-pan, and two grim men standing with their smiths'
hammers!

* * * * * *

To work went these engines of despotism!  Enormous chains were fixed
to my ankle at one end, and at the other to a ring which was
incorporated in the wall.  This ring was three feet from the ground,
and only allowed me to move about two or three feet to the right and
left.  They next riveted another huge iron ring, of a hand's
breadth, round my naked body, to which hung a chain, fixed into an
iron bar as thick as a man's arm.  This bar was two feet in length,
and at each end of it was a handcuff.  The iron collar round my neck
was not added till the year 1756.

* * * * * *

No soul bade me good night.  All retired in dreadful silence; and I
heard the horrible grating of four doors, that were successively
locked and bolted upon me!

Thus does man act by his fellow, knowing him to be innocent, having
received the commands of another man so to act.

O God!  Thou alone knowest how my heart, void as it was of guilt,
beat at this moment.  There sat I, destitute, alone, in thick
darkness, upon the bare earth, with a weight of fetters
insupportable to nature, thanking Thee that these cruel men had not
discovered my knife, by which my miseries might yet find an end.
Death is a last certain refuge that can indeed bid defiance to the
rage of tyranny.  What shall I say?  How shall I make the reader
feel as I then felt?  How describe my despondency, and yet account
for that latent impulse that withheld my hand on this fatal, this
miserable night?

This misery I foresaw was not of short duration; I had heard of the
wars that were lately broken out between Austria and Prussia.
Patiently to wait their termination, amid sufferings and
wretchedness such as mine, appeared impossible, and freedom even
then was doubtful.  Sad experience had I had of Vienna, and well I
knew that those who had despoiled me of my property most anxiously
would endeavour to prevent my return.  Such were my meditations!
such my night thoughts!  Day at length returned; but where was its
splendour?  Fled!  I beheld it not; yet was its glimmering obscurity
sufficient to show me what was my dungeon.

In breadth it was about eight feet; in length, ten.  Near me once
more stood a night-table; in a corner was a seat, four bricks broad,
on which I might sit, and recline against the wall.  Opposite the
ring to which I was fastened, the light was admitted through a semi-
circular aperture, one foot high, and two in diameter.  This
aperture ascended to the centre of the wall, which was six feet
thick, and at this central part was a close iron grating, from
which, outward, the aperture descended, and its two extremities were
again secured by strong iron bars.  My dungeon was built in the
ditch of the fortification, and the aperture by which the light
entered was so covered by the wall of the rampart that, instead of
finding immediate passage, the light only gained admission by
reflection.  This, considering the smallness of the aperture, and
the impediments of grating and iron bars, must needs make the
obscurity great; yet my eyes, in time, became so accustomed to this
glimmering that I could see a mouse run.  In winter, however, when
the sun did not shine into the ditch, it was eternal night with me.
Between the bars and the grating was a glass window, most curiously
formed, with a small central casement, which might be opened to
admit the air.  My night-table was daily removed, and beside me
stood a jug of water.  The name of TRENCK was built in the wall, in
red brick, and under my feet was a tombstone with the name of TRENCK
also cut on it, and carved with a death's head.  The doors to my
dungeon were double, of oak, two inches thick; without these was an
open space or front cell, in which was a window, and this space was
likewise shut in by double doors.  The ditch, in which this dreadful
den was built, was enclosed on both sides by palisades, twelve feet
high, the key of the door of which was entrusted to the officer of
the guard, it being the King's intention to prevent all possibility
of speech or communication with the sentinels.  The only motion I
had the power to make was that of jumping upward, or swinging my
arms to procure myself warmth.  When more accustomed to these
fetters, I became capable of moving from side to side, about four
feet; but this pained my shin-bones.

The cell had been finished with lime and plaster but eleven days,
and everybody supposed it would be impossible I should exist in
these damps above a fortnight.  I remained six months, continually
immersed in very cold water, that trickled upon me from the thick
arches under which I was; and I can safely affirm that, for the
first three months, I was never dry; yet did I continue in health.
I was visited daily, at noon, after relieving guard, and the doors
were then obliged to be left open for some minutes, otherwise the
dampness of the air put out their candles.

This was my situation, and here I sat, destitute of friends,
helplessly wretched, preyed on by all the torture of thought that
continually suggested the most gloomy, the most horrid, the most
dreadful of images.  My heart was not yet wholly turned to stone; my
fortitude was sunken to despondency; my dungeon was the very cave of
despair; yet was my arm restrained, and this excess of misery
endured.

How then may hope be wholly eradicated from the heart of man?  My
fortitude, after some time, began to revive; I glowed with the
desire of convincing the world I was capable of suffering what man
had never suffered before; perhaps of at last emerging from this
load of wretchedness triumphant over my enemies.  So long and
ardently did my fancy dwell on this picture, that my mind at length
acquired a heroism which Socrates himself certainly never possessed.
Age had benumbed his sense of pleasure, and he drank the poisonous
draught with cool indifference; but I was young, inured to high
hopes, yet now beholding deliverance impossible, or at an immense, a
dreadful distance.  Such, too, were the other sufferings of soul and
body, I could not hope they might be supported and live.

About noon my den was opened.  Sorrow and compassion were painted on
the countenances of my keepers.  No one spoke; no one bade me good
morrow.  Dreadful indeed was their arrival; for, unaccustomed to the
monstrous bolts and bars, they were kept resounding for a full half-
hour before such soul-chilling, such hope-murdering impediments were
removed.  It was the voice of tyranny that thundered.

My night-table was taken out, a camp-bed, mattress, and blankets
were brought me; a jug of water set down, and beside it an
ammunition loaf of six pounds' weight.  "That you may no more
complain of hunger," said the town-major, "you shall have as much
bread as you can eat."  The door was shut, and I again left to my
thoughts.

What a strange thing is that called happiness!  How shall I express
my extreme joy when, after eleven months of intolerable hunger, I
was again indulged with a full feast of coarse ammunition bread?
The fond lover never rushed more eagerly to the arias of his
expecting bride, the famished tiger more ravenously on his prey,
than I upon this loaf.  I ate, rested; surveyed the precious morsel;
ate again; and absolutely shed tears of pleasure.  Breaking bit
after bit, I had by evening devoured all my loaf.

Oh, Nature! what delight hast thou combined with the gratification
of thy wants!  Remember this, ye who gorge, ye who rack invention to
excite appetite, and yet which you cannot procure!  Remember how
simple are the means that will give a crust of mouldy bread a
flavour more exquisite than all the spices of the East, or all the
profusion of land or sea!  Remember this, grow hungry, and indulge
your sensuality.

Alas! my enjoyment was of short duration.  I soon found that excess
is followed by pain and repentance.  My fasting had weakened
digestion, and rendered it inactive.  My body swelled, my water-jug
was emptied; cramps, colics, and at length inordinate thirst racked
me all the night.  I began to pour curses on those who seemed to
refine on torture, and, after starving me so long, to invite me to
gluttony.  Could I not have reclined on my bed, I should indeed have
been driven, this night, to desperation; yet even this was but a
partial relief; for, not yet accustomed to my enormous fetters, I
could not extend myself in the same manner I was afterwards taught
to do by habit.  I dragged them, however, so together as to enable
me to sit down on the bare mattress.  This, of all my nights of
suffering, stands foremost.  When they opened my dungeon next day
they found me in a truly pitiable situation, wondered at my
appetite, brought me another loaf; I refused to accept it, believing
I nevermore should have occasion for bread; they, however, left me
one, gave me water, shrugged up their shoulders, wished me farewell,
as, according to all appearance, they never expected to find me
alive, and shut all the doors, without asking whether I wished or
needed further assistance.

Three days had passed before I could again eat a morsel of bread;
and my mind, brave in health, now in a sick body became
pusillanimous, so that I determined on death.  The irons, everywhere
round my body, and their weight, were insupportable; nor could I
imagine it was possible I should habituate myself to them, or endure
them long enough to expect deliverance.  Peace was a very distant
prospect.  The King had commanded that such a prison should be built
as should exclude all necessity of a sentinel, in order that I might
not converse with and seduce them from what is called their duty:
and, in the first days of despair, deliverance appeared impossible;
and the fetters, the war, the pain I felt, the place, the length of
time, each circumstance seemed equally impossible to support.  A
thousand reasons convinced me it was necessary to end my sufferings.
I shall not enter into theological disputes:  let those who blame me
imagine themselves in my situation; or rather let them first
actually endure my miseries, and then let them reason.  I had often
braved death in prosperity, and at this moment it seemed a blessing.

Full of these meditations, every minute's patience appeared
absurdity, and resolution meanness of soul; yet I wished my mind
should be satisfied that reason, and not rashness, had induced the
act.  I therefore determined, that I might examine the question
coolly, to wait a week longer, and die on the fourth of July.  In
the meantime I revolved in my mind what possible means there were of
escape, not fearing, naked and chained, to rush and expire on the
bayonets of my enemies.

The next day I observed, as the four doors were opened, that they
were only of wood, therefore questioned whether I might not even cut
off the locks with the knife that I had so fortunately concealed:
and should this and every other means fail, then would be the time
to die.  I likewise determined to make an attempt to free myself of
my chains.  I happily forced my right hand through the handcuff,
though the blood trickled from my nails.  My attempts on the left
were long ineffectual; but by rubbing with a brick, which I got from
my seat, on the rivet that had been negligently closed, I effected
this also.

The chain was fastened to the run round my body by a hook, one end
of which was not inserted in the rim; therefore, by setting my foot
against the wall, I had strength enough so far to bend this hook
back, and open it, as to force out the link of the chain.  The
remaining difficulty was the chain that attached my foot to the
wall:  the links of this I took, doubled, twisted, and wrenched,
till at length, nature having bestowed on me great strength, I made
a desperate effort, sprang forcibly up, and two links at once flew
off.

Fortunate, indeed, did I think myself:  I hastened to the door,
groped in the dark to find the clinkings of the nails by which the
lock was fastened, and discovered no very large piece of wood need
be cut.  Immediately I went to work with my knife, and cut through
the oak door to find its thickness, which proved to be only one
inch, therefore it was possible to open all the four doors in four-
and-twenty hours.

Again hope revived in my heart.  To prevent detection I hastened to
put on my chains; but, O God! what difficulties had I to surmount!
After much groping about, I at length found the link that had flown
off; this I hid:  it being my good fortune hitherto to escape
examination, as the possibility of ridding myself of such chains was
in nowise suspected.  The separated iron links I tied together with
my hair ribbon; but when I again endeavoured to force my hand into
the ring, it was so swelled that every effort was fruitless.  The
whole might was employed upon the rivet, but all labour was in vain.

Noon was the hour of visitation, and necessity and danger again
obliged me to attempt forcing my hand in, which at length, after
excruciating torture, I effected.  My visitors came, and everything
had the appearance of order.  I found it, however, impossible to
force out my right hand while it continued swelled.

I therefore remained quiet till the day fixed, and on the determined
fourth of July, immediately as my visitors had closed the doors upon
me, I disencumbered myself of my irons, took my knife, and began my
Herculean labour on the door.  The first of the double doors that
opened inwards was conquered in less than an hour; the other was a
very different task.  The lock was soon cut round, but it opened
outwards; there was therefore no other means left but to cut the
whole door away above the bar.

Incessant and incredible labour made this possible, though it was
the more difficult as everything was to be done by feeling, I being
totally in the dark; the sweat dropped, or rather flowed, from my
body; my fingers were clotted in my own blood, and my lacerated
hands were one continued wound.

Daylight appeared:  I clambered over the door that was half cut
away, and got up to the window in the space or cell that was between
the double doors, as before described.  Here I saw my dungeon was in
the ditch of the first rampart:  before me I beheld the road from
the rampart, the guard but fifty paces distant, and the high
palisades that were in the ditch, and must be scaled before I could
reach the rampart.  Hope grew stronger; my efforts were redoubled.
The first of the next double doors was attacked, which likewise
opened inward, and was soon conquered.  The sun set before I had
ended this, and the fourth was to be cut away as the second had
been.  My strength failed; both my hands were raw; I rested awhile,
began again, and had made a cut of a foot long, when my knife
snapped, and the broken blade dropped to the ground!

God of Omnipotence! what was I at this moment?  Was there, God of
Mercies! was there ever creature of Thine more justified than I in
despair?  The moon shone very clear; I cast a wild and distracted
look up to heaven, fell on my knees, and in the agony of my soul
sought comfort:  but no comfort could be found; nor religion nor
philosophy had any to give.  I cursed not Providence, I feared not
annihilation, I dared not Almighty vengeance; God the Creator was
the disposer of my fate; and if He heaped afflictions upon me He had
not given me strength to support, His justice would not therefore
punish me.  To Him, the Judge of the quick and dead, I committed my
soul, seized the broken knife, gashed through the veins of my left
arm and foot, sat myself tranquilly down, and saw the blood flow.
Nature, overpowered fainted, and I know not how long I remained,
slumbering, in this state.  Suddenly I heard my own name, awoke, and
again heard the words, "Baron Trenck!"  My answer was, "Who calls?"
And who indeed was it--who but my honest grenadier Gelfhardt--my
former faithful friend in the citadel!  The good, the kind fellow
had got upon the rampart, that he might comfort me.

"How do you do?" said Gelfhardt.  "Weltering in my blood," answered
I; "to-morrow you will find me dead."--"Why should you die?" replied
he.  "It is much easier for you to escape here than from the
citadel!  Here is no sentinel, and I shall soon find means to
provide you with tools; if you can only break out, leave the rest to
me.  As often as I am on guard, I will seek opportunity to speak to
you.  In the whole Star-Fort, there are but two sentinels:  the one
at the entrance, and the other at the guard-house.  Do not despair;
God will succour you; trust to me."  The good man's kindness and
discourse revived my hopes:  I saw the possibility of an escape.  A
secret joy diffused itself through my soul.  I immediately tore my
shirt, bound up my wounds, and waited the approach of day; and the
sun soon after shone through the window, to me, with unaccustomed
brightness.

Let the reader judge how far it was chance, or the effect of Divine
providence, that in this dreadful hour my heart again received hope.
Who was it sent the honest Gelfhardt, at such a moment, to my
prison?  For, had it not been for him, I had certainly, when I awoke
from my slumbers, cut more effectually through my arteries.

Till noon I had time to consider what might further be done:  yet
what could be done, what expected, but that I should now be much
more cruelly treated, and even more insupportably ironed than
before--finding, as they must, the doors cut through and my fetters
shaken off?

After mature consideration, I therefore made the following
resolution, which succeeded happily, and even beyond my hopes.
Before I proceed, however, I will speak a few words concerning my
situation at this moment.  It is impossible to describe how much I
was exhausted.  The prison swam with blood; and certainly but little
was left in my body.  With painful wounds, swelled and torn hands, I
there stood shirtless, felt an inclination to sleep almost
irresistible, and scarcely had strength to keep my legs, yet was I
obliged to rouse myself, that I might execute my plan.

With the bar that separated my hands, I loosened the bricks of my
seat, which, being newly laid, was easily done, and heaped them up
in the middle of my prison.  The inner door was quite open, and with
my chains I so barricaded the upper half of the second as to prevent
any one climbing over it.  When noon came and the first of the doors
was unlocked, all were astonished to find the second open.  There I
stood, besmeared with blood, the picture of horror, with a brick in
one hand, and in the other my broken knife, crying, as they
approached, "Keep off, Mr. Major, keep off!  Tell the governor I
will live no longer in chains, and that here I stand, if so he
pleases, to be shot; for so only will I be conquered.  Here no man
shall enter--I will destroy all that approach; here are my weapons;
lucre will I die in despite of tyranny."  The major was terrified,
wanted resolution, and made his report to the governor.  I meantime
sat down on my bricks, to wait what might happen:  my secret intent,
however, was not so desperate as it appeared.  I sought only to
obtain a favourable capitulation.

The governor, General Borck, presently came, attended by the town-
major and some officers, and entered the outward cell, but sprang
back the moment he beheld a figure like me, standing with a brick
and uplifted arm.  I repeated what I had told the major, and he
immediately ordered six grenadiers to force the door.  The front
cell was scarcely six feet broad, so that no more than two at a time
could attack my intrenchment, and when they saw my threatening
bricks ready to descend, they leaped terrified back.  A short pause
ensued, and the old town-major, with the chaplain, advanced towards
the door to soothe me:  the conversation continued some time:  whose
reasons were most satisfactory, and whose cause was the most just, I
leave to the reader.  The governor grew angry, and ordered a fresh
attack.  The first grenadier was knocked down, and the rest ran back
to avoid my missiles.

The town-major again began a parley.  "For God's sake, my dear
Trenck," said he, "in what have I injured you, that you endeavour to
effect my ruin?  I must answer for your having, through my
negligence, concealed a knife.  Be persuaded, I entreat you.  Be
appeased.  You are not without hope, nor without friends."  My
answer was--"But will you not load me with heavier irons than
before?"

He went out, spoke with the governor, and gave me his word of honour
that the affair should be no further noticed, and that everything
should be exactly reinstated as formerly.

Here ended the capitulation, and my wretched citadel was taken.  The
condition I was in was viewed with pity; my wounds were examined, a
surgeon sent to dress them, another shirt was given me, and the
bricks, clotted with blood, removed.  I, meantime, lay half dead on
my mattress; my thirst was excessive.  The surgeon ordered me some
wine.  Two sentinels were stationed in the front cell, and I was
thus left four days in peace, unironed.  Broth also was given me
daily, and how delicious this was to taste, how much it revived and
strengthened me, is wholly impossible to describe.  Two days I lay
in a slumbering kind of trance, forced by unquenchable thirst to
drink whenever I awoke.  My feet and hands were swelled; the pains
in my back and limbs were excessive.

On the fifth day the doors were ready; the inner was entirely plated
with iron, and I was fettered as before:  perhaps they found further
cruelty unnecessary.  The principal chain, however, which fastened
me to the wall, like that I had before broken, was thicker than the
first.  Except this, the capitulation was strictly kept.  They
deeply regretted that, without the King's express commands, they
could not lighten my afflictions, wished me fortitude and patience,
and barred up my doors.

It is necessary I should here describe my dress.  My hands being
fixed and kept asunder by an iron bar, and my feet chained to the
wall, I could neither put on shirt nor stockings in the usual mode;
the shirt was therefore tied, and changed once a fortnight; the
coarse ammunition stockings were buttoned on the sides; a blue
garment, of soldier's cloth, was likewise tied round me, and I had a
pair of slippers for my feet.  The shirt was of the army linen; and
when I contemplated myself in this dress of a malefactor, chained
thus to the wall in such a dungeon, vainly imploring mercy or
justice, my conscience void of reproach, my heart of guilt--when I
reflected on my former splendour in Berlin and Moscow, and compared
it with this sad, this dreadful reverse of destiny, I was sunk in
grief, or roused to indignation, that might have hurried the
greatest hero or philosopher to madness or despair.  I felt what can
only be imagined by him who has suffered like me, after having like
me flourished, if such can be found.

Pride, the justness of my cause, the unbounded confidence I had in
my own resolution, and the labours of an inventive head and iron
body--these only could have preserved my life.  These bodily
labours, these continued inventions, and projected plans to obtain
my freedom, preserved my health.  Who would suppose that a man
fettered as I was could find means of exercising himself?  By
swinging my arms, acting with the upper part of my body, and leaping
upwards, I frequently put myself in a strong perspiration.  After
thus wearying myself I slept soundly, and often thought how many
generals, obliged to support the inclemencies of weather, and all
the dangers of the field--how many of those who had plunged me into
this den of misery, would have been most glad could they, like me,
have slept with a quiet conscience.  Often did I reflect how much
happier I was than those tortured on the bed of sickness by gout,
stone, and other terrible diseases.  How much happier was I in
innocence than the malefactor doomed to suffer the pangs of death,
the ignominy of men, and the horrors of internal guilt!



CHAPTER II.



In the following part of my history it will appear I often had much
money concealed under the ground and in the walls of my den, yet
would I have given a hundred ducats for a morsel of bread, it could
not have been procured.  Money was to me useless.  In this I
resembled the miser, who hoards, yet hives in wretchedness, having
no joy in gentle acts of benevolence.  As proudly might I delight
myself with my hidden treasure as such misers; nay, more, for I was
secure from robbers.

Had fastidious pomp been my pleasure, I might have imagined myself
some old field-marshal bedridden, who hears two grenadier sentinels
at his door call, "Who goes there?" My honour, indeed, was still
greater; for, during my last year's imprisonment, my door was
guarded by no less than four.  My vanity also might have been
flattered:  I might hence conclude how high was the value set upon
my head, since all this trouble was taken to hold me in security.
Certain it is that in my chains I thought more rationally, more
nobly, reasoned more philosophically on man, his nature, his zeal,
his imaginary wants, the effects of his ambition, his passions, and
saw more distinctly his dream of earthly good, than those who had
imprisoned, or those who guarded me.  I was void of the fears that
haunt the parasite who servilely wears the fetters of a court, and
daily trembles for the loss of what vice and cunning have acquired.
Those who had usurped the Sclavonian estates, and feasted
sumptuously from the service of plate I had been robbed of, never
ate their dainties with so sweet an appetite as I my ammunition
bread, nor did their high-flavoured wines flow so limpid as my cold
water.

Thus, the man who thinks, being pure of heart, will find consolation
when under the most dreadful calamities, convinced, as he must be,
that those apparently most are frequently least happy, insensible as
they are of the pleasures they might enjoy.  Evil is never so great
as it appears.


"Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head."
As you LIKE IT.


Happy he who, like me, having suffered, can become an example to his
suffering brethren!

YOUTH, prosperous, and imagining eternal prosperity, read my history
attentively, though I should be in my grave!  Read feelingly, and
bless my sleeping dust, if it has taught thee wisdom or fortitude!

FATHER, reading this, say to thy children, I felt thus like them, in
blooming youth, little prophesied of misfortune, which after fell so
heavy on me, and by which I am even still persecuted!  Say that I
had virtue, ambition, was educated in noble principles; that I
laboured with all the zeal of enthusiastic youth to become wiser,
better, greater than other men; that I was guilty of no crimes, was
the friend of men, was no deceiver of man or woman; that I first
served my own country faithfully, and after, every other in which I
found bread; that I was never, during life, once intoxicated; was no
gamester, no night rambler, no contemptible idler; that yet, through
envy and arbitrary power, I have fallen to misery such as none but
the worst of criminals ought to feel.

BROTHER, fly those countries where the lawgiver himself knows no
law, where truth and virtue are punished as crimes; and, if fly you
cannot, be it your endeavour to remain unknown, unnoticed; in such
countries, seek not favour or honourable employ, else will you
become, when your merits are known, as I have been, the victim of
slander and treachery:  the behests of power will persecute you, and
innocence will not shield you from the shafts of wicked men who are
envious, or who wish to obtain the favour of princes, though by the
worst of means.

SIRE, imagine not that thou readest a romance.  My head is grey,
like thine.  Read, yet despise not the world, though it has treated
me thus unthankfully.  Good men have I also found, who have
befriended me in misfortunes, and there, where I had least claim,
have I found them most.  May my book assist thee in noble thoughts;
mayest thou die as tranquilly as I shall render up my soul to appear
before the Judge of me and my persecutors.  Be death but thought a
transition from motion to rest.  Few are the delights of this world
for him who, like me, has learned to know it.  Murmur not, despair
not of Providence.  Me, through storms, it has brought to haven;
through many griefs to self-knowledge; and through prisons to
philosophy.  He only can tranquilly descend to annihilation who
finds reason not to repent he has once existed.  My rudder broke not
amid the rocks and quicksands, but my bark was cast upon the strand
of knowledge.  Yet, even on these clear shores are impenetrable
clouds.  I have seen more distinctly than it is supposed men ought
to see.  Age will decay the faculties, and mental, like bodily
sight, must then decrease.  I even grew weary of science, and envied
the blind-born, or those who, till death, have been wilfully
hoodwinked.  How often have I been asked, "What didst thou see?"
And when I answered with sincerity and truth, how often have I been
derided as a liar, and been persecuted by those who determined not
to see themselves, as an innovator singular and rash!

Sire, I further say to thee, teach thy descendants to seek the
golden mean, and say with Gellert--"The boy Fritz needs nothing;--
his stupidity will insure his success, Examine our wealthy and
titled lords, what are their abilities and honours, then inquire how
they were attained, and, if thou canst, discover in what true
happiness consists."

Once more to my prison.  The failure of my escape, and the recovery
of life from this state of despair, led me to moralise deeper than I
had ever done before; and in this depth of thought I found
unexpected consolation and fortitude, and a firm persuasion I yet
should accomplish my deliverance.

Gelfhardt, my honest grenadier, had infused fresh hope, and my mind
now busily began to meditate new plans.  A sentinel was placed
before my door, that I might be more narrowly watched, and the
married men of the Prussian states were appointed to this duty, who,
as I will hereafter show, were more easy to persuade in aiding my
flight than foreign fugitives.  The Pomeranian will listen, and is
by nature kind, therefore may easily be moved, and induced to
succour distress.

I began to be more accustomed to my irons, which I had before found
so insupportable; I could comb out my long hair, and could tie it at
last with one hand.  My beard, which had so long remained unshaven,
gave me a grim appearance, and I began to pluck it up by the roots.
The pain at first was considerable, especially about the lips; but
this also custom conquered, and I performed this operation in the
following years, once in six weeks, or two months, as the hair thus
plucked up required that length of time before the nails could again
get hold.  Vermin did not molest me; the dampness of my den was
inimical to them.  My limbs never swelled, because of the exercise I
gave myself, as before described.  The greatest pain I found was in
the continued unvivifying dimness in which I lived.

I had read much, had lived in, and seen much of the world.  Vacuity
of thought, therefore, I was little troubled with; the former
transactions of my life, and the remembrance of the persons I had
known, I revolved so often in my mind, that they became as familiar
and connected as if the events had each been written in the order it
occurred.  Habit made this mental exercise so perfect to me, that I
could compose speeches, fables, odes, satires, all of which I
repeated aloud, and had so stored my memory with them that I was
enabled, after I had obtained my freedom, to commit to writing two
volumes of my prison labours.  Accustomed to this exercise, days
that would otherwise have been days of misery appeared but as a
moment.  The following narrative will show how munch esteem, how
many friends, these compositions procured me, even in my dungeon;
insomuch that I obtained light, paper, and finally freedom itself.
For these I have to thank the industrious acquirements of my youth;
therefore do I counsel all my readers so to employ their time.
Riches, honours, the favours of fortune, may be showered by monarchs
upon the most worthless; but monarchs can give and take, say and
unsay, raise and pull down.  Monarchs, however, can neither give
wisdom nor virtue.  Arbitrary power itself, in the presence of
these, is foiled.

How wisely has Providence ordained that the endowments of industry,
learning, and science, given by ourselves, cannot be taken from us;
while, on the contrary, what others bestow is a fantastical dream,
from which any accident may awaken us!  The wrath of Frederic could
destroy legions, and defeat armies; but it could not take from me
the sense of honour, of innocence, and their sweet concomitant,
peace of mind--could not deprive me of fortitude and magnanimity.  I
defied his power, rested on the justice of my cause, found in myself
expedients wherewith to oppose him, was at length crowned with
conquest, and came forth to the world the martyr of suffering
virtue.

Some of my oppressors now rot in dishonourable graves.  Others,
alas! in Vienna, remain immured in houses of correction, as Krugel
and Zeto, or beg their bread, like Gravenitz and Doo.  Nor are the
wealthy possessors of my estates more fortunate, but look down with
shame wherever I and my children appear.  We stand erect, esteemed,
and honoured, while their injustice is manifest to the whole world.

Young man, be industrious:  for without industry can none of the
treasures I have described be purchased.  Thy labour will reward
itself; then, when assaulted by misfortune, or even misery, learn of
me and smile; or, shouldst thou escape such trials, still labour to
acquire wisdom, that in old age thou mayest find content and
happiness.

The years in my dungeon passed away as days, those moments excepted
when, thinking on the great world, and the deeds of great men, my
ambition was roused:  except when, contemplating the vileness of my
chains, and the wretchedness of my situation, I laboured for
liberty, and found my labours endless and ineffectual; except while
I remembered the triumph of my enemies, and the splendour in which
those lived by whom I had been plundered.  Then, indeed, did I
experience intervals that approached madness, despair, and horror:
beholding myself destitute of friend or protector, the Empress
herself, for whose sake I suffered, deserting me; reflecting on past
times and past prosperity; remembering how the good and virtuous,
from the cruel nature of my punishment, must be obliged to conclude
me a wretch and a villain, and that all means of justification were
cut off:  O God!  How did my heart beat! with what violence!  What
would I not have undertaken, in these suffering moments, to have put
my enemies to shame!  Vengeance and rage then rose rebellious
against patience; long-suffering philosophy vanished, and the
poisoned cup of Socrates would have been the nectar of the gods.

Man deprived of hope is man destroyed.  I found but little
probability in all my plans and projects; yet did I trust that some
of them should succeed, yet did I confide in them and my honest
Gelfhardt, and that I should still free myself from my chains.

The greatest of all my incitements to patient endurance was love.  I
had left behind me, in Vienna, a lady for whom the world still was
dear to me; her would I neither desert nor afflict.  To her and my
sister was my existence still necessary.  For their sakes, who had
lost and suffered so much for mine, would I preserve my life; for
them no difficulty, no suffering was too great; yet, alas! when
long-desired liberty was restored, I found them both in their
graves.  The joy, for which I had borne so much, was no more to be
tasted.

About three weeks after my attempt to escape, the good Gelfhardt
first came to stand sentinel over me; and the sentinel they had so
carefully set was indeed the only hope I could have of escape; for
help must be had from without, or this was impossible.

The effort I had made had excited too munch surprise and alarm for
me to pass without strict examination; since, on the ninth day after
I was confined, I had, in eighteen hours, so far broken through a
prison built purposely for myself, by a combination of so many
projectors, and with such extreme precaution, that it had been
universally declared impenetrable.

Gelfhardt scarcely had taken his post before we had free opportunity
of conversing together; for, when I stood with one foot on my
bedstead, I could reach the aperture through which light was
admitted.

Gelfhardt described the situation of my dungeon, and our first plan
was to break under the foundation which he had seen laid, and which
he affirmed to be only two feet deep.

Money was the first thing necessary.  Gelfhardt was relieved during
his guard, and returned bringing within him a sheet of paper rolled
on a wire, which he passed through my grating; as he also did a
piece of small wax candle, some burning amadone (a kind of tinder),
a match, and a pen.  I now had light, and I pricked my finger, and
wrote with my blood to my faithful friend, Captain Ruckhardt, at
Vienna, described my situation in a few words, sent him an
acquittance for three thousand florins on my revenues, and requested
he would dispose of a thousand florins to defray the expenses of his
journey to Gummern, only two miles from Magdeburg.  Here he was
positively to be on the 15th of August.  About noon, on this same
day, he was to walk with a letter in his hand; and a man was there
to meet him, carrying a roll of smoking tobacco, to whom he must
remit the two thousand florins, and return to Vienna.

I returned the written paper to Gelfhardt by the same means it had
been received, gave him my instructions, and he sent his wife with
it to Gummern, by whom it was safely put in the post.

My hopes daily rose, and as often as Gelfhardt mounted guard, so
often did we continue our projects.  The 15th of August came, but it
was some days before Gelfhardt was again on guard; and oh! how did
my heart palpitate when he came and exclaimed, "All is right! we
have succeeded."  He returned in the evening, and we began to
consider by what means he could convey the money to me.  I could
not, with my hands chained to an iron bar, reach the aperture of the
window that admitted air--besides that it was too small.  It was
therefore agreed that Gelfhardt should, on the next guard, perform
the office of cleaning my dungeon, and that he then should convey
the money to me in the water-jug.

This luckily was done.  How great was my astonishment when, instead
of one, I found two thousand florins!  For I had permitted him to
reserve half to himself, as a reward for his fidelity; he, however,
had kept but five pistoles, which he persisted was enough.

Worthy Gelfhardt!  This was the act of a Pomeranian grenadier!  How
rare are such examples!  Be thy name and mine ever united!  Live
thou while the memory of me shall live!  Never did my acquaintance
with the great bring to my knowledge a soul so noble, so
disinterested!

It is true, I afterwards prevailed on him to accept the whole
thousand; but we shall soon see he never had them, and that his
foolish wife, three years after, suffered by their means; however,
she suffered alone, for he soon marched to the field, and therefore
was unpunished.

Having money to carry on my designs, I began to put my plan of
burrowing under the foundation into execution.  The first thing
necessary was to free myself from my fetters.  To accomplish this,
Gelfhardt supplied me with two small files, and by the aid of these,
this labour, though great, was effected.

The cap, or staple, of the foot ring was made so wide that I could
draw it forward a quarter of an inch.  I filed the iron which passed
through it on the inside; the more I filed this away, the farther I
could draw the cap down, till at last the whole inside iron, through
which the chains passed, was cut quite through! by this means I
could slip off the ring, while the cap on the outside continued
whole, and it was impossible to discover any cut, as only the
outside could be examined.  My hands, by continued efforts, I so
compressed as to be able to draw them out of the handcuffs.  I then
filed the hinge, and made a screw-driver of one of the foot-long
flooring nails, by which I could take out the screw at pleasure, so
that at the time of examination no proofs could appear.  The rim
round my body was but a small impediment, except the chain, which
passed from my hand-bar:  and this I removed, by filing an aperture
in one of the links, which, at the necessary hour, I closed with
bread, rubbed over with rusty-iron, first drying it by the heat of
my body; and would wager any sum that, without striking the chain
link by link, with a hammer, no one not in the secret would have
discovered the fracture.

The window was never strictly examined; I therefore drew the two
staples by which the iron bars were fixed to the wall, and which I
daily replaced, carefully plastering them over.  I procured wire
from Gelfhardt, and tried how well I could imitate the inner
grating:  finding I succeeded tolerably, I cut the real grating
totally away, and substituted an artificial one of my own
fabricating, by which I obtained a free communication with the
outside, additional fresh air, together with all necessary
implements, tinder, and candles.

That the light might not be seen, I hung the coverlid of my bed
before the window, so that I could work fearless and undetected.

Every thing prepared, I went to work.  The floor of my dungeon was
not of stone, but oak plank, three inches thick; three beds of which
were laid crossways, and were fastened to each other by nails half
an inch in diameter, and a foot long.  Raving worked round the head
of a nail, I made use of the hole at the end of the bar, which
separated my hands, to draw it out, and this nail, sharpened upon my
tombstone, made an excellent chisel.

I now cut through the board more than an inch in width, that I might
work downwards, and having drawn away a piece of board which was
inserted two inches under the wall, I cut this so as exactly to fit;
the small crevice it occasioned I stopped up with bread and strewed
over with dust, so as to prevent all suspicious appearance.  My
labour under this was continued with less precaution, and I had soon
worked through my nine-inch planks.  Under them I came to a fine
white sand, on which the Star Fort was built.  My chips I carefully
distributed beneath the boards.  If I had not help from without, I
could proceed no farther; for to dig were useless, unless I could
rid myself of my rubbish.  Gelfhardt supplied me with some ells of
cloth, of which I made long narrow bags, stuffed them with earth,
and passed them between the iron bars, to Gelfhardt, who, as he was
on guard, scattered or conveyed away their contents.

Furnished with room to secrete them under the floor, I obtained more
instruments, together with a pair of pistols, powder, ball, and a
bayonet.

I now discovered that the foundation of my prison, instead of two,
was sunken four feet deep.  Time, labour, and patience were all
necessary to break out unheard and undiscovered; but few things are
impossible, where resolution is not wanting.

The hole I made was obliged to be four feet deep, corresponding with
the foundation, and wide enough to kneel and stoop in:  the lying
down on the floor to work, the continual stooping to throw out the
earth, the narrow space in which all must be performed, these made
the labour incredible:  and, after this daily labour, all things
were to be replaced, and my chains again resumed, which alone
required some hours to effect.  My greatest aid was in the wax
candles, and light I had procured; but as Gelfhardt stood sentinel
only once a fortnight, my work was much delayed; the sentinels were
forbidden to speak to me under pain of death:  and I was too fearful
of being betrayed to dare to seek new assistance.

Being without a stove, I suffered much this winter from cold; yet my
heart was cheerful as I saw the probability of freedom; and all were
astonished to find me in such good spirits.

Gelfhardt also brought me supplies of provisions, chiefly consisting
of sausages and salt meats, ready dressed, which increased my
strength, and when I was not digging, I wrote satires and verses:
thus time was employed, and I contented even in prison.

Lulled into security, an accident happened that will appear almost
incredible, and by which every hope was nearly frustrated.

Gelfhardt had been working with me, and was relieved in the morning.
As I was replacing the window, which I was obliged to remove on
these occasions, it fell out of my hand, and three of the glass
panes were broken.  Gelfhardt was not to return till guard was again
relieved:  I had therefore no opportunity of speaking with him, or
concerting any mode of repair.  I remained nearly an hour
conjecturing and hesitating; for certainly had the broken window
been seen, as it was impossible I should reach it when fettered, I
should immediately have been more rigidly examined, and the false
grating must have been discovered.

I therefore came to a resolution, and spoke to the sentinel (who was
amusing himself with whistling), thus:  "My good fellow, have pity,
not upon me, but upon your comrades, who, should you refuse, will
certainly be executed:  I will throw you thirty pistoles through the
window, if you will do me a small favour."  He remained some moments
silent, and at last answered in a low voice, "What, have you money,
then?"--I immediately counted thirty pistoles, and threw them
through the window.  He asked what he was to do:  I told him my
difficulty, and gave him the size of the panes in paper.  The man
fortunately was bold and prudent.  The door of the pallisadoes,
through the negligence of the officer, had not been shut that day:
he prevailed on one of his comrades to stand sentinel for him,
during half an hour, while he meantime ran into the town, and
procured the glass, on the receipt of which I instantly threw him
out ten more pistoles.  Before the hour of noon and visitation came,
everything was once more reinstated, my glaziery performed to a
miracle, and the life of my worthy Gelfhardt preserved!--Such is the
power of money in this world!  This is a very remarkable incident,
for I never spoke after to the man who did me this signal service.

Gelfhardt's alarm may easily be imagined; he some days after
returned to his post, and was the more astonished as he knew the
sentinel who had done me this good office; that he had five
children, and a man most to be depended on by his officers, of any
one in the whole grenadier company.

I now continued my labour, and found it very possible to break out
under the foundation; but Gelfhardt had been so terrified by the
late accident, that he started a thousand difficulties, in
proportion as my end was more nearly accomplished; and at the moment
when I wished to concert with him the means of flight, he persisted
it was necessary to find additional help, to escape in safety, and
not bring both him and myself to destruction.  At length we came to
the following determination, which, however, after eight months'
incessant labour, rendered my whole project abortive.

I wrote once more to Ruckhardt, at Vienna; sent him a new assignment
for money, and desired he would again repair to Gummern, where he
should wait six several nights, with two spare horses, on the glacis
of Klosterbergen, at the time appointed, everything being prepared
for flight.  Within these six days Gelfhardt would have found means,
either in rotation, or by exchanging the guard, to have been with
me.  Alas! the sweet hope of again beholding the face of the sun, of
once more obtaining my freedom, endured but three days:  Providence
thought proper otherwise to ordain.  Gelfhardt sent his wife to
Gummern with the letter, and this silly woman told the post-master
her husband had a lawsuit at Vienna, that therefore she begged he
would take particular care of the letter, for which purpose she
slipped ten rix-dollars into his hand.

This unexpected liberality raised the suspicions of the Saxon post-
master, who therefore opened the letter, read the contents, and
instead of sending it to Vienna, or at least to the general post-
master at Dresden, he preferred the traitorous act of taking it
himself to the governor of Magdeburg, who then, as at present, was
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick.

What were my terrors, what my despair, when I beheld the Prince
himself, about three o'clock in the afternoon, enter my prison with
his attendants, present my letter, and ask, in an authoritative
voice, who had carried it to Gummern.  My answer was, "I know not."
Strict search was immediately made by smiths, carpenters, and
masons, and after half an hour's examination, they discovered
neither my hole nor the manner in which I disencumbered myself of my
chains; they only saw that the middle grating, in the aperture where
the light was admitted, had been removed.  This was boarded up the
next day, only a small air-hole left, of about six inches diameter.

The Prince began to threaten; I persisted I had never seen the
sentinel who had rendered me this service, nor asked his name.
Seeing his attempts all ineffectual, the governor, in a milder tone,
said, "You have ever complained, Baron Trenck, of not having been
legally sentenced, or heard in your own defence; I give you my word
of honour, this you shall be, and also that you shall be released
from your fetters, if you will only tell me who took your letter."
To this I replied, with all the fortitude of innocence, "Everybody
knows, my lord, I have never deserved the treatment I have met with
in my country.  My heart is irreproachable.  I seek to recover my
liberty by every means in my power:  but were I capable of betraying
the man whose compassion has induced him to succour my distress;
were I the coward that could purchase happiness at his expense, I
then should, indeed, deserve to wear those chains with which I am
loaded.  For myself, do with me what you please:  yet remember I am
not wholly destitute:  I am still a captain in the Imperial service,
and a descendant of the house of Trenck."

Prince Ferdinand stood for a moment unable to answer; then renewed
his threats, and left my dungeon.  I have since been told that, when
he was out of hearing, he said to those around him, "I pity his hard
fate, and cannot but admire his strength of mind!"

I must here remark that, when we remember the usual circumspection
of this great man, we are obliged to wonder at his imprudence in
holding a conversation of such a kind with me, which lasted a
considerable time, in the presence of the guard.  The soldiers of
the whole garrison had afterwards the utmost confidence, as they
were convinced I would not meanly devote others to destruction, that
I might benefit myself.  This was the way to gain me esteem and
intercourse among the men, especially as the Duke had said he knew I
must have money concealed, for that I had distributed some to the
sentinels.

He had scarcely been gone an hour, before I heard a noise near my
prison.  I listened--what could it be?  I heard talking, and learned
a grenadier had hanged himself to the pallisadoes of my prison.

The officer of the town-guard, and the town-major again entered my
dungeon to fetch a lanthorn they had forgotten, and the officer at
going out, told me in a whisper, "One of your associates has just
hanged himself."

It was impossible to imagine my terror or sensations; I believed it
could be only my kind, my honest Gelfhardt.  After many gloomy
thoughts, and lamenting the unhappy end of so worthy a fellow, I
began to recollect what the Prince had promised me, if I would
discover the accomplice.  I knocked at the door, and desired to
speak to the officer; he came to the window and asked me what I
wanted; I requested he would inform the governor that if he would
send me light, pen, ink, and paper, I would discover my whole
secret.

These were accordingly sent, an hour's time was granted; the door
was shut, and I was left alone.  I sat myself down, began to write
on my night-table, and was about to insert the name of Gelfhardt,
but my blood thrilled, and shrank back to my heart.  I shuddered,
rose, went to the aperture of the window and called, "Is there no
man who in compassion will tell me the name of him who has hanged
himself, that I may deliver many others from destruction?"  The
window was not nailed up till the next day; I therefore wrapped five
pistoles in a paper, threw them out, called to the sentinel, and
said, "Friend, take these, and save thy comrades; or go and betray
me, and bring down innocent blood upon thy head!"

The paper was taken up; a pause of silence ensued:  I heard sighs,
and presently after a low voice said, "his name is Schutz; he
belonged to the company of Ripps."  I had never heard the name
before, or known the man, but I however immediately wrote SCHUTZ,
instead of Gelfhardt.  Having finished the letter I called the
lieutenant, who took that and the light away, and again barred up
the door of my dungeon.  The Duke, however, suspected there must be
some evasion, and everything remained in the same state:  I obtained
neither hearing nor court-martial.  I learned, in the sequel, the
following circumstances, which will display the truth of this
apparently incredible story.

While I was imprisoned in the citadel, a sentinel came to the post
under my window, cursed and blasphemed, exclaiming aloud against the
Prussian service, and saying, if Trenck only knew my mind, he would
not long continue in his hole!  I entered into discourse with him,
and he told me, if I could give him money to purchase a boat, in
which he might cross the Elbe, he would soon make my doors fly open,
and set me free.

Money at that time I had none; but I gave him a diamond shirt-
buckle, worth five hundred ferns, which I had concealed.  I never
heard more from this man; he spoke to me no more.  He often stood
sentinel over me, which I knew by his Westphalian dialect, and I as
often addressed myself to him, but ineffectually; he would make no
answer.

This Schutz must have sold my buckle, and let his riches be seen;
for, when the Duke left me, the lieutenant on guard said to him--
"You must certainly be the rascal who carried Trenck's letter; you
have, for some time past, spent much money, and we have seen you
with louis-d'ors.  How came you by them?"  Schutz was terrified, his
conscience accused him, he imagined I should betray him, knowing he
had deceived me.  He, therefore, in the first agonies of despair,
came to the pallisadoes, and hung himself before the door of my
dungeon.



CHAPTER III.



How wonderful is the hand of Providence!  The wicked man fell a
sacrifice to his crime, after having escaped a whole year, and the
faithful, the benevolent-hearted Gelfhardt was thereby saved.

The sentinels were now doubled, that any intercourse with them might
be rendered more difficult.  Gelfhardt again stood guard, but he had
scarcely opportunity, without danger, to speak a few words:  he
thanked me for having preserved him, wished me better fortune, and
told me the garrison, in a few days, would take the field.

This was dreadful news:  my whole plan was destroyed at a breath.
I, however, soon recovered fresh hopes.  The hole I had sunken was
not discovered:  I had five hundred florins, candles, and
implements.

The seven years' war broke out about a week after, and the regiment
took the field.  Major Weyner came, for the last time, and committed
me to the care of the new major of the militia, Bruckhausen, who was
one of the most surly and stupid of men.  I shall often have
occasion to mention this man.

All the majors and lieutenants of the guard, who had treated me with
compassion and esteem, now departed, and I became an old prisoner in
a new world.  I acquired greater confidence, however, by remembering
that both officers and men in the militia were much easier to gain
over than in the regulars; the truth of which opinion was soon
confirmed.

Four lieutenants were appointed, with their men, to mount guard at
the Star Fort in turn, and before a year had passed, three of them
were in my interest.

The regiments had scarcely taken the field ere the new governor,
General Borck, entered my prison, like what he was, an imperious,
cruel tyrant.  The King, in giving him the command, had informed him
he must answer for my person with his head:  he therefore had full
power to treat me with whatever severity he pleased.

Borck was a stupid man, of an unfeeling heart, the slave of despotic
orders; and as often as he thought it possible I might rid myself of
my fetters and escape, his heart palpitated with fear.  In addition
to this, he considered me as the vilest of men and traitors, seeing
his King had condemned me to imprisonment so cruel, and his
barbarity towards me was thus the effect of character and meanness
of soul.  He entered my dungeon not as an officer, to visit a
brother officer in misery, but as an executioner to a felon.  Smiths
then made their appearance, and a monstrous iron collar, of a hand's
breadth, was put round my neck, and connected with the chains of the
feet by additional heavy links.  My window was walled up, except a
small air-hole.  He even at length took away my bed, gave me no
straw, and quitted me with a thousand revilings on the Empress-
Queen, her whole army, and myself.  In words, however, I was little
in his debt, and he was enraged even to madness.

What my situation was under this additional load of tyranny, and the
command of a man so void of human pity, the reader may imagine.  My
greatest good fortune consisted in the ability I still had to
disencumber myself of all the irons that were connected with the
ankle-rims, and the provision I had of light, paper, and implements;
and though it was apparently impossible I should break out
undiscovered by both sentinels, yet had I the remaining hope of
gaining some officer, by money, who, as in Glatz, should assist my
escape.

Had the commands of the King been literally obeyed escape would have
been wholly impossible; for, by this, all communication would have
been totally cut off with the sentinels.  To this effect the four
keys of the four doors were each to be kept by different persons;
one with the governor, another with the town-major, the third with
the major of the day, and the fourth with the lieutenant of the
guard.  I never could have found opportunity to have spoken with any
one of them singly.  These commands at first were rigidly observed,
with this exception, that the governor made his appearance only
every week.  Magdeburg became so full of prisoners that the town-
major was obliged to deliver up his key to the major of the day, and
the governor's visitations wholly subsided, the citadel being an
English mile and a half distant from the Star Fort.

General Walrabe, who had been a prisoner ever since the year 1746,
was also at the Star Fort, but he had apartments, and three thousand
rix-dollars a year.  The major of the day and officer of the guard
dined with him daily, and generally stayed till evening.  Either
from compassion, or a concurrence of fortunate circumstances, these
gentlemen entrusted the keys to the lieutenant on guard, by which
means I could speak with each of them alone when they made their
visits, and they themselves at length sought these opportunities.
My consequent undertakings I shall relate, with all the arts and
inventions of a wretched prisoner endeavouring to escape.

Borck had selected three majors and four lieutenants for this
service as those he could best trust.  My situation was truly
deplorable.  The enormous iron round my neck pained me, and
prevented motion; and I durst not attempt to disengage myself from
the pendant chains till I had, for some months, carefully observed
the mode of their examination, and which parts they supposed were
perfectly secure.  The cruelty of depriving me of my bed was still
greater:  I was obliged to sit upon the bare ground, and lean with
my head against the damp wall.  The chains that descended from the
neck collar were obliged to be supported first with one band, and
then with the other; for, if thrown behind, they would have
strangled me, and if hanging forward occasioned most excessive
headaches.  The bar between my hands held one down, while leaning on
my elbow; I supported with the other my chains; and this so benumbed
the muscles and prevented circulation, that I could perceive my arms
sensibly waste away.  The little sleep I could have in such a
situation may easily be supposed, and, at length, body and mind sank
under this accumulation of miserable suffering, and I fell ill of a
burning fever.

The tyrant Borck was inexorable; he wished to expedite my death, and
rid himself of his troubles and his terrors.  Here did I experience
what was the lamentable condition of a sick prisoner, without bed,
refreshment, or aid from human being.  Reason, fortitude, heroism,
all the noble qualities of the mind, decay when the corporal
faculties are diseased; and the remembrance of my sufferings, at
this dreadful moment, still agitates, still inflames my blood, so as
almost to prevent an attempt to describe what they were.

Yet hope had not totally forsaken me.  Deliverance seemed possible,
especially should peace ensue; and I sustained, perhaps, what mortal
man never bore, except myself, being, as I was, provided with
pistols, or any such immediate mode of despatch.

I continued ill about two months, and was so reduced at last that I
had scarcely strength to lift the water-jug to my mouth.  What must
the sufferings of that man be who sits two months on the bare ground
in a dungeon so damp, so dark, so horrible, without bed or straw,
his limbs loaded as mine were, with no refreshment but dry
ammunition bread, without so much as a drop of broth, without
physic, without consoling friend, and who, under all these
afflictions, must trust, for his recovery, to the efforts of nature
alone

Sickness itself is sufficient to humble the mightiest mind; what,
then, is sickness, with such an addition of torment?  The burning
fever, the violent headaches, my neck swelled and inflamed with the
irons, enraged me almost to madness.  The fever and the fetters
together flayed my body so that it appeared like one continued
wound--Enough!  Enough!  The malefactor extended living on the
wheel, to whom the cruel executioner refuses the last stroke--the
blow of death--must yet, in some short period, expire:  he suffers
nothing I did not then suffer; and these, my excruciating pangs,
continued two dreadful months--Yet, can it be supposed?  There came
a day!  A day of horror, when these mortal pangs were beyond
imagination increased.  I sat scorched with this intolerable fever,
in which nature and death were contending; and when attempting to
quench my burning entrails with cold water, the jug dropped from my
feeble hands, and broke!  I had four-and-twenty hours to remain
without water.  So intolerable, so devouring was my thirst, I could
have drank human blood!  Ay, in my madness, had it been the blood of
my father!

* * * * * *

Willingly would I have seized my pistols, but strength had forsaken
me, I could not open the place I was obliged to render so secure.

My visitors next day supposed me gone at last.  I lay motionless,
with my tongue out of my mouth.  They poured water down my throat,
and I revived.

Oh, God!  Oh, God!  How pure, how delicious, how exquisite was this
water!  My insatiable thirst soon emptied the jug; they filled it
anew, bade me farewell, hoped death would soon relieve my mortal
sufferings, and departed.

The lamentable state in which I lay at length became the subject of
general conversation, that all the ladies of the town united with
the officers, and prevailed on the tyrant, Borck, to restore me my
bed.

Oh, Nature, what are thy operations?  From the day I drank water in
such excess I gathered strength, and to the astonishment of every
one, soon recovered.  I had moved the heart of the officer who
inspected my prison; and after six months, six cruel months of
intense misery, the day of hope again began to dawn.

One of the majors of the day entrusted his key to Lieutenant
Sonntag, who came alone, spoke in confidence, and related his own
situation, complained of his debts, his poverty, his necessities;
and I made him a present of twenty-five louis-d'ors, for which he
was so grateful that our friendship became unshaken.

The three lieutenants all commiserated me, and would sit hours with
me, when a certain major had the inspection; and he himself, after a
time, would even pass half the day with me.  He, too, was poor:  and
I gave him a draft for three thousand florins; hence new projects
took birth.

Money became necessary; I had disbursed all I possessed, a hundred
florins excepted, among the officers.  The eldest son of Captain K-
, who officiated as major, had been cashiered:  his father
complained to me of his distress, and I sent him to my sister, not
far from Berlin, from whom he received a hundred ducats.  He
returned and related her joy at hearing from me.  He found her
exceedingly ill; and she informed me, in a few lines, that my
misfortunes, and the treachery of Weingarten, had entailed poverty
upon her, and an illness which had endured more than two years.  She
wished me a happy deliverance from my chains, and, in expectation of
death, committed her children to my protection.  She, however, grew
better, and married a second time, Colonel Pape; but died in the
year 1758.  I shall forbear to relate her history:  it indeed does
no honour to the ashes of Frederic, and would but less dispose my
own heart to forgiveness, by reviving the memory of her oppressions
and griefs.

K-n returned happy with the money:  all things were concerted with
the father.  I wrote to the Countess Bestuchef, also to the Grand
Duke, afterwards Peter III., recommended the young soldier, and
entreated every possible succour for myself.

K-n departed through Hamburg, for Petersburg, where, in consequence
of my recommendation, he became a captain, and in a short time
major.  He took his measures so well that I, by the intervention of
his father, and a Hamburg merchant, received two thousand rubles
from the Countess, while the service he rendered me made his own
fortune in Russia.

To old K- , who was as poor as he was honest, I gave three hundred
ducats; and he, till death, continued my grateful friend.  I
distributed nearly as much to the other officers; and matters
proceeded so far that Lieutenant Glotin gave back the keys to the
major without locking my prison, himself passing half the night with
me.  Money was given to the guard to drink; and thus everything
succeeded to my wish, and the tyrant Borck was deceived.  I had a
supply of light; had books, newspapers, and my days passed swiftly
away.  I read, I wrote, I busied myself so thoroughly that I almost
forgot I was a prisoner.  When, indeed, the surly, dull blockhead,
Major Bruckhausen, had the inspection, everything had to be
carefully reinstated.  Major Z- , the second of the three, was also
wholly mine.  He was particularly attached to me; for I had promised
to marry his daughter, and, should I die in prison, to bequeath him
a legacy of ten thousand florins,

Lieutenant Sonntag got false handcuffs made for me, that were so
wide I could easily draw my hands out; the lieutenants only examined
my irons, the new handcuffs were made perfectly similar to the old,
and Bruckhausen had too much stupidity to remark any difference.

The remainder of my chains I could disencumber myself of at
pleasure.  When I exercised myself, I held them in my hands, that
the sentinel might be deceived by their clanking.  The neck-iron was
the only one I durst not remove; it was likewise too strongly
riveted.  I filed through the upper link of the pendant chain,
however, by which means I could take it off, and this I concealed
with bread in the manner before mentioned.

So I could disencumber myself of most of my fetters, and sleep in
ease.  I again obtained sausages and cold meat, and thus my
situation, bad as it still was, became less miserable.  Liberty,
however, was most desirable:  but, alas! not one of the three
lieutenants had the courage of a Schell:  Saxony, too, was in the
hands of the Prussians, and flight, therefore, more dangerous.
Persuasion was in vain with men determined to risk nothing, but, if
they went, to go in safety.  Will, indeed, was not wanting in Glotin
and Sonntag; but the first was a poltroon, and the latter a man of
scruples, who thought this step might likewise be the ruin of his
brother at Berlin.

The sentinels were doubled, therefore my escape through my hole,
which had been two years dug, could not, unperceived by them, be
effected:  still less could I, in the face of the guard, clamber the
twelve feet high pallisadoes.  The following labour, therefore,
though Herculean, was undertaken.

Lieutenant Sonntag, measuring the interval between the hole I had
dug and the entrance in the gallery in the principal rampart, found
it to be thirty-seven feet.  Into this it was possible I might, by
mining, penetrate.  The difficulty of the enterprise was lessened by
the nature of the ground, a fine white sand.  Could I reach the
gallery my freedom was certain.  I had been informed how many steps
to the right or left must be taken, to find the door that led to the
second rampart:  and, on the day when I should be ready for flight,
the officer was secretly to leave this door open.  I had light, and
mining tools, and was further to rely on money and my own
discretion.

I began and continued this labour about six months.  I have already
noticed the difficulty of scraping out the earth with my hands, as
the noise of instruments would have been heard by the sentinels.  I
had scarcely mined beyond my dungeon wall before I discovered the
foundation of the rampart was not more than a foot deep; a capital
error certainly in so important a fortress.  My labour became the
lighter, as I could remove the foundation stones of my dungeon, and
was not obliged to mine so deep.

My work at first proceeded so rapidly, that, while I had room to
throw back my sand, I was able in one night to gain three feet; but
ere I had proceeded ten feet I discovered all my difficulties.
Before I could continue my work I was obliged to make room for
myself, by emptying the sand out of my hole upon the floor of the
prison, and this itself was an employment of some hours.  The sand
was obliged to be thrown out by the hand, and after it thus lay
heaped in my prison, must again be returned into the hole; and I
have calculated that after I had proceeded twenty feet, I was
obliged to creep under ground, in my hole, from fifteen hundred to
two thousand fathoms, within twenty-four hours, in the removal and
replacing of the sand.  This labour ended, care was to be taken that
in none of the crevices of the floor there might be any appearance
of this fine white sand.  The flooring was the next to be exactly
replaced, and my chains to be resumed.  So severe was the fatigue of
one day, in this mode, that I was always obliged to rest the three
following.

To reduce my labour as much as possible, I was constrained to make
the passage so small that my body only had space to pass, and I had
not room to draw my arm back to my head.  The work, too, must all be
done naked, otherwise the dirtiness of my shirt must have been
remarked; the sand was wet, water being found at the depth of four
feet, where the stratum of the gravel began.  At length the
expedient of sand-bags occurred to me, by which it might be removed
out and in more expeditiously.  I obtained linen from the officers,
but not in sufficient quantities; suspicions would have been excited
at observing so much linen brought into the prison.  At last I took
my sheets and the ticking that enclosed my straw, and cut them up
for sand-bags, taking care to lie down on my bed, as if ill, when
Bruckhausen paid his visit.

The labour, towards the conclusion, became so intolerable as to
incite despondency.  I frequently sat contemplating the heaps of
sand, during a momentary respite from work; and thinking it
impossible I could have strength or time again to replace all things
as they were, resolved patiently to wait the consequence, and leave
everything in its present disorder.  Yes! I can assure the reader
that, to effect concealment, I have scarcely had time in twenty-four
hours to sit down and eat a morsel of bread.  Recollecting, however,
the efforts, and all the progress I had made, hope would again
revive, and exhausted strength return:  again would I begin my
labours, that I might preserve my secret and my expectations:  yet
has it frequently happened that my visitors have entered a few
minutes after I had reinstated everything in its place.

When my work was within six or seven feet of being accomplished, a
new misfortune happened that at once frustrated all further
attempts.  I worked, as I have said, under the foundation of the
rampart near where the sentinels stood.  I could disencumber myself
of my fetters, except my neck collar and its pendent chain.  This,
as I worked, though it was fastened, got loose, and the clanking was
heard by one of the sentinels about fifteen feet from my dungeon.
The officer was called, they laid their ears to the ground, and
heard me as I went backward and forward to bring my earth bags.
This was reported the next day; and the major, who was my best
friend, with the town-major, and a smith and mason, entered my
prison.  I was terrified.  The lieutenant by a sign gave me to
understand I was discovered.  An examination was begun, but the
officers would not see, and the smith and mason found all, as they
thought, safe.  Had they examined my bed, they would have seen the
ticking and sheets were gone.

The town-major, who was a dull man, was persuaded the thing was
impossible, and said to the sentinel, "Blockhead! you have heard
some mole underground, and not Trenck.  How, indeed, could it be,
that lee should work underground, at such a distance from his
dungeon?"  Here the scrutiny ended.

There was now no time for delay.  Had they altered their hour of
coming, they must have found me at work:  but this, during ten
years, never happened:  for the governor and town-major were stupid
men, and the others, poor fellows, wishing me all success, were
willingly blind.  In a few days I could have broken out, but, when
ready, I was desirous to wait for the visitation of the man who had
treated me so tyranically, Bruckhausen, that his own negligence
might be evident.  But this man, though he wanted understanding, did
not want good fortune.  He was ill for some time, and his duty
devolved on K- .

He recovered; and the visitation being over, the doors were no
sooner barred than I began my supposed last labour.  I had only
three feet farther to proceed, and it was no longer necessary I
should bring out the sand, I having room to throw it behind me.
What my anxiety was, what my exertions were, may well be imagined.
My evil genius, however, had decreed that the same sentinel, who had
heard me before, should be that day on guard.  He was piqued by
vanity, to prove he was not the blockhead he had been called; he
therefore again laid his ear to the ground, and again heard me
burrowing.  Ho called his comrades first, next thee major; lee came,
and heard me likewise; they then went without the pallisadoes, and
heard me working near the door, at which place I was to break into
the gallery.  This door they immediately opened, entered the gallery
with lanthorns, and waited to catch the hunted fox when unearthed.

Through the first small breach I made I perceived a light, and saw
the heads of those who were expecting me.  This was indeed a
thunder-stroke!  I crept back, made my way through the sand I had
cast behind me, and awaited my fate with shuddering!  I had the
presence of mind to conceal my pistols, candles, paper, and some
money, under the floor which I could remove.  The money was disposed
of in various holes, well concealed also between the panels of the
doors; and under different cracks in the floor I hid my small files
and knives.  Scarcely were these disposed of before the doors
resounded:  the floor was covered with sand and sand-bags:  my
handcuffs, however, and the separating bar, I had hastily resumed
that they might suppose I had worked with them on, which they were
silly enough to credit, highly to my future advantage.

No man was more busy on this occasion than the brutal and stupid
Bruckhausen, who put many interrogatories, to which I made no reply,
except assuring him that I should have completed my work some days
sooner, had it not been his good fortune to fall sick, and that this
only had been the cause of my failure.

The man was absolutely terrified with apprehension; he began to fear
me, grew more polite, and even supposed nothing was impossible to
me.

It was too late to remove the sand; therefore the lieutenant and
guard continued with me, so that this night at least I did not want
company.  When the morning came, the hole was first filled up; the
planking was renewed.  The tyrant Borck was ill, and could not come,
otherwise my treatment would have been still more lamentable.  The
smiths had ended before the evening, and the irons were heavier than
ever.  The foot chains, instead of being fastened as before, were
screwed and riveted; all else remained as formerly.  They were
employed in the flooring till the next day, so that I could not
sleep, and at last I sank down with weariness.

The greatest of my misfortunes was they again deprived me of my bed,
because I had cut it up for sand-bags.  Before the doors were barred
Bruckhausen and another major examined my body very narrowly.  They
often had asked me where I concealed all my implements?  My answer
was, "Gentlemen, Beelzebub is my best and most intimate friend; he
brings me everything I want, supplies me with light:  we play whole
nights at piquet, and, guard me as you please, he will finally
deliver me out of your power."

Some were astonished, others laughed.  At length, as they were
barring the last door, I called, "Come back, gentlemen! you have
forgotten something of great importance."  In the interim I had
taken up one of my hidden files.  When they returned, "Look ye,
gentlemen," said I, "here is a proof of the friendship Beelzebub has
for me, he has brought me this in a twinkling."  Again they
examined, and again they shut their doors.  While they were so
doing, I took out a knife, and ten louis-d'ors, called, and they re
turned, grumbling curses; I then shewed the knife and the louis-
d'ors.  Their consternation was excessive; and I diverted my
misfortunes by jesting at such blundering, short-sighted keepers.
It was soon rumoured through Magdeburg, especially among the simple
and vulgar, that I was a magician to whom the devil brought all I
asked.

One Major Holtzkammer, a very selfish man, profited by this report.
A foolish citizen had offered him fifty dollars if he might only be
permitted to see me through the door, being very desirous to see a
wizard.  Holtzkammer told me, and we jointly determined to sport
with his credulity.  The major gave me a mask with a monstrous nose,
which I put on when the doors were opening, and threw myself in an
heroic attitude.  The affrighted burger drew back; but Holtzkammer
stopped him, and said, "Have patience for some quarter of an hour,
and you shall see he will assume quite a different countenance."
The burger waited, my mask was thrown by, and my face appeared
whitened with chalk, and made ghastly.  The burger again shrank
back; Holtzkammer kept him in conversation, and I assumed a third
farcical form.  I tied my hair under my nose, and a pewter dish to
my breast, and when the door a third time opened, I thundered,
"Begone, rascals, or I'll set your necks--awry!"  They both ran:
and the silly burger, eased of his fifty dollars, scampered first.

The major, in vain, laid his injunctions on the burger never to
reveal what he had beheld, it being a breach of duty in him to admit
any persons whatever to the sight of me.  In a few days, the
necromancer Trenck was the theme of every alehouse in Magdeburg, and
the person was named who had seen me change my form thrice in the
space of one hour.  Many false and ridiculous circumstances were
added, and at last the story reached the governor's ears.  The
citizen was cited, and offered to take his oath of what himself and
the major had seen.  Holtzkammer accordingly suffered a severe
reprimand, and was some days under arrest.  We frequently laughed,
however, at this adventure, which had rendered me so much the
subject of conversation.  Miraculous reports were the more easily
credited, because no one could comprehend how, in despite of the
load of irons I carried, and all the vigilance of my guards, I
should be continually able to make new attempts, while those
appointed to examine my dungeon seemed, as it were, blinded and
bewildered.  A proof this, how easy it is to deceive the credulous,
and whence have originated witchcraft, prophecies, and miracles.



CHAPTER IV.



My last undertaking had employed me more than twelve months, and so
weakened me that I appeared little better than a skeleton.
Notwithstanding the greatness of my spirit, I should have sunk into
despondency, at seeing an end like this to all my labours, had I not
still cherished a secret hope of escaping, founded on the friends I
had gained among the officers.

I soon felt the effects of the loss of my bed, and was a second time
attacked by a violent fever, which would this time certainly have
consumed me had not the officers, unknown to the governor, treated
me with all possible compassion.  Bruckhausen alone continued my
enemy, and the slave of his orders; on his day of examination rules
and commands in all their rigour were observed, nor durst I free
myself from my irons, till I had for some weeks remarked those parts
on which he invariably fixed his attention.  I then cut through the
link, and closed up the vacancy with bread.  My hands I could always
draw out, especially after illness had consumed the flesh off my
bones.  Half a year had elapsed before I had recovered sufficient
strength to undertake, anew, labours like the past.

Necessity at length taught me the means of driving Bruckhausen from
my dungeon, and of inducing him to commit his office to another.  I
learnt his olfactory nerves were somewhat delicate, and whenever I
heard the doors unbar, I took care to make a stir in my night-table.
This made him give back, and at length he would come no farther than
the door.  Such are the hard expedients of a poor unhappy prisoner!

One day he came, bloated with pride, just after a courier had
brought the news of victory, and spoke of the Austrians, and the
august person of the Empress-Queen with so much virulence, that, at
last, enraged almost to madness, I snatched the sword of an officer
from its sheath, and should certainly have ended him, had he not
made a hasty retreat.  From that day forward he durst no more come
without guards to examine the dungeon.  Two men always preceded him,
with their bayonets fixed, and their pieces presented, behind whom
he stood at the door.  This was another fortunate incident, as I
dreaded only his examination.

The following anecdote will afford a specimen of this man's
understanding.  While digging in the earth I found a cannon-ball,
and laid it in the middle of my prison.  When he came to examine--
"What in the name of God is that?" said he.  "It is a part of the
ammunition," answered I, "that my Familiar brings me.  The cannon
will be here anon, and you will then see fine sport!"  He was
astonished, told this to others, nor could conceive such a ball
might by any natural means enter my prison.

I wrote a satire on him, when the late Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel was
governor of Magdeburg; and I had permission to write as will
hereafter appear:  the Land-grave gave it to him to read himself;
and so gross was his conception, that though his own phraseology was
introduced, part of his history and his character painted, yet he
did not perceive the jest, but laughed heartily with the hearers.
The Landgrave was highly diverted, and after I obtained my freedom,
restored me the manuscript written in my own blood.

About the time that my last attempt at escaping failed, General
Krusemarck came to my prison, whom I had formerly lived with in
habits of intimacy, when cornet of the body guard.  Without
testifying friendship, esteem, or compassion, he asked, among other
things, in an authoritative tone, how I could employ my time to
prevent tediousness?  I answered in as haughty a mood as he
interrogated:  for never could misfortune bend my mind.  I told him,
"I always could find sources of entertainment in my own thoughts;
and that, as for my dreams, I imagined they would at least be as
peaceful and pleasant as those of my oppressors."  "Had you in
time," replied he, "curbed this fervour of yours, had you asked
pardon of the King, perhaps you would have been in very different
circumstances; but he who has committed an offence in which he
obstinately persists, endeavouring only to obtain freedom by
seducing men from their duty, deserves no better fate."

Justly was my anger roused!  "Sir," answered I, "you are a general
of the King of Prussia, I am an Austrian captain.  My royal mistress
will protect, perhaps deliver me, or, at least, revenge my death; I
have a conscience void of reproach.  You, yourself, well know I have
not deserved these chains.  I place my hope in time, and the
justness of my cause, calumniated and condemned, as I have been,
without legal sentence or hearing.  In such a situation, the
philosopher will always be able to brave and despise the tyrant."

He departed with threats, and his last words were, "The bird shall
soon be taught to sing another tune."  The effects of this courteous
visit were soon felt.  An order came that I should be prevented
sleeping, and that the sentinels should call, and wake me every
quarter of an hour; which dreadful order was immediately executed.

This was indeed a punishment intolerable to nature!  Yet did custom
at length teach me to answer in my sleep.  Four years did this
unheard of cruelty continue!  The noble Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel at
length put an end to it a year before I was released from my
dungeon, and once again, in mercy, suffered me to sleep in peace.

Under this new affliction, I wrote an Elegy which may be found in
the second volume of my works, a few lines of which I shall cite.


Wake me, ye guards, for hark, the quarter strikes!
Sport with my woes, laugh loud at my miseries
Hearken if you hear my chains clank!  Knock!  Beat!
Of an inexorable tyrant be ye
Th' inexorable instruments!  Wake me, ye slaves;
Ye do but as you're bade.  Soon shall he lie
Sleepless, or dreaming, the spectres of conscience
Behold and shriek, who me deprives of rest.

Wake me:  Again the quarter strikes!  Call loud
Rip up all my bleeding wounds, and shrink not!
Yet think 'tis I that answer, God that hears!
To every wretch in chains sleep is permitted:
I, I alone, am robb'd of this last refuge
Of sinking nature!  Hark!  Again they thunder!
Again they iterate yells of Trenck and death.

Peace to thy anger, peace, thou suffering heart!
Nor indignant beat, adding tenfold pangs to pain.

Ye burthened limbs, arise from momentary
Slumbers!  Shake your chains!  Murmur not, but rise!
And ye!  Watch-dogs of Power! let loose your rage:
Fear not, for I am helpless, unprotected.
And yet, not so--The noble mind, within
Itself, resources finds innumerable.

Thou, Oh God, thought'st good me t' imprison thus:
Thou, Oh God, in Thy good time, wilt me deliver.

Wake me then, nor fear!  My soul slumbers not.
And who can say but those who fetter me,
May, ere to-morrow, groan themselves in fetters!
Wake me!  For lo! their sleep's less sweet than mine.

Call!  Call!  From night to morn, from twilight to dawn,
Incessant!  Yea, in God's name, Call!  Call!  Call!
Amen!  Amen!  Thy will, Oh God, be done!
Yet surely Thou at length shalt hear my sighs!
Shalt burst my prison doors!  Shalt shew me fair
Creation!  Yea, the very heav'n of heav'ns!


With whom these orders originated, unexampled in the history even of
tyranny, I shall not venture to say.  The major, who was my friend,
advised me to persist in not answering.  I followed his advice; and
it produced this good effect that we mutually forced each other to a
capitulation:  they restored me my bed, and I was obliged to reply.

Immediately after this regulation, the sub-governor, General Borck,
my bitter enemy, became insane, was dispossessed of his post, and
Lieutenant-General Reichmann, the benevolent friend of humanity, was
made sub-governor.

About the same time the Court fled from Berlin, and the Queen, the
Prince of Prussia, the Princess Amelia, and the Margrave Henry,
chose Magdeburg for their residence.  Bruckhausen grew more polite,
probably perceiving I was not wholly deserted, and that it was yet
possible I might obtain my freedom.  The cruel are usually cowards,
and there is reason to suppose Bruckhausen was actuated by his fears
to treat me with greater respect.

The worthy new governor had not indeed the power to lighten my
chains, or alter the general regulations; what he could, he did.  If
he did not command, he connived at the doors being occasionally at
first, and at length, daily, kept open some hours, to admit daylight
and fresh air.  After a time, they were open the whole day, and only
closed by the officers when they returned from their visit to
Walrabe.

Having light, I began to carve, with a nail, on the pewter cup in
which I drank, satirical verses and various figures, and attained so
much perfection that my cups, at last, were considered as master-
pieces, both of engraving and invention, and were sold dear, as rare
curiosities.  My first attempts were rude, as may well be imagined.
My cup was carried to town, and shown to visitors by the governor,
who sent me another.  I improved, and each of the inspecting
officers wished to possess one.  I grew more expert, and spent a
whole year in this employment, which thus passed swiftly away.  The
perfection I had now acquired obtained me the permission of candle-
light, and this continued till I was restored to freedom.

The King gave orders these cups should all be inspected by
government, because I wished, by my verses and devices, to inform
the world of my fate.  But this command was not obeyed; the officers
made merchandise of my cups, and sold them at last for twelve ducats
each.  Their value increased so much, when I was released from
prison, that they are now to be found in various museums throughout
Europe.  Twelve years ago the late Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel
presented one of them to my wife; and another came, in a very
unaccountable manner, from the Queen-Dowager of Prussia to Paris.  I
have given prints of both these, with the verses they contained, in
my works; whence it may be seen how artificially they were engraved.

A third fell into the hands of Prince Augustus Lobkowitz, then a
prisoner of war at Magdeburg, who, on his return to Vienna,
presented it to the Emperor, who placed it in his museum.  Among
other devices on this cup, was a landscape, representing a vineyard
and husbandmen, and under it the following words:- By my labours my
vineyard flourished, and I hoped to have gathered the fruit; but
Ahab came.  Alas! for Naboth.

The allusion was so pointed, both to the wrongs done me in Vienna,
and my sufferings in Prussia, that it made a very strong impression
on the Empress-Queen, who immediately commanded her minister to make
every exertion for my deliverance.  She would probably at last have
even restored me to my estates, had not the possessors of them been
so powerful, or had she herself lived one year longer.  To these my
engraved cups was I indebted for being once more remembered at
Vienna.  On the same cup, also, was another engraving of a bird in a
cage, held by a Turk, with the following inscription:- The bird
sings even in the storm; open his cage, break his fetters, ye
friends of virtue, and his songs shall be the delight of your
abodes!

There is another remarkable circumstance attending these cups.  All
were forbidden under pain of death to hold conversation with me, or
to supply me with pen and ink; yet by this open permission of
writing what I pleased on pewter, was I enabled to inform the world
of all I wished, and to prove a man of merit was oppressed.  The
difficulties of this engraving will be conceived, when it is
remembered that I worked by candle-light on shining pewter, attained
the art of giving light and shade, and by practice could divide a
cup into two-and-thirty compartments as regularly with a stroke of
the hand as with a pair of compasses.  The writing was so minute
that it could only be read with glasses.  I could use but one hand,
both, being separated by the bar, and therefore held the cup between
my knees.  My sole instrument was a sharpened nail, yet did I write
two lines on the rim only.

My labour became so excessive, that I was in danger of distraction
or blindness.  Everybody wished for cups, and I wished to oblige
everybody, so that I worked eighteen hours a day.  The reflection of
the light from the pewter was injurious to my eyes, and the labour
of invention for apposite subjects and verses was most fatiguing.  I
had learnt only architectural drawing.

Enough of these cups, which procured me so much honour, so many
advantages, and helped to shorten so many mournful hours.  My
greatest encumbrance was the huge iron collar, with its enormous
appendages, which, when suffered to press the arteries in the back
of my neck, occasioned intolerable headaches.  I sat too much, and a
third time fell sick.  A Brunswick sausage, secretly given me by a
friend, occasioned an indigestion, which endangered my life; a
putrid fever followed, and my body was reduced to a skeleton.
Medicines, however, were conveyed to me by the officers, and, now
and then, warm food.

After my recovery, I again thought it necessary to endeavour to
regain my liberty.  I had but forty louis-d'ors remaining, and these
I could not get till I had first broken up the flooring.

Lieutenant Sonntag was consumptive, and obtained his discharge.  I
supplied bins with money to defray the expenses of his journey, and
with an order that four hundred florins should be annually paid him
from my effects till his death or my release.  I commissioned him to
seek an audience from the Empress, endeavour to excite her
compassion in my behalf, and to remit me four thousand florins, for
which I gave a proper acquittance, by the way of Hamburgh.  The
money-draft was addressed to my administrators, Counsellors Kempf
and Huttner.

But no one, alas! in Vienna, wished my return; they had already
begun to share my property, of which they never rendered me an
account.  Poor Sonntag was arrested as a spy, imprisoned, ill
treated for some weeks, and, at last, when naked and destitute,
received a hundred florins, and was escorted beyond the Austrian
confines.  The worthy man fell a shameful sacrifice to his honesty,
could never obtain an audience of the Empress, and returned poor and
miserable on foot to Berlin, where he was twelve months secretly
maintained by his brother, and with whom he died.  He wrote an
account of all this to the good Knoblauch, my Hamburgh agent, and I,
from my small store, sent him a hundred ducats.

How much must I despair of finding any place of refuge on earth,
hearing accounts like these from Vienna.

A friend, whom I will never name, by the aid of one of the
lieutenants, secretly visited me, and supplied me with six hundred
ducats.  The same friend, in the year 1763, paid four thousand
florins to the imperial envoy, Baron Reidt, at Berlin, for the
furthering of my freedom, as I shall presently more fully show.
Thus I had once more money.

About this time the French army advanced to within five miles of
Magdeburg.  This important fortress was, at that time, the key of
the whole Prussian power.  It required a garrison of sixteen
thousand men, and contained not more than fifteen hundred.  The
French might have marched in unopposed, and at once have put an end
to the war.  The officers brought me all the news, and my hopes rose
as they approached.  What was my astonishment when the major
informed me that three waggons had entered the town in the night,
had been sent back loaded with money, and that the French were
retreating.  This, I can assure my readers, on my honour, is
literally truth, to the eternal disgrace of the French general.  The
major, who informed me, was himself an eye-witness of the fact.  It
was pretended the money was for the army of the King, but everybody
could guess whither it was going; it left the town without a convoy,
and the French were then in the neighbourhood.  Such were the allies
of Maria Theresa; the receivers of this money are known in Paris.
Not only were my hopes this way frustrated, but in Russia likewise,
where the Countess of Bestuchef and the Chancellor had fallen into
disgrace.

I now imagined another, and, indeed, a fearful and dangerous
project.  The garrison of Magdeburg at this moment consisted but of
nine hundred militia, who were discontented men.  Two majors and two
lieutenants were in my interest.  The guard of the Star Fort
amounted but to a hundred and fifteen men.  Fronting the gate of
this fort was the town gate, guarded only by twelve men and an
inferior officer; beside these lay the casemates, in which were
seven thousand Croat prisoners.  Baron K-y, a captain, and prisoner
of war, also was in our interest, and would hold his comrades ready
at a certain place and time to support my undertaking.  Another
friend was, under some pretence, to hold his company ready, with
their muskets loaded, and the plan was such that I should have had
four hundred men in arms ready to carry it into execution.

The officer was to have placed the two men we most suspected and
feared, as sentinels over me; he was to command them to take away my
bed, and when encumbered, I was to spring out, and shut them in the
prison.  Clothing and arms were to have been procured, and brought
me into my prison; the town-gate was to have been surprised; I was
to have run to the casemate, and called to the Croats, "Trenck to
arms!"  My friends, at the same instant, were to break forth, and
the plan was so well concerted that it could not have failed.
Magdeburg, the magazine of the army, the royal treasury, arsenal,
all would have been mine; and sixteen thousand men, who were then
prisoners of war, would have enabled me to keep possession.

The most essential secret, by which all this was to have been
effected, I dare not reveal; suffice it to say, everything was
provided for, everything made secure; I shall only add that the
garrison, in the harvest months, was exceedingly weakened, because
the farmers paid the captains a florin per man each day, and the men
for their labour likewise, to obtain hands.  The sub-governor
connived at the practice.

One Lieutenant G- procured a furlough to visit his friends; but,
supplied by me with money, he went to Vienna.  I furnished him with
a letter, addressed to Counsellors Kempf and Huttner, including a
draft for two thousand ducats; wherein I said that, by these means,
I should not only soon be at liberty, but in possession of the
fortress of Magdeburg; and that the bearer was entrusted with the
rest.

The lieutenant came safe to Vienna, underwent a thousand
interrogatories, and his name was repeatedly asked.  This,
fortunately, he concealed.  They advised him not to be concerned in
so dangerous an undertaking; told him I had not so much money due to
me, and gave him, instead of two thousand ducats, one thousand
florins.  With these he left Vienna, but with very prudent
suspicions which prevented him ever returning to Magdeburg.  A month
had scarcely passed before the late Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, then
chief governor, entered my prison, showed me my letter, and demanded
to know who had carried the letter, and who were to free me and
betray Magdeburg.  Whether the letter was sent immediately to the
King or the governor I know not; it is sufficient that I was once
more betrayed at Vienna.  The truth was, the administrators of my
effects had acted as if I were deceased, and did not choose to
refund two thousand ducats.  They wished not I should obtain my
freedom, in a manner that would have obliged the government to have
rewarded me, and restore the effects they had embezzled and the
estates they had seized.  What happened afterwards at Vienna, which
will be related in its place, will incontestably prove this surmise
to be well founded.

These bad men did not, it is true, die in the manner they ought, but
they are all dead, and I am still living, an honest, though poor
man:  they did not die so.  Be this read and remembered by their
luxurious heirs, who refuse to restore my children to their rights.



CHAPTER V.



My consternation on the appearance of the Landgrave, with my letter
in his hand, may well be supposed; I had the presence of mind,
however, to deny my handwriting, and affect astonishment at so
crafty a trick.  The Landgrave endeavoured to convict me, told me
what Lieutenant Kemnitz had repeated at Vienna concerning my
possessing myself of Magdeburg, and thereby showed me how fully I
had been betrayed.  But as no such person existed as Lieutenant
Kemnitz, and as my friend had fortunately concealed his name, the
mystery remained impenetrable, especially as no one could conceive
how a prisoner, in my situation, could seduce or subdue the whole
garrison.  The worthy prince left my prison, apparently satisfied
with my defence; his heart felt no satisfaction in the misfortunes
of others.

The next day a formal examination was taken, at which the sub-
governor Reichmann presided.  I was accused as a traitor to my
country; but I obstinately denied my handwriting.  Proofs or
witnesses there were none, and in answer to the principal charge, I
said, "I was no criminal, but a man calumniated, illegally
imprisoned, and loaded with irons; that the King, in the year 1746,
had cashiered me, and confiscated my parental inheritance; that
therefore the laws of nature enforced me to seek honour and bread in
a foreign service; and that, finding these in Austria, I became an
officer and a faithful subject of the Empress-Queen; that I had been
a second time unoffendingly imprisoned; that here I was treated as
the worst of malefactors, and my only resource was to seek my
liberty by such means as I could; were I therefore in this attempt
to destroy Magdeburg, and occasion the loss of a thousand lives, I
should still be guiltless.  Had I been heard and legally sentenced,
previous to my imprisonment at Glatz, I should have been, and still
continued, a criminal; but not having been guilty of any small, much
less of any great crime, equal to my punishment, if such crime could
be, I was therefore not accountable for consequences; I owed neither
fidelity nor duty to the King of Prussia; for by the word of his
power he had deprived me of bread, honour, country, and freedom."

Here the examination ended, without further discovery; the officers,
however, falling under suspicion, were all removed, and thus I lost
my best friends; yet it was not long before I had gained two others,
which was no difficult matter, as I knew the national character, and
that none but poor men were made militia officers.  Thus was the
governor's precaution fruitless, and almost everybody secretly
wished I might obtain my freedom.

I shall never forget the noble manner in which I was treated on this
occasion by the Landgrave.  This I personally acknowledged, some
years afterwards, in the city of Cassel, when I heard many things
which confirmed all my surmises concerning Vienna.  The Landgrave
received me with all grace, favour, and distinction.  I revere his
memory, and seek to honour his name.  He was the friend of
misfortune.  When I not long afterwards fell ill, he sent me his own
physician, and meat from his table, nor would he suffer me, during
two months, to be wakened by the sentinels.  He likewise removed the
dreadful collar from my neck; for which he was severely reprimanded
by the King, as he himself has since assured me.

I might fill a volume with incidents attending two other efforts to
escape, but I will not weary the reader's patience with too much
repetition.  I shall merely give an abstract of both.

When I had once more gained the officers, I made a new attempt at
mining my way out.  Not wanting for implements, my chains and the
flooring were soon cut through, and all was so carefully replaced
that I was under no fear of examination.  I here found my concealed
money, pistols, and other necessaries, but till I had rid myself of
some hundredweight of sand, it was impossible to proceed.  For this
purpose I made two different openings in the floor:  out of the real
hole I threw a great quantity of sand into my prison; after which I
closed it with all possible care.  I then worked at the second with
so much noise, that I was certain they must hear me without.  About
midnight the doors began to thunder, and in they came, detecting me,
as I intended they should.  None of them could conceive why I should
wish to break out under the door, where there was a triple guard to
pass.  The sentinels remained, and in the morning prisoners were
sent to wheel away the sand.  The hole was walled up and boarded,
and my fetters were renewed.  They laughed at the ridiculousness of
my undertaking, but punished me by depriving me of my light and bed,
which, however, in a fortnight were both restored.  Of the other
hole, out of which most of the earth had been thrown, no one was
aware.  The major and lieutenant were too much my friends to remark
that they had removed thrice the quantity of sand the false opening
could contain.  They supposed this strange attempt having failed, it
would be my last, and Bruckhausen grew negligent.

The governor and sub-governor both visited me after some weeks, but
far from imitating the brutality of Borck, the Landgrave spoke to me
with mildness, promised me his interest to regain my freedom, when
peace should be concluded; told me I had more friends than I
supposed, and assured me I had not been forgotten by the Court at
Vienna.

He promised me every alleviation, and I gave him my word I would no
more attempt to escape while he remained governor.  My manner
enforced conviction and he ordered my neck-collar to be taken off,
my window to be unclosed, my doors to be left open two hours every
day, a stove to be put in my dungeon, finer linen for my shirts, and
paper to amuse myself by writing my thoughts.  The sheets were to be
numbered when given, and then returned, by the town-major, that I
might not abuse this liberty.

Ink was not allowed me, I therefore pricked my fingers, suffered the
blood to trickle into a pot; by these means I procured a substitute
for ink, both to write and draw.

I now engraved my cups, and versified.  I had opportunity to display
my abilities to awaken compassion.  My emulation was increased by
knowing that my works were seen at Courts, that the Princess Amelia
and the Queen herself testified their satisfaction.  I had subjects
to engrave from sent me; and the wretch whom the King intended to
bury alive, whose name no man was to mention, never was more famous
than while he vented his groans in his dungeon.  My writings
produced their effect, and really regained my freedom.  To my
cultivation of the sciences and presence of mind I am indebted for
all; these all the power of Frederic could not deprive me of.  Yes!
This liberty I procured, though he answered all petitions in my
behalf--"He is a dangerous man:  and so long as I live he shall
never see the light!"  Yet have I seen it during his life:  after
his death I have seen it without revenging myself, otherwise than by
proving my virtue to a monarch who oppressed because he knew me not,
because be would not recall the hasty sentence of anger, or own he
might be mistaken.  He died convinced of my integrity, yet without
affording me retribution!  Man is formed by misfortune; virtue is
active in adversity.  It is indifferent to me that the companions of
my youth have their ears gratified, delighted with the titles of
General!  Field-Marshal I have learned to live without such
additions; I am known in my works.

I returned to my dungeon.  Here, after my last conference with the
Landgrave, I waited my fate with a mind more at ease than that of a
prince in a palace.  The newspapers they brought me bespoke
approaching peace, on which my dependence was placed, and I passed
eighteen months calmly, and without further attempt to escape.

The father of the Landgrave died; and Magdeburg now lost its
governor.  The worthy Reichmann, however, testified for me all
compassion and esteem; I had books, and my time was employed.
Imprisonment and chains to me were become habitual, and freedom in
hope approached.

About this time I wrote the poems, "The Macedonian Hero," "The Dream
Realised," and some fables.  The best of my poems are now lost to
me.  The mind's sensibility when the body is imprisoned is strongly
roused, nor can all the aids of the library equal this advantage.
Perhaps I may recover some in Berlin; if so, the world may learn
what my thoughts then were.  When I was at liberty, I had none but
such as I remembered, and these I committed to writing.  On my first
visit to the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel I received a volume of them
written in my own blood; but there were eight of these which I shall
never regain.

The death of Elizabeth, the deposing of Peter III., and the
accession of Catherine II. produced peace.  On the receipt of this
intelligence I tried to provide for all contingencies.  The worthy
Captain K- had opened me a correspondence with Vienna:  I was
assured of support; but was assured the administrators and those who
possessed my estates would throw every impediment in the way of
freedom.  I tried to persuade another officer to aid my escape, but
in vain.

I therefore opened my old hole, and my friends assisted me to
disembarrass myself of sand.  My money melted away, but they
provided me with tools, gunpowder, and a good sword.  I had remained
so long quiet that my flooring was not examined.

My intent was to wait the peace; and should I continue in chains,
then would I have my subterranean passage to the rampart ready for
escape.  For my further security, an old lieutenant had purchased a
house in the suburbs, where I might lie concealed.  Gummern, in
Saxony, is two miles from Magdeburg; here a friend, with two good
horses, was to wait a year, to ride on the glacis of Klosterbergen
on the first and fifteenth of each month, and at a given signal to
hasten to my assistance.

My passage had to be ready in case of emergency; I removed the upper
planking, broke up the two beds, cut the boards into chips, and
burnt them in my stove.  By this I obtained so much additional room
as to proceed half way with my mine.  Linen again was brought me,
sand-bags made, and thus I successfully proceeded to all but the
last operation.  Everything was so well concealed that I had nothing
to fear from inspection, especially as the new come garrison could
not know what was the original length of the planks.

I must here relate a dreadful accident, which I cannot remember
without shuddering, and the terror of which has often haunted my
very dreams.

While mining under the rampart, as I was carrying out the sand-bag,
I struck my foot against a stone which fell down and closed up the
passage.

What was my horror to find myself buried alive!  After a short
reflection, I began to work the sand away from the side, that I
might turn round.  There were some feet of empty space, into which I
threw the sand as I worked it away; but the small quantity of air
soon made it so foul that I a thousand times wished myself dead, and
made several attempts to strangle myself.  Thirst almost deprived me
of my senses, but as often as I put my mouth to the sand I inhaled
fresh air.  My sufferings were incredible, and I imagine I passed
eight hours in this situation.  My spirits fainted; again I
recovered and began to labour, but the earth was as high as my chin,
and I had no more space where I might throw the sand.  I made a more
desperate effort, drew my body into a ball, and turned round; I now
faced the stone; there being an opening at the top, I respired
fresher air.  I rooted away the sand under the stone, and let it
sink so that I might creep over; at length I once more arrived in my
dungeon!

The morning was advanced; I sat down so exhausted that I supposed it
was impossible I had strength to conceal my hole.  After half an
hour's rest, my fortitude returned:  again I went to work, and
scarcely had I ended before my visitors approached.

They found me pale:  I complained of headache, and continued some
days affected by the fatigue I had sustained.  After a time strength
returned; but perhaps of all my nights of horror this was the most
horrible.  I repeatedly dreamt I was buried in the centre of the
earth; and now, though three and twenty years are elapsed, my sleep
is still haunted by this vision.

After this accident, when I worked in my cavity, I hung a knife
round my neck, that if I should be enclosed I might shorten my
miseries.  Over the stone that had fallen several others hung
tottering, under which I was obliged to creep.  Nothing, however,
could deter me from trying to obtain my liberty.

When my passage was ready, I wrote letters to my friends at Vienna,
and also a memorial to my Sovereign.  When the militia left
Magdeburg and the regulars returned, I took leave of my friends who
had behaved so benevolently.  Several weeks elapsed before they
departed and I learnt that General Reidt was appointed ambassador
from Vienna to Berlin.

I had seen the world; I knew this General was not averse to a bribe:
I wrote him a letter, conjuring him to act with ardour in my behalf.
I enclosed a draft for six thousand florins on my effects at Vienna,
and he received four thousand from one of my relations.  I have to
thank these ten thousand florins for my freedom, which I obtained
nine months after.  My vouchers show the six thousand florins were
paid in April, 1763, to the order of General Reidt.  The other four
thousand I repaid, when at liberty, to my friend.

I received intelligence before the garrison departed that no
stipulation had been made on my behalf at the peace of Hubertsberg.
The Vienna plenipotentiaries, after the articles were signed,
mentioned my name to Hertzberg, with but few assurances of every
effort being made to move Frederic, a promise on which I could much
better rely than on my protectors at Vienna, who had left me in
misfortune.  I determined to wait three months longer, and should I
still find myself neglected, to owe my escape to myself.

On the change of the garrison, the officers were more difficult to
gain than the former.  The majors obeyed their orders; their help
was unnecessary; but still I sighed for my old friends.  I had only
ammunition-bread again for food.

My time hung very heavy; everything was examined on the change of
the garrison.  A stricter scrutiny might occur, and my projects be
discovered.  This had nearly been effected, as I shall here relate.
I had so tamed a mouse that it would eat from my mouth; in this
small animal I discovered proofs of intelligence.

This mouse had nearly been my ruin.  I had diverted myself with it
one night; it had been nibbling at my door and capering on a
trencher.  The sentinels hearing our amusement, called the officers:
they heard also, and thought all was not right.  At daybreak the
town-major, a smith, and mason entered; strict search was begun;
flooring, walls, chains, and my own person were all scrutinised, but
in vain.  They asked what was the noise they had heard; I mentioned
the mouse, whistled, and it came and jumped upon my shoulder.
Orders were given I should be deprived of its society; I entreated
they would spare its life.  The officer on guard gave me his word he
would present it to a lady, who would treat it with tenderness.

He took it away and turned it loose in the guardroom, but it was
tame to me alone, and sought a hiding place.  It had fled to my
prison door, and, at the hour of visitation, ran into my dungeon,
testifying its joy by leaping between my legs.  It is worthy of
remark that it had been taken away blindfold, that is to say,
wrapped in a handkerchief.  The guard-room was a hundred paces from
the dungeon.

All were desirous of obtaining this mouse, but the major carried it
off for his lady; she put it into a cage, where it pined, and in a
few days died.

The loss of this companion made me quite melancholy, yet, on the
last examination, I perceived it had so eaten the bread by which I
had concealed the crevices I had made in cutting the floor, that the
examiners must be blind not to discover them.  I was convinced my
faithful little friend had fallen a necessary victim to its master's
safety.  This accident determined me not to wait the three months.

I have related that horses were to be kept ready, on the first and
fifteenth, and I only suffered the first of August to pass, because
I would not injure Major Pfuhl, who had treated me with more
compassion than his comrades, and whose day of visitation it was.
On the fifteenth I determined to fly.  This resolution formed, I
waited in expectation of the day, when a new and remarkable
succession of accidents happened.

An alarm of fire had obliged the major to repair to the town; he
committed the keys to the lieutenant.  The latter, coming to visit
me, asked--"Dear Trenck, have you never, during seven years that you
have been under the guard of the militia, found a man like Schell?"
"Alas! sir," answered I, "such friends are rare; the will of many
has been good; each knew I could make his fortune, but none had
courage enough for so desperate an attempt!  Money I have
distributed freely, but have received little help."

"How do you obtain money in this dungeon?"  "From a correspondent at
Vienna, by whom I am still supplied."  "If I can serve you, command
me:  I will do it without asking any return."  So saying, I took
fifty ducats from between the panels, and gave them to the
lieutenant.  At first he refused, but at length accepted them with
fear.  He left me, promised to return, pretended to shut the door,
and kept his word.  He now said debt obliged him to desert; that
this had long been his determination, and that, desirous to assist
me at the same time if he could find the means, I had only to show
how this might be effected.

We continued two hours in conference:  a plan was formed, approved,
and a certainty of success demonstrated; especially when I told him
I had two horses waiting.  We vowed eternal friendship; I gave him
fifty ducats, and his debts, not amounting to more than two hundred
rix-dollars, which he never could have discharged out of his pay.

He was to prepare four keys to resemble those of my dungeon; the
latter were to be exchanged on the day of flight, being kept in the
guard-room while the major was with General Walrabe.  He was to give
the grenadiers on guard leave of absence, or send them into the town
on various pretences.  The sentinels he was to call from their duty,
and those placed over me were to be sent into my dungeon to take
away my bed; while encumbered with this, I was to spring out and
lock them in, after which we were to mount our horses, which were
kept ready, and ride to Gummern.  Every thing was to be prepared
within a week, when he was to mount guard.  We had scarcely formed
our project before the sentinels called the major was coming; he
accordingly barred the door, and the major passed to General
Walrabe.

No man was happier than myself; my hopes of escape were triple; the
mediation at Berlin, the mine I had made, and my friend the
lieutenant.

When most my mind ought to have been clear, I seemed to have lost my
understanding.  I came to a resolution which will appear extravagant
and pitiable.  I was stupid enough, mad enough, to form the design
of casting myself on the magnanimity of the Great Frederic!  Should
this fail, I still thought my lieutenant a saviour.

Having heated my imagination with this scheme, I waited the
visitation with anxiety.  The major entered, I bespoke him thus:

"I know, sir, the great Prince Ferdinand is again in Magdeburg.
Inform him that he may examine my prison, double the sentinels, and
give me his commands, stating what hour will please him I should
make my appearance on the glacis of Klosterbergen.  If I prove
myself capable of this, I then hope for the protection of Prince
Ferdinand:  and that he will relate my proceeding to the King, who
may he convinced of my innocence."

The major was astonished; the proposal he held to be ridiculous, and
the performance impossible.  I persisted; he returned with the sub-
governor, Reichmann, the town-major, Riding, and the major of
inspection.  The answer they delivered was, that the Prince promised
me his protection, the King's favour, and a release from my chains,
should I prove my assertion.  I required they would appoint a time;
they ridiculed the thing as impossible, and said that it would be
sufficient could I prove the practicability of such a scheme; but
should I refuse, they would break up the flooring, and place
sentinels in my dungeon, adding, the governor would not admit of any
breaking out.

After promises of good faith, I disencumbered myself of my chains,
raised my flooring, gave them my implements, and two keys, my
friends had procured me, to the doors of the subterranean gallery.
This gallery I desired them to sound with their sword hilts, at the
place through which I was to break, which might be done in a few
minutes.  I described the road I was to take through the gallery,
informed them that two of the doors had not been shut for six
months, and to the others they had the keys; adding, I had horses
waiting at the glacis, that would be now ready; the stables for
which were unknown to them.  They went, examined, returned, put
questions, which I answered with precision.  They left me with
seeming friendship, came back, told me the Prince was astonished at
what he had heard, that he wished me all happiness, and then took me
unfettered, to the guard-house.  The major came in the evening,
treated us with a supper, assured me everything would happen to my
wishes, and that Prince Ferdinand had written to Berlin.

The guard was reinforced next day.  The whole guard loaded with ball
before my eyes, the drawbridges were raised in open day, and
precautions were taken as if I intended to make attempts as
desperate as those I had made at Glatz.

I now saw workmen employed on my dungeon, and carts bringing quarry-
stones.  The officers on guard behaved with kindness, kept a good
table, at which I ate; but two sentinels, and an under-officer,
never quitted the guard-room.  Conversation was cautious, and this
continued five or six days; at length, it was the lieutenant's turn
to mount guard; he appeared to be as friendly as formerly, but
conference was difficult; he found an opportunity to express his
astonishment at my ill-timed discovery, told me the Prince knew
nothing of the affair, and that the report through the garrison was,
I had been surprised in making a new attempt.

My dungeon was completed in a week.  The town-major re-conducted me
to it.  My foot was chained to the wall with links twice as strong
as formerly; the remainder of my irons were never after added.

The dungeon was paved with flag-stones.  That part of my money only
was saved which I had concealed in the panels of the door, and the
chimney of my stove; some thirty louis-d'ors, hidden about my
clothes, were taken from me.

While the smith was riveting my chains, I addressed the sub-
governor.  "Is this the fulfilment of the pledge of the Prince?
Think not you deceive me, I am acquainted with the false reports
that have been spread; the truth will soon come to light, and the
unworthy be put to shame.  Nay, I forewarn you that Trenck shall not
be much longer in your power; for were you to build your dungeon of
steel, it would be insufficient to contain me."

They smiled at me.  Reichmann told me I might soon obtain my freedom
in a proper manner.  My firm reliance on my friend, the lieutenant,
gave me a degree of confidence that amazed them all.

It is necessary to explain this affair.  When I obtained my liberty,
I visited Prince Ferdinand.  He informed me the majors had not made
a true report.  Their story was, they had caught me at work, and,
had it not been for their diligence, I should have made my escape.
Prince Ferdinand heard the truth, and informed the King, who only
waited an opportunity to restore me to liberty.

Once more I was immured.  I waited in hope for the day when my
deliverer was to mount guard.  What again was my despair when I saw
another lieutenant!  I buoyed myself up with the hope that accident
was the occasion of this; but I remained three weeks, and saw him no
more.  I heard at length that he had left the corps of grenadiers,
and was no longer to mount guard at the Star Fort.  He has my
forgiveness, and I applaud myself for never having said anything by
which he might be injured.  He might have repented his promise, he
might have trusted another friend with the enterprise, and have been
himself betrayed; but, be it as it may, his absence cut off all
hope.

I now repented my folly and vanity; I had brought my misfortunes on
myself.  I had myself rendered my dungeon impenetrable.  Death would
have followed but for the dependence I placed in the court of
Vienna.

The officers remarked the loss of my fortitude and thoughtfulness;
the verses I wrote were desponding.  The only comfort they could
give was--"Patience, dear Trenck; your condition cannot be worse;
the King may not live for ever."  Were I sick, they told me I might
hope my sufferings would soon have an end.  If I recovered they
pitied me, and lamented their continuance.  What man of my rank and
expectations ever endured what I did, ever was treated as I have
been treated!



CHAPTER VI.



Peace had been concluded nine months.  I was forgotten.  At last,
when I supposed all hope lost, the 25th of December, and the day of
freedom, came.  At the hour of parade, Count Schlieben, lieutenant
of the guards, brought orders for my release!

The sub-governor supposed me weaker in intellect than I was, and
would not too suddenly tell me these tidings.  He knew not the
presence of mind, the fortitude, which the dangers I had seen had
made habitual.

My doors for the LAST TIME resounded!  Several people entered; their
countenances were cheerful, and the sub-governor at their head at
length said, "This time, my dear Trenck, I am the messenger of good
news.  Prince Ferdinand has prevailed on the King to let your irons
be taken off."  Accordingly, to work went the smith.  "You shall
also," continued he, "have a better apartment."  "I am free, then,"
said I.  "Speak! fear not!  I can moderate my transports."

"Then you are free!" was the reply.

The sub-governor first embraced me, and afterwards his attendants.

He asked me what clothes I would wish.  I answered, the uniform of
my regiment.  The tailor took my measure.  Reichmann told him it
must be made by the morning.  The man excused himself because it was
Christmas Eve.  "So, then, this gentleman must remain in his dungeon
because it is holiday with you."  The tailor promised to be ready.

I was taken to the guard-room, congratulations were universal, and
the town-major administered the oath customary to all state
prisoners.

1st.  That I should avenge myself on no man.

2nd.  That I should neither enter the Prussian nor Saxon states.

3rd.  That I should never relate by speech or in writing what had
happened to me.

4th.  And that, so long as the King lived, I should neither serve in
a civil nor military capacity.

Count Schlieben delivered me a letter from the imperial minister,
General Reidt, to the following purport:- That he rejoiced at having
found an opportunity of obtaining my liberty from the King, and that
I must obey the requisitions of Count Schlieben, whose orders were
to accompany me to Prague.

"Yes, dear Trenck," said Schlieben, "I am to conduct you through
Dresden to Prague, with orders not to suffer you to speak to any one
on the road.  I have received three hundred ducats, to defray the
expenses of travelling.  As all things cannot be prepared today,
the, sub-governor has determined we shall depart to-morrow night."

I acquiesced, and Count Schlieben remained with me; the others
returned to town, and I dined with the major and officers on guard,
with General Walrabe in his prison.

Once at liberty, I walked about the fortifications, to collect the
money I had concealed in my dungeon.  To every man on guard I gave a
ducat, to the sentinels, each three, and ten ducats to be divided
among the relief-guard.  I sent the officer on guard a present from
Prague, and the remainder of my money I bestowed on the widow of the
worthy Gelfhardt.  He was no more, and she had entrusted the
thousand florins to a young soldier, who, spending them too freely,
was suspected, betrayed her, and she passed two years in prison.
Gelfhardt never received any punishment; he was in the field.  Had
he left any children, I should have provided for them.  To the widow
of the man who hung himself before my prison door, in the year 1756,
I gave thirty ducats, lent me by Schlieben.

The night was riotous, the guard made merry, and I passed most of it
in their company.  I was visited by all the generals of the garrison
on Christmas morning, for I was not allowed to enter the town.  I
dressed, viewed myself in the glass, and found pleasure; but the
tumult of my passions, the congratulations I received, and the
vivacity round me, prevented my remembering incidents minutely.

Yet how wonderful an alteration in the countenances of those by whom
I had been guarded!  I was treated with friendship, attention, and
flattery.  And why?  Because these fetters had dropped off which I
had never justly borne.

Evening came, and with it Count Schlieben, a waggon, and four post-
horses.  After an affecting farewell, we departed.  I shed tears at
leaving Magdeburg.  It seems strange that I lived here ten years,
yet never saw the town.

The duration of my imprisonment at Magdeburg was nearly ten years,
and with the term of my imprisonment at Glatz, the time is eleven
years.  Thus was I robbed of time, my body weakened, my health
impaired, so that in my decline of life, a second time, I suffer the
gloom and chains of the dungeon at Magdeburg.

The reader would now hope that my calamities were at an end; yet,
upon my honour, I would prefer the suffering of the Star Fort to
those I have since endured in Austria, especially while Krugel and
Zetto were my referendaries and curators.

At this moment I am obliged to be guarded in my expressions.  I have
put my enemies to shame; but the hope of justice or reward is vain.
No rewards are bestowed on him who, with the consciousness of
integrity, demands, and does not deplore.  The facts I shall relate
will seem incredible, yet I have, in my own hands, the vouchers of
their veracity.

"If my right hand is guilty of writing untruths in this book, may
the executioner sever it from my body, and, in the memory of
posterity, may I live a villain!"

I will proceed with my history.

On the 2nd of January I arrived, with Count Schlieben, at Prague;
the same day he delivered me to the governor, the Duke of Deuxponts.
He received me with kindness; we dined with him two days, and all
Prague were anxious to see a man who had surmounted ten years of
suffering so unheard of as mine.  Here I received three thousand
florins, and paid General Reidt his three hundred ducats, which he
had advanced Count Schlieben, for my journey, the repayment of which
he demanded in his letter, although he had received ten thousand
florins.  The expense of returning I also paid to Schlieben, made
him a present, and provided myself with some necessaries.  After
remaining a few days at Prague, a courier arrived from Vienna, to
whom I was obliged to pay forty florins, with an order from
government to bring me from Prague to Vienna.  My sword was
demanded; Captain Count Wela, and two inferior officers, entered the
carriage, which I was obliged to purchase, in company with me, and
brought me to Vienna.  I took up a thousand florins more, in Prague,
to defray these expenses, and was obliged, in Vienna, to pay the
captain fifty ducats for travelling charges back.

I was brought back like a criminal, was sent as a prisoner to the
barracks, there kept in the chamber of Lieutenant Blonket, with
orders that I should be suffered to write to no one, speak to no
one, without a ticket from the counsellors Kempt or Huttner.

Thus I remained six weeks; at length, the colonel of the regiment of
Poniatowsky, the present field-marshal, Count Alton, spoke to me.  I
related what I supposed were the reasons of my being kept a prisoner
in Vienna; and to the exertions of this man am I indebted that the
intentions of my enemies were frustrated, which were to have me
imprisoned as insane in the fortress of Glatz.  Had they once
removed me from Vienna, I should certainly have pined away my life
in a madhouse.  Yet I could never obtain justice against these men.
The Empress was persuaded that my brain was affected, and that I
uttered threats against the King of Prussia.  The election of a king
of the Romans was then in agitation, and the court was apprehensive
lest I should offend the Prussian envoy.  General Reidt had been
obliged to promise Frederic that I should not appear in Vienna, and
that they should hold a wary eye over me.  The Empress-Queen felt
compassion for my supposed disease, and asked if no assistance could
be afforded me; to which they answered, I had several times let
blood, but that I still was a dangerous man.  They added, that I had
squandered four thousand florins in six days at Prague; that it
would be proper to appoint guardians to impede such extravagancies.

Count Alton spoke of me and my hard destiny to the Countess Parr,
mistress of the ceremonies to the Empress-Queen.  The late Emperor
entered the chamber, and asked whether I ever had any lucid
intervals.  "May it please your Majesty," answered Alton, "he has
been seven weeks in my barracks, and I never met a more reasonable
man.  There is mystery in this affair, or he could not be treated as
a madman.  That he is not so in anywise I pledge my honour."

The next day the Emperor sent Count Thurn, grand-master of the
Archduke Leopold, to speak to me.  In him I found an enlightened
philosopher, and a lover of his country.  To him I related how I had
twice been betrayed, twice sold at Vienna, during my imprisonment;
to him showed that my administrators had acted in this vile manner
that I might be imprisoned for life, and they remain in possession
of my effects.  We conversed for two hours, during which many things
were said that prudence will not permit me to repeat.  I gained his
confidence, and he continued my friend till death.  He promised me
protection, and procured me an audience of the Emperor.

I spoke with freedom; the audience lasted an hour.  At length the
Emperor retired into the next apartment.  I saw the tears drop from
his eyes.  I fell at his feet, and wished for the presence of a
Rubens or Apelles, to preserve a scene so honourable to the memory
of the monarch, and paint the sensations of an innocent man,
imploring the protection of a compassionate prince.  The Emperor
tore himself from me, and I departed with sensations such as only
those can know who, themselves being virtuous, have met with wicked
men.  I returned to the barracks with joy, and an order the next day
came for my release.  I went with Count Alton to the Countess Parr,
and by her mediation I obtained an audience with the Empress.

I cannot describe how much she pitied my sufferings and admired my
fortitude.  She told me she was informed of the artifices practised
against me in Vienna; she required me to forgive my enemies, and
pass all the accounts of my administrators.  "Do not complain of
anything," said she, "but act as I desire--I know all--you shall be
recompensed by me; you deserve reward and repose, and these you
shall enjoy."

I must either sign whatever was given to sign, or be sent to a
madhouse.  I received orders to accompany M. Pistrich to Counsellor
Ziegler; thither I went, and the next day was obliged to sign, in
their presence, the following conditions:-

First--That I acknowledged the will of Trenck to be valid.

Secondly--That I renounced all claim to the Sclavonian estates,
relying alone on her Majesty's favour.

Thirdly--That I solemnly acquitted my accountants and curators.
And,

Lastly--That I would not continue in Vienna.

This I must sign, or languish in prison.

How did my blood boil while I signed!  This confidence I had in
myself assured me I could obtain employment in any country of
Europe, by the labours of my mind, and the recital of all my woes.
At that time I had no children; I little regretted what I had lost,
or the poor portion that remained.

I determined to avoid Austria eternally.  My pride would never
suffer me, by insidious arts, to approach the throne.  I knew no
such mode of soliciting for justice, hence I was not a match for my
enemies; hence my misfortunes.  Appeals to justice were represented
as the splenetic effusions of a man never to be satisfied.  My too
sensitive heart was corroded by the treatment I met at Vienna.  I,
who with so much fortitude had suffered so much in the cause of
Vienna, I, on whom the eyes of Germany were fixed, to behold what
should be the reward of these sufferings, I was again, in this
country, kept a prisoner, and delivered to those by whom I had been
plundered as a man insane!

Before my intended departure to seek my fortune, I fell ill, and
sickness almost brought me to the grave.  The Empress, in her great
clemency, sent one of her physicians and a friar to my assistance,
both of whom I was obliged to pay.

At this time I refused a major's commission, for which I was obliged
to pay the fees.  Being excluded from actual service, to me the
title was of little value; my rank in the army had been equal ten
years before in other service.  The following words, inserted in my
commission, are not unworthy of remark:- "Her Majesty, in
consequence of my fidelity for her service, demonstrated during a
long imprisonment, my endowments and virtues, had been graciously
pleased to grant me, in the Imperial service, the rank of major."--
The rank of major!--From this preamble who would not have expected
either the rank of general, or the restoration of my great
Sclavonian estates?  I had been fifteen years a captain of cavalry,
and then was I made an invalid major three-and-twenty years ago, and
an invalid major I still remain!  Let all that has been related be
called to mind, the manner in which I had been pillaged and
betrayed; let Vienna, Dantzic, and Magdeburg he remembered; and be
this my promotion remembered also!  Let it be known that the
commission of major might be bought for a few thousand florins!
Thirty thousand florins only of the money I had been robbed of would
have purchased a colonel's commission.  I should then have been a
companion for generals.

During the thirty-six years that I have been in the service of
Austria, I never had any man of rank, any great general, my enemy,
except Count Grassalkowitz, and he was only my enemy because he had
conceived a friendship for my estates.

My character was never calumniated, nor did any worthy man ever
speak of me but with respect.  Who were, who are, my enemies?--
Jesuits, monks, unprincipled advocates, wishing to become my
curators, referendaries, who died despicable, or now live in houses
of correction.  Such as live, live in dread of a similar end, for
the Emperor Joseph is able to discover the truth.  Alas! the truth
is discovered so late; age has now nearly rendered me an invalid.
Men with hearts so base ought, indeed, to become the scavengers of
society, that, terrified by their example, succeeding judges may not
rack the heart of an honest man, seize on the possessions of the
orphan and the widow, and expel virtue out of Austria.

I attended the levee of Prince Kaunitz.  Not personally known to
him, he viewed in me a crawling insect.  I thought somewhat more
proudly; my actions were upright, and so should my body be.  I
quitted the apartment, and was congratulated by the mercenary Swiss
porter on my good fortune of having obtained an audience!

I applied to the field-marshal, from whom I received this answer--
"If you cannot purchase, my dear Trenck, it will be impossible to
admit you into service; besides, you are too old to learn our
manoeuvres."  I was then thirty-seven.  I briefly replied, "Your
excellency mistakes my character.  I did not come to Vienna to serve
as an invalid major.  My curators have taken good care I should have
no money to purchase; but had I millions, I would never obtain rank
in the army by that mode."  I quitted the room with a shrug.  The
next day I addressed a memorial to the Empress.  I did not re-demand
my Sclavonian estates, I only petitioned.

First--That those who had carried off quintals of silver and gold
from the premises, and had rendered no account to me or the
treasury, should refund at least a part.

Secondly--That they should be obliged to return the thirty-six
thousand florins taken from my inheritance, and applied to a
hospital.

Thirdly--That the thirty-six thousand florins might be repaid, which
Count Grassalkowitz had deducted from the allodial estates, for
three thousand six hundred pandours who had fallen in the service of
the Empress; I not being bound to pay for the lives of men who had
died in defence of the Empress.

Fourthly--I required that fifteen thousand florins, which had been
deducted from my capital, and applied to the Bohemian
fortifications, should likewise be restored, together with the
fifteen thousand which had been unduly paid to the regiment of
Trenck.

Fifthly--I reclaimed the twelve thousand florins which I had been
robbed of at Dantzic by the treachery of the Imperial Resident,
Abramson; and public satisfaction from the magistracy of Dantzic,
who had delivered me up, so contrary to the laws of nations, to the
Prussian power.

I likewise claimed the interest of six per cent, for seventy-six
thousand florins, detained by the Hungarian Chamber, which amounted
to twenty thousand florins; I having been allowed five per cent.,
and at last four.

I insisted on the restoration of my Sclavonian estates, and a proper
allowance for improvements, which the very sentence of the court had
granted, and which amounted to eighty thousand florins.

I petitioned for an arbitrator; I solicited justice concerning
rights, but received no answer to this and a hundred other
petitions!

I must here speak of transactions during my imprisonment.  I had
bought a house in Vienna in the year 1750; the price was sixteen
thousand florins, thirteen thousand of which I had paid by
instalments.  The receipts were among my writings; these writings,
with my other effects, were taken from me at Dantzic, in the year
1754; nor have I, to this hour, been able to learn more than that my
writings were sent to the administrators of my affairs at Vienna.
With respect to my houses and property in Dantzic, in what manner
these were disposed of no one could or would say.

After being released at Magdeburg, I inquired concerning my house,
but no longer found it mine.  Those who had got possession of my
writings must have restored the acquittances to the seller,
consequently he could re-demand the whole sum.  My house was in
other hands, and I was brought in debtor six thousand florins for
interest and costs of suit.  Thus were house and money gone.  Whom
can I accuse?

Again, I had maintained, at my own expense Lieutenant Schroeder, who
had deserted from Glatz, and for whom I obtained a captain's
commission in the guard of Prince Esterhazy, at Eisenstadt.  His
misconduct caused him to be cashiered.  In my administrator's
accounts I found the following

"To Captain Schroeder, for capital, interest, and costs of suit,
sixteen hundred florins."

It was certain I was not a penny indebted to this person; I had no
redress, having been obliged to pass and sign all their accounts.

I, four years afterwards, obtained information concerning this
affair:  I met Schroeder, knew him, and inquired whether he had
received these sixteen hundred florins.  He answered in the
affirmative.  "No one believed you would ever more see the light.  I
knew you would serve me, and that you would relieve my necessities.
I went and spoke to Dr. Berger; he agreed we should halve the sum,
and his contrivance was, I should make oath I had lent you a
thousand florins, without having received your note.  The money was
paid me by M. Frauenberger, to whom I agreed to send a present of
Tokay, for Madam Huttner."

This was the manner in which my curators took care of my property!
Many instances I could produce, but I am too much agitated by the
recollection.  I must speak a word concerning who and what my
curators were.

The Court Counsellor, Kempf, was my administrator, and Counsellor
Huttner my referendary.  The substitute of Kempf was Frauenberger,
who, being obliged to act as a clerk at Prague during the war,
appointed one Krebs as a sub-substitute; whether M. Krebs had also a
sub-substitute is more than I am able to say.

Dr. Bertracker was fidei commiss-curator, though there was no fidei
commissum existing.  Dr. Berger, as Fidei Commiss-Advocate, was
superintendent, and to them all salaries were to be paid.

Let us see what was the business this company had to transact.  I
had seventy-six thousand florins in the Hungarian Chamber, the
interest of which was to be yearly received, and added to the
capital:  this was their employment, and was certainly so trifling
that any man would have performed it gratis.  The war made money
scarce, and the discounting of bills with my ducats was a profitable
trade to my curators.  Had it been honestly employed, I should have
found my capital increased, after my imprisonment, full sixty
thousand florins.  Instead of these I received three thousand
florins at Prague, and found my capital diminished seven thousand
florins.

Frauenberger and Berger died rich; and I must be confined as a
madman, lest this deputy should have been proved a rogue.  This is
the clue to the acquittal I was obliged to sign:- Madam K- was a
lady of the bedchamber at court; she could approach the throne:  her
chamber employments, indeed, procured her the keys of doors that to
me were eternally locked.

Not satisfied with this, Kempf applied to the Empress, informed her
they were acquitted, not recompensed, and that Frauenberger required
four thousand florins for remuneration.  The Empress laid an
interdict on the half of my income and pension.  Thus was I obliged
to live in poverty; banished the Austrian dominions, where my
seventy-six thousand florins were reduced to sixty-three, the
interest of which I could only receive; and that burthened by the
above interdict, the fidei commissum, and administratorship.

The Empress during my sickness ordered that my captain's pay, during
my ten years' imprisonment, should be given me, amounting to eight
thousand florins; which pay she also settled on me as a pension.  By
this pension I never profited; for, during twenty-three years, that
and more was swallowed by journeys to Vienna, chicanery of courtiers
and agents, and costs of suits.  Of the eight thousand florins three
were stolen; the court physician must be paid thrice as much as
another, and what remained after my recovery was sunk in the
preparations I had made to seek my fortune elsewhere.

How far my captain's pay was matter of right or favour, let the
world judge, being told I went in the service of Vienna to the city
of Dantzic.  Neither did this restitution of pay equal the sum I had
sent the Imperial Minister to obtain my freedom.  I remained nine
months in my dungeon after the articles were signed, unthought of;
and, when mentioned by the Austrians, the King had twice rejected
the proposal of my being set free.  The affair happened as follows,
as I received it from Prince Henry, Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick,
and the Minister, Count Hertzberg:- General Reidt had received my
ten thousand florins full six months, and seemed to remember me no
more.  One gala day, on the 21st of December, the King happened to
be in good humour; and Her Majesty the Queen, the Princess Amelia,
and the present monarch, said to the Imperial Minister, "This is a
fit opportunity for you to speak in behalf of Trenck."  He
accordingly waited his time, did speak, and the King replied, "Yes."

The joy of the whole company appeared so great that Frederic THE
GREAT was offended!

Other circumstances which contributed to promote this affair, the
reader will collect from my history.  That there were persons in
Vienna who desired to detain me in prison is indubitable, from their
proceedings after my return.  My friends in Berlin and my money were
my deliverers.

Walking round Vienna, having recovered from my sickness, the broad
expanse of heaven inspired a consciousness of freedom and pleasure
indescribable.  I heard the song of the lark.  My heart palpitated,
my pulse quickened, for I recollected I was not in chains.
"Happen," said I, "what may, my will and heart are free."

An incident happened which furthered my project of getting away from
Austria.  Marshal Laudohn was going to Aix-la-Chapelle to take the
waters.  He went to take his leave of the Countess Parr; I was
present the Empress entered the chamber, and the conversation
turning upon Laudohn's journey, she said to me, "The baths are
necessary to the re-establishment of your health, Trenck."  I was
ready, and followed him in two days, where we remained about three
months.

The mode of life at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa pleased me, where men of
all nations meet, and where princes mingle with persons of all
ranks.  One day here procured me more pleasure than a whole life in
Vienna.

I had scarcely remained a month before the Countess Parr wrote to me
that the Empress had provided for me, and would make my fortune as
soon as I returned to Vienna.  I tried to discover in what it
consisted, but in vain.  The death of the Emperor Francis at
Innsbruck occasioned the return of General Laudohn, and I followed
him, on foot, to Vienna.

By means of the Countess Parr I obtained an audience.  The Empress
said to me, "I will prove to you, Trenck, that I keep my word.  I
have insured your fortune; I will give you a rich and prudent wife."
I replied, "Most gracious Sovereign, I cannot determine to marry,
and, if I could, my choice is already made at Aix-la-Chapelle."--
"How! are you married, then?"--"Not yet, please your Majesty."--"Are
you promised?"

"Yes."--"Well, well, no matter for that; I will take care of that
affair; I am determined on marrying you to the rich widow of M-, and
she approves my choice.  She is a good, kind woman, and has fifty
thousand florins a year.  You are in want of such a wife."

I was thunderstruck.  This bride was a canting hypocrite of sixty-
three, covetous, and a termagant.  I answered, "I must speak the
truth to your Majesty; I could not consent did she possess the
treasures of the whole earth.  I have made my choice, which, as an
honest man, I must not break."  The Empress said, "Your unhappiness
is your own work.  Act as you think proper; I have done."  Here my
audience ended.  I was not actually affianced at that time to my
present wife, but love had determined my choice.

Marshal Laudohn promoted the match.  He was acquainted with my heart
and the warmth of my passion, and perceived that I could not conquer
the desire of vengeance on men by whom I had been so cruelly
treated.  He and Professor Gellert advised me to take this mode of
calming passions that often inspired projects too vast, and that I
should fly the company of the great.  This counsel was seconded by
my own wishes.  I returned to Aix-la-Chapelle in December, 1766, and
married the youngest daughter of the former Burgomaster De Broe.  He
was dead; he had lived on his own estate in Brussels, where my wife
was born and educated.  My wife's mother was sister to the Vice-
Chancellor of Dusseldorf, Baron Robert, Lord of Roland.  My wife was
with me in most parts of Europe.  She was then young, handsome,
worthy, and virtuous, has borne me eleven children, all of whom she
has nursed herself; eight of them are still living and have been
properly educated.  Twenty-two years she has borne a part of all my
sufferings, and well deserves reward.

During my abode in Vienna I made one effort more.  I sought an
audience with the present Emperor Joseph, related all that had
happened to me, and remarked such defects as I had observed in the
regulations of the country.  He heard me, and commanded me to commit
my thoughts to writing.  My memorial was graciously received.  I
also gave a full account of what had happened to me in various
countries, which prudence has occasioned me to express more
cautiously in these pages.  My memorial produced no effect, and I
hastened back to Aix-la-Chapelle.



CHAPTER VII.



For some years I lived in peace; my house was the rendezvous of the
first people, who came to take the waters.  I began to be more known
among the very first and best people.  I visited Professor Gellert
at Leipzig, and asked his advice concerning what branch of
literature he thought it was probable I might succeed in.  He most
approved my fables and tales, and blamed the excessive freedom with
which I spoke in political writings.  I neglected his advice, and
many of the ensuing calamities were the consequence.

I received orders to correspond with His Majesty's private
secretary, Baron Roder; suffice it to say, my attempts to serve my
country were frustrated; I saw defects too clearly, spoke my
thoughts too frankly, and wanted sufficient humility ever to obtain
favour.

In the year 1767 I wrote "The Macedonian Hero," which became famous
throughout all Germany.  The poem did me honour, but entailed new
persecutions; yet I never could repent:  I have had the honour of
presenting it to five reigning princes, by none of whom it has been
burnt.  The Empress alone was highly enraged.  I had spoken as
Nathan did to David, and the Jesuits now openly became my enemies.

The following trick was played me in 1768.  A friend in Brussels was
commissioned to receive my pay, from whom I learnt an interdict had
been laid upon it by the court called Hofkriegsrath, in Vienna, in
which I was condemned to pay seven hundred florins to one Bussy,
with fourteen years' interest.

Bussy was a known swindler.  I therefore journeyed, post-haste, to
Vienna.  No hearing; no satisfactory account was to be obtained.
The answer was, "Sentence is passed, therefore all attempts are too
late."

I applied to the Emperor Joseph, pledged my head to prove the
falsification of this note; and entreated a revision of the cause.
My request was granted and my attorney, Weyhrauch, was an upright
man.  When he requested a day of revision to be appointed, he was
threatened to be committed by the referendary.  Zetto, should he
interfere and defend the affairs of Trenck.  He answered firmly,
"His defence is my business:  I know my cause to be good."

Four months did I continue in Vienna before the day was appointed to
revise this cause.  It now appeared there were erasures and holes
through the paper in three places; all in court were convinced the
claim ought to be annulled, and the claimant punished.  Zetto
ordered the parties to withdraw, and then so managed that the judges
resolved that the case must be laid before the court with formal and
written proofs.

This gave time for new knavery; I was obliged to return to Aix-la-
Chapelle, and four years elapsed before this affair was decided.
Two priests, in the interim, took false oaths that they had seen me
receive money.  At length, however, I proved that the note was dated
a year after I had been imprisoned at Magdeburg.  Further, my
attorney proved the writs of the court had been falsified.  Zetto,
referendary, and Bussy, were the forgers; but I happened to be too
active, and my attorney too honest, to lose this case.  I was
obliged to make three very expensive journeys from Aix-la-Chapelle
to Vienna, lest judgement should go by default.  Sentence at last
was pronounced.  I gained my cause, and the note was declared a
forgery, but the costs, amounting to three thousand five hundred
florins, I was obliged to pay, for Bussy could not:  nor was he
punished, though driven from Vienna for his villainous acts.  Zetto,
however, still continued for eleven years my persecutor, till he was
deprived of his office, and condemned to the House of Correction.

My knowledge of the world increased at Aix-la-Chapelle, where men of
all characters met.  In the morning I conversed with a lord in
opposition, in the afternoon with an orator of the King's party, and
in the evening with an honest man of no party.  I sent Hungarian
wine into England, France, Holland, and the Empire.  This occasioned
me to undertake long journeys, and as my increased acquaintance gave
me opportunities of receiving foreigners with politeness an my own
house, I was also well received wherever I went.

The income I should have had from Vienna was engulfed by law-suits,
attorneys, and the journeys I undertook; having been thrice cited to
appear, in person, before the Hofkriegsrath.  No hope remained.  I
was described as a dangerous malcontent, who had deserted his native
land.  I nevertheless remained an honest man; one who could provide
for his necessities without the favour of courts; one whose
acquaintance was esteemed.  In Vienna alone was I unsought,
unemployed, and obscure.

One day an accident happened which made me renowned as a magician,
as one who had power over fogs and clouds.

I had a quarrel with the Palatine President, Baron Blankart,
concerning a hunting district.  I wrote to him that he should repair
to the spot in dispute, whither I would attend with sword and
pistol, hoping he would there give me satisfaction for the affront I
had received.  Thither I went, with two huntsmen and two friends,
but instead of the baron I found two hundred armed peasants
assembled.

I sent one of my huntsmen to the army of the enemy, informing them
that, if they did not retreat, I should fire.  The day was fine, but
a thick and impenetrable fog arose.  My huntsman returned, with
intelligence that, having delivered his message just as the fog came
on, these heroes had all run away with fright.

I advanced, fired my piece, as did my followers, and marched to the
mansion of my adversary, where my hunting-horn was blown in triumph
in his courtyard.  The runaway peasants fired, but the fog prevented
their taking aim.

I returned home, where many false reports had preceded me.  My wife
expected I should be brought home dead; however, not the least
mischief had happened.

It soon was propagated through the country that I had raised a fog
to render myself invisible, and that the truth of this could be
justified by two hundred witnesses.  All the monks of Aix-la-
Chapelle, Juliers, and Cologne, preached concerning me, reviled me,
and warned the people to beware of the arch-magician and Lutheran,
Trenck.

On a future occasion, this belief I turned to merriment.  I went to
hunt the wolf in the forests of Montjoie, and invited the townsmen
to the chase.  Towards evening I, and some forty of my followers,
retired to rest in the charcoal huts, provided with wine and brandy.
"My lads," said I, "it is necessary you should discharge your
pieces, and load them anew; that to-morrow no wolf may escape, and
that none of you excuse yourselves on your pieces missing fire."
The guns were reloaded, and placed in a separate chamber.  While
they were merry-making, my huntsman drew the balls, and charged the
pieces with powder, several of which he loaded with double charges.
Some of their notched balls I put into my pocket.

In the morning away went I and my fellows to the chase.  Their
conversation turned on my necromancy, and the manner in which I
could envelope myself in a cloud, or make myself bullet-proof.
"What is that you are talking about?" said I.--"Some of these
unbelieving folks," answered my huntsman, "affirm your honour is
unable to ward off balls."--"Well, then," said I, "fire away, and
try."  My huntsman fired.  I pretended to parry with my hand, and
called, "Let any man that is so inclined fire, but only one at a
time."  Accordingly they began, and, pretending to twist and turn
about, I suffered them all to discharge their pieces.  My people had
carefully noticed that no man had reloaded his gun.  Some of them
received such blows from the guns that were doubly charged that they
fell, terrified at the powers of magic.  I advanced, holding in my
hand some of the marked balls.  "Let every one choose his own,"
called I.  All stood motionless, and many of them slunk home with
their guns on their shoulders; some remained, and our sport was
excellent.

On Sunday the monks of Aix-la-Chapelle again began to preach.  My
black art became the theme of the whole country, and to this day
many of the people make oath that they fired upon me, and that,
after catching them, I returned the balls.

My invulnerable qualities were published throughout Juliers, Aix-la-
Chapelle, Maestricht, and Cologne, and perhaps this belief saved my
life; the priests having propagated it from their pulpits, in a
country which swarms with highway robbers, and where, for a single
ducat, any man may hire an assassin.

It is no small surprise that I should have preserved my life, in a
town where there are twenty-three monasteries and churches, and
where the monks are adored as deities.  The Catholic clergy had been
enraged against me by my poem of "The Macedonian Hero;" and in 1772
I published a newspaper at Aix-la-Chapelle, and another work
entitled, "The Friend of Men," in which I unmasked hypocrisy.  A
major of the apostolic Maria Theresa, writing thus in a town
swarming with friars, and in a tone so undaunted, was unexampled.

At present, now that freedom of opinion is encouraged by the
Emperor, many essayists encounter bigotry and deceit with ridicule;
or, wanting invention themselves, publish extracts from writings of
the age of Luther.  But I have the honour of having attacked the
pillars of the Romish hierarchy in days more dangerous.  I may boast
of being the first German who raised a fermentation on the Upper
Rhine and in Austria, so advantageous to truth, the progress of the
understanding, and the happiness of futurity.

My writings contain nothing inimical to the morality taught by
Christ.  I attacked the sale of indulgences, the avarice of Rome,
the laziness, deceit, gluttony, robbery, and blood-sucking of the
monks of Aix-la-Chapelle.  The arch-priest, and nine of his
coadjutors, declared every Sunday that I was a freethinker, a
wizard, one whom every man, wishing well to God and the Church,
ought to assassinate.  Father Zunder declared me an outlaw, and a
day was appointed on which my writings were to be burnt before my
house, and its inhabitants massacred.  My wife received letters
warning her to fly for safety, which warning she obeyed.  I and two
of my huntsmen remained, provided with eighty-four loaded muskets.
These I displayed before the window, that all might be convinced
that I would make a defence.  The appointed day came, and Father
Zunder, with my writings in his hand, appeared ready for the attack;
the other monks had incited the townspeople to a storm.  Thus passed
the day and night in suspense.

In the morning a fire broke out in the town.  I hastened, with my
two huntsmen, well armed, to give assistance; we dashed the water
from our buckets, and all obeyed my directions.  Father Zunder and
his students were there likewise.  I struck his anointed ear with my
leathern bucket, which no man thought proper to notice.  I passed
undaunted through the crowd; the people smiled, pulled off their
hats, and wished me a good-morning.  The people of Aix-la-Chapelle
were bigots, but too cowardly to murder a man who was prepared for
his own defence.

As I was riding to Maestricht, a ball whistled by my ears, which, no
doubt, was a messenger sent after me by these persecuting priests.

When hunting near the convent of Schwartzenbruck, three Dominicans
lay in ambush behind a hedge.  One of their colleagues pointed out
the place.  I was on my guard with my gun, drew near, and called
out, "Shoot, scoundrels! but do not kill me, for the devil stands
ready for you at your elbow."  One fired, and all ran:  The ball hit
my hat.  I fired and wounded one desperately, whom the others
carried off.

In 1774, journeying from Spa to Limbourg, I was attacked by eight
banditti.  The weather was rainy, and my musket was in its case; my
sabre was entangled in my belt, so that I was obliged to defend
myself as with a club.  I sprang from the carriage, and fought in
defence of my life, striking down all before me, while my faithful
huntsman protected me behind.  I dispersed my assailants, hastened
to my carriage, and drove away.  One of these fellows was soon after
hanged, and owned that the confessor of the banditti had promised
absolution could they but despatch me, but that no man could shoot
me, because Lucifer had rendered me invulnerable.  My agility,
fighting, too, for life, was superior to theirs, and they buried two
of their gang, whom with my heavy sabre I had killed.

To such excess of cruelty may the violence of priests be carried!  I
attacked only gross abuses--the deceit of the monks of Aix-la-
Chapelle, Cologne, and Liege, where they are worse than cannibals.
I wished to inculcate true Christian duties among my fellow-
citizens, and the attempt was sufficient to irritate the selfish
Church of Rome.

From my Empress I had nothing to hope.  Her confessor had painted me
as a persecutor of the blessed Mother Church.  Nor was this all.
Opinions were propagated throughout Vienna that I was a dangerous
man to the community.

Hence I was always wronged in courts of judicature, where there are
ever to be found wicked men.  They thought they were serving the
cause of God by injuring me.  Yet they were unable to prevent my
writings from producing me much money, or from being circulated
through all Germany.  The Aix-la-Chapelle Journal became so famous,
that in the second year I had four thousand subscribers, by each of
whom I gained a ducat.

The postmasters, who gained considerably by circulating newspapers,
were envious, because the Aix-la-Chapelle Journal destroyed several
of the others, and they therefore formed a combination.

Prince Charles of Sweden placed confidence in me during his
residence at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa, and I accompanied him into
Holland.  When I took my leave of him at Maestricht, he said to me,
"When my father dies, either my brother shall be King, or we will
lose our heads."  The King died, and Prince Charles soon after said,
in the postscript of one of his letters, "What we spoke of at
Maestricht will soon be fully accomplished, and you may then come to
Stockholm."

On this, I inserted an article in my journal declaring a revolution
had taken place in Sweden, that the king had made himself absolute.
The other papers expressed their doubts, and I offered to wager a
thousand ducats on the truth of the article published in my journal
under the title of "Aix-la-Chapelle."  The news of the revolution in
Sweden was confirmed.

My journal foretold the Polish partition six weeks sooner than any
other; but how I obtained this news must not be mentioned.  I was
active in the defence of Queen Matilda of Denmark.

The French Ministry were offended at the following pasquinade:- "The
three eagles have rent the Polish bear, without losing a feather
with which any man in the Cabinet of Versailles can write.  Since
the death of Mazarin, they write only with goose-quills."

By desire of the King of Poland, I wrote a narrative of the attempt
made to assassinate him, and named the nuncio who had given
absolution to the conspirators in the chapel of the Holy Virgin.

The house was now in flames.  Rome insisted I should recall my
words.  Her nuncio, at Cologne, vented poison, daggers, and
excommunication; the Empress-Queen herself thought proper to
interfere.  I obtained, for my justification, from Warsaw a copy of
the examination of the conspirators.  This I threatened to publish,
and stood unmoved in the defence of truth.

The Empress wrote to the Postmaster-General of the Empire, and
commanded him to lay an interdict on the Aix-la-Chapelle Journal.
Informed of this, I ended its publication with the year, but wrote
an essay on the partition of Poland, which also did but increase my
enemies.

The magistracy of Aix-la-Chapelle is elected from the people, and
the Burghers' court consists of an ignorant rabble.  I know no
exceptions but Baron Lamberte and De Witte; and this people assume
titles of dignity, for which they are amenable to the court at
Vienna.  Knowing I should find little protection at Vienna, they
imagined they might drive me from their town.  I was a spy on their
evil deeds, of whom they would have rid themselves.  I knew that the
two sheriffs, Kloss and Furth, and the recorder, Geyer, had robbed
the town-chamber of forty thousand dollars, and divided the spoil.
To these I was a dangerous man.  For such reasons they sought a
quarrel with me, pretending I had committed a trespass by breaking
down a hedge, and cited me to appear at the town-house.

The postmaster, Heinsberg, of Aix-la-Chapelle, although he had two
thousand three hundred rix-dollars of mine in his possession,
instituted false suits against me, obtained verdicts against me,
seized on a cargo of wine at Cologne, and I incurred losses to the
amount of eighteen thousand florins, which devoured the fortune of
my wife, and by which she, with myself and my children, were reduced
to poverty.

The Gravenitz himself, in 1778, acknowledged how much he had injured
me, affirmed he had been deceived, and promised he would try to
obtain restitution.  I forgave him, and he attempted to keep his
promise; but his power declined; the bribes he had received became
too public.  He was dispossessed of his post, but, alas! too late
for me.  Two other of my judges are at this time obliged to sweep
the streets of Vienna, where they are condemned to the House of
Correction.  Had this been their employment instead of being seated
on the seat of judgment twenty years ago, I might have been more
fortunate.  It is a remarkable circumstance that I should so
continually have been despoiled by unjust judges.  Who would have
had the temerity to affirm that their evil deeds should bring them
to attend on the city scavenger?  I indeed knew them but too well,
and fearlessly spoke what I knew.  It was my misfortune that I was
acquainted with their malpractices sooner than gracious Sovereign.

Let the scene close on my litigations at Aix-la-Chapelle and Vienna.
May God preserve every honest man from the like!  They have
swallowed up my property, and that of my wife.  Enough!



CHAPTER VIII.



From the year 1774 to 1777, I journeyed through England and France.
I was intimate with Dr. Franklin, the American Minister, and with
the Counts St. Germain and de Vergennes, who made me proposals to go
to America; but I was prevented by my affection for my wife and
children.

My friend the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, who had been Governor of
Magdeburg during my imprisonment, offered me a commission among the
troops going to America, but I answered--"Gracious prince, my heart
beats in the cause of freedom only; I will never assist in enslaving
men.  Were I at the head of your brave grenadiers.  I should revolt
to the Americans."

During 1775 I continued at Aix-la-Chapelle my essays, entitled, "The
Friend of Men."  My writings had made some impression; the people
began to read; the monks were ridiculed, but my partisans increased,
and their leader got himself cudgelled.

They did not now mention my name publicly, but catechised their
penitents at confession.  During this year people came to me from
Cologne, Bonn, and Dusseldorf, to speak with me privately.  When I
inquired their business, they told me their clergy had informed them
I was propagating a new religion, in which every man must sign
himself to the devil, who then would supply them with money.  They
were willing to become converts to my faith, would Beelzebub but
give them money, and revenge them on their priests.  "My good
friends," answered I, "your teachers have deceived you; I know of no
devils but themselves.  Were it true that I was founding a new
religion, the converts to whom the devil would supply money, your
priests, would be the first of my apostles, and the most catholic.
I am an honest, moral man, as a Christian ought to be.  Go home, in
God's name, and do your duty."

I forgot to mention that the recorder of the sheriff's court at Aix-
la-Chapelle, who is called Baron Geyer, had associated himself in
1778 with a Jew convert, and that this noble company swindled a
Dutch merchant out of eighty thousand florins, by assuming the arms
of Elector Palatine, and producing forged receipts and contracts.
Geyer was taken in Amsterdam, and would have been hanged, but, by
the aid of a servant, he escaped.  He returned to Aix-la-Chapelle,
where he enjoys his office.  Three years ago he robbed the town-
chamber.  His wife was, at that time, generis communis, and procured
him friends at court.  The assertions of this gentleman found
greater credit at Vienna than those of the injured Trenck!  Oh,
shame!  Oh, world! world!

My wine trade was so successful that I had correspondents and stores
in London, Paris, Brussels, Hamburg, and the Hague, and had gained
forty thousand florins.  One unfortunate day destroyed all my hopes
in the success of this traffic.

In London I was defrauded of eighteen hundred guineas by a swindler.
The fault was my brother-in-law's, who parted with the wine before
he had received the money.  When I had been wronged, and asked my
friends' assistance, I was only laughed at, as if they were happy
that an Englishman had the wit to cheat a German.

Finding myself defrauded, I hastened to Sir John Fielding.  He told
me he knew I had been swindled, and that his friendship would make
him active in my behalf; that he also knew the houses where my wine
was deposited, and that a party of his runners should go with me,
sufficiently strong for its recovery.  I was little aware that he
had, at that time, two hundred bottles of my best Tokay in his
cellar.  His pretended kindness was a snare; he was in partnership
with robbers, only the stupid among whom he hanged, and preserved
the most adroit for the promotion of trade.

He sent a constable and six of his runners with me, commanding them
to act under my orders.  By good fortune I had a violent headache,
and sent my brother-in-law, who spoke better English than I.  Him
they brought to the house of a Jew, and told him, "Your wine, sir,
is here concealed."  Though it was broad day, the door was locked,
that he might be induced to act illegally.  The constable desired
him to break the door open, which he did; the Jews came running, and
asked--"What do you want, gentlemen?"--"I want my wine," answered my
brother.--"Take what is your own," replied a Jew; "but beware of
touching my property.  I have bought the wine."

My brother attended the constable and runners into a cellar, and
found a great part of my wine.  He wrote to Sir John Fielding that
he had found the wine, and desired to know how to act.  Fielding
answered:  "It must be taken by the owner."  My brother accordingly
sent me the wine.

Next day came a constable with a warrant, saying, "He wanted to
speak with my brother, and that he was to go to Sir John Fielding."
When he was in the street, he told him--"Sir, you are my prisoner."

I went to Sir John Fielding, and asked him what it meant.  This
justice answered that my brother had been accused of felony.  The
Jews and swindlers had sworn the wine was a legal purchase.  If I
had not been paid, or was ignorant of the English laws, that was my
fault.  Six swindlers had sworn the wine was paid for, which
circumstance he had not known, or he should not have granted me a
warrant.  My brother had also broken open the doors, and forcibly
taken away wine which was not his own.  They made oath of this, and
he was charged with burglary and robbery.

He desired me to give bail in a thousand guineas for my brother for
his appearance in the Court of King's Bench; otherwise his trial
would immediately come on, and in a few days he would be hanged.

I hastened to a lawyer, who confirmed what had been told me, advised
me to give bail, and he would then defend my cause.  I applied to
Lord Mansfield, and received the same answer.  I told my story to
all my friends, who laughed at me for attempting to trade in London
without understanding the laws.  My friend Lord Grosvenor said,
"Send more wine to London, and we will pay you so well that you will
soon recover your loss."

I went to my wine-merchants, who had a stock of mine worth upwards
of a thousand guineas.  They gave bail for my brother, and he was
released.

Fielding, in the interim, sent his runners to my house, took back
the wine, and restored it to the Jews.  They threatened to prosecute
me as a receiver of stolen goods.  I fled from London to Paris,
where I sold off my stock at half-price, honoured my bills, and so
ended my merchandise.

My brother returned to London in November, to defend his cause in
the Court of King's Bench; but the swindlers had disappeared, and
the lawyer required a hundred pounds to proceed.  The conclusion was
that my brother returned with seventy pounds less in his pocket,
spent as travelling expenses, and the stock in the hands of my wine-
merchants was detained on pretence of paying the bail.  They brought
me an apothecary's bill, and all was lost.

The Swedish General Sprengporten came to Aix-la-Chapelle in 1776.
He had planned and carried into execution the revolution so
favourable to the King, but had left Sweden in discontent, and came
to take the waters with a rooted hypochondria.

He was the most dangerous man in Sweden, and had told the King
himself, after the revolution, in the presence of his guards, "While
Sprengporten can hold a sword, the King has nothing to command."

It was feared he would go to Russia, and Prince Charles wrote to me
in the name of the monarch, desiring I would exert myself to
persuade him to return to Sweden.  He was a man of pride, which
rendered him either a fool or a madman.  He despised everything that
was not Swedish.

The Prussian Minister, Count Hertzberg, the same year came to Aix-
la-Chapelle.  I enjoyed his society for three months, and
accompanied this great man.  To his liberality am I indebted that I
can return to my country with honour.

The time I had to spare was not spent in idleness; I attacked, in my
weekly writings, those sharpers who attend at Aix-la-Chapelle and
Spa to plunder both inhabitants and visitants, under the connivance
of the magistracy; nor are there wanting foreign noblemen who become
the associates of these pests of society.  The publication of such
truths endangered my life from the desperadoes, who, when detected,
had nothing more to lose.  How powerful is an innocent life, nothing
can more fully prove than that I still exist, in despite of all the
attempts of wicked monks and despicable sharpers.

Though my life was much disturbed, yet I do not repent of my manner
of acting; many a youth, many a brave man, have I detained from the
gaming-table, and pointed out to them the most notorious sharpers.

This was so injurious to Spa, that the Bishop of Liege himself, who
enjoys a tax on all their winnings, and therefore protects such
villains, offered me an annual pension of five hundred guineas if I
would not come to Spa; or three per cent. on the winnings, would I
but associate myself with Colonel N-t, and raise recruits for the
gaming-table.  My answer may easily be imagined; yet for this was I
threatened to be excommunicated by the Holy Catholic Church!

I and my family passed sixteen summers in Spa.  My house became the
rendezvous of the most respectable part of the company, and I was
known to some of the most respectable characters in Europe.

A contest arose between the town of Aix-la-Chapelle and Baron
Blankart, the master of the hounds to the Elector Palatine:  it
originated in a dispute concerning precedence between the before-
mentioned wife of the Recorder Geyer and the sister of the
Burgomaster of Aix-la-Chapelle, Kahr, who governed that town with
despotism.

This quarrel was detrimental to the town and to the Elector
Palatine, but profitable to Kahr, whose office it was to protect the
rights of the town, and those persons who defended the claims of the
Elector; the latter kept a faro bank, the plunder of which had
enriched the town; and the former Kahr, under pretence of defending
their cause, embezzled the money of the people; so that both parties
endeavoured with all their power to prolong the litigation.

It vexed me to see their proceedings.  Those who suffered on each
side were deceived; and I conceived the project of exposing the
truth.  For this purpose I journeyed to the court at Mannheim,
related the facts to the Elector, produced a plan of accommodation,
which he approved, and obtained power to act as arbitrator.  The
Minister of the Elector, Bekkers, pretended to approve my zeal,
conducted me to an auberge, made me dine at his house, and said a
commission was made out for my son, and forwarded to Aix-la-
Chapelle--which was false; the moment he quitted me he sent to Aix-
la-Chapelle to frustrate the attempt he pretended to applaud.  He
was himself in league with the parties.  In fine, this silly
interference brought me only trouble, expense, and chagrin.  I made
five journeys to Mannheim, till I became so dissatisfied that I
determined to quit Aix-la-Chapelle, and purchase an estate in
Austria.

The Bavarian contest was at this time in agitation; my own affairs
brought me to Paris, and here I learned intelligence of great
consequence; this I communicated to the Grand Duke of Florence, on
my return to Vienna.  The Duke departed to join the army in Bohemia,
and I again wrote to him, and thought it my duty to send a courier.
The Duke showed my letter to the Emperor; but I remained unnoticed.

I did not think myself safe in foreign countries during this time of
war, and purchased the lordship of Zwerbach, with appurtenances,
which, with the expenses, cost me sixty thousand florins.

To conclude this purchase, I was obliged to solicit the referendary,
Zetto, and his friend whom he had appointed as my curator, for my
new estate was likewise made a fidei commissum, as my referendaries
and curators would not let me escape contribution.  The six thousand
florins of which they emptied my purse would have done my family
much service.

In May, 1780, I went to Aix-la-Chapelle, where my wife's mother died
in July; and in September my wife, myself, and family, all came to
Vienna.

My wife solicited the mistress of the ceremonies to obtain an
audience.  Her request was granted, and she gained the favour of the
Empress.  Her kindness was beyond expression:  she introduced my
wife to the Archduchess, and commanded her mistress of the
ceremonies to present her everywhere.  "You were unwilling," said
she, "to accompany your husband into my country, but I hope to
convince you that you may live happier in Austria than at Aix-la-
Chapelle."

She next day sent me her decree, assuring me of a pension of four
hundred florins.

My wife petitioned the Empress to grant me an audience:  her request
was complied with:  and the Empress said to me:  "This is the third
time in which I would have made your fortune, had you been so
disposed."  She desired to see my children, and spoke of my
writings.  "How much good might you do," said she, "would you but
write in the cause of religion!"

We departed for Zwerbach, where we lived contentedly, but when we
were preparing to return to Vienna, and solicited the restitution of
part of my lost fortune, during this favour of the court, Theresa
died, and all my hopes were overcast.

I forgot to relate that the Archduchess, Maria Anna, desired me to
translate a religious work, written in French by the Abbe Baudrand,
into German.  I replied I would obey Her Majesty's commands.  I
began my work, took passages from Baudrand, but inserted more of my
own.  The first volume was finished in six weeks; the Empress
thought it admirable.  The second soon followed, and I presented
this myself.

She asked me if it equalled the first; I answered, I hoped it would
be found more excellent.  "No," said she; "I never in my life read a
better book:" and added, "she wondered how I could write so well and
so quickly."  I promised another volume within a month.  Before the
third was ready, Theresa died.  She gave orders on her death-bed to
have the writings of Baron Trenck read to her; and though her
confessor well knew the injustice that had been done me, yet in her
last moments he kept silence, though he had given me his sacred
promise to speak in my behalf.

After her death the censor commanded that I should print what I have
stated in the preface to that third volume, and this was my only
satisfaction.

For one-and-thirty years had I been soliciting my rights, which I
never could obtain, because the Empress was deceived by wicked men,
and believed me a heretic.  In the thirty-second, my wife had the
good fortune to convince her this was false; she had determined to
make me restitution; just at this moment she died.

The pension granted my wife by the Empress in consequence of my
misfortunes and our numerous family, we only enjoyed nine months.

Of this she was deprived by the new monarch.  He perhaps knew
nothing of the affair, as I never solicited.  Yet much has it
grieved me.  Perhaps I may find relief when the sighs wrung from me
shall reach the heart of the father of his people in this my last
writing.  At present, nothing for me remains but to live unknown in
Zwerbach.

The Emperor thought proper to collect the moneys bestowed on
hospitals into one fund.  The system was a wise one.  My cousin
Trenck had bequeathed thirty-six thousand florins to a hospital for
the poor of Bavaria.  This act he had no right to do, having
deducted the sum from the family estate.  I petitioned the Emperor
that these thirty-six thousand florins might be restored to me and
my children, who were the people whom Trenck had indeed made poor,
nothing of the property of his acquiring having been left to pay
this legacy, but, on the contrary, the money having been exacted
from mine.

In a few days it was determined I should be answered in the same
tone in which, for six-and-thirty years past, all my petitions had
been answered:-

"THE REQUEST OF THE PETITIONER CANNOT BE GRANTED."

Fortune persecuted me in my retreat.  Within six years two
hailstorms swept away my crops; one year was a misgrowth; there were
seven floods; a rot among my sheep:  all possible calamities befell
me and my manor.

The estate had been ruined, the ponds were to drain, three farms
were to be put into proper condition, and the whole newly stocked.
This rendered me poor, especially as my wife's fortune had been sunk
in lawsuits at Aix-la-Chapelle and Cologne.

The miserable peasants had nothing, therefore could not pay:  I was
obliged to advance them money.  My sons assisted me, and we laboured
with our own hands:  my wife took care of eight children, without so
much as the help of a maid.  We lived in poverty, obliged to earn
our daily bread.

The greatest of my misfortunes was my treatment in the military
court, when Zetto and Krugel were my referendaries.  Zetto had
clogged me with a curator and when the cow had no more milk to give,
they began to torture me with deputations, sequestrations,
administrations, and executions.  Nineteen times was I obliged to
attend in Vienna within two years, at my own expense.  Every six
years must I pay an attorney to dispute and quarrel with the
curator.  I, in conclusion, was obliged to pay.  If any affair was
to be expedited, I, by a third hand, was obliged to send the
referendary some ducats.  Did he give judgment, still that judgment
lay fourteen months inefficient, and, when it then appeared, the
copy was false, and so was sent to the upper courts, the high
referendary of which said I "must be dislodged from Zwerbach."

They obliged me at last to purchase my naturalisation.  I sent to
Prussia for my pedigree; the attestation of this was sent me by
Count Hertzberg.  Although the family of Trenck had a hundred years
been landholders in Hungary, yet was my attorney obliged to solicit
the instrument called ritter-diploma, for which, under pain of
execution, I must pay two thousand florins.

By decree a Prussian nobleman is not noble in Austria, where every
lackey can purchase a diploma, making him a knight of the Empire,
for twelve hundred wretched florins!--where such men as P- and
Grassalkowitz have purchased the dignity of a prince!

Tortured by the courts, terrified by hailstorms, I determined to
publish my works, in eight volumes, and this history of my life.

Fourteen months accomplished this purpose.  My labours found a
favourable reception through all Germany, procured me money, esteem,
and honour.  By my writings only will I seek the means of existence,
and by trying to obtain the approbation and the love of men.



CHAPTER IX.



On the 22nd of August, 1786, the news arrived that Frederic the
Great had left this world

* * *

The present monarch, the witness of my sufferings in my native
country, sent me a royal passport to Berlin.  The confiscation of my
estates was annulled, and my deceased brother, in Prussia, had left
my children his heirs.

* * *

I journey, within the Imperial permission, back to my country, from
which I have been two-and-forty years expelled!  I journey--not as a
pardoned malefactor, but as a man whose innocence has been
established by his actions, has been proved in his writings, and who
is journeying to receive his reward.

Here I shall once more encounter my old friends my relations, and
those who have known me in the days of my affliction.  Here shall I
appear, not as my country's Traitor, but as my country's Martyr!

Possible, though little probable, are still future storms.  For
these also I am prepared.  Long had I reason daily to curse the
rising sun, and, setting, to behold it with horror.  Death to me
appears a great benefit:  a certain passage from agitation to peace,
from motion to rest.  As for my children, they, jocund in youth,
delight in present existence.  When I have fulfilled the duties of a
father, to live or die will then be as I shall please.

Thou, O God! my righteous Judge, didst ordain that I should be an
example of suffering to the world; Thou madest me what I am, gavest
me these strong passions, these quick nerves, this thrilling of the
blood, when I behold injustice.  Strong was my mind, that deeply it
might meditate on deep subjects; strong my memory, that these
meditations I might retain; strong my body, that proudly it might
support all it has pleased Thee to inflict.

Should I continue to exist, should identity go with me, and should I
know what I was then, when I was called Trenck; when that
combination of particles which Nature commanded should compose this
body shall be decomposed, scattered, or in other bodies united; when
I have no muscles to act, no brain to think, no retina on which
pictures can mechanically be painted, my eyes wasted, and no tongue
remaining to pronounce the Creator's name, should I still behold a
Creator--then, oh then, will my spirit mount, and indubitably
associate with spirits of the just who expectant wait for their
golden harps and glorious crowns from the Most High God.  For human
weaknesses, human failings, arising from our nature, springing from
our temperament, which the Creator has ordained, shall be even thus,
and not otherwise; for these have I suffered enough on earth.

Such is my confession of faith; in this have I lived, in this will I
die.  The duties of a man and of a Christian I have fulfilled; nay,
often have exceeded, often have been too benevolent, too generous;
perhaps also too proud, too vain.  I could not bend, although liable
to be broken.

That I have not served the world, in acts and employments where best
I might, is perhaps my own fault:  the fault of my manner, which is
now too radical to be corrected in this, my sixtieth year.  Yes, I
acknowledge my failing, acknowledge it unblushingly; nay, glory in
the pride of a noble nature.

For myself, I ask nothing of those who have read my history; to them
do I commit my wife and children.  My eldest son is a lieutenant in
the Tuscan regiment of cavalry, under General Lasey, and does honour
to his father's principles.  The second serves his present Prussian
Majesty, as ensign in the Posadowsky dragoons, with equal promise.
The third is still a child.  My daughters will make worthy men
happy, for they have imbibed virtue and gentleness with their
mother's milk.  Monarchs may hereafter remember what I have
suffered, what I have lost, and what is due to my ashes.

Here do I declare--I will seek no other revenge against my enemies
than that of despising their evil deeds.  It is my wish, and shall
be my endeavour, to forget the past; and having committed no
offence, neither will I solicit monarchs for posts of honour; as I
have ever lived a free man, a free man will I die.

I conclude this part of my history on the evening preceding my
journey to Berlin.  God grant I may encounter no new afflictions, to
be inserted in the remainder of this history.

This journey I prepared to undertake, but my ever-envious fate threw
me on the bed of sickness, insomuch that small hope remained that I
ever should again behold the country of my forefathers.  I seemed
following the Great Frederic to the mansions of the dead; then
should I never have concluded the history of my life, or obtained
the victory by which I am now crowned.

A variety of obstacles being overcome, I found it necessary to make
a journey into Hungary, which was one of the most pleasant of my
whole life.

I have no words to express my ardent wishes for the welfare of a
nation where I met with so many proofs of friendship.  Wherever I
appeared I was welcomed with that love and enthusiasm which only
await the fathers of their country.  The valour of my cousin Trenck,
who died ingloriously in the Spielberg, the loss of my great
Hungarian estates, the fame of my writings, and the cruelty of my
sufferings, had gone before me.  The officers of the army, the
nobles of the land, alike testified the warmth of their esteem.

Such is the reward of the upright; such too are the proofs that this
nation knows the just value of fortitude and virtue.  Have I not
reason to publish my gratitude, and to recommend my children to
those who, when I am no more, shall dare uprightly to determine
concerning the rights which have unjustly been snatched from me in
Hungary?

Not a man in Hungary but will proclaim I have been unjustly dealt
by; yet I have good reason to suspect I never shall find redress.
Sentence had been already given; judges, more honest, cannot,
without difficulty, reverse old decrees; and the present possessors
of my estates are too powerful, too intimate with the governors of
the earth, for me to hope I shall hereafter be more happy.  God
knows my heart; I wish the present possessors may render services to
the state equal to those rendered by the family of the Trencks.

There is little probability I shall ever behold my noble friends in
Hungary more.  Here I bid them adieu, promising them to pass the
remainder of any life so as still to merit the approbation of a
people with whose ashes I would most willingly have mingled my own.
May the God of heaven preserve every Hungarian from a fate similar
to mine!

The Croats have ever been reckoned uncultivated; yet, among this
uncultivated people I found more subscribers to my writings than
among all the learned men of Vienna; and in Hungary, more than in
all the Austrian dominions.

The Hungarians, the unlettered Croats, seek information.  The people
of Vienna ask their confessors' permission to read instructive
books.  Various subscribers, having read the first volume of my
work, brought it back, and re-demanded their money, because some
monk had told them it was a book dangerous to be read.  The judges
of their courts have re-sold them to the booksellers for a few pence
or given them to those who had the care of their consciences to
burn.

In Vienna alone was my life described as a romance; in Hungary I
found the compassion of men, their friendship, and effectual aid.
Had my book been the production of an Englishman, good wishes would
not have been his only reward.

We German writers have interested critics to encounter if we would
unmask injustice; and if a book finds a rapid sale, dishonest
printers issue spurious editions, defrauding the author of his
labours.

The encouragement of the learned produces able teachers, and from
their seminaries men of genius occasionally come forth.  The world
is inundated with books and pamphlets; the undiscerning reader knows
not which to select; the more intelligent are disgusted, or do not
read at all, and thus a work of merit becomes as little profitable
to the author as to the state.

I left Vienna on the 5th of January, and came to Prague.  Here I
found nearly the same reception as in Hungary; my writings were
read.  Citizens, noblemen, and ladies treated me with like favour.
May the monarch know how to value men of generous feelings and
enlarged understandings!

I bade adieu to Prague, and continued my journey to Berlin.  In
Bohemia, I took leave of my son, who saw his father and his two
brothers, destined for the Prussian service, depart.  He felt the
weight of this separation; I reminded him of his duty to the state
he served; I spoke of the fearful fate of his uncle and father in
Austria, and of the possessors of our vast estates in Hungary.  He
shrank back--a look from his father pierced him to the soul--tears
stood in his eyes--his youthful blood flowed quick, and the
following expression burst suddenly from his lips:- "I call God to
witness that I will prove myself worthy of my father's name; and
that, while I live, his enemies shall be mine!"

At Peterswald, on the road to Dresden, my carriage broke down:  my
life was endangered; and my son received a contusion in the arm.
The erysipelas broke out on him at Berlin, and I could not present
him to the King for a month after.

I had been but a short time at Berlin before the well-known
minister, Count Hertzberg, received me with kindness.  Every man to
whom his private worth is known will congratulate the state that has
the wisdom to bestow on him so high an office.  His scholastic and
practical learning, his knowledge of languages, his acquaintance
with sciences, are indeed wonderful.  His zeal for his country is
ardent, his love of his king unprejudiced, his industry admirable,
his firmness that of a man.  He is the most experienced man in the
Prussian states.  The enemies of his country may rely on his word.
The artful he can encounter with art; those who menace, with
fortitude; and with wise foresight can avert the rising storm.  He
seeks not splendour in sumptuous and ostentatious retinue; but if he
can only enrich the state, and behold the poor happy, he is himself
willing to remain poor.  His estate, Briess, near Berlin, is no
Chanteloup, but a model to those patriots who would study economy.
Here he, every Wednesday, enjoys recreation.  The services he
renders the kingdom cost it only five thousand rix-dollars yearly;
he, therefore, lives without ostentation, yet becoming his state,
and with splendour when splendour is necessary.  He does not plunder
the public treasury that he may preserve his own private property.

This man will live in the annals of Prussia:  who was employed under
the Great Frederic; had so much influence in the cabinets of Europe;
and was a witness of the last actions, the last sensations, of his
dying king; yet who never asked, nor ever received, the least
gratuity.  This is the minister whose conversation I had the
happiness to partake at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa, whose welfare is
the wish of my heart, and whose memory I shall ever revere.

I was received with distinction at his table, and became acquainted
with those whose science had benefited the Prussian states; nor was
anything more flattering to my self-love than that men like these
should think me worthy their friendship.

Not many days after I was presented to the court by the Prussian
chamberlain, Prince Sacken, as it is not customary at Berlin for a
foreign subject to be presented by the minister of his own court.
Though a Prussian subject, I wore the Imperial uniform.

The King received me with condescension; all eyes were directed
towards me, each welcomed me to my country.  This moved me the more
as it was remarked by the foreign ministers, who asked who that
Austrian officer could be who was received with so much affection
and such evident joy in Berlin.  The gracious monarch himself gave
tokens of pleasure at beholding me thus surrounded.  Among the rest
came the worthy General Prittwitz, who said aloud -

"This is the gentleman who might have ruined me to effect his own
deliverance."

Confused at so public a declaration, I desired him to expound this
riddle; and he added -

"I was obliged to be one of your guards on your unfortunate journey
from Dantzic to Magdeburg, in 1754, when I was a lieutenant.  On the
road I continued alone with you in an open carriage.  This gave you
an opportunity to escape, but you forbore.  I afterwards saw the
danger to which I had exposed myself.  Had you been less noble-
minded, had such a prisoner escaped through my negligence, I had
certainly been ruined.  The King believed you alike dangerous and
deserving of punishment.  I here acknowledge you as my saviour, and
am in gratitude your friend."  I knew not that the generous man, who
wished me so well, was the present General Prittwitz.  That he
should himself remind me of this incident does him the greater
honour.

Having been introduced at court, I thought it necessary to observe
ceremonies, and was presented by the Imperial ambassador, Prince
Reuss, to all foreign ministers, and such families as are in the
habit of admitting such visits.  I was received by the Prince Royal,
the reigning Queen, the Queen-Dowager, and the royal family in their
various places, with favour never to be forgotten.  His Royal
Highness Prince Henry invited me to a private audience, continued
long in conversation with me, promised me his future protection,
admitted me to his private concerts, and sometimes made me sup at
court.

A like reception I experienced in the palace of Prince Ferdinand of
Brunswick, where I frequently dined and supped.  His princess took
delight in hearing my narratives, and loaded me with favour.

Prince Ferdinand's mode of educating children is exemplary.  The
sons are instructed in the soldier's duties, their bodies are inured
to the inclemencies of weather; they are taught to ride, to swim,
and are steeled to all the fatigue of war.  Their hearts are formed
for friendship, which they cannot fail to attain.  Happy the nation
in defence of which they are to act!

How ridiculous these their ROYAL HIGHNESSES appear who, though born
to rule, are not deserving to be the lackeys to the least of those
whom they treat with contempt; and yet who swell, strut, stride, and
contemplate themselves as creatures essentially different by nature,
and of a superior rank in the scale of beings, though, in reality,
their minds are of the lowest, the meanest class.

Happy the state whose prince is impressed with a sense that the
people are not his property, but he the property of the people!  A
prince beloved by his people will ever render a nation more happy
those he whose only wish is to inspire fear.

The pleasure I received at Berlin was great indeed.  When I went to
court, the citizens crowded to see me, and when anyone among them
said, "That is Trenck," the rest would cry, "Welcome once more to
your country," while many would reach me their hands, with the tears
standing in their eyes.  Frequent were the scenes I experienced of
this kind.  No malefactor would have been so received.  It was the
reward of innocence; this reward was bestowed throughout the
Prussian territories.

Oh world, ill-judging world, deceived by show!  Dost thou not
blindly follow the opinion of the prince, be he severe, arbitrary,
or just?  Thy censure and thy praise equally originate in common
report.  In Magdeburg I lay, chained to the wall, ten years, sighing
in wretchedness, every calamity of hunger, cold, nakedness, and
contempt.  And wherefore?  Because the King, deceived by slanderers,
pronounced me worthy of punishment.  Because a wise King mistook me,
and treated me with barbarity.  Because a prudent King knew he had
done wrong, yet would not have it so supposed.  So was his heart
turned to stone; nay, opposed by manly fortitude, was enraged to
cruelty.  Most men were convinced I was an innocent sufferer; "Yet
did they all cry out the more, saying, let him be crucified!"  My
relations were ashamed to hear my name.  My sister was barbarously
treated because she assisted me in my misfortunes.  No man durst
avow himself my friend, durst own I merited compassion; or, much
less, that the infallible King had erred.  I was the most despised,
forlorn man on earth; and when thus put on the rack, had I there
expired, my epitaph would have been, "Here lies the traitor,
Trenck."

Frederic is dead, and the scene is changed; another monarch has
ascended the throne, and the grub has changed to a beautiful
butterfly!  The witnesses to all I have asserted are still living,
loudly now proclaim the truth, and embrace me with heart-felt
affection.

Does the worth of a man depend upon his actions? his reward or
punishment upon his virtue?  In arbitrary states, certainly not.
They depend on the breath of a king!  Frederic was the most
penetrating prince of his age, but the most obstinate also.  A vice
dreadful to those whom he selected as victims, who must be
sacrificed to the promoting of his arbitrary views.

How many perished, the sin offerings of Frederic's obstinate self-
will, whose orphan children now cry to God for vengeance!  The dead,
alas! cannot plead.  Trial began and ended with execution.  The few
words--IT IS THE KING'S COMMAND--were words of horror to the poor
condemned wretch denied to plead his innocence!  Yet what is the
Ukase (Imperial order) in Russia, Tel est notre bon plaisir (Such is
our pleasure) in France, or the Allergnadigste Hofresolution (The
all-gracious sentence of the court), pronounced with the sweet tone
of a Vienna matron?  In what do these differ from the arbitrary
order of a military despot?

Every prayer of man should be consecrated to man's general good; for
him to obtain freedom and universal justice!  Together should we cry
with one voice, and, if unable to shackle arbitrary power, still
should we endeavour to show how dangerous it is!  The priests of
liberty should offer up their thanks to the monarch who declares
"the word of power" a nullity, and "the sentence" of justice
omnipotent.

Who can name the court in Europe where Louis, Peter, or Frederic,
each and all surnamed The Great, have not been, and are not,
imitated as models of perfection?.  Lettres-de-cachet, the knout,
and cabinet-orders, superseding all right, are become law!

No reasoning, says the corporal to the poor grenadier, whom he
canes!--No reasoning! exclaim judges; the court has decided.--No
reasoning, rash and pertinacious Trenck, will the prudent reader
echo.  Throw thy pen in the fire, and expose not thyself to become
the martyr of a state inquisition.

My fate is, and must remain, critical and undecided.  I have six-
and-thirty years been in the service of Austria, unrewarded, and
beholding the repeated and generous efforts I made effectually to
serve that state, unnoticed.  The Emperor Joseph supposes me old,
that the fruit is wasted, and that the husk only remains.  It is
also supposed I should not be satisfied with a little.  To continue
to oppress him who has once been oppressed, and who possess
qualities that may make injustice manifest, is the policy of states.
My journey to Berlin has given the slanderer further opportunity of
painting me as a suspicious character:  I smile at the ineffectual
attempt.

I appeared in the Imperial uniform and belied such insinuations.  To
this purpose it was written to court, in November, when I went into
Hungary, "The motions of Trenck ought to be observed in Hungary."
Ye poor malicious blood-suckers of the virtuous!  Ye shall not be
able to hurt a hair of my head.  Ye cannot injure the man who has
sixty years lived in honour.  I will not, in my old age, bring upon
myself the reproach of inconstancy, treachery, or desire of revenge.
I will betray no political secrets:  I wish not to injure those by
whom I have been injured.--Such acts I will never commit.  I never
yet descended to the office of spy, nor will I die a rewarded
villain.

Yes, I appeared in Berlin among the upright and the just.  Instead
of being its supposed enemy, I was declared an honour to my country.
I appeared in the Imperial uniform and fulfilled the duties of my
station:  and now must the Prussian Trenck return to Austria, there
to perform a father's duty.

Yet more of what happened in Berlin.

Some days after I had been presented to the King, I entreated a
private audience, and on the 12th of February received the following
letter:-

"In answer to your letter of the 8th of this month, I inform you
that, if you will come to me to-morrow, at five o'clock in the
afternoon, I shall have the pleasure to speak with you; meantime, I
pray God to take you into his holy keeping.

"FREDERIC WILLIAM.

"Berlin, Feb. 12, 1787."

"P.S.--After signing the above, I find it more convenient to appoint
to-morrow, at nine in the morning, about which time you will come
into the apartment named the Marmor Kammer (marble chamber)."


The anxiety with which I expected this wished-for interview may well
be conceived.  I found the Prussian Titus alone, and he continued in
conversation with me more than an hour.

How kind was the monarch!  How great!  How nobly did he console me
for the past!  How entirely did his assurance of favour overpower my
whole soul!  He had read the history of my life.  When prince of
Prussia, he had been an eyewitness, in Magdeburg, of my martyrdom,
and my attempts to escape.  His Majesty parted from me with tokens
of esteem and condescension.--My eyes bade adieu, but my heart
remained in the marble chamber, in company with a prince capable of
sensations so dignified; and my wishes for his welfare are eternal.

I have since travelled through the greater part of the Prussian
states.  Where is the country in which the people are all satisfied?
Many complained of hard times, or industry unrewarded.  My answer
was:-

"Friends, kneel with the rising sun, and thank the God of heaven
that you are Prussians.  I have seen and known much of this world,
and I assure you, you are among the happiest people of Europe.
Causes of complaint everywhere exist; but you have a king, neither
obstinate, ambitious, covetous, nor cruel:  his will is that his
people should have cause of content, and should he err by chance,
his heart is not to blame if the subject suffers."

Prussia is neither wanting in able nor learned men.  The warmth of
patriots glows in their veins.  Everything remains with equal
stability, as under the reign of Frederic; and should the thunder
burst, the ready conductors will render the shock ineffectual.

Hertzberg still labours in the cabinet, still thinks, writes, and
acts as he has done for years.  The king is desirous that justice
shall be done to his subjects, and will punish, perhaps, with more
severity, whenever he finds himself deceived, than from the goodness
of his disposition, might be supposed.  The treasury is full, the
army continues the same, and there is little reason to doubt but
that industry, population, and wealth will increase.  None but the
vile and the wicked would leave the kingdom; while the oppressed and
best subjects of other states would fly from their native country,
certain of finding encouragement and security in Prussia.

The personal qualities of Fredric William merit description.  He is
tall and handsome, his mien is majestic, and his accomplishments of
mind and body would procure him the love of men, were he not a king.
He is affable without deceit, friendly and kind in conversation, and
stately when stateliness is necessary.  He is bountiful, but not
profuse; he knows that without economy the Prussian must sink.  He
is not tormented by the spirit of conquest, he wishes harm to no
nation, yet he will certainly not suffer other nations to make
encroachments, nor will he be terrified by menaces.

The wise Frederic, when living, though himself learned, and a lover
of the sciences, never encouraged them in his kingdom.  Germany,
under his reign, might have forgotten her language:  he preferred
the literature of France.  Konigsberg, once the seminary of the
North, contains, at present, few professors, or students; the former
are fallen into disrepute, and are ill paid; the latter repair to
Leipsic and Gottingen.  We have every reason to suppose the present
monarch, though no studious man himself, will encourage the
academies of the literati, that men learned in jurisprudence and the
sciences may not be wanting:  which want is the more to be
apprehended as the nobility must, without exception, serve in the
army, so that learning has but few adherents, and these are deprived
of the means of improvement.

Frederic William is also too much the friend of men to suffer them
to pine in prisons.  He abhors the barbarity with which the soldiers
are beaten:  his officers will not be fettered hand and foot;
slavish subordination will be banished, and the noble in heart will
be the noble of the land.  May he, in his people, find perfect
content!  May his people be ever worthy of such a prince!  Long may
he reign, and may his ministers be ever enlightened and honourable
men!

He sent for me a second time, conversed much with me, and confirmed
those ideas which my first interview had inspired.

On the 11th of March I presented my son at another audience, whom I
intended for the Prussian service.  The King bestowed a commission
on him in the Posadowsky dragoons, at my request.

I saw him at the review at Velau, and his superior officers formed
great expectations from his zeal.  Time will discover whether he who
is in the Austrian, or this in the Prussian service, will first
obtain the rewards due to their father.  Should they both remain
unnoticed, I will bestow him on the Grand Turk, rather than on
European courts, whence equity to me and mine is banished.

To Austria I owe no thanks; all that could be taken from me was
taken.  I was a captain before I entered those territories, and,
after six-and-thirty years' service, I find myself in the rank of
invalid major.  The proof of all I have asserted, and of how little
I am indebted to this state is most incontestable, since the history
of my life is allowed by the royal censor to be publicly sold in
Vienna.

It is remarkable that one only of all the eight officers, with whom
I served, in the body guard, in 1745, is dead.  Lieutenant-colonel
Count Blumenthal lives in Berlin; Pannewitz is commander of the
Knights of Malta:  both gave me a friendly reception.  Wagnitz is
lieutenant-general in the service of Hesse-Cassel; he was my tent
comrade, and was acquainted with all that happened.  Kalkreuter and
Grethusen live on their estates, and Jaschinsky is now alive at
Konigsberg, but superannuated, and tortured by sickness, and
remorse.  He, instead of punishment, has forty years enjoyed a
pension of a thousand rix-dollars.  I have seen my lands
confiscated, of the income of which I have been forty-two years
deprived, and never yet received retribution.

Time must decide; the king is generous, and I have too much pride to
become a beggar.  The name of Trenck shall be found in the history
of the acts of Frederic.  A tyrant himself, he was the slave of his
passions; and even did not think an inquiry into my innocence worth
the trouble.  To be ashamed of doing right, because he has done
wrong, or to persist in error, that fools, and fools only, can think
him infallible, is a dreadful principle in a ruler.

Since I have been at Berlin, and was received there with so many
testimonies of friendship, the newspapers of Germany have published
various articles concerning me, intending to contribute to my honour
or ease.  They said my eldest daughter is appointed the governess of
the young Princess.  This has been the joke of some witty
correspondent; for my eldest daughter is but fifteen, and stands in
need of a governess herself.  Perhaps they may suppose me mean
enough to circulate falsehood.

I daily receive letters from all parts of Germany, wherein the
sensations of the feeling heart are evident.  Among these letters
was one which I received from Bahrdt, Professor at Halle, dated
April 10, 1787 wherein he says, "Receive, noble German, the thanks
of one who, like you, has encountered difficulties; yet, far
inferior to those you have encountered.  You, with gigantic
strength, have met a host of foes, and conquered.  The pests of men
attacked me also.  From town to town, from land to land, I was
pursued by priestcraft and persecution; yet I acquired fame.  I fled
for refuge and repose to the states of Frederic, but found them not.
I have eight years laboured under affliction with perseverance, but
have found no reward.  By industry have I made myself what I am; by
ministerial favour, never.  Worn out and weak, the history of your
life, worthy sir, fell into my hands, and poured balsam into my
wounds.  There I saw sufferings immeasurably greater; there, indeed,
beheld fortitude most worthy of admiration.  Compared to you, of
what could I complain?  Receive, noble German, my warmest thanks;
while I live they shall flow.  And should you find a fortunate
moment, in the presence of your King, speak of me as one consigned
to poverty; as one whose talents are buried in oblivion.  Say to
him--'Mighty King! stretch forth thy hand, and dry up his tears.'  I
know the nobleness of your mind, and doubt not your good wishes."

To the Professor's letter I returned the following answer:-


"I was affected, sir, by your letter.  I never yet was unmoved, when
the pen was obedient to the dictates of the heart.  I feel for your
situation; and if my example can teach wisdom even to the wise, I
have cause to triumph.  This is the sweetest of rewards.  At Berlin
I have received much honour, but little more.  Men are deaf to him
who confides only in his right.  What have I gained?  Shadowy fame
for myself, and the vapour of hope for my heirs!

"Truth and Trenck, my good friend, flourish not in courts.  You
complain of priestcraft.  He who would disturb their covetousness,
he who speaks against the false opinions they scatter, considers not
priests, and their aim, which is to dazzle the stupid and stupefy
the wise.  Deprecate their wrath! avoid their poisoned shafts, or
they will infect tiny peace:  will blast thy honour.  And wherefore
should we incur this danger.  To cure ignorance of error is
impossible.  Let us then silently steal to our graves, and thus
small we escape the breath of envy.  He who should enjoy all even
thought could grasp, should yet have but little.  Having acquired
this knowledge, the passions of the soul are lulled to apathy.  I
behold error, and I laugh; do thou, my friend, laugh also.  If that
can comfort us, men will do our memory justice--when we are dead!
Fame plants her laurels over the grave, and there they flourish
best.

"BARON TRENCK

"Schangulach, near Konigsberg,
April 30th, 1787."

"P.S--I have spoken, worthy Professor, the feelings of my heart, in
answer to your kind panegyric.  You will but do me justice, when you
believe I think and act as I write with respect to my influence at
court, it is as insignificant at Berlin as at Vienna or at
Constantinople"


Among the various letters I have received, as it may answer a good
purpose, I hope the reader will not think the insertion of the
following improper.

In a letter from an unknown correspondent, who desired me to speak
for this person at Berlin, eight others were enclosed.  They came
from the above person in distress, to this correspondent:  and I was
requested to let them appear in the Berlin Journal.  I selected two
of them, and here present them to the world, as it can do me injury,
while they describe an unhappy victim of an extraordinary kind:  and
may perhaps obtain him some relief.

Should this hope be verified, I am acquainted with him who wishes to
remain concealed, can introduce him to the knowledge of such as
might wish to interfere in his behalf.  Should they not, the reader
will still find them well-written and affecting letters; such as may
inspire compassion.  The following is the first of those I selected.


LETTER I

"Neuland, Feb 12th, 1787.

"I thought I had so satisfactorily answered you by my last, that you
would have left me in peaceful possession of my sorrows! but your
remarks, entreaties, and remonstrances, succeed each other with such
rapidity, that I am induced to renew the contest.  Cowardice, I
believe, you are convinced, is not a native in my heart, and should
I now yield, you might suppose that age and the miseries I have
suffered, had weakened my powers of mind as well as body; and that I
ought to have been classed among the unhappy multitudes whose
sufferings have sunk them to despondency.

"Baron Trenck, that man of many woes, once so despised, but who now
is held in admiration, where he was before so much the object of
hatred; who now speaks so loudly in his own defence, where,
formerly, the man who had but whispered his name would have lived
suspected; Baron Trenck you propose as an example of salvation for
me.  You are wrong.  Have you considered how dissimilar our past
lives have been; how different, too, are our circumstances?  Or,
omitting these, have you considered to whom you would have me
appeal?

"In 1767, I became acquainted, in Vienna, with this sufferer of
fortitude, this agreeable companion.  We are taught that a noble
aspect bespeaks a corresponding mind; this I believe him to possess.
But what expectations can I form from Baron Trenck?

"I will briefly answer the questions you have put.  Baron Trenck was
a man born to inherit great estates; this and the fire of his youth,
fanned by flattering hopes from his famous kinsman, rendered him too
haughty to his King; and this alone was the origin of all his future
sufferings.  I, on the contrary, though the son of a Silesian
nobleman of property, did not inherit so much as the pay of a common
soldier; the family having been robbed by the hand of power, after
being accused by wickedness under the mask of virtue.  You know my
father's fate, the esteem in which he was held by the Empress
Theresa; and that a pretended miracle was the occasion of his fall.
Suddenly was he plunged from the height to which industry, talents,
and virtue had raised him, to the depth of poverty.  At length, at
the beginning of the seven years' war, one of the King of Prussia's
subjects represented him to the Austrian court as a dangerous
correspondent of Marshal Schwerin's.  Then at sixty years of age, my
father was seized at Jagerndorf, and imprisoned in the fortress of
Gratz, in Styria.  He had an allowance just sufficient to keep him
alive in his dungeon; but, for the space of seven years, never
beheld the sun rise or set.  I was a boy when this happened,
however, I was not heard.  I only received some pecuniary relief
from the Empress, with permission to shed my blood in her defence.
In this situation we first vowed eternal friendship; but from this I
soon was snatched by my father's enemies.  What the Empress had
bestowed, her ministers tore from me.  I was seized at midnight, and
was brought, in company with two other officers, to the fortress of
Gratz.  Here I remained immured six years.  My true name was
concealed, and another given me.

"Peace being restored, Trenck, I, and my father were released; but
the mode of our release was very different.  The first obtained his
freedom at the intercession of Theresa, she, too, afforded him a
provision.  We, on the contrary, according to the amnesty,
stipulated in the treaty of peace, were led from our dungeons as
state prisoners, without inquiry concerning the verity or falsehood
of our crimes.  Extreme poverty, wretchedness, and misery, were our
reward for the sufferings we had endured.

"Not only was my health destroyed, but my jawbone was lost, eaten
away by the scurvy.  I laid before Frederic the Great the proofs of
the calamities I had undergone, and the dismal state to which I was
reduced, by his foe, and for his sake; entreated bread to preserve
me and my father from starving, but his ear was deaf to my prayer,
his heart insensible to my sighs.

"Providence, however, raised me up a saviour,--Count Gellhorn was
the man.  After the taking of Breslau, he had been also sent a state
prisoner to Gratz.  During his imprisonment, he had heard the report
of my sufferings and my innocence.  No sooner did he learn I was
released, than he became my benefactor, my friend, and restored me
to the converse of men, to which I had so long been dead.

"I defer the continuance of my narrative to the next post.  The
remembrance of past woes inflict new ones.  I am eternally."


LETTER II.


"February 24, 1787.

"Dear Friend,--After an interval of silence, remembering my promise,
I again continue my story.

"My personal sufferings have not been less than those of Trenck.
His, I am acquainted with only from the inaccurate relations I have
heard:  my own I have felt.  A colonel in the Prussian service,
whose name was Hallasch, was four years my companion; he was insane,
and believed himself the Christ that was to appear at the
millennium:  he persecuted me with his reveries, which I was obliged
to listen to, and approve, or suffer violence from one stronger than
myself.

"The society of men or books, everything that could console or
amuse, were forbidden me; and I considered it as wonderful that I
did not myself grow mad, in the company of this madman.  Four hard
winters I existed without feeling the feeble emanation of a winter
sun, much less the warmth of fire.  The madman felt more pity than
my keeper, and lent me his cloak to cover my body, though the other
denied me a truss of straw, notwithstanding I had lost the use of my
hands and feet.  The place where we were confined was called a
chamber; it rather resembled the temple of Cloacina.  The noxious
damps and vapours so poisoned my blood that an unskilful surgeon,
who tortured me during nine months, with insult as a Prussian
traitor, and state criminal, I lost the greatest part of my jaw.

"Schottendorf was our governor and tyrant; a man who repaid the
friendship he found in the mansion of my fathers--with cruelty.  He
was ripe for the sickle, and Time cut him off.  Tormentini and Galer
were his successors in office, by them we were carefully watched,
but we were treated with commiseration.  Their precautions rendered
imprisonment less wretched.  Ever shall I hold their memory sacred.
Yet, benevolent as they were, their goodness was exceeded by that of
Rottensteiner, the head gaoler.  He considered his prisoners as his
children; and he was their benefactor.  Of this I had experience,
during two years after the release of Hallasch.

"Here I but cursorily describe misery, at which the monarch shall
shudder, if the blood of a tyrant flow not in his veins.  Theresa
could not wish these things.  But she was fallible, and not
omniscient.

"From the above narrative, you will perceive how opposite the
effects must be which the histories of Baron Trenck and of myself
must produce.

"Trenck left his dungeon shielded from contempt; the day of freedom
was the day of triumph.  I, on the contrary, was exposed to every
calamity.  The spirit of Trenck again raised itself.  I have
laboured many a night that I might neither beg nor perish the
following day:  working for judges who neither knew law nor had
powers of mind to behold the beauty of justice:  settling accounts
that, item after item, did not prove that the lord they were
intended for, was an imbecile dupe.

"Trenck remembers his calamities, but the remembrance is
advantageous to himself and his family; while with me, the past did
but increase, did but agonise, the present and the future.  He was
not like me, obliged to crouch in presence of those vulgar, those
incapable minds, that do but consider the bent back as the footstool
of pride.  Every man is too busy to act in behalf of others; pity me
therefore, but advise me not to hope assistance, by petitioning
princes at second hand.  I know your good wishes, and, for these, I
have nothing to return but barren thanks.--I am, &c"


The reasons why I published the foregoing letters are already
stated, and will appear satisfactory to the reader.  Once more to
affairs that concern myself.

I met at Berlin many old friends of both sexes; among others, an
aged invalid came to see me, who was at Glatz, in 1746, when I cut
my way through the guard.  He was one of the sentinels before my
door, whom I had thrown down the stairs.

The hour of quitting Berlin, and continuing my journey into Prussia,
towards Konigsberg, approached.  On the eve of my departure, I had
the happiness of conversing with her Royal Highness the Princess
Amelia, sister of Frederic the Great.  She protected me in my hour
of adversity; heaped benefits upon me, and contributed to gain my
deliverance.  She received me as a friend, as an aged patriot; and
laid her commands upon me to write to my wife, and request that she
would come to Berlin, in the month of June, with her two eldest
daughters.  I received her promise that the happiness of the latter
should be her care; nay, that she would remember my wife in her
will.

At this moment, when about to depart, she asked me if I had money
sufficient for my journey:  "Yes, madam," was my reply; "I want
nothing, ask nothing; but may you remember my children!"

The deep feeling with which I pronounced these words moved the
princess; she showed me how she comprehended my meaning, and said,
"Return, my friend, quickly:  I shall be most happy to see you."

I left the room:  a kind of indecision came over me.  I was inclined
to remain longer at Berlin.  Had I done so, my presence would have
been of great advantage to my children.  Alas! under the guidance of
my evil genius, I began my journey.  The purpose for which I came to
Berlin was frustrated:  for after my departure, the Princess Amelia
died!

Peace be to thy ashes, noble princess!  Thy will was good, and be
that sufficient.  I shall not want materials to write a commentary
on the history of Frederic, when, in company with thee, I shall
wander on the banks of Styx; there the events that happened on this
earth may be written without danger.

So proceed we with our story.



CHAPTER X.



On the 22nd of March I pursued my journey to Konigsberg, but
remained two days at the court of the Margrave of Brandenburg, where
I was received with kindness.  The Margrave had bestowed favours on
me, during my imprisonment at Magdeburg.

I departed thence through Soldin to Schildberg, here to visit my
relation Sidau, who had married the daughter of my sister, which
daughter my sister had by her first husband, Waldow, of whom I have
before spoken.  I found my kinsman a worthy man, and one who made
the daughter of an unfortunate sister happy.  I was received at his
house within open arms; and, for the first time after an interval of
two-and-forty years, beheld one of my own relations.

On my journey thither, I had the pleasure to meet with Lieutenant-
General Kowalsky:  This gentleman was a lieutenant in the garrison
of Glatz, in 1745, and was a witness of my leap from the wall of the
rampart.  He had read my history, some of the principal facts of
which he was acquainted with.  Should anyone therefore doubt
concerning those incidents, I may refer to him, whose testimony
cannot be suspected.

From Schildberg I proceeded to Landsberg, on the Warta.  Here I
found my brother-in-law, Colonel Pape, commander of the Gotz
dragoons, and the second husband of my deceased sister:  and here I
passed a joyous day.  Everybody congratulated me on my return into
my country.

I found relations in almost every garrison.  Never did man receive
more marks of esteem throughout a kingdom.  The knowledge of my
calamities procured me sweet consolation; and I were insensible
indeed, and ungrateful, did my heart remain unmoved on occasions
like these.

In Austria I never can expect a like reception; I am there mistaken,
and I feel little inclination to labour at removing mistakes so
rooted.  Yet, even there am I by the general voice, approved.  Yes,
I am admired, but not known; pitied but not supported; honoured, but
not rewarded.

When at Berlin, I discovered an error I had committed in the
commencement of my life.  At the time I wrote I believed that the
postmaster-general of Berlin, Mr Derschau, was my mother's brother,
and the same person who, in 1742, was grand counsellor at Glogau,
and afterwards, president in East Friesland.  I was deceived; the
Derschau who is my mother's brother is still living, and president
at Aurich in East Friesland.  The postmaster was the son of the old
Derschau who died a general, and who was only distantly related to
my mother.  Neither is the younger Derschau, who is the colonel of a
regiment at Burg, the brother of my mother, but only her first
cousin; one of their sisters married Lieut.-Colonel Ostau, whose
son, the President Ostau, now lives on his own estate, at Lablack in
Prussia.

I was likewise deceived in having suspected a lieutenant, named
Mollinie, in the narrative I gave of my flight from Glatz, of having
acted as a spy upon me at Braunau, and of having sent information to
General Fouquet.  I am sorry.  This honest man is still alive, a
captain in Brandenburg.  He was affected at my suspicion, fully
justified himself, and here I publicly apologise.  He then was, and
again is become my friend.

I have received a letter from one Lieutenant Brodowsky.  This
gentleman is offended at finding his mother's name in my narrative,
and demands I should retract my words.

My readers will certainly allow the virtue of Madame Brodowsky, at
Elbing, is not impeached.  Although I have said I had the fortune to
be beloved by her, I have nowhere intimated that I asked, or that
she granted, improper favours.

By the desire of a person of distinction, I shall insert an incident
which I omitted in a former part.  This person was an eye-witness of
the incident I am about to relate, at Magdeburg, and reminded me of
the affair.  It was my last attempt but one at flight.

The circumstances were these:-

As I found myself unable to get rid of more sand, after having again
cut through the planking, and mined the foundation, I made a hole
towards the ditch, in which three sentinels were stationed.  This I
executed one night, it being easy, from the lightness of the sand,
to perform the work in two hours.

No sooner had I broken through, than I threw one of my slippers
beside the palisades, that it might be supposed I had lost it when
climbing over them.  These palisades, twelve feet in length, were
situated in the front of the principal fosse, and my sentinels stood
within.  There was no sentry-box at the place where I had broken
through.

This done, I returned into my prison, made another hole under the
planking, where I could hide myself, and stopped up the passage
behind me, so that it was not probable I could be seen or found.

When daylight came, the sentinel saw the hole and gave the alarm,
the slipper was found, and it was concluded that Trenck had escaped
over the palisades, and was no longer in prison.

Immediately the sub-governor came from Magdeburg, the guns were
fired, the horse scoured the country, and the subterranean passages
were all visited:  no tidings came; no discovery was made, and the
conclusion was I had escaped.  That I should fly without the
knowledge of the sentinels, was deemed impossible; the officer, and
all the guard, were put under arrest, and everybody was surprised.

I, in the meantime, sat quiet in my hole, where I heard their
searches, and suppositions that I was gone.

My heart bounded with joy, and I held escape to be indubitable.
They would not place sentinels over the prison the following night,
and I should then really have left my place of concealment, and,
most probably have safely arrived in Saxony.  My destiny, however,
robbed me of all hope at the very moment when I supposed the
greatest of my difficulties were conquered.

Everything seemed to happen as I could wish.  The whole garrison
came, and visited the casemates, and all stood astonished at the
miracle they beheld.  In this state things remained till four
o'clock in the afternoon.  At length, an ensign of the militia came,
a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years of age, who had more wit
than any or all of them.  He approached the hole, examined the
aperture next the fosse, thought it appeared small, tried to enter
it himself, found he could not, therefore concluded it was
impossible a man of my size could have passed through, and
accordingly called for a light.

This was an accident I had not foreseen.  Half stifled in my hole, I
had opened the canal under the planking.  No sooner had the youth
procured a light, than he perceived my shirt, examined nearer, felt
about, and laid hold of me by the arm.  The fox was caught, and the
laugh was universal.  My confusion may easily be imagined.  They all
came round me, paid me their compliments, and finding nothing better
was to be done, I laughed in company with them, and, thus laughing
was led back with an aching heart to be sorrowfully enchained in my
dungeon.

I continued my journey, and arrived, on the fourth of April, at
Konigsberg, where my brother expected my arrival.  We embraced as
brothers must, after the absence of two-and-forty years.  Of all the
brothers and sisters I had left in this city, he only remained.  He
lived a retired and peaceable life on his own estates.  He had no
children living.  I continued a fortnight within him and his wife.

Here, for the first time, I learned what had happened to my
relations, during their absence.  The wrath of the Great Frederic
extended itself to all my family.  My second brother was an ensign
in the regiment of cuirassiers at Kiow, in 1746, when I first
incurred disgrace from the King.  Six years he served, fought at
three battles, but, because his name was Trenck, never was promoted.
Weary of expectation he quitted the army, married, and lived on his
estates at Meicken, where he died about three years ago, and left
two sons, who are an honour to the family of the Trencks.

Fame spoke him a person capable of rendering the state essential
service, as a military man; but he was my brother, and the King
would never suffer his name to be mentioned.

My youngest brother applied himself to the sciences; it was proposed
that he should receive some civil employment, as he was an
intelligent and well-informed man; but the King answered in the
margin of the petition,


"No Trenck is good for anything."


Thus have all my family suffered, because of my unjust condemnation.
My last-mentioned brother chose the life of a private man, and lived
at his ease, in independence, among the first people of the kingdom.
The hatred of the monarch extended itself to my sister, who had
married the son of General Waldow, and lived in widowhood, from the
year 1749, to her second marriage.  The misfortunes of this woman,
in consequence of the treachery of Weingarten, and the aid she sent
to me in my prison at Magdeburg, I have before related.  She was
possessed of the fine estate of Hammer, near Landsberg on the Warta.
The Russian army changed the whole face of the country, and laid it
desert.  She fled to Custrin, where everything was destroyed during
the siege.  The Prussian army also demolished the fine forests.

After the war, the King assisted all the ruined families of
Brandenburg; she alone obtained nothing, because she was my sister.
She petitioned the King, who repined she must seek for redress from
her dear brother.  She died, in the flower of her age, a short time
after she had married her second husband, the present Colonel Pape:
her son, also, died last year.  He was captain in the regiment of
the Gotz dragoons.  Thus were all my brothers and sisters punished
because they were mine.  Could it be believed that the great
Frederic would revenge himself on the children and the children's
children?  Was it not sufficient that he should wreak his wrath on
my head alone?  Why has the name of Trenck been hateful to him, to
the very hour of his death?

One Derschau, captain of horse, and brother of my mother, addressed
himself to the King, in 1753, alleging he was my nearest relation
and feudal heir, and petitioned that he would bestow on him my
confiscated estates of Great Sharlack.  The King demanded that the
necessary proofs should be sent from the chamber at Konigsberg.  He
was uninformed that I had two brothers living, that Great Sharlack
was an ancient family inheritance, and that it appertained to my
brothers, and not to Derschau.  My brothers then announced
themselves as the successors to this fief, and the King bestowed on
them the estate of Great Sharlack conformable to the feudal laws.
That it might be properly divided, it was put up to auction, and
bought by the youngest of my brothers, who paid surplus to the
other, and to my sister.  He likewise paid debts charged upon it,
according to the express orders of the court.  The persons who
called themselves my creditors were impostors, for I had no
creditors; I was but nineteen when my estates were confiscated,
consequently was not of age.  By what right therefore, could such
debts be demanded or paid?  Let them explain this who can.

The same thing happened when an account was given in to the Fiscus
of the guardianship, although I acknowledge my guardians were men of
probity.  One of them was eight years in possession, and when he
gave it up to my brothers he did not account with them for a single
shilling.  At present, therefore, the affair stands thus:- Frederic
William has taken off the sentence of confiscation, and ordered me
to be put in possession of my estates, by a gracious rescript:
empowered by this I come and demand restitution; my brother answers,
"I have bought and paid for the estate, am the legal possessor, have
improved it so much that Great Sharlack, at present, is worth three
or four times the sum it was at the time of confiscation.  Let the
Fiscus pay me its actual value, and then let them bestow it on whom
they please.  If the reigning king gives what his predecessor sold
to me, I ought not thereby to be a loser."

This is a problem which the people of Berlin must resolve.  My
brother has no children, and, without going to law, will bequeath
Great Sharlack to mine, when he shall happen to die.  If he is
forced in effect to restore it without being reimbursed, the King
instead of granting a favour, has not done justice.  I do not
request any restitution like this, since such restitution would be
made without asking it as a favour of the King.  If his Majesty
takes off the confiscation because he is convinced it was originally
violent and unjust, then have I a right to demand the rents of two-
and-forty years.  This I am to require from the Fiscus, not from my
brother.  And should the Fiscus only restore me the price for which
it then sold, it would commit a manifest injustice, since all
estates in the province of Prussia have, since 1746, tripled and
quadrupled their value.  If the estates descend only to my children
after my death, I receive neither right nor favour; for, in this
case, I obtain nothing for myself, and shall remain deprived of the
rents, which, as the estate is at present farmed by my brother
amount to four thousand rix-dollars per annum.  This estate cannot
be taken from him legally, since he enjoys it by right of purchase

Such is the present state of the business.  How the monarch shall
think proper to decide, will be seen hereafter.  I have demanded of
the Fiscus that it shall make a fair valuation of Great Sharlack,
reimburse my brother, and restore it to me.  My brother has other
estates.  These he will dispose of by testament, according to his
good pleasure.  Be these things as they may, the purpose of my
journey is accomplished.

Thou, great God, has preserved me amidst my trouble.  The purest
gratitude penetrates my heart.  Oh, that thou wouldst shield man
from arbitrary power, and banish despotism from the earth!

May this my narration be a lesson to the afflicted, afford hope to
the despairing, fortitude to the wavering, and humanise the hearts
of kings.  Joyfully do I journey to the shores of death.  My
conscience is void of reproach, posterity shall bless my memory, and
only the unfeeling, the wicked, the confessor of princes and the
pious impostor, shall vent their rage against my writings.  My mind
is desirous of repose, and should this be denied me, still I will
not murmur.  I now wish to steal gently towards that last asylum,
whither if I had gone in my youth, it must have been with colours
flying.  Grant, Almighty God, that the prayer I this day make may be
heard, and that such may be the conclusion of my eventful life!



HISTORY OF
FRANCIS BARON TRENCK.
WRITTEN BY
FREDERICK BARON TRENCK,
AS A NECESSARY SUPPLEMENT TO HIS OWN HISTORY.



Francis Baron Trenck was born in 1714, in Calabria, a province of
Sicily.  His father was then a governor and lieutenant-colonel
there, and died in 1743, at Leitschau, in Hungary, lord of the rich
manors of Prestowacz, Pleternitz, and Pakratz, in Sclavonia, and
other estates in Hungary.  His christian name was John; he was my
father's brother, and born in Konigsberg in Prussia.

The name of his mother was Kettler; she was born in Courland.
Trenck was a gentleman of ancient family; and his grandfather, who
was mine also, was of Prussia.  His father, who had served Austria
to the age of sixty-eight, a colonel, and bore those wounds to his
grave which attested his valour.

Francis Baron Trenck was his only son; he had attained the rank of
colonel during his father's life, and served with distinction in the
army of Maria Theresa.  The history of his life, which he published
in 1747, when he was under confinement at Vienna, is so full of
minute circumstances, and so poorly written, that I shall make but
little use of it.  Here I shall relate only what I have heard from
his enemies themselves, and what I have myself seen.  His father, a
bold and daring soldier, idolised his only son, and wholly neglected
his education, so that the passions of this son were most unbridled.
Endowed with extraordinary talents, this ardent youth was early
allowed to indulge the impetuous fire of his constitution.
Moderation was utterly unknown to him, and good fortune most
remarkably favoured all his enterprises.  These were numerous,
undertaken from no principle of virtue, nor actuated by any motives
of morality.  The love of money, and the desire of fame, were the
passions of his soul.  To his warlike inclination was added the
insensibility of a heart natively wicked:  and he found himself an
actor, on the great scene of life, at a time when the earth was
drenched with human gore, and when the sword decided the fate of
nations:  hence this chief of pandours, this scourge of the
unprotected, became an iron-hearted enemy, a ferocious foe of the
human race, a formidable enemy in private life, and a perfidious
friend.

Constitutionally sanguinary, addicted to pleasures, sensual, and
brave; he was unappeased when affronted, prompt to act, in the
moment of danger circumspect, and, when under the dominion of anger,
cruel even to fury; irreconcilable, artful, fertile in invention,
and ever intent on great projects.  When youth and beauty inspired
love, he then became supple, insinuating, amiable, gentle,
respectful; yet, ever excited by pride, each conquest gave but new
desires of adding another slave over whom he might domineer; and,
whenever he encountered resistance, he then even ceased to be
avaricious.  A prudent and intelligent woman, turning this part of
his character to advantage, might have formed this man to virtue,
probity, and the love of the human race:  but, from his infancy, his
will had never suffered restraint, and he thought nothing
impossible.  As a soldier, he was bold even to temerity; capable of
the most hazardous enterprise, and laughing at the danger he
provoked.  His projects were the more elevated because the
acquirement of renown was the intent of all his actions.  In council
he was dangerous; everything must be conceded to his views.  To him
the means by which his end was to be obtained were indifferent.

The Croats at this time were undisciplined, prone to rapine,
thirsting for human blood, and only taught obedience by violence;
these had been the companions of his infancy:  these he undertook to
subject, by servitude and fear, to military subordination, and from
banditti to make them soldiers.

With respect to his exterior, Nature had been prodigal of her
favours.  His height was six feet three inches, and the symmetry of
his limbs was exact; his form was upright, his countenance
agreeable, yet masculine, and his strength almost incredible.  He
could sever the head from the body of the largest ox with one stroke
of his sabre, and was so adroit at this Turkish practice, that he at
length could behead men in the manner boys do nettles.  In the
latter years of his life, his aspect had become terrible; for,
during the Bavarian war, he had been scorched by the explosion of a
powder-barrel, and ever after his face remained scarred and
impregnated with black spots.  In company he rendered himself
exceedingly agreeable, spoke seven languages fluently, was jocular,
possessed wit, and in serious conversation, understanding; had
learned music, sung with taste, and had a good voice, so that he
might have been well paid as an actor, had that been his fate.  He
could even, when so disposed, become gentle and complaisant.

His look told the man of observation that he was cunning and
choleric; and his wrath was terrible.  He was ever suspicious,
because he judged others by himself.  Self-interest and avarice
constituted his ruling passion, and, whenever he had an opportunity
of increasing his wealth, he disregarded the duties of religion, the
ties of honour, and human pity.  In the thirty-first year of his
age, when he was possessed of nearly two millions, he did not expend
a florin per day.

As he and his pandours always led the van, and as he thence had an
opportunity to ravage the enemy's country, at the head of troops
addicted to rapine, we must not wonder that Bavaria, Silesia, and
Alsatia were so plundered.  He alone purchased the booty from his
troops at a low price, and this he sent by water to his own estates.
If any one of his officers had made a rich capture, Trenck instantly
became his enemy.  He was sent on every dangerous expedition till he
fell, and the colonel became his universal heir, for Trenck
appropriated all he could to himself.  He was reputed to be a man
most expert in military science, an excellent engineer, and to
possess an exact eye in estimating heights and distances.  In all
enterprises he was first; inured to fatigue, his iron body could
support it without inconvenience.  Nothing escaped his vigilance,
all was turned to account, and what valour could not accomplish,
cunning supplied.  His pride suffered him not to incur an
obligation, and thus he was unthankful; his actions all centred in
self, and as he was remarkably fortunate in whatever he undertook,
he ascribed even that, which accident gave, to foresight and genius.

Yet was he ever, as an officer, a most useful and inestimable man to
the state.  His respect for his sovereign, and his zeal in her
service, were unbounded; whenever her glory was at stake, he devoted
himself her victim.  This I assert to be truth:  I knew him well.
Of little consequence is it to me, whether the historians of Maria
Theresa have, or have not, misrepresented his talents and the fame
he deserved.

The life of Trenck I write for the following reasons.  He had the
honour first to form, and command, regular troops, raised in
Sclavonia.  The soldiers acquired glory under their leader, and
sustained the tottering power of Austria:  they made libations of
their blood in its defence, as did Trenck, in various battles.  He
served like a brave warrior, with zeal, loyalty, and effect.  The
vile persecutions of his enemies at Vienna, with whom he refused to
share the plunder he had made, lost him honour, liberty, and not
only the personal property he had acquired, but likewise the family
patrimony in Hungary.  He died like a malefactor, illegally
sentenced to imprisonment; and knaves have affirmed, and fools have
believed, and believe still, he took the King of Prussia prisoner,
and that he granted him freedom in consequence of a bribe.  So have
the loyal Hungarians been led to suppose that an Hungarian had
really been a traitor.

By my writings, I wish to prove to this noble nation on the
contrary, that Trenck, for his loyalty deserved compassion, esteem,
and honour in his country.  This I have already done in the former
part of my history.  The dead Trenck can speak no more; but it is
the duty of the living ever to speak in defence of right.

Trenck wrote his own history while he was confined in the arsenal at
Vienna; and, in the last two sheets he openly related the manner in
which he had been treated by the council of war, of which Count
Loewenwalde, his greatest enemy, was president.  The count, however,
found supporters too powerful, and these sheets were torn from the
book and publicly burnt at Vienna.  Defence after this became
impossible:  he groaned under the grip of his adversaries.

I have given a literal copy of these sheets in the first part of
this history; and I again repeat I am able to prove the truth of
what is there asserted, by the acts, proceedings, and judicial
registers which are in my possession.  He was confined in the
Spielberg, because much was to be dreaded from an injured man, whom
they knew capable of the most desperate enterprises.  He died
defenceless, the sacrifice of iniquity and unjust judges.  He died,
and his honour remained unprotected.  I am by duty his defender:
although he expired my personal enemy, the author of nearly all the
ills I have suffered.  I came to the knowledge of his persecutors
too late for the unfortunate Trenck.  And who are those who have
divided his spoils--who slew him that they might fatten themselves?
Your titles have been paid for from the coffers of Trenck!  Yet
neither can your cabals, your wealthy protectors, your own riches,
nor your credit at court, deprive me of the right of vindicating his
fame.

I have boldly written, have openly shown, that Trenck was pillaged
by you; that he served the house of Austria as a worthy man, with
zeal; not in court-martials and committees of inquiry, but fighting
for his country, sharing the soldier's glory, falling the victim of
envy and power; falling by the hands of those who are unworthy of
judging merit.  He take the King of Prussia!  They might as well say
he took the Emperor of Morocco.

Yes, he is dead.  But should any man dare affirm that the Hungarian
or the Prussian Trenck were capable of treason, that either of them
merited punishment for having betrayed their country, he will not
have long to seek before he will be informed that he has done us
both injustice.  After this preface, I shall continue my narrative
on the plan I proposed.  Trenck, the father, was a miser, yet a
well-meaning man.  Trenck the son, was a youthful soldier, who stood
in need of money to indulge his pleasures.  Many curious pranks he
played, when an ensign in I know not what regiment of foot.  He went
to one of the collectors of his father's rents, and demanded money;
the collector refused to give him any, and Trenck clove his skull
with his sabre.  A prosecution was entered against him, but, war
breaking out in 1756, between the Russians and the Turks, he raised
a squadron of hussars, and went with it into the Russian service,
contrary to the will of his father.

In this war he distinguished himself highly, and acquired the
protection of Field-marshal Munich.  He was so successful as a
leader against the Tartars, that he became very famous in the army,
and at the end of the campaign, was appointed major.

It happened that flying parties of Turks approached his regiment
when on march, and Trenck seeing a favourable moment for attacking
them, went to Colonel Rumin, desiring the regiment might be led to
the charge, and that they might profit by so fair an opportunity.
The colonel answered, "I have no such orders."  Trenck then demanded
permission to charge the Turks only with his own squadron; but this
was refused.  He became furious, for he had never been acquainted
with contradiction or subordination, and cried aloud to the
soldiers, "If there be one brave man among you, let him follow me."
About two hundred stepped from the ranks; he put himself at their
head, routed the enemy, made a horrible carnage, and returned
intoxicated with joy, accompanied by prisoners, and loaded with
dissevered heads.  Once more arrived in presence of the regiment, he
attacked the colonel, treated him like the rankest coward, called
him opprobrious names, without the other daring to make the least
resistance.  The adventure, however, became known; Trenck was
arrested, and ordered to be tried.  His judges condemned him to be
shot, and the day was appointed, but the evening before execution,
Field-marshal Munich passed near the tent in which he was confined,
Trenck saw him, came forward, and said, "Certainly your excellency
will not suffer a foreign cavalier to die an ignominious death
because he has chastised a cowardly Russian!  If I must die, at
least give me permission to saddle my horse, and with my sabre in my
hand, let me fall surrounded by the enemy."

The Tartars happened to be at this time harassing the advanced
posts; the Field-marshal shrugged his shoulders, and was silent.
Trenck, not discouraged, added, "I will undertake to bring your
excellency three heads or lose my own.  Will you, if I do, be
pleased to grant me my pardon?"  The Field-marshal replied, "Yes."
The horse of Trenck was brought:  he galloped to the enemy, and
returned within four heads knotted to the horse's mane, himself only
slightly wounded in the shoulder.  Munich immediately appointed him
major in another regiment.  Various and almost incredible were his
feats:  among others, a Tartar ran him through the belly with his
lance:  Trenck grasped the projecting end with his hands, exerted
his prodigious strength, broke the lance, set spurs to his horse,
and happily escaped.  Of this wound, dreadful as it was, he was soon
cured.  I myself have seen the two scars, and can affirm the fact; I
also learned this, and many others in 1746, from officers who had
served in the same army.

During this campaign he behaved with great honour, was wounded by an
arrow in the leg, and gained the affection of Field-marshal Munich,
but excited the envy of all the Russians.  Towards the conclusion of
the war he had a new misfortune; his regiment was incommoded on all
sides by the enemy:  he entreated his colonel, for leave to attack
them.  The colonel was once more a Russian, and he was refused.
Trenck gave him a blow, and called aloud to the soldiers to follow
him.  They however being Russians, remained motionless, and he was
put under arrest.  The court-martial sentenced him to death, and all
hope of reprieve seemed over.  The general would have granted his
pardon, but as he was himself a foreigner, he was fearful of
offending the Russians.  The day of execution came, and he was led
to the place of death, Munich so contrived it that Field-marshal
Lowenthal should pass by, at this moment, in company within his
lady.  Trenck profited by the opportunity, spoke boldly, and
prevailed.  A reprieve was requested, and the sentence was changed
into banishment and labour in Siberia.

Trenck protested against this sentence.  The Field-marshal wrote to
Petersburg, and an order came that he should be broken, and
conducted out of the Russian territories.  This order was executed,
and he returned into Hungary to his father.  At this period he
espoused the daughter of Field-marshal Baron Tillier, one of the
first families in Switzerland.  The two brothers of his wife each
became lieutenant-general, one of whom died honourably during the
seven years' war.  The other was made commander-general in Croatia,
where he is still living, and is at the head of a regiment of
infantry that bears his name.  Trenck did not live long with his
lady.  She was pregnant, and he took her to hunt with him in a
marsh:  she returned ill, and died without leaving him an heir.

Having no opportunity to indulge his warlike inclination, because of
the general peace, he conceived the project of extirpating the
Sclavonian banditti.

Trenck, to execute this enterprise, employed his own pandours.  The
contest now commenced and activity and courage were necessary to
ensure success in such a war.  Trenck seemed born for this murderous
trade.  Day and night he chased them like wild beasts, killing now
one, then another, and without distinction, treating them with the
utmost barbarity.

Two incidents will sufficiently paint the character of this
unaccountable man.  He had impaled alive the father of a Harum-
Bashaw.  One evening he was going on patrol, along the banks of a
brook, which separated two provinces.  On the opposite shore was the
son of this impaled father, with his Croats.  It was moonlight, and
the latter called aloud--"I heard thy voice, Trenck!  Thou hast
impaled my father!  If thou hast a heart in thy body, come hither
over the bridge, I will send away my followers; leave thy firearms,
come only with thy sabre, and we will then see who shall remain the
victor."  The agreement was made--and the Harum-Bashaw sent away his
Croats, and laid down his musket.  Trenck passed the wooden bridge,
both drew their sabres; but Trenck treacherously killed his
adversary with a pistol, that he had concealed, after which he
severed his head from his body, took it with him, and stuck it upon
a pole.

One day, when hunting, he heard music in a lone house which belonged
to one of his vassals.  He was thirsty, entered, and found the
guests seated at table.  He sat down and ate within them, not
knowing this was a rendezvous for the banditti.  As he was seated
opposite the door, he saw two Harum-Bashaws enter.  His musket stood
in a corner; he was struck with terror, but one of them addressed
him thus:- "Neither thee, nor thy vassals, Trenck, have we ever
injured, yet thou dost pursue us with cruelty.  Eat thy fill.  When
thou hast satisfied thy hunger, we will then, sabre in thy hand, see
who has most justice on his side, and whether thou art as courageous
as men speak thee."

Hereupon they sat down and began to eat and drink and make merry.
The situation of Trenck could not be very pleasant.  He recollected
that besides these, there might be more of their companions,
without, ready to fall upon him; he, therefore, privately drew his
pistols, held them under the table while he cocked them, presented
each hand to the body of a Harum-Bashaw, fired them both at the same
instant, overset the table on the guests, and escaped from the
house.  As he went he had time to seize on one of their muskets,
which was standing at the door.  One of the Croats was left
weltering in his blood; the other disengaged himself from the table,
and ran after Trenck, who suffered him to approach, killed him
within his own gun, struck off his head and brought it home in
triumph.  By this action the banditti were deprived of their two
most valorous chiefs.

War broke out about this time, in 1740, when all the Hungarians took
up arms in defence of their beloved queen.  Trenck offered to raise
a free corps of pandours, and requested an amnesty for the banditti
who should join his troops.  His request was granted, he published
the amnesty, and began to raise recruits; he therefore enrolled his
own vassals, formed a corps of 500 men, went in search of the
robbers, drove them into a strait between the Save and Sarsaws,
where they capitulated, and 300 of them enrolled themselves with his
pandours.  Most of these men were six feet in height, determined,
and experienced soldiers.  To indulge them on certain occasions in
their thirst of pillage were means which he successfully employed to
lead them where he pleased, and to render them victorious.  By means
like these Trenck became at once the terror of the enemies of
Austria, and rendered signal services to his Empress.

In 1741, while he was exercising his regiment, a company fired upon
Trenck, and killed his horse, and his servant that stood by his
side.  He ran to the company, counted one, two, three, and beheaded
the fourth.  He was continuing this, when a Harum-Bashaw left the
ranks, drew his sword, and called aloud, "It is I who fired upon
thee, defend thyself."  The soldiers stood motionless spectators.
Trenck attacked him and hewed him down.  He was proceeding to
continue the execution of the fourth man, but the whole regiment
presented their arms.  The revolt became general, and Trenck, still
holding his drawn sabre, ran amidst them, hacking about him on all
sides.  The excess of his rage was terrific; the soldiers all called
"Hold!" each fell on their knees, and promised obedience.  After
this he addressed them in language suitable to their character, and
from that time they became invincible soldiers whenever they were
headed by himself.  Let the situation of Trenck be considered; he
was the chief of a band of robbers who supposed they were authorised
to take whatever they pleased in an enemy's country, a banditti that
had so often defied the gallows, and had never known military
subordination.  Let such men be led to the field and opposed to
regular troops.  That they are never actuated by honour is evident:
their leader is obliged to excite their avidity by the hope of
plunder to engage them in action; for if they perceive no personal
advantage, the interest of the sovereign is insufficient to make
them act.

Trenck had need of a particular species of officers.  They must be
daring, yet cautious.  They are partisans, and must be capable of
supporting fatigue, desirous of daily seeking the enemy, and
hazarding their lives.  As he was himself never absent at the time
of action, he soon became acquainted with those whom he called old
women, and sent them from his regiment.  These officers then
repaired to Vienna, vented their complaints, and were heard.  His
avarice prevented him from making any division of his booty with
those gentlemen who constituted the military courts, thus neglecting
what was customary at Vienna:  and in this originated the
prosecution to which he fell a victim.  Scarcely had he entered
Austria with his troops before he found an opportunity of reaping
laurels.  The French army was defeated at Lintz.  Trenck pursued
them, treated his prisoners with barbarity; and, never granting
quarter in battle, the very appearance of his pandours inspired
terror.

Trenck was a great warrior, and knew how to profit by the slightest
advantage.  From this time he became renowned, gained the confidence
of Prince Charles, and the esteem of the Field-marshal Count
Kevenhuller, who discovered the worth of the man.  No partisan had
ever before obtained so much power as Trenck; he everywhere pursued
the enemy as far as Bavaria, carrying fire and sword wherever he
went.  As it was known Trenck gave no quarter, the Bavarians and the
French flew at the sight of a red mantle.  Pillage and murder
attended the pandours wherever they went, and their colonel bought
up all the booty they acquired.  Chamb, in particular, was a scene
of a dreadful massacre.  The city was set on fire and the people
perished in the flames; women and children who endeavoured to fly,
were obliged to pass over a bridge, where they were first stripped,
and afterwards thrown into the water.  This action was one of the
accusations brought against Trenck when he was prosecuted, but he
alleged his justification.

The banks of the Iser to this day reverberate groans for the
barbarities of Trenck.  Deckendorf and Filtzhofen felt all his fury.
In the first of these towns 600 French prisoners capitulated,
although his forces were four miles distant; but he formed a kind of
straw men, on which he put pandour caps and cloaks, and set them up
as sentinels; and the garrison, deceived by this stratagem, signed
the capitulation.  The services he rendered the army during the
Bavarian war are well known in the history of Maria Theresa.  The
good he has done has been passed over in silence, because he died
under misfortunes, and did not leave his historian a legacy.  He was
informed that either at Deckendorf or Filtzhofen there was a barrel
containing 20,000 florins, concealed at the house of an apothecary.
Impelled by the desire of booty, Trenck hastened to the place, with
a candle in his hand, searching everywhere, and, in his hurry,
dropped a spark into a quantity of gunpowder, by the explosion of
which he was dreadfully scorched.  They carried him off, but the
scars and the gunpowder with which his skin was blackened rendered
his countenance terrific.

The present Field-marshal Laudohn was at that time a lieutenant in
his regiment, and happened to be at the door when his colonel was
burnt.  Scarcely was Trenck cured before his spies informed him that
Laudohn had plenty of money.  Immediately he suspected that Laudohn
had found the barrel of florins, and from that moment he persecuted
him by all imaginable arts.  Wherever there was danger he sent him,
at the head of 30 men, against 300, hoping to have him cut off, and
to make himself his heir.  This was so often repeated that Laudohn
returned to Vienna, where, joining the crowd of the enemies of
Trenck, he became instrumental in his destruction.  Yet it is
certain that, in the beginning, Trenck had shown a friendship for
Laudohn, had given him a commission, and that this great man
learned, under the command of Trenck, his military principles.
General Tillier was likewise formed in this nursery of soldiers,
where officers were taught activity, stratagem, and enterprise.  And
who are more capable of commanding a Hungarian army than Tillier and
Laudohn?  I, one day said to Trenck, when he was in Vienna,
embarrassed by his prosecution, and when he had published a
defamatory writing against all his accusers, excepting no man,--"You
have always told me that Laudohn was one of the most capable of your
officers, and that he is a worthy man.  Wherefore then do you class
him among such wretches?"  He replied, "What! would you have me
praise a man who labours, at the head of my enemies, to rob me of
honour, property, and life!"  I have related this incident to prove
by the testimony of so honourable a man, that Trenck was a great
soldier, and a zealous patriot, and that he never took the King of
Prussia prisoner, as has been falsely affirmed, and as is still
believed by the multitude.  Had such a thing happened, Laudohn must
have been present, and would have supported this charge.

Bavaria was plundered by Trenck; barges were loaded with gold,
silver, and effects, which he sent to his estates in Sclavonia;
Prince Charles and Count Kevenhuller countenanced his proceedings;
but when Field-marshal Neuperg was at the head of the army, he had
other principles.  He was connected with Baron Tiebes, a counsellor
of the Hofkriegsrath who was the enemy of Trenck.  Persecution was
at that time instituted against him, and Trenck was imprisoned; but
he defended himself so powerfully that in a month he was set at
liberty.  Mentzel, meanwhile, had the command of the pandours; and
this man appropriated to himself the fame that Trenck had acquired
by the warriors he himself had formed.  Mentzel never was the equal
of Trenck.  Trenck now increased the number of his Croats to 4,000,
from whom, in 1743, a regiment of Hungarian regulars was formed, but
who still retained the name of pandours.  It was a regiment of
infantry.  Trenck also had 600 hussars and 150 chasseurs, whom he
equipped at his own expense.  Yet, when this corps was reduced, all
was sold for the profit of the imperial treasury, without bringing a
shilling to account.

With a corps so numerous, he undertook great enterprises.  The enemy
fled wherever he appeared.  He led the van, raised contributions
which amounted to several millions, delivered unto the Empress, in
five years, 7,000 prisoners, French and Bavarian, and more than
3,000 Prussians.  He never was defeated.  He gained confidence among
his troops, and will remain in history the first man who rendered
the savage Croats efficient soldiers.  This it was impossible to
perform among a bloodthirsty people without being guilty himself of
cruel acts.  The necessity of the excesses he committed, when the
army was in want of forage, was so evident that he received
permission of Prince Charles, though for this he was afterwards
prosecuted; while the plunders of Brenklau, Mentzel, and the whole
army, were never once questioned.  That Trenck advanced more than
100,000 florins to his regiment, I clearly proved, in 1750.  This
proof came too late.  He was dead.  The evidence I brought
occasioned a quartermaster, Frederici, to be imprisoned.  He
confessed the embezzlement of this money, yet found so many friends
among the enemies of Trenck that he refunded nothing, but was
released in the year 1754, when I was thrown into the dungeon of
Magdeburg.

My cousin, who had lived like a miser, did not, at his death, leave
half of the property he had inherited from his father, and which
legally descended to me; it was torn from me by violence.

In 1744 he obliged the French to retire beyond the Rhine, seized on
a fort near Phillipsburg, swam across the river with 70 pandours,
attacked the fortifications, slew the Marquis de Crevecoeur, with
his own hand manned the post, traversed the other arm of the Rhine,
surprised two Bavarian regiments of cavalry, and by this daring
manoeuvre, secured the passage of the Rhine to the whole army,
which, but for him, would not have been effected.  Wherever he came,
he laid the country under contribution, and, at this moment of
triumph for the Austrian arms, opened himself a passage to enter the
territories of France.  In September, 1744, war having broken out
between Austria and Prussia, the imperial army was obliged to
return, abandon Alsatia, and hasten to the succour of the Austrian
states.  Trenck succeeded in covering its retreat.  The history of
Maria Theresa declares the damages he did the enemy, during this
campaign.  He gave proof of his capacity at Tabor and Budweis.  With
300 men he attacked one of these towns, which was defended by the
two Prussian regiments of Walrabe and Kreutz.  He found the water in
the moats was deeper than his spies had declared, and the scaling
ladders too short:  most of those led to the attack were killed, or
drowned in the water, and the small number that crossed the moats
were made prisoners.  The garrison of Tabor, of Budweis, and of the
castle of Frauenburg, were, nevertheless, induced to capitulate, and
yield themselves prisoners, although the main body under Trenck was
more than five miles distant.  His corps did not come up till the
morrow, and it was ridiculous enough to see the pandours dressed in
the caps of the Prussian fusiliers and pioneers, which they wore
instead of their own, and which they afterwards continued to wear.

The campaign to him was glorious, and the enemy's want of light
troops gave free scope to his enterprises, highly to their
prejudice.  He never returned without prisoners.  He passed the Elbe
near Pardubitz, took the magazines, and was the cause of the great
dearth and desertion among the Prussians, and of that hasty retreat
to which they were forced.  The King was at Cohn with his
headquarters, where I was with him, when Trenck attacked the town,
which he must have carried, had he not been wounded by a cannon-
ball, which shattered his foot.  He was taken away, the attack did
not succeed, and his men, without him, remained but so many ciphers.

In 1745, he went to Vienna, where his entrance resembled a triumph.
The Empress received him with distinction.  He appeared on crutches;
she, by her condescending speech, inflamed his zeal to extravagance.
Who would have supposed that the favourite of the people would that
year be abandoned to the power of his enemies; who had not rendered,
during their whole lives, so much essential service to the state as
Trenck had done in a single day?  He returned to his estate, raised
eight hundred recruits that he might aid in the next campaign, and
gather new laurels.  He rejoined the army.  At the battle of Sorau
he fell upon the Prussian camp, and seized upon the tent of the
King, but he came too late to attack the rear, as had been
preconcerted.  Frederic gave up his camp to be plundered, for the
Croats could not be drawn off to attack the army, and the King was
prepared to receive them, even if they should.  In the meantime, the
imperial army was defeated.

Here was a field for the enemies of Trenck to incite the people
against him.  They accused him of having made the King of Prussia a
prisoner in his tent; that he also pillaged the camp instead of
attacking the rear of the army.  After having ended the campaign, he
returned to Vienna to defend himself.  Here he found twenty-three
officers, whom he expelled his regiment, most of them for cowardice
or mean actions.  They were ready to bear false testimony.
Counsellor Weber and Gen. Loewenwalde, had sworn his downfall, which
they effected.  Trenck despised their attacks.  While things
remained thus, they instructed one of the Empress's attendants to
profit by every opportunity to deprive him of her confidence.  It
was affirmed, Trenck is an atheist! who never prayed to the holy
Virgin!  The officers, whom he had broken, whispered it in coffee-
houses, that Trenck had taken and set free the King of Prussia!
This raised the cry among the fanatical mob of Vienna.  Teased by
their complaints, and at the requisition of Trenck himself, the
Empress commanded that examination should be undertaken of these
accusations.  Field-marshal Cordova was chosen to preside over this
inquiry.  He spoke the truth, and drew up a statement of the case;
it was presented to the Court, and which I shall here insert.

"The complaints brought against him did not require a court-martial.
Trenck had broken some officers by his own authority; their demands
ought to be satisfied by the payment of 12,000 florins.  The
remaining accusations were all the attempts of revenge and calumny,
and were insufficient to detain at Vienna, entangled in law-suits, a
man so necessary to the army.  Moreover, it would be prudent not to
inquire into trifles, in consideration of his important services."

Trenck, dissatisfied by this sentence, and animated by avarice and
pride, refused to pay a single florin, and returned to Sclavonia.
His presence was necessary at Vienna, to obtain other advantages
against his enemies.  They gave the Empress to understand, that
being a man excessively dangerous, whenever he supposed himself
injured, Trenck had spread pernicious views in Sclavonia, where all
men were dependent on him.  He raised six hundred more men, with
whom he made a campaign in the Netherlands, and in October, 1746,
returned to Vienna.  After the peace of Dresden, his regiment was
incorporated among the regulars, and served against France.

Scarcely had he arrived at Vienna, before an order came from the
Empress that he must remain under arrest in his chamber.  Here he
rendered himself guilty by the most imprudent action of his whole
life.  He ordered his carriage and horses, despising the imperial
mandate, went to the theatre, when the Empress was present.  In one
of the boxes he saw Count Gossau, in company with a comrade of his
own, whom he had cashiered:  these persons were among the foremost
of his accusers.  Inflamed with the desire of revenge, he entered
the box, seized Count Gossau, and would have thrown him into the pit
in the presence of the Sovereign herself.  Gossau drew his sword,
and tried to run him through, but the latter seizing it, wounded
himself in the hand.  Everybody ran to save Gossau, who was unable
to defend himself.  After this exploit, the colonel of the pandours
returned foaming home.

Such an action rendered it impossible for Maria Theresa to declare
herself the protectress of a man so rash.  Sentinels were placed
over him, and his enemies profiting by his imprudence and passion,
he was ordered to be tried by a court-martial.  General Loewenwalde
intrigued so successfully, that he procured himself to be named, by
the Hofkriegsrath, president of the court-martial, and to be charged
with the sequestration of the property of Trenck.  In vain did the
latter protest against his judge.  The very man, whom the year
before he had kicked out of the ante-chamber of Prince Charles,
received full power to denounce him guilty.  Then was it that public
notice was given that all those who would prefer complaints against
Colonel Baron Trenck should receive a ducat per day while the
council continued to sit.  They soon amounted to fifty-four, who, in
a space of four months, received 15,000 florins from the property of
Trenck.  The judge himself purchased the depositions of false
witnesses; and Count Loewenwalde offered me one thousand ducats, if
I would betray the secrets of my cousin, and promised me I should be
put in possession of my confiscated estates in Prussia, and have a
company in a regiment.

That the indictment and the examinations of the witnesses were
falsified, has already been proved in the revision of the cause; but
as the indictment did not contain one article that could affect his
life, they invented the following stratagem.  A courtesan, a
mistress of Baron Rippenda, who was a member of the court-martial,
was bribed, and made oath she was the daughter of Count Schwerin,
Field-marshal in the Prussian service, and that she was in bed with
the King of Prussia, when Trenck surprised the camp at Sorau, made
her and the King prisoners, and restored them their freedom.  She
even ventured to name Baron Hilaire, aide-de-camp to Frederic, whom
she affirmed was then present.  Hilaire, who afterwards married the
Baroness Tillier, and who consequently was brother-in-law to Trenck,
fortunately happened to be in Vienna.  He was confronted with this
woman, and through her falsehoods, the gentleman was obliged to
remain in prison, where they offered him bribes, which be refused to
accept; and, to prevent his speaking, he continued in prison some
weeks, and was not released till this shameful proceeding was made
public.

Count Loewenwalde invented another artifice; he drew up a false
indictment; and, that he might be prevented all means of
justification, he chose a day to put it in practice, when the
Emperor and Prince Charles were hunting at Holitzsch.  Loewenwalde's
court-martial had already signed a sentence of death, and every
preparation for the erection of a scaffold was made.  His intention
was then to go to the Empress and induce her to sign the sentence,
under a pretence that there was some imminent peril at hand, if a
man so dangerous to the state was not immediately put out of the
way, and that it would be necessary to execute the sentence of death
before the Emperor could return.  He well knew the Emperor was
better acquainted with Trenck, and had ever been his protector.

Had this succeeded, Trenck would have died like a traitor; Miss
Schwerin would have espoused the aide-de-camp of Loewenwalde, with
fifty thousand florins, taken from the funds of Trenck, and his
property would have been divided between his judges and his
accusers.  As it happened, however, the valet-de-chambre of Count
Loewenwalde, who was an honest man, and who had an intimacy with a
former mistress of Trenck, confided the whole secret to her.  She
immediately flew to Colonel Baron Lopresti, who was the sincere
friend of my kinsman, and, being then powerful at Court, was his
deliverer.  The Emperor and Prince Charles were informed of what was
in agitation, but they thought proper to keep it secret.  The
hunting at Holitzsch took place on the appointed day.  Count
Loewenwalde made his appearance before the Empress, and solicited
her to sign the sentence.  She, however, had been pre-informed, the
Emperor having returned on the same day, and their abominable
project proved abortive.  Miss Schwerin was imprisoned; Loewenwalde
was deprived of his power, as well as of the sequestration of the
effects of Trenck; a total revision of the proceedings of the court-
martial, and of the prosecution of my cousin, was ordered, which was
an event, that, till then, was unexampled at Vienna.

Trenck was freed from his fetters, removed to the arsenal, an
officer guarded him, and he had every convenience he could wish.  He
was also permitted the use of a counsellor to defend his cause.  I
obtained by the influence of the Emperor leave to visit him and to
aid him in all things.  It was at this epoch that I arrived at
Vienna, and, at this very instant, when the revision of the
prosecution was commanded and determined on.  Count Loewenwalde,
supposing me a needy, thoughtless youth, endeavoured to bribe me,
and prevail on me to betray my kinsman.  Prince Charles of Lorraine
then desired me seriously to represent to Trenck that his avarice
had been the cause of all these troubles, for he hind refused to pay
the paltry sum of 12,000 florins, by which he might have silenced
all his accusers; but that, as at present, affairs had become so
serious, he ought himself to secure his judges for the revision of
the suit; to spare no money, and then he might be certain of every
protection the prince could afford.

The respectable Field-marshal Konigseck, governor of Vienna, was
appointed president; but, being an old man, he was unable to preside
at any one sitting of the court.  Count S- was the vice-president, a
subtle, insatiable judge, who never thought he had money enough.  I
took 3,000 ducats, which Baron Lopresti gave me, to this most worthy
counsellor.  The two counsellors, Komerkansquy and Zetto, each
received 4,000 rix-dollars, with a promise of double the sum if
Trenck were acquitted; there was a formal contract drawn up, which a
certain noble lord secretly signed.  Trenck was defended by the
advocate Gerhauer and by Berger.  They began with the self-created
daughter of Marshal Schwerin; and, to conceal the iniquitous
proceedings of the late court-martial, it was thought proper that
she should appear insane, and return incoherent answers to the
questions put by the examiners.  Trenck insisted that a more severe
inquiry should be instituted; but they affirmed that she had been
conducted out of the Austrian territories.

Trenck was accused of having ordered a certain pandour, named Paul
Diack, to suffer the bastinado of 1,000 blows, and that he had died
under the punishment.  This was sworn to by two officers, now great
men in the army, who said they were eye-witnesses of the fact.  When
the revision of the suit began, Trenck sent me into Sclavonia, where
I found the dead Paul Diack alive, and brought him to Vienna.  He
was examined by the court, where it appeared that the two officers,
who had sworn they were present when he expired, and had seen him
buried, were at that time 160 miles from the regiment, and
recruiting in Sclavonia.  Paul Diack had engaged in plots, and had
mutinied three times.  Trenck had pardoned him, but afterwards
mutinying once more, with forty others, he was condemned to death.
At the place of execution he called to his colonel:  "Father, if I
receive a thousand blows, will you pardon me?"  Trenck replied in
the affirmative.  He received the punishment, was taken to the
hospital, and cured.

I brought fourteen more witnesses from Sclavonia, who attested the
falsity of other articles of accusation which were not worthy of
attention.  The cause wore a new aspect; and the wickedness of those
who were so desirous to have seen Trenck executed became apparent.

One of the chief articles in the prosecution, which for ever
deprived him of favour from his virtuous and apostolic mistress, and
for which alone he was condemned to the Spielberg, was, that he had
ravished the daughter of a miller in Silesia.  This was made oath
of, and he was not entirely cleared of the charge in the revision,
because his accusers had excluded all means of justification.  Two
years after his death, I discovered the truth of this affair.
Mainstein accused him of this crime that he might prevent his return
to the regiment; his motive was, because he, in conjunction with
Frederici, had appropriated to their own purposes 8,000 florins of
regimental money.

This miller's daughter was the mistress of Mainstein, before she had
been seen by Trenck.  Maria Theresa, however, would never forgive
him; and, to satisfy the honour of this damsel, he was condemned to
pay 8,000 florins to her, and 15,000 to the chest of the invalids,
and to suffer perpetual imprisonment.  Sixty-three civil suits had I
to defend, and all the appeals of his accusers to terminate after
his death.  I gained them all and his accusers were condemned in
costs, also to refund the so much per day which had been paid them
by General Loewenwalde; but they were all poor, and I might seek the
money where I could.  In justice, Loewenwalde ought to have
reimbursed me.  The total of the sum they received was 15,000
florins.

Most of the other articles of accusation consisted in Trenck's
having beheaded some mutinous pandours, and broken his officers
without a court-martial; that he had bought of his soldiers, and
melted down the holy vessels of the church, chalices, and rosaries;
had bastinadoed some priests, had not heard mass every Sunday, and
had dragged malefactors from convents, in which they had taken
refuge.  When the officers were no longer protected by Loewenwalde,
or Weber, they decamped, but did not cease to labour to gain their
purpose, which they attained by the aid of the Court-confessor.
This monk found means to render Maria Theresa insensible of pity
towards a man who had been so prodigal of his blood in her defence.
Loewenwalde knew how to profit by the opportunity.  Gerhauer
discovered the secret proceedings; and Loewenwalde, now deeply
interested in the ruin of Trenck, went to the Empress, related the
manner in which the judges had been bribed, and threatened that
should he, through the protection of the Emperor and Prince Charles,
be declared innocent, he would publicly vindicate the honour of the
court-martial.

Had my cousin followed my advice and plan of flight he would not
have died in prison nor should I have lain in the dungeon of
Magdeburg.  With respect to individuals whom he robbed, innocent men
whom he massacred, and many other worthy people whom he made
miserable; with respect to his father, aged eighty-four, and his
virtuous wife, whom he treated with barbarity; with respect to
myself, to the duties of consanguinity and of man, he merited
punishment, the pursuit of the avenging arm of justice, and to be
extirpated from all human society.



EPILOGUE.



Thomas Carlyle's opinion of the author of this History is expressed
in the following passages from his History of Friedrich II. of
Prussia:  "'Frederick Baron Trenck,' loud sounding phantasm, once
famous in the world, now gone to the nurseries as mythical, was of
this carnival (1742-3.) . . . A tall actuality in that time,
swaggering about in sumptuous Life Guard uniform in his mess-rooms
and assembly-rooms; much in love with himself, the fool!  And I
rather think, in spite of his dog insinuations, neither Princess had
heard of him till twenty years hence, in a very different phasis of
his life!  The empty, noisy, quasi-tragic fellow; sounds throughout
quasi-tragical, like an empty barrel; well-built, longing to be
filled."--Book xiv., ch. 3.





End of Volume 2

End of the Project Gutenberg eText Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck

