The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-09-25
TiciSsitndes Of For'mc-.a Sketch
from Real Life.
Translated from the German of scnIlrrr.

Translated from the German of SCHILLER.
. Alosias De C, an officer il
! the army of the King of -. was
not of noble birth. Al an early age
, he gave strong indications of native
genius. lie entered the army very
young, well-storcd with the know.
, ledge of the sciences, ot often aC-
, qnired at such an age. His present
merit, and still greater promise, did
not long remain unnoticed by his
Prince.-G. was in the full posses
sion of the fire and vivacity of youth
his prince the same. e. was
daring and enterprising-his prince
admired such characters. A rich
vein of Wit and Of knowledge emil
vened the conversation Of every cir
Gle of which &. was member. This
charm was still heightened by the
evenness of his temper, and the nat
ural easy Cheertulness OF his dlspo-
/ sition, which he communicated To E.
very society which he entered. No
wonder. then, that the Prince was
pleased with qualities which he him
self lostered in no ordinary degree.
| Whatever G. undertook, even To his
amusement, had an air of grace, as
we'll as Importance and no obsta
Gle, if over so great, could check his
persey Nature, too, had not
been sparing in her gifts, as, in ad-
dition to a most interesting and in
telligent countenance, his person was
a model of symmetry. and the rep
resenlation of health and HerCulean
strength.
As the Prince was already pleas
ed with the mental accomplishment
of his young officer. the grace of his
person attracted him irreslstlbly.
Similarity Of ages and dispositions
soon produced IA state of feeling.whiCh
without the requisite equality, pos
sessed all the fire and passion of
youthful friendship. For sach IA
vourite. the steps of ordinary pro-
motion were by far too slo" with
III Unprecedented CELEBRITY he rose from
one point Of honour 10 higher one
ard still did bis friend presume that
his merit had not been sufficiently
rewarded. At the age of twenty
two. he found himself on an eminence
which but few even OF the most for
tunate attain during the struggle ef
a whole life. His active spirit could
not, however. long content itself with
vain pageantry. in the poi luxury
and idIeness and while the prince
was flying from one amusement to a
mother, bis fayourite buried himself
in the cabinet, and devoted himself
with such interchangeable zeal aud in
dusiry to state affairs, that every
decision of Importance could only
be obtained through him. In short
space of time, the social companion
of the Prince became his prime min
lister. who directed all his thoughts
and decisions, and what fav0urs tile
King would bestow, passed through
the hands of his lav0urite.
G.. had attained this dazzling en-
inence too rapidly, and with too lit
tie exertion, to rest there with cir
cumspection or moderation every
trace of modesty seemed tohaYe for
sakenhim, when he found himself ON
thesumNit ofpowcr,and ofhis wishes.
The most submissive humility would
hardly satisfy his intoxicated vani-
ty, even from men who had become
grey in the service of the country,
aud who by birth and fortune. were
far bis supcriors. Uncontrolled pow
CT developed that natural severity OF
his character, which all the viclssi-
tudes of fortune were afterwards un-
able to efface. His gratitude to
friends, and revenge against those,
by whom he thought himself often
dcd. knew no bounds. lie availed
himself of his power more to enrich
others than himself: but caprice,
not merit. guided his choice; and
his despotic and overbearing man
ner estranged from him, even the
hearts of those who were exclusive
" indebted to him for their prosper
ity. Among those who watched
his steps with envy and jealousy,
for the purpose OF working his de-
strnction, was an Italian, Count
Martincngo, whom g. himself had
placed in the suite oil the Prince. to
hll the place of companion at his
amusements, of which II. himself
began to be heartily tired.a his time
was unayoidably necessary to d.
rect affairs of greater Importance
Considering Count Nj. as his ciea'