* The flight of three years, and a new reign, have already deprived this remark of a great part of its point.
† In the original, a "Wilhem Champêtre."—Trans.
I Could there not be found in France men who would devote themselves to establishing among us a system so excellent, and which has so long existed in Prussia ?
PRUSSIA ТПЕ AUXILIARY OF RUSSIA.9
mortality will not always rest content with a terrestrial empire, and the people the most ready to appreciate the pleasures of art, will also be the first to comprehend the new evidences of the Divine revelation.* It is, then, only just to admit that the Prussian government is worthily preparing its people to perform a part in that renovation of religion, whose approach is already announced to the world by signs that cannot be mistaken.
Prussia will soon discover that her philosophy is insufficient to impart mental satisfaction. Though this glorious future may be expected, the city of Berlin belongs at present to the least philosophical country in the world — to Russia; and, notwithstanding this, the German people, seduced by the display of a skilful administration, turn their thoughts towards Prussia. They fancy that it is from this quarter they will obtain those liberal institutions which many yet confound with the conquests of industry, as though luxury and liberty, opulence and independence, were synonymous.
The grand fault of the German people, whose character was personified in Luther, is an inclination to animal enjoyments. In our times nothing opposes this inclination ; every thing contributes to foster it. Thus, sacrificing their liberty and independence to the barren hope of a prosperity altogether material, the Germans, enchained by a political system that addresses the senses, and by a religion of intellect, fail in their duty towards themselves and towards the world. Nations, like individuals, have their vocation,
* " Les nouvelles preuves des revelations du cieL" в 5
10FRENCH MINISTER AT BERLIN.
If Germany forgets hers, the fault is mainly owing to Prussia, the ancient focus of that inconsistent philosophy, by courtesy denominated a religion.*
France is now represented in Prussia by a minister who unites all the requisites of an enlightened modern diplomatist. jNTo mysterious airs, no affected reserve, no unnecessary concealment, betray the opinion that he might entertain of his own importance. One scarcely recollects the post he occupies, until reminded of it by the ability with which its duties are fulfilled. Appreciating with the happiest tact the wants and the tendencies of modern society, he tranquilly proceeds in advance of the future, without, however, disdaining the lessons of the past; in a word, he is one of the small remaining number of those men of former times who are now become so necessary to the present.
Originally from the same province as myself, he has related to me details connected with the lùstory of my family, with which I was unacquainted, and from which I derived much gratification. This I admit without hesitation, for that pious admiration with whieh we contemplate the heroism of our fathers ought not to be identified with pride.
I knew that there existed in the archives of the French legation at Berlin, letters and diplomatic notes possessing a high interest for the world in general, and for myself in particular: they are my father's.
* These remarks on protestantism may be less offensive to the English reader, when he recollects that it is German protestantism by which they are more immediately suggested. — Trans-
FAMILY MEMOIRS.
11
In 1792, when but twenty-two years old, he was selected by the ministers of Louis XVI., who had then been constitutional king for about a year, to manage a delicate and important mission to the Duke of Brunswick. The object was to induce the Duke to decide in refusing the command of the army allied against France. It was hoped, and with reason, that the crisis of our revolution would prove less dangerous to the country and the king, if foreigners did not attempt violently to interfere with its progress.
My father arrived at Brunswick too late. The Duke had given his word. The confidence which the character and ability of young Custine inspired in France, was, however, such, that, instead of being recalled to Paris, he was sent to the Prussian court, to make new efforts to detach King William II. from that same coalition whose armies the Duke of Brunswick had promised to command.
Shortly before the arrival of my father at Berlin, M. de Ségur, the French ambassador in Prussia, had failed in this difficult negotiation. My father was sent to replace him.
King William had not treated M. de Ségur well. On one occasion, the latter returned home so exasperated, and under such an impression that his reputation as a skilful diplomatist was for ever compromised, that he attempted self-destruction. The blade of his weapon did not penetrate very deep, but M. do Ségur left Prussia.
This occurrence puzzled all the political heads in Europe: nothing could at that time account for the extreme ill-will of the king towards a man so distinguished both by his birth and talents. I have heard в 6
12FAMILY MEMOIRS.
from a very good source an anecdote, which throws some light on this hitherto incomprehensible circumstance. M. de Ségur, at a time when in great favour with the Empress Catherine, had often amused himself by turning into ridicule the nephew of Frederick the Great, afterwards King Frederick William II.: he used to laugh at his love affairs, and even his person ; and, in accordance with the taste of the time, he had drawn satirical sketches of this prince, and of his favourites, which he had sent in a note to the Empress.
After the death of Frederick the Great, political circumstances having suddenly changed, the Empress a¡ïain sou<xht the alliance of Prussia, and in order more promptly to incline the new king to unite with her against France, she sent to him the note of M. de Ségur, whom Louis XVI. had appointed ambassador at Berlin.
Another fact equally curious preceded the arrival of my father at the court of Prussia. It will serve to show the sympathy which the French revolution then excited in the civilised world.
The draught of the treaty of Pilnitz was about being framed, but the allied powers particularly desired to keep France in ignorance of its stipiúations as long as possible. The minutes of the treaty were already in the hands of the King of Prussia, and no French agent had as yet obtained any knowledge of them.
One evening, returning home late and on foot, M. de Ségur observed an unknown person wrapped in a cloak, who appeared closely to follow him ; he quickened his pace, this person did the same ; he crossed
FAMILY MEMOIRS.13
the street, the other crossed with him ; he stopped, the mysterious stranger stopped likewise, at a short distance. M. de Ségur, being without arms, and fearful that this rencontre might be connected with the personal ill-will of the king, began to run as he drew near to his own residence, but notwithstanding his haste, he could not prevent the pursuer from arriving at his door, just as it opened. He cast down at the feet of M. de Ségur a roll of papers, and instantly disappeared. The latter, before picking them up, directed several of his people to follow this unknown individual, but they could not overtake him.