“But you are a man of good common sense and excellent judgment, and that is worth more to me than profound learning,” exclaimed the king. “I have observed you for years, and these extended observations have confirmed my conviction more and more that I was possessing in you a man who would be able one day to render me the most important services by his straightforwardness, his unerring judgment, his firm character, and well-tried honesty. I have a perfect right to trust you implicitly. I am a young man, as yet too ignorant of the world to rely exclusively upon myself, and not to fear lest dishonest men, in spite of the most earnest precautions, should deceive me. Hence every well-meant advice must be exceedingly welcome to me, and such advice I can expect at your hands. I pray you, sir, remain my friend, do not change your bearing toward me, become my adviser. [Footnote: Vide “A letter to Lieutenant-Colonel von Kockeritz, by Frederick William III.”] Kockeritz, will you reject my request?”
“No,” exclaimed Herr von Kockeritz; “if that is all your majesty asks of me, I can promise it and fulfil my promise. Your majesty shall always find me to be a faithful, devoted, and honest servant.”
“I ask more than that,” said the king, gently. “Not only a faithful servant, but a devoted FRIEND—a friend who will call my attention to my short-comings and errors. Assist me with your knowledge of men and human nature. For nobody is more liable to make mistakes in judging of men than a prince, and it cannot be otherwise. To a prince no one shows himself in his true character. Every one tries to fathom the weaknesses and inclinations of rulers—and then assumes such a mask as seems best calculated to accomplish his purposes. Hence, I expect you to look around quietly, without betraying your intentions, for honest and sagacious men, and to find out what positions they are able to fill in the most creditable manner.” [Footnote: Ibid.]
“I shall take pains, your majesty, to discover such men,” said Herr von Kockeritz, gravely. “It seems to me, however, sire, that fortunately you have got many able and excellent men close at hand, and for that reason need not look very far for other assistants.”
“To whom do you allude?” exclaimed the king, sharply, and with a slight frown.
Herr von Kockeritz cast a rapid glance upon the king’s countenance and seemed to have read his thoughts upon his clouded brow.
“Your majesty,” he said, gravely and slowly, “I do not mean to say any thing against Wollner, the minister, and his two counsellors, Hermes and Hiller, nor against Lieutenant-General von Bischofswerder.”
The frown had already disappeared from the king’s brow. Stepping up to his desk, he seized a piece of paper there, which he handed to his friend.
“Just read that paper, and tell me what to do about it.”
“Ah, Lieutenant-General von Bischofswerder has sent in his resignation!” exclaimed Herr von Kockeritz, when he had read the paper. “Well, I must confess that the general has a very fine nose, and that he acted most prudently.”