"Yes, papa; that is the country after which Prussia is called Prussia and after which we are all called Prussians."
"Very good, very good; a little too much Prussia, but that doesn't matter. And do you also know the capitals of the two provinces?"
"Yes, papa; Königsberg and Danzig."
"Very good. I myself have been in Danzig, and came near going to Königsberg, too, but something intervened. Have you ever heard perchance who it was that finally captured Danzig after the brave defense of our General Kalckreuth?"
"No, papa."
"Well, it is not to be expected. Very few people do know it, and the so-called higher educated never know it. Well, it was General Lefèvre, a man of rare bravery, upon whom Napoleon later bestowed the title of Duc de Dantzic, spelled with a final c, in which regard the languages differ. That was in the year 1807."
"After the battle of Jena?"
"Yes, it may be put that way; but only in the same sense as if you were to say, it was after the Seven Years' War."
"I don't understand, papa."
"Doesn't matter. I mean, Jena was too long ago. But one might say it was after the battle of Prussian Eylau, a fearfully bloody battle, in which the Russian Guard was almost annihilated, and in which Napoleon, before surrendering, said to his favorite Duroc: 'Duroc, today I have made the acquaintance of the sixth great power of Europe, la boue.'"