Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-01-25
THE PRINCES LOOK,
rRoM THE GERMAN OF H. zscHokE

II is wei! known that, upon the Geth of his
father, Duke William succeeded tthe gov
crnInent at ifty-tw0 years of age. sw urin-
ces OF his time were possessed of much
knowledge, we might almost say, mrnipr.
Few had travelled so much over Eu,pe. not
merely from court to court, but serusiy TO
prepare for their future dignities. Ir him
self he needed but little all was deyted to
the pursuit OF knowledge, or TO the eIp of
the destitute. He brought his nephef nm in t
the same plain way. His wife had dd in
carly life, and, for the sake Of domestic .,ce. s
he bound himself by no second marriage NO l
the youthful son o! his brotner, he kesKSs- I
sides Il governor ana tutor, only valet; "A
himself only valeta acook, and secretary. HeN
had little love for his nephew; it might also
be said. that he hated him. Why, is unknown.
Princes seldom cordially love their heirs, be-
cause they see in them impatient successors,
or the future destroyers OF existing institu-
tOns.
The old duke was a stern, self-willed man.
Every thing in his house, as we'll as in the
whole state, went byru,e, like clockwork. No
one dared to do more than his appointed task, :,
no one less The duke himself attended to all
affairs. oyeTsaw every thing, interfered i'll all
details and thus lost the oversight of the
whole, as is always the case. Want, distress,
and oppression Increased in all corners OF the
dukedomi although all the inferiormagist
made reports upon reports every month, from
which the higher authorities again drew up
new reports, and tjeSe, having been reduced
10 one general statement or table, were handed
20 the prince, who fancied, when he examined
these tabular accounts, that he was surveying
the whole external condition of his domains.
The good man He imagined that he was
making his government work like a machine.
lie took credit to himself for the simplicity OF
the mechanism, and was not displeased when
any one professed to understand ii, although
II belonged only to great minds. like ms, 10
manage il. Ii never occurred TO him, That MS
mechanical government was the most heartiess
of all governments that his people remained
in their ancient ignorant state, whilst their
neghbors were making rapid advances IN the
arts, sciences. and in national prosperity ana
power, and that there was as little progress III
his academy as in his manufactures.
"Where's the rub 2 1t costs me money e.
nough," asked the old duke, one day. in a
full assembly of his court. The question pas
SD from mouth 10 mouth, but no one Vehtur'
ed to give to the patriarchal inquiry an hon
est answer.
AT last rose the Baron Leinau, an eniight
ed young man, appointed but few days be
fore 10 the Office of private secretary. Inc
baron jndged that this was the best momen
yet presented to express his gratitude anc
reverence for the duke, and, accordingly, ht
replied
sMay it please your highness, only more air
more freedom, is wanted from above, and more
activity, in stead Of paper, from below. Ar
mics are machines; but those who show The
best on parade, will be broken to pieces on The
field of battle, when they meet other armies
IN which one great thought animates every
individual.''
Here superanuated field marshal shool
his gray head, bowed low to the duke, ant
said, .tThe state, like an army, must, shall
can be nothing but dead machine. The splr
1t of the regent animates one, the mind of tn
general the other Thus, whilst the prime
leads his millions of auxiliaries to one point
ne is ail-poweriul and the general, too, is in
vlncibie. when his hundred Thousand soldier
only await his nod. He is the soul, the me
siie body of the soul.
at is exactly there. as IL appears 10 me, !,
replied the Baron Leinau, modestiy, that ID
great mistake lies, which must oe Iatal DOT
20 state and army. Men are regarded as mer
puppets and the spirit is thought less oi ina
arms and legs. An army. animated oy gfe
idea even when beaten. still lives in ever
mart like the Ierueaa serpent; new heads SUI
Div. the places of those cut of, and continue
be formidable. A dead machine OF an arm
will, OR the contrary
"Hoid your tongue, impertinence y thu
dered the old duke, ssand do not presume
teach field d-marshal, you, VINO scarceiy Aho
how to make pen.'
The Baron Leinau blushed fiery red, bo
from shame and anger, as the duke motlone
him to the door. Bowing with flashing eye
he retired. Z
The duke threw after him a look of CO
tempt and indignation. The court notice
the look, and every one involuntarily initiate
1T. The field marshal went on to speak of II
freedom of certain young people, who did n
know how TO restrain themselves, and WI
presumed &c give advice (here he looked re
crently at the duke) to the wisest and mo
beloved of all princes. The chancellor, wi
wanted to see nephew of his in Leinau
place, he also spoke, allnding to his nephe
by the way, as he remarked that all your
people were not SO forward. And the conr
marshall spoke, too, whose homely danght
had failed to captivate the young Baron LIE