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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07
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GRUMBKOW
Very well, Your Majesty.
HOTHAM
And you might add, General von Grumbkow, that I have a favor to beg of
His Majesty before departing.
KING
Grumbkow, you might casually inquire what sort of a favor it is he wants.
HOTHAM
General—
GRUMBKOW
Baronet Hotham.
HOTHAM
If His Majesty should seem inclined, out of the nobility of his heart, to make amends for the cruel manner in which he has just dismissed an ardent admirer of his military greatness, then tell him that I know of a finely-built, strong young man, a close friend of mine, of good family, who would deem it an honor to serve up from the ranks under His Majesty's glorious flag.
KING
Grumbkow, you may tell Baronet Hotham that his personality and manner have pleased me greatly, and that I most heartily wish all Englishmen were of his sort. In the matter of the young man, you may ask him if the recruit will furnish his own equipment.
HOTHAM
Kindly state, General, that the young man will take service in His Majesty's army, fully equipped according to regulations, his hair and his heart in the right place, and that he furthermore brings with him a neat little inheritance of his own.
KING (more and more pleased).
Quite what one might expect from a born Englishman. Grumbkow, ask the
Baronet whether the young man, who is doubtless destined to introduce
Prussian tactics into England, would serve better on foot or to horse.
HOTHAM
He begs for a place with the Dragoons of the Guard in Potsdam.
KING
Potsdam? That won't do. They all want to serve in the Guard. No—no….
But he can—for a while, at least—join the Glasenapp Musketiers in
Pasewalk. That's a fine regiment, too.
HOTHAM
Please express my sincere thanks to His Majesty. The young recruit will have the honor to present himself personally to His Majesty in a few days.
KING
Grumbkow, suppose we offered Baronet Hotham, as a sign of our friendship, a position as recruiting officer?
HOTHAM
He would decline this honor, but he would beg another favor.
KING
And that is—?
HOTHAM
In all journals, in all records of travel, we read of a certain gathering in Berlin which goes beyond anything an Englishman can imagine in the way of clubs or private affairs.
KING
Dear me—our police permit that sort of thing in Berlin? Really, I am most curious.
HOTHAM
A certain genial personage gathers around him several times weekly, in a small, low-ceilinged room in the palace, a small but select circle of men on whom be bestows his confidence. Sitting on wooden stools, often in their shirt-sleeves, beer tankards before them on the great open table, Dutch clay pipes in their mouths, they entertain each other in the most unrestrained manner in spite of the exalted position held by most of these men. Some who do not smoke hold cold pipes between their teeth, that they may not mar the harmony of the picture. One member of the circle is singled out nightly as an object for mirth, and the choice is made by lot. Each and every one can in turn become the butt of merry satire. To have been present at a meeting of this oddest of all court gatherings would furnish me with the most notable memory I could carry away from Berlin.
KING
Egad, Grumbkow! I believe he means our Smoker.
HOTHAM
The world-renowned Prussian "tobacco-conference."
KING
And you have—the gentleman has—no. [He rises.] I shan't use the customary procedure any more. Baronet Hotham, you have heard of my Smokers? You have said nice things about them. That reconciles me—can you smoke?
HOTHAM
Yes, Your Majesty, the light Dutch Varinas, at least.
KING
