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Then turning once more to Mustapha Aga； he dismissed him for the day； and gave him permission to occupy the magnificent tent which had been presented to him by the Khan； during the remainder of his visit。
Mustapha Aga then withdrew with his interpreter； leaving the king alone with the Baron von Rexin； who now presented to him the papers which it was necessary he should sign； to establish the long…desired alliance with Turkey。 This treaty assured to Prussia all the privileges which Turkey accorded to the other European powers： free navigation； the rights of ambassadors and consuls； and the personal liberty of any Prussian subjects who might have been seized as slaves。
The king signed the treaty； and named Baron von Rexin his minister plenipotentiary； and commanded him to return with the ambassador from Tartary and present the signed treaty to the Grand Sultan。
〃Now the struggle can begin anew；〃 said Frederick； when he was once more alone。 〃I will recommence with the new year； I will battle as I have already done； I will consider nothing but my honor and the glory of Prussia。 I will not live to see the moment when I will consent to a disgraceful peace。 No representations； no eloquence shall bring me to acknowledge my own shame。 I will be buried under the ruins of my native land； or if this consolation be denied me by my unfortunate fate； I will know how to end my misfortunes。 Honor alone has led my footsteps； and I will follow no other guide。 I sacrificed my youth to my father； my manhood to my country； and I have surely gained the right to dispose of my old age。 There are people who are docile and obedient toward fate。 I am not one of them。 Having lived for others； I dare at least die for myself； careless what the world may say。 Nothing shall force me to prefer a weak old age to death。 I will dare all for the accomplishment of my plans； they failing； I will die an honorable death。 But no！ no！〃 said the king； smiling after a short pause。 〃I will not indulge in such sad and despairing thoughts on the day which has shown me the first ray of sunlight after so many storms。 Perhaps the year sixty… two will be more fortunate than the one just passed。 I stand no longer alone； I have my friends and my allies。 Why should I carp； that the world calls them unbelievers？ I have seen Christians betray and murder one another。 Perhaps unbelievers are better Christians than believers。 We will try them； at least。 When all deserted me； they offered me the hand of friendship。 This is the first sunbeam which has greeted me。 Perhaps bright days may now follow the storms。 May God grant it！〃 ＇Footnote： The king was not deceived。 The Empress Elizabeth died in the commencement of the year 1762。 Her successor Peter the Third； was a passionate admirer of Frederick the Great； and he now became the ally of Prussia。 The Empress Catharine approved this change； and remained the ally of Prussia。 France now withdrew from the contest； and in the year 1763； Austria； finding her treasury completely exhausted； was compelled to make peace with Prussia。 Prussia had no use for her new ally of Tartary； and Krimgirai； who was already on the march； returned home with his army。See 〃Memoires du Baron de Tott sur les Turcs et les Tartares。〃＇
BOOK VI。
CHAPTER I。
THE KING'S RETURN。
Berlin was glittering in festal adornment！ This was a great； a joyous day； the first gleam of sunshine； after many long years of sorrow； suffering； and absolute want。 For the last seven years the king had been absent from his capital…to…day he would return to Berlin。
After seven years of bloody strife； the powers at Hubertsburg had declared peace。 No nation had enlarged its boundaries by this war。 Not one of the cities or fortresses of the King of Prussia had been taken from him； and he was forced to content himself with his former conquest。 There had been no successful results！ Losses only were to be calculated。
During these seven years； Russia had lost one hundred and eighty thousand men； the French two hundred thousand； the Prussians a hundred and twenty thousand； the English and confederate Germans a hundred and sixty thousand； and the Saxons ninety thousandlastly； the Swedes and the States sixty thousand。 This seven years' war cost Europe nearly a million of men。 Their blood fertilized the German soil； and their bones lay mouldering beneath her green sods。
Throughout all Europe； weeping mothers； wives； and children turned their sorrowful faces toward the land which had robbed them of their dear loved ones； they were even deprived the painfully sweet consolation of weeping over these lonely and neglected graves。
Losses were not only to be counted in myriads of men； whose blood had been shed in vain； but uncounted millions had been lavished upon the useless strife。
During this war； the debt of England had increased to seventy million pounds sterling； the yearly interest on the debt was four and a half million crowns。 The Austrians calculated their debt at five hundred million guldens； France at two thousand million livres； Sweden was almost bankrupt； and unfortunate Saxony had to pay to Prussia during the war over seven million crowns。
In the strict meaning of the term； Prussia had made no debt； but she was； in fact； as much impoverished as her adversaries。 The Prussian money which was circulated during the war was worthless。
At the close of the war； all those who carried these promissory notes shared the fate of the rich man in the fairy tale。 The money collected at night turned to ashes before morning。 This was the fatal fruit of the war which for seven years had scourged Europe。 Prussia； however； had reason to be satisfied and even grateful。 Although bleeding from a thousand wounds； exhausted and faint unto death； she promised a speedy recovery； she was full of youthful power and energyhad grown； morally； during this seven years' strugglehad become great under the pressure of hardship and self… denial； and now ranked with the most powerful nations of Europe。
To…day； however； suffering and destitution were forgotten： only smiling； joyous faces were seen in Berlin。 The whole city seemed to be invigorated by the golden rays of fortune； no one appeared to suffer； no one to mourn for the lostand yet amongst the ninety… eight thousand inhabitants of Berlin； over thirty thousand received alms weeklyso that a third of the population were objects of charity。 To…day no one thirsted； no one was hungry； all hearts were merry； all faces glad！
They had not seen their great King Frederick for seven years； they would look upon him to…day。 The royal family had arrived from Magdeburg。
Every one hastened to the streets to see Frederick； who on his departure had been but the hero…king of Prussia； but who now； on his return； was the hero of all Europewhom all nations greetedwhose name was uttered in Tartary； in Africa； with wonder and admiration yes； in all parts of the civilized and uncivilized world！
The streets were filled with laughing crowds； all pressed toward the Frankfort gate； where the king was to enter。 The largest arch of triumph was erected over this gate； and all other streets were decorated somewhat in the same manner。 Every eye was turned