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Saxonythat is to say； Augustus the Third； and his minister； Count Bruhlhated Frederick from instinct； from envy； from resentment。 This insignificant and small neighbor had spread her wings and made so bold a flight； that Saxony was completely over…shadowed。
England hated no one； but she feared Prussia and France； and this fear led her to master the old…rooted national hatred to Russia； and form an alliance with her for mutual protection。 But the English people did not share the fears of their king； they murmured over this Russian ally； and this discontent； which found expression in Parliament； rang so loudly； that Frederick might well have heard it； and formed his own conclusions as to the result。 But did he hear it？ Was the sound of his flute so loud？ Was his study hermetically sealed； so that no echo from the outside world could reach his ears？
There was no interruption to his quiet； peaceful life； he hated nobody； made no warlike preparations； his soldiers exercised no more than formerly。 Truly they exercised； and at the first call to battle； 150；000 men would be under arms。
But Frederick seemed not inclined to give this call； not inclined to exchange the calm pleasures of Sans…Souci for the rude noises of tents and battle…fields。 He seemed to be in peaceful harmony with all nations。 He was particularly friendly and conciliating toward the Austrian embassy； and not only was the ambassador； Count Peubla invited often to the royal table； but his secretary； Baron Weingarten。 came also to Potsdam and Sans…Souci。 The king appeared attached to him； and encouraged him to come often； to walk in the royal gardens。
Frederick was gracious and kind toward the officials of all the German powers。 On one occasion； when the wife of Councillor Reichart； attached to the Saxon embassy； was confined； at Frederick's earnest wish； his private secretary； Eichel； stood as god…father to the child。 ＇Footnote： 〃Characteristics of the Important Events of the Seven Years' War。〃＇
In order to promote good feeling in Saxony； the king sent Count Mattzahn； one of the most eloquent cavaliers of the day； to the Dresden court； and so well supplied was he； that he dared compete in pomp and splendor with Count Bruhl。
Frederick appeared to attach special importance to the friendship of Saxony； and with none of his foreign ambassadors was he engaged in so active a correspondence as with Mattzahn。 It was said that these letters were of a harmless and innocent nature； relating wholly to paintings； which the count was to purchase from the Saxon galleries； or to music； which Frederick wished to obtain from amongst the collection of the dead Hesse； or to an Italian singer Frederick wished to entice to Berlin。
The world no longer favored Frederick's retirement。 The less disposed he was to mingle in politics； the more Maria Theresa； Elizabeth of Russia； Augustus of Saxony； and the Marquise de Pompadour agitated the subject。
France had not forgotten that the contract between herself and Prussia was about to expire。 She knew also that the subsidy money between England and Russia had not yet been voted by Parliament。 It was therefore possible to reap some advantages from this point。 With this view； France sent the Duke de Nivernois as special ambassador to Berlin； to treat with the king as to the renewal of the old alliance。
The Duke de Nivernois came with a glittering suite to Berlin； and was received at the Prussian court with all the consideration which his rank and official character demanded。 The grand master of ceremonies； Baron von Pollnitz； was sent forward to meet him； and to invite him； in the name of the king； to occupy one of the royal palaces in Berlin。
Every room of the palace was splendidly decorated for the reception of the duke； and as soon as he arrived； two guards were placed before the housea mark of consideration which the king had only heretofore given to reigning princes。
The duke accepted these distinguished attentions with lively gratitude； and pleaded for an immediate audience； in order to present his credentials。
Pollnitz was commissioned to make all necessary arrangements； and agree with the duke as to the day and hour of the ceremony。
The king； who wished to give the French duke a proof of his consideration； intended that the presentation should be as imposing as possible； and all Berlin was to be witness of the friendship existing between the French and Prussian courts。
Upon the appointed day； a dazzling assemblage of equipages stood before the palace of the Duke de Nivernois。 These were the royal festal carriages； intended for the members of the French embassy。 Then followed a long line of carriages； occupied by the distinguished members of the Prussian court。 Slowly and solemnly this pompous procession moved through the streets； and was received at the portal of the king's palace by the royal guard。 Richly… dressed pages； in advance of whom stood the grand master of ceremonies with his golden staff； conducted the French ambassador to the White saloon； where the king； in all his royal pomp； and surrounded by the princes of his house； received him。
The solemn ceremony began； the duke drew near the throne； and； bowing his knee； handed his credentials to the king； who received them with a gracious smile。
The duke commenced his address； it was filled with flowery phrases； suited to the great occasion。 Frederick listened with the most earnest attention； and his reply was kind； but dignified and laconic。
The public ceremony was over； and now came the important part of the audience； the confidential conversation。 To this point the duke had looked with lively impatience； for this； indeed； had he been sent to Berlin。
The king descended from the throne； and laying aside all the solemnity of court etiquette； he approached the duke in the most gracious and genial manner； welcomed him heartily； and expressed his sincere delight at his arrival。
〃Ah； sire；〃 said the duke； with animation； 〃how happy will my king be to learn that his ambassador has been so graciously received by your majesty！〃
The king smiled。 〃I thought the ceremony was all over；〃 said he； 〃and that I no longer spoke with the ambassador； but with the Duke de Nivernois； whom I know and love； and whose intellectual conversation will afford me a rare pleasure。 Let us； therefore； chat together innocently； and forget the stiff ceremonies with which； I think； we have both been sufficiently burdened today。 Tell me something of Paris； monsieur； of that lovely； enchanting； but overbold coquette； Paris； whom the world adores while it ridicules； and imitates while it blames。〃
〃Ah； sire； if I must speak of Paris； I must first tell you of my kingof my king； who wishes nothing more ardently than the renewal of the bond of friendship between your majesty and himself； and the assurance of its long continuance； who〃
〃That is most kind of his majesty；〃 said Frederick； interrupting him； 〃and I certainly share the friendly wishes of my exalted brother of France。 But tell me now something of your learned men。 How goes it with the Academy？ Do they still refuse Voltaire a seat； while so many unknown men have become academicians？〃
〃Yes； sire these ac