A Scarcity of Chairs

One morning while out riding near Potsdam, Frederick met a post-chaise in which sat one of his generals, who had numerous debts.

“Why my dear W.,” said the king to him, “you are off early; where are you going?”

“To Potsdam, your Majesty, to have an understanding with my creditors.”

“Oh,” smiled Frederick, “you would have done that better at Berlin; there are certainly not chairs enough at Potsdam.”