A DAY WITH FRIEDRICH.
Page: 20

KING. "'Why not of your own?'

KL. "'Don't know that, your Majesty; as it happens.'

KING. "'Hear: Is it far to the Mecklenburg border, here where
we are?'

KL. "'Only a short mile [5 miles English]. But there are some
villages scattered still within the boundary which belong to
Brandenburg. There are Stetzebart, Rosso and so on.'

KING. "'Ja, ja, I know them. But I should not have thought we were
so near upon the Mecklenburg country.' [TO THE HERR AMTSRATH
KLAUSIUS] 'Where were you born?'

KL. "'At Neustadt on the Dosse.'

KING. "'What was your father?'

KL. "'Clergyman.'

KING. "'Are they good people, these Colonists? The first generation
of them is n't usually good for much.'

KL. "'They are getting on, better or worse.'

KING. "'Do they manage their husbandry well?'

KL. "'O ja, your Majesty. His Excellency the Minister von Derschau,
too, has given me a Colony of 75 acres, to show the other Colonists
a good example in management.'

KING (smiling). "'Ha, ha! good example! But tell me, I see no wood
here: where do the Colonists get their timber?'

KL. "'From the Ruppin district.'

KING. "'How far is that?'

KL. "'3 miles' [15 English].

KING. "'Well, that's a great way . It should have been contrived
that they could have it nearer hand.' [TO ME] 'What man is that to
the right there?'

ICH. "'Bauinspector [Buildings-Inspector] Menzelius, who has charge
of the buildings in these parts.'

KING. "'Am I in Rome? They are mere Latin names!--Why is that
hedged in so high?'

ICH. "'That is the mule-stud.'

KING. "'What is the name of this Colony?'

ICH. "'Klausiushof.'

KL. "'Your Majesty, it should be called Klaushof.'

KING. "'Its name is Klausiushof. What is the other Colony called?'

ICH. "'Brenkenhof.'

KING. "'That is not its name.'

ICH. "'Ja, your Majesty, I know it by no other!'

KING. "'Its name is Brenken-hosius-hof!--Are these the Stollen
hills that lie before us?'

ICH. "'Ja, your Majesty.'

KING. "'Have I to drive through the village?'

ICH. "'It is not indispensable; but the change of horses is there.