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CASSELL's NATIONAL LIBRARY.
- J iſ, sº f f
* * •º - * *
T H E
LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
tº ºt t_j^
BARON TRENOK.
TRAN SLATED BY
THOMAS HOLCROFT.
WOL. I.
CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited;
789 & 741 Broadway New York. . . . .

INTRODUCTION.
THERE were two cousins Von der Trenck, who were
barons descended from an ancient house in East
Prussia, and were adventurous soldiers, to whom, as
to the adventurous, there were adventures that lost
nothing in the telling, for they were told by the
authors’ most admiring friends—themselves. Franz,
the elder, was born in 1711, the son of an Austrian
general; and Frederick, whose adventures are here
told, was the son of a Prussian major-general. Franz,
at the age of seventeen, fought duels, and cut off the
head of a man who refused to lend him money. He
stood six feet three inches in his shoes, knocked down
his commanding officer, was put under arrest, offered
to pay for his release by bringing in three Turks’
heads within an hour, was released on that condition,
and actually brought in four Turks' heads. When
afterwards cashiered, he settled on his estates in
Croatia, and drilled a thousand of his tenantry to act
as “Pandours” against the banditti. In 1740, he
served with his Pandours under Maria. Theresa, and
behaved himself as one of the more brutal sort of ban-
ditti. He offered to capture Frederick of Prussia, and
did capture his tent. Many more of his adventures are
vaingloriously recounted by himself in the Mémoires
du Baron Franz de Trenck, published at Paris in 1787.
This Trenck took poison when imprisoned at Grätz,
and died in October, 1747, at the age of thirty-six.
‘. º - ºr w; 3 *
4. INTRODUCTION.
His cousin Frederick is the Trenck who here tells a
story of himself that abounds in lively illustration of
the days of Frederick the Great. He professes that
Frederick the King owed him a grudge, because
-Frederick the Trenck had, when eighteen years old,
fascinated the Princess Amalie at a ball. But as
IFrederick the Greater was in correspondence with his
cousin Franz at the time when that redoubtable per-
sonage was planning the seizure of Frederick the
Great, there may have been better ground for the
Trenck’s arrest than he allows us to imagine. Mr.
Carlyle shows that Frederick von der Trenck had been
three months in prison, and was still in prison, at the
time of the battle of the Sohr, in which he professes to
have been engaged. Frederick von der Trenck, after
his release from imprisonment in 1763, married a
burgomaster's daughter, and went into business as a
wine merchant. Then he became adventurous again.
His adventures, published in German in 1786–7, and
in his own French version in 1788, formed one of the
most popular books of its time. Seven plays were
founded on them, and ladies in Paris wore their
bonnets à la Trenck. But the French finally guillotined
the author, when within a year of threescore and ten,
on the 26th of July, 1794. He had gone to Paris in
1792, and joined there in the strife of parties. At the
guillotine he struggled with the executioner.
FI. M.
THE LIFE OF BARON TRENCK.
*
CHAPTER. I.
I was born at Königsberg in Prussia, February 16,
1726, of one of the most ancient families of the country.
My father, who was lord of Great Scharlach, Schaku-
lack, and Meichen, and major-general of cavalry, died
in 1740, after receiving eighteen wounds in the Prussian
service. My mother was daughter of the president of
the high court at Königsberg. After my father's death
she married Count Lostange, lieutenant-colonel in the
Riow regiment of cuirassiers, with whom she went
and resided at Breslau. I had two brothers and a
sister; my youngest brother was taken by my mother
into Silesia; the other was a cornet in this last-named
regiment of Kiow; and my sister was married to the
only son of the aged General Valdow.
My ancestors are famous in the Chronicles of the
North, among the ancient Teutonic knights, who con-
quered Courland, Prussia, and Livonia.
By temperament I was choleric, and addicted to
pleasure and dissipation; my tutors found this last
defect most difficult to overcome ; happily, they were
aided by a love of knowledge inherent in me, an emu-
lative spirit, and a thirst for fame, which disposition it
was my father's care to cherish. A too great con-
sciousness of innate worth gave me a too great degree
of pride, but the endeavours of my instructor to inspire
* }
Ar
6 * THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
humility were not all lost; and habitual reading, well.
timed praise, and the pleasures flowing from science,
made the labours of study at length my recreation.
My memory became remarkable; I am well read in
the Scriptures, the classics, and ancient history; was
acquainted with geography; could draw; learnt fen-
cing, riding, and other necessary exercises.
My religion was Lutheran; but morality was taught
me by my father, and by the worthy man to whose care
he committed the forming of my heart, whose memory. T
shall ever hold inveneration. While a boy, I was enter-
prising in all the tricks of boys, and exercised my wit in
crafty excuses; the warmth of my passions gave a satiric,
biting cast to my writings, whence it has been imagined,
by those who knew but little of me, I was a dangerous
man; though, I am conscious, this was a false judgment.
A soldier himself, my father would have all his sons
the same; thus, when we quarrelled, we terminated
our disputes with wooden Sabres, and, brandishing
these, contested by blows for victory, while our father
sat laughing, pleased at our valour and address. This
practice, and the praises he bestowed, encouraged a
disposition which ought to have been counteracted.
Accustomed to obtain the prize, and be the hero of
scholastic contentions, I acquired the bad habit of
disputation, and of imagining myself a sage when little
more than a boy. I became stubborn in argument;
hasty to correct others, instead of patiently attentive:
and, by presumption, continually liable to incite enmity.
Gentle to my inferiors, but impatient of contradic-
tion, and proud of resisting power, I may hence date
the origin of all my evils.
*** .* * **
~...~" r * *. * ****
*
ÖF BARON TRENCE. 7
How might a man, imbued with the heroic principles
of liberty, hope for advancement and happiness, under
the despotic and iron Government of Frederic P I was
taught neither to know nor to avoid, but to despise the
whip of slavery. Had I learnt hypocrisy, craft, and
meanness, I had long since become field-marshal, had
been in possession of my Hungarian estates, and had
not passed the best years of my life in the dungeons of
Magdeburg. I was addicted to no vice: I laboured in
the cause of Science, honour, and virtue; kept no vicious
company; was never in the whole of my life intoxi-
cated; was no gamester, no consumer of time in idle-
ness nor brutal pleasures; but devoted many hundred
laborious nights to studies that might make me useful
to my country; yet was I punished with a severity too
cruel even for the most worthless, or most villanous.
I mean, in my narrative, to make candour and
veracity my guides, and not to conceal my failings; I
wish my work may remain a moral lesson to the world.
Yet it is an innate satisfaction that I am conscious of
never having acted with dishonour, even to the last act,
of this distressful tragedy.
I shall say little of the first years of my life, except,
that my father took especial care of my education, and
sent me, at the age of thirteen, to the University of
Ronigsberg, where, under the tuition of Kowalewsky,
my progress was rapid. There were fourteen other
noblemen in the same house, and under the same master.
In the year following, 1740, I quarrelled with one
young Wallenrodt, a fellow-student, much stronger
than myself, and who, despising my weakness, thought -
proper to give me a blow. I demanded satisfaction.
8 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
He came not to the appointed place, but treated my
demand with contempt; and I, forgetting all further
respect, procured a second, and attacked him in open
day. We fought, and I had the fortune to wound him
twice; the first time in the arm, the second in the
hand.
This affair incited inquiry:—Doctor Kowalewsky,
our tutor, laid complaints before the University, and
I was condemned to three hours’ confinement; but my
grandfather and guardian, President Derschau, was so
pleased with my courage, that he took me from this
house and placed me under Professor Christiani.
Here I first began to enjoy full liberty, and from
this worthy man I learnt all I know of experimental
philosophy and science. He loved me as his own son,
and continued instructing me till midnight. Under
his auspices, in 1742, I maintained, with great success,
two public theses, although I was then but sixteen; an
effort and an honour till then unknown.
Three days after my last public exordium, a con-
temptible fellow sought a quarrel with me, and obliged
me to draw in my own defence, whom, on this occasion,
I wounded in the groin.
This success inflated my valour, and from that time
I began to assume the air and appearance of a Hector.
Scarcely had a fortnight elapsed before I had another
with a lieutenant of the garrison, whom I had insulted,
who received two wounds in the contest. *.
I ought to remark, that at this time, the University
of Königsberg was still highly privileged. To send a
challenge was held honourable; and this was not only
permitted, but would have been difficult to prevent,
OF BARON TRENCEO. 9
considering the great number of proud, hot-headed,
and turbulent nobility from Livonia, Courland, Sweden,
Denmark, and Poland, who came thither to study, and
of whom there were more than five hundred. This
brought the University into disrepute, and endeavours
have been made to remedy the abuse. Men have
acquired a greater extent of true knowledge, and have
begun to perceive that a University ought to be a place
of instruction, and not a field of battle; and that blood
cannot be honourably shed, except in defence of life or
country.
In November, 1742, the King sent his adjutant-
general, Baron Lottum, who was related to my mother,
to Konigsberg, with whom I dined at my grandfather's.
He conversed much with me, and, after putting various
questions, purposely to discover what my talents and
inclinations were, he demanded, as if in joke, whether
I had any inclination to go with him to Berlin, and
serve my country, as my ancestors had ever done :
adding that, in the army, I should find much better
opportunities of sending challenges than at the Univer-
sity. Inflamed with the desire of distinguishing my-
self, I listened with rapture to the proposition, and in
a few days we departed for Potzdam.
On the morrow after my arrival, I was presented to
the King, as indeed I had before been in the year 1740,
with the character of being, then, one of the most hope-
ful youths of the University. My reception was most
flattering; the justness of my replies to the questions
he asked, my height, figure, and confidence, pleased
him ; and I soon obtained permission to enter as a cadet
in his body guards, with a promise of quick preferment.
!
i
I0 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
The body guards formed, at this time, a model and
school for the Prussian cavalry; they consisted of one
single squadron of men selected from the whole army,
and their uniform was the most splendid in all Europe.
Two thousand rix-dollars were necessary to equip an
officer: the cuirass was wholly plated with silver; and
the horse, furniture, and accoutrements alone cost four
hundred rix-dollars.
This squadron only contained six officers and a
hundred and forty-four men; but there were always
fifty or sixty supernumeraries, and as many horses, for
the King incorporated all the most handsome men he
found in the guards. The officers were the best taught
ºf any the army contained; the King himself was
T*heir tutor, and he afterwards sent them to instruct the
“avalry in the manoeuvres they had learnt. Their rise
was rapid if they behaved well; but they were broken
tor the least fault, and punished by being sent to
garrison regiments. It was likewise necessary they
should be tolerably rich, as well as possess such talents
as might be successfully employed, both at court and
in the army.
There are no soldiers in the world who undergo so
much as this body guard; and during the time I was
in the service of Frederic, I often had not eight hours'
sleep in eight days. Exercise began at four in the
morning, and experiments were made of all the altera-
tions the King meant to introduce in his cavalry.
Ditches of three, four, five, six feet, and still wider,
were leaped, till that some one broke his neck; hedges,
in like manner, were freed, and the horses ran careers,
meeting each other full speed in a kind of lists of
OF BARON TRENCE. 11
3,
*
more than half a league in length. We had often, in
these our exercises, several men and horses killed or .
wounded.
It happened more frequently than otherwise that
the same experiments were repeated after dinner with
fresh horses; and it was not uncommon, at Potzdam,
to hear the alarm sounded twice in a night. The horses
stood in the King's stables; and whoever had not
dressed, armed himself, saddled his horse, mounted, and
appeared before the palace in eight minutes, was put
under arrest for fourteen days.
Scarcely were the eyes closed before the trumpet
again sounded, to accustom youth to vigilance. I lost,
in one year, three horses, which had either broken their
legs, in leaping ditches, or died of fatigue.
I cannot give a stronger picture of this service than
by saying that the body guard lost more men and
horses in one year's peace than they did, during the
following year, in two battles.
We had, at this time, three stations; our service, in
the winter, was at Berlin, where we attended the
opera, and all public festivals: in the spring we were
exercised at Charlottenberg; and at Potzdam, or
wherever the King went, during the summer. The six
officers of the guard dined with the King, and, on gala
days, with the Queen. It may be presumed there was
not at that time on earth a better school to form an
officer and a man of the world than was the court of
Berlin.
I had scarcely been six weeks a cadet before the
King took me aside, one day, after the parade, and
having examined me near half an hour, on various
*
12 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES **
subjects, commanded me to come and speak to him on
the morrow.
His intention was to find whether the accounts that
had been given him of my memory had not been exag-
gerated; and that he might be convinced, he first gave
me the names of fifty soldiers to learn by rote, which I
did in five minutes. He next repeated the subjects of
two letters, which I immediately composed in French
and Latin; the one I wrote, the other I dictated. He
afterwards ordered me to trace, with promptitude, a
landscape from nature, which I executed with equal
success; and he then gave me a cornet’s commission
in his body guards.
Each mark of bounty from the monarch increased an
ardour already great, inspired me with gratitude, and
the first of my wishes was to devote my whole life to
the service of my King and country. He spoke to me
as a Sovereign should speak, like a father, like one who
knew well how to estimate the gifts bestowed on me
by nature; and perceiving, or rather feeling, how much
he might expect from me, became at once my instructor
and my friend.
Thus did I remain a cadet only six weeks, and few
Prussians can vaunt, under the reign of Frederic, of
equal good fortune.
The King not only presented me with a commission,
but equipped me splendidly for the service. Thus
did I suddenly find myself a courtier, and an officer
in the finest, bravest, and best disciplined corps in
Turope. My good fortune seemed unlimited, when,
- in the month of August, 1743, the King selected me
to go and instruct the Silesian cavalry in the new
OF BARON TRENCEC. 13
manoeuvres: an honour never before granted to a youth
of eighteen.
I have already said we were garrisoned at Berlin
during winter, where the officers’ table was at court:
and, as my reputation had preceded me, no person
whatever could be better received there, or live more
pleasantly. --
, Frederic commanded me to visit the literati, whom
he had invited to his court: Maupertuis, Jordan, La
Mettrie, and Pollnitz, were all my acquaintance. My
days were employed in the duties of an officer, and
my nights in acquiring knowledge. Pollnitz was
my guide, and the friend of my heart. My happi-
ness was well worthy of being envied. In 1743, I
was five feet eleven inches in height, and Nature had
endowed me with every requisite to please. I lived, as
I vainly imagined, without inciting enmity or malice,
and my mind was wholly occupied by the desire of
earning well-founded fame.
I had hitherto remained ignorant of love, and had
been terrified from illicit commerce by beholding the
dreadful objects of the hospital at Potzdam. During
the winter of 1743, the nuptials of his Majesty's sister
were celebrated, who was married to the King of
Sweden, where she is at present Queen Dowager,
mother of the reigning Gustavus. I, as officer of my
corps, had the honour to mount guard and escort her
as far as Stettin. Here first did my heart feel a
passion of which, in the course of my history, I shall
have frequent occasion to speak. The object of my
love was one whom I can only remember at present
with reverence; and, as I write not romance, but facts,
14 * THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
I shall here briefly say, ours were mutually the first-
fruits of affection, and that to this hour I regret no
misfortune, no misery, with which, from a stock so
noble, my destiny was overshadowed.
Amid the tumult inseparable to occasions like these,
on which it was my duty to maintain order, a thief had
the address to steal my watch, and cut away part of
the gold fringe which hung from the waistcoat of my
uniform, and afterwards to escape unperceived. This
accident brought on me the raillery of my comrades;
and the lady alluded to thence took occasion to con-
sole me, by saying it should be her care that I should
be no loser. Her words were accompanied by a look
I could not misunderstand, and a few days after I
thought myself the happiest of mortals. The name,
however, of this high-born lady is a secret, which
must descend with me to the grave; and, though my
silence concerning this incident leaves a void in my
life, and indeed throws obscurity over a part of it,
which might else be clear, I would much rather incur
this reproach than become ungrateful towards my
best friend and benefactress. To her conversation,
to her prudence, to the power by which she fixed
my affections wholly on herself, am I indebted for
the improvement and polishing of my bodily and
mental qualities. She never despised, betrayed, or
abandoned me, even in the deepest of my distress;
and my children alone, on my death-bed, shall be
taught the name of her to whom they owe the pre-
servation of their father, and consequently their own
existence. º
I lived at this time perfectly happy at Berlin, and
* †
* .* *... **s- ~ * * * *
* ---
.* --
**. *
:*
OF BARON TRENCR. 15
highly esteemed. The King took every opportunity .
to testify his approbation; my mistress supplied me
with more money than I could expend; and I was pre-
sently the best equipped, and made the greatest figure,
of any officer in the whole corps. The style in which
I lived was remarked, for I had only received from
my father's heritage the estate of Great Scharlach;
the rent of which was eight hundred dollars a year,
which was far from sufficient to supply my then ex-
penses. My amour, in the meantime, remained a
secret from my best and most intimate friends.
Twice was my absence from Potzdam and Charlotten-
berg discovered, and I was put under arrest; but the
Ring seemed satisfied with the excuse I made, under
the pretext of having been hunting, and smiled as he
granted my pardon.
Never did the days of youth glide away with more
apparent success and pleasure than during these my
first years at Berlin. This good fortune was, alas, of
short duration. Many are the incidents I might re-
late, but which I shall omit. My other adventures are
sufficiently numerous, without mingling such as may
any way seem foreign to the subject. In this gloomy
history of my life, I wish to paint myself such as I am;
and, by the recital of my sufferings, afford a memorable
example to the world, and interest the heart of sensi-
bility. I would also show how my fatal destiny has
deprived my children of an immense fortune; and,
though I want a hundred thousand men to enforce and
ensure may rights, I will leave demonstration to my
heirs that they are incontestable.
16 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
CHAPTER II.
IN the beginning of September, 1744, war again
broke out between the Houses of Austria and Prussia.
We marched with all speed towards Prague, traversing
Saxony without opposition. I will not relate in this
place what the great Frederic said to us, with evident
emotion, when surrounded by all his officers, on the
morning of our departure from Potzdam.
Should any one be desirous of writing the lives of
him and his opponent, Maria. Theresa, without flattery
and without fear, let him apply to me, and I will relate
anecdotes most surprising on this subject, unknown to
all but myself, and which never must appear under my
OWI). Ila, Iſle.
All monarchs going to war have reason on their
side; and the churches of both parties resound with
prayers, and appeals to Divine Justice, for the suc-
cess of their arms. Frederic, on this occasion, had
recourse to them with regret, of which I was a
witness.
If I am not mistaken, the King's army came be-
fore Prague on the 14th of September, and that of
General Schwerin, which had passed through Silesia,
arrived the next day on the other side of the Moldau.
, In this position we were obliged to wait some days for
pontoons, without which we could not establish a com-
munication between the two armies.
The height called Zischka, which overlooks the
city, being guarded only by a few Croats, was in-
stantly seized, without opposition, by some grenadiers,
and the batteries, erected at the foot of that mountain,
OF BARON TRENCE. 17
**
being ready on the fifth day, played with such success
on the old town with bombs and red-hot balls that it
was set on fire. The King made every effort to take
the city before Prince Charles could bring his army
from the Rhine to its relief.
General Harsh thought proper to capitulate, after a
siege of twelve days, during which not more than five
hundred men of the garrison, at the utmost, were
killed and wounded, though eighteen thousand men
were made prisoners.
Thus far we had met with no impediment. The
Imperial army, however, under the command of
Prince Charles of Lorraine, having quitted the banks
of the Rhine, was advancing to save Bohemia.
During this campaign we saw the enemy only at a
distance; but the Austrian light troops being thrice
as numerous as ours, prevented us from all foraging.
Winter was approaching, dearth and hunger made
Frederic determine to retreat, without the least hope
from the countries in our rear, which we had entirely
laid waste as we had advanced. The severity of the
season, in the month of November, rendered the sol-
diers excessively impatient of their hardships; and,
accustomed to conquer, the Prussians were ashamed
of and repined at retreat : the enemy's light troops
facilitated desertion, and we lost, in a few weeks,
above thirty thousand men. The pandours of my
kinsman, the Austrian Trenck, were incessantly at our
heels, gave us frequent alarms, did us great injury,
and, by their alertness, we never could make any
impression upon them with our cannon. Trenck at
length passed the Elbe, and went and burnt and
º,
18 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
destroyed our magazines at Pardubitz: it was therefore
Fresolved wholly to evacuate Bohemia.
The King hoped to have brought Prince Charles
to the battle between Benneschan and Kannupitz,
but in vain : the Saxons, during the night, had
entered a battery of three-and-twenty cannon on a
mound which separated two ponds: this was the
precise road by which the King meant to make the
attack.
Thus were we obliged to abandon Bohemia. The
dearth, both for man and horse, began to grow ex-
treme. The weather was bad; the roads and ruts
were deep; marches were continual, and alarms and
attacks from the enemy's light troops became in-
cessant. The discontent all these inspired was
universal, and this occasioned the great loss of the
army.
Under such circumstances, had Prince Charles con-
tinued to harass us, by persuading us into Silesia, had
he made a winter campaign, instead of remaining in-
dolently at ease in Bohemia, we certainly should not
have vanquished him, the year following, at Strigau;
but he only followed at a distance, as far as the Bohe-
mian frontiers. This gave Frederic time to recover,
and the more effectually because the Austrians had the
imprudence to permit the return of deserters.
This was a repetition of what had happened to
Charles XII, when he suffered his Russian prisoners
to return home, who afterwards so effectually punished
his contempt of them at the battle of Pultawa.
Prague was obliged to be abandoned, with consider-
able loss; and Trenck seized on Tabor, Budweis, and
OF BARON TRENCEC. 19
Frauenberg, where he took prisoners the regiments of
Walrabe Kreutz.
No one would have been better able to give a faith-
ful history of this campaign than myself, had I room
in this place, and had I at that time been more atten-
tive to things of moment; since I not only performed
the office of adjutant to the King, when he went to
reconnoitre, or choose a place of encampment, but it
was, moreover, my duty to provide forage for the head-
quarters. The King having only permitted me to take
six volunteers from the body guard, to execute this
latter duty, I was obliged to add to them horse chas-
seurs, and hussars, with whom ſ was continually in
motion. I was peculiarly fortunate on two occasions,
by happening to come after the enemy when they had
left loaded waggons and forage bundles.
..I seldom passed the night in my tent during this
campaign, and my indefatigable activity obtained the
favour and entire confidence of Frederic. Nothing so
much contributed to inspire me with emulation as the
public praises I received, and my enthusiasm wished
to perform wonders. The campaign, however, but ill
supplied me with opportunities to display my youthful
ardour.
At length no one durst leave the camp, notwith-
standing the extremity of the dearth, because of the
innumerable clouds of pandours and hussars that
hovered everywhere around.
No sooner were we arrived in Silesia, than the
Ring's body guard were sent to Berlin, there to re-
main in winter quarters.
I should not here have mentioned the Bohemian
**
20 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
war, but that, while writing the history of my life, I
ought not to omit accidents by which my future destiny
was influenced.
One day, while at Bennaschen, I was commanded
out, with a detachment of thirty hussars and twenty
chasseurs, on a foraging party. I had posted my
hussars in a convent, and gone myself, with the
chasseurs, to a mansion-house, to seize the carts ne-
cessary for the conveyance of the hay and straw from
a neighbouring farm. An Austrian lieutenant of
hussars, concealed with thirty-six horsemen in a wood,
having remarked the weakness of my escort, taking
advantage of the moment when my people were all
employed in loading the carts, first seized our sentinel,
and then fell suddenly upon them, and took them all
prisoners in the very farm-yard. At this moment I
was seated at my ease, beside the lady of the mansion-
house, and was a spectator of the whole transaction
through the window.
I was ashamed of and in despair at my negligence.
The kind lady wished to hide me when the firing was
heard in the farm-yard. By good fortune, the hussars,
whom I had stationed in the convent, had learnt from
a peasant that there was an Austrian detachment in
the wood : they had seen us at a distance enter the farm-
yard, hastily marched to our aid, and we had not been
taken more than two minutes before they arrived. I
cannot express the pleasure with which I put myself at
their head. Some of the enemy's party escaped through
a back door, but we made two-and-twenty prisoners,
with a lieutenant of the regiment of Kalnockichen.
They had two men killed, and one wounded; and two
-** *
*.
OF BARON TRENCEC. 21
also of my chasseurs were hewn down by the sabre,
in the hay-loft, where they were at work.
We continued our forage with more caution after
this accident: the horses we had taken served, in part,
to draw the carts; and, after raising a contribution of
one hundred and fifty ducats on the convent, which I
distributed among the soldiers to engage them to si-
lence, we returned to the army, from which we were
distant about two leagues.
We heard firing as we marched, and the foragers on
all sides were skirmishing with the enemy. A lieu-
tenant and forty horse joined me; yet, with this re-
inforcement, I durst not return to the camp, because I
learned we were in danger from more than eight hun-
dred pandours and hussars, who were in the plain. I
therefore determined to take a long, winding, but
secret route, and had the good fortune to come safe to
quarters with my prisoners and five-and-twenty loaded
carts. The King was at dinner when I entered his
tent. Having been absent all night, it was imagined
I had been taken, that accident having happened the
same day to many others.
The instant I entered, the King demanded if I re-
turned singly. “No, please your Majesty,” answered I;
“I have brought five-and-twenty loads of forage, and
two-and-twenty prisoners, with their officer and horses.”
The King then commanded me to sit down, and
turning himself towards the English ambassador, who
was near him, said, laying his hand on my shoulder,
“C'est um Matador de ma jewnesse.”
A reconnoitring party was, at the same moment, in
waiting before his tent: he consequently asked me few
22 - THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
questions, and to those he did ask, I replied trembling.
In a few minutes he rose from the table, gave a glance
at the prisoners, hung the Order of Merit round my
neck, commanded me to go and take repose, and set off
with his party.
It is easy to conceive the embarrassment of my situa-
tion; my unpardonable negligence deserved that I
should have been broken, instead of which I was re-
warded; an instance, this, of the great influence of
chance on the affairs of the world. How many generals
have gained victories by their very errors, which have
been afterwards attributed to their genius ! It is evi-
dent the sergeant of hussars, who retook me and my
men by bringing up his party, was much better entitled
than myself to the recompense I received. On many
occasions have I since met with disgrace and punish-
ment when I deserved reward. My inquietude lest the
truth should be discovered, was extreme, especially re-
collecting how many people were in the secret: and
my apprehensions were incessant.
As I did not want money, I gave the sergeants twenty
ducats each, and the soldiers one, in order to insure
their silence, which, being a favourite with them, they
readily promised. I, however, was determined to de-
clare the truth the very first opportunity, and this
happened a few days after.
We were on our march, and I, as cornet, was at the
head of my company, when the King, advancing, beck-
oned me to come to him, and bade me tell him exactly
how the affair I had so lately been engaged in happened.
The question at first made me mistrust I was be-
trayed, but remarking the King had a mildness in his
* ** *
* OF BARON TEENCE. 23
manner, I presently recovered myself, and related the
exact truth. I saw the astonishment of his counten-
ance, but I at the same time saw he was pleased with
my sincerity. He spoke to me for half an hour, not as
a King, but as a father, praised my candour, and ended
with the following words, which, while life remains, I
shall never forget: “Confide in the advice I give you;
depend wholly upon me, and I will make you a man.”
Whoever can feel, may imagine how infinitely my
gratitude towards the King was increased, by this his
great goodness; from that moment I had no other
desire than to live and die for his service.
I soon perceived the comfidence the King had in me'
after this explanation, of which Ireceived very frequent
marks, the following winter, at Berlin. He permitted
me to be present at his conversations with the literati
of his court, and my state was truly enviable.
I received this same winter more than five hundred
ducats as presents. So much happiness could not but
excite jealousy, and this began to be manifest on every
side. I had too little disguise for a courtier, and my
heart was much too open and frank.
Before I proceed, I will here relate an incident which
happened during the last campaign, and which will,
no doubt, be read in the history of Frederic.
On the rout while retreating through Bohemia, the
Ring came to Kollin, with his horse-guards, the
cavalry piquets of the head-quarters, and the second
and third battalions of guards. We had only four field
pieces, and our squadron was stationed in one of the
suburbs. Our advance posts, towards evenia.g, were
driven back into the town, and the hussars entered
24 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
pell-mell: the enemy’s light troops swarmed over the
country, and my commanding officer sent me imme-
diately to receive the King's orders. After much
search, I found him at the top of a steeple, with a tele-
scope in his hand. Never did I see him so disturbed
or undecided as on this occasion. Orders were imme-
diately given that we should retreat through the city,
into the opposite suburb, where we were to halt, but not
unsaddle.
We had not been here long before a most heavy rain
fell, and the night became exceedingly dark. My
cousin Trenck made his approach about nine in the
evening, with his pandour and janissary music, and
set fire to several houses. They found we were in the
suburb, and began to fire upon us from the city
windows. The tumult became extreme : the city was
too full for us to re-enter: the gate was shut, and they
fired from above at us with our field-pieces. Trenck
had let in the waters upon us, and we were up to the
girths by midnight, and almost in despair. We lost
seven men, and my horse was wounded in the neck.
The King, and all of us, had certainly been made
prisoners had my cousin, as he has since told me, been
able to continue the assault he had begun : but a cannon
ball having wounded him in the foot, he was carried
off, and the pandours retired. The corps of Nassau
arrived next day to our aid; we quitted Kollin, and
during the march the King said to me, “Your cousin
had nearly played us a malicious prank last night, but
the deserters say he is killed.” He then asked what
our relationship was, and there our conversation ended.
-, * *: 4 ºr r- " ...rº
*. t
OF BARON TRENCE. 25
CHAPTER, III.
IT was about the middle of December when we came
to Berlin, where I was received with open arms. I
became less cautious than formerly, and, perhaps, more
marrowly observed. A lieutenant of the foot guards,
who was a public Ganymede, and against whom I had
that natural antipathy and abhorrence I have for all
such wretches, having indulged himself in some very
impertinent jokes on the secret of my amour, I be-
stowed on him the epithet he deserved: we drew our
swords, and he was wounded. On the Sunday following
I presented myself to pay my respects to his Majesty
on the parade, who said to me as he passed, “The
storm and the thunder shall rend your heart; beware l’”
He added nothing more.
Some little time after I was a few minutes too late
on the parade; the King remarked it, and sent me,
under arrest, to the foot-guard at Potzdam. When I
had been here a fortnight, Colonel Wartensleben came,
and advised me to petition for pardon. I was then too
much a novice in the modes of the court to follow his
counsel, nor did I even remark the person who gave it
me was himself a most subtle courtier. I complained
bitterly that I had so long been deprived of liberty,
for a fault which was usually punished by three, or, at
most, six days’ arrest. Here accordingly I remained.
Eight days after, the King being come to Potzdam,
I was sent by General Bourke to Berlin, to carry some
* A common expression with Frederic when he was angry, and
which has since become proverbial among the Prussian and othe
German officers. See Criticial Review, April, 1788.
“, *
26 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
*
letters, but without having seen the King. On my
return I presented myself to him on the parade; and
as our squadron was garrisoned at Berlin, I asked,
“Does it please your Majesty that I should go and join
my corps?” “Whence came you ?” answered he.
“From Berlin.” “And where were you before you
went to Berlin P” “Under arrest.” “Then under
arrest you must remain l’”
I did not recover my liberty till three days before
our departure for Silesia, towards which we marched,
with the utmost speed, in the beginning of May, to
commence our second campaign.
EIere I must recount an event which happened that
winter, which became the source of all my misfortunes,
and to which I must entreat my readers will pay the
utmost attention; since this error, if innocence can be
error, was the cause that the most faithful and the best
of subjects became bewildered in scenes of wretched-
ness, and was the victim of misery, from his nineteenth
to the sixtieth year of his age. I dare presume that
this true narrative, supported by testimonies the most
authentic, will fully windicate my present honour and
my future memory.
Francis, Baron of Trenck, was the son of my father's
brother, consequently my cousin german. I shall
speak, hereafter, of the singular events of his life.
Being a commander of pandours in the Austrian
service, and grievously wounded at Bavaria, in the
year 1743, he wrote to my mother, informing her he
intended me, her eldest son, for his universal legatee.
This letter, to which I returned no answer, was sent to
me at Potzdam. I was so satisfied with my situation,
..º
*
OF BARON TRENCE. 27
and had such numerous reasons so to be, considering
the kindness with which the King treated me, that I
would not have exchanged my good fortune for all the
treasures of the Great Mogul.
On the 12th of February, 1744, being at Berlin, I
was in company with Captain Jaschinsky, commander
of the body guard, the captain of which ranks as
colonel in the army, together with Lieutenant Studnitz,
and Cornet Wagnitz. The latter was my field com-
rade, and is at present commander-general of the
cavalry of Hesse Cassel. The Austrian Trenck became
the subject of conversation, and Jaschinsky asked if I
were his kinsman. I answered, yes, and immediately
mentioned his having made me his universal heir.
“And what answer have you returned P” said Ja-
schinsky.—“None at all.”
The whole company then observed that, in a case
like the present, I was much to blame not to answer;
that the least I could do would be to thank him for his
good wishes, and entreat a continuance of them. Ja-
schinsky further added, “I)esire him to send you some
of his fine Hungarian horses for your own use, and
give me the letter; I will convey it to him, by means
of Mr. Bossart, legation counsellor of the Saxon
embassy; but on condition that you will give me one
of the horses. This correspondence is a family, and
not a state affair; I will make myself responsible for
the consequences.”
I immediately took my commander's advice, and
began to write; and had those who suspected me
thought proper to make the least inquiry into these
circumstances, the four witnesses who read what I
28 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
wrote could have attested my innocence, and rendered
it indubitable. I gave my letter open to Jaschinsky,
who sealed and sent it himself.
I must omit none of the incidents concerning this
letter, it being the sole cause of all my sufferings.
I shall therefore here relate an event which was the
first occasion of the unjust suspicions entertained
against me.
One of my grooms, with two led horses, was, among
many others, taken by the pandours of Trenck. When
I returned to the camp, I was to accompany the King
on a reconnoitring party. My horse was too tired,
and I had no other : I informed him of my embarrass-
ment, and his Majesty immediately made me a present
of a fine English courser.
Some days after, I was exceedingly astonished to,
see my groom return, with my two horses, and a
pandour trumpeter, who brought me a letter, contain-
ing nearly the following words:—
“The Austrian Trenck is not at war with the
Prussian Trenck, but, on the contrary, is happy to have
recovered his horses from his hussars, and to return
them to whom they first belonged,” &c.
I went the same day to pay my respects to the King,
who, receiving me with great coldness, said, “Since
your cousin has returned your own horses, you have no
more need of mine.”
There were too many who envied me to suppose
these words would escape repetition. The return of
the horses seems infinitely to have increased that sus-
picion Frederic entertained against me, and therefore
became one of the principal causes of my misfortunes:
OF BARON TEENCE. 29
x-º
it is for this reason that I dwell upon this and Such-
like small incidents, they being necessary for my own
justification, and, were it possible, for that of the King.
My innocence is, indeed, at present universally acknow-
ledged by the court, the army, and the whole nation;
who all mention the injustice I suffered with pity,
and the fortitude with which it was endured with
surprise.
We marched for Silesia, to enter on our second
campaign : which, to the Prussians, was as bloody and
murderous as it was glorious.
The King’s head-quarters were fixed at the convent
of Kamentz, where we rested fourteen days, and the
army remained in cantonments. Prince Charles,
instead of following us into Bohemia, had the impru-
dence to occupy the plain of Strigau, and we already
concluded his army was beaten. Whoever is well
acquainted with tactics, and the Prussian manoeuvres,
will easily judge, without the aid of calculation or
witchcraft, whether a well or ill-disciplined army, in
an open plain, ought to be victorious.
The army hastily left its cantonments, and in
twenty-four hours was in order of battle; and on the
14th of June, eighteen thousand bodies lay stretched
on the plain of Strigau. The allied armies of Austria
and Saxony were totally defeated.
The body guard was on the right; and previous to
the attack, the King said to our squadron, “Prove to-
day, my children, that you are my body guard, and
give no Saxon quarter.”
We made three attacks on the cavalry, and two on
the infantry. Nothing could withstand a squadron
rº- #6, *
30 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES-
like this, which for men, horses, courage, and ex-
perience, was assuredly the first in the world.
Our corps alone took seven standards and five pairs
of colours, and in less than an hour the affair was
OWOI’.
I received a pistol shot in my right hand, my horse
was desperately wounded, and I was obliged to change
him on the third charge. The day after the battle
all the officers were rewarded with the Order of Merit.
For my own part, I remained four weeks among the
wounded, at Schweidnitz, where there were sixteen
§º
*
thousand men under the torture of the army surgeons,
many of whom had not their wounds dressed till the
third day.
I was near three months before I recovered the use
of my hand: I nevertheless rejoined my corps, con-
tinued to perform my duty, and as usual accompanied
the King when he went to reconnoitre. For some
time past he had placed confidence in me, and his
kindness towards me continually increased, which
raised my gratitude even to enthusiasm.
I also performed the service of adjutant during
this campaign, a circumstantial account of which no
person is better enabled to write than myself, I hav-
ing been present at all that passed. I was the
scholar of the greatest master the art of war ever
knew, and who believed me worthy to receive his in-
structions; but the volume I am writing would be
insufficient to contain all that personally relates to
myself.
I must here mention an adventure that happened
at this time, and which will show the art of the great
* * * * *-*** - ?? - , , ; , 3. 2 ”
$. * §
--- -3.
of BARON TRENCE. 31
Frederic in forming youth for his service, and de-
votedly attaching them to his person.
I was exceedingly fond of hunting, in which, not-
withstanding it was severely forbidden, I indulged
myself. J.I one day returned, laden with pheasants;
but judge my astonishment and fears when I saw the
army had decamped, and that it was with difficulty
that I could overtake the rear-guard.
In this my distress, I applied to an officer of hussars,
who instantly lent me his horse, by the aid of which I
rejoined my corps, which always marched as the
vanguard. Mounting my own horse, I tremblingly
rode to the head of my division, which it was my duty
to precede. The King, however, had remarked my
absence, or rather had been reminded of it by my
superior officer, who, for some time past, had become
my enemy.
Just as the army halted to encamp, the King rode
towards me, and made a signal for me to approach,
and, seeing my fears in my countenance, said, “What,
are you just returned from hunting P” “Yes, your
Majesty. I hope—” Here interrupting me, he
added, “Well, well, for this time, I shall take no
further notice, remembering Potzdam; but, however,
let me find you more attentive to your duty.”
So ended this affair, for which I deserved to have
been broken. I must remind my readers that the
Ring meant by the words remembering Potzdam,
he remembered I had been punished too severely the
winter before, and that my present pardon was in-
tended as a compensation.
This was indeed to think and act greatly; this was
*H. Kº" ºr,
*
32 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES , '
indeed the true art of forming great men: an art
much more effectual than that of ferocious generals,
who threaten subalterns with imprisonment and chains
on every slight occasion; and, while indulging all the
rigours of military law, make no distinction of minds
or of men. Frederic, on the contrary, sometimes
pardoned the failings of genius, while mechanic souls
he mechanically punished, according to the very letter
of the laws of war.
I shall further remark, the King took no more
notice of my late fault, except that sometimes, when
I had the honour to dine with him, he would ridicule
people who were too often at the chase, or who were
so choleric that they took occasion to quarrel for the
least trifle.
The campaign passed in different manoeuvres,
marches, and countermarches. Our corps was the
most fatigued, as being encamped round the King's
tent, the station of which was central, and as like-
wise having the care of the vanguard; we were
therefore obliged to begin our march two hours
sooner than the remainder of the army, that we
might be in our place. We also accompanied the
Ring whenever he went to reconnoitre, traced the
lines of encampment, led the horse to water, in-
spected the head-quarters, and regulated the march
and encampment, according to the King's orders;
the performance of all which robbed us of much rest,
we being but six officers to execute so many different
functions.
Still further, we often executed the office of couriers,
to bear the royal commands to detachments. The
3. * *** % * ~, *. i.
OF BARON TRENCE. 33
Ring was particularly careful that the officers of his
guards, whom he intended should become excellent
in the art of tactics, should not be idle in his
school. It was necessary to do much in order that
much might be learnt. Labour, vigilance, activity,
the love of glory and the love of his country, animated
all his generals; into whom, it may be said, he infused
his spirit.
In this school I gained instruction, and here already
was I selected as one designed to instruct others;
yet, in my fortieth year, a great, general at Vienna
told me, “My dear Trenck, our discipline would be
too difficult for you to learn; for which, indeed, you
are too far advanced in life.” Agreeable to this
wise decision was I made an Austrian invalid, and
an invalid have always remained; a judgment like this
would have been laughed at, most certainly, at Berlin.
If I mistake not, the famous battle of Soor, or
Sorau, was fought on the 14th day of September.
The King had sent so many detachments into Saxony,
Bohemia, and Silesia, that the main army did
not consist of more than twenty-five thousand men.
Neglecting advice, and obstimate in judging his
enemy by numbers, and not according to the ex-
cellence of discipline, and other accidents, Prince
Charles, blind to the real strength of the Prussian
armies, had enclosed this small number of Pome-
ranian and Brandenburg regiments, with more than
eighty-six thousand men, intending to take them all
prisoners.
It will soon be seen from my narrative with what
kind of secrecy his plan was laid and executed.
B–13
34 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
The King came into my tent about midnight; as he
also did into that of all the officers, to awaken them;
his orders were, “Secretly to saddle, leave the baggage
in the rear, and that the men should stand ready to
mount at the word of command.”
Lieutenant Studnitz and myself attended the King,
who went in person, and gave directions through the
whole army; meantime, break of day was expected
with anxiety.
Opposite the defile through which the enemy was
to march to the attack eight field-pieces were con-
cealed behind a hill. The King must necessarily
have been informed of the whole plan of the Aus-
trian general, for he had called in the advanced
posts from the heights, that he might lull him into
security, and make him imagine we should be surprised
in the midst of sleep.
Scarcely did break of day appear before the Austrian
artillery, situated upon the heights, began to play upon
our camp, and their cavalry to march through the
defile to the attack.
As suddenly were we in battle array; for in less
than ten minutes we ourselves began the attack, not-
withstanding the Smallness of our number, the whole
army only containing five regiments of cavalry. We
fell with such fury upon the enemy (who at this time
were wholly employed in forming their men at the
mouth of the defile, and that slowly, little expecting so
sudden and violent a charge), that we drove them back
into the defile, where they pressed upon each other in
crowds; the King himself stood ready to unmask his
eight field-pieces, and a dreadful and bloody slaughter
OF BARON TRENCE. 35
.*
ensued in this narrow place; from which the enemy
had not the power to retreat. This single incident
gained the battle, and deceived all the hopes of Prince
Charles.
Nadasti, Trenck, and the light troops, sent to attack
our rear, were employed in pillaging the camp. The
ferocious Croats met no opposition, while this their
error made our victory more secure. It deserves to
be noticed that, when advice was brought to the King
that the enemy had fallen upon and were plundering
the camp, his answer was, “So much the better; they
have found themselves employment, and will be no
impediment to our main design.”
Our victory was complete, but all our baggage was
lost; the head-quarters, utterly undefended, were
totally stripped; and Trenck had, for his part of the
booty, the King's tent and his service of plate.
I have mentioned this circumstance here, because
that, in the year 1740, my cousin Trenck, having fallen
into the power of his enemies, who had instituted a
legal process against him, was accused, by some
villanous wretches, of having surprised the King in
bed at the battle of Sorau, and of having afterwards
released him for a bribe.
What was still worse, they hired a common woman,
a native of Brünn, who pretended she was the
daughter of Marshal Schwerin, to give in evidence that
she herself was with the King when Trenck entered
his tent, whom he immediately made prisoner, and as
immediately released.
To this part of the prosecution I myself, an
eye-witness, can answer: the thing was false and
& & sº * wº-
36 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES *-
impossible. He was informed of the intended attack.
I accompanied the watchful King from midnight till
four in the morning, which time he employed in riding
through the camp, and making the necessary pre-
parations to receive the enemy; and the action began
at five. Trenck could not take the King in bed, for
the battle was almost gained when he and his pandours
entered the camp and plundered the head-quarters.
As for the tale of Miss Schwerin, it is only fit to
be told by Schoolboys, or examined by the Inquisition,
and was very unworthy of making part of a legal
prosecution against an innocent man at Vienna.
This incident, however, is so remarkable that I shall
give in this work a farther account of my kinsman,
and what was called his criminal process, at reading
which the world will be astonished. My own history
is so connected with his that this is necessary, and the
more so because there are many ignorant or wicked
people at Vienna, who believe, or affirm, Trenck had
actually taken the King of Prussia prisoner.
Never yet was there a traitor of the name of
Trenck; and I hope to prove, in the clearest manner,
the Austrian Trenck as faithfully served the Empress-
Queen as the Prussian Trenck did Frederic, his King.
Maria. Theresa, speaking to me of him some time after
his death, and the Snares that had been laid for him,
said, “Your kinsman has made a better end than will
be the fate of his accusers and judges.”
Of this more hereafter : I approach that epoch
when my misfortunes began, and when the sufferings
of martyrdom attended me from youth onward till my
hairs grew grey.
OF IBARON TRENCEC. 37
CHAPTER TW.
A FEW days after the battle of Sorau, the usual camp
postman brought me a letter from my cousin Trenck,
the colonel of pandours, antedated at Effek four
months, of which the following is a copy :-
“Your letter, of the 12th of February, from Berlin,
informs me you desire to have some Hungarian horses.
On these you would come and attack me and my
pandours. I saw with pleasure, during the last cam-
paign, that the Prussian Trenck was a good soldier;
and that I might give you some proofs of my attach-
ment, I then returned the horses which my men had
taken. If, however, you wish to have Hungarian
horses, you must take mine in like manner from me in
the field of battle : or, should you so think fit, come
and join one who will receive you with open arms, like
his friend and son, and who will procure you every
advantage you can desire,” &c.
At first I was terrified at reading this letter, yet
could not help smiling. Cornet Wagenitz, now general
in chief of the Hesse Cassel forces, and Lieutenant
Grotthausen, both now alive, and then present, were
my camp comrades. I gave them the letter to read,
and they laughed at its contents. It was determined
to show it to our superior officer, Jaschinsky, on a
promise of Secrecy, and it was accordingly shown him
within an hour after it was received.
The reader will be so kind as to recollect that, as I,
have before said, it was this Colonel Jaschinsky who
on the 12th of February, the same year, at Berlin, pre-
vailed on me to write to the Austrian Trenck, my
38 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
cousin; that he received the letter open, and undertook
to send it according to its address; also that, in this
letter, I in jest had asked him to send me some Hun-
garian horses, and, should they come, had promised one
to Jaschinsky. He read the letter with an air of some
surprise; we laughed, and, it being whispered through
the army that, in consequence of our late victory, de-
tached corps would be sent into Hungary, Jaschinsky
said, “We shall now go and take Hungarian horses for
ourselves.” Here the conversation ended, and I, little
suspecting future consequences, returned to my tent.
I must here remark the following observations:—
1st. I had not observed the date of the letter
brought by the postman, which, as I have said, was
antedated four months : this, however, the colonel did
not fail to remark.
2ndly. The probability is that this was a net, spread
for me by this false and wicked man. The return of
my horses, during the preceding campaign, had been
the subject of much conversation. It is possible he
had the King’s orders to watch me; but more probably
he only prevailed on me to write that he might entrap
me by a fictitious answer. Certain it is, my cousin
Trenck, at Vienna, affirmed to his death he never re-
ceived any letter from me, consequently never could
send any answer. I must therefore conclude this letter
was forged.
Jaschinsky was at this time one of the King's
favourites; his spy over the army; a tale-bearer; an
inventor of wicked lies and calumnies. Some years
after the event of which I am now speaking, the King
was obliged to break and banish him the country.
* of BARON TRENCK. 39 .
He was then also the paramour of the beauteous
Madame Brossart, wife of the Saxon resident at Berlin,
and there can be little doubt but that this false letter
was, by her means, conveyed to some Saxon or Austrian
post-office, and thence, according to its address, sent to
me. He had daily opportunities of infusing suspicions
into the King's mind concerning me; and, unknown
to me, of pursuing his diabolicaſ plan.
I must likewise add he was four hundred ducats
indebted to me. At that time I had always a plentiful
supply of money. This booty became his own when I,
unexamined, was arrested, and thrown into prison. In
like manner he seized on the greatest part of my camp
equipage.
Further, we had quarrelled during our first cam-
paign, because he had beaten one of my servants; we
even were proceeding to fight with pistols, had not
Colonel Winterfield interfered, and amicably ended our
quarrel. The Lithuanian is, by nature, obstinate and
revengeful; and, from that day, Ihave reason to believe
he sought my destruction.
God only knows what were the means he took to
excite the King's suspicions; for it is incredible that
Frederic, considering his well-known professions of
public justice, should treat me in the manner he did,
without a hearing, without examination, and without
a court-martial. This to me has ever remained a
mystery, which the King alone was able to explain; he
afterwards was convinced I was innocent : but my
sufferings had been too cruel, and the miseries he had
inflicted too horrible, for me ever to hope for compen-
sation.
* *
40 TEIE LIFE AND ADVENTURES ---
In an affair of this nature, which will soon be known
to all Europe, as it long has been in Prussia, the
weakest is always guilty. I have been made a terrible
example to this our age, how true that maxim is in
despotic States.
A man of my rank, having once unjustly suffered,
and not having the power of making his sufferings
known, must ever be highly rewarded or still more
unjustly punished. My name and injuries will ever
stain the annals of Frederic the Great ; even those who
read this book will perhaps suppose that I, from
political motives of hope or fear, have sometimes con-
cealed truth by endeavouring to palliate his conduct.
It must ever remain incomprehensible that a mon-
arch so clear-sighted, himself the daily witness of
my demeanour, one well acquainted with mankind, and
conscious I wanted neither money, honour, nor hope of
future preferment; I say it is incomprehensible that
he should really suppose me guilty. I take God to
witness, and all those who knew me in prosperity and
misfortune, I never harboured a thought of betraying
my country. How was it possible to suspect me? I
was neither madman nor idiot. In my eighteenth year
I was a cornet of the body guard, adjutant to the King,
and possessed his favour and confidence in the highest
degree. His presents to me, in one year, amounted to
fifteen hundred dollars. I kept seven horses, four men
in livery; I was valued, distinguished, and beloved by
the mistress of my soul. My relations held high
offices, both civil and military; I was even fanatically
devoted to my King and country, and had nothing to
wish.
% * - --
of BARON TRENCK. 41
That I should become thus wretched, in consequence
of this unfortunate letter, is equally wonderful: it came
by the public post. Had there been any criminal
correspondence, my kinsman certainly would not have
chosen this mode of conveyance; since, it is well
known, all such letters are opened; nor could I act
more openly. My colonel read the letter I wrote; and
also that which I received, immediately after it was
brought.
The day after the receipt of this letter I was, as I
have before said, unheard, unaccused, unjudged, con-
ducted like a criminal from the army, by fifty hussars,
and imprisoned in the fortress of Glatz. I was allowed
to take three horses, and my servants, but my whole
equipage was left behind, which I never saw more, and
which became the booty of Jaschinsky. My com-
mission was given to Cornet Schatzel, and I cashiered
without knowing why. There were no legal inquiries
made : all was done by the King's command.
Unhappy people! where power is superior to law,
and where the innocent and the virtuous meet pun-
ishment instead of reward. Unhappy land! where the
omnipotent “SUCH IS OUR WILL” supersedes all legal
sentence, and robs the subject of property, life, and
honour.
I once more repeat I was brought to the citadel of
Glatz; I was not, however, thrown into a dungeon, but
imprisoned in a chamber of the officer of the guard;
was allowed my servants to wait on me, and permitted
to walk on the ramparts.
I did not want money, and there was only a detach-
ment from the garrison regiment in the citadel of
*. wi,
*
42 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES ---
Glatz, the officers of which were all poor. I soon had
both friends and freedom, and the rich prisoner every
day kept open table.
He only who had known me in this the ardour of my
youth, who had witnessed how high I aspired, and the
fortune that attended me at Berlin, can imagine what
my feelings were at finding myself thus suddenly cast
from my high hopes.
I wrote submissively to the King, requesting to be
tried by a court-martial, and not desiring any favour
should I be found guilty. This haughty tone, in a
youth, was displeasing, and I received no answer,
which threw me into despair, and induced me to use
every possible means to obtain my liberty.
My first care was to establish, by the intervention of
an officer, a certain correspondence with the object of
my heart. She answered, she was far from supposing
I had ever entertained the least thought treacherous to
my country; that she knew, too well, I was perfectly
incapable of dissimulation. She blamed the precipitate
anger and unjust suspicions of the King; promised me
speedy aid, and sent me a thousand ducats.
Had I, at this critical moment, possessed a prudent
and intelligent friend, who could have calmed my im-
patience, nothing perhaps might have been more easy
than to have obtained pardon from the King, by prov-
ing my innocence; or, it may be, than to have induced
him to punish my enemies.
But the officers who then were at Glatz fed the flame
of discontent. They supposed the money I so freely
distributed came all from Hungary, furnished by the
pandour chest; and advised me not to suffer my
OF BARON TRENCE, 43
freedom to depend upon the will of the King, but to
enjoy it in his despite.
It was not more easy to give this advice than to per-
suade a man to take it, who, till then, had never en-
countered anything but good fortune, and who conse-
guently supported the reverse with impatience. I was
not yet, however, determined; because I could not yet
resolve to abandon my country, and especially Berlin.
Five months soon passed away in prison : peace was
concluded; the King was returned to his capital; my
commission in the guards was bestowed on another,
when Lieutenant Piaschky, of the regiment of Fouquet,
and Ensign Reitz, who often mounted guard over me,
proposed that they and I should escape together. I
yielded; our plan was fixed, and every preparatory
step taken.
At that time there was another prisoner at Glatz,
whose name was Manget, by birth a Swiss, and captain
of cavalry in the Natzmerschen hussars; he had been
broken, and condemned by a court-martial to ten years'
imprisonment, with an allowance of only four rix-
dollars per month.
Having done this man kindness, I was resolved to
rescue him from bondage, at the same time that I ob-
tained freedom for myself. I communicated my
design, and made the proposal, which was accepted by
him, and measures were taken; yet were we betrayed by
this vile man, who thus purchased pardon and liberty.
Piaschky, who had been informed that Reitz was
arrested, saved himself by deserting. I denied the fact
in presence of Manget, with whom I was confronted,
and bribed the Auditor with a hundred ducats By.
**. Jº
44 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
this means Reitz only suffered a year's imprisonment,
and the loss of his commission. I was afterwards
closely confined in a chamber, for having endeavoured
to corrupt the King's officers, and was guarded with
greater caution.
Here I will interrupt my narrative, for a moment, to
relate an adventure which happened between me and
this Captain Manget, three years after he had thus
betrayed me—that is to say, in 1749, at Warsaw.
I there met him by chance, and it is not difficult to
imagine what was the salutation he received. I caned
him; he took this ill, and challenged me to fight with
pistols. Captain Heucking, of the Polish guards, was
my second. We both fired together; I shot him
through the neck at the first shot, and he fell dead on
the field.
He alone, of all my enemies, ever died by my own
hand; and he well merited his end, for his cowardly
treachery towards the two brave fellows of whom I
have spoken; and still more so with respect to my-
self, who had been his benefactor. I own, I have never
reproached myself for this duel, by which I sent a
rascal out of the world.
I return to my tale. My destiny at Glatz was now
become more untoward and severe. The King's sus-
picions were increased, as likewise was his anger, by
this my late attempt to escape.
Left to myself, I considered my situation in the
worst point of view, and determined either on flight or
death. The length and closeness of my confinement
became insupportable to my impatient temper.
I had always had the garrison on my side, nor was it
OF BARON TRENCE. 45
possible to prevent my making friends among them,
They knew I had money, and, in a poor garrison regi-
ment, the officers of which are all dissatisfied, having
most of them been drafted from other corps, and sent
thither as a punishment, there was nothing that might
not be undertaken.
My scheme was as follows:–
My window looked towards the city, and was ninety
feet from the ground in the tower of the citadel, out of
which I could not get, without having found a place of
refuge in the city.
This an officer undertook to procure me, and pre-
vailed on an honest soap-boiler to grant me a hiding
place. I then notched my pen-knife, and sawed
through three iron bars; but this mode was too tedi-
ous, it being necessary to file away eight bars from my
window, before I could pass through; another officer
therefore procured me a file, which I was obliged to
use with caution, lest I should be overheard by the
sentinels.
Having ended this labour, I cut my leather portman-
teau into thongs, sewed them end to end, added the
sheets of my bed, and descended safely from this
astonishing height.
It rained, the night was dark, and all seemed for-
tunate, but I had to wade through moats full of mud,
before I could enter the city, a circumstance I had
never once considered. I sank up to the knees, and
after long struggling, and incredible efforts to extri-
cate myself, I was obliged to call the sentinel, and .
desire him to go and tell the governor, Trenck was
stuck fast in the moat.
*
46 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES *
My misfortune was the greater on this occasion,
because that General Fouquet was then governor of
Glatz. He was one of the cruellest of men. He had
been wounded by my father in a duel; and the Austrian
Trenck had taken his baggage in 1744, and had also
laid the country of Glatz under contribution. He was,
therefore, an enemy to the very name of Trenck; nor
did he lose any opportunity of giving proofs of his
enmity, and especially on the present occasion, when he
left me standing in the mire till noon, the sport of the
soldiers. I was then drawn out, half dead, only again
to be imprisoned, and shut up the whole day, without
water to wash me. No one can imagine how I looked,
exhausted and dirty, my long hair having fallen into
the mud, with which, by my struggling, it was loaded.
I remained in this condition till the next day, when
two fellow-prisoners were sent to assist and clean
IIlê.
My imprisonment now became more intolerable. I
had still eighty louis-d'ors in my purse, which had not
been taken from me at my removal into another dun-
geon, and these afterwards did me good service.
The passions soon all assailed me at once, and im-
petuous, boiling, youthful blood overpowered reason;
hope disappeared; I thought myself the most unfor-
tunate of men, and my King an irreconcileable judge,
more wrathful and more fortified in suspicion by my
own rashness. My nights were sleepless, my days
miserable; my soul was tortured by the desire of fame;
a consciousness of innocence was a continued stimulus
inciting me to end my misfortunes. Youth, inexpe-
rienced in woe and disastrous fate, beholds every evil
*
3”
xs * *s
**- T OF BARON TRENCE. 47
magnified, and desponds on every new disappointment,
more especially after having failed in attempting free-
dom. Education had taught me to despise death, and
these opinions had been confirmed by my friend La
Mettrie, author of the famous work “L’ELomme Ma-
chine,” or “Man a Machine.”
I read much during my confinement at Glatz, where
books were allowed me; time was therefore less
tedious; but when the love of liberty awoke, when
fame and affection called me to Berlin, and my baulked
hopes painted the wretchedness of my situation; when
I remembered that my loved country, judging by
appearances, could not but pronounce me a traitor;
then was I hourly impelled to rush on the naked
bayonets of my guards, by whom, to me, the road of
freedom was barred.
Big with Such-like thoughts, eight days had not elapsed
since my last fruitless attempt to escape, when an event
happened which would appear incredible, were I, the
principal actor in the scene, not alive to attest its truth,
and might not all Glatz and the Prussian garrison be
produced as eye and ear witnesses. This incident will
prove that adventurous, and even rash, daring will
render the most improbable undertakings possible, and
that desperate attempts may often make a general more
fortunate and famous than the wisest and best con-
certed plans.
Major Doo” came to visit me, accompanied by an
* The same Doo who was governor of Glatz during the Seven
Years' War, and who, having been surprised by General Laudohn,
was made prisoner, which occasioned the loss of Glatz. The King
broke him with infamy, and banished him with contempt. In 1764
#~
48 THE TLIFE AND ADVENTURES
officer of the guard, and an adjutant. After examining
every corner of my chamber, he addressed me, taxing
me with a second crime in endeavouring to obtain my
liberty; adding this must certainly increase the anger
of the King.
My blood boiled at the word crime; he talked of
patience; I asked him how long the King had con-
demned me to imprisonment; he answered, a traitor to
his country, who has correspondence with the enemy,
cannot be condemned for a certain time, but must de-
pend for grace and pardon on the King.
At that instant Ismatched his sword from his side,
on which my eyes had some time been fixed, sprang out
of the door, tumbled the sentinel from the top to the
bottom of the stairs, passed the men who happened to
be drawn up before the prison door to relieve the guard,
attacked them sword in hand, threw them suddenly
into surprise by the manner in which I laid about me,
wounded four of them, made way through the rest,
sprang over the breastwork of the ramparts, and, with
my sword drawn in my hand, immediately leaped this
astonishing height without receiving the least injury.
I leaped the second wall with equal safety and good
fortune. None of their pieces were loaded; no one
durst leap after me, and in order to pursue, they must
he came to Vienna, where I gave him alms. He was, by birth, an
Italian, a selfish, wicked man; and, while major under the govern-
ment of Fouquet, at Glatz, brought many people to misery. He
was the creature of Fouquet, without birth or merit; crafty, malig-
nant, but handsome, and, having debauched his patron’s daughter,
afterwards married her; whence at first his good, and at length his
illfortune. He wanted knowledge to defend a fortress against the
enemy, and his covetousness rendered him easy to corrupt.
2.
re- : * *-*. A- **
OF BARON TRENCE. 49
go round through the town and gate of the citadel; so
that I had the start full half an hour.
A sentinel, however, in a narrow passage, endea-
voured to oppose my flight, but I parried his fixed
bayonet, and wounded him in the face. A second sen-
tinel, meantime, ran from the outworks, to seize me
behind, and I, to avoid him, made a spring at the
palisadoes; there I was unluckily caught by the foot,
and received a bayonet wound in the upper lip; thus
entangled, they beat me with the butt-end of their
muskets, and dragged me back to prison, while I
struggled and defended myself like a man grown de-
sperate.
Certain it is, had I more carefully jumped the palisa-
does, and despatched the sentinel who opposed me, I
might have escaped, and gained the mountains. Thus
might I have fled to Bohemia, after having, at noon-
day, broken from the fortress of Glatz, sprung past all
its sentinels, over all its walls, and passed with im-
punity, in despite of the guard, who were under arms,
ready to oppose me. I should not, having a sword,
have feared any single opponent, and was able to con-
tend with the swiftest runners.
That good fortune which had so far attended me for-
sook me at the palisadoes, where hope was at an end.
The severities of imprisonment were increased: two
sentinels and an under officer were locked in with me,
and were themselves guarded by sentinels without; I
was beaten and wounded by the butt-ends of their mus-
kets, my right foot was sprained, I spat blood, and my
wounds were not cured in less than a month.
-àº. -*.
50 . THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
CHAPTER, W.
I was now first informed that the King had only
condemned me to a year’s imprisonment, in order to
learn whether his suspicions were well founded. My
mother had petitioned for me, and was answered,
“Your son must remain a year imprisoned, as a pun-
ishment for his rash correspondence.”
Of this I was ignorant, and it was reported in Glatz
that my imprisonment was for life. I had only three
weeks longer to repine for the loss of liberty, when
I made this rash attempt. What must the King
think? Was he not obliged to act with this severity P
How could prudence excuse my impatience, thus to risk
a confiscation, when I was certain of receiving freedom,
justification, and honour, in three weeks P. But, such was
my adverse fate, circumstances all tended to injure and
persecute me, till at length I gave reason to suppose I
wasatraitor, notwithstanding the purity of my intentions.
Once more, then, was I in a dungeon, and no sooner
was I there than I formed new projects of flight. I
first gained the intimacy of my guards. I had money,
and this, with the compassion I had inspired, might
effect anything among discontented Prussian soldiers.
Soon had I gained thirty-two men, who were ready to
execute, on the first signal, whatever I should command.
Two or three excepted, they were unacquainted with
each other; they consequently could not all be betrayed at
a time: had chosen the sub-officer Nicholai to head them.
The garrison consisted only of one hundred and
twenty men from the garrison regiment, the rest being
dispersed in the county of Glatz, and four officers, their
OF BARON TRENCE. xx 51
*
commanders, three of whom were in my interest. Every-
thing was prepared; swords and pistols were concealed
in the oven which was in my prison. We intended to
give liberty to all the prisoners, and retire with drums
beating into Bohemia.
Unfortunately, an Austrian deserter, to whom Nicholai
had imparted our design, went and discovered our con-
spiracy. The governor instantly sent his adjutant to
the citadel, with orders that the officer on guard should
arrest Nicholai, and, with his men, take possession of
the casement.
Nicholai was on the guard, and the lieutenant was my
friend, and being in the secret, gave the signal that all
was discovered. Nicholai only knew all the conspirators,
several of whom that day were on guard. He instantly
formed his resolution, leaped into the casement, crying,
“Comrades, to arms, we are betrayed 1 ° All followed to
the guard-house, where they seized on the cartridges,
the officer having only eight men, and threatening to
fire on whoever should offer resistance, came to deliver
me from prison; but the iron door was too strong, and
the time too short for that to be demolished. Nicholai,
calling to me, bid me aid them, but in vain: and per-
ceiving nothing more could be done for me, this braye
man, heading nineteen others, marched to the gate of
the citadel, where there was a sub-officer and ten sol-
diers, obliged these to accompany him, and thus arrived
safely at Braunau, in Bohemia; for, before the news
was spread through the city, and men were collected for
the pursuit, they were nearly half-way on their journey.
Two years after I met with this extraordinary man
at Ofenbourg, where he was a writer: he entered
r
{ t #
52 TEIE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
immediately into my service, and became my friend,
but died some months after of a burning fever, at my
quarters in Hungary, at which I was deeply grieved,
for his memory will be ever dear to me.
Now was I exposed to all the storms of ill-fortune:
a prosecution was entered against me as a conspirator,
who wanted to corrupt the officers and soldiers of the
Ring. They commanded me to name the remaining
conspirators; but to these questions I made no answer,
except by steadfastly declaring I was an innocent pri-
soner, an officer unjustly broken; unjustly, because I
had never been brought to trial; that consequently I
was released from all my engagements; nor could it
be thought extraordinary that I should avail myself of
that law of nature which gives every man a right to
defend his honour defamed, and seek by every possible
means to regain his liberty : that such had been my
sole purpose in every enterprise I had formed, and such
should still continue to be, for I was determined to per-
sist, till I should either be crowned with success, or
lose my life in the attempt.
Things thus remained: every precaution was taken
except that I was not put in irons; it being a law in
Brussia that no gentleman or officer can be loaded
with chains, unless he has first for some crime been
delivered over to the executioner; and certainly this
had not been my case.
The soldiers were withdrawn from my chamber; but
the greatest ill was I had expended all my money, and
my kind mistress, at Berlin, with whom I had always
corresponded, and which my persecutors could not
prevent, at last wrote—
OF BARON TRENCE. 53
sº
“My tears flow with yours; the evil is without
remedy—Idare no more—escape if you can. My fidelity
will ever be the same, when it shall be possible for me
to serve you.-Adieu, unhappy friend: you merit a
betterfate.” m
This letter was a thunderbolt:-my comfort, however,
still was that the officers were not suspected, and
that it was their duty to visit my chamber several
times a day, and examine what passed : from which
circumstance I felt my hopes somewhat revive. Hence
an adventure happened which is almost unexampled in
tales of knight-errantry.
A lieutenant, whose name was Bach, a Dane by
nation, mounted guard every fourth day, and was the
terror of the whole garrison; for, being a perfect
master of arms, he was incessantly involved in quarrels,
and generally left his marks behind him. He had
served in two regiments, neither of which would asso-
ciate with him for this reason, and he had been sent to
the garrison regiment at Glatz as punishment.
Bach one day, sitting beside me, related how, º
evening before, he had wounded a lieutenant, of tr.
name of Schell, in the arm. I replied, laughing, “Hadl
my liberty, I believe you would find some trouble in
wounding me, for I have some skill in the sword.” The
blood instantly flew in his face; we split off a kind of
pair of foils from an old door, which had served me as
a table, and at the first lunge I hit him on the breast.
His rage became ungovernable, and he left the prison.
What was my astonishment when, a moment after, I
saw him return with two soldiers’ swords, which he had
concealed under his coat-º Now, them, boaster, prove,”
54 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
said he, giving me one of them, “what thou art able to
do.” I endeavoured to pacify him, by representing
the danger, but ineffectually. He attacked me with the
utmost fury, and I wounded him in the arm.
Throwing his sword down, he fell upon my neck,
kissed me, and wept. At length, after some convulsive
emotions of pleasure, he said, “Friend, thou art my
master; and thou must, thou shalt, by my aid, obtain
thy liberty, as certainly as my name is Bach.” We
bound up his arm as well as we could. He left me, and
Secretly went to a surgeon, to have it properly dressed,
and at night returned.
He now remarked, that it was humanly impossible I
should escape, unless the officer on guard should desert
with me; that he wished nothing more ardently than to
sacrifice his life in my behalf, but that he could not re-
solve so far to forget his honour and duty to desert,
himself, while on guard: he notwithstanding gave me
his word of honour he would find me such a person in
a few days; and that, in the meantime, he would pre-
pare everything for my flight.
He returned the same evening, bringing with him
Lieutenant Schell, and as he entered said, “Here is
your man.” Schell embraced me, gave his word of
honour, and thus was the affair settled, and as it
proved, my liberty ascertained.
We soon began to deliberate on the means necessary
to obtain our purpose. Schell was just come from
garrison at Habelchwert to the citadel of Glatz, and in
two days was to mount guard over me, till when our
attempt was suspended. I have before said, I received
no more supplies from my beloved mistress, and my
OF BARON TRENCEC. 55
-
purse at that time only contained some six pistoles. It
was therefore resolved that Bach should go to Schweid-
nitz, and obtain money of a sure friend of mine in that
city.
Here must I inform the reader that at this period
the officers and I all understood each other, Captain
Roder alone excepted, who was exact, rigid, and gave
trouble on all occasions.
Major Quaadt was my kinsman, by my mother's side,
a good, friendly man, and ardently desirous I should
escape, seeing my calamities were so much increased.
The four lieutenants who successively mounted guard
over me were Bach, Schroeder, Lunitz, and Schell.
The first was the grand projector, and made all prepa-
rations; Schell was to desert with me; and Schroeder
and Lunitz three days after were to follow.
No one ought to be surprised that officers of garrison
regiments should be so ready to desert. They are, in
general, either men of violent passions, quarrelsome,
overwhelmed with debts, or unfit for service. They are
usually sent to the garrison as a punishment, and are
called the refuse of the army. Dissatisfied with their
situation, their pay much reduced, and despised by the
troops, such men, expecting advantage, may be brought
to engage in the most desperate undertaking. None of
them can hope for their discharge, and they live in the
utmost poverty. They all hoped by my means to better
their fortune, I always having had money enough; and,
with money, nothing is more easy than to find friends,
in places where each individual is desirous of escaping
from slavery.
The talents of Schell were of a superior order; he
* *
r *s- & , sº,
56 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES • A
spoke and wrote six languages, and was well acquainted
with all the fine arts. He had served in the regiment
of Fouquet, had been injured by his colonel, who was a
Pomeranian; and Fouquet, who was no friend to well-
informed officers, had sent him to a garrison regiment.
He had twice demanded his dismissal, but the King
sent him to this species of imprisonment; he then
determined to avenge himself by deserting, and was
ready to aid me in recovering my freedom, that he
might, by that means, spite Fouquet.
I shall speak more hereafter of this extraordinary
man, that I may not in this place interrupt my story.
We determined everything should be prepared against
the first time Schell mounted guard, and that our
project should be executed on our next. Thus, as he
mounted guard every four days, the eighth was to be
that of our flight.
The governor meantime had been informed how
familiar I was become with the officers, at which
taking offence, he sent orders that my door should no
more be opened, but that I should receive my food
through a small window that had been made for the
purpose. The care of the prison was committed to the
major, and he was forbidden to eat with me, under
pain of being broken.
His precautions were ineffectual; the officers pro-
cured a false key, and remained with me half the day
and night.
Captain Damnitz was imprisoned in an apartment
by the side of mine. This man had deserted from the
Prussian service, with the money belonging to his
company, to Austria, where he obtained a commission
* & * *-
OF BARON TRENCE. 57
in his cousin's regiment, who having prevailed on him
to serve as a spy, during the campaign of 1744, he was
taken in the Prussian territories, known, and condemned
to be hanged.
Some Swedish volunteers, who were then in the
army, interested themselves in his behalf, and his
sentence was changed to perpetual imprisonment, with
a sentence of infamy.
This wretch, who two years after, by the aid of his
protectors, not only obtained his liberty but a lieu-
tenant-colonel’s commission, was the secret spy of the
major over the prisoners; and he remarked that, notwith-
standing the express prohibition laid on the officers, they
still passed the greater part of their time in my company.
The 24th of December came, and Schell mounted
guard. He entered my prison immediately, where
he continued a long time, and we made our arrange-
ments for flight when he next should mount guard.
Lieutenant Schroeder that day dined with the gover-
nor, and heard orders given to the adjutant that Schell
should be taken from the guard, and put under arrest.
Schroeder, who was in the secret, had no doubt but
that we were betrayed, not knowing that the spy
Damnitz had informed the governor that Schell was
then in my chamber.
Schroeder, full of terror, came running to the
citadel, and said to Schell, “Save thyself, friend; all is
discovered, and thou wilt instantly be put under arrest.”
Schell might easily have provided for his own safety,
by flying singly, Schroeder having prepared horses, on
one of which he himself offered to accompany bim into
Bohemia.
•ºs
58 the fire and Adventures
How did this worthy man, in a moment so dangerous,
act toward his friend P
Running suddenly into my prison, he drew a cor-
poral’s Sabre from under his coat, and said, “Friend,
we are betrayed; follow me, only do not suffer me to
fall alive into the hands of my enemies.”
I would have spoken : but interrupting me, and
taking me by the hand, he added, “Follow me; we
have not a moment to lose.” I therefore slipped on my
coat and boots, without having time to take the little
money I had left; and, as we went out of the prison,
Schell said to the sentinel, “I am taking the
prisoner into the officer's apartment; stand where
you are.”
Into this room we really went, but passed out at the
other door. The design of Schell was to go under the
arsenal, which was not far off, to gain the coveredway,
leap the palisadoes, and afterwards escape after the
best manner we might.
We had scarcely gone a hundred paces before we
met the adjutant and Major Quaadt.
Schell started back, sprang upon the rampart, and
leaped from the wall, which was there not very high.
I followed, and alighted unhurt, except having grazed
my shoulder. My poor friend was not so fortunate;
having put out his ankle. He immediately drew his
sword, presented it to me, and begged me to despatch
him, and fly. He was a small, weak man; but, far
from complying with his request, I took him in my
arms, threw him over the palisadoes, afterwards got
him on my back, and began to run, without very well
knowing which way I went.
*
of BARON TRENCK. 59
~, r - <} { •s ---
2 *% ... * - R. * *
CHAPTER, WI.
IT may not be unnecessary to remark those fortunate
circumstances that favoured our enterprise.
The sun had just set as we took to flight; the hoar
frost fell. No one would run the risk that we had
done, by making so dangerous a leap. We heard a
terrible noise behind us. Everybody knew us; but
before they could go round the citadel, and through
the town, in order to pursue us, we had got a full half
league.
The alarm guns were fired before we were a hun-
dred paces distant; at which my friend was very
much terrified, knowing that in such cases it was
generally impossible to escape from Glatz, unless the
fugitives had got the start full two hours before the
alarm guns were heard; the passes being immedi-
ately all stopped by the peasants and hussars, who
are exceedingly vigilant. No sooner is a prisoner
missed than the gunner runs from the guard-house,
and fires the cannon on the three sides of the fortress,
which are kept loaded day and night for that pur-
pose.
We were not five hundred paces from the walls,
when all before us and behind us were in motion. It
was daylight when we leaped, yet was our attempt as
fortunate as it was wonderful: this I attributed to my
presence of mind, and the reputation I had already
acquired, which made it thought a service of danger
for two or three men to attack me.
It was besides imagined we were well provided
with arms for our defence; and it was little suspected
* { * v, - & # * * * ~& ~3 x. f 5 * < ... x * . . . . .”
* *
y-- &
60 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
that Schell had only his sword, and I an old corporal’s
sabre. g
Among the officers commanded to pursue us was
Lieutenant Bart, my intimate friend. Captain Zerbst,
of the regiment of Fouquet, who had always testified
the kindness of a brother towards me, met us on the
Bohemian frontiers, and called to me, “Make to the
left, brother, and you will see some lone houses, which
are on the Bohemian confines : the hussars have ridden
straight forward.” He then passed on as if he had
not seen us.
We had nothing to fear from the officers; for the
intimacy between the Prussian officers was at that
time so great, and the word of honour so sacred, that
during my rigorous detention at Glatz I had been
once six-and-thirty hours hunting at Neurode, at the
seat of Baron Stillfriede; Lumitz had taken my place
in the prison, which the major knew when he came to
make his visit. Hence may be conjectured how great
was the confidence in which the word of the unfortunate
Trenck was held at Glatz, since they did not fear let-
ting him leave his dungeon, and hunt on the very con-
fines of Bohemia. This, too, shows the governor was
deceived, in despite of his watchfulness and order, and
that a man of honour, with money, and a good head and
heart, will never want friends.
These my memoirs will be the picture of what the
national character then was ; and will prove that, with
officers who lived like brothers, and held their words so
sacred, the great Frederick well might vanquish his
enemies.
Arbitrary power has now introduced the whip of
§ * 3. ** r
Ak.
*. §
OF BARON TRENCE. 61
slavery, and mechanic subordination has eradicated
those noble and rational incitements to concord and
honour. Instead of which, mistrust and slavish fear
having arisen, the enthusiastic spirit of the Branden-
burg warrior declines, and into this error have most of
the other European States fallen.
Scarcely had I borne my friend three hundred paces
before I set him down, and I looked round me, but
darkness came on so fast that I could see neither town
nor citadel; consequently, we ourselves could not be
Seerl.
My presence of mind did not forsake me: death or
freedom was my determination. “Where are we,
Schell?” said I to my friend. “Where does Bohemia
lie P on which side is the river Neiss P” The worthy
man could make no answer: his mind was all confusion,
and he despaired of our escape : he still, however, en-
treated I would not let him be taken alive, and affirmed
my labour was all in vain.
After having promised, by all that was sacred, I
would save him from an infamous death, if no other
means were left, and thus raised his spirits, he looked
round, and knew, by some trees, we were not far from
the city gates. I asked him, “Where is the Neiss?”
He pointed sideways—“All Glatz has seen us fly
towards the Bohemian mountains; it is impossible we
should avoid the hussars, the passes being all guarded,
and we beset with enemies.” So saying, I took him
on my shoulders, and carried him to the Neiss; here
we distinctly heard the alarm sounded in the villages,
and the peasants, who likewise were to form the
line of desertion, were everywhere in motion, and
** 2 _* …
- * ,
xe- * & * , *. .* **,
.*
62 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
spreading the alarm. As it may not be known to all
my readers in what manner they proceed on these
occasions in Prussia, I will here give a short account
of it.
Officers are daily named on the parade whose duty it
is to follow fugitives as soon as the alarm-guns are
fired. *
The peasants in the villages, likewise, are daily ap-
pointed to run to the guard of certain posts. The officers
immediately fly to these posts to see that the peasants
do their duty, and prevent the prisoner's escape. Thus
does it seldom happen that a soldier can effect his
escape unless he be, at the very least, an hour on the
road before the alarm-guns are fired.
I now return to my story.
I came to the Neiss, which was a little frozen, en-
tered it with my friend, and carried him as long as I
could wade, and when I could not feel the bottom,
which did not continue for more than a space of
eighteen feet, he clung round me, and thus we got
safely to the other shore.
My father taught all his sons to swim, for which
I have often had to thank him; since by means of
this art, which is easily learnt in childhood, I had on
various occasions preserved my life, and was more
bold in danger. Princes who wish to make their
subjects soldiers, should have them educated so as to
fear neither fire nor water. How great would be the
advantage of being able to cross a river with whole
battalions, when it is necessary to attack or retreat
before the enemy, and when time will not permit to
prepare bridges 1
* ... .3' ºr - * y Y ~ * ~ **
sº *&
of BARóN TRENCE. 63
The reader will easily suppose swimming in the
midst of December, and remaining afterwards eighteen
hours in the open air, was a severe hardship. About
seven o’clock the hoar-fog was succeeded by frost and
moonlight. The carrying of my friend kept me warm,
it is true, but I began to be tired, while he suffered
everything that frost, the pain of a dislocated foot
(which I in vain endeavoured to reset), and the danger
of death from a thousand hands, could inflict.
We were somewhat more tranquil, however, having
reached the opposite shore of the Neiss, since nobody
would pursue us on the road to Silesia. Ifollowed the
course of the river for half an hour, and having once
passed the first villages that formed the line of deser-
tion, with which Schell was perfectly acquainted, we in
a lucky moment found a fisherman’s boat moored to the
shore; into this we leaped, crossed the river again, and
soon gained the mountains. tº
Here being come, we sat ourselves down awhile on
the snow; hope revived in our hearts, and we held
council concerning how it was best to act. I cut a
stick to assist Schell in hopping forward as well as he
could when I was tired of carrying him; and thus we
continued our route, the difficulties of which were
increased by the mountain Snows.
Thus passed the night; during which, up to the
middle in snow, we made but little way. There were
no paths to be traced in the mountains, and they were
in many places impassable. Day at length appeared:
we thought ourselves near the frontiers, which are
twenty English miles from Glatz, when we suddenly,
to our great terror, heard the city glock strike.
•ºr -**
64 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
Overwhelmed, as we were, by hunger, cold, fatigue,
and pain, it was impossible we should hold out through
the day. After some consideration, and another half-
hour's labour, we came to a village at the foot of the
mountain, on the side of which, about three hundred
paces from us, we perceived two separate houses, which
inspired us with a stratagem that was successful.
We lost our hats in leaping the ramparts; but Schell
had preserved his scarf and gorget, which would give
him authority among the peasants.
I then cut my finger, rubbed the blood over my face,
my shirt, and my coat, and bound up my head, to give
myself the appearance of a man dangerously wounded.
In this condition I carried Schell to the end of the
wood not far from these houses; here he tied my hands
behind my back, but so that I could easily disengage
them in case of need: and hobbled after me, by aid of
his staff, calling for help.
Two old peasants appeared, and Schell commanded
them to run to the village, and tell a magistrate to
come immediately with a cart. “I have seized this
knave,” added he, “who has killed my horse, and in
the struggle I have put out my ankle; however, I have
wounded and bound him; fly quickly, bring a cart,
lest he should die before he is hanged.”
As for me, I suffered myself to be led, as if half-
dead, into the house. A peasant was despatched to the
village. An old woman and a pretty girl seemed to
take great pity on me, and gave me some bread and
milk: but how great was our astonishment when the
aged peasant called Schell by his name, and told him
he well knew we were deserters, having the night
**
OF BARON TEENCE. 65
before been at a neighbouring alehouse where the
officer in pursuit of us came, named and described us,
and related the whole history of our flight. The
peasant knew Schell, because his son served in his
company, and had often spoken of him when he was
quartered at Habelschwert.
Presence of mind and resolution were all that were
now left. I instantly ran to the stable, while Schell
detained the peasant in the chamber. He, however,
was a worthy man, and directed him to the road to-
ward Bohemia. We were still about some seven miles
from Glatz, having lost ourselves among the mountains,
where we had wandered many miles. The daughter
followed me: I found three horses in the stable, but
no bridles. I conjured her, in the most passionate
manner, to assist me: she was affected, seemed half
willing to follow me, and gave me two bridles. I led
the horses to the door, called Schell, and helped him,
with his lame leg, on horseback. The old peasant then
began to weep, and beg I would not take his horses;
but he luckily wanted courage, and perhaps the will to
impede us; for with nothing more than a dung-fork,
in our then feeble condition, he might have stopped us
long enough to have called in assistance from the
village.
And now behold us on horseback, without hats or
saddles; Schell with his uniform scarf and gorget,
and I in my red regimental coat. Still we were in
danger of seeing all our hopes vanish, for my horse
would not stir from the stable; however, at last, good
horseman-like, I made him move: Schell led the way,
and we had scarcely gone a hundred paces, before we
C—13
66 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURESS
perceived the peasants coming in crowds from the
village.
As kind fortune would have it, the people were all
at church, it being a festival: the peasants Schell had
sent were obliged to call aid out of church. It was
but nine in the morning; and had the peasants been at
home, we had been lost past redemption.
We were obliged to take the road to Wunshelburg,
and pass through the town where Schell had been
quartered a month before, and in which he was known
by everybody. Our dress, without hats or saddles,
sufficiently proclaimed we were deserters: our horses,
however, continued to go tolerably well, and we had
the good luck to get through the town, although there
was a garrison of one hundred and eighty infantry, and
twelve horse, purposely to arrest deserters. Schell knew"
the road to Brummem, where we arrived at eleven o’clock,
after having met, as I before mentioned, Captain Zerbst.
He who has been in the same situation only can
imagine, though he never can describe, all the joy we
felt. An innocent man, languishing in a dungeon,
who by his own endeavours, has broken his chains, and
regained his liberty, in despite of all the arbitrary
power of princes, who vainly would oppose him,
conceives in moments like these such an abhorrence of
despotism, that I could not well comprehend how I
ever could resolve to live under governments where
wealth, content, honour, liberty, and life all depend
upon a master's will, and who, were his intentions the
most pure, could not be able, singly, to do justice to a
whole nation.
Never did I, during life, feel pleasure more exquisite
OF BARON TRENCEC. 67
jº
than at this moment. My friend for me had risked a
shameful death, and now, after having carried him at
least twelve hours on my shoulders, I had saved both
him and myself. We certainly should not have suffered
any man to bring us, alive, back to Glatz. Yet this
was but the first act of the tragedy of which I was
doomed the hero, and the mournful incidents of which
all arose out of, and depended on, each other.
CHAPTER VII.
COULD I have read the book of fate, and have seen
the forty years’ fearful afflictions that were to follow,
I certainly should not have rejoiced at this my escape
from Glatz. One year's patience might have appeased
the irritated monarch, and, taking a retrospect of all
that has passed, I now find it would have been a
fortunate circumstance, had the good and faithful
Schell and I never met, since he also fell into a train
of misfortunes, which I shall hereafter relate, and from
which he could never extricate himself, but by death.
The sufferings which I have since undergone will be
read with astonishment.
It is my consolation that both the laws of honour
and nature justify the action. I may serve as an
example of the fortitude with which danger ought to
be encountered, and show monarchs that in Germany,
as well as in Rome, there are men who refuse to crouch
beneath the yoke of despotism, and that philosophy
and résolution are stronger than even those lords of
slaves, with all their threats, whips, tortures, and
instruments of death.
68 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
In Prussia, where my sufferings might have made
me supposed the worst of traitors, is my innocence
universally acknowledged; and instead of contempt,
there have I gained the love of the whole nation,
which is the best compensation for all the ills I have
suffered, and for having persevered in the virtuous
principles taught me in my youth, persecuted as I
have been by envy and malicious power. I have not
time further to moralise ; the numerous incidents of
my life would otherwise swell this volume to too great
an extent.
Thus in freedom at Braunau, on the Bohemian
frontiers, I sent the two horses, with the corporal’s
sword, back to General Fouquet, at Glatz. The letter
accompanying them was so pleasing to him that all
the sentinels before my prison door, as well as the
guard under arms, and all those we passed, were
obliged to run the gauntlet, although the very day
before he had himself declared my escape was now
rendered impossible. He, however, was deceived; and
thus do the mean revenge themselves on the miserable,
and the tyrant on the innocent.
And now for the first time did I quit my country,
and fly like Joseph from the pit into which his false
brethren had cast him; and in this the present moment
of joy for my escape, the loss even of friends and
country appeared to me the excess of good fortune.
The estates which had been purchased by the blood
of my forefathers were confiscated; and thus was a
youth, of one of the noblest families in the land, whose
heart was all zeal for the service of his King and
country, and who was among those most capable to
OF BARON TRENCEC. 69
render them service, banished by his unjust and misled
Ring, and treated like the worst of miscreants, male-
factors, and traitors.
I wrote to the King, and sent him a true state of
my case; sent indubitable proofs of my innocence, and
supplicated justice, but received no answer.
In this the monarch may be justified, at least in my
apprehension. A wicked man had maliciously and
falsely accused me; Colonel Jaschinsky had made him
suspect me for a traitor, and it was impossible he
should read my heart. The first act of injustice had
been hastily committed; I had been condemned un-
unheard, unjudged; and the injustice that had been
done me was known too late; Frederic the Great
found he was not infallible. Pardon I would not ask,
for I had committed no offence; and the King would
not probably own, by a reverse of conduct, he had
been guilty of injustice. My resolution increased his
obstinacy: but, in the discussion of the cause, our
power was very unequal.
The monarch once really loved me; he meant my
punishment should only be temporary, and as a trial
of my fidelity. That I had been condemned to no
more than a year's imprisonment had never been told
me, and was a fact I did not learn till long after.
Major Doo, who, as I have said, was the creature
of Fouquet, a mean and covetous man, knowing I
had money, had always acted the part of a protector
as he pretended to me, and continually told me I was
condemned for life. He perpetually turned the con-
versation on the great credit of his general with the
King, and his own great credit with the general. For
t
70 TEIE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
the present of a horse, on which I rode to Glatz, he
gave me freedom of walking about the fortress; and
for another, worth a hundred ducats, I rescued Ensign
Beitz from death, who had been betrayed when en-
deavouring to effect our escape. I have been assured
that on that very day on which I snatched his sword
from his side, desperately passed through the garrison,
and leaped the walls of the rampart, he was expressly
come to tell me, after some prefatory threats, that by
his general’s intercession, my punishment was only to
be a year's imprisonment, and that consequently I
should be released in a few days.
How vile were means like these to wrest money
from the unfortunate | The King, after this my mad
flight, certainly was never informed of the major's base
cunning; he could only be told that, rather than wait
a few days, I had chosen, in this desperate manner, to
make my escape, and go over to the enemy.
Thus deceived and strengthened in his suspicion,
must he not imagine my desire to forsake my country,
and desert to the enemy, was unbounded ? How could
he do otherwise than imprison a subject who thus en-
deavoured to injure him and aid his foes? Thus, by
the calumnies of wicked men, did my cruel destiny
daily become more severe; and at length render the
deceived monarch irreconcilable and cruel.
Yet how could it be supposed that I would not
willingly have remained three weeks longer in prison,
to have been honourably restored to liberty, to have
prevented the confiscation of my estate, and to have
once more returned to my beloved mistress at Berlin.
And now was I in Bohemia, a fugitive stranger with-
OF BARON TERENCEC. 71
out money, protector, or friend, and only twenty years
of age.
In the campaign of 1744 I had been quartered at
Braunau with a weaver, whom I advised and assisted
to bury his effects, and preserve them from being
plundered. The worthy man received us with joy and
gratitude. I had lived in this same house but two
years before as absolute master of him and his fate.
I had then nine horses and five servants, with the
highest and most favourable hopes of futurity; but
now I came a fugitive, seeking protection, and having
lost all a youth like me had to lose.
I had but a single louis-d'or in my purse, and Schell
forty kreutzers, or some three shillings; with this
Small sum, in a strange country, we had to cure his
sprain, and provide for all our wants.
I was determined not to go to my cousin Trenck at
Vienna, fearful this should seem a justification of all
my imputed treasons; I rather wished to embark for
the East Indies, than to have recourse to this expedient.
The greater my delicacy was the greater became my
distress. I wrote to my mistress at Berlin, but received
no answer; possibly because I could not indicate any
certain mode of conveyance. My mother believed me
guilty, and abandoned me; my brothers were still
minors, and my friend at Schweidnitz could not aid
me, being gone to Konigsberg.
After three weeks’ abode at Braunau, my friend re-
covered of his lameness. We had been obliged to sell
my watch, with his scarf and gorget, to supply our
necessities, and had only four florins remaining.
From the public papers I learned my cousin, the
72 TEIE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
Austrian Trer c't, was at this time closely confined,
and under criminal prosecution. It will easily be
imagined what effect this news had upon me.
Never till now had I felt any inconvenience from
poverty; my wants had all been amply supplied, and
I had ever lived among, and been highly loved and
esteemed by, the first people of the land. I was desti-
tute, without aid, and undetermined how to seek em-
ployment, or obtain fame.
At length I determined to travel on foot to Prussia
to my mother, and obtain money from her, and after-
wards enter into the Russian service. Schell, whose
destiny was linked to mine, would not forsake me.
We assumed false names: I called myself Knert, and
Schell, Lesch; then, obtaining passports, like common
deserters, we left Braunau on the 21st of January, in
the evening, unseen of any person, and proceeded to-
wards Beilitz in Poland. A friend I had at Neurode
gave me a pair of pocket pistols, a musket, and three
ducats; the money was spent at Braunau. Here let
me take occasion to remark I had lent this friend, in
urgent necessity, a hundred ducats, which he still owed
me; and when I sent to request payment, he returned
me three, as if I had asked charity.
Though a circumstantial description of our travels
alone would fill a volume, I shall only relate the most
singular accidents which happened to us; I shall also
insert the journal of our route, which Schell had pre-
served, and gave me in 1776, when he came to see me
at Aix-la-Chapelle, after an absence of thirty years.
This may be called the first s , ºne in which I ap-
peared as an adventurer, and perhaps my good fortune
Of BARON TRENCE. 73
may even have overbalanced the bad, since I have
escaped death full thirty times when the chances were
a hundred to one against me; certain it is I undertook
many things in which I seemed to have owed my pre-
servation to the very rashness of the action, and in
which others equally brave would have found death.
JOURNAL OF TRAVELS ON FOOT.
From Brawnau, in Bohemia, throwgh BCilitº, in Poland, to
Meseritsch, and from Meseritsch, by Thorn, to Elbing ; in
the whole 169 miles,” performed without begging or stealing.
January 18th, 1747.--From Braunau, by Politz, to
Nachod, three miles, we having three florins forty-five
kreutzers in our purse.
Jan. 19.—To Neustadt. Here Schell bartered his
uniform for an old coat, and a Jew gave him two florins
fifteen kreutzers in exchange; from hence we went to
Reichenau; in all, three miles. *
Jan. 20.-We went to Leitomischl, five miles. Here
I bought a loaf hot out of the oven, which eating
greedily, had nearly caused my death. This obliged
us to rest a day, and the extravagant charge of the
landlord almost emptied our purse.
Jan 22.—From Trúbau, to Zwittau, in Moravia, four
miles.
Jan 23.—To Sternberg, six miles. This day’s jour-
* The German mile contains from four to seven English miles,
and this variation appears to depend on the ignorance of the people
and on the roads being in some places but little frequented. It
seems probable the Baron and his friend might travel about 800
English miles.—TRANSLATOR.
74 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
ney excessively fatigued poor Schell, his sprained
ankle being still extremely weak.
Jan 24—To Leipnik, four miles, in a deep Snow,
and with empty stomachs. Here I sold my stock-
buckle for four florins.
Jan. 25.—To Freiberg, by Weiskirch, to Draho-
tusch, five miles. Early in the morning we found a
violin and case on the road; the innkeeper in Weis-
kirch gave us two florins for it, on condition that he
should return it to the owner on proving his right, it
being worth at least twenty.
Jan. 26.--To Friedek, in Upper Silesia, two miles.
Jan. 27.—To a village, four miles and a half.
TJan. 28–Through Skotschau, to Beilitz, three miles.
This was the last Austrian town on the frontiers of
Poland, and Captain Capi, of the regiment of Mari-
schall, who commanded the garrison, demanded our
passports. We had false names, and called ourselves
common Prussian deserters; but a drummer, who had
deserted from Glatz, knew us, and betrayed us to the
captain, who immediately arrested us very rudely, and
sent us on foot to Teschin (refusing us a hearing),
four miles distant.
Here we found Lieut.-Colonel Baron Schwarzer, a
perfectly worthy man, who was highly interested in
our behalf, and who blamed the irregular arbitrary
conduct of Captain Capi. I frankly related my ad-
ventures, and he used every possible argument to per-
suade me, instead of continuing my journey through
Poland to go to Vienna, but in vain; my good genius,
this time, preserved me—would to God it ever had
How many miseries had:I then avoided, and how easily
OF BARON TRENCE, 75
might I have escaped the snares spread for me by the
powerful, who have seized on my property, and in
order to secure it, have hitherto rendered me useless
to the state by depriving me of all post or preferment.
I returned, therefore, a second time to Beilitz, tra-
velling these four miles once more. Schwarzer lent
us his own horse and four ducats, which I have since
repaid, but which I shall never forget, as they were of
signal service to me, and procured me a pair of new
boots.
Irritated against Captain Capi, we passed through
Beilitz without stopping, went immediately to Biala,
the first town in Poland, and from thence sent Capi a
challenge to fight me, with sword or pistol, but re-
ceived no answer; and his non-appearance has ever
confirmed him in my opinion a rascal.
And here suffer me to take a retrospective view of
what was my then situation. By the orders of Capi I
was sent prisoner as a contemptible common deserter,
and was unable to call him to account. In Poland,
indeed, I had that power, but was despised as a vaga-
bond because of my poverty. What, alas! are the ad-
vantages which the love of honour, science, courage, or
desire of fame can bestow, wanting the means that
should introduce us to, and bid us walk erect in the
presence of our equals P Youth depressed by poverty,
is robbed of the society of those who best can afford,
example and instruction. I had lived familiar with
the great, men of genius had formed and enlightened
me; I had been enumerated among the favourites of
a court; and now was I a stranger, unknown, un-
esteemed, nay, condemned, obliged to endure the ex-
76 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES +
tremes of cold, hunger, and thirst; to wander many a
weary mile, suffering both in body and mind, while
every step led me farther from her whom most I
loved, and dearest; yet had I no fixed plan, no certain
knowledge in what these my labours and sufferings
should end. -
I was too proud to discover myself; and, indeed,
to whom could I discover myself in a strange land?
My name might have availed me in Austria, but in
Austria, where this name was known, would I not
remain; rather than seek my fortune there, I was
determined to shun whatever might tend to render me
suspicious in the eyes of my country. How liable was
a temper so ardent as mine, in the midst of difficulties,
fatigues, and disappointments, hard to endure, to be-
tray me into all those errors of which rash youth,
unaccustomed to hardship, impatient of contrariety,
are so often guilty! But I had taken my resolution,
and my faithful Schell, to whom hunger or ease, con-
tempt or fame, for my sake, were become indifferent,
did whatever I desired.
Once more to my journal.
Feb. 1.—We proceeded four miles from Biala to
Oswintzen, I having determined to ask aid from my
sister, who had married Waldow, and lived much at
her ease on a fine estate at Hanmer, in Brandenburg,
between Lansberg, on the Warta and Meseritsch, a
frontier town of Poland. For this reason we continued
our route all along the Silesian confines to Meseritsch.
|Feb. 2.--To Bobrek and Elkusch, five miles. We
suffered much this day because of the snow, and that
the lightness of our dress was ill suited to such severe
OF BARON TRENCE. 77
weather. Schell, negligently, lost our purse, in which
were nine florins. I had still, however, nineteen
grosch in my pocket (about half-a-crown).
Feb. 3.--To Crumelew, three miles; and
Reb. 4.—To Wladowiegud Joreck, three miles more;
and from thence, on
Feb. 5.--To Czenstochowa, where there is a magnifi-
cent convent, concerning which, had I room, I might
write many remarkable things, much to the disgrace
of its inhabitants.
We slept at an inn kept by a very worthy man,
whose name was Lazar. He had been a lieutenant in
the Austrian service, where he had suffered much, and
was now become a poor innkeeper in Poland. We
had not a penny in our purse, and requested a bit of
bread. The generous man had compassion on us, and
desired us to sit down and eat with himself. I then
told him who we were, and trusted him with the mo-
tives of our journey. Scarcely had we supped, before
a carriage arrived with three people. They had their
own horses, a servant and a coachman.
This is a remarkable incident, and I must relate it
circumstantially, though as briefly as possible.
We had before met this carriage at Elkusch, and
one of these people had asked Schell where we were
going; he had replied, to Czemstochowa; we there-
fore had not the least suspicion of them, notwithstand-
ing the danger we ran.
They lay at the inn, saluted us, but with indifference,
not seeming to notice us, and spoke little. We had
not been long in bed, before our host came to awaken
us, and told us with surprise, these pretended mer-
*
78 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
chants were sent to arrest us from Prussia; that they
had offered, first, fifty, afterwards, a hundred ducats,
if he would permit them to take us in his house, and
carry us into Silesia : that he had firmly rejected the
proposal, though they had increased their promises:
and that at last they had given him six ducats to en-
gage his silence.
We clearly saw these were an officer and under-
officers sent by General Fouquet, to recover us. We
conjectured by what means they had discovered our
route, and imagined the information they had received
could only come from one Lieutenant Molinie, of the
garrison of Habelschwert, who had come to visit
Schell, as a friend, during our stay at Braunau. He
had remained with us two days, and had asked many
questions concerning the road we should take, and he
was the only one who knew it. He was probably the spy
of Fouquet, and the cause of what happened afterwards,
which, however, ended in the defeat of our enemies.
The moment I heard of this infamous treachery, I
was for entering with my pistols primed, into the
enemy’s chamber, but was prevented by Schell and
Lazar: the latter entreated me, in the strongest man-
mer, to remain at his house till I should receive a sup-
ply from my mother, that I might be enabled to con-
tinue my journey with more ease and less danger: but
This entreaties were ineffectual; I was determined to
see her, uncertain as I was of what effect my letter
had produced. Lazar assured me, we should, most
infallibly, be attacked on the road. “So much the
better,” retorted I; “that will give me an opportunity
of despatching them, sending them to the other world,
OF BARON TRENCEC. 79
and shooting them as I would highwaymen.” They
departed at break of day, and took the road to Warsaw.
We would have been gone, likewise, but Lazar, in some
sort, forcibly detained us, and gave us the six ducats
he had received from the Prussians, with which we
bought us each a shirt, another pair of pocket pistols,
and other urgent necessaries; then took an affectionate
leave of our host, who directed us on our way, and we
testified our gratitude for the great services done us.
Feb. 6.—From Czenstochowa to Dankow, two miles.
Here we expected an attack. Tazar had told us our
enemies had one musket : I also had a musket, and an
excellent sabre, and each of us was provided with a
pair of pistols. They knew not we were so well
armed, which perhaps was the cause of their panic,
when they came to engage. -
Feb. 7.-We took the road to Parsemechi: we had
not been an hour on the road, before we saw a
carriage; as we drew near, we knew it to be that of
our enemies, who pretended it was set in the snow.
They were round it, and when they saw us approach,
began to call for help. This, we guessed, was an
artifice to entrap us. Schell was not strong; they
would all have fallen upon me, and we should easily
have been carried off, for they wanted to take us alive.
We left the causeway about thirty paces, answering
—“we had not time to give them help; ” at which
they all ran to their carriage, drew out their pistols, and
returning full speed after us, called, “Stop, rascals l’”
We began to run, but I suddenly turning round, pre-
sented my piece, and shot the hearest dead on the
spot. Schell fired his pistols; our oppressors did the
80 TEIE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
same, and Schell received a ball in the neck at this
discharge. It was now my turn; I took out my pistols,
one of the assailants fled, and I enraged, pursued
him three hundred paces, overtook him, and as he was
defending himself with his sword, perceiving he bled,
and made a feeble resistance, pressed upon him, and
gave him a stroke that brought him down. I instantly
returned to Schell, whom I found in the power of two
others that were dragging him towards the carriage,
but when they saw me at their heels, they fled over
the fields. The coachman, perceiving which way the
battle went, leaped on his box, and drove off full speed.
Schell, though delivered, was wounded with a ball
in the neck, and by a cut in the right hand, which had
made him drop his sword, though he affirmed he had
run one of his adversaries through.
I took a silver watch from the man I had killed, and
was going to make free with his purse, when Schell
called, and showed me a coach and six coming down
a hill. To stay would have exposed us to have been
imprisoned as highwaymen; for the two fugitives
who had escaped us would certainly have borne wit-
ness against us. Safety could only be found in flight.
I, however, seized the musket and hat of him I had
first killed, and we then gained the copse, and after
that the forest. The road was round about, and it
was night before we reached Parsemechi.
Schell was besmeared with blood; I had bound up
his wound the best I could; but in Polish villages no
surgeons are to be found : and he performed his
journey with great difficulty. We met with two
Saxon under-officers here, who were recruiting for the
OF BARON TRENCEO. 81
regiment of guards at Dresden. My six feet height
and person pleased them, and they immediately made
themselves acquainted with me. I found them intel-
ligent, and entrusted them with our secret, told them
who we were, related the battle we had that day
had with our pursuers, and I had not reason to re-
pent of my confidence in them. Schell had his
wounds dressed, and we remained seven days with
these good Saxons, who faithfully kept us company.
I learned, meantime, that of the four men by whom
we had been assaulted, one only, and the coachman,
returned to Glatz. The name of the officer who under-
took this vile business was Gersdorf; he had a hun-
dred and fifty ducats in his pocket when found dead.
How great would our good fortune have been, had
not that cursed coach and six, by its appearance, made
us take to flight; since the booty would have been most
just Fortune, this time, did not favour the innocent;
and though treacherously attacked, I was obliged to
escape like a guilty wretch. We sold the watch to
a Jew for four ducats, the hat for three florins and
a half, and the musket for a ducat, Schell being
unable to carry it farther. We left most of this money
behind us at Parsemechi. A Jew surgeon sold us some
dear plaisters, which we took with us and departed.
Feb. 15.—From Parsemechi, through Wielum, to
Biala, four miles. -
Feb. 16.-Through Jerischow to Misorcen, four
miles and a half.
Eeb. 17.--To Oste. Kow and Schwarzwald, three miles.
Feb. 18.--To Sdune, four miles.
Feb. 19.--To Goblin two miles.
82 TEIE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
Here we arrived wholly destitute of money. I
sold my coat to a Jew, who gave me four florins
and a coarse waggoner's frock, in exchange, which I
did not think I should long need, as we now
drew nearer to where my sister lived, and where I
hoped I should be better equipped. Schell, however,
grew weaker and weaker; his wounds healed slowly,
and were expensive ; the cold was also injurious to
him, and, as he was not by nature cleanly in his
person, his body soon became the harbour of every
species of vermin to be picked up in Poland. We
often arrived wet and weary, to our Smoky, reeking
stove-room. Often were we obliged to lie on straw,
or bare boards; and the various hardships we suf-
fered are almost incredible. Wandering as we did,
in the midst of winter, through Poland, where hu-
manity, hospitality, and gentle pity, are scarcely so
much as known by name; where merciless Jews deny
the poor traveller a bed, and where we disconsolately
strayed, without bread, and almost naked: these were
sufferings, the full extent of which he only can con-
ceive by whom they have been felt. My musket now
and then procured us an occasional meal of tame
geese, and cocks and hens, when these were to be
had; otherwise, we never took or touched anything
that was not our own. We met with Saxon
and Prussian recruiters at various places; all of
whom, on account of my youth and stature, were
eager to inveigle me. I was highly diverted to
hear them enumerate all the possibilities of future
greatness, and how liable I was hereafter to become
a corporal: nor was I less merry with their mead,
OF BARON TRENCE. 83 -
ale, and brandy, given with an intent to make me
drunk. Thus we had many artifices to guard against;
but thus had we likewise, very luckily for us, many a
good meal gratis.
Feb. 21.—We went from Goblin to Pugnitz, three
miles and a half.
Feb 22–Through Storchnest to Schmiegel, four
miles. g
Here happened a singular adventure. The peasants
at this place were dancing to a vile scraper on the
violin: I took the instrument myself, and played
while they continued their hilarity. They were much
pleased with my playing : but when I was tired, and
desired to have done, they obliged me, first by im-
portunities, and afterwards by threats, to play on all
night. I was so fatigued, I thought I should have
fainted; at length they quarrelled among themselves.
Schell was sleeping on a bench, and some of them
fell upon his wounded hand: he rose furious : I seized
our arms, began to lay about me, and while all was
in confusion, we escaped, without further ill-treatment.
What ample subject of meditation on the various
turns of fate did this night afford | But two years
before I danced at Berlin with the daughters and
sisters of kings: and here was I, in a Polish hut, a
ragged, almost naked musician, playing for the sport of
ignorant rusties, whom I was at last obliged to fight.
I was myself the cause of the trifling misfortune that
befel me on this occasion. Had not my vanity led me
to show these poor peasants I was a musician, I might
have slept in peace and safety. The same vain desire
of proving I knew more than other men, made me
*
84 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
through life the continued victim of envy and slander.
Had nature, too, bestowed on me a weaker or a de-
formed body, I had been less observed, less courted,
less sought, and my adventures and mishaps had been
fewer. Thus the merits of the man often become
his miseries; and thus the bear, having learned to
dance, must live and die in chains.
This ardour, this vanity, or, if you please, this emu-
lation, has, however, taught me to vanquish a thou-
sand difficulties, under which others of cooler passions
and more temperate desires would have sunk. May
my example remain a warning; and thus may my
sufferings become somewhat profitable to the world,
cruel as they have been to myself Cruel they were,
and cruel they must continue; for the wounds I have
received are not, will not, cannot be healed.
Feb. 23.−From Schmiegel to Rakonitz, and from
thence to Karger Holland, four miles and a half.
Bere we sold, to prevent dying of hunger, a shirt and
Schell’s waistcoat for eighteen grosch, or nine schos-
tacks. I had shot a pullet the day before, which
necessity obliged us to eat raw. I also killed a crow,
which I devoured alone, Schell refusing to taste.
Youth and hard travelling created a voracious ap-
petite, and our eighteen grosch were soon expended.
Feb. 24.—We came through Benzen to Lettel, four
miles. Here we halted a day, to learn the road to
Hammer, in Brandenburg, where my sister lived. I
happened luckily to meet with the wife of a Prussian
soldier who lived at Lettel, and belonged to Kolschen,
where she was born a vassal of my sister's husband.
I told her who I was, and she became our guide.
-ºes
OF BARON TRENCEC. 85
Feb. 26.--To Kurschen and Falkenwalde.
Eeb. 27.—Through Neuendorf and Oost, and after-
wards through a pathless wood, five miles and a half
to Hammer, and here I knocked at my sister's door at
nine o’clock in the evening.
CEIAPTER VIII.
A MAID servant came to the door, whom I knew ;
her name was Mary, and she had been born and
brought up in my father's house. She was terrified at
seeing a sturdy fellow in a beggar's dress; which
perceiving, I asked, “Molly, do not you know me?”
She answered, “No ; ” and I then discovered myself
to her. I asked whether my brother-in-law was at
home. Mary replied, “Yes; but he is sick in bed.”
“Tell my sister, then,” said I, “that I am here.” She
showed me into a room, and my sister presently came.
She was alarmed at seeing me, not knowing that I
had escaped from Glatz, and ran to inform her hus-
band, but did not return.
A quarter of an hour after the good Mary came
weeping, and told us her master commanded us to quit
the premises instantly, or he should be obliged to have
us arrested, and delivered up as prisoners. My sister’s
husband forcibly detained her, and I saw her no more.
What my feelings must be, at such a moment, let
the reader imagine. I was too proud, too enraged,
to ask money; I furiously left the house, uttering a
thousand menaces against its inhabitants, while the
kind-hearted Mary, still weeping, slipped three ducats
into my hand, which I accepted.
~.
86 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
And, now behold us once more in the wood, which
was not above a hundred paces from the house, half
dead with hunger and fatigue, not daring to enter any
habitation, while in the states of Brandenburg, and
dragging our weary steps all night through snow and
rain, until our guide at length brought us back, at day-
break, once again to the town of Lettel.
She herself wept in pity at our fate, and I could
only give her two ducats for the danger she had
run; but I bade her hope more in future; and I
afterwards sent for her to Vienna, in 1751, where I
took great care of her. She was about fifty years of
age, and died my servant in Hungary, some weeks
before my unfortunate journey to Dantzic, where I
fell into my enemies’ hands, and remained ten years a
prisoner at Magdeburg.
We had scarcely reached the wood, before, in the
anguish of my heart, I exclaimed to Schell, “Does
not such a sister, my friend, deserve I should fire her
house over her head P” The wisdom of moderation,
and calm forbearance, was in Schell a virtue of the
highest order; he was my continual mentor; my
guide, whenever my choleric temperament was dis-
posed to violence. I therefore honour his ashes; he
deserved a better fate.
“Friend,” said he, on this occasion, “reflect that
your sister may be innocent, may be withheld by her
husband; besides, should the King discover we had
entered her doors, and she had not delivered us again
into his power, she might become as miserable as we
were. Be more noble minded, and think that even
should your sister be wrong, the time may come
OF BARON TRENCE. 87
when her children may stand in need of your assist.
ance, and you may have the indescribable pleasure of
returning good for evil.”
I never shall forget this excellent advice, which
in reality was a prophecy. My rich brother-in-law
died, and, during the Russian war, his lands and
houses were laid desolate and in ruins; and, nine-
teen years afterwards, when released from my im-
prisonment at Magdeburg, I had an opportunity of
serving the children of my sister. Such are the
turns of fate; and thus do improbabilities become
facts.
My sister justified her conduct; Schell had con-
jectured the truth; for ten years after I was thus
expelled her house, she showed, during my imprison-
ment, she was really a sister. She was shamefully
betrayed by Weingarten, secretary to the Austrian
ambassador at Berlin; lost a part of her property,
and at length her life fell an innocent sacrifice to her
brother.
This event, which is interwoven with my tragical
history, will be related hereafter : my heart bleeds,
my very soul shudders, when I recollect this dread-
ful scene.
I have not the means fully to recompense her chil-
dren; and Weingarten, the just object of vengeance,
is long since in the grave; for did he exist, the earth
should not hide him from my sword.
I shall now continue my journal: deceived in the
aid I expected, I was obliged to change my plan,
and go to my mother, who lived in Prussia, nine miles
beyond Königsberg.
*… .
88 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs
Feb. 28.—We continued, tired, anxious and dis-
tressed, at Lettel.
miles. W
March 1.—We went three miles to Pleese, and on
the 2nd, a mile and a half farther to Meseritz.
March 3–Through Wersebaum to Birnbaum, three
º
*
March 4.—Through Zircke, Wruneck, Obestchow,
to Stubnitz, seven miles, in one day, three of which
we had the good fortune to ride.
March 5–Three miles to Rogosen, where we ar-
rived without so much as a heller to pay our lodgings.
The Jew innkeeper drove us out of his house; we
were obliged to wander all night, and at break of
day found we had strayed two miles out of the road.
We entered a peasant’s cottage, where an old
woman was drawing bread hot out of the oven. We
had no money to offer, and I felt, at this moment, the
possibility even of committing murder, for a morsel of
bread, to satisfy the intolerable cravings of hunger.
Shuddering, with torment inexpressible, at the thought,
I hastened out of the door, and we walked on two miles
more to Wongrof.e.
Here I sold my musket for a ducat, which had pro-
cured us many a meal: such was the extremity of our
distress. We then satiated our appetites, after having
been forty hours without food or sleep, and having
travelled ten miles in sleet and snow. *
March 6.—We rested, and came, on the 7th, through
Genin, to a village in the forest, four miles.
Here we fell in with a gang of gipsies (or rather
banditti) amounting to four hundred men, who
dragged me to their camp. They were mostly French
OF BARON TRENCE. 89
and Prussian deserters, and thinking me their equal,
would force me to become one of their band. But,
venturing to tell my story to their leader, he pre-
sented me with a crown, gave us a small provision of
bread and meat, and suffered us to depart in peace,
after having been four and twenty hours in their
company.
March 9.--We proceeded to Lapuschin, three miles
and a half; and the 10th to Thorn, four miles.
A new incident here happened, which showed I was
destined, by fortune, to a variety of adventures, and
continually to struggle with new difficulties.
There was a fair held at Thorn on the day of our
arrival. Suspicions might well arise, among the
crowd, on seeing a strong tall young man, wretchedly
clothed, with a large sabre by his side, and a pair of
pistols in his girdle, accompanied by another as poorly
apparelled as himself, with his hand and neck bound
up, and armed likewise with pistols, so that altogether
he more resembled a spectre than a man.
We went to an inn, but were refused entertainment:
I then asked for the Jesuits’ college, where I inquired
for the father rector. They supposed at first I was a
thief, come to seek an asylum. After long waiting
and much entreaty his jesuitical highness at length
made his appearance, and received me as the Grand
Mogul would his slave. My case certainly was
pitiable: I related all the events of my life, and the
purport of my journey; conjured him to save Schell,
who was unable to proceed further, and whose wounds
grew daily worse; and prayed him to entertain him at
the convent till I should have been to my mother,
90 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
have obtained money, and returned to Thorn, when I
would certainly repay him whatever expense he might
have been at, with thanks and gratitude.
Never shall I forget the haughty insolence of this
priest. Scarcely would he listen to my humble re-
quest; thou’d and interrupted me continually, to tell
me, “Be brief, I have more pressing affairs than
thine.” In fine, I was turned away without obtaining
the least aid; and here I was first taught jesuitical
pride; God help the poor and honest man who shall
need the assistance of Jesuits They, like all other
monks, are seared to every sentiment of human pity,
and commiserate the distressed by taunts and irony.
Four times in my life I have sought assistance and
advice from convents, and am convinced it is the duty
of every honest man to aid in erasing them from the
face of the earth.
They succour rascals and murderers, that their
power may be idolised by the ignorant, and osten-
tatiously exert itself to impede the course of law and
justice; but in vain do the poor and needy virtuous
apply to them for help.
The reader will pardon my native hatred of hypocrisy
and falsehood, especially when he hears I have to
thank the Jesuits for the loss of all my great Hun-
garian estates. Father Kampmuller, the bosom friend
of the Count Grashalkowitz, was confessor to the
court of Vienna, and there was no possible kind of
persecution I did not suffer from priestcraft. Far
from being useful members of society, they take advan-
tage of the prejudices of superstition, exist for them-
serves alone, and sacrifice every duty to the support of
OF BARON TRENCEC. 91
their own hierarchy, and found a power, on error and
ignorance, which is destructive of all moral virtue.
Let us proceed. Mournful and angry, I left the
college, and went to my lodging-house, where I found
a Prussian recruiting-officer waiting for me, who used
all his arts to engage me to enlist; offering me five
hundred dollars, and to make me a corporal, if I
could write. I pretended I was a Livonian, who had
deserted from the Austrians, to return home, and
claim an inheritance left me by my father. After
much persuasion, he at length told me in confidence, it
was very well known in the town that I was a robber;
that I should soon be taken before a magistrate, but
that if I would enlist he would ensure my safety.
This language was new to me; my passion rose
instantaneously; I remembered my name was Trenck,
I struck him, and drew my sword; but, instead of
defending himself, he sprang out of the chamber,
charging the host not to let me quit the house. I
knew the town of Thorn had agreed with the King of
Prussia, secretly, to deliver up deserters, and began to
fear the consequences. Looking through the window,
I presently saw two under Prussian officers enter the
house. Schell and I instantly flew to our arms, and
met the Prussians at the chamber door. “Make
way,” cried I, presenting my pistols. The Prussian
soldiers drew their swords, but retired with fear.
Going out of the house, I saw a Prussian lieutenant,
in the street, with the town-guard. These I overawed,
likewise, by the same means, and no one durst oppose
me, though every one cried, “Stop thief 1? I came
safely, however, to the Jesuits’ convent; but poor
92 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
Schell was taken, and dragged to prison like a male-
factor.
Half mad at not being able to rescue him, I imagined
he must soon be delivered up to the Prussians. My
reception was much better at the convent than it had
been before, for they no longer doubted but I was
really a thief, who sought an asylum. I addressed
myself to one of the fathers, who appeared to be a
good kind of a man, relating briefly what had happened,
and entreated he would endeavour to discover why
they sought to molest us.
He went out, and returning in an hour after, told
me, “Nobody knows you: a considerable theft was
yesterday committed at the fair: all suspicious persons
are seized; you entered the town accoutred like banditti.
The man where you put up is employed as a Prussian
enlister, and has announced you as suspicious people.
The Prussianlieutenant therefore laid complaint against
you, and it was thought necessary to secure your persons.”
My joy, at hearing this, was great. Our Moravian
passport, and the journal of our route, which I had in
my pocket, were full proofs of our innocence. I
requested they would send and inquire at the town
where we lay the night before. I soon convinced the
Jesuit I spoke truth; he went, and presently returned
with one of the syndics, to whom I gave a more full
account of myself. The syndic examined Schell, and
found his story and mine agreed; besides which, our
papers that they had seized, declared who we were.
I passed the night in the convent without closing my
eyes, revolving in my mind all the rigours of my fate.
I was still more disturbed for Schell, who knew not
OF BARON TRENCEO. 93
where I was, but remained firmly persuaded we should
be conducted to Berlin; and, if so, determined to put
a period to his life.
My doubts were all ended at ten in the morning,
when my good Jesuit arrived, and was followed by my
friend Schell. The judges, he said, had found us
innocent, and declared us free to go where we pleased;
adding, however, that he advised us to be upon our guard,
we being watched by the Prussian enlisters; that the
lieutenant had hoped, by having us committed as
thieves, to oblige me to enter, and that he would
account for all that had happened.
I gave Schell a most affectionate welcome, who had
been very ill used when led to prison, because he
endeavoured to defend himself with his left hand, and
follow me. The people had thrown mud at him.”and
called him a rascal that would soon be hanged. Schell
was little able to travel farther. The father-rector
sent us a ducat, but did not see us; and the chief
magistrate gave each of us a crown, by way of
indemnification for false imprisonment. Thus sent
away, we returned to our lodging, took our bundles,
and immediately prepared to leave Thorn.
As we went, I reflected that, on the road to Elbing,
we must pass through several Prussian villages, and
inquired for a shop where we might purchase a map.
We were directed to an old woman who sat at the door
across the way, and were told she had a good assort-
ment, for that her son was a scholar. I addressed
myself to her, and my question pleased her, I having
added we were unfortunate travellers, who wished to
find, by the map, the road to Russia. She showed us
**w.
94. THE LIFE AND A DVENTURES
into a chamber, laid an atlas on the table, and placed
herself opposite me, while I examined the map, and
endeavoured to hide a bit of a ragged ruffle that had
made its appearance. After steadfastly looking at
me, she at length exclaimed, with a sad and mournful
tone—“Good God! who knows what is now become of
my poor son I can see, sir, you too are of a good
family. My son would go and seek his fortune, and
for these eight years have I had no tidings of him.
He must now be in the Austrian cavalry.” I asked in
what regiment. “The regiment of Hohenhem; you
are his very picture.” “Is he not of my height?”
“Yes, nearly.” “Has he not light hair?” “Yes,
like yours, sir.” “What is his name?” “His name
is William.” “No, my dear mother,” cried I,
“William is not dead; he was my best friend when I
was with the regiment.” Here the poor woman could
not contain her joy. She threw herself round my
neck, called me her good angel who brought her happy
tidings: asked me a thousand questions which I easily
contrived to make her answer herself, and thus, forced
by imperious necessity, bereft of all other means, did I
act the deceiver.
The story I made was nearly as follows:—I told her
I was a soldier in the regiment of Hohenhem, that I
had a furlough to go and see my father, and that I
should return in a month, would then take her letters,
and undertake that, if she wished it, her son should
purchase his discharge, and once more come and live
with his mother. I added that I should be for ever
and infinitely obliged to her, if she would suffer my
comrade, meantime, to live at her house, he being
OF BARON TRENCE. 95
wounded by the Prussian recruiters, and unable to
pursue his journey; that I would send him money to
come to me, or would myself come back and fetch him,
thankfully paying every expense. She joyfully con-
sented, told me her second husband, father-in-law to
her dear William, had driven him from home, that he
might give what substance they had to the younger
son; and that the eldest had gone to Magdeburg. She
determined Schell should live at the house of a friend,
that her husband might know nothing of the matter;
and, not satisfied with this kindness, she made me eat
with her, gave me a new shirt, stockings, sufficient
provisions for three days, and six Lunenburg florins.
I left Thorn, and my faithful Schell, the same
night, with the consolation that he was well taken care
of ; and having parted from him with regret, went on
the 13th two miles further to Burglow.
I cannot describe what my sensations were, or the
despondence of my mind, when I thus saw myself
wandering alone, and leaving, forsaking, as it were, the
dearest of friends. These may certainly be numbered
among the bitterest moments of my life. Often was I
ready to return, and drag him along with me, though
at last reason conquered sensibility. I drew near the
end of my journey, and was impelled forward by hope.
March 14–I went to Schwetz, and
March 15.—To Neuburg and Mowe. In these two
days I travelled thirteen miles. I lay at Mowe, on
some straw, among a number of carters, and, when I
awoke, perceived they had taken my pistols, and what
little money I had left, even to my last penny. The
gentlemen, however, were all gone.
**
96 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
What could I do? The innkeeper perhaps was
privy to the theft. My reckoning amounted to eighteen
Polish grosch. The surly landlord pretended to
believe I had no money when I entered his house, and
I was obliged to give him the only spare shirt I had,
with a silk handkerchief, which the good woman of
Thorn had made me a present of, and to depart with-
out a single heller.
March 16,--I set off for Marienburg, but it was
impossible I should reach this place, and not fall into
the hands of the Prussians, if I did not cross the
Vistula, and, unfortunately, I had no money to pay
the ferry, which would cost two Polish schellings.
Full of anxiety, not knowing how to act, I saw two
fishermen in a boat, went to them, drew my sabre, and
obliged them to land me on the other side; when there,
I took the oars from these timid people, jumped out of
the boat, pushed it off the shore, and left it to drive
with the stream. -
To what dangers does not poverty expose man!
These two Polish schellings were not worth more than
half a kreutzer, or some halfpenny, yet was I driven by
necessity to commit violence on two poor men, who,
had they been as desperate in their defence as I was
obliged to be in my attack, blood must have been
spilled and lives lost; hence it is evident that the
degrees of guilt ought to be strictly and minutely
inquired into, and the degree of punishment propor-
tioned. Had I hewn them down with my sabre, I
should surely have been a murderer; but I should like-
wise surely have been one of the most innocent of
murderers. Thus we see the value of money is not to
• * ÖF BARON TRENCE. * • 97
be estimated by any specific sum, small or great, but
according to its necessity and use. How little did I
imagine when at Berlin, and money was treated by me
with luxurious neglect, I may say, with contempt,
I should be driven to the hard neccssity, for a sum
so apparently despicable, of committing a violence
which might have had consequences so dreadful, and
have led to the commission of an act so atrocious !
I found Saxon and Prussian recruiters at Marien-
burgh, with whom, having no money, I ate, drank,
listened to their proposals, gave them hopes for the
morrow, and departed by daybreak.
March 17.--To Elbing, four miles. &
Here I met with my former worthy tutor, Bro-
dowsky, who was become a captain and auditor in
the Polish regiment of Golz. He met me just as I
entered the town. I followed triumphantly to his
quarters; and here at length ended the painful, long,
and adventurous journey I had been obliged to per-
form.
This good and kind gentleman, after providing me
with immediate necessaries, wrote so affectionately to
my mother, that she came to Elbing in a week, and
gave me every aid of which I stood in need.
The pleasure I had in meeting once more this
tender mother, whose qualities of heart and mind
were equally excellent, was inexpressible. She found
a certain mode of conveying a letter to my dear
mistress at Berlin, who a short time after sent me
a bill of exchange for four hundred ducats upon
Dantzic. To this my mother added a thousand rix-
dollars, and a diamond cross worth :nº. f: 81S
D—13 •. .. ". 5 * : ©
§ * ** * * * ...” $ c3 *
.*.*
98 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES <&
much, remained a fortnight with me, and persisted, in
spite of all remonstrance, in advising me to go to
Vienna. My determination had been fixed for Peters-
burg; all my fears and apprehensions being awakened
at the thought of Vienna, and which indeed afterwards
became the source of all my cruel sufferings and
sorrows. She would not yield in opinion, and promised
her future assistance only in case of my obedience; it
was my duty not to continue obstinate. Here she left
me, and I have never seen her since. She died in 1751,
and I have ever held her memory inveneration. It was
a happiness for this affectionate mother that she did not
live to be a witness of my afflictions in the year 1754.
An adventure, resembling that of Joseph in Egypt,
happened to me in Elbing. The wife of the worthy
Brodowsky, a woman of infinite personal attraction,
grew partial to me; but I durst not act ungratefully
by my benefactor. Never to see me more was too
painful to her, and she even proposed to follow me,
secretly, to Vienna. I felt the danger of my situation,
and doubted whether Potiphar’s wife offered tempta-
tions so strong as Madame Brodowsky. I owned I
had an affection for this lady, but my passions were
overawed. She preferred me to her husband, who was
in years, and very ordinary in person. Had I yielded
to the slightest degree of guilt, that of the present en-
joyment, a few days of pleasure must have been
followed by years of bitter repentance.
Having once more assumed my proper name and
character, and made presents of acknowledgment to
the worthy tutor of my youth, I became eager to return
to Tºn:: : :".
* * ** * *.
* º *
*
OF BARON TRENCE. 99
How great was my joy at again meeting my honest
Schell! The kind old woman had treated him like a
mother. She was surprised, and half terrified, at
seeing me enter in an officer's uniform, and accom-
panied by two servants. I gratefully and rapturously
kissed her hand, repaid, with thankfulness, every
expense (for Schell had been nurtured with truly
maternal kindness), told her who I was, acknowledged
the deceit I had put upon her concerning her son, but
faithfully promised to give a true, and not fictitious
account of him, immediately on my arrival at
Vienna. Schell was ready in three days, and we left
Thorn, came to Warsaw, and passed thence, through
Crakow, to Vienna.
I inquired for Captain Capi, at Bilitz, who had
before given me so kind a reception, and refused me
satisfaction; but he was gone, and I did not meet with
him till some years after, when the cunning Italian
made me the most humble apologies for his conduct.
So goes the world.
My journey from Dantzic to Vienna would not
furnish me with an interesting page, though my travels
on foot thither would have afforded thrice as much as
I have written, had I not been fearful of trifling
with the reader’s patience.
In poverty one misfortune follows another. The
foot-passenger sees the world, becomes acquainted
with it, converses with men of every class. The lord
luxuriously lolls and slumbers in his carriage, while
his servants pay innkeepers and postillions, and passes
rapidly over a kingdom, in which he sees some, dozen
houses, called inns; and this he als †agelláš: I
º 1. * *
100 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
met with more adventures in this my journey of 169
miles, than afterwards in almost as many thousand,
when travelling at ease, in a carriage.
Here, then, ends my journal, in which, from the
hardships therein related, and numerous others
omitted, I seem a kind of second Robinson Crusoe,
and to have been prepared, by a gradual increase and
repetition of sufferings, to endure the load of affliction
which I was afterwards destined to bear.
Arrived at Vienna in the month of April, 1747.
And now another act of the tragedy is going to begin.
CHAPTER, TX.
AFTER having defrayed the expenses of travelling
for me and my friend Schell, for whose remarkable
history I will endeavour to find a few pages in due
course, I divided the three hundred ducats which
remained with him, and, having stayed a month at
"Vienna, he went to join the regiment of Pallavicini, in
which he had obtained a lieutenant-colonel’s commis-
sion, and which was then in Italy.
Here I found my cousin, Baron Francis Trenck,
the famous partisan and colonel of pandours, impri-
soned at the arsenal, and involved in a most perplexing
prosecution. u
This Trenck was my father's brother's son. His
father had been a colonel and governor of Leitschau,
and had possessed considerable lordships in Sclavonia,
those of Pleternitz, Prestowacz, and Pakratz. After the
siege of Vienna, in 1683, he had left the Prussian service
for §§ ôt;Aºstºia; in which he remained sixty years.
te
© º tº
ºn Y º º gº
> * *-- * *
*
OF BARON TRENCE. 101
That I may not here interrupt my story, I shall
give some account of the life of my cousin Baron
Francis Trenck, so renowned in the war of 1741, in
another part, and who fell, at last, the shameful sacri-
fice of envy and avarice, and received the reward of all
his great and faithful services in the prison of the
Spielberg.
The vindication of the family of the Trencks requires
I should speak of him; nor will I, in this, suffer
restraint from the fear of any man, however powerful.
Those indeed who sacrificed a man most ardent in his
country’s service to their own private and selfish views,
are now in their graves.
I shall insert no more of his history here than what
is interwoven with my own, and relate the rest in its
proper place. **
A revision of his suit was at this time instituted.
Scarcely was I arrived in Vienna before his confi-
dential agent, M. Leber, presented me to Prince
Charles and the Emperor; both knew the services of
Trenck, and the malice of his enemies; therefore,
permission for me to visit him in his prison, and pro-
cure him such assistance as he might need, was
readily granted. On my second audience, the Em-
peror spoke so much in my persecuted cousin's favour
that I became highly interested; he commanded me to
have recourse to him on all occasions; and, moreover,
owned the president of the council of war was a man
of a very wicked character, and a declared enemy of
Trenck. This president was the Count of Lowen-
walde, who, with his associates, had been purposely
selected as men proper to oppress the best of subjects.
x.” -*Y. * * * *
102 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
The suit soon took another face; the good Empress
Queen, who had been deceived, was soon better
informed, and Trenck’s innocence appeared, on the
revision of the process most evidently. The trial,
which had cost them twenty-seven thousand florins,
and the sentence which followed, were proved to have
been partial and unjust; and that sixteen of Trenck's
officers, who most of them had been broken for
different offences, had perjured themselves to insure
his destruction.
It is a most remarkable circumstance that public
notice was given, in the Vienna Gazette, to the follow-
ing purport.
“All those who have any complaints to make
against Trenck, let them appear, and they shall
receive a ducat per day, so long as the prosecution
continues.”
It will readily be imagined how fast his accusers
would increase, and what kind of people they were.
The pay of these witnesses alone amounted to fifteen
thousand florins. I now began the labour in con-
currence with Doctor Gerhauer, and the cause soon
took another turn; but such was the state of things,
it would have been necessary to have broken all the
members of the council of war, as well as counsellor
Weber, a man of great power. Thus, unfortunately,
politics began to interfere with the course of justice.
The Empress Queen gave Trenck to understand she
required he should ask her pardon; and on that con-
dition all proceedings should be stopped, and he
immediately set at liberty. Prince Charles, who knew
the court of Vienna, advised me also to persuade my
- OF BARON TRENCE. 103
cousin to comply ; but nothing could shake his
resolution. Feeling his right and innocence, he de-
manded strict justice; and this made ruin more swift.
I soon learned Trenck must fall a sacrifice—he was
rich—his enemies already had divided among them
more than eighty thousand florins of his property,
which was all sequestered, and in their hands. They
had treated him too cruelly, and knew him too well,
not to dread his vengeance the moment he should re-
cover his freedom.
I was moved to the soul at his sufferings, and as he
had vented public threats, at the prospect of approach-
ing victory over his enemies, they gained over the
Court Confessor: and, dreading him as they did, put
every wily art in practice to insure his destruction. I
therefore, in the fulness of my heart, made him the
brotherly proposition of escaping, and, having obtained
his liberty, to prove his innocence to the Empress
Queen. I told him my plan, which might easily have
been put in execution, and which he seemed perfectly
decided to follow.
Some days after, I was ordered to wait on field-
marshal Count Konigseck, governor of Vienna. This
respectable old gentleman, whose memory I shall
ever revere, behaved to me like a father and the friend
of humanity, advised me to abandon my cousin, who
he gave me clearly to understand had betrayed me
by having revealed my proposed plan of escape,
willing to sacrifice me to his ambition in order to
justify the purity of his intentions to the court, and
show that, instead of wishing to escape, he only desired
justice.
104. THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
Confounded at the cowardly action of one for whom
I would willingly have sacrificed my life, and whom I
only sought to deliver, I resolved to leave him to his
fate, and thought myself exceedingly happy that the
worthy field-marshal would, after a fatherly admonition,
smother all farther inquiry into this affair. .
I related this black trait of ingratitude to Prince
Charles of Lorraine, who prevailed on me to again
see my cousin, without letting him know I knew what
had passed, and still to render him every service in
my power.
Before I proceed I will here give the reader a por-
trait of this Trenck.
He was a man of superior talents and unbounded
ambition; devoted, even fanatically, to his sovereign;
his boldness approached temerity; he was artful of
mind, wicked of heart, windictive and unfeeling. His
cupidity equalled the utmost excess of avarice, even in
his thirty-third year, in which he died. He was too
proud to receive favours or obligations from any man,
and was capable of ridding himself of his best friend
if he thought he had any claims on his gratitude or
could get possession of his fortune.
IHe knew I had rendered him very important services,
supposed his cause already won, having bribed the
judges, who were to revise the sentence, with thirty
thousand florins, which money I received from his
friend Baron Lopresti, and conveyed to these honest
counsellors. I knew all his secrets, and nothing more
was necessary to prompt his suspicious and bad heart
to seek my destruction.
Searcely had a fortnight elapsed, after his having
OF BARON TRENCEC. I05
*
first betrayed me, before the following remarkable
event happened.
I left him one evening to return home, taking under
my coat a bag with papers and documents relating to
the prosecution, which I had been examining for him,
and transcribing. There were at this time about five-
and-twenty officers in Vienna who had laid complaints
against him, and who considered me as their greatest
enemy because I had laboured earnestly in his defence.
..I was therefore obliged, on all occasions, to be upon
my guard. A report had been propagated through
Vienna that I was secretly sent by the King of Prussia
to free my cousin from imprisonment; he, however,
constantly denied, to the hour of his death, his ever
having written to me at Berlin; hence also it will
follow the letter I received had been forged by
Jaschinsky.
Leaving the Arsenal, I crossed the court, and per-
ceived I was closely followed by two men in grey
roquelaures, who, pressing upon my heels, held loud
and insolent conversation concerning the runaway
Brussian Trenck. I found they sought a quarrel,
which was a thing of no great difficulty at that mo-
ment, for a man is never more disposed to duelling
than when he has nothing to lose, and is discontented
with his condition. I supposed they were two of the
accusing officers broken by Trenck, and endeavoured
to avoid them, and gain the Jew’s place.
Scarcely had I turned down the street that leads
thither before they quickened their pace. I turned
round, and in a moment received a thrust with a sword
in the left side, where I had put my bag of papers,
x--ºr ** ~8. 2. “,
\
106 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
which accident alone saved my life; the sword pierced
through the papers and slightly grazed the skin. I
instantly drew, and the heroes ran. I pursued, one of
them tripped and fell. I seized him; the guard came
up : he declared he was an officer of the regiment of
Rollow rat, showed his uniform, was released, and I was
taken to prison. The Town Major came the next day,
and told me I had intentionally sought a quarrel with
two officers, Lieutenants F-g and K–n. These kind
gentlemen did not reveal their humane intention of
sending me to the other world.
I was alone, could produce no witness, they were
two. I must necessarily be in the wrong, and I re-
mained six days in prison. No sooner was I released,
than these my good friends sent to demand satisfaction
for the said pretended insult. The proposal was accepted,
and I promised to be at the Scotch gate, the place
appointed by them, within an hour. Having heard
their names, I presently knew them to be two famous
swaggerers, who were daily exercising themselves in
fencing at the Arsenal, and where they often visited
Trenck. I went to my cousin to ask his assistance,
related what had happened, and, as the consequences of
this duel might be very serious, desired him to give me
a hundred ducats, that I might be able to fly if either
of them should fall.
Hitherto I had expended my own money on his
account, and had asked no reimbursement; but what
was my astonishment when this wicked man said to
me, with a Sneer, “Since, good cousin, you have got
into a quarrel without consulting me, you will also get
out of it without my aid!” As I left him, he called
OF BARON TEENCEC. 107
me back to tell me, “I will take care and pay your
undertaker; ” for he certainly believed I should never
return alive.
I ran now, half-despairing, to Baron Lopresti,
who gave me fifty ducats and a pair of pistols, pro-
vided with which I cheerfully repaired to the field of
battle.
Here I found half a dozen officers of the garrison.
As I had few acquaintances in Vienna, I had no second,
except an old Spanish invalid captain, named Pereyra,
who met me going in all haste, and, having learned
whither, would not leave me.
Lieutenant K–m was the first with whom I fought,
and who received satisfaction by a deep wound in the
right arm. Hereupon I desired the spectators to
prevent farther mischief; for my own part I had
nothing more to demand. Lieutenant F-g next
entered the lists, with threats, which were soon quieted
by a lunge in the belly. Hereupon Lieutenant M-f,
second to the first wounded man, told me very angrily—
“Had I been your man, you would have found a very
different reception.” My old Spaniard of eighty
proudly and immediately advanced, with his long
whiskers and tottering frame, and cried—“Hold!
Trenck has proved himself a brave fellow, and if any
man thinks proper to assault him further, he must
first take a breathing with me.” Everybody laughed
at this bravado from a man who scarcely could stand
or hold a sword. I replied—“Friend, I am safe, un-
hurt, and want not aid; should I be disabled, you
then, if you think proper, may take my place; but, as
long as I can hold a sword, I shall take pleasure in
* * *
3 : §
108 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
satisfying all these gentlemen one after another.” I
would have rested myself a moment, but the haughty
M—f, enraged at the defeat of his friend, would not
give me time, but furiously attacked me, and, having
been wounded twice, once in the hand and again in the
groin, he wanted to close and sink me to the grave with
himself, but I disarmed and threw him.
None of the others had any desire to renew the con-
test. My three enemies were sent bleeding to town;
and, as M–f appeared to be mortally wounded, and the
Jesuits and Capuchins of Vienna refused me an asylum,
I fled to the convent of Keltenberg.
I wrote from the convent to Colonel Baron Lopresti,
who came to me. I told him all that had passed, and
by his good offices had liberty, in a week, to appear
once more at Vienna.
The blood of Lieutenant F-g was in a corrupt
state, and his wound, though not in itself dangerous,
made his life doubtful. He sent to entreat I would
visit him, and, when I went, having first requested
I would pardon him, gave me to understand I ought to
beware of my cousin. I afterwards learned the
traitorous Trenck had promised Lieutenant F-g a
company and a thousand ducats if he would find means
to quarrel with me and rid the world of me. He was
deeply in debt, and sought the assistance of Lieutenant
IC–n ; and had not the papers luckily preserved me, I
had undoubtedly been despatched by his first lunge.
To clear themselves of the infamy of such an act, these
two worthy gentlemen had pretended I had assaulted
them in the streets.
I could no more resolve to see my ungrateful and
_* *
sº
OF BARON TRENCE. 109
dangerous kinsman, who wished to have me murdered
because I knew all his secrets, and thought he should
be able to gain his cause without obligation to me or
my assistance. Notwithstanding all his great quali-
ties, his marked characteristic certainly was that of
sacrificing everything to his private views, and especi-
ally to his covetousness, which was so great that, even
at his time of life, though his fortune amounted to a
million and a half, he did not spend per day more than
thirty kreutzers.
No sooner was it known that I had forsaken Trenck
than General Count Lowenwaldo, his mostardent enemy,
and president of the first council of war, by which he
had been condemned, desired to speak to me, promised
every sort of good fortune and protection, if I would
discover what means had secretly been employed in the
revision of the process; and went so far as to offer me
four thousand florins if I would aid the prosecution
against my cousin. Here I learned the influence of
villains in power, and the injustice of judges at Vienna.
The proposal I rejected with disdain, and rather deter-
mined to seek my fortune in the East Indies than
continue in a country where, under the best of Queens,
the most loyal of subjects, and first of soldiers, might
be rendered miserable by interested, angry, and corrupt
courtiers. Certain it is, as I now can prove, though
the bitterest of my enemies, and whose conduct towards
me merited my whole resentment, he was the best
soldier in the Austrian army, had been liberal of his
blood and fortune in the Imperial service, and would
still so have continued had not his wealth, and his con-
tempt for Weber and Lowenwalde, put him in the power
***
110 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
of those wretches who were the avowed enemies of
courage and patriotism, and who only could maintain
their authority, and sate their thirst of gain, by the
base and wicked arts of courts. Had my cousin shared
the plunder of the war among these men, he had not
fallen the martyr of their intrigues, and died in the
Spielberg. His accusers were, generally, unprincipled
men of ruined fortunes, and so insufficient were their
accusations that a useful member of society ought not,
for any or all of them, to have suffered an hour's im-
prisonment. Being fully informed, both of all the
circumstances of the prosecution and the inmost
secrets of his heart, justice requires I should thus
publicly declare this truth and vindicate his memory.
While living he was my bitterest enemy, and even
though dead, was the cause of all my future suffer-
ings; therefore the account I shall give of him will
certainly be the less liable to suspicion, where I
shall show that he, as well as myself, deserved better
of Austria.
I was resolved for ever to forsake Vienna. The
friends of Trenck all became distrustful of him be-
cause of his ingratitude to me. Prince Charles still
endeavoured to persuade me to a reconciliation, and
gave me a letter of recommendation to General Brown,
who then commanded the Imperial army in Italy.
But more anxious of going to India, I left Vienna in
August, 1748, desirous of owing no obligation to that
city or its inhabitants, and went for Holland. Mean-
time, the enemies of Trenck found no one to oppose
their iniquitous proceedings, and obtained a sentence
of imprisonment, in the Spielberg, where he too late
\
OF BARON TRENCE. 111
repented having betrayed his faithful adviser, and
prudent friend. I pitied him, and his judges certainly
deserved the punishment they inflicted: yet to his last
moments he showed his hatred towards me was rooted,
and, even in the grave, strove by his will to involve
me in misfortune, as will hereafter be seen.
I fled from Vienna, would to God it had been for
ever; but ſate by strange ways, and unknown means,
brought me back where Providence thought proper I
should become a vessel of 'wrath and persecution : I
was to enact my part in Europe, and not in Asia. At
Nuremberg I met with a body of Russians, com-
manded by General Lieuwen, my mother’s relation,
who were marching to the Netherlands, and were the
peace-makers of Europe. Major Buschkow, whom I
had known when Russian resident at Vienna, pre-
vailed on me to visit him, and presented me to the
General. I pleased him, and may say, with truth, he
behaved to me like a friend and a father. He advised
me to enter into the Russian service, and gave me a
company of dragoons, in the regiment of Tobolski, on
condition I should not leave him, but employ myself
in his cabinet ; and his confidence and esteem for me
were unbounded.
Beace followed; the army returned to Moravia,
without firing a musket, and the head-quarters were
fixed at Prosnitz.
In this town a public entertainment was given, by
General Lieuwen, on the coronation day of the Em-
press Elizabeth; and here an adventure happened to me,
which I shall ever remember, as a warning to myself,
and insert as a memento to others.
*
---
*
112 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
The army physician, on this day, kept a Faro bank,
for the entertainment of the guests. My stock of
money consisted of two and twenty ducats. Thirst
of gain, or perhaps example, induced me to venture
two of these, which I immediately lost, and very soon,
by venturing again to regain them, the whole two and
twenty. Chagrined at my folly, I returned home : I
had nothing but a pair of pistols left, for which, be-
cause of their workmanship, General Woyekow had
offered me twenty ducats. These I took, intending by
their aid to attempt to retrieve my loss. Firing of
guns and pistols was heard throughout the town, be-
cause of the festival, and I, in imitation of the rest,
went to the window and fired mine. After a few dis-
charges, one of my pistols burst, and endangered my
own hand, and wounded my servant. I felt a momen-
tary despondency, stronger than I ever remember to
have experienced before ; insomuch that I was half in-
duced, with the remaining pistol, to shoot myself
through the head. I however, recovered my spirits,
asked my servant what money he had, and received
from him three ducats. With these I repaired, like a
desperate gamester, once more to the Faro table, at the
General’s, again began to play, and so extraordinary
was my run of luck, I won at every venture. Having
recovered my principal, I played on upon my winnings,’
till at last I had absolutely broke the Doctor's bank:
a new bank was set up, and I won the greatest part of
this likewise, so that I brought home about six hun-
dred ducats. s
Rejoiced at my good fortune, but recollecting my
danger, I had the prudence to make a solemn resolu-
2- **
OF BARON TRENCE. 113
tion never more to play at any game of chance, to
which I have ever strictly adhered.
It were to be wished young men would reflect upon
the effects of gaming, remembering that the love of
play has made the most promising and virtuous, miser-
able; the honest, knaves; and the sincere, deceivers
and liars. Officers, having first lost all their own
money, being entrusted with the soldiers’ pay, have
next lost that also ; and thus been cashiered, and
eternally disgraced. I might, at Prosnitz, have been
equally rash and culpable. The first venture, whether
the gamester wins or loses, ensures a second; and, with
that, too often destruction. My good fortune was al-
most miraculous, and my subsequent resolution very
uncommon; and I entreat and conjure my children,
when I shall no longer be living to advise and watch
for their welfare, most determinedly to avoid play. I
seemed preserved by Providence from this evil but to
endure much greater.
General Lieuwen, my kind patron, sent me, from
Crakow, to conduct a hundred and forty sick men
down the Vistula to Dantzic, where there were Russian
vessels to receive and transport them to Riga.
I requested permission of the General to proceed
forward and visit my mother and sister, whom I was
very desirous to see : at Elbing, therefore, I resigned
the command to Lieutenant Platen, and, attended by
a servant, rode to the bishopric of Ermeland, where I
appointed an interview with them in a frontier village.
Here an incident happened that had nearly cost me
my life. The Prussians, some days before, had carried
off a peasant’s son from this village, as a recruit.
114 TETE IIITE AND AIDVEN TURES
-The people were all in commotion. I wore leathern
breeches, and the blue uniform of the Russian cavalry.
They took me for a Prussian, at the door, and fell
upon me with every kind of weapon. A chasseur, who
happened to be there, and the landlord, came to my
assistance, while I, battling with the peasants, had
thrown two of them down. I was delivered, but not
till I had received two violent bruises, one on the left
arm, and another which broke the bridge of my nose.
The landlord advised me to escape as fast as possible,
or that the village would rise and certainly murder me;
Imy servant, therefore, who had retired for defence,
with a pair of pistols, into the oven, got ready the horses
and we rode off.
I had my bruises dressed at the next village; my
hand and eyes were exceedingly swelled, but I was
obliged to ride two miles farther, to the town of Ressel,
before I could find an able surgeon, and here I so far
recovered in a week, that I was able to return to
Dantzic. My brother visited me while at Ressel, but
my good mother had the misfortune, as she was coming
to me, to be thrown out of her carriage, by which her
arm was broken, so that she and my sister were obliged
to return, and I never saw her more. ^,
I was now at Dantzic, with my sick convoy, where
another most remarkable event happened, which I, with
good reason, shall ever remember.
I became acquainted with a Prussian officer, whose
name I shall conceal out of respect to his very worthy
family; he visited me daily, and we often rode out to-
gether in the neighbourhood of Dantzic.
My faithful servant became acquainted with his, and
OF BARON TRENCEO. 115
my astonishment was indeed great when he one day
said to me, with anxiety, “Beware, sir, of a snare laid
for you by Lieutenant N ; he means to entice you
out of town and deliver you up to the Prussians.” I
asked him where he learned this. “From the lieu-
tenant’s servant,” answered he, “who is my friend, and
wishes to save me from misfortume.”
I now, with the aid of a couple of ducats, discovered
the whole affair, and learned it was agreed, between
the Prussian resident, Reimer, and the lieutenant, that
the latter should entice me into the suburb of Lang-
fuhr, where there was an inn on the Prussian terri-
tories. Here eight recruiting under-officers were to
wait concealed, and seize me the moment I entered
the house, hurry me into a carriage, and drive away
for Lauenberg in Pomerania. Two under-officers were
to escort me, on horseback, as far as the frontiers,
and the remainder to hold and prevent me from
calling for help, so long as we should remain on the
territories of Dantzic.
Ifarther learned my enemies were only to be armed
with sabres, and that they were to wait behind the
door. The two officers on horseback were to secure
my servant, and prevent him from riding off and
raising an alarm.
These preparations might easily have been rendered
fruitless, by my refusing to accept the proposal of
the lieutenant, but vanity gave me other advice, and
resentment made me desirous of avenging myself for
such detestable treachery.
Lieutenant N came, about noon, to dine with me
as usual, was more pensive and serious than I had ever
^*,
H16 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES l
observed him before, and left me at four in the after-
noon, after having made a promise to ride early next
day with him as far as Langfuhr. I observed my con-
sent gave him great pleasure, and my heart then pro-
nounced sentence on the traitor. The moment be had
left me I went to the Russian, resident, M. Scheerer,
an honest Swiss, related the whole conspiracy, and
asked whether I might not take six of the men under
my command for my own personal defence. I told
him my plan, which he at first opposed; but seeing me
obstinate, he answered at last, “Do as you please; I
must know nothing of the matter, nor will I make
myself responsible.”
I immediately joined my soldiers, selected six men,
and took them, while it was dark, opposite the Prus-
sian inn, hid them in the corn, with an order to run to
my help with their firelocks loaded the first discharge
they should hear, to seize all who should fall into
their power, and only to fire in case of resistance. I
provided them with fire-arms, by concealing them in
the carriage which brought them to their hiding-place.
Notwithstanding all these precautions, I still
thought it necessary to prevent surprise, by informing
myself what were the proceedings of my enemies, lest
my intelligence should have been false; and I learned
from my spies that, at four in the morning, the Prus-
sian resident, Reimer, had left the city with post
horses. *
I loaded mine and my servant's horse and pocket
pistols, prepared my Turkish Sabre, and, in gratitude
to the lieutenant's man, promised to take him into my
Bervice, being convinced of his honesty. s:
2 * wº- ... " *: **. a 2-
* %
OF BARON TRENCK. 117
The lieutenant cheerfully entered about six in the
morning, expatiated on the fineness of the weather,
and jocosely told me I should be very kindly received
by the handsome landlady of Langfuhr.
I was soon ready; we mounted, and left the town,
attended by our servants. Some three hundred paces
from the inn, my worthy friend proposed that we
should alight and let our servants lead the horses, that
we might enjoy the beauty of the morning. I con-
sented, and having dismounted, observed his treacherous
eyes sparkle with pleasure.
The resident, Reimer, was at the window of the inn,
and called out, as soon as he saw me, “Good-morrow,
captain, good-morrow ; come, come in, your breakfast
is waiting.” I, Sneering, Smiled, and told him I had
, not time at present. So saying, I continued my walk,
but my companion would absolutely force me to enter,
took me by the arm, and partly struggled with me, on
which, losing all patience, I gave him a blow which al-
most knocked him down, and ran to my horses as if I
meant to fly.
The Prussians instantly rushed from behind their
door, with clamour, to attack me. I fired at the first ;
my Russians sprang from their hiding-place, presented
their pieces, and called, Stuy, Stuy, yebiomnamat.
The terror of the poor Prussians may well be sup-
posed. All began to run. I had taken care to make
sure of my lieutenant, and was next running to seize
the resident, but he had escaped out of the back door,
with the loss only of his white periwig. The Russians
had taken four prisoners, and I commanded them to
bestow fifty strokes upon each of them in the open
II8 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
street. An ensign, named Casseburg, having told me
his name, and that he had been my brother's school-
fellow, begged remission, and excused himself on the
necessity which he was under to obey his superiors.
I admitted his excuses and suffered him to go. I then
drew my sword and bade the lieutenant defend him-
self; but he was so confused, that, after drawing his
sword, he asked my pardon, laid the whole blame upon
the resident, and had not the power to put himself on
his guard. I twice jerked his sword out of his hand,
and, at last, taking the Russian corporal’s cane, I ex-
hausted my strength with beating him, without his
offering the least resistance. Such is the meanness of
detected treachery. I left him kneeling, saying to
him, “Go, rascal, now, and tell your comrades the
..manner in which Trenck punishes robbers on the high-
way.”
The people had assembled round us during the action,
to whom I related the affair, and the attack having
happened on the territories of Dantzic, the Prussians
were in danger of being stoned by the populace. I and
my Russians marched off victorious, proceeded to the
harbour, embarked, and three or four days after, set
sail for Riga.
I t is remarkable that none of the public papers took
any notice of this affair; no satisfaction was required.
-The Prussians, no doubt, were ashamed of being de-
feated in an attempt so perfidious.
I since have learnt that Frederic, no doubt by the
false representations of Reimer, was highly irritated,
and what afterwards happened proves his anger pur-
sued me through every corner of the earth, till at last
! {z" & " ", e , « 1 « - * ,
* .# § .**
OF BARON TRENCE. 119
I fell into his power at Dantzic, and suffered a martyr-
dom most unmerited and unexampled.
The Prussian envoy, Goltz, indeed, made complaints
to Count Bestuchef, concerning this Dantzic skirmish,
but received no satisfaction. My conduct was justified
in Russia, I having defended myself against assassins,
as a Russian captain ought.
Some dispassionate readers may blame me for not
having avoided this rencontre, and demanded personal
satisfaction of Lieutenant N But I have through
life rather sought than avoided danger. My vanity
and revenge were both roused. I was everywhere
persecuted by the Prussians, and I was therefore
determined to show that, far from fearing, I was
able to defend myself.
I hired the servant of the lieutenant, whom I found
honest and faithful, and whom I comfortably settled in
marriage, at Vienna, in 1753. After my ten years'
imprisonment, I found him poor, and again took him
into my service, in which he died, at Zwerbach, in 1779.
CHAPTER, X.
AND now behold me at sea, on my voyage to Riga.
I had eaten heartily before I went on board; a storm
came on; I worked half the night, to aid the crew, but
at length became sea-sick, and went to lie down.
Scarcely had I closed my eyes before the master came
with the joyful tidings, as he thought, that we were
running for the port of Pillau. Far from pleasing,
this, to me, was dreadful intelligence. I ran on deck,
saw the harbour right before me, and a pilot coming
120 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
off. The sea must now be either kept in a storm, or 1
fall into the hands of the Prussians; for I was known
to the whole garrison of Pillau.
I desired the captain to tack about and keep the sea,
but he would not listen to me. Perceiving this, I flew
to my cabin, Snatched my pistols, returned, seized the
helm, and threatened the captain with instant death if
he did not obey. My Russians began to murmur;
they were averse to encountering the dangers of the
storm, but luckily they were still more averse to meet
my anger, overawed, as they were, by my pistols, and
my two servants, who stood by me faithfully.
Pſalf an hour after, the storm began to subside, and
we fortunately arrived the next day in the harbour of
Riga. The captain, however, could not be appeased,
but accused me before the old and honourable Marshal
Lacy, then governor of Riga. I was obliged to appear,
and reply to the charge by relating the truth. The
governor answered, my obstinacy might have occasioned
the death of a hundred and sixty persons; I, smiling,
retorted, “I have brought them all safe to port, please
your Excellency; and, for my part, my fate would have
been much more merciful by falling into the hands of my
God than into the hands of my enemies. My danger
was so great that I forgot the danger of others; be-
sides, sir, I knew my comrades were soldiers, and feared
death as little as I do.” My answer pleased the fine
grey-headed general, and he gave me a recommendation
to the chancellor Bestuchef at Moscow.
General Lieuwen had marched from Moravia, for
Russia, with the army, and was then at Riga. I went
to pay him my respects; he kindly received me, and
OF BARON TRENCE. 12
took me to one of his seats, named Annaburg, four
miles from Riga. Here I remained some days, and he
gave me every recommendation to Moscow, where the
court then was. It was intended I should endeavour
to obtain a company in the regiment of cuirassiers, the
captains of which then ranked as majors, and he
advised me to throw up my commission in the Siberian
regiment of Tobolski dragoons. Peace be to the manes
and the memory of this worthy man 1 May God reward
this benevolence From Riga I departed, in company
with M. Oettinger, lieutenant-colonel of engineers, and
Lieutenant Weismann, for Moscow. This is the same
Weismann who rendered so many important services
to Russia, during the last war with the Turks.
On my arrival, after delivering in my letters of
recommendation, I was particularly well received by
Count Bestuchef. Oettinger, whose friendship I had
gained, was exceedingly intimate with the chancellor,
and my interest was thereby promoted.
I had not been long at Moscow before I met Count
Hamilton, my former friend during my abode at
Vienna. He was a captain of cavalry, in the regiment
of General Bernes, who had been sent as imperial
ambassador to Russia.
Pernes had been ambassador at Berlin in 1743, where
he had consequently known me during the height of my
favour at the court of Frederic. Hamilton presented
me to him, and I had the good fortune so far to gain his
friendship, that, after a few visits, he endeavoured
to detach me from the Russian service, offering me
the strongest recommendations to Vienna, and a com-
pany in his own regiment. My cousin's misfortunes,

22 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
however, had left too deep an impression on my mind
to follow his advice. The Indies would then have been
preferred by me to Austria.
Bernes invited me to dine with him in company with
his bosom friend, Lord Hyndford, the English am-
bassador. How great was the pleasure I that day re-
ceived This eminent statesman had known me at
Berlin, and was present when Frederic had honoured
me with saying, C'est um matador de ma jewnesse. He
was well read in men, conceived a good opinion of my
abilities, and became a friend and father to me. He
seated me by his side at table, and asked me, “Why
came you here, Trenck?” “In search of bread and
honour, my lord,” answered I, “having unmeritedly
lost them both in my own country.” He further in-
quired the state of my finances; I told him my whole
store might be some thirty ducats.
“Take my counsel,” said he; “you have the necessary
qualifications to succeed in Russia, but the people here
despise poverty, judge from the exterior only, and do
not include services or talents in the estimate; you
must have the appearance of being wealthy. I and
Bernes will introduce you into the best families, and
will supply you with the necessary means of support.
Splendid liveries, led horses, diamond rings, deep play,
a bold front, undaunted freedom with statesmen, and
gallantry among the ladies, are the means by which
foreigners must make their way in this country. Avail
yourself of them, and leave the rest to us.” This
lesson lasted some time. Bernes entered in the interim, ,
and they determined mutually to contribute towards my
promotion.

OF BARON TRENCEC. 123
$
Few of the young men who seek their fortune in
foreign countries meet incidents so favourable. For-
tune for a moment seemed willing to recompense my
past sufferings, and again to raise me to the height from
which I had fallen. These ambassadors, here again by
accident met, had before been witnesses of my prosperity
when at Berlin. The talents I possessed, and the favour
I then enjoyed, attracted the notice of all foreign
ministers. They were bosom friends, equally well read
in the human heart, and equally benevolent and noble-
minded; their recommendation at court was decisive;
the nations they represented were in alliance with
Russia, and the confidence Bestuchef placed in them
was unbounded.
I was now introduced into all companies, not as a
foreigner who came to entreat employment, but as the
heir of the house of Trenck, and its rich Hungarian
possessions, and as the former favourite of the Prussian
monarch.
I was also admitted to the society of the first literati,
and wrote a poem on the anniversary of the coronation
of the Empress Elizabeth. Hyndford took care she
should see it, and, in conjunction with the chancellor,
presented me to the sovereign. My reception was most
gracious. She herself recommended me to the chan-
cellor, and presented me with a gold-hilted sword,
worth a thousand roubles. This raised me highly in the
esteem of all the houses of the Bestuchef party.
Manners were at that time so rude in Russia, that
every foreigner who gave a dinner, or a ball, must send
notice to the chancellor Bestuchef, that he might return
a list of the guests allowed to be invited. Faction
*.
H24 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
governed everything; and wherever Bestuchef was, no
friend of Woranzow durst appear. I was the intimate
of the Austrian and English ambassadors; consequently,
was caressed and esteemed in all companies. I soon
became the favourite of the chancellor's lady, as I shall
hereafter notice; and nothing more was wanting to
obtain all I could wish.
I was well acquainted with architectural design, had
free access to the house and cabinet of the chancellor,
where I drew in company with Colonel Oettinger, who
was then the head architect of Russia, and made the
perspective view of the new palace, which the chancellor
intended to build at Moscow, by which I acquired uni-
versal honour. I had gained more acquaintance in,
and knowledge of, Russia in one month, than others,
wanting my means, have done in twelve.
As I was one day relating my progress to Lord
Hyndford, he, like a friend, grown grey in courts,
kindly took the trouble to advise me. From him I
obtained a perfect knowledge of Russia; he was
acquainted with all the intrigues of European courts,
their families, party cabals, the foibles of the monarchs,
the principles of their government, the plots of the
great Peter, and had also made the peace of Breslau.
Thus, having been the confidential friend of Frederic,
he was intimately acquainted with his heart, as well
as the sources of his power. Hyndford was penetra-
ting, noble-minded, had the greatness of the Briton,
without his haughtiness; and the principles, by which
he combined the past, the present, and the future, were
so clear, that I, his scholar, by adhering to them, have
been enabled to foretell all the most remarkable revo-
of BARON TRENGK. 125
lutions that have happened, during the space of six-
and-thirty years, in Europe. By these I knew, when
any minister was disgraced, who should be his suc-
cessor. I daily passed some hours improving by his
kind conversation; and to him I am indebted for most
of that knowledge of the world I happen to possess.
He took various opportunities of cautioning me
against the effects of an ardent, sanguine temper;
and my hatred of arbitrary power warned me to
beware of the determined persecution of Frederic, of
his irreconcilable anger, his intrigues and influence in
the various courts of Europe, which he would certainly
exert to prevent my promotion, lest I should impede
his own projects, and lamented my future sufferings,
which he plainly foresaw. “I)espots,” said he, “al-
ways are suspicious, and abhor those who have a con-
sciousness of their own worth, of the rights of man-
kind, and hold the lash in detestation. The enlightened
are by them called the restless spirits, turbulent and
dangerous; and virtue there, where virtue is unnecessary
for the humbling and trampling upon the suffering
subject, is accounted a crime, of all others the most to
be dreaded.”
Hyndford taught me to know, and highly to value
freedom : to despise tyrants, to endure the worst of
miseries, to emulate true greatness of mind, to des-
pise danger, and to honour only those whose elevation
of soul had taught them equally to oppose bigotry and
despotism.
Bernes was a philosopher; but with the penetration
of an Italian, more cautious than Hyndford, yet equally
honest and worthy. His friendship for me was un-
.5- *
**
* - ºr
126 | THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
bounded, and the time passed in their company was
esteemed by me most precious. The liberality of my
sentiments, thirst after knowledge and scientific ac-
quirements gained their favour; our topics of conver-
sation were inexhaustible, and I acquired more real
information at Moscow than at Berlin, under the tuition
of La Metri, Maupertuis, and Voltaire.
CEIAEPTER, XI.
SCARCELY had I been six weeks in this city before I
had an adventure which I shall here relate; for, myself
excepted, all the persons concerned in it are now dead.
Intrigues properly belong to novels. This book is in-
tended for a more serious purpose, and they are there-
fore here usually suppressed. It cannot be supposed I
was a woman-hater. Most of the good or bad fortune
I experienced originated in love. I was not by nature
inconstant, and was incapable of deceit even in amours.
In the very ardour of youth I always shunned mere
sensual pleasures. I loved for more exalted reasons,
and for such sought to be beloved again. Love and
friendship were with me always united; and these I
was capable of inciting, maintaining, and deserving.
The most difficult of access, the noblest, and the fairest,
were ever my choice : and my veneration for these
always deterred me from grosser gratifications. By
woman I was formed; by the faith of woman supported
under misfortunes; in the company of woman enjoyed
the few hours of delight my life of sorrows has ex-
perienced. Woman, beautiful and well instructed,
even now, lightens the burden of age, the world’s
of BARON TRENCE. 127
tediousness and its woes; and, when these are ended, I
would rather wish mine eyes might be closed by fair and
virgin hands, than, when expiring, fixed on a hypo-
critical priest.
My adventures with women would amply furnish a
romance: but enough of this, I should not relate the
present, were it not necessary to my story.
Dining one public day with Lord Hyndford, I was
seated beside a charming young lady of one of the best
families in Russia, who had been promised in marriage,
though only seventeen, to an old invalid minister. Her
eyes soon told me she thought me preferable to her
intended bridegroom. I understood them, lamented
her hard fate, and was surprised to hear her exclaim,
“Oh, heavens ! that it were possible you could deliver
me from my misfortune: I would engage to do what-
ever you would direct.”
The impression such an appeal must make on a man
of four and twenty, of a temperament like mine, may
easily be supposed. The lady was ravishingly beauti-
ful; her soul was candour itself, and her rank that of a
princess; but the court commands had already been
given in favour of the marriage; and flight, with all
its inseparable dangers, was the only expedient. A
public table was no place for long explanations. Our
hearts were already one. I requested an interview, and
the next day was appointed, the place the Trotzer
garden, where I passed three rapturous hours in her
company : thanks to her woman, who was a Georgian.
To escape, however, from Moscow, was impossible.
The distance thence to any foreign country was too
great. The court was not to remove to Petersburg till
128 'THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
the next spring, and her marriage was fixed for the
first of August. The misfortune was not to be
remedied, and nothing was left us but patience perforce.
We could only resolve to fly from Petersburg when
there, the Soonest possible, and to take refuge in some
corner of the earth, where we might remain unknown
of all. The marriage, therefore, was celebrated with
pomp, though I, in despite of forms, was the true
husband of the princess. Such was the state of the
husband imposed upon her, that to describe it, and not
give disgust, were impossible.
The princess gave me her jewels, and several thousand
roubles, which she had received as a nuptial present,
that I might purchase every thing necessary for flight;
my evil destiny, however, had otherwise determined.
I was playing at ombre with her, one night, at the
house of the Countess of Bestuchef, when she com-
plained of a violent headache, appointed me to meet
her on the morrow, in the Trotzer gardens, clasped my
hand with inexpressible emotion, and departed. Alas!
I never beheld her more, till stretched upon the bier
She grew delirious that very night, and so continued
till her death, which happened on the sixth day, when
the small-pox began to appear. During her delirium
she discovered our love, and incessantly called on me
to deliver her from her tyrant. Thus, in the flower of
her age, perished one of the most lovely women I ever
knew, and with her fled all I held most dear.
All my plans were now to be newly arranged. Lord
Hyndford alone was in the secret, for I hid no secrets
from him : he strengthened me in my first resolution,
and owned that he himself, for such a mistress, might
Jºs A.
OF BARON TRENCEO. 129
perhaps have been weak enough to have acted as I had
done. Almost as much moved as myself, he sympa-
thised with me as a friend, and his advice deterred me
from ending my miseries, and descending with her,
whom I have loved and lost, to the grave. This was
the severest trial I had ever felt. Our affection was
finbounded, and such only as noble hearts can feel.
She being gone, the whole world became a desert.
There is not a man on earth, whose life affords more
various turns of fate than mine. Swiftly raised to the
highest pinnacle of hope, as suddenly was I cast head-
long down, and so remarkable were these revolutions
that he who has read my history will at last find it
difficult to say whether he envies or pities me most.
And yet these were, in reality, but preparatory to the
evils that hovered over my devoted head. Had not the
remembrance of past joys soothed and supported me
under my sufferings, I certainly should not have en-
dured the ten years’ torture of the Magdeburg dungeon,
with a fortitude that might have been worthy even of
Socrates.
Enough of this. My blood again courses swifter
through my veins as I write | Rest, gentle maiden,
noble and lovely as thou wert | For thee ought
Heavon to have united a form so fair, animated as it
was, by a soul so pure, to ever-blooming youth and im-
mortality.
My love for this lady became well-known in Moscow ;
yet her corpulent overgrown husband had not under-
standing enough to suppose there was any meaning in
her rhapsodies during her delirium.
FIer girl,” me amounted in value to about seven
F. -- ~ *
--> --
I30 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
thousand ducats. Lord Hyndford and Count Bernes
both adjudged them legally mine, and well am I assured
her heart had bequeathed me much more.
To this event succeeded another, by which my fortune
was greatly influenced. The Countess of Bestuchef
was then the most amiable and witty woman at Court.
Her husband, cunning, selfish, and shallow, had the
name of minister, while she, in reality, governed with
a genius, at once daring and comprehensive. The too
pliant Elizabeth carelessly left the most important
things to the direction of others. Thus the Countess
was the first person of the Empire, and on whom the
attention of the foreign ministers was fixed.
Haughty and majestic in her demeanour, she was
supposed to be the only woman at court who continued
faithful to her husband; which supposition probably
originated in her art and education, she being a German
born : for I afterwards found her virtue was only pride,
and a knowledge of the national character. The
Russian lover rules despotic over his mistress: requires
money, submission, and should he meet opposition,
threatens her with blows, and the discovery of her secret.
During Elizabeth’s reign foreigners could neither
appear at court, nor in the best company, without the
introduction of Bestuchef. I and Sievers, gentlemen
of the chamber, were at that time the only Germans
who had free egress and regress in all houses of fashion;
my being protected by the English and Austrian
ambassadors gave me very peculiar advantages, and
made my company everywhere courted.
Bestuchef had been resident, during the late reign,
at Hamburg, in which inferior station he married the
OF BARON TEENCEC. 131
countess, at that time, though young and handsome,
only the widow of the merchant Boettger. Under
IElizabeth, Bestuchef rose to the summit of rank and
power, and the widow Boettger became the first lady of
the empire. When I knew her she was eight and thirty,
consequently no beauty, though a woman highly en-
dowed in mind and manners, of keen discernment,
disliking the Russians, protecting the Prussians, and
at whose aversions all trembled.
Her carriage towards the Russians was, what it must
be in her situation, lofty, cautious, and ironical, rather
than kind. To me she showed the utmost esteem on
all occasions, welcomed me at her table, and often ad-
mitted me to drink coffee in company with herself alone
ard Colonel Oettinger. The countess never failed
giving me to understand she had perceived my love for
..he princess N ; and, though I constantly denied
the fact, she related circumstances which she could
have known, as I thought, only from my mistress her-
self; my silence pleased her; for the Russians, when a
lady had a partiality for them, never fail to vaunt of
their good fortune. She wished to persuade me she
had observed us in company, had read the language of
our eyes, and had long penetrated our secret. I was
ignorant at that time that she had then, and long
before, entertained the maid of my mistress as a spy in
her pay.
About a week after the death of the princess, the
countess invited me to take coffee with her, in her
chamber; lamented my loss, and the violence of that
passion which had deprived me of all my customary
vivacity, and altered my very appearance. She seemed
*
-* *
* * * *
I32 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
so interested in my behalf, and expressed so many
wishes, and so ardent to better my fate, that I could no
longer doubt. Another opportunity soon happened,
which confirmed these my suspicions: her mouth con-
fessed her sentiments. Discretion, secrecy, and fidelity,
were the laws she imposed, and never did I experience
a more ardent passion from woman. Such was her
understanding and penetration, she knew how to rivet.”
my affections.
- Caution was the thing most necessary. She con-
trived, however, to make opportunity. The chancellor
valued, confided in me, and employed me in his cabinet;
so that I remained whole days in his house. My
captainship of cavalry was now no longer thought of :
I was destined to political employment. My first was
to be gentleman of the chamber, which in Russia is an
office of importance, and the prospect of futurity
became to me most resplendent. Lord Hyndford, ever
the repository of my secrets, counselled me, formed
plans for my conduct, rejoiced at my success, and re-
fused to be reimbursed the expense he had been at,
though now my circumstances were prosperous.
The degree of credit I enjoyed was soon noticed:
foreign ministers began to pay their court to me: Goltz,
the Prussian minister, made every effort to win me, but
found me incorruptible.
The Russian alliance was at this time highly courted
by foreign powers; the humbling of Prussia was the
thing generally wished and planned: and nobody wa
better informed than myself of ministerial and family
factions at this court.
My mistress, a year after my acquaintance with her
OF BARON TRENCE. 133
way
fell into her enemies' power, and with her husband,
was delivered over to the executioner. Chancellor
Bestuchef, in the year 1756, was forced to confession
by the knout. Apraxin, minister of war, had a similar
fate. The wife of his brother, then envoy in Poland,
was, by the treachery of a certain Lieutenant Berger,
with three others of the first ladies of the court, knouted,
branded, and had their tongues cut out. This happened
in the year 1741, when Elizabeth ascended the throne.
Her husband, however, faithfully served: I knew him
as Russian envoy, at Vienna, 1751. This may indeed
be called the love of our country, and thus does it
happen to the first men of the state: what then can a
foreigner hope for, if persecuted, and in the power of
those in authority?
No man, in so short a space of time, had greater
opportunities, than I, to discover the secrets of state;
especially when guided by Hyndford and Bernes, under
the reign of a well-meaning but short-sighted Empress,
whose first minister was a weak man, directed by the
will of an able and ambitious wife, and which wife
loved me, a stranger, an acquaintance of only a few
months, so passionately that to this passion she would
have sacrificed every other object. She might, in fact,
be considered as Empress of Russia, disposing of peace
or war, and had I been more prudent or less sincere, I
might in such a situation, have amassed treasures, and
deposited them in full security. Her generosity was
boundless; and, though obliged to pay above a hundred
thousand roubles, in one year, to discharge her son’s
debts, yet might I have saved a still larger sum; but
half of the gifts she obliged me to receive, I lent to
» .** ***
134 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
this son, and lost. So far was I from selfish, and so
negligent of wealth, that by supplying the wants of
others, I often, on a reverse of fortune, suffered want
myself.
This my splendid success in Russia displeased the
great Frederic, whose persecution everywhere at-
tended me, and who supposed his interest injured by
my success in Russia. The incident I am going to
relate was, at the time it happened, well known to, and
caused much agitation among all the foreign ambassa-
dors.
Lord Hyndford desired I would make him a fair
copy of a plan of Cronstadt, for which he furnished the
materials, with three additional drawings of the various
ships in the harbour, and their names. There was
neither danger nor suspicion attending this; the plan
of Cronstadt being no secret, but publicly sold in the
shops of Petersburg. England was likewise then in
the closest alliance with Russia. Hyndford showed the
drawing to Funk, the Saxon envoy, his intimate friend,
who asked his permission to copy it himself. Hynd-
ford gave him the plan signed with my name; and
after Funk had been some days employed copying it,
the Prussian minister, Goltz, who lived in his neigh-
bourhood, came in, as he frequently paid him friendly
visits. Funk, unsuspectingly, showed him my draw.
ing, and both lamented that Frederic had lost so useful
a subject. Goltz asked to borrow it for a couple of
days, in order to correct his own; and Funk, one of
the worthiest, most homest, and least suspicious of men,
who loved me like a brother, accordingly lent the
plan.
. OF BARON TEENCK. 135
# *
No sooner was Goltz in possession of it than he
hurried to the chancellor, with whose weakness he was
well acquainted, told him his intent in coming was to
prove that a man, who had once been unfaithful to his
king and country, where he had been loaded with
favours, would certainly betray, for his own private
interest, every state where he was trusted. He con-
tinued his preface, by speaking of the rapid progress I
had made in Russia, and the free entrance I had found
in the chancellor's house, where I was received as a
son, and initiated in the secrets of the cabinet.
The chancellor defended me: Goltz then endeavoured
to incite his jealousy, and told him my private inter-
views with his wife, especially in the palace-garden,
were publicly spoken of. This he had learned from his
spies, he having endeavoured, by the Snares he laid, to
make my destruction certain.
. He likewise led Bestuchef to suspect his secretary,
S—n, was a party in the intrigue; till at last the
chancellor became very angry; Goltz then took my
plan of Cronstadt from his pocket, and added, “Your
excellency is nourishing a serpent in your bosom.
This drawing have I received from Trenck, copied from
your cabinet designs, for two hundred ducats.” He
knew I was employed there sometimes with Oettinger,
whose office it was to inspect the buildings and repairs
of the Russian fortifications. Bestuchef was astonished;
his anger became violent, and Goltz added fuel to the
flame, by insinuating, I should not be so powerfully
protected by Bernes, the Austrian ambassador, were it
not to favour the views of his own court. Bestuchef
mentioned prosecution and the knout; Goltz replied
*
136 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES !
my friends were too powerful, my pardon would be
procured, and the evil this way increased. They there-
fore determined to have me secretly secured, and
privately conveyed to Siberia.
Thus, while I unsuspectingly dreamed of nothing but
happiness, the gathering storm threatened destruction,
which only was averted by accident, or God’s good
providence.
Goltz had scarcely left the place triumphant, when
the chancellor entered, with bitterness and rancour in
his heart, into his lady’s apartment, reproached her
with my conduct, and while she endeavoured to soothe
him, related all that had passed. Her penetration was
much deeper than her husband’s : she perceived there
was a plot against me: she indeed knew my heart
better than any other, and particularly that I was not in
want of a poor two hundred ducats. She could not,
however, appease him, and my arrest was determined.
She therefore instantly wrote me a line to the following
purport.
“You are threatened, dear friend, by a very immi-
ment danger. Do not sleep to-night at home, but secure
yourself at Lord Hyndford’s till you hear farther from
me.”
Secretary S.–n, her confidant (the same who, not
long since, was Russian envoy at Ratisbon) was sent
with the note. He found me, after dinner, at the
English ambassador's, and called me aside. I read the
billet, was astonished at its contents, and showed it
Lord Hyndford. My conscience was void of reproach,
except that we suspected my secret with the countess
had been betrayed to the chancellor, and fearing his
OF BARON TRENCEC. 137
jealousy, Hyndford commanded me to remain in his
house till we should make further discovery.
We placed spies round the house where I lived; I
was inquired for after midnight, and the lieutenant of
the police came himself and searched the house.
Lord Hyndford went, about ten in the morning, to
visit the chancellor, that he might obtain some intelli-
gence, who immediately reproached him for having
granted an asylum to a traitor. “What has this
traitor done P” said Hyndford. “Faithlessly copied a
plan of Cronstadt, from my cabinet drawings,” said the
chancellor; “which he has sold to the Prussian minis-
ter for two hundred ducats.”
Hyndford was astonished; he knew me well, and also
knew that he had then in money and jewels, more than
eight thousand ducats of mine in his own hands: nor
was he less ignorant of the value I set on money, or of
the sources whence I could obtain it, when I pleased.
“Has your excellency actually seen this drawing of
Trenck’s P”—“Yes, I have been shown it by Goltz.”—
“I wish I might likewise be permitted to see it; I
know Trenck’s drawing, and make myself responsible
that he is no traitor. Here is some mystery; be so
kind as to desire M. Goltz will come and bring his plan
of Cronstadt. Trenck is at my house, shall be forth-
coming instantly, and I will not protect him if he
proves guilty.”
The Chancellor wrote to Goltz; but he, artful as he
was, had no doubt taken care to be informed that the
lieutenant of the police had missed his prey. He there-
fore sent an excuse, and did not appear. In the mean-
time I entered; Hyndford then addressed me, with the
*. *-*. & $.4
138 * THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
openness of an Englishman, and asked, “Are you a
traitor, Trenck? If so, you do not merit my protection,
but stand here as a state prisoner. Have you sold a
plan of Cronstadt to M. Goltz?” My answer may
easily be supposed. Hyndford rehearsed what the
chancellor had told him ; I was desired to leave the
room, and Funk was sent for. The moment he came
in, Hyndford said, “Sir, where is that plan of Cron-
stadt which Trenck copied?” Funk, hesitating, replied,
“I willgofor it.” “Have you it,” continued Hyndford,
“at home P Speak, upon your honour.”—“No, my
Ilord, I have lent it, for a few days, to M. Goltz, that
he may take a copy.”
Hyndford immediately then saw the whole affair,
told the chancellor the history of this plan, which be-
longed to him, and which he had lent to Funk, and re-
quested a trusty person might be sent with him to
make a proper search. Bestuchef named his first
secretary, and to him were added Funk and the Dutch
envoy, Schwart, who happened then to enter. All
went together to the house of Goltz. Funk demanded
his plan of Cronstadt; Goltz gave it him, and Funk
returned it to Lord Hyndford.
The secretary and Hyndford both then desired he
would produce the plan of Cronstadt which he had
bought of Trenck for two hundred ducats. His con-
fusion now was great, and Hyndford firmly insisted
this plan should be forthcoming, to windicate the
honour of Trenck, whom he held to be an honest man.
On this, Goltz answered, “I have received my king's
commands to prevent the preferment of Trenck in
Russia, and I have only fulfilled the duty of a minister.”
OF BARON TRENCEC. 139
Hyndford spat on the ground, and said more than I
choose to repeat ; after which the four gentlemen re-
turned to the chancellor, and I was again called. Every
body complimented me, related to me what had passed,
and the chancellor promised I should be recompensed;
strictly, however, forbidding me to take any revenge
on the Prussian ambassador, I having sworn, in the
first transports of anger, to punish him wherever I
should find him, even were it at the altar's foot.
The chancellor soothed me, kept me to dine with him,
and endeavoured to assuage my boiling passions. The
countess affected indifference, and asked me if such-
like actions characterised the Prussian nation. Funk
and Schwart were at table. All present congratulated
me on my victory, but none knew to whom I was in-
debted for my deliverance from the hasty and unjust
condemnation of the chancellor, although my protectress
was one of the company. I received a present of two
thousand roubles the next day from the chancellor, with
orders to thank the Empress for this mark of her bounty,
and accept it as a sign of her special favour. I paid
these my thanks some days after. The money I dis-
regarded, but the amiable Empress, by her enchanting
benevolence, made me forget the past. The story became
public, and Goltz appeared neither in public, nor at
court. The manner in which the countess personally
reproached him, I shall out of respect pass over. Bernes,
the crafty Piedmontese, assured me of revenge, without
my troubling myself in the matter, and—what hap-
pened after I know not; Goltz appeared but little in
company, fell ill when I had left Russia, and died SOOD
after of a consumption. ; : :"... :: * ::::
# * -
* e - e.
º
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R40 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
This vile man was, no doubt, the cause of all the
calamities which fell upon me. I should have become
one of the first men in Russia; the misfortune that be-
fel Bestuchef and his family some years afterward
might have been averted: I should never have returned
to Vienna, a city so fatal to the name of Trenck: by the
mediation of the Russian Court, Ishould have recovered
my great Sclavonian estates; my days of persecution at
Vienna would have passed in peace and pleasure: nor
should I have entered the dungeon of Magdeburg.
CELATPTER, XII.
How little did the Great Fredericknowmy heart. With-
out having offended, he had rendered me miserable, had
condemned me to imprisonment at Glatz on mere sus-
picion, and on my flying thence, naked and destitute, had
confiscated my paternal inheritance. Not contented
with inflicting all these calamities, he would not suffer
me peaceably to seek my fortune in a foreign land.
Few are the youths who, in so short a time, being
expelled their native country with disgrace, by their
own efforts, merits, and talents, have obtained honour
and favour so great, acquired such powerful friends,
or been entrusted with confidence equally unlimited in
transactions so important. Enraged as I was at the
treachery of Goltz, had opportunity offered, I might
Have been tempted even to turn my native country into a
desert; nor do I deny that I afterwards promoted the
views of the Austrian envoy, who knew well how to
cherish the flame that had been kindled, and turn it to
his ºf use. Til; this moment I never felt the least
º
gº
& *
• * * * * *
OF BARON TRENCEC. 141
º,
enmity either to my country or king, nor did I suffer
myself, on any occasion, to be made the agent of their
disadvantage.
No sooner was I entrusted more intimately with cabi-
net secrets, than I discovered the state of factions, and
that Bestuchef and Apraxin were even then in Prussian
pay; that a counterpoise, by their means, might be
formed to the prevalence of the Austrian party.
Hence we may date the change of Russian politics in
the year 1762. Here also we may find a clue to the
contradictory orders, artifices, positions, retreats and
disappointments of the Russian army, in the seven
years' war, beginning in 1756. The countess, who
was obliged to act with greater caution, foresaw
the consequence of the various intrigues in which her
husband was engaged: her love for me naturally drew
her from her former party; she confided every secret to
me, and ever remained till her fall, which happened in
1758, during my imprisonment, my best friend and cor-
respondent. Hence was I so well informed of all the
plans against Prussia, to the years 1754 and 1756;
much more so than many ministers of the interested
courts, who imagined they alone were in the Secret.
How many after events could I then have foretold
Such was the perverseness of my destiny, that where I
should most have been sought for, and best known, there
was I least valued.
No man, in my youth, would have believed I should
live to my sixtieth year, untitled and obscure. In
Berlin, Petersburg, London, and Paris, have [
been esteemed by the greatest statesmen, and now am
I reduced to the invalid list. How strange are the
#
142 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
caprices of fortune! I ought never to have left Russia
this was my great error, which I still live to repent.
I have never been accustomed to sleep more than four
or five hours, so that through life I have allowed time
for paying visits and receiving company. I have still
had sufficient for study and improvement. Hyndford
was my instructor in politics; Boerhaave, then physician
to the court, my bosom friend, my tutor in physic and
literary subjects. Womenformed mefor court intrigues,
though these, as a philosopher, I despised.
The chancellor had greatly changed his carriage
towards me since the incident of the plan. He observed
my looks, showed he was distrustful, and desirous of re-
venge. His lady, as well as myself, remarked this, and
new measures became necessary. I was obliged to act
an artful, but, at the same time, a very dangerous part.
My cousin, Baron Trenck, died in the Spielberg, Oc-
tober 4, 1749, and left me his heir, on condition I should
only serve the house of Austria. In March, 1750, Count
Bernes received the citation sent me to enter on this
inheritance. I would hear nothing of Vienna; the
abominable treatment of my cousin terrified me. I well
knew the origin of his prosecution, the services he had
rendered his country, and had been an eye witness of
the injustice by which he was repaid. Bernes represented
to me that the property left me was worth much above
a million: that the empress would support me in pur-
suit of justice, and that I had no personal enemy at
Vienna, that a million of certain property in Hungary
was much superior to the hightest expectations in
Russia, where I myself had beheld so many changes of
fortune, and the effects of family cabals. Russia he
*: * * *
-*. **
} OF BARON TRENCE. 143
painted as dangerous, Vienna as secure, and promised
me himself effectual assistance, as his embassy would
end within the year. Were I once rich, I might reside
in what country I pleased; nor could the persecutions
of Frederic anywhere pursue me so ineffectually as in
Austria. Snares would be laid for me everywhere else,
as I had experienced in Russia. “What,” said he,
“would have been the consequence, had not the countess
warned you of the impending danger? You, like many
other honest and innocent men, would have been sent
to Siberia. Your innocence must have remained unat-
tested, and yourself, in the universal opinion, a villain
and a traitor.”
Hyndford spoke to me in the same tone, assured me
of his eternal protection, and described London as a
certain asylum, should I not find happiness at Vienna.
He spoke of slavery as a Briton ought to speak, re-
minded me of the fate of Munich and Osterman,
painted the court such as I knew it to be, and asked
me what were my expectations, even were I fortunate
enough to become general or minister in such a country.
These reasonings at length determined me; but hav-
ing plenty of money, Ithought proper to take Stockholm,
Copenhagen, and Holland in my way, and Bernes was
in the meantime to prepare me a favourable reception
at Vienna. He desired, also, I would give him authority
to get possession of the estates to which I was heir. My
mistress strongly endeavoured to detain me, but yielded
at length to the force of reason. I tore myself away, and
promised, on my honour, to return as soon as I had
arranged my affairs at Vienna. She made the proposi-
tion of investing me with some foreign embassy, by
* -- - f °, * *
144 THE LIFE-AND AIDVENTURES
which I might render the most effectual services to the
court at Vienna. In this hope we parted with heavy
hearts: she presented me with her portrait, and a snuff-
box set with diamonds; the first of these, three years
after was torn from my bosom by the officers in my first
dungeon at Magdeburg, as I shall hereafter relate.
The chancellor embraced me, at parting, with friend-
ship. Apraxin wept, and clasped me in his arms, pro-
phesying at the same time, I should never be so happy
as in Russia. I myself foreboded misfortune, and
quitted Russia with regret, but stillfollowed the advice
of Hyndford and Bernes.
From Moscow I travelled to Petersburg, where I
found a letter, at the house of Baron Wolf, the banker,
from the countess, which rent my very heart, and almost
determined me to return. She endeavoured to terrify
me from proceeding to Vienna, yet inclosed a bill for
four thousand roubles, to aid me on my journey, were I
absolutely bent to turn my back on fortune.
My effects, in money and jewels, amounted to about
thirty-six thousand florins; I therefore returned the
draft, intreated her eternal remembrance, and that
she would reserve her favour and support to times in
which they might become needful. After remaining a
few days at Petersburg, I journeyed, by land, to
Stockholm; taking with me letters of recommendation
from all the foreign envoys.
I forgot to mention that Funk was inconsolable for
my departure; his imprudence had nearly plunged me
into misery, and destroyed all my hopes in Russia.
Twenty-two years after this I met the worthy man,
once more in Dresden. He, there, considered himself as
of BARON TRENCK. 145
the cause of all the evils inflicted on me, and assured
me the recital of my sufferings had been so many bitter
reproaches to his soul. Our recapitulation of former
times gave us endless pleasure, and it was the sweetest
of joys to meet and renew my friendship with such a
man, after having weathered so many storms of fate.
At Stockholm I wanted for no recommendation;
the Queen, sister to the great Frederic, had known me
at Berlin, when I had the honour, as an officer of the
body guard, of accompanying her to Stettin. Irelated
my whole history to her without reserve. She, from
political motives, advised me not to make any stay at
Stockholm, and to me continued till death, an ever-
gracious lady. I proceeded to Copenhagen, where I
had business to transact for M. Chaise, the Danish
envoy at Moscow : from whom also I had letters of
recommendation. Here I had the pleasure of meeting
my old friend, Lieutenant Bach, who had aided me in
my escape from my imprisonment at Glatz. He was
poor and in debt, and I procured him protection, by re-
lating the noble manner in which he behaved. I also
presented him with five hundred ducats, by the aid of
which he pushed his fortune. He wrote to me in the
year 1776, a letter of sincere thanks, and died a colonel
of hussars in the Danish service in 1776.
I remained in Copenhagen but a fortnight, and then
sailed in a Dutch ship, from Elsineur to Amsterdam.
Scarcely had we put to sea, before a storm arose, by
which we lost a mast and bowsprit, had our sails shat-
tered, and were obliged to cast anchor among the rocks
of Gottenburg, where our deliverance was singularly
fortunate.
146 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
Here we lay nine days before we could make the
open sea, and here I found a very pleasant amusement,
by going daily in the ship's boat from rock to rock,
attended by two of my servants, to shoot wild ducks,
and catch shell-fish ; whence I every evening returned
with provisions, and sheep’s milk, bought of the poor
inhabitants, for the ship's crew.
There was a dearth among these poor people. Our
vessel was laden with corn; some of this I purchased,
to the amount of some hundreds of Dutch florins, and
distributed wherever I went. I also gave one of their
ministers a hundred florins for his poor congregation,
who was himself in want of bread, and whose annual
stipend amounted to one hundred and fifty florins.
Here in the sweet pleasure of doing good, I left be-
hind me much of that money I had so easily acquired
in Russia; and perhaps had we stayed much longer
should myself have left the place in poverty. A thou-
sand blessings followed me, and the storm-driven Trenck
was long remembered and talked of at Gottenburg.
In this worthy employment, however, I had nearly
lost my life. Returning from carrying corn, the wind
rose, and drove the boat to sea. I not understanding
the management of the helm, and the servants awk-
wardly handling the sails, the boat in tacking was
overset. The benefit of learning to swim, I again ex-
perienced, and my faithful servant, who had gained the
rock, aided me when almost spent. The good people
who had seen the shallop overset, came off in their
boats to my assistance. An honest Calmuc, whom I had
brought from Russia, and another of my servants per-
ished. Isaw the first sink after I had reached the shore.
* A* $ -* *
OF BARON TRENCE. 147
The kind Swedes brought me on board, and also
righted and returned with the shallop. For some days
I was sea-sick. We weighed anchor, and sailed for the
Texel, the mouth of which we saw, and the pilots
coming off, when another storm arose, and drove us to
the port of Bahus, in Norway, into which we ran, with-
out farther damage. In some few days we again set
sail, with a fair wind, and at length reached Amsterdam.
Here I made no long stay; for the day after my ar-
rival, an extraordinary adventure happened, in which
I was engaged chiefly by my own rashness.
I was a spectator while the harpooners belonging to
the whale fishery were exercising themselves in darting
their harpoons, most of whom were drunk. One of
them, Herman Rogaar by name, a hero among these
people, for his dexterity with his Snickasnee, came up,
and passed some of his coarse jests upon my Turkish
sabre, and offered to fillip me on the nose. I pushed
him from me, and the fellow threw down his cap, drew
his Snickasmee, challenged me, called me monkey-tail, and
asked whether I chose a straight, a circular, or a cross cut.
Thus here was I, in this excellent company, with no
choice but that of either fighting or running away.
The robust, Herculean fellow grew more insolent, and
I, turning round to the bystanders, asked them to lend
me a snickasnee. “No, no,” said the challenger, “draw
your great knife from your side, and, long as it is, I
will lay you a dozen ducats you get a gash in the cheek.”
I drew; he confidently advanced with his snickasnee,
and, at the first stroke of my sabre, that, and the hand
that held it, both dropped to the ground, and the blood
spouted in my face.
i48 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
I now expected the people would, indubitably, tear
me to pieces; but my fear was changed into astonish-
ment at hearing a universal shout applauding the van-
quisher of the redoubted Herman Rogaar who, so
lately feared for his strength and dexterity, became the
object of their ridiculé. A Jew spectator conducted
me out of the crowd, and the people clamorously fol-
lowed me to my inn. This kind of duel, by which I
gained honour, would anywhere else have brought me
to the highest disgrace. A man who knew the use of
the sabre, in a single day, might certainly have disabled
a hundred Herman Rogaars. This story may instruct
and warn others. He that is quarrelsome shall never
want an enemy. My temerity often engaged me in
disputes which, by timely compliance and calmness,
might easily have been avoided; but my evil genius al-
ways impelled me into the paths of perplexity, and
I seldom saw danger till it was inevitable.
I left Amsterdam for the Hague, where I had been
recommended to Lord Holderness, the English ambas-
sador, by Lord Hyndford; to Baron Reisbach, by
Bernes; to the Grand Pensionary Fagel, by Schwart;
and from the chancellor I had a letter to the Prince of
Orange himself. I could not, therefore, but be every-
where received with all possible distinction. With
these recommendations, and the knowledge I possessed,
had I had the good fortune to have avoided Vienna,
and gone to India, where my talents would have in-
sured me wealth, how many tears of affliction had I
been spared My ill fortune, however, had brought me
letters from Count Bernes, assuring me that heaven
was at Vienna, and including a citation from the high
OF BARON TRENCEC. 149
court, requiring me to give in my claim of inheritance.
Bernes further informed me the Austrian court had
assured him I should meet with all justice and protec-
tion, and advised me to hasten my journey, as the
executorship of the estates of Trenck was conducted but
little to my advantage.
This advice I took, proceeded to Vienna, and from
that moment all my happiness had an end. I be-
came bewildered in lawsuits, and the arts of wicked
Imen, and all possible calamities assaulted me at
once, the recital of which would itself afford subject
matter for a history. They began by the following
incidents:—
One M. Schenck sought my acquaintance at the
Hague. I met with him at my hotel, where he in-
treated I would take him to Nuremberg, whence he
was to proceed to Saxony. I complied, and bore his
expenses; but at Hanau, waking in the morning, I
found my watch, set with diamonds, a ring worth two
thousand rubles, a diamond snuff-box, with my
mistress's picture, and my purse, containing about
eighty ducats, stolen from my bed-side, and Schenck
become invisible. Little affected by the loss of
money, at any time, I yet was grieved for my snuff-
box. The rascal, however, had escaped, and it was
fortunate that the remainder of my ready money,
with my bills of exchange, were safely locked up.
I now pursued my journey without company, and
arrived in Vienna. I cannot exactly recollect in
what month, but I had been absent about two years;
and the reader will allow that it was barely possible
for any man, in so short a time, to have experienced
150 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
more various changes of fate, though many smaller
incidents have been suppressed. The places, where
my pledged fidelity required discretion will be easily
supposed, as likewise will the concealment of court
intrigues, and artifices, the publication of which
might even yet subject me to more persecutions. All
writers are not permitted to speak truth of monarchs
and ministers. I am the father of eight children, and
parental love and duty vanquish the inclination of the
author; and this duty, this affection, have made me
particularly cautious in relating what happened to me
at Vienna, that I might, thereby, serve them more
effectually than by indulging the pride of the writer,
or the vengeance of the man.
CHAPTER, XIII.
SINCE accounts so various, contradictory, and dis-
honourable to the name of Trenck, have been circu-
lated in Vienna, concerning facts which happened
thirty-seven years ago, I will here give a short abstract
of them, and such as may be verified by the records of
the court. I pledge my honour to the truth of the
statement, and were I so allowed, would prove it, to the
conviction of any unprejudiced court of justice: but
this I cannot hope, as princes are much more disposed
to bestow unmerited favours than to make retribution
to those whom they have unjustly punished.
Francis Baron Trenck died in the Spielberg, Octo-
ber 4th, 1749. It has been erroneously believed in
Vienna that his estates were confiscated by the sentence
which condemned him to the Spielberg. He had com-
OF BARON TRENCE. 151
.*
mitted no offence against the state, was accused of
none, much less convicted. The court sentence was
that the administration of his estate should be com-
mitted to Counsellor Kempf and Baron Peyaczewitz,
who were selected by himself, and the accounts of his
stewards and farmers were to be sent him yearly. He
continued, till his death, to have the free and entire
disposal of his property.
Although, before his death, he sent for his advo-
cate, Doctor Berger, and by him petitioned the Em-
press she would issue the necessary orders to the
Governor of the Spielberg, to permit the entrance of
witnesses, and all things necessary to make a legal
will, it by no means follows that he petitioned her for
permission to make this will. The case is too clear to
admit of doubt. The royal commands were given,
that he should enjoy all freedom of making his will.
Permission was also given that, during his sickness, he
might be removed to the capuchin convent, which was
equal to liberty, but this he refused to accept.
Neither was his ability to make a will questioned.
The advocate was only to request the Queen’s per-
mission to supply some formalities, which had been
neglected, when he purchased the lordships of Velika
and Nustar, which petition was likewise granted.
The royal mandate still exists, which commissioned
the persons therein named as trustees to the estate
and effects of Trenck, and this mandate runs thus:
“Let the last will of Trenck be duly executed: let
dispatch be used, and the heir protected in all his
rights.” Confiscation, therefore, had never been
thought of, nor his power to make a will questioned.
*-
152 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
I will now show how I have been deprived of this
valuable inheritance, while I have been obliged to
pay above sixty thousand florins, to defray legacies he
had left; and when this narrative is read, it will no
longer be affirmed at Vienna, that by the favours of
the court I inherited seventy-six thousand florins, or
the lordship of Zwerbach from Trenck. I shall
proceed to my proofs.
The father of Baron Trenck, who died in the year
1743, governor of Leitschau, in Hungary, named me
in his will the successor of his son, should he die
without heirs male.
This will was sent to be proved, according to form,
at Vienna, after having been authenticated in the
most legal manner in Hungary. The court called
Hofkriegsrath, at Vienna, neglected to provide a
curator for the security of the next heir ; yet this
could not annul my right of succession. When
Trenck succeeded his father, he entered no protest
to this, his father's will; therefore, dying without
children, in the year 1749, my claim was indisputa-
ble. I was heir had he made no will: and even in
case of confiscation, my title to his father's estates
still remained valid.
Trenck knew this but too well: he, as I have before
related, was my worst enemy, and even attempted my
life. I will therefore proceed to show the real intent
of this his crafty testament.
Determined no longer to live in confinement, or
to ask forgiveness, by which, it is well known, he
might have obtained his freedom, having lost all
hopes of reimbursing his losses, his avarice was re-
OF BARON TRENCE. 153
wduced to despair. His desire of fame was unbounded,
and this could no way be gratified but by having
himself canonized for a saint, after spending his life
in committing all the ravages of a pandour. Hence
originated the following facts:—
He knew I was the legal claimant to his father's
‘estates. His father had bought with the family money,
remitted from Prussia, the lordships of Prestowacz
and Pleternitz, in Sclavonia, and he himself, during
his father's life, and with his father's money, had
purchased the lordship of Pakratz, for forty thousand
florins: this must therefore descend also to me, he
having no more power to will this from me, than he
had the remainder of his paternal inheritance. The
property he himself had gained was consigned to
administrators, but a hundred thousand florins had
been expended in lawsuits, and sixty-three suits con-
tinued actually pending against him in court; the
legacies he bequeathed amounted to eighty thousand
florins. These, he saw, could not be paid, should I
claim nothing more than the paternal inheritance; he,
therefore, to render me unfortunate after his death,
craftily named me his universal heir, without mention-
ing his father's will, but endeavoured, by his mysteri-
ous death, and the following conditions, to enforce the
execution of his own will.
First,--I was to become a Catholic.
Secondly,–I was to serve only the house of Austria;
and,
Lastly,–He made his whole estate, without ex-
£epting the paternal inheritance, a Fidei commisswm.
IHence arose all my misfortunes, as indeed was his
154 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
intention; for, but a short time before his death, he
said to the Governor, Baron Kottulinsky, “I shall
now die contented, since I have been able to trick my
cousin, and render him wretched.”
|His death, believed in Vienna to be miraculous,
happened after the following manner; and by this
he had induced many weak people, who really believed
him a saint, to further his views.
Three days before his death, while in perfect health,
he desired the governor of the Spielberg would send
for his confessor, for that St. Francis had revealed to
him he should be removed into life everlasting on his
birth-day at twelve o’clock. The capuchin was sent
for, but the prediction laughed at.
The day, however, after the departure of his con-
fessor, he said, “Praise be to God, my end approaches;
my confessor is dead, and has appeared to me.”
Strange as it may seem, it was actually found to be
true that the priest was dead. He now had all the
officers of the garrison of Brunn assembled, tonsured
his head like a capuchin, took the habit of the order,
publicly confessed himself in a sermon of an hour's
length, exhorted them all to holiness, acted the part
of a most exemplary penitent, embraced all present,
spoke with a smile of the insignificance of all earthly
possessions, took his leave, knelt down to prayers,
slept calmly, rose, prayed again, and about eleven in
the forenoon, October 4th, taking his watch in his
hand, said, “Thanks be to my God, my last hour
approaches.” All laughed at such a farce from a
man of such a character; yet they remarked that the
left side of his face grew pale. He then leaned his
OF BARON TRENCE. 155
arm on the table, prayed, and remained motionless,
with his eyes closed. The clock struck twelve—
no signs of life or motion could be discovered; they
spoke to him, and found he was really dead.
The word miracle was echoed through the whole
country, and the transmigration of the Pandour
Trenck, from earth to heaven, by St. Francis, pro-
claimed. The clue to this labyrinth of miracles,
known only to me, is truly as follows:–
He possessed the secret of what is called the aqwa
tofana, and had determined on death. His confessor
had been entrusted with all his secrets, and with
promissory notes, which he wished to invalidate. I
am perfectly certain that he had returned a promis-
sory note of a great prince, given for two hundred
thousand florins, which has never been brought to
account. The confessor, therefore, was to be provided
for, that Trenck might not be betrayed, and a
dose of poison was given him before he set off for
Vienna : his death was the consequence. He took
similar means with himself, and thus knew the hour
of his exit; finding he could not become the first on
earth, he wished to be adored as a Saint in heaven.
Pſe knew he should work miracles when dead, because
he ordered a chapel to be built, willed a perpetual
mass, and bequeathed the capuchins sixty thousand
florins.
Thus died this most extraordinary man, in the
thirty-fourth year of his age, to whom nature had
denied none of her gifts; who had been the scourge of
Bavaria; the terror of France; and who had, with his
supposed contemptible pandours, taken above six
* *
I56 • THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
*-
thousand Prussian prisoners. He lived a tyrant and
enemy of men, and died a sanctified impostor.
Such was the state of affairs, as willed by Trenck,
when I came to Vienna, in 1759, where I arrived
with money and jewels to the amount of twenty
thousand florins.
Instead of profiting by the wealth Trenck had
acquired, I expended a hundred and twenty thousand
florins of my own money, including what devolved to
me from my uncle, his father, in the prosecution of
his suits. Trenck had paid two hundred ducats to
the tribunal of Vienna, in the year 1743, to procure
its very reprehensible silence concerning a curator,
to which I was sacrificed, as the new judges of this
court refused to correct the error of their predecessors.
Such are the proceedings of courts of justice in
"Vienna
On my first audience, no one could be received
more kindly than I was, by the Empress Queen.
She spoke of my deceased cousin with much emotion
and esteem, promised me all grace and favour, and
informed me of the particular recommendations she
had received, on my behalf, from Count Bernes.
Finding sixty-three cases hang over my head, in con-
sequence of the inheritance of Trenck, to obtain jus-
tice in any one of which in Vienna, would have em-
ployed the whole life of an honest man, I determined
to renounce this inheritance, and claim only under
the will and as the heir of my uncle.
With this view I applied for and obtained a copy
of that will, with which I personally appeared, and de-
clared to the court that I renounced the inheritance of
^. OF BARON TEENCEC. * 157
*
Francis Trenck, would undertake none of his suits, nor
be responsible for his legacies, and required only his
father's estates, according to the legal will, which I
produced; that is to say, the three lordships of Pak-
ratz, Prestowacz, and Pleneritz, without chattels or
personal effects. Nothing could be more just or in-
controvertible than this claim. What was my as-
tonishment, to be told, in open court, that Her Majesty
had declared I must either wholly perform the articles
of the will of Trenck, or be excluded the entire
inheritance, and have nothing further to hope. What
could be done P I ventured to remonstrate, but the
will of the court was determined and absolute: I must
become a Roman Catholic.
In this extremity I bribed a priest, who gave me
a signed attestation, “That I had abjured the accursed
heresy of Lutheranism.” My religion, however, re-
mained what it had ever been. General Bernes about
this time returned from his embassy, and I related to
him the lamentable state in which I found my affairs.
He spoke to the Empress in my behalf, and she pro-
mised everything. He advised me to have patience,
to perform all that was required of me, and to make
myself responsible for the depending suits. Some
family concerns obliged him, as he informed me, to
make a journey to Turin, but his return would be
speedy : he would then take the management of my
affairs upon himself, and insure my good fortune in
Austria. Bernes loved me as his son, and I had reason
to hope, from his assurance, I should be largely re-
membered in his will, which was the more probable,
as he had neither child nor relations. He parted from
158 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
me, like a father, with tears in his eyes; but he had
scarcely been absent six weeks before the news arrived
of his death, which, if report may be credited, was
effected by poison, administered by a friend. Ever
the sport of fortune, thus were my supporters snatched
from me at the very moment they became most neces-
sary.
The same year was I, likewise, deprived by death of
my friend and protector, Field-marshal Konigseck,
Governor of Vienna, when he had determined to in-
terest himself in my behalf. I have been beloved by
the greatest men Austria ever produced, but unfor-
tunately have been persecuted by the chicanery of
pettifoggers, fools, famatics, and priests, who have de-
prived me of the favour of my Empress, guiltless as
I was of crime or deceit, and left my old age in poverty.
My ills were increased by a new accident. Soon
after the departure of Bernes, the Prussian minister,
taking me aside, in the house of the Palatine envoy,
M. Becker, proposed my return to Berlin, assured me
the King had forgotten all that was past, was convinced
of my innocence, that my good fortune would there
be certain, and he pledged his honour to recover
the inheritance of Trenck. I answered, the favour
came too late; I had suffered injustice too flagrant,
in my own country, and that I would trust no prince
on earth whose will might annihilate all the rights of
men. My good faith to the King had been too ill
repaid; my talents might gain me bread in any part
of the world, and I would not again subject myself
to the danger of unmerited imprisonment.
His persuasions were strong, but ineffectual. “My
OF BARON TEENCEC. -159
as
dear Trenck,” said he, “God is my judge that my in-
tentions are honest; I will pledge myself, that my
sovereign will insure your fortune: you do not know
Vienna; you will lose all by the suits in which you
are involved, and will be persecuted because you do
not carry a rosary.” -
How often have I repented I did not then return
to Berlin I should have escaped ten years’ impri-
sonment; should have recovered the estates of Trenck:
should not have wasted the prime of life in the litiga-
tion of suits, and the writing of memorials; and
should have certainly been ranked among the first men
in my native country. Vienna was no place for a man
who could not fawn and flatter: yet here was I des-
tined to remain six and thirty years, unrewarded, un-
employed; and through youth and age, to continue on
the list of invalid majors.
Having rejected the proposition of the Prussian
envoy, all my hopes in Vienna were ruined; for Fre-
deric, by his residents and emissaries, knew how to
effect whatever he pleased in foreign courts, and de-
termined that the Trenck, who would no longer serve
or confide in him, should at least find no opportunity
of serving against him : I soon became painted to the
Empress as an arch heretic who never would be faith-
ful to the house of Austria, and only endeavoured to
obtain the inheritance of Trenck that he might devote
himself to Prussia. This I shall hereafter prove;
and display a scene that shall be the disgrace of many,
by whom the Empress was induced to harbour unjust
suspicions of an able and honest man. I here stand
erect and confident before the world; publish the
160 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
truth, and take everlasting shame to myself, if any
man on earth can prove me guilty of one treacherous
thought. I owe no thanks; but so far from having
received favours, I have six and thirty years remained
unable to obtain justice, though I have all the while
been desirous of shedding my blood in defence of the
monarchy where I have thus been treated. Till the
year 1746, I was equally zealous and faithful to
|Prussia; yet my estates there, though confiscated,
were liable to recovery: in Hungary, on the contrary,
the sentence of confiscation is irrevocable. This is a
remarkable proof in favour of my honour, and my
children’s claims.
Surely no reader will be offended at these digres-
sions; my mind is agitated, my feelings roused, re-
membering that my age and grey hairs deprive me of
the Sweet hope of at length vanquishing opposition,
either by patience, or forcing justice, by eminent
services, or noble efforts.
This my history will never reach a monarch’s eye,
consequently no monarch, by perceiving, will be in-
duced to protect truth. It may, indeed, be criticised
by literati; it will certainly be decried by my perse-
cutors, who, through life, have been my false accusers,
and will probably, therefore, be prohibited by the
priests. All Germany, however, will read, and pos-
terity perhaps may pity, should my book escape the
misfortune of being classed among improbable ro-
mances; to which it is the more liable, because that
the biographers of Frederic and Maria. Theresa, for
manifest reasons, have never so much as mentioned the
name of Trenck. -
OF BARON TRENCEC. 161
Once more to my story: I was now obliged to de-
clare myself heir, but always cum reservatione juris
mei, not as simply claiming under the will of Francis
Trenck. I was obliged to take upon myself the
management of the sixty-three suits, and the expensee
attending any one of these are well known in Vienna.
My situation may be imagined, when I inform the
reader I only received, from the whole estate of
Trenck, 3,600 florins in three years, which were scarcely
sufficient to defray the expenses of new year's gifts to
the solicitors and masters in chancery. How did I
labour in stating and transcribing proofs for the
court | The money I possessed soon vanished. My
Prussian relations supported me, and the Countess
Pestuchef sent me the four thousand roubles I had
refused at Petersburg. I had also remittances from
my faithful mistress in Prussia; and, in addition, was
obliged to borrow money at the usurious rate of sixty
per cent. Bewildered as I was among lawyers and
knaves, my ambition still prompted me to proceed, and
all things are possible to labour and perseverance; but
my property was expended: and, at length, I could only
obtain that the contested estates should be made a
Fidei commisswm, or put under trust; whereby, though
they were protected from being the further prey of
others, I did not inherit them as mine. In this pur-
suit was my prime of life wasted, which might have
been profitably and honourably spent.
In three years, however, I brought my sixty-three
suits to a kind of conclusion; the probabilities were
this could not have been effected in fifty. Exclusive
of my assiduity, the means I took must not be told;
F—13 •
*.
162 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
it is sufficient that I here learnt what judges were, and
thus am enabled to describe them to others.
For a few ducats, the president’s servant used to
admit me into a closet where I could see everything
as perfectly as if I had myself been one of the council.
This often was useful, and taught me to prevent evil;
and often was I scarcely able to refrain bursting in
upon this court.
Their appointed hour of meeting was nine in the
morning, but they seldom assembled before eleven.
The president then told his beads, and muttered his
prayers. Some one got up and harangued, while the
remainder, in pairs, amused themselves with talking
instead of listening, after which the news of the day
became the common topic of conversation, and the
council broke up, the court being first adjourned some
three weeks, without coming to any determination.
This was called judicium delegatwm in causis Trenki-
ansis ; and when at last they came to a conclusion,
the sentence was such as I shall ever shudder at and
abhor.
The real estates of Trenck consisted in the great
Sclavonian manors, called the lordships of Pakratz,
Prestowatz, and Pleternitz, which he had inherited
from his father, and were the family property, together
with Velika and Nustak, which he himself had pur-
chased: the annual income of these was 60,000 florins,
and they contained more than two hundred villages
and hamlets. The laws of Hungary require—
1st. That those who purchase estates shall obtain
the consensus regius (royal consent).
2nd. That the seller shall possess, and make over the
OF BARON TRENCE. 163
right of property, together with that of transferring or
alienating, and
3dly. That the purchaser shall be a native born, or
have bought his naturalisation.
In default.of all, or any of these, the Fiscus, on the
death of the purchaser, takes possession, repaying the
8wmma emptitia, or purchase-money, together with
what can be shown to have been laid out in improve-
ments, or the summa inscriptitia, the sum at which it
stands rated in the fiscal register.
Without form or notice, the Hungarian Fiscal
JPresident, Count Grassalkowitz, took possession of all
the Trenck estates on his decease, in the name of the
Fiscus. The prize was great, not so much because of
the estates themselves, as of the personal property
upon them. Trenck had sent loads of merchandise to
his estates, of linen, ingots of gold and silver from
Bavaria, Alsatia, and Silesia. He had a vast store-
house of arms, and of saddles; also the great silver
service of the Emperor Charles VII., which he had
brought from Munich, with the service of plate of the
Ring of Prussia; and the personal property on these
estates was affirmed considerably to exceed in value
the estates themselves.
I was not long since informed by one of the first
generals, whose honour is undoubted, that several
waggons were laden with these rich effects and sent
to Mihalef.e. His testimony was indubitable; he
knew the two pandours, who were the confidants of
Trenck, and the keepers of his treasures; and these,
during the general plunder, each seized a bag of
pearls, and fled to Turkey, where they became wealthy
f
164 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
merchants. His rich stud of horses were taken, and
the very cows driven off the farms. His stand of
arms consisted of more than three thousand rare
pieces. Trenck had affirmed he had sent linen to the
amount of fifty thousand florins, in chests from Dunn-
hausen and Cersdorf, in the county of Glatz, to his
estates. The pillage was general; and when orders
came to send all the property of Trenck and deliver
it to his universal heir, nothing remained that any
person would accept. I have myself seen, in a certain
Hungarian nobleman’s house, some valuable arms,
which I knew I had been robbed of ! and I bought at
Esseck some silver plates on which were the arms of
Prussia, that had been sold by Counsellor D—n, who
had been empowered to take possession of these
estates, and had thus rendered himself rich. Of this
I procured an attestation, and proved the theft: I
complained aloud at Vienna, but received an order
from the court to be silent, under pain of displeasure,
and also to go no more into Sclavonia. The principal
reason of my loss of the landed property in Hungary
was my having dared to make inquiries concerning the
personal, not one guinea of which was ever brought to
account. I then proved my right to the family estates,
left by my uncle, beyond all dispute, and also of those
purchased by my cousin. The commissions appointed
to inquire into these rights even confirmed them; yet
after they had been thus established, I received the
following order from the court, in the hand of the
Empress herself —“The president, Count Grassal-
kowitz, takes it upon his conscience that the Sclavo-
nian estates do not descend to Trenck, in natura; he
OF BARON TRENCE.- 165
must therefore, receive the summa emptitia et inscrip-
titia, together with the money he can show to have
been expended in improvements.”
CHAPTER, XIV.
AND herewith ended my pleadings and my hopes.
I had sacrificed my property, laboured through sixty-
three inferior suits, and lost this great cause without a
trial. I could have remained satisfied with the loss of
the personal property: the booty of a soldier, like the
wealth amassed by a minister, appears to me little
better than a public robbery; but the acquirements
of my ancestors, my birth-right by descent, of these I
could not be deprived without excessive cruelty. Oh
patience patience —Yet shall my children never
become the footmen, nor grooms, of those who have
robbed them of their inheritance; and to them I be-
Queathed my rights in all their power: nor shall any
man prevent my crying aloud, so long as justice
shall not be done.
The president, it is true, did not immediately possess
himself of the estates, but he took good care his friends
should have them at such rates that the sale of them did
not bring the fiscal treasury 150,000 florins, while I, in
real and personal property, lost a million and a half; nay,
probably a sum equal to this in personal property alone.
The swmma inscriptutia et emptitia for all these
great estates only amounted to 149,000 florins, and
this was to be paid by the chamber, but the president
thought proper to deduct 10,000 on pretence the cattle
had been driven off the estate of Pakratz; and, further,
&
aer
166 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
36,000 more, under the shameful pretence that Trenck,
to recruit his pandours, had drained the estates of
3,600 vassals, who had never returned; the estates, there-
fore, must make them good at the rate of thirty florins
per head, which would have amounted to 108,000
florins; but, with much difficulty, this sum was
reduced, as above stated, to 36,000 florins, each vassal
reckoned at ten florins per head. Thus was I obliged,
from the property of my family, to pay for 3,600 men
who had gloriously died in war, in defence of the
contested rights of the great Maria. Theresa; who had
raised so many millions of contributions for her in the
countries of her enemies; who, sword in hand, had
stormed and taken so many towns, and dispersed, or
taken prisoners, so many thousands of her foes.
Would this be believed by listening nations P
All deductions made for legacies, fees, and forma-
lities, there remained to me 63,000 florins, with which
I purchased the lordship of Zwerbach, and I was
obliged to pay 6,000 florins for my naturalisation.
Thus, when the sums are enumerated which I expended
on the suits of Trenck, received from my friends at
Berlin and Petersburg, it will be found that I cannot,
at least, have been a gainer by having been made the
universal heir of the immensely rich Trenck. With
regret I write these truths in support of my children’s
claims, that they may not, in my grave, reproach me
for having neglected the duty of a father.
I will here add a few particulars which may afford
the reader matter for meditation, cause him to com-
miserate my fate, and give a picture of the manner in
which the prosecution was carried on against Trenck.
§
OF BARON TRENCE. 167
f ;
‘One Schygrai, a silly kind of beggarly baron, who
was treated as a buffoon, was invited in the year 1743
to dine with Baron Pejaczewitz, when Trenck happened
to be present. The conversation happened to turn on
a kind of brandy made in this country, and Trenck
jocularly said he annually distilled this sort of brandy
from cow-dung to the value of thirty thousand florins.
Schygrai supposed him serious, and wished to learn
the art, which Trenck promised to teach him. Pejac-
zewitz told him he could give him thirty thousand load
of dung.
“But where shall I get the wood?” said Schygrai.
“I will give you thirty thousand klaſters,” answered
Trenck. The credulous baron, thinking himself very
fortunate, desired written promises, which they gave
him; and that of Trenck ran thus:
“Ihereby permit and empower Baron Schygraito sell
gratis, in the forest of Tscherra Horra, thirty thousand
klafters of wood. “Witness my hand,
“TRENCE.”
Trenck was no sooner dead than the Baron brought
his note, and made application to the court. His
attorney was the noted Bussy, and the court decreed
the estates of Trenck should pay at the rate of one
florin thirty kreutzers per klafter, or forty-five thou-
sand florins, with all costs, and an order was given to
the administrators to pay the money.
Just at this time I arrived at Vienna, from Peters-
burg. Doctor Berger, the advocate of Trenck, told me
the affair would admit of no delay. I hastened to the
Empress, and obtained an order to delay payment.
An inquiry was instituted, and this forest of Tscherra
I68 TEIE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
Horra was found to be situated in Turkey. The ab
surdity and injustice were flagrant, and it was revoked.
I cannot say how much of these forty-five thousand
florins the Baron had promised to the noble judge
> and the attorney. I only know that neither of them
was punished. Had not some holidays luckily inter-
vened, or had the attorney expected my arrival, the
money would have been paid, and an ineffectual
attempt to obtain retribution would have been the
consequence, as happened in many similar instances.
I have before mentioned the advertisement inviting
all who had any demands or complaints against Trenck
to appear, with the promise of a ducat a day; and it is
here proper to add that the sum of fifteen thousand
florins was brought to account, and paid out of the
estates of Trenck. For this shameful purpose some
thousand of florins were paid besides to this species of
claimants; and though, after examination, their pre-
tensions all proved to be futile, and themselves were
cast in damages, yet was none of this money ever
refunded, or the false claimants punished. Among
these the pretended daughter of General Schwerin
received two thousand florins, notorious as was her
character. Again, Trenck was accused of having
appropriated the money to his own use, and treated as
if convicted. After his death a considerable demand
was accordingly made. I happening, however, to
meet with Ruckhardt, his quarter-master, he with
asseverations declared that, instead of being indebted
to the regiment, the regiment was more than a hundred
thousand florins indebted to him, advised me to get
attestations from the captains, and assured me he
OF BARON TRENCE. 169
himself would give in a clear statement of the regi-
ment’s accounts.
I followed his advice, hastened to the regiment, and
obtained so many proofs, that the quarter-master of the
regiment, who, with the major, had in reality pocketed
the money, was imprisoned and put in irons. What
became of the thief or the false witness afterward I
know not ; I only know that nothing was refunded,
that the quarter-master found protectors, detained the
money, and, some years after this vile action, pur-
chased a commission. One instance more.
Trenck, to the corps of infantry he commanded,
added a corps of hussars, which he raised and provided
with horses and accoutrements sold by auction. My
demand on this account was upwards of sixty thousand
florins, to which I received neither money nor reply.
He had also expended a hundred thousand florins for
the raising and equipping his three thousand pan-
dours; in consequence of which a signed agreement
had been given by the Government that these hundred
thousand florins should be repaid to his heir, or he, the
heir, should receive the command of the regiment.
The regiment, however, at his decease, was given to
General Simschen; and as for the agreement, care was
Staken it should never come into my hands. Thus
these hundred thousand florins were lost.
Yet it has been wickedly affirmed he was imprisoned
in the Spielberg for having embezzled the regiment's
money; whereas, I would to God I only was in pos-
session of the sums he expended on this regiment; for
he considered the regiment as his own; and great as
WaS his avarice, still greater was his desire of fame,
3. sº &. * ~.
º g
170 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
*
and greater still his love for his Empress, for whom
he would gladly have yielded both property and life.
With respect to the money that was to have been
repaid for improvement of the estates, I must add,
these estates were bought at a time when the country
had been left desolate by the Turks, and the reinstal-
ment of such places as had fallen into their hands, and
the erecting of farmhouses, mills, stocking them with
horses, cattle, and seed corn, according to my poor
estimate, could not amount to less than eighty thousand
florins; but I was forbidden to go into Sclavonia, and
the president offered, as an indemnification, four thou-
sand florins. Everybody was astonished, but he, with
the utmost coolness, told me I must either accept this
or nothing. The hearers of this sentence cast their
eyes up to heaven and pitied me. I remonstrated, and
thereby only made the matter worse. Grief and
anxiety occasioned me to take a journey into Italy,
passing through Venice, Rome, and Florence.
On my return to Vienna, I, by a friendly interfer-
ence in behalf of a woman whose fears rather than
guilt had brought her into danger, became suspected
myself; and the very officious officers of the police had
me imprisoned as a coiner without the least grounds,
for any such accusation except their own surmises. I )
was detained unheard nine days, and when, having
been heard, I had entirely justified myself, was again
restored to liberty; public declaration was then made
in the Gazette that the officers of the police had acted
too precipitately.
This was the satisfaction granted, but this did not
content me. I threatened the counsellor by whom my
OF BARON TRENCEC. 171
character had been so aspersed, and the Empress, con-
descending to mediate, bestowed on me a captainship
of cavalry in the Cordova cuirassiers.
Such was therecompense I received for woundsso deep,
and such the neglect into which I was thrown at Vienna.
Discontent led me to join my regiment in Hungary.
Here I gained the applause of my colonel, Count
Bettoni, who himself told the Empress I, more than
any other, had contributed to the forming of the regi-
ment. It may well be imagined how a man like me,
accustomed, as I had been, to the first company of the
first courts, must pass my time among the Carpathian
mountains, where neither society nor good books were
to be found, nor knowledge, of which I was enamoured,
improved. The conversation of Count Bettoni, and
the chase, together with the love of the general of the
regiment, old Field-marshal Cordova, were my only re-
sources; the persecutions, neglect, and even contempt,
I received at Vienna, were still the same.
In the year 1754, in the month of March, my mother
died in Prussia, and I requested the permission of the
court that held the inheritance of Trenck, as a fidei
ommisswm, to make a journey to Dantzic to settle
me family affairs with my brothers and sister, my
estates being confiscated. This permission was granted,
and thither I went in May, where I once more fell
into the hands of the Prussians; which forms the second
great and still more gloomy epocha in my life. All
who read what follows will shudder, will commiserate
him who, feeling himself innocent, relates afflictions he
has miserably encountered and gloriously overcome.
I left Hungary, where I was in garrison, for Dantzic,


I72 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
where I had desired my brothers and sister to meet
me that we might settle our affairs. My principal in-
tent, however, was a journey to Petersburg, there to
seek the advice and aid of my friends, for law and
persecution were not yet ended at Vienna; and my
captain's pay and Small income scarcely sufficed to
defray charges of attorneys and counsellors.
It is here most worthy of remark that I was told by
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, governor of Magde-
burg, he had received orders to prepare my prison at
Magdeburg before I set out from Hungary.
Nay, more; it had been written from Vienna to
Berlin that the King must beware of Trenck, for that
he would be at Dantzic at the time when the King
was to visit his camp in Prussia.
What thing more vile, what contrivance more
abominable, could the wickedest wretch on earth find
to banish a man his country, that he might securely
enjoy the property of which the other had been
robbed? That this was done I have living witnesses
in his highness Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick and
the Berlin ministry, from whose mouths I learned this
artifice of villainy. It is the more necessary to establiº
this truth, because no one can comprehend why t
Great Frederic should have proceeded against me in a
manner so cruel that, when it comes to be related, must
raise the indignation of the just, and move hearts of
iron to commiserate.
Men so vile, so wicked, as I have described them, in
conjunction with one Weingarten, secretary to Count
Puebla, then Austrian minister at Berlin, have brought
on me these my misfortunes.



OF BARON TRENCE. 173
.*-*
This was the Weingarten who, as is now well known,
betrayed all the secrets of the Austrian court to
Frederic, who at length was discovered in the year
1756, and who, when the war broke out, remained in
the service of Prussia. This same Weingarten, also,
not only caused my wretchedness, but my sister's ruin
and death, as he likewise did the punishment and death
of three innocent men, which will hereafter be shown.
It is an incontrovertible truth that I was betrayed
and sold by men in Vienna whose interest it was that
I should be eternally silenced.
I was immediately visited by my brothers and sister
on my arrival at Dantzic, where we lived happy in
each other's company during a fortnight, and an
amicable partition was made of my mother's effects;
my sister perfectly justified herself concerning the
manner in which I was obliged to fly from her house
in the year 1746: our parting was kind, and as brother
and sister ought to part.
Our only acquaintance in Dantzic was the Austrian
resident, M. Abramson, to whom I brought letters of
recommendation from Vienna, and whose reception of
us was polite even to extravagance.
This Abramson was a Prussian born, and had never
seen Vienna, but obtained his then office by the re-
commendation of Count Bestuchef, without security
for his good conduct, or proof of his good morals,
heart, or head. He was in close connection with the
Prussian resident, Reimer; and was made the instru-
ment of my ruin.
Scarcely had my brothers and sister departed before
I determined to make a voyage by sea to Russia.
174 THE LIFE AND AIDVITNTURES
Abramson contrived a thousand artifices, by which
he detained me a week longer in Dantzic, that, he in
conjunction with Reimer, might make the necessary
preparations.
The King of Prussia had demanded that the magis-
trates of Dantzic should deliver me up ; but this could
not be done without offending the Imperial court, I
being a commissioned officer in that service, with proper
passports; it was therefore probable that this nego-
tiation required letters should pass and repass; and
for this reason Abramson was employed to detain me
some days longer, till, by the last letters from Berlin,
the magistrates of Dantzic were induced to violate
public safety and the laws of nations. Abramson,
I considered as my best friend, and my person as in
perfect security; he had therefore no difficulty in per-
suading me to stay.
The day of supposed departure on board a Swedish
ship for Riga approached, and the deceitful Abram-
son promised me to send one of his servants to the port
to know the hour. At four in the afternoon he told
me he had himself spoken to the captain, who said he
would not sail till the next day; adding that he,
Abramson, would expect me to breakfast, and would
then accompany me to the vessel. I felt a secret in-
quietude which made me desirous of leaving Dantzic,
and immediately to send all my luggage, and to sleep on
board. Abramson prevented me, dragging me almost
forcibly along with him, telling me had much com-
pany, and that I must absolutely dine and sup at his
house; accordingly I did not return to my inn till
eleven at night.
OF BARON TEENCEO. 175
I was but just in bed when I heard a tremendous
knocking at my chamber door, which was not shut,
and two of the city magistrates with twenty grenadiers
entered my chamber, and surrounded my bed so sud-
denly that I had not time to take to my arms and
defend myself. My three servants had been secured,
and I was told that the most worthy magistracy of
Dantzic was obliged to deliver me up as a delinquent
to his majesty the King of Prussia.
What were my feelings at seeing myself thus be-
trayed They silently conducted me to the city prison,
where I remained twenty-four hours. About noon
Abramson came to visit me, affected to be infinitely
concerned and enraged, and affirmed he had strongly
protested against the illegality of this proceeding to
the magistracy, as I was actually in the Austrian
service; but that they had answered him the court of
Vienna had afforded them a precedent, for that, in
1742, they had done the same by the two sons of the
burgomaster Rutenberg, of Dantzic, and that, there-
fore, they were justified in making reprisal; and
likewise, they durst not refuse the most earnest
request accompanied with threats, of the King of
Prussia.
Their plea of retaliation originated as follows:—
There was a kind of club at Vienna, the members of
which were seized for having committed the utmost
extravagance and debauchery, two of whom were the
sons of the burgomaster Rutenberg, and who were
sentenced to the pillory. Great sums were offered by
the father to avoid this public disgrace, but ineffectually
—they were punished, their punishment was legal, and
176 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES -
had no similarity whatever to my case, nor could it any
way justly give pretence of reprisal. -
Abramson, who had in reality entered no protest
whatever, but rather excited the magistracy, and acted
in concert with Reimer, advised me to put my writings
and other valuable effects into his hands, otherwise they
would be seized. He knew I had received letters of
exchange from my brothers and sister, about seven
thousand florins, and these I gave him, but kept my
ring, worth about four thousand, and some sixty guineas,
which I had in my purse. He then embraced me, de-
clared nothing should be neglected to effect my imme-
diate deliverance; that even he would raise the popu-
lace for that purpose; that I could not be given up to
the Prussians in less than a week, the magistracy
being still undetermined in an affair so serious, and he
left me, shedding abundance of crocodile tears, like the
most affectionate of friends.
The next night two magistrates, with their posse,
came to my prison, attended by resident Reimer, a
Prussian officer and under officers, and into their hands
I was delivered. The pillage instantly began; Reimer
tore off my ring, seized my watch, snuff-box, and all I
had, not so much as sending me a coat or shirt from
my effects; after which, they put me into a close coach,
with three Prussians. The Dantzic guard accompanied
the carriage to the city gate, that was opened to let me
pass; after which the Dantzic dragoons escorted me as
far as Lauenburg, in Pomerania.
I have forgotten the date of this miserable day; but
to the best of my memory, it must have been in the
beginning of June. Thirty Prussian hussars, com-
OF BARON TRENCK. 177
manded by a lieutenant, relieved the dragoons at
Lauenburg, and thus was I escorted from garrison to
garrison, till I arrived at Berlin.
Hence it was evidently falsely affirmed, by the
magistracy of Dantzic, and the conspirator Abramson,
who wrote in his own excuse to Vienna, that my seizure
must be attributed wholly to my own imprudence, and
that I had exposed myself to this arrest by going with-
out the city gates, where I was taken and carried off;
nor was it less astonishing that the court of Vienna
should not have demanded satisfaction for the treachery
of the Dantzickers toward an Austrian officer. I have
incontrovertibly proved this treachery, after I had
regained my liberty. Abramson indeed they could not
punish, for during my imprisonment he had quitted
the Austrian for the Prussian service, where he
gradually became so contemptible, that in the year
1764, when I was released from my imprisonment,
he was himself imprisoned in the house of correction;
and his wife, lately so rich, was obliged to beg her
bread. Thus have I generally lived to see the fall of
my betrayers; and thus have I found that, without
indulging personal revenge, virtue and fortitude must
at length triumph over the calumniator and the despot.
This truth will be further proved hereafter, nor can
I behold, unmoved, the open shame in which my per-
secutors live, and how they tremble in my presence,
their wicked deeds now being known to the world.
Nay, monarchs may yet punish their perfidy:-Yet
not so —May they rather die in possession of wealth
they have torn from me ! I only wish the pity and re-
spect of the virtuous and the wise.
178 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
But, though Austria has never resented the affront
commenced on the person of an officer in its service,
still have I a claim on the city of Dantzic, where I
was thus treacherously delivered up, for the effects I
there was robbed of, the amount of which is between
eleven and twelve thousand florins. This is a case too
clear to require argument, and the publication of this
history will make it known to the world. This claim
also, among others, I leave to the children of an unfor-
tunate father.
Enough of digression; let us attend to the remark-
able events which happened on the dismal journey to
Berlin. I was escorted from garrison to garrison,
which were distant from each other two, three, or at
most five miles; wherever I came, I found compassion
and respect. The detachment of hussars only attended
me two days; it consisted of twelve men and an officer,
who rode with me in the carriage.
The fourth day I arrived at , where the Duke of
Wirtemberg, father of the present Grand Duchess of
Russia, was commander, and where his regiment was
in quarters. The Duke conversed with me, was much
moved, invited me to dine, and detained me all the day,
where I was not treated as a prisoner. I so far gained
his esteem that I was allowed to remain there the next
day; the chief persons of the place were assembled, and
the Duchess, whom he had lately married, testified
every mark of pity and consideration. I dined with
him also on the third day, after which I departed in an
open carriage, without escort, attended only by a lieu-
tenant of his regiment.
I must relate this event circumstantially, for it not
OF BARON TRENCEC. 179
only proves the just and noble character of the Duke,
but likewise that there are moments in which the brave
may appear cowards, the clear-sighted blind, and the
wise foolish; nay, one might almost be led to conclude,
from this, that my imprisonment at Magdeburg, was
the consequence of predestination, since I remained
riveted in stupor, in despite of suggestions, forebo-
dings, and favourable opportunities. Who but must be
astonished, having read the daring efforts I made at
Glatz, at this strange insensibility now in the very
crisis of my fate P I afterwards was convinced it was
the intention of the noble-minded Duke that I should
escape, and that he must have given particular orders
to the successive officers. He would probably have
willingly subjected himself to the reprimands of
Frederic if I would have taken to flight. The journey
through the places where his regiment was stationed
continued five days, and I everywhere passed the
evenings in the company of the officers, the kindness of
whom was unbounded. I slept in their quarters without
sentinel, and travelled in their carriages, without other
guard than a single officer in the carriage. In various
places the high road was not more than two, and some-
times one mile from the frontier road; therefore nothing
could have been easier than to have escaped; yet did
the same Trenck, who in Glatz had cut his way through
thirty men to obtain his freedom, that Trenck, who had
never been acquainted with fear, now remain four days
bewildered, and unable to come to any determination.
In a small garrison town, I lodged in the house of a
captain of cavalry, and continually was treated by him
with every mark ºf friendship. After dinner he rode
180 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
at the head of his squadron to water the horse, un-
saddled. I remained alone in the house, entered the
stable, saw three remaining horses, with saddles and
bridles; in my chamber was my sword and a pair of
pistols. I had but to mount one of the horses and fly
to the opposite gate. I meditated on the project, and
almost resolved to put it in execution, but presently be-
came undetermined by some secret impulse. The cap-
tain returned some time after, and appeared surprised
to find me still there. The noxt day he accompanied
me alone in his carriage; we came to a forest, he saw
some champignons, stopped, asked me to alight, and
help him to gather them; he strayed more than a hun-
dred paces from me, and gave me entire liberty to fly;
yet notwithstanding all this, I voluntarily returned,
suffering myself to be led like a sheep to the slaughter.
I was treated so well, during my stay at this place,
and escorted with so much negligence, that I fell into
a gross error. Perceiving they conveyed me straight
to Berlin, I imagined the King wished to question me
concerning the plan formed for the war, which was
then on the point of breaking out. This plan I per-
fectly knew, the secret correspondence of Bestuchef
having all passed through my hands, which circum-
stance was much better known at Berlin than at
Vienna. Confirmed in this opinion, and far from
imagining the fate that awaited me, I remained irreso-
lute, insensible, and blind to danger. Alas, how short
was this hope . How quickly was it succeeded by des-
pair! when, after four days' march, I quitted the district
under the command of the Duke of Wirtemberg, and
was delivered up to the first * of infantry at
OF BARON TRENCE. - 181
Coslin' The last of the Wirtemberg officers, when
taking leave of me, appeared to be greatly affected;
and from this moment till I came to Berlin, I was
under a strong escort, and the given orders were rigo-
rously observed.
CHAPTER, XV.
ARRIVED here, I was lodged over the grand guard-
house, with two sentinels in my chamber, and one at
the door. The King was at Potzdam, and here I re-
mained three days; on the third, some staff-officers
made their appearance, seated themselves at a table,
and put the following questions to me:–
First. What was my business at Dantzic P
Secondly. Whether I was acquainted with M. Goltz,
Prussian ambassador to Russia P
Thirdly. Who was concerned with me in the con-
spiracy at Dantzic P
When I perceived their intention, by these interro-
gations, I absolutely refused to reply, only saying I
had been imprisoned in the fortress of Glatz, without
hearing, or trial by court-martial; that, availing myself
of the laws of mature, I had by my own exertions pro-
cured my liberty, and that I was now a captain of
cavalry in the imperial service; that I demanded a
legal trial for my first unknown offence, after which I
engaged to answer all interrogatories, and prove my
innocence; but that at present, being accused of new
crimes, without a hearing concerning my former pun-
ishment, the procedure was illegal. I was told they
had no orders concerning this, and I remained dumb to
all further questions.
*
t
I82 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
They wrote some two hours, God knows what ; a car-
riage came up; Iwas strictly searched, to find whether I
had any weapons; thirteen or fourteen ducats, which I
had concealed, were taken from me, and I was conducted
under a strong escort, through Spandau to Magdeburg.
The officer here delivered me to the captain of the guard
at the citadel; the town major came, and brought me to
the dungeon, expressly prepared for me; a Small pic-
ture of the Countess of Bestuchef, set with diamonds,
which I had kept concealed in my bosom, was now taken
from me; the door was shut, and here was I left.
My dungeon was in a casemate, the fore part of
which, six feet wide and ten feet long, was divided by
a party wall. In the inner wall were two doors, and a
third at the entrance of the casemate itself. The win-
dow in the seven-feet-thick wall was so situated that,’
though I had light, I could see neither heaven nor
earth; I could only see the roof of the magazine; with-
in and without this window were iron bars, and in the
space between an iron grating, so close and so situated,
by the rising of the walls, that it was impossible I
should see any person without the prison, or that any
person should see me. On the outside was a wooden
palisade, six feet from the wall, by which the sentinels
were prevented from conveying anything to me. I had
a mattress, and a bedstead, but which was immovably
ironed to the floor, so that it was impossible I should
drag it, and stand up to the window; beside the door
was a small iron stove and a night table, in like man-
ner fixed to the floor. I was not yet put in irons, and
my allowance was a pound and a half per day of ammu-
nition bread, and a jug of water. -
OF BARON TRENCE. 183 ~
From my youth I had always had a good appetite,
and my bread was so mouldy I could scarcely at first
eat the half of it. This was the consequence of Major
Reiding's avarice, who endeavoured to profit even by
this, so great was the number of unfortunate prisoners;
therefore, it is impossible I should describe to my
readers the excess of tortures that, during eleven
months, I felt from ravenous hunger. I could easily
every day have devoured six pounds of bread; and
every twenty-four hours after having received and
swallowed my small portion, I continued as hungry
as before I began, yet must wait another twenty-
four hours for a new morsel. How willingly would
I have signed a bill of exchange for a thousand
ducats, on my property at Vienna, only to have
satiated my hunger on dry bread! For, so extreme
was it, that scarcely had I dropt into a sweet sleep,
before I dreamed I was feasting at some table lux-
uriously loaded, where, eating like a glutton, the
whole company were astonished to see me, while my
imagination was heated by the sensation of famine.
Awakened by the pains of hunger, the dishes va-
nished, and nothing remained but the reality of my
distress; the cravings of nature were but inflamed,
my tortures prevented sleep, and, looking into
futurity, the cruelty of my fate suffered, if possible,
increase, from imagining that the promulgation of
pangs like these was insupportable. God preserve
every honest man from sufferings like mine ! They
were not to be endured by the villain most obdurate.
Many have fasted three days, many have suffered
want for a week, or more; but certainly no one, be-
f
184, THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
side myself, ever endured it in the same excess for
eleven months. Some have supposed that to eat little
might become habitual, but I have experienced the
contrary. My hunger increased every day; and of
all the trials of fortitude my whole life has afforded,
this, of eleven months, was the most bitter.
Petitions, remonstrances, were of no avail; the
answer was—“We must give no more, such is the
Ring’s command.” The Governor, General Borck,
born the enemy of man, replied, when I entreated, at
least, to have my fill of bread, “You have feasted
often enough out of the service of plate taken from
the King, by Trenck, at the battle of Sorau; you must
now eat ammunition bread in your dirty kennel. Your
Empress makes no allowance for your maintenance,
and you are unworthy of the bread you eat, or the
trouble taken about you.” Judge, reader, what pangs
such insolence, added to such sufferings must inflict.
Judge what were my thoughts, foreseeing, as I did,
an endless duration to this imprisonment and these
torments.
My three doors were kept ever shut, and I was left
to such meditations as such feelings and such hopes
might inspire. Daily, about noon, once in twenty-four
hours, my pittance of bread and water was brought.
The keys of all the doors were kept by the governor;
the inner door was not opened, but my bread and water
were delivered through an aperture. The prison doors
were opened only once a week, on a Wednesday, when
the governor and town major, my hole having been
first cleaned, paid their visit.
Having remained thus two months, and observed this
,”
OF BARON TEENCE. 185
•r
method was invariable, I began to execute a project I
had formed, of the possibility of which I was convinced.
Where the night-table and stove stood, the floor was
bricked, and this paving extended to the wall that
separated my casemate from the adjoining one, in
which was no prisoner. My window was only guarded
by a single sentinel; I therefore soon found, among
those who successively relieved guard, two kind-
hearted fellows, who described to me the situation of
my prison; hence I perceived I might effect my escape,
could I but penetrate into the adjoining casemate, the
door of which was not shut. Provided I had a friend
and a boat waiting for me at the Elbe, or could I swim
across that river, the confines of Saxony were but a
mile distant.
To describe my plan at length would lead to prolixity,
yet I must enumerate some of its circumstances, as it
was remarkably intricate and of gigantic labour.
I worked through the iron, eighteen inches long, by
which the night-table was fastened, and broke off the
clinchings of the nails, but preserved their heads, that
I might put them again in their places, and all might
appear secure to my weekly visitors. This procured
me tools to raise up the brick floor, under which I
found earth. My first attempt was to work a hole
through the wall, seven feet thick behind, and concealed
by the night-table. The first layer was of brick. I
afterwards came to large hewn stones. I endeavoured
accurately to number and remember the bricks, both of
the flooring and the wall, so that I might replace them
and all might appear safe. This having accomplished,
I proceeded.
*
186 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
The day preceding visitation all was carefully re-
placed, and, the intervening mortar as carefully pre-
served; the whole had, probably, been whitewashed a
hundred times; and, that I might fill up all remaining
interstices, I pounded the white stuff this afforded,
wetted it, made a brush of my hair, then applied this
plaster, washed it over, that the colour might be
uniform, and afterwards stripped myself, and sat with
my naked body against the place, by the heat of which
it was dried.
While labouring, I placed the stones and bricks
upon my bedstead, and had they taken the precaution
to come at any other time in the week, the stated
Wednesday excepted, I had inevitably been discovered;
but, as no such ill accident befel me, in six months my
Herculean labours gave me a prospect of success.
Means were to be found to remove the rubbish from
my prison; all of which, in a wall so thick, it was
impossible to replace; mortar and stone could not be
removed. I therefore took the earth, scattered it
about my chamber, and ground it under my feet the
whole day, till I had reduced it to dust; this dust. I
strewed in the aperture of my window, making use of
the loosened night-table to stand upon, I tied splinters
from my bedstead together, with the ravelled yarn of
an old stocking, and to this I affixed a tuft of my hair.
I worked a large hole under the middle grating, which
could not be seen when standing on the ground, and
through this I pushed my dust with the tool I had
prepared in the outer window, then, waiting till the
wind should happen to rise, during the night I brushed
it away, it was blown off, and no appearance remained
OF BARON TRENCE. 187
on the outside. By this simple expedient I rid myself
of at least three hundred weight of earth, and thus
made room to continue my labours; yet, this being
still insufficient, I had recourse to another artifice,
which was to knead up the earth in the form of
sausages, to resemble the human faeces: these I dried,
and when the prisoner came to clean my dungeon, hastily
tossed them into the night-table, and thus disencum-
bered myself of a pound or two more of earth each
week. I further made little balls, and, when the sentinel
was walking, blew them, through a paper tube, out of
the window. Into the empty space I put my mortar
and stones, and worked on successfully. S
I cannot, however, describe my difficulties after
having penetrated about two feet into the hewn stone.
My tools were the irons I had dug out, which fastened
my bedstead and night-table. A compassionate soldier
also gave me an old iron ramrod and a soldier's
sheath knife, which did me excellent service, more
especially the latter, as I shall presently more fully
show. With these two I cut splinters from my bed-
stead, which aided me to pick the mortar from the
interstices of the stone; yet the labour of penetrating
through this seven-feet wall was incredible; the build-
ing was ancient, and the mortar occasionally quite
petrified, so that the whole stone was obliged to be
reduced to dust. After continuing my work unremit-
tingly for six months, I at length approached the
accomplishment of my hopes, as I knew by coming to
the facing of brick, which now was only between me
and the adjoining casemate.
Meantime I found opportunity to speak to some of
* ** *; $ <
188 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
the sentinels, among whom was an old grenadier .
called Gelfhardt, whom I here name because he dis-
played qualities of the greatest and most noble kind.
From him. I learned the precise situation of my prison,
and every circumstance that might best conduce to my
escape.
Nothing was wanting but money to buy a boat, and
crossing the Elbe with Gelfhardt, to take refuge in
Saxony. By Gelfhardt's means I became acquainted
with a kind-hearted girl, a Jewess, and a native of
Dessau, Esther Heymannin by name, and whose father
had been ten years in prison. This good, compas-
sionate maiden, whom I had never seen, won over two
other grenadiers, who gave her an opportunity of
speaking to me every time they stood sentinel. By
tying my splinters together, I made a stick long enough
to reach beyond the palisades that were before my win-
dow, and thus obtained paper, another knife, and a file.
I now wrote to my sister, the wife of the before-
mentioned only son of General Waldow ; described my
awful situation, and entreated her to remit three
, hundred rix-dollars to the Jewess, hoping, by this
means, I might escape from my prison. I then wrote
another affecting letter to Count Puebla, the Austrian
ambassador at Berlin, in which was enclosed a draft
for a thousand florins on my offects at Vienna, desiring
him to remit these to the Jewess, having promised her
that sum as a reward for her fidelity. She was to
bring the three hundred rix-dollars my sister should
send to me, and take measures with the grenadiers
to facilitate my flight, which nothing seemed able to
prevent, I having the power either to break into the
OF BARON TRENCEC. " 189
casemate or, aided by the grenadiers and the Jewess,
to cut the locks from the doors and that way escape
from my dungeon. The letters were open, I being
obliged to roll them round the stick to convey them to
Esther. ..º-
The faithful girl diligently proceeded to Berlin,
where she arrived safe, and immediately spoke to
Count Puebla. The Count gave her the kindest re-
ception, received the letter, with the letter of ex-
change, and bade her go and speak to Weingarten,
the secretary of the embassy, and act entirely as he
should direct. She was received by Weingarten in
the most friendly manner, who, by his questions,
drew from her the whole secret, and our intended
plan of flight, aided by the two grenadiers, and also
that she had a letter for my sister, which she must
carry to Hammer, near Custrin. He asked to see
this letter; read it, told her to proceed on her journey,
gave her two ducats to bear her expenses, ordered her
to come to him on her return, said that during this
interval he would endeavour to obtain her the thousand
florins for my draft, and would then give her further
instructions.
Esther cheerfully departed for Hammer, where my
sister, then a widow, and no longer, as in 1746, in
dread of her husband, joyful to hear I was still living,
immediately gave her three hundred rix-dollars, exhort-
ing her to exert every possible means to obtain my
deliverance. Esther hastened back with the letter from
my sister to Berlin, and told all that passed to Wein-
- garten, who read the letter, and inquired the names of
the two grenadiers. He told her the thousand florins
*-x
190 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES *
from Vienna were not yet come, but gave her twelve
ducats; bade her hasten back to Magdeburg, to carry
me all this good news, and then return to Berlin,
where he would pay her the thousand florins. Esther
came to Magdeburg, went immediately to the citadel,
and, most luckily, met the wife of one of the grenadiers,
who told her that her husband and his comrade had
been taken and put in irons the day before. Esther
had quickness of perception, and suspected we had been
betrayed; she therefore instantly again began her
travels, and happily came safe to Dessau.
Here I must interrupt my narrative, that I may
explain this infernal enigma to my readers, an account
of which I received after I had obtained my freedom,
and still possess, in the handwriting of this Jewess.
Weingarten, as was afterwards discovered, was a
traitor, and too much trusted by Count Puebla, he
being a spy in the pay of Prussia, and one who had
revealed, in the court of Berlin, not only the secrets of
the Imperial embassy, but also the whole plan of the
projected war. For this reason he afterwards, when
war broke out, remained at Berlin in the Prussian
service. His reason for betraying me was that he
might secure the thousand florins which I had drawn
for on Vienna; for the receipt of the 24th of May,
1755, attests that the sum was paid, by the adminis-
trators of my effects, to Count Puebla, and has since
been brought to account; nor can I believe that Weim-
garten did not appropriate this sum to himself, since I
cannot be persuaded the ambassador would commit
such an action, although the receipt is in his hand-
writing, as may easily be demonstrated, it being now
OF BARON TEENCE. 191
in my possession. Thus did Weingarten, that he might
detain a thousand florins with impunity, bring new
evils upon me and upon my sister, which occasioned her
premature death; caused one grenadier to run the gaunt-
let three successive days, and another to be hung.
Esther alone escaped, and since gave me an eluci-
dation of the whole affair. The report at Magdeburg
was, that a Jewess had obtained money from my sister
and bribed two grenadiers, and that one of these had
trusted and been betrayed by his comrade. Indeed,
what other story could be told at Magdeburg, or
how could it be known I had been betrayed to the
Prussian ministry by the Imperial secretary P. The
truth, however, is as I have stated: my account-book
exists, and the Jewess is still alive.
Her poor imprisoned father was punished with more
than a hundred blows to make him declare whether his
daughter had entrusted him with the plot, or if he
knew whither she was fled, and miserably died in
fetters. Such was the mischief occasioned by a
rascal! And who might be blamed but the imprudent
Count Puebla P
In the year 1766, this said Jewess demanded of me
a thousand florins; and I wrote to Count Puebla, that,
having his receipt for the sum, which never had been
repaid, I begged it might be restored. He received my
agent with rudeness, returned no answer, and seemed
to trouble himself little concerning my loss. Whether
the heirs of the Count be, or be not, indebted to me
these thousand florins and the interest, I leave the
world to determine. Thrice have I been betrayed at
Vienna and sold to Berlin, like Joseph to the
192 THE LIFE OF BARON TRIENCEC.
Egyptians. My history proves the origin of my
persuasion that residents, énvoys, and ambassadors
must be men of known worth and honesty, and not the
vilest of rascals and miscreants. But, alas! the effects
and money they have robbed me of have never been
restored; and for the miseries they have brought upon
me, they could not be recompensed by the wealth of
any or all the monarchs on earth. Estates they may,
but truth they cannot confiscate; and of the villainy of
Abramson and Weingarten I have documents and
proofs that no court of justice could disannul. Stop,
reader, if thou hast a heart, and in that heart com-
passion for the unfortunate | Stop and imagine what
my sensations are while I remember and recount a part
only of the injustice that has been done me, a part only of
the tyranny Ihave endured! By this last act of treachery
of Weingarten was I held in chains, the most horrible,
for nine succeeding years! By him was an innocent
man brought to the gallows | By him, too, my sister,
my beloved, my unfortunate sister, was obliged to
build a dungeon at her own expense ! besides being
amerced in a fine, the extent of which I never could
learn. Her goods were plundered, her estates made a
desert, her children fell into extreme poverty, and she
herself expired in her thirty-third year, the victim of
cruelty, persecution, her brother's misfortunes, and the
treachery of the Imperial embassy
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CASSELL's NATIONAL LIBRARY. . .
24
5. J A
*A-
-f%* - - -
TEIF. T
LIFE AND ADVENTURES
OF
BARON TRENCE.
TRANSLATED BY
THOMAS HOLCROFT.
WOL. II.
CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED:
739 & 741 Broadway New York. --- -

INTRODUCTION.
THOMAs. HOLCROFT, the translator of these Memoirs
of Baron Trenck, was the author of about thirty plays,
among which one, The Road to Rwim, produced in 1792,
has kept its place upon the stage. He was born in
December, 1745, the son of a shoemaker who did also
a little businessin horse-dealing. After early struggles,
during which he contrived to learn French, German,
and Italian, Holcroft contributed to a newspaper, turned
actor, and wrote plays, which appeared between the
years 1791 and 1806. He produced also four novels, the
first in 1780, the last in 1807. He was three times
married, and lost his first wife in 1790. In 1794, his
sympathy with ideals of the French revolutionists
caused him to be involved with Hardy, Horne Tooke,
and Thelwall, in a charge of high treason; but when
these were acquitted, Holcroft and eight others were
discharged without trial.
Holcroft earned also by translation. He translated,
besides these Memoirs of Baron Trenck, Mirabeau’s
Secret History of the Court of Berlin, Les Veillées du
4. introduction. . . .
Château of Madame de Genlis, and the posthumous
works of Frederick II., King of Prussia, in thirteen
volumes.
The Memoirs of Baron Trenck were first published at
Berlin as his Merkwürdige Lebensbeschreibung, in three
volumes octavo, in 1786 and 1787. They were first
translated into French by Baron Bock (Metz, 1787);
more fully by Letourneur (Paris, 1788); and again by
himself (Strasbourg, 1788), with considerable additions.
FIolcroft translated from the French versions.
EH. M.
THE LIFE OF BARON TRENGK.
-º-º-
CELAPTER, I.
BLESSED shade of a beloved sister | The sacrifice of
my adverse and dreadful fate . Thee could I never
avenge | Thee could the blood of Weingarten never
appease | No asylum, however sacred, should have
secured him, had he not sought that last of asylums for
human wickedness and human woes—the gravel To
thee do I dedicate these few pages, a tribute of thank-
fulness; and, if future rewards there are, may the
brightest of these rewards be thine. For us, and not
for ours, may rewards be expected from monarchs who,
in apathy, have beheld our mortal sufferings. Rest,
noble soul, murdered though thou wert by the enemies
of thy brother. Again my blood boils, again my tears
roll down my cheeks, when I remember thee, thy
sufferings in my cause, and thy untimely end I
knew it not; I sought to thank thee; I found thee
in the grave; I would have made retribution to thy
children, but unjust, iron-hearted princes had deprived
me of the power. Can the virtuous heart conceive
affliction more cruel? My own ills I would have
endured with magnanimity; but thine are wrongs I
have neither the power to forget nor heal.
Enough of this.
r × § x-
6 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
The worthy Emperor, Francis I, shed tears when I
afterwards had the honour of relating to him in person
my past miseries: I beheld them flow, and gratitude
threw me at his feet. His emotion was so great
that he tore himself away. I left the palace with
all the enthusiasm of Soul which such a scene must
inspire.
He probably would have done more than pitied me,
but his death soon followed. I relate this incident to
convince posterity that Francis I. possessed a heart
worthy an emperor, worthy a man. In the knowledge
I have had of monarchs' he stands alone. Frederic
and Theresa both died without doing me justice;
I am now too old, too proud, have too much apathy, to
expect it from their successors. Petition I will not,
knowing my rights; and justice from courts of law,
however evident my claims, were in these courts
vain indeed to expect. Lawyers and advocates I know
but too well, and an army to support my rights I have
not.
What heart that can feel but will pardon me these
digressions! At the exact and simple recital of facts
like these, the whole man must be roused, and the
philosopher himself shudder.
Once more —I heard nothing of what had happened
for some days; at length, however, it was the honest
Gelfhardt’s turn to mount guard; but the ports
being doubled, and two additional grenadiers placed
before my door, explanation was exceedingly difficult.
He, however, in spite of precaution, found means to
inform me of what had happened to his two un-
fortunate comrades.
The King came to a review at Magdeburg, when he
*** * * -* x 3. ** *
-* * $º.
* *-*.* *
OF BARON TEENCRC. 7.
visited Star. Fort, and commanded a new cell to be -
immediately made, prescribing himself the kind of
irons by which I was to be secured. The honest
Gelfhardt heard the officer say this cell was meant for
me, and gave me notice of it, but assured me it could
not be ready in less than a month. I therefore
determined, as soon as possible, to complete my
breach'in the wall, and escape without the aid of any
one. The thing was possible; for I had twisted the
hair of my mattress into a rope, which I meant to tie to
a cannon, and descend the rampart, after which I
might endeavour to swim across the Elbe, gain the
Saxon frontiers, and thus safely cscape.
On the 26th of May I had determined to break into
the next casemate; but when I came to work at the
bricks, I found them so hard and strongly cemented
that I was obliged to defer the labour till the follow-
ing day. I left off, weary and spent, at daybreak,
and should any one enter my dungeon, they must
infallibly discover the breach. How dreadful is the
destiny by which, through life, I have been perse-
cuted, and which has continually plunged me head-
long into calamity, when I imagined happiness was at
hand
The 27th of May was a cruel day in the history of
my life. My cell in the Star-Fort had been finished
sooner than Gelfhardt had supposed; and at night,
when I was preparing to fly, I heard a carriage stop
before my prison. O God! what was my terror,
what were the horrors of this moment of despair ] The
locks and bolts resounded, the doors flew open, and the
last of my poor remaining resources was to conceal my
Knife. The town-major, the major of the day, and a
***
8 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
captain entered; I saw them by the light of their two
lanterns. The only words they spoke were, “Dress
yourself,” which was immediately done. I still wore
the uniform of the regiment of Cordova. Irons were
given me, which I was obliged myself to fasten on my
wrists and ankles; the town-major tied a bandage over
my eyes, and, taking me under the arm, they thus con-
ducted me to the carriage. It was necessary to pass
through the city to arrive at the Star-Fort ; all was
silent, except the noise of the escort; but when we
entered Magdeburg I heard the people running, who
were crowding together to obtain a sight of me. Their
curiosity was raised by the report that I was going to
be beheaded. That I was executed on this occasion in
the Star-Fort, after having been conducted blindfold
through the city, has since been both affirmed and
written; and the officers had then orders to propagate
this error that the world might remain in utter ignor-
ance concerning me. I, indeed, knew otherwise, though
I affected not to have this knowledge; and, as I was
not gagged, I behaved as if I expected death, re-
proached my conductors in language that even made
them shudder, and painted their King in his true
'-colours, as one who, unheard, had condemned an in-
nocent subject by a despotic exertion of power.
My fortitude was admired, at the moment when it
was supposed I thought myself leading to execution.
No one replied, but their sighs intimated their com-
passion; certain it is, few Prussians willingly execute
such commands. The carriage at length stopped, and
I was brought into my new cell. The bandage was
taken from my eyes. The dungeon was lighted by a
few torches. God of heaven what were my feelings
OF BARON TRENCE, 9 -
** * , ºr * ... sº * > *. x * .* 2"
*
*-
- S “ *
----
s
*
when I beheld the whole floor covered with chains, a
fire-pan, and two grim men standing with their Smiths’
hammers |
#: ::: #: #: :}; ::
To work went these engines of despotism | Enor-
mous chains were fixed to my ankle at one end, and
at the other to a ring which was incorporated in the
wall. This ring was three feet from the ground, and
only allowed me to move about two or three feet to the
right and left. They next riveted another huge iron
ring, of a hand’s breadth, round my naked body, to
which hung a chain, fixed into an iron bar as thick as a
man's arm. This bar was two feet in length, and at
each end of it was a handcuff. The iron collar round
my neck was not added till the year 1756.
$: $: #: :* #: $:
No soul bade me good night. All retired in dreadful
silence; and I heard the horrible grating of four doors,
that were successively locked and bolted upon me !
Thus does man act by his fellow, knowing him to be
innocent, having received the commands of another
man so to act.
O God | Thou alone knowest how my heart, void as
it was of guilt, beat at this moment. There sat I,
destitute, alone, in thick darkness, upon the bare earth,
with a weight of fetters insupportable to nature,
thanking Thee that these cruel men had not discovered
my knife, by which my miseries might yet find an
end. Death is a last certain refuge that can indeed -
bid defiance to the rage of tyranny. What shall I
say? How shall I make the reader feel as I then felt?
How describe my despondency, and yet account for
*
10 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
that låtent impulse that withheld my hand on this fatal,
this miserable night?
This misery I foresaw was not of short duration;
I had heard of the wars that were lately broken out
between Austria and Prussia. Patiently to wait their
termination, amid sufferings and wretchedness such as
mine, appeared impossible, and freedom even then was
doubtful. Sad experience had I had of Vienna, and
well I knew that those who had despoiled me of my
property most anxiously would endeavour to prevent
my return. Such were my meditations ! such my night
thoughts! Day at length returned; but where was
its splendour P Fled ! I beheld it not ; yet was its
glimmering obscurity sufficient to show me what was
my dungeon.
In breadth it was about eight feet; in length, ten.
Near me once more stood a night-table ; in a corner
was a seat, four bricks broad, on which I might sit,
and recline against the wall. Opposite the ring to
which I was fastened, the light was admitted through
a semi-circular aperture, one foot high, and two in
diameter. This aperture ascended to the centre of the
wall, which was six feet thick, and at this central part
was a close iron grating, from which, outward, the
aperture descended, and its two extremities were again
secured by strong iron bars. My dungeon was built in
the ditch of the fortification, and the aperture by
which the light entered was so covered by the wall of
the rampart that, instead of finding immediate passage,
the light only gained admission by reflection. This,
considering the smallness of the aperture, and the
impediments of grating and iron bars, must needs
make the obscurity great; yet my eyes, in time, became
OF BARON TRENCE. 11
*
*
º
so accustomed to this glimmering that I could see a
mouse run. In winter, however, when the sun did not
shine into the ditch, it was eternal night with me.
Between the bars and the grating was a glass window,
most curiously formed, with a small central casement,
which might be opened to admit the air. My night-
table was daily removed, and beside me stood a jug of
water. The name of TRENCK was built in the wall,
in red brick, and under my feet was a tombstone with
the name of TRENCE also cut on it, and carved with a
death’s head. The doors to my dungeon were double,
of oak, two inches thick; without these was an open
space or front cell, in which was a window, and this
space was likewise shut in by double doors. The ditch,
in which this dreadful dem was built, was enclosed on
both sides by palisades, twelve feet high, the key of
the door of which was entrusted to the officer of the
guard, it being the King's intention to prevent all
possibility of speech or communication with the
sentinels. The only motion I had the power to make
was that of jumping upward, or Swinging my arms to
procure myself warmth. When more accustomed to
these fetters, I became capable of moving from side to
side, about four feet; but this pained my shin-bones.
The cell had been finished with lime and plaster
but eleven days, and everybody supposed it would be
impossible I should exist in these damps above a fort-
night. I remained six months, continually immersed
in very cold water, that trickled upon me from the
thick arches under which I was ; and I can safely -
affirm that, for the first three months, I was never
dry; yet did I continue in health. I was visited
daily, at noon, after relieving guard, and the doors
12 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
were then obliged to be left open for some minutes,
otherwise the dampness of the air put out their
candles.
This was my situation, and here I sat, destitute of
friends, helplessly wretched, preyed on by all the
torture of thought that continually suggested the most
gloomy, the most horrid, the most dreadful of images.
My heart was not yet wholly turned to stone; my
fortitude was sunken to despondency; my dungeon
was the very cave of despair; yet was my arm re-
strained, and this excess of misery endured.
How then may hope be wholly eradicated from the
heart of man P. My fortitude, after some time, began
to revive; I glowed with the desire of convincing the
world I was capable of suffering what man had never
suffered before; perhaps of at last emerging from this
load of wretchedness triumphant over my enemies.
So long and ardently did my fancy dwell on this
picture, that my mind at length acquired a heroism
which Socrates himself certainly never possessed. Age
had benumbed his sense of pleasure, and he drank the
poisonous draught with cool indifference; but I was
young, inured to high hopes, yet now beholding
deliverance impossible, or at an immense, a dreadful
distance. Such, too, were the other sufferings of soul
and body, I could not hope they might be supported
and live.
About noon my den was opened. Sorrow and com-
passion were painted on the countenances of my
keepers. No one spoke; no one bade me good mor-
row. Dreadful indeed was their arrival; for, unac-
customed to the monstrous bolts and bars, they were
kept resounding for a full half-hour before such soul-
* * $
* R - , ” ... • 3 #
~ * OF BARON TRENGK. 13
, chilling, such hope-murdering impediments were re-
moved. It was the voice of tyranny that thundered.
My night-table was taken out, a camp-bed, mattress,
and blankets were brought me; a jug of water set
down, and beside it an ammunition loaf of six pounds’
weight. “That you may no more complain of hunger,”
said the town-major, “you shall have as much bread as
you can eat.” The door was shut, and I again left to
my thoughts. *-
What a strange thing is that called happiness
How shall I express my extreme joy when, after
eleven months of intolerable hunger, I was again in-
dulged with a full feast of coarse ammunition bread?
The fond lover never rushed more eagerly to the
arms of his expecting bride, the famished tiger
more ravenously on his prey, than I upon this loaf.
I ate, rested; surveyed the precious morsel; ate again;
and absolutely shed tears of pleasure. Breaking bit
after bit, I had by evening devoured all my loaf.
Oh, Nature what delight hast thou combined with
the gratification of thy wants! Remember this, ye who
gorge, ye who rack invention to excite appetite, and
yet which you cannot procure | Remember how simple
are the means that will give a crust of mouldy bread a
flavour more exquisite than all the spices of the East,
or all the profusion of land or sea . Remember this,
grow hungry, and indulge your sensuality.
Alas ! my enjoyment was of short duration. I soon
found that excess is followed by pain and repentance.
My fasting had weakened digestion, and rendered
it inactive. My body swelled, my water-jug was
emptied; cramps, colics, and at length inordinate
thirst racked me all the night. I began to pour curses
14 TEIE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
on those who seemed to refine on torture, and, after
starving me so long, to invite me to gluttony. Could
I not have reclined on my bed, I should indeed have
been driven, this might, to desperation; yet even this
was but a partial relief; for, not yet accustomed to my
enormous fetters, I could not extend myself in the
same manner I was afterwards taught to do by habit.
I dragged them, however, so together as to enable me
to sit down on the bare mattress. This, of all my
nights of suffering, stands foremost. When they
, opéned my dungeon next day they found me in a truly
pitiable situation, wondered at my appetite, brought
me another loaf ; I refused to accept it, believing I
nevermore should have occasion for bread; they, how-
ever, left me one, gave me water, shrugged up their
shoulders, wished me farewell, as, according to all
appearance, they never expected to find me alive, and
shut all the doors, without asking whether I wished or
needed further assistance.
Three days had passed before I could again eat a
morsel of bread; and my mind, brave in health, now in
a sick body became pusillanimous, so that I determined
on death. The irons, everywhere round my body, and
their weight, were insupportable; nor could I imagine
it was possible I should habituate myself to them, or
endure them long enough to expect deliverance. Peace
was a very distant prospect. The King had commanded
that such a prison should be built as should exclude all
necessity of a sentinel, in order that I might not con-
verse with and seduce them from what is called their
duty: and, in the first days of despair, deliverance
appeared impossible; and the fetters, the war, the pain
I felt, the place, the length of time, each circumstance
*:
* * * ~ *
OF BARON TRENCE. 15
seemed equally impossible to support. A thousand
reasons convinced me it was necessary to end my suffer-
ings. I shall not enter into theological disputes: let
those who blame me imagine themselves in my situa-
tion; or rather let them first actually endure my
miseries, and then let them reason. I had often braved
death in prosperity, and at this moment it seemed a
blessing.
Full of these meditations, every minute's patience
appeared absurdity, and resolution meanness of Soul;
yet I wished my mind should be satisfied that reason,
and not rashness, had induced the act. I therefore
determined, that I might examine the question coolly,
to wait a week longer, and die on the fourth of July.
In the meantime I revolved in my mind what possible
means there were of escape, not fearing, naked and
chained, to rush and expire on the bayonets of my
enemies.
The next day I observed, as the four doors were
opened, that they were only of wood, therefore ques-
tioned whether I might not even cut off the locks with
the knife that I had so fortunately concealed: and
should this and every other means fail, then would be
the time to die, I likewise determined to make an
attempt to free myself of my chains. I happily forced
my right hand through the handcuff, though the blood
trickled from my nails. My attempts on the left were
long ineffectual; but by rubbing with a brick, which I
got from my seat, on the rivet that had been negligently
closed, I effected this also.
The chain was fastened to the rim round my body
by a hook, one end of which was not inserted in the
rim ; therefore, by setting my foot against the wall, I
16 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
had strength enough so far to bend this hook back, and
open it, as to force out the link of the chain. The
remaining difficulty was the chain that attached my
foot to the wall: the links of this I took, doubled,
twisted, and wrenched, till at length, nature having
bestowed on me great strength, I made a desperate
effort, sprangforcibly up, and two links at once flew off.
Fortunate, indeed, did I think myself: I hastened to
the door, groped in the dark to find the clinkings of
the nails by which the lock was fastened, and discovered
no very large piece of wood need be cut. Immediately
I went to work with my knife, and cut through the oak
door to find its thickness, which proved to be only one
inch, therefore it was possible to open all the four doors
in four-and-twenty hours.
Again hope revived in my heart. To prevent detec-
tion I hastened to put on my chains; but, O God!
what difficultics had I to surmount After much
groping about, I at length found the link that had
flown off; this I hid: it being my good fortune hitherto
to escape examination, as the possibility of ridding
myself of such chains was in nowise suspected. The
separated iron links I tied together with my hair
ribbon; but when I again endeavoured to force my
hand into the ring, it was so swelled that every effort
was fruitless. The whole night was employed upon
the rivet, but all labour was in vain.
Moon was the hour of visitation, and necessity and
danger again obliged me to attempt forcing my hand
in, which at length, after excruciating torture, I effected.
TMy visitors came, and everything had the appearance
of order. I found it, however, impossible to force out
my right hand while it continued swelled.
OF BARON TRENCEC. ' s 17°
I therefore remained quiet till the day fixed, and on
the determined fourth of July, immediately as my
visitors had closed the doors upon me, I disencumbered
myself of my irons, took my knife, and began my
Herculean labour on the door. The first of the double
doors that opened inwards was conquered in less than
an hour; the other was a very different task. The lock
was soon cut round, but it opened outwards; there was
therefore no other means left but to cut the whole door
away above the bar.
Incessant and incredible labour made this possible,
though it was the more difficult as everything was to
be done by feeling, I being totally in the dark; the
sweat dropped, or rather flowed, from my body; my
fingers were clotted in my own blood, and my lacerated
hands were one continued wound.
Daylight appeared: I clambered over the door that
was half cut away, and got up to the window in the
space or cell that was between the double doors, as
before described. Here I saw my dungeon was in the
ditch of the first rampart : before me I beheld the road
from the rampart, the guard but fifty paces distant,
and the high palisades that were in the ditch, and
must be scaled before I could reach the rampart. Hope
grew stronger; my efforts were redoubled. The first
of the next double doors was attacked, which likewise
opened inward, and was soon conquered. The sun set
before I had ended this, and the fourth was to be cut
away as the second had been. My strength failed;
both my hands were raw; I rested awhile, began
again, and had made a cut of a foot long, when my
knife snapped, and the broken blade dropped to the
ground!
18 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
God of Omnipotence what was I at this moment P
Was there, God of Mercies 1 was there ever creature of
Thine more justified than I in despair P The moon
shone very clear; I cast a wild and distracted look up
to heaven, fell on my knees, and in the agony of my
soul sought comfort: but no comfort could be found;
nor religion nor philosophy had any to give. I cursed
not Providence, I feared not annihilation, I dared not
Almighty vengeance; God the Creator was the disposer
of my fate; and if He heaped afflictions upon me He
had not given me strength to support, His justice would
not therefore punish me. To Him, the Judge of the
quick and dead, I committed my soul, seized the broken
knife, gashed through the veins of my left arm and
foot, sat myself tranquilly down, and saw the blood
flow. Nature, overpowered, fainted, and I know not
how long I remained, slumbering, in this state.
Suddenly I heard my own name, awoke, and again
heard the words, “Baron Trenck!” My answer was,
“Who calls?” And who indeed was it—who but my
honest grenadier Gelfhardt—my former faithful friend
in the citadel! The good, the kind fellow had got upon
the rampart, that he might comfort me.
“How do you do?” said Gelfhardt. “Weltering
in my blood,” answered I; “to-morrow you will find
me dead.”—“Why should you die?” replied he. “It
is much easier for you to escape here than from the
citadel ! Here is no sentinel, and I shall soon find
means to provide you with tools; if you can only break
out, leave the rest to me. As often as I am on guard,
I will seek opportunity to speak to you. In the whole
Star-Fort, there are but two sentinels: the one at the
entrance, and the other at the guard-house. Do not
OF BARON TEENCEC. - 19
despair; God will succour you; trust to me.” The
good man's kindness and discourse revived—my hopes:
I saw the possibility of an escape. A secret joy diffused
itself through my soul. I immediately tore my shirt,
bound up my wounds, and waited the approach of day;
and the sun soon after shone through the window, to
me, with unaccustomed brightness.
Tiet the reader judge how far it was chance, or the
effect of Divine providence, that in this dreadful hour
my heart again received hope. Who was it sent the
honest Gelfhardt, at such a moment, to my prison P
For, had it not been for him, I had certainly, when I
awoke from my slumbers, cut more effectually through
my arteries.
Till noon I had time to consider what might further
be done : yet what could be done, what expected, but
that I should now be much more cruelly treated, and
even more insupportably ironed than before—finding,
as they must, the doors cut through and my fetters
shaken off?
After mature consideration, I therefore made the
following resolution, which succeeded happily, and even
beyond my hopes. Before I proceed, however, I will
speak a few words concerning my situation at this
moment. It is impossible to describe how much I was
exhausted. The prison swam with blood; and certainly
but little was left in my body. With painful wounds,
swelled and torn hands, I there stood shirtless, felt an
inclination to sleep almost irresistible, and scarcely had
strength to keep my legs, yet was I obliged to rouse
myself, that I might execute my plan.
With the bar that separated my hands, I loosened
the bricks of my seat, which, being newly laid, was
20 , THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
**.
easily done, and heaped them up in the middle of my
prison. The inner door was quite open, and with my
chains I so barricaded the upper half of the second as
to prevent any one climbing over it. When noon came,
and the first of the doors was unlocked, all were
astonished to find the second open. There I stood,
besmeared with blood, the picture of horror, with a
brick in one hand, and in the other my broken knife,
crying, as they approached, “Keep off, Mr. Major, keep
off! Tell the governor I will live no longer in chains,
and that here I stand, if so he pleases, to be shot ; for
so only will I be conquered. Here no man shall enter
—I will destroy all that approach; here are my
weapons; here will I die in despite of tyranny.” The
major was terrified, wanted resolution, and made his
report to the governor. I meantime sat down on my
bricks, to wait what might happen : my secret intent,
however, was not so desperate as it appeared. I sought
only to obtain a favourable capitulation.
The governor, General Borck, presently came, at-
tended by the town-major and some officers, and entered
the outward cell, but sprang back the moment he beheld
a figure like me, standing with a brick and uplifted
arm. I repeated what I had told the major, and he
immediately ordered six grenadiers to force the door.
The front cell was scarcely six feet broad, so that no
more than two at a time could attack my intrenchment,
and when they saw my threatening bricks ready to de-
scend, they leaped terrified back. A short pause ensued,
and the old town-major, with the chaplain, advanced
towards the door to soothe me : the conversation con-
tinued some time: whose reasons were most satisfactory,
and whose cause was the most just, I leave to the reader,
* $
t
~s
***** * * * / - 2. T 4. ---
*-
3.
*
* - *.
OF BARON TRENCE. 21
The governor grew angry, and ordered a fresh attack.
The first grenadier was knocked down, and the rest ran
|back to avoid my missiles.
The town-major again began a parley. “For God’s
sake, my dear Trenck,” said he, “in what have I injured
you, that you endeavour to effect my ruin? I must
answer for your having, through my negligence, con-
cealed a knife. Be persuaded, I entreat you. Be
appeased. You are not without hope, nor without
friends.” My answer was—“But will you not load me
with heavier irons than before ?”
He went out, spoke with the governor, and gave me
his word of honour that the affair should be no further
noticed, and that everything should be exactly re-
instated as formerly.
Here ended the capitulation, and my wretched
citadel was taken. The condition I was in was viewed
with pity; my wounds were examined, a surgeon sent
to dress them, another shirt was given me, and the
bricks, clotted with blood, removed. I, meantime, lay
half dead on my mattress; my thirst was excessive.
The surgeon ordered me some wine. Two sentinels
were stationed in the front cell, and I was thus left
four days in peace, unironed. Broth also was given
me daily, and how delicious this was to taste, how
much it revived and strengthened me, is wholly im-
possible to describe. Two days I lay in a slumbering
kind of trance, forced by unquenchable thirst to
drink whenever I awoke. My feet and hands were
swelled; the pains in my back and limbs were ex-
cessive.
On the fifth day the doors were ready; the inner
was entirely plated with iron, and I was fettered as
§
*
22 - THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
before: perhaps they found further cruelty unnecessary.
The principal chain, however, which fastened me to
the wall, like that I had before broken, was thicker
than the first. Except this, the capitulation was
strictly kept. They deeply regretted that, without the
Ring's express commands, they could not lighten my
afflictions, wished me fortitude and patience, and barred
ºup my doors. w
It is necessary I should here describe my dress.
. My hands being fixed and kept asunder by an iron
bar, and my feet chained to the wall, I could neither
put on shirt nor stockings in the usual mode; the shirt
was therefore tied, and changed once a fortnight; the
coarse ammunition stockings were buttoned on the
sides; a blue garment, of soldier's cloth, was likewise
tied round me, and I had a pair of slippers for my
feet. The shirt was of the army linen; and when I
contemplated myself in this dress of a malefactor,
chained thus to the wall in such a dungeon, vainly
imploring mercy or justice, my conscience void of
reproach, my heart of guilt—when I reflected on my
former splendour in Berlin and Moscow, and compared
it with this sad, this dreadful reverse of destiny, I was
sunk in grief, or roused to indignation, that might have
hurried the greatest hero or philosopher to madness or
despair. I felt what can only be imagined by him who
has suffered like me, after having like me flourished, if
such can be found.
Pride, the justness of my cause, the unbounded con-
fidence I had in my own resolution, and the labours of
an inventive head and iron body—these only could
have preserved my life. These bodily labours, these
continued inventions, and projected plans to obtain my
OF BARON TRENCEC. 23
*-
freedom, preserved my health. Who would suppose
that a man fettered as I was could find means of exer-
cising himself? By swinging my arms, acting with
the upper part of my body, and leaping upwards, I
frequently put myself in a strong perspiration. After
thus wearying myself I slept soundly, and often
thought how many generals, obliged to support the
inclemencies of weather, and all the dangers of the
field—how many of those who had plunged me into
this den of misery, would have been most glad could
, they, like me, have slept with a quiet conscience.
Often did I reflect how much happier I was than
those tortured on the bed of sickness by gout, stone,
and other terrible diseases. How much happier was
I in innocence than the malefactor doomed to suffer
the pangs of death, the ignominy of men, and the
horrors of internal guilt
CEIATPTER II.
IN the following part of my history it will appear
I often had much money concealed under the ground
and in the walls of my den, yet would I have given a
hundred ducats for a morsel of bread, it could not
have been procured. Money was to me useless. In
this I resembled the miser, who hoards, yet lives in
wretchedness, having no joy in gentle acts of bene-
volence. As proudly might I delight myself with
my hidden treasure as such misers; nay, more, for I
was secure from robbers. *
f \ # $
24 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
Had fastidious pomp been my pleasure, I might
have imagined myself some old field-marshal bed-
ridden, who hears two grenadier sentinels at his door
call, “Who goes there P” My honour, indeed, was
still greater; för, during my last year's imprisonment,
my door was guarded by no less than four. My vanity
also might have been flattered: I might hence conclude
how high was the value set upon my head, since all
this trouble was taken to hold me in security. Certain
it is that in my chains I thought more rationally,
more nobly, reasoned more philosophically on man, his
nature, his zeal, his imaginary wants, the effects of his
ambition, his passions, and saw more distinctly his
dream of earthly good, than those who had imprisoned,
or those who guarded me. I was void of the fears
that haunt the parasite who servilely wears the fetters
of a court, and daily trembles for the loss of what vice
and cunning have acquired. Those who had usurped
the Sclavonian estates, and feasted sumptuously from
the service of plate I had been robbed of, never ate
their dainties with so sweet an appetite as I my am-
munition bread, nor did their high-flavoured wines flow
so limpid as my cold water.
Thus, the man who thinks, being pure of heart, will
find consolation when under the most dreadful calami-
ties, convinced, as he must lye, that those apparently
most are frequently least happy, insensible as they
are of the pleasures they might enjoy. Evil is never
so great as it appears.
“Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jowel in liis head.”
As yow Like it.
* 2: * *
OF BARON TRENCE. 25
Happy he who, like me, having suffered, can become
an example to his suffering brethren
YOUTH, prosperous, and imagining eternal pros-
perity, read my history attentively, though I should
be in my grave | Read feelingly, and bless my
sleeping dust, if it has taught thee wisdom or forti-
tude
FATHER, reading this, say to thy children, I felt
thus like them, in blooming youth, little prophesied of
misfortune, which after fell so heavy on me, and by
which I am even still persecuted | Say that I had
virtue, ambition, was educated in noble principles;
that I laboured with all the zeal of enthusiastic youth
to become wiser, better, greater than other men; that
I was guilty of no crimes, was the friend of men, was
no deceiver of man or woman; that I first served my
own country faithfully, and after, every other in which
I found bread; that I was never, during life, once in-
toxicated; was no gamester, no night rambler, no con-
temptible idler; that yet, through envy and arbitrary
power, I have fallen to misery such as none but the
worst of criminals ought to feel.
BROTHER, fly those countries where the lawgiver
himself knows no law, where truth and virtue are
punished as crimes; and, if fly you cannot, be it your
endeavour to remain unknown, unnoticed; in such
countries, seek not favour or honourable employ, else
will you become, when your merits are known, as I
have been, the victim of slander and treachery : the
behests of power will persecute you, and innocence will
not shield you from the shafts of wicked men who are
envious, or who wish to obtain the favour of princes,
though by the worst of means.
**,
26 $: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
SIRE, imagine not that thou readest a romance. My
head is grey, like thine. Read, yet despise not the
world, though it has treated me thus unthankfully.
Good men have I also found, who have befriended me
in misfortunes, and there, where I had least claim,
have I found them most. May my book assist thee in
noble thoughts; mayest thou die as tranquilly as I shall
render up my soul to appear before the Judge of me
and my persecutors. Be death but thought a transi-
tion from motion to rest. Few are the delights of this
world for him who, like me, has learned to know it.
Murmur not, despair not of Providence. Me, through
storms, it has brought to haven; through many griefs
to Self-knowledge; and through prisons to philosophy.
He only can tranquilly descend to annihilation who
finds reason not to repent he has once existed. My
rudder broke not amid the rocks and quicksands, but
my bark was cast upon the strand of knowledge. Yet,
even on these clear shores are impenetrable clouds. I
have seen more distinctly than it is supposed men
ought to see. Age will decay the faculties, and
mental, like bodily sight, must then decrease. I even
grew weary of science, and envied the blind-born, or
those who, till death, have been wilfully hoodwinked.
How often have I been asked, “What didst thou see P”
And when I answered with sincerity and truth, how
often have I been derided as a liar, and been persecuted
by those who determined not to see themselves, as an
innovator singular and rash *
Sire, I further say to thee, teach thy descendants
to seek the golden mean, and say with Gellert—“The
boy Fritz needs nothing; his stupidity will insure
his success. Examine our wealthy and titled lords,
-** ** r ...&# Jº wº. *. º
* OF BARON TRENCE. 27
what are their abilities and honours, then inquire how
they were attained, and, if thou canst, discover in what
true happiness consists.”
Once more to my prison. The failure of my escape,
and the recovery of life from this state of despair, led
me to moralise deeper than I had ever done before;
and in this depth of thought I found unexpected con-
solation and fortitude, and a firm persuasion I yet
should accomplish my deliverance.
Gelfhardt, my honest grenadier, had infused fresh
hope, and my mind now busily began to meditate new
plans. A sentinel was placed before my door, that I
might be more narrowly watched, and the married
men of the Prussian states were appointed to this duty,
who, as I will hereafter show, were more easy to per-
suade in aiding my flight than foreign fugitives. The
Pomeranian will listen, and is by nature kind, there-
fore may easily be moved, and induced to succour
distress.
I began to be more accustomed to my irons, which I
had before found so insupportable; I could comb out
my long hair, and could tie it at last with one hand.
My beard, which had so long remained unshaven, gave
me a grim appearance, and I began to pluck it up
by the roots. The pain at first was considerable,
especially about the lips; but this also custom con-
quered, and I performed this operation in the following
years, once in six weeks, or two months, as the hair
thus plucked up required that length of time before
the nails could again get hold. Vermin did not molest
me; the dampness of my den was inimical to them.
My limbs never swelled, because of the exercise I gave
myself, as before described. The greatest pain I found .
*i.
28 THE LíFE AND ADVENTURES *...
was in the continued unvivifying dimness in which I
lived. t
I had read much, had lived in, and seen much of
the world. Vacuity of thought, therefore, I was little
troubled with ; the former transactions of my life, and
the remembrance of the persons I had known, I re-
volved so often in my mind, that they became as
familiar and connected as if the events had each been
written in the order it occurred. Habit made this
mental exercise so perfect to me, that I could compose
speeches, fables, odes, satires, all of which I repeated
aloud, and had so stored my memory with them that I
was enabled, after I had obtained my freedom, to
commit to writing two volumes of my prison labours.
Accustomed to this exercise, days that would other-
wise have been days of misery appeared but as a
moment. The following narrative will show how
much esteem, how many friends, these compositions
procured me, even in my dungeon; insomuch that I
obtained light, paper, and finally freedom itself. For
these I have to thank the industrious acquirements of
my youth; therefore do I counsel all my readers so to
employ their time. Riches, honours, the favours of
fortune, may be showered by monarchs upon the most
worthless; but monarchs can give and take, say and
unsay, raise and pull down. Monarchs, however, can
neither give wisdom nor virtue. Arbitrary power it-
self, in the presence of these, is foiled.
How wisely has Providence ordained that the en-
dowments of industry, learning, and science, given by
ourselves, cannot be taken from us; while, on the con-
trary, what others bestow is a fantastical dream, from
which any accident may awaken us! The wrath of
~ ; OF BARON TREN CK 29
Frederic could destroy legions, and defeat armies; but
it could not take from me the sense of honour, of
innocence, and their sweet concomitant, peace of mind
—could not deprive me of fortitude and magnani-
mity. I defied his power, rested on the justice of
my cause, found in myself expedients where with to
oppose him, was at length crowned with conquest,
and came forth to the world the martyr of suffering
virtue.
Some of my oppressors now rot in dishonourable
graves. Others, alas ! in Vienna, remain immured in
houses of correction, as Krugel and Zeto, or beg their
bread, like Gravenitz and Doo. Nor are the wealthy
possessors of my estates more fortunate, but look down
with shame wherever I and my children appear. We
stand erect, esteemed, and honoured, while theim ºn-
justice is manifest to the whole world.
Young man, be industrious : for without industry can
none of the treasures I have described be purchased.
Thy labour will reward itself; then, when assaulted
by misfortune, or even misery, learn of me and Smile;
or, shouldst thou escape such trials, still labour to ac-
quire wisdom, that in old age thou mayest find content
and happiness.
The years in my dungeon passed away as days, those
moments excepted when, thinking on the great world,
and the deeds of great men, my ambition was roused:
except when, contemplating the vileness of my chains,
and the wretchedness of my situation, I laboured for
liberty, and found my labours endless and ineffectual;
except while I remembered the triumph of my enemies,
and the splendour in which those lived by whom I
had been plundered. & Then, indeed, did I experience
* f
30 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
*
intervals that approached madness, despair, and horror:
beholding myself destitute of friend or protector, the
Empress herself, for whose sake I suffered, deserting
me; reflecting on past times and past prosperity; re-
membering how the good and virtuous, from the
cruel nature of my punishment, must be obliged to
conclude me a wretch and a villain, and that all means
of justification were cut off: O God! How did my
heart beat with what violence | What would I not
have undertaken, in these suffering moments, to have
put my enemies to shame! Wengeance and rage them
rose rebellious against patience; long-suffering philo-
sophy vanished, and the poisoned cup of Socrates would
have been the nectar of the gods.
Man deprived of hope is man destroyed. I found
but little probability in all my plans and projects; yet
did I trust that some of them should succeed, yet did I
confide in them and my honest Gelfhardt, and that I
should still free myself from my chains.
The greatest of all my incitements to patient en-
durance was love. I had left behind me, in Vienna, a
lady for whom the world still was dear to me; her
would I neither desert nor afflict. To her and my
sister was my existence still necessary. For their sakes,
who had lost and suffered so much for mine, would I
preserve my life; for them no difficulty, no suffering
was too great ; yet, alas! when long-desired liberty
was restored, I found them both in their graves. The
joy, for which I had borne so much, was no more to be
tasted.
About three weeks after my attempt to escape, the
good Gelfhardt first came to stand sentinel over me;
and the sentinel they had so carefully set was indeed
7.
of BARON TRENCK. 31
**
the only hope I could have of escape; for help must be
had from without, or this was impossible.
The effort I had made had excited too much surprise
and alarm for me to pass without strict examination;
since, on the ninth day after I was confined, I had, in
eighteen hours, so far broken through a prison built
purposely for myself, by a combination of So many
projectors, and with such extreme precaution, that it
had been universally declared impenetrable.
Gelfhardt scarcely had taken his post before we had
free opportunity of conversing together; for, when I
stood with one foot on my bedstead, I could reach the
aperture through which light was admitted.
Gelfhardt described the situation of my dungeon,
and our first plan was to break under the foundation
which he had seen laid, and which he affirmed to be
only two feet deep.
Money was the first thing necessary. Gelfhardt was
relieved during his guard, and returned bringing with
him a sheet of paper rolled on a wire, which he passed
through my grating; as he also did a piece of Small
wax candle, some burning amadone (a kind of tinder), S
a match, and a pen. I now had light, and I pricked
my finger, and wrote with my blood to my faithful
friend, Captain Ruckhardt, at Vienna, described my
situation in a few words, sent him an acquittance for
three thousand florins on my revenues, and requested
he would dispose of a thousand florins to defray the ex-
penses of his journey to Gummern, only two miles from
Magdeburg. Here he was positively to be on the 15th
of August. About noon, on this same day, he was to
walk with a letter in his hand; and a man was there to
meet him, carrying a roll of Smoking tobacco, to whom
*
32 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
he must remit the two thousand florins, and return to
Vienna. *4
I returned the written paper to Gelfhardt by the
same means it had been received, gave him my instruc-
tions, and he sent his wife with it to Gummern, by
whom it was safely put in the post.
My hopes daily rose, and as often as Gelfhardt
mounted guard, so often did we continue our projects.
The 15th of August came, but it was some days before
Gelfhardt was again on guard; and oh! how did my
heart palpitate when he came and exclaimed, “All is
right ! we have succeeded.” He returned in the even-
ing, and we began to consider by what means he could
convey the money to me. I could not, with my hands
chained to an iron bar, reach the aperture of the win-
dow that admitted air : besides that it was too small.
It was therefore agreed that Gelfhardt should, on the
next guard, perform the office of cleaning my dungeon,
and that he then should convey the money to me in the
water-jug.
This luckily was done. How great was my astonish-
ment when, instead of one, I found two thousand
florins ! For I had permitted him to reserve half to
himself, as a reward for his fidelity; he, however, had
kept but five pistoles, which he persisted was enough.
Worthy Gelfhardt | This was the act of a Pomeranian
grenadier . How rare are such examples | Be thy name
and mine ever united! Live thou while the memory
of me shall live! Never did my acquaintance with the
great bring to my knowledge a soul so noble, so dis-
interested
It is true, I afterwards prevailed on him to accept
the whole thousand; but we shall soon see he never
OF BARON TEENCE. " 33
had them, and that his foolish wife, three years after,
suffered by their means ; however, she suffered alone,
for he soon marched to the field, and therefore was un-
punished.
Having money to carry on my designs, I began to
put my plan of burrowing under the foundation into
execution. The first thing necessary was to free my-
self from my fetters. To accomplish this, Gelfhardt
supplied me with two small files, and by the aid of
these, this labour, though great, was effected.
The cap, or staple, of the foot ring was made so wide
that I could draw it forward a quarter of an inch. I
filed the iron which passed through it on the inside;
the more I filed this away, the farther I could draw
the cap down, till at last the whole inside iron, through
which the chains passed, was cut quite through by
this means I could slip off the ring, while the cap on
the outside continued whole, and it was impossible to
discover any cut, as only the outside could be examined.
My hands, by continued efforts, I so compressed as to
be able to draw them out of the handcuffs. I then
filed the hinge, and made a screw-driver of one of the
foot-long flooring nails, by which I could take out the
screw at pleasure, so that at the time of examination
no proofs could appear. The rim round my body was
but a small impediment, except the chain, which passed
from my hand-bar: and this I removed, by filing an
aperture in one of the links, which, at the necessary
hour, 1 closed with bread, rubbed over with rusty iron,
first drying it by the heat of my body; and would
wager any sum that, without striking the chain link
by link, with a hammer, no one not in the secret
would have discovered the fracture.
B—14
34 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
The window was never strictly examined; I there-
fore drew the two staples by which the iron bars were
fixed to the wall, and which I daily replaced, carefully
plastering them over. I procured wire from Gelfhardt,
and tried how well I could imitate the inner grating:
finding I succeeded tolerably, I cut the real grating
totally away, and substituted an artificial one of my
own fabricating, by which I obtained a free communi-
cation with the outside, additional fresh air, together
with all necessary implements, tinder, and candles.
That the light might not be seen, I hung the coverlid
of my bed before the window, so that I could work
fearless and undetected.
Every thing prepared, I went to work. The floor
of my dungeon was not of stone, but oak plank, three
inches thick; three beds of which were laid crossways,
and were fastened to each other by nails half an inch
in diameter, and a foot long. Having worked round
the head of a nail, I made use of the hole at the end of
the bar, which separated my hands, to draw it out, and
this nail, sharpened upon my tombstone, made an ex-
cellent chisel.
I now cut through the board more than an inch in
width, that I might work downwards, and having
drawn away a piece of board which was inserted two-
inches under the wall, I cut this so as exactly to fit;
the small crevice it occasioned I stopped up with bread
and strewed over with dust, so as to prevent all sus-
picious appearance. My labour under this was con-
tinued with less precaution, and I had soon worked
through my nine-inch planks. Under them I came to
a fine white sand, on which the Star Fort was built.
My chips I carefully distributed beneath the boards.
of BARON TRENGK. 35
-
ºr-
If I had not help from without, I could proceed no
farther; for to dig were useless, unless I could rid my-
self of my rubbish. Gelfhardt supplied me with some
ells of cloth, of which I made long narrow bags, stuffed
them with earth, and passed them between the iron
bars, to Gelfhardt, who, as he was on guard, scattered
or conveyed away their contents.
Furnished with room to secrete them under the floor,
I obtained more instruments, together with a pair of
pistols, powder, ball, and a bayonet.
I now discovered that the foundation of my prison,
instead of two, was sunken four feet deep. Time,
labour, and patience were all necessary to break out
unheard and undiscovered; but few things are im-
possible, where resolution is not wanting.
The hole I made was obliged to be four feet deep,
corresponding with the foundation, and wide enough to
kneel and stoop in: the lying down on the floor to work,
the continual stooping to throw out the earth, the
narrow space in which all must be performed, these
made the labour incredible: and, after this daily
labour, all things were to be replaced, and my chains
again resumed, which alone required some hours to
effect. My greatest aid was in the wax candles, and
light I had procured; but as Gelfhardt stood sentinel
only once a fortnight, my work was much delayed; the
sentinels were forbidden to speak to me under pain of
death: and I was too fearful of being betrayed to dare
to seek new assistance.
Being without a stove, I suffered much this winter
from cold; yet my heart was cheerful as I saw the
probability of freedom; and all were astonished to
find me in such good spirits.
36 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
Gelfhardt also brought me supplies of provisions,
chiefly consisting of sausages and salt meats, ready
dressed, which increased my strength, and when I was
not digging, I wrote satires and verses: thus time was
employed, and I contented even in prison.
Lulled into security, an accident happened that will
appear almost incredible, and by which every hope was
nearly frustrated.
Gelfhardt had been working with me, and was re-
lieved in the morning. As I was replacing the window,
which I was obliged to remove on these occasions, it
fell out of my hand, and three of the glass panes were
broken. Gelfhardt was not to return till guard was
again relieved: I had therefore no opportunity of
speaking with him, or concerting any mode of repair.
I remained nearly an hour conjecturing and hesitating;
for certainly had the l rosen window been seen, as it
was impossible T should reach it whenfettered, I should
immediately have been more rigidly examined, and the
false grating must have been discovered.
I therefore came to a resolution, and spoke to the
sentinel (who was amusing himself with whistling),
thus: “My good fellow, have pity, not upon me, but
upon your comrades, who, should you refuse, will cer-
tainly be executed: I will throw you thirty pistoles
through the window, if you will do me a small favour.”.
He remained some moments silent, and at last an-
swered in a low voice, “What, have you money, then?”
—I immediately counted thirty pistoles, and threw
them through the window. He asked what he was to
do : I told him my difficulty, and gave him the size of
the panes in paper. The man fortunately was bold
and prudent. The door of the pallisadoes, through the
OF EAR ON TRENCE. 37
negligence of the officer, had not been shut that day:
he prevailed on one of his comrades to stand sentinel
for him, during half an hour, while he meantime ran
into the town, and procured the glass, on the receipt of
which I instantly threw him out ten more pistoles.
Before the hour of noon and visitation came, every-
thing was once more reinstated, my glaziery performed
to a miracle, and the life of my worthy Gelfhardt pre-
served —Such is the power of money in this world!
This is a very remarkable incident, for I never spoke
after to the man who did me this signal service.
Gelfhardt’s alarm may easily be imagined; he some
days after returned to his post, and was the more as-
tonished as he knew the sentinel who had done me this
good office; that he had five children, and a man most
to be depended on by his officers, of any one in the
whole grenadier company.
I now continued my labour, and found it very pos-
sible to break out under the foundation; but Gelfhardt
had been so terrified by the late accident, that he
started a thousand difficulties, in proportion as my end
was more nearly accomplished; and at the moment
when I wished to concert with him the means of flight,
he persisted it was necessary to find additional help, to
escape in safety, and not bring both him and myself to
destruction. At length we came to the following
determination, which, however, after eight months’
incessant labour, rendered my whole project abortive.
I wrote once more to Ruckhardt, at Vienna; sent
him a new assignment for money, and desired he would
again repair to Gummern, where he should wait six
several nights, with two spare horses, on the glacis of
Elosterbergen, at the time appointed, everything
º,
38 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
being prepared for flight. Within these six days
Gelfhardt would have found means, either in rotation,
or by exchanging the guard, to have been with me.
Alas! the Sweet hope of again beholding the face of
the sun, of once more obtaining my freedom, endured
but three days : Providence thought proper otherwise
to ordain. Golfhardt sent his wife to Gummern with
the letter, and this silly woman told the post-master
her husband had a lawsuit at Vienna, that therefore she
begged he would take particular care of the letter, for
which purpose she slipped ten rix-dollars into his
hand.
This unexpected liberality raised the suspicions of
the Saxon post-master, who therefore opened the letter,
read the contents, and instead of sending it to Vienna,
or at least to the general post-master at Dresden, he
preferred the traitorous act of taking it himself to the
governor of Magdeburg, who then, as at present, was
Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick.
What were my terrors, what my despair, when I
beheld the Prince himself, about three o’clock in the
afternoon, enter my prison with his attendants, present
my letter, and ask, in an authoritative voice, who had
carried it to Gummern. My answer was, “l know not.”
Strict search was immediately made by Smiths, car-
penters, and masons, and after half an hour's examina-
tion, they discovered neither my hole nor the manner
in which I disencumbered myself of my chains; they
only saw that the middle grating, in the aperture where
the light was admitted, had been removed. This was
boarded up the next day, only a small air-hole left, of
about six inches diameter.
The Prince began to threaten; I persisted I had
ºt
.*
*…* §s .* e'ſ
OF BARON TRENCE. 39
never seen the sentinel who had rendered me this
service, nor asked his name. Seeing his attempts all
ineffectual, the governor, in a milder tone, said, “You
have ever complained, Baron Trenck, of not having
been legally sentenced, or heard in your own defence;
I give you my word of honour, this you shall be, and
also that you shall be released from your fetters, if you
will only tell me who took your letter.” To this I
replied, with all the fortitude of innocence, “Every-
body knows, my lord, I have never deserved the treat-
ment I have met with in my country. My heart is
irreproachable. I seek to recover my liberty by every
means in my power: but were I capable of betraying
the man whose compassion has induced him to succour
my distress; were I the coward that could purchase
happiness at his expense, I then should, indeed, deserve
to wear those chains with which I am loaded. For
myself, do with me what you please : yet remember I
am not wholly destitute : I am still a captain in the
Imperial service, and a descendant of the house of
Trenck.”
Prince Fordinand stood for a moment unable to
answer; then renewed his threats, and left my dun-
geon. I have since been told that, when he was out of
hearing, he said to those around him, “I pity his hard
fate, and cannot but admire his strongth of mind!”
I must here remark that, when we remember the
usual circumspection of this great man, we are obliged
to wonder at his imprudence in holding a conversation
of such a kind with me, which lasted a considerable
time, in the presence of the guard. The soldiers of the
whole garrison had afterwards the utmost confidence, as
they were convinced I would not meanly devote others
40 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
to destruction, that I might benefit myself. This was
the way to gain me esteem and intercourse among the
men, especially as the Duke had said he knew I must
have money concealed, for that I had distributed some
to the sentinels.
He had scarcely been gone an hour, before I heard a
noise near my prison. I listened—what could it be P
I heard talking, and learned a grenadier had hanged
himself to the pallisadoes of my prison.
The officer of the town-guard, and the town-major
again entered my dungeon to fetch a lanthorn they had
forgotten, and the officer at going out, told me in a
whisper, “One of your associates has just hanged him-
self.”
It was impossible to imagine my terror or sensations;
I believed it could be only my kind, my honest
Gelfhardt. After many gloomy thoughts, and lament-
ing the unhappy end of so worthy a fellow, I began to
recollect what the Prince had promised me, if I would
discover the accomplice. I knocked at the door, and
desired to speak to the officer; he came to the window
and asked me what I wanted; I requested he would
inform the governor that if he would send me light,
pen, ink, and paper, I would discover my whole
secret.
These were accordingly sent, an hour's time was
granted; the door was shut, and I was left alone. I
sat myself down, began to write on my night-table, and
was about to insert the name of Gelfhardt, but my
blood thrilled, and shrank back to my heart. I
shuddered, rose, went to the aperture of the window
and called, “Is there no man who in compassion
will tell me the name of him who has hanged himself.
OF BARON TRENCEC. •º 41
that I may deliver many others from destruction P”
The window was not nailed up till the next day; I
therefore wrapped five pistoles in a paper, threw them
out, called to the sentinel, and said, “Friend, take
these, and save thy comrades; or go and betray me,
and bring down innocent blood upon thy head l’
The paper was taken up; a pause of silence ensued:
I heard sighs, and presently after a low voice said, his
name is Schutz; he belonged to the company of
Ripps.” I had never heard the name before, or known
the man, but I however immediately wrote SCHUTz,
instead of Gelfhardt. Having finished the letter I
called the lieutenant, who took that and the light away,
and again barred up the door of my dungeon. The
Duke, however, suspected there must be some evasion,
and everything remained in the same state: I obtained
neither hearing nor court-martial. I learned, in the
sequel, the following circumstances, which will dis-
play the truth of this apparently incredible story.
While I was imprisoned in the citadel, a sentinel
came to the post under my window, cursed and blas-
phemed, exclaiming aloud against the Prussian ser-
vice, and saying, if Trenck only knew my mind, he
would not long continue in his hole ! I entered into
discourse with him, and he told me, if I could give him
money to purchase a boat, in which he might cross the
Elbe, he would soon make my doors fly open, and set
me free.
Money at that time I had none; but I gave him a
diamond shirt-buckle, worth five hundred florins, which
I had concealed. I never heard more from this man;
he spoke to me no more. He often stood sentinel over
me, which I knew by his Westphalian dialect, and I as
42 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs
often addressed myself to him, but ineffectually; he
would make no answer.
This Schutz must have sold my buckle, and let his
riches be seen; for, when the Duke left me, the lieu-
tenant on guard said to him—“You must certainly be
the rascal who carried Trenck’s letter; you have, for
some time past, spent much money, and we have seen
you with louis-d'ors. How came you by them P’’
Schutz was terrified, his conscience accused him,
he imagined I should betray him, knowing he had
deceived me. He, therefore, in the first agonies of
despair, came to the pallisadoes, and hung himself
before the door of my dungeon.
CHAPTER, III.
HOW wonderful is the hand of Providence The
wicked man fell a sacrifice to his crime, after having
escaped a whole year, and the faithful, the benevolent-
hearted Gelfhardt was thereby saved.
The sentinels were now doubled, that any intercourse
with them might be rendered more difficult. Gelfhardt
again stood guard, but he had scarcely opportunity,
without danger, to speak a few words: he thanked me
for having preserved him, wished me better fortune,
and told me the garrison, in a few days, would take
the field.
This was dreadfulnews: my whole plan was destroyed
at a breath. I, however, soon recovered fresh hopes.
The hole I had sunken was not discovered: I had five
hundred florins, candles, and implements.
* rº-
OF BARON TRENCE. 43
The seven years' war broke out about a week after,
and the regiment took the field. Major Weyner came,
for the last time, and committed me to the care of the
new major of the militia, Bruckhausen, who was one of
the most surly and stupid of men. I shall often have
occasion to mention this man.
All the majors and lieutenants of the guard, who had
treated me with compassion and esteem, now departed,
and I became an old prisoner in a new world. I acquired
greater confidence, however, by remembering that both
officers and men in the militia were much easier to gain
over than in the regulars; the truth of which opinion
was soon confirmed.
Four lieutenants were appointed, with their men, to
mount guard at the Star Fort in turn, and before a year
had passed, three of them were in my interest.
The regiments had scarcely taken the field ere the
new governor, General Borck, entered my prison, like
what he was, an imperious, cruel tyrant. The King, in
giving him the command, had informed him he
must answer for my person with his head: he therefore
had full power to treat me with whatever severity he
pleased.
Borck was a stupid man, of an unfeeling heart, the
slave of despotic orders; and as often as he thought it
possible I might rid myself of my fetters and escape,
his heart palpitated with fear. In addition to this, he
considered me as the vilest of men and traitors, seeing
his King had condemned me to imprisonment so cruel,
and his barbarity towards me was thus the effect of
character and meanness of soul. He entered my
dungeon not as an officer, to visit a brother officer in
misery, but as an executioner to a felon. Smiths then
44 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
*
made their appearance, and a monstrous iron collar, of
a hand’s breadth, was put round my neck, and connected
with the chains of the feet by additional heavy links.
My window was walled up, except a small air-hole.
He even at length took away my bed, gave me no
straw, and quitted me with a thousand revilings on the
Empress-Queen, her whole army, and myself. In
words, however, I was little in his debt, and he was
enraged even to madness.
What my situation was under this additional load of
tyranny, and the command of a man so void of human
pity, the reader may imagine. My greatest good fortune
consisted in the ability Istill had to disencumber myself
of all the irons that were connected with the ankle-rims,
and the provision I had of light, paper, and implements;
and though it was apparently impossible I should break
out undiscovered by both sentinels, yet had I the re-
maining hope of gaining some officer, by money, who, as
in Glatz, should assist my escape.
Had the commands of the King been literally obeyed,
escape would have been wholly impossible; for, by this,
all communication would have been totally cut off with
the sentinels. To this effect the four keys of the four
doors were each to be kept by different persons; one
with the governor, another with the town-major, the
third with the major of the day, and the fourth with the
lieutenant of the guard. I never could have found
opportunity to have spoken with any one of them singly.
These commands at first were rigidly observed, with
this exception, that the governor made his appearance
only every week. Magdeburg became so full of pri-
soners that the town-major was obliged to deliver up
his key to the major of the day, and the governor’s
OF BARON TRENCE. 45
visitations wholly subsided, the citadel being an English
mile and a half distant from the Star Fort.
General Walrabe, who had been a prisoner ever since
the year 1746, was also at the Star Fort, but he had
apartments, and three thousand rix-dollars a year. The
major of the day and officer of the guard dined with
him daily, and generally stayed till evening. Either
from compassion, or a concurrence of fortunate circum-
stances, these gentlemen entrusted the keys to the
lieutenant on guard, by which means I could speak
with each of them alone when they made their visits,
and they themselves at length sought these opportunities.
My consequent undertakings I shall relate, with all the
arts and inventions of a wretched prisoner endeavour-
ing to escape.
Borck had selected three majors and four lieutenants
for this service as those he could best trust. My situa-
tion was truly deplorable. The enormous iron round
my neck pained me, and prevented motion; and I durst
not attempt to disengage myself from the pendant
chains till I had, for some months, carefully observed
the mode of their examination, and which parts they
supposed were perfectly secure. The cruelty of depri-
ving me of my bed was still greater : I was obliged to
sit upon the bare ground, and lean with my head against
the damp wall. The chains that descended from the
neck collar were obliged to be supported first with one
hand, and then with the other; for, if thrown behind, they
would have strangled me, and if hanging forward occa-
sioned most excessive headaches. The bar between my
hands held one down, while leaning on my elbow; Isup-
ported with the other my chains; and this so benumbed
the muscles and prevented circulation, that I could
46 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
perceive my arms sensibly waste away. The little sleep
I could have in such a situation may easily be supposed,
and, at length, body and mind sank under this accumu- .
lation of miserable suffering, and I fell ill of a burning
fever.
The tyrant Borck was inexorable; he wished to
expedite my death, and rid himself of his troubles and
his terrors. Here did I experience what was the
lamentable condition of a sick prisoner, without bed,
refreshment, or aid from human being. Reason, forti-
tude, heroism, all the noble qualities of the mind, decay
when the corporal faculties are diseased; and the re-
membrance of my sufferings, at this dreadful moment,
still agitates, still inflames my blood, so as almost to
prevent an attempt to describe what they were.
Yet hope had not totally forsaken me. Deliverance
seemed possible, especially should peace ensue; and I
sustained, perhaps, what mortal man never bore, except
myself, being, as I was, provided with pistols, or any
such immediate mode of despatch.
I continued ill about two months, and was so reduced
at last that I had scarcely strength to lift the water-jug
to my mouth. What must the sufferings of that man
be who sits two months on the bare ground in a dun-
geon so damp, so dark, so horrible, without bed or straw,
his limbs loaded as mine were, with no refreshment but
dry ammunition bread, without so much as a drop of
broth, without physic, without consoling friend, and
who, under all these afflictions, must trust, for his rº
covery, to the efforts of nature alone !
Sickness itself is sufficient to humble the mightiest
mind; what, then, is sickness, with such an addition of
tormont? The burning fever, the violent headaches,
OF BARON TRENCE. 47
,”
my neck swelled and inflamed with the irons, enraged
me almost to madness. The fever and the fetters to-
gether flayed my body so that it appeared like one
continued wound—Enough Enough The malefactor
extended living on the wheel, to whom the cruel execu-
tioner refuses the last stroke—the blow of death—
must yet, in some short period, expire: he suffers no-
thing I did not then suffer; and these, my excruciating
pangs, continued two dreadful months Yet, can it
be supposed ? There came a day ! A day of horror,
whèn these mortal pangs were beyond imagination in-
creased. I sat scorched with this intolerable fever, in
which nature and death were contending; and when
attempting to quench my burning entrails with cold
water, the jug dropped from my feeble hands, and
broke I had four-and-twenty hours to remain without
water. So intolerable, so devouring was my thirst, I
could have drank human blood! Ay, in my madness,
had it been the blood of my father
$ $ #: $: :* $:
Willingly would I have seized my pistols, but
strength had forsaken me, I could not open the place I
was obliged to render so cocure.
My visitors next day supposed me gone at last. I lay
motionless, with my tongue out of my mouth. They
poured water down my throat, and I revived.
Oh, God! Oh, God! How pure, how delicious, how
exquisite was this water My insatiable thirst soon
emptied the jug; they filled it anew, bade me farewell,
hoped death would soon relieve my mortal sufferings,
and departed.
The lamentable state in which I lay at length became
so much the subject of general conversation, that all the
*
* -yº
48 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
ladies of the town united with the officers, and prevailed
on the tyrant, Borck, to restore me my bed.
Oh, Nature, what are thy operations? From the day
I drank water in such excess I gathered strength, and
to the astonishment of every one, soon recovered. I
had moved the heart of the officer who inspected my
prison; and after six months, six cruel months of intense
misery, the day of hope again began to dawn.
One of the majors of the day entrusted his key to
Lieutenant Sonntag, who came alone, spoke in con-
fidence, and related his own situation, complained of
his debts, his poverty, his necessities; and I made
him a present of twenty-five louis-d'ors, for which he
was so grateful that our friendship became unshaken.
The three lieutenants all commiserated me, and
would sit hours with me, when a certain major had
the inspection; and he himself, after a time, would
even pass half the day with me. He, too, was poor:
and I gave him a draft for three thousand florins;
hence new projects took birth.
Money became necessary; I had disbursed all I
possessed, a hundred florins excepted, among the
officers. The eldest son of Captain K , who
officiated as major, had been cashiered: his father
complained to me of his distress, and I sent him to
my sister, not far from Berlin, from whom he re-
ceived a hundred ducats. He returned and related
her joy at hearing from me. He found her exceed-
ingly ill; and she informed me, in a few lines, that
my misfortunes, and the tieachery of Weingarten,
had entailed poverty upon her, and an illness which
had endured more than two years. She wished
me a happy deliverance from my chains, and, in
• v. " }.
OF BARON TYRENCEC. 49
expectation of death, committed her children to my
protection. She, however, grew better, and married
a second time, Colonel Pape; but died in the year
1758. I shall forbear to relate her history: it indeed
does no honour to the ashes of Frederic, and would
but less dispose my own heart to forgiveness, by re-
viving the memory of her oppressions and griefs.
FC n returned happy with the money: all
things were concerted with the father. I wrote to
the Countess Bestuchef, also to the Grand Duke, af-
terwards Peter III., recommended the young soldier,
and entreated every possible succour for myself.
E. n departed through Hamburg, for Peters-
burg, where, in consequence of my recommendation,
he became a captain, and in a short time major. He
took his measures so well that I, by the intervention
of his father, and a Hamburg merchant, received two
thousand rubles from the Countess, while the service
he rendered me made his own fortune in Russia.
To old K , who was as poor as he was honest,
I gave three hundred ducats; and he, till death,
continued my grateful friend. I distributed nearly
as much to the other officers; and matters proceeded
so far that Lieutenant Glotin gave back the keys to
the major without locking my prison, himself passing
half the night with me. Money was given to the
guard to drink; and thus everything succeeded to my
wish, and the tyrant Borck was deceived. I had a
supply of light; had books, newspapers, and my days
passed swiftly away. I read, I wrote, I busied
myself so thoroughly that I almost forgot I was a
prisoner. When, indeed, the surly, dull blockhead.
Major Bruckhausen, had the inspection, everything
50 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
had to be carefully reinstated. Major Z—, the
second of the three, was also wholly mine. He was
particularly attached to me; for I had promised to
marry his daughter, and, should I die in prison, to be-
queath him a legacy of ten thousand florins,
Lieutenant Sonntag got false handcuffs made for
me, that were so wide I could easily draw my hands
out; the lieutenants only examined my irons, the
new handcuffs were made perfectly similar to the old,
and Bruckhausen had too much stupidity to remark
any difference.
The remainder of my chains I could disencumber
myself of at pleasure. When I exercised myself, I
held them in my hands, that the sentinel might be
deceived by their clanking. The neck-iron was the
only one I durst Inot remove; it was likewise too
strongly riveted. I filed through the upper link of
the pendant chain, however, by which means I could
take it off, and this I concealed with bread in the
manner before mentioned.
So I could disencumber myself of most of my
fetters, and sleep in ease. I again obtained sausages
and cold meat, and thus my situation, bad as it still was,
became less miserable. Tiberty, however, was most
desirable: but, alas ! not one of the three lieutenants
had the courage of a Schell: Saxony, too, was in the
hands of the Prussians, and flight, therefore, more
dangerous. Persuasion was in vain with men deter-
mined to risk nothing, but, if they went, to go in
safety. Will, indeed, was not wanting in Glotin and
Sonntag; but the first was a poltroon, and the latter a
man of scruples, who thought this step might likewise
be the ruin of his brother at Berlin.
OF BARON TRENCEC. 51
The sentinels were doubled, therefore my escape
through my hole, which had been two years dug, could
not, unperceived by them, be effected: still less could
I, in the face of the guard, clamber the twelve feet
high pallisadoes. The following labour, therefore,
though Herculean, was undertaken.
Lieutenant Sonntag, measuring the interval be-
tween the hole I had dug and the entrance in the
gallery in the principal rampart, found it to be thirty-
seven feet. Into this it was possible I might, by
mining, penetrate. The difficulty of the enterprise
was lessened by the nature of the ground, a fine white
sand. Could I reach the gallery my freedom was
certain. I had been informed how many steps to the
right or left must be taken, to find the door that led to
the second rampart : and, on the day when I should be
ready for flight, the officer was secretly to leave this
door open. I had light, and mining tools, and was
further to rely on money and my own discretion.
I began and continued this labour about six months.
I have already noticed the difficulty of scraping out
the earth with my hands, as the noise of instruments
would have been heard by the sentinels. I had
scarcely mined beyond my dungeon wall before I dis-
covered the foundation of the rampart was not more
than a foot deep; a capital error certainly in so
important a fortress. My labour became the lighter, as
I could remove the foundation stones of my dungeon,
and was not obliged to mine so deep.
My work at first proceeded so rapidly, that, while
I had room to throw back my sand, I was able in
one night to gain three feet; but ere I had proceeded
ten feet I discovered all my difficulties. Before
52 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
I could continue my work I was obliged to make
room for myself, by emptying the sand out of my
hole upon the floor of the prison, and this itself was an
employment of some hours. The sand was obliged to
be thrown out by the hand, and after it thus lay
heaped in my prison, must again be returned into the
hole; and I have calculated that after I had proceeded
twenty feet, I was obliged to creep under ground, in
my hole, from fifteen hundred to two thousand
fathoms, within twenty-four hours, in the removal and
replacing of the sand. This labour ended, care was to
be taken that in none of the crevices of the floor
there might be any appearance of this fine white
sand. The flooring was the next to be exactly re-
placed, and my chains to be resumed. So severe was
the fatigue of one day, in this mode, that I was
always obliged to rest the three following.
To reduce my labour as much as possible, I was con-
strained to make the passage so small that my body
only had space to pass, and I had not room to draw
my arm back to my head. The work, too, must all be
done naked, otherwise the dirtiness of my shirt must
have been remarked; the sand was wet, water being
found at the depth of four feet, where the stratum of
the gravel began. At length the expedient of sand-
bags occurred to me, by which it might be removed
out and in more expeditiously. I obtained linen from
the officers, but not in sufficient quantities; suspicions
would have been excited at observing so much linen
brought into the prison. At last I took my sheets and
the ticking that enclosed my straw, and cut them up
for sand-bags, taking care to lie down on my bed, as if
ill, when Bruckhausen paid his visit.
3 * OF BARON TRENCE. g * 53
. The labour, towards the conclusion, became so in-
tolerable as to incite despondency. I frequently sat
contemplating the heaps of Sand, during a momentary
respite from work; and thinking it impossible I could
have strength or time again to replace all things as
they were, resolved patiently to wait the consequence,
and leave everything in its present disorder. Yes! I
can assure the reader that, to effect concealment, I
have searcely had time in twenty-four hours to sit
down and eat a morsel of bread. Recollecting, how-
ever, the efforts, and all the progress I had made. hope
would again revive, and exhausted strength return :
again would I begin my labours, that I might preserve
my secret and my expectations: yet has it frequently
happened that my visitors have entered a few minutes
after I had reinstated everything in its place.
When my work was within six or seven feet of
being accomplished, a new misfortune happened that
at once frustrated all further attempts. I worked,
as I have said, under the foundation of the rampart
near where the sentinels stood. I could disencumber
myself of my fetters, except my neck collar and its
pendent chain. This, as I worked, though it was
fastened, got loose, and the clanking was heard by
one of the sentinels about fifteen feet from my dun-
geon. The officer was called, they laid their ears to
the ground, and heard me as I went backward and
forward'to bring my earth bags. This was reported
the next day; and the major, who was my best friend,
with the town-major, and a Smith and mason, entered.
my prison. I was terrified. The lieutenant by a
sign gave me to understand I was discovered. An ex-
amination was begun, but the officers would not see,
54 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
and the Smith and mason found all, as they thought,
safe. Had they examined my bed, they would have
seen the ticking and sheets were gone.
The town-major, who was a dull man, was persuaded
the thing was impossible, and said to the sentinel,
“Blockhead! you have heard some mole underground,
and not Trenck. How, indeed, could it be, that he
should work underground, at such a distance from his
dungeon?” Here the scrutiny ended.
There was now no time for delay. Had they
altered their hour of coming, they must have found me
at work: but this, during ten years, never happened:
for the governor and town-major were stupid men,
and the others, poor fellows, wishing me all success,
were willingly blind. In a few days I could have
broken out, but, when ready, I was desirous to wait
for the visitation of the man who had treated me so
tyranically, Bruckhausen, that his own negligence
might be evident. But this man, though he wanted
understanding, did not want good fortune. He
was ill for some time, and his duty devolved
on K &
He recovered; and the visitation being over, the
doors were no sooner barred than I began my supposed
last labour. I had only three feet farther to proceed,
and it was no longer necessary I should bring out the
sand, I having room to throw it behind me. What
my anxiety was, what my exertions were, may well be
imagined. My evil genius, however, had decreed
that the same sentinel, who had heard me before,
should be that day on guard. He was piqued by
vanity, to prove he was not the blockhead he had
been called; he therefore again laid his ear to the
OF BARON TRENCE. 55
ground, and again heard me burrowing. He called
his comrades first, next the major; he came, and
heard me likewise; they then went without the
pallisadoes, and heard me working near the door, at
which place I was to break into the gallery. This
door they immediately opened, entered the gallery
with lanthorns, and waited to catch the hunted fox
when unearthed.
Through the first small breach I made I perceived a
light, and saw the heads of those who were expecting
me. This was indeed a thunder-stroke I crept
back, made my way through the sand I had cast
behind me, and awaited my fate with shuddering ! I
had the presence of mind to conceal my pistols,
candles, paper, and some money, under the floor
which I could remove. The money was disposed of in
various holes, well concealed also between the panels
of the doors; and under different cracks in the floor
I hid my small files and knives. Scarcely were these
disposed of before the doors resounded: the floor was
covered with sand and sand-bags: my handcuffs, how-
ever, and the separating bar, I had hastily resumed
that they might suppose I had worked with them on,
which they were silly enough to credit, highly to my
future advantage.
No man was more busy on this occasion than the
brutal and stupid Bruckhausen, who put many in-
terrogatories, to which I made no reply, except as-
suring him that I should have completed my work
some days sooner, had it not been his good fortune to
fall sick, and that this only had been the cause of my
failure.
The man was absolutely terrified with apprehension;
56 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES k-
he began to fear me, grew more polite, and even sup-
posed nothing was impossible to me.
It was too late to remove the sand; therefore the
lieutenant and guard continued with me, so that this
night at least I did not want company. When the
morning came, the hole was first filled up; the plank-
ing was renewed. The tyrant Borck was ill, and
could not come, otherwise my treatment would have
been still more lamentable. The Smiths had ended
before the evening, and the irons were heavier than
ever. The foot chains, instead of being fastened as
before, were screwed and riveted; all else remained
as formerly. They were employed in the flooring till
the next day, so that I could not sleep, and at last I
sank down with weariness.
The greatest of my misfortunes was they again
deprived me of my bed, because I had cut it up for
sand-bags. Before the doors were barred Bruckhausen
and another major examined my body very narrowly.
They often had asked me where I concealed all my
implements? My answer was, “Gentlemen, Beelzebub
is my best and most intimate friend; he brings me
everything I want, supplies me with light: we play
whole nights at piquet, and, guard me as you please,
he will finally deliver me out of your power.”
Some were astonished, others laughed. At length,
as they were barring the last door, I called, “Come
back, gentlemen you have forgotten something of
great importance.” In the interim I had taken up one
of my hidden files. When they returned, “Look ye,
gentlemen,” said I, “here is a proof of the friendship
Beelzebub has for me, he has brought me this in a
twinkling.” Again they examined and again they
* $. $º
i * *, * * * i. f : ;
OF BARON TRENCE, 57
shut their doors. While they were so doing, I took
out a knife, and ten louis-d'ors, called, and they re-
turned, grumbling curses; I then shewed the knife
and the louis-d’ors. Their consternation was excessive ;
and I diverted my misfortunes by jesting at such
blundering, short-sighted keepers. It was soon
rumoured through Magdeburg, especially among the
simple and vulgar, that I was a magician to whom the
devil brought all I asked.
One Major Holtzkammer, a very selfish man, pro-
fited by this report. A foolish citizen had offered
him fifty dollars if he might only be permitted to see
me through the door, being very desirous to see a
wizard. Holtzkammer told me, and we jointly de-
termined to sport with his credulity. The major gave
me a mask with a monstrous nose, which I put on
when the doors were opening, and threw myself in an
heroic attitude. The affrighted burger drew back; but
Holtzkammer stopped him, and said, “Have patience
for some quarter of an hour, and you shall see he
will assume quite a different countenance.” The
burger waited, my mask was thrown by, and my face
appeared whitened with chalk, and made ghastly.
The burger again shrank back; Holtzkammer kept
him in conversation, and I assumed a third farcical
form. I tied my hair under my nose, and a pewter
dish to my breast, and when the door a third time
opened, I thundered, “Begone, rascals, or l’ll set your
necks awry !” They both ran ; and the silly burger,
eased of his fifty dollars, scampered first.
The major, in vain, laid his injunctions on the burger
never to reveal what he had beheld, it being a breach
of duty in him to admit any persons whatever to the
rº-
wº-w **
ºr
*-- * sº
*
58 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
sight of me. In a few days, the necromancer Tronck
was the theme of every alehouse in Magdeburg, and
the person was named who had seen me change my
form thrice in the space of one hour. Many false and
ridiculous circumstances were added, and at last the
story reached the governor’s ears. The citizen was cited,
and offered to take his oath of what himself and the
major had seen. Holtzkammer accordingly suffered a
severe reprimand, and was some days under arrest. We
frequently laughed, however, at this adventure, which
Had rendered me so much the subject of conversation.
Miraculous reports were the more easily credited,
because no one could comprehend how, in despite of
the load of irons I carried, and all the vigilance of my
guards, I should be continually able to make new
attempts, while those appointed to examine my dun-
geon seemed, as it were, blinded and bewildered. A
proof this, how easy it is to deceive the credulous, and
whence have originated witchcraft, prophecies, and
miracles.
CHAPTER IV.
My last undertaking had employed me more than
twelve months, and so weakened me that I appeared
little better than a skeleton. Notwithstanding the
greatness of my spirit, I should have sunk into des-
pondency, at seeing an end like this to all my labours,
had I not still cherished a secret hope of escaping,
founded on the friends I had gained among the
officers.
I soon felt the effects of the loss of my bed, and was
OF BARON TRENCE. 59
a second time attacked by a violent fever, which would
this time certainly have consumed me had not the
officers, unknown to the governor, treated me with all
possible compassion. Bruckhausen alone continued
my enemy, and the slave of his orders; on his day of
examination rules and commands in all their rigour
were observed, nor durst I free myself from my irons,
till I had for some weeks remarked those parts on
which he invariably fixed his attention. I then cut
through the link, and closed up the vacancy with
bread. My hands I could always draw out, especially
after illness had consumed the flesh off my bones.
Half a year had elapsed before I had recovered suffi-
cient strength to undertake, anew, labours like the
past.
Necessity at length taught me the means of driving
Bruckhausen from my dungeon, and of inducing him
to commit his office to another. I learnt his olfactory
nerves were somewhat delicate, and whenever I heard
the doors unbar, I took care to make a stir in my night-
table. This made him give back, and at length he
would come no farther than the door. Such are the
hard expedients of a poor unhappy prisoner |
One day he came, bloated with pride, just after a
courier had brought the news of victory, and spoke of
the Austrians, and the august person of the Empress-
Queen with so much virulence, that, at last, enraged
almost to madness, I snatched the sword of an officer
from its sheath, and should certainly have ended him,
had he not made a hasty retreat. From that day for-
ward he durst no more come without guards to examine
the dungeon. Two men always preceded him, with
their bayonets fixed, and their pieces presented, behind
60 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs
whom he stood at the door. This was another fortu-
nate incident, as I dreaded only his examination.
The following anecdote will afford a specimen of
this man’s understanding. While digging in the
earth I found a cannon-ball, and laid it in the middle
of my prison. When he came to examine—“What in
the name of God is that?” said he. “It is a part of
the ammunition,” answered I, “that my Familiar
brings me. The cannon will be here anon, and you
will then see fine sport l’” He was astonished, told
this to others, nor could conceive such a ball might by
any natural means enter my prison.
I wrote a satire on him, when the late Landgrave of
Hesse-Cassel was governor of Magdeburg; and I had
permission to write as will hereafter appear: the Land-
grave gave it to him to read himself; and so gross
was his conception, that though his own phraseology
was introduced, part of his history and his character
painted, yet he did not perceive the jest, but laughed .
heartily with the hearers. The Landgrave was highly
diverted, and after I obtained my freedom, restored
me the manuscript written in my own blood.
About the time that my last attempt at escaping
failed, General ICrusemarck came to my prison, whom
I had formerly lived with in habits of intimacy, when
cornet of the body guard. Without testifying friend-
ship, esteem, or compassion, he asked, among other
things, in an authoritative tone, how I could employ
my time to prevent tediousness? I answered in as
haughty a mood as he interrogated: for never could
misfortune bend my mind. I told him, “I always
could find sources of entertainment in my own
thoughts; and that, as for my dreams, I imagined they
* -1 * *
~ OF BARON TRENCE. 61
would at least be as peaceful and pleasant as those of
my oppressors. “Had you in time,” replied he,
“curbed this fervour of yours, had you asked pardon
of the King, perhaps you would have been in very dif-
ferent circumstances; but he who has committed an
offence in which he obstinately persists, endeavouring
only to obtain freedom by seducing men from their
duty, deserves no better fate.”
Justly was my anger roused “Sir,” answered I,
“you are a general of the King of Prussia, I am an
Austrian captain. My royal mistress will protect, per-
haps deliver me, or, at least, revenge my death; I have a
conscience void of reproach. You, yourself, well know
I have not deserved these chains. I place my hope in
time, and the justness of my cause, calumniated and
condemned, as I have been, without legal sentence or
hearing. In such a situation, the philosopher will
always be able to brave and despise the tyrant.”
He departed with threats, and his last words were,
“The bird shall soon be taught to sing another tune.”
The etfects of this courteous visit were soon felt. An
order came that I should be prevented sleeping, and
that the sentinels should call, and wake me every
quarter of an hour; which dreadful order was imme-
diately executed.
This was indeed a punishment intolerable to natureſ
Yet did custom at length teach me to answer in my
sleep. Four years did this unheard of cruelty con-
tinue! The noble Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel at length
put an end to it a year before I was released from my
dungeon, and once again, in mercy, suffered me to sleep
in peace.
Under this uew affliction, I wrote an Elegy which
--- .* * &.
**. *s * - * } *x. * ** *š.
*
62 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES - --
may be found in the second volume of my works, a few
lines of which I shall cite.
Wake me, ye guards, for hark, the quarter strikes!
Sport with my woes, laugh loud at my miseries 1
Hearken if you hear my chains clank I Knock 1 Beat I
Of an inexorable tyrant be ye
Th’ inexorable instruments Wake me, ye slaves;
Ye do but as you’re bade. Soon shall he lie
Sleepless, or dreaming, the spectres of conscience
Behold and shriek, who me deprives of rest.
Wake me : Again the quarter strikes | Call loud
Rip up all my bleeding wounds, and shrink not
Yet think 'tis I that answer, God that hears
To every wretch in chains sleep is permitted :
I, I alone, am robb’d of this last refuge
Of sinking nature | Hark! Again they thunder .
Again they iterate yells of Trenck and death.
Peace to thy anger peace, thou suffering heart 1
Nor indignant beat, adding tenfold pangs to pain.
Ye burthened limbs, arise from momentary
Slumbers! Shake your chains ! Murmur not, but rise l
And ye Watch-dogs of Power let loose your rage :
Fear not, for I am helpless, unprotected.
And yet, not so—The noble mind, within
Itself, resources finds innumerable.
Thou, Oh God, thought'st good me t' imprison thus :
Thou, Oh God, in Thy good time, wilt me deliver.
Wake me then, nor fear ! My soul slumbers not.
And who can say but those who fetter me,
May, ere to-morrow, groan themselves in fetters |
Wake me ! For lo! their sleep's less sweet than mine.
OF BARON TRENCE. 63
Call ! Call ! From night to morn, from twilight to dawn,
Incessant Yea, in God’s name, Call ! Call ! Call !
Amen Amen Thy will, Oh God, be done !
Yet surely Thou at length shalt hear my sighs .
Shalt burst my prison doors | Shalt show me fair
Creation 1 Yea, the very heav'n of heav'ns !
/
With whom these orders originated, unexampled in
the history even of tyranny, I shall not venture to
say. The major, who was my friend, advised me to
persist in not answering. I followed his advice; and it
produced this good effect that we mutually forced each
other to a capitulation: they restored me my bed, and
I was obliged to reply.
Immediately after this regulation, the sub-governor,
General Borck, my bitter enemy, became insane, was
dispossessed of his post, and Lieutenant-General Reich-
mann, the benevolent friend of humanity, was made
sub-governor.
About the same time the Court, fled from Berlin, and
the Queen, the Prince of Prussia, the Princess Amelia,
and the Margrave Henry, chose Magdeburg for their
residence. Bruckhausen grew more polite, probably
perceiving I was not wholly deserted, and that it was
yet possible I might obtain my freedom. The cruel are
usually cowards, and there is reason to suppose Bruck-
hausen was actuated by his fears to treat me with
greater respect.
The worthy new governor had not indeed the power
to lighten my chains, or alter the general regulations;
what he could, he did. If he did not command, he
connived at the doors being occasionälly at first, and
at length, daily, kept open some hours, to admit day-
light and fresh air. After a time, they were open the
64 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
whole day, and only closed by the officers whén they
returned from their visit to Walrabe.
Having light, I began to carve, with a nail, on the
pewter cup in which I drank, satirical verses and
various figures, and attained so much perfection that
my cups, at last, were considered as master-pieces, both
of engraving and invention, and were sold dear, as rare
curiosities. My first attempts were rude, as may well
be imagined. My cup was carried to town, and shown
to visitors by the governor, who sent me another. I
improved, and each of the inspecting officers wished to
possess one. I grew more expert, and spent a whole
year in this employment, which thus passed swiftly
away. The perfection I had now acquired obtained me
the permission of candle-light, and this continued till
I was restored to freedom.
The King gave orders these cups should all be in-
spected by government, because I wished, by my verses
and devices, to inform the world of my fate. But this
command was not obeyed; the officers made merchan-
dise of my cups, and sold them at last for twelve ducats
each. Their value increased so much, when I was
released from prison, that they are now to be found in
various museums throughout Europe. Twelve years
ago the late Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel presented one
of them to my wife; and another came, in a very
unaccountable manner, from the Queen-Dowager of
Prussia to Paris. I have given prints of both these,
with the verses they contained, in my works;
whence it may be seen how artificially they were
engraved.
A third fell into the hands of Prince Augustus
Lobkowitz, then a prisoner of war at Magdeburg, who,
OF BARON TRENCE. 65
on his return to Vienna, presented it to the Emperor,
who placed it in his museum. Among other devices on
this cup, was a landscape, representing a vineyard and
husbandmen, and under it the following words:—By
my labours my vineyard flowrished, and I hoped to
have gathered the fruit; but Ahab came. Alas ! for
Naboth.
The allusion was so pointed, both to the wrongs done
me in Vienna, and my sufferings in Prussia, that it
made a very strong impression on the Empress-Queen,
who immediately commanded her minister to make
every exertion for my deliverance. She would probably
at last have even restored me to my estates, had not the
possessors of them been so powerful, or had she herself
lived one year longer. To these my engraved cups
was I indebted for being once more remembered at
Vienna. On the same cup, also, was another en-
graving of a bird in a cage, held by a Turk, with
the following inscription:—The bird sings even in
the storm ; open his cage, break his fetters, ye friends
of virtue, and his songs shall be the delight of your
abodes l
There is another remarkable circumstance attending
these cups. All were forbidden under pain of death to
hold conversation with me, or to supply me with pen
and ink; yet by this open permission of writing what
I pleased on pewter, was I enabled to inform the world
of all I wished, and to prove a man of merit was
oppressed. The difficulties of this cngraving will be
conceived, when it is remembered that I worked by
candle-light on shining pewter, attained the art of giv-
ing light and shade, and by practice could divide a cup
into two-and-thirty compartments as regularly with a
C—14
66 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
stroke of the hand as with a pair of compasses. The
writing was so minute that it could only be read with
glasses. I could use but one hand, both, being separated
by the bar, and therefore held the cup between my
knees. My sole instrument was a sharpened nail, yet
did I write two lines on the rim only.
My labour became so excessive, that I was in danger
of distraction or blindness. Everybody wished for
cups, and I wished to oblige everybody, so that I
worked eighteen hours a day. The reflection of the
light from the pewter was injurious to my eyes, and
the labour of invention for apposite subjects and verses
was most fatiguing. I had learnt only architectural
drawing.
Enough of these cups, which procured me so much
honour, so many advantages, and helped to shorten so
many mournful hours. My greatest encumbrance was
the huge iron collar, with its enormous appendages,
which, when suffered to press the arteries in the back
of my neck, occasioned intolerable headaches. I sat
too much, and a third time fell sick. A Brunswick
sausage, secretly given me by a friend, occasioned an
indigestion, which endangered my life; a putrid fever
followed, and my body was reduced to a skeleton.
Medicines, however, were conveyed to me by the
officers, and, now and then, warm food.
After my recovery, I again thought it necessary to
endeavour to regain my liberty. I had but forty louis-
d’ors remaining, and these I could not get till I had
first broken up the flooring.
Lieutenant Sonntag was consumptive, and obtained
his discharge. I supplied him with money to defray
the expenses of his journey, and with an order that four
-*-* *
***
OF BARON TRENCK. 67
hundred florins should be annually paid him from my
effects till his death or my release. I commissioned
him to seek an audience from the Empress, endeavour
to excite her compassion in my behalf, and to remit me
four thousand florins, for which I gave a proper
acquittance, by the way of Hamburgh. The money-
draft was addressed to my administrators, Counsellors
Yempf and Huttner.
But no one, alas! in Vienna, wished my return; they
had already begun to share my property, of which they
never rendered me an account. Poor Sonntag was
arrested as a spy, imprisoned, ill treated for some weeks,
and, at last, when naked and destitute, received a
hundred florins, and was escorted beyond the Austrian
confines. The worthy man fell a shameful sacrifice to
his honesty, could never obtain an audience of the
Empress, and returned poor and miserable on foot to
Berlin, where he was twelve months secretly maintained
by his brother, and with whom he died. He wrote an
account of all this to the good Knoblauch, my
Hamburgh agent, and I, from my Small store, sent him
a hundred ducats.
How much must I despäir of finding any place of
refuge on earth, hearing accounts like these from
Vienna.
A friend, whom I will never name, by the aid of one
of the lieutenants, secretly visited me, and supplied me
with six hundred ducats. The same friend, in the year
1763, paid four thousand florins to the imperial envoy,
Baron Reidt, at Berlin, for the furthering of my
freedom, as I shall presently more fully show. Thus
I had once more money.
About this time the French army advanced to within
* * *-*
68 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
five miles of Magdeburg. This important fortress
was, at that time, the key of the whole Prussian
power. It required a garrison of sixteen thousand
men, and contained not more than fifteen hundred.
The French might have marched in unopposed, and
at once have put an end to the war. The officers
brought me all the news, and my hopes rose as they
approached. What was my astonishment when the
major informed me that three waggons had entered
the town in the night, had been sent back loaded
with money, and that the French were retreating.
This, I can assure my readers, on my honour, is
literally truth, to the eternal disgrace of the French
general. The major, who informed me, was himself
an eye-witness of the fact. It was pretended the
money was for the army of the King, but every-
body could guess whither it was going; it left the
town without a convoy, and the French were then
in the neighbourhood. Such were the allies of Maria
Theresa; the receivers of this money are known in
Paris. Not only were my hopes this way frus-
trated, but in Russia likewise, where the Countess
of Bestuchef and the Chancellor had fallen into
disgrace.
I now imagined another, and, indeed, a fearful and
dangerous project. The garrison of Magdeburg at
this moment consisted but of nine hundred militia,
who were discontented men. Two majors and two
lieutenants were in my interest. The guard of the
Star Fort amounted but to a hundred and fifteen
men. Fronting the gate of this fort was the town
gate, guarded only by twelve men and an inferior
officer; beside these lay the casemates, in which were
... * *
of BARON TRENCE. 69
seven thousand Croat prisoners. Baron K , &
captain, and prisoner of war, also was in our interest,
and would hold his comrades ready at a certain
place and time to support my undertaking. Another
friend was, under some pretence, to hold his company
ready, with their muskets loaded, and the plan was
such that I should have had four hundred men in
arms ready to carry it into execution.
The officer was to have placed the two men we
most suspected and feared, as sentinels over me; he
was to command them to take away my bed, and
when encumbered, I was to spring out, and shut them
in the prison. Clothing and arms were to have been
procured, and brought me into my prison; the town-
gate was to have been surprised; I was to have run
to the casemate, and called to the Croats, “Trenck
to arms l’ My friends, at the same instant, were to
break forth, and the plan was so well concerted that
it could not have failed. Magdeburg, the magazine of
the army, the royal treasury, arsenal, all would have
been mine; and sixteen thousand men, who were then
prisoners of war, would have enabled me to keep pos-
Session. **
The most essential secret, by which all this was to
have been effected, I dare not reveal; suffice it to say,
everything was provided for, everything made secure;
I shall only add that the garrison, in the harvest
months, was exceedingly weakened, because the
farmers paid the captains a florin per man each day,
and the men for their labour likewise, to obtain hands.
The sub-governor connived at the practice.
One Lieutenant G- procured a furlough to visit
his friends; but, supplied by me with money, he went
70 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
to Vienna. I furnished him with a letter, addressed
to Counsellors Kempf and Huttner, including a draft
for two thousand ducats; wherein I said that, by these
means, I should not only soon be at liberty, but in
possession of the fortress of Magdeburg; and that the
bearer was entrusted with the rest.
. The lieutenant came safe to Vienna, underwent a
thousand interrogatories, and his name was repeatedly
asked. This, fortunately, he concealed. They advised
him not to be concerned in so dangerous an under-
taking ; told him I had not so much money due to me,
and gave him, instead of two thousand ducats, one
thousand florins. With these he left Vienna, but with
very prudent suspicions which prevented him ever
returning to Magdeburg. A month had scarcely
passed before the late Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel,
then chief governor, entered my prison, showed me my
letter, and demanded to know who had carried the
letter, and who were to free me and betray Magde-
burg. Whether the letter was sent immediately to the
king or the governor I know not ; it is sufficient that
I was once more betrayed at Vienna. The truth was,
the administrators of my effects had acted as if I
were deceased, and did not choose to refund two thou-
sand ducats. They wished not I should obtain my
freedom, in a manner that would have obliged the
government to have rewarded me, and restore the
effects they had embezzled and the estates they had
seized. What happened afterwards at Vienna, which
will be related in its place, will incontestably prove
this surmise to be well founded.
These bad men did not, it is true, die in the manner
they ought, but they are all dead, and I am still living,
v. ºf •. jº +x,
* * *. $
OF BARON TRENCE. $. 71
an honest, though poor man: they did not die so.
Be this read and remembered by their luxurious
heirs, who refuse to restore my children to their
rights.
CHAPTER, W.
My consternation on the appearance of the Land-
grave, with my letter in his hand, may well be sup-
posed; I had the presence of mind, however, to deny
my handwriting, and affect astonishment at so crafty
a trick. The Landgrave endeavoured to convict me,
told me what Lieutenant Kemnitz had repeated at
Vienna concerning my possessing myself of Magde
burg, and thereby showed me how fully I had been
betrayed. But as no such person existed as Lieutenant
Eemnitz, and as my friend had fortunately concealed
his name, the mystery remained impenetrable, espe-
cially as no one could conceive how a prisoner, in my
situation, could seduce or subdue the whole garrison.
The worthy prince left my prison, apparently satisfied
with my defence; his heart felt no satisfaction in the
misfortunes of others.
The next day a formal examination was taken, at
which the sub-governor Reichmann presided. I was
accused as a traitor to my country ; but I obstinately
denied my handwriting. Proofs or witnesses there
were none, and in answer to the principal charge, I
said, “I was no criminal, but a man calumniated,
72 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
illegally imprisoned, and loaded with irons; that the
Ring, in the year 1746, had cashiered me, and confis-
cated my parental inheritance; that therefore the laws
of nature enforced me to seek honour and bread in
a foreign service; and that, finding these in Austria,
I became an officer and a faithful subject of the
Empress-Queen; that I had been a second time un-
offendingly imprisoned; that here I was treated as
the worst of malefactors, and my only resource was to
seek my liberty by such means as 1 could; were I
therefore in this attempt to destroy Magdeburg, and
occasion the loss of a thousand lives, I should still be
guiltless. Had I been heard and legally sentenced,
previous to my imprisonment at Glatz, I should have
been, and still continued, a criminal; but not having
been guilty of any small, much less of any great crime,
equal to my punishment, if such crime could be, I was
therefore not accountable for consequences; I owed
neither fidelity nor duty to the King of Prussia; for
by the word of his power he had deprived me of bread,
honour, country, and freedom.”
Here the examination ended, without further dis-
covery; the officers, however, falling under suspicion,
were all removed, and thus I lost my best friends;
yet it was not long before I had gained two others,
which was no difficult matter, as I knew the national
character, and that none but poor men were made
militia officers. Thus was the governor's precaution
fruitless, and almost everybody secretly wished I
might obtain my freedom.
I shall never forget the noble manner in which I
was treated on this occasion by the Landgrave. This
I personally acknowledged, some years afterwards, in
--> º * * 2:
OF BARON TEENCEC. 73
the city of Cassel, when I heard many things which
confirmed all my surmises concerning Vienna. The
Landgrave received me with all grace, favour, and
distinction. I revere his memory, and seek to honour
his name. He was the friend of misfortune. When
I not long afterwards fell ill, he sent me his own
physician, and meat from his table, nor would he suffer
me, during two months, to be wakened by the sentinels.
He likewise removed the dreadful collar from my neck;
for which he was severely reprimanded by the King,
as he himself has since assured me.
I might fill a volume with incidents attending two
other efforts to escape, but I will not weary the reader's
patience with too much repetition. I shall merely give
an abstract of both.
When I had once more gained the officers, I made
a new attempt at mining my way out. Not wanting -
for implements, my chains and the flooring were soon
cut through, and all was so carefully replaced that I
was under no fear of examination. I here found my
concealed money, pistols, and other necessaries, but
till I had rid myself of some hundredweight of sand,
it was impossible to proceed. For this purpose I
made two different openings in the floor: out of the
real hole I threw a great quantity of sand into my
prison; after which I closed it with all possible care.
I then worked at the second with so much noise, that
I was certain they must hear me without. About
midnight the doors began to thunder, and in they
came, detecting me, as I intended they should. None
of them could conceive why I should wish to break out
under the door, where there was a triple guard to pass.
The sentinels remained, and in the morning prisoners
* * * * *
º \
74 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
were sent to wheel away the sand. The hole was
walled up and boarded, and my fetters were renewed.
They laughed at the ridiculousness of my undertaking,
but punished me by depriving me of my light and bed,
which, however, in a fortnight were both restored. Of
the other hole, out of which most of the earth had been
thrown, no one was aware. The major and lieutenant
were too much my friends to remark that they had
removed thrice the quantity of sand the false opening
could contain. They supposed this strange attempt
having failed, it would be my last, and Bruckhausen
grew negligent.
The governor and sub-governor both visited me
after some weeks, but far from imitating the brutality
of Borck, the Landgrave spoke to me with mildness,
promised me his interest to regain my freedom, when
peace should be concluded; told me I had more friends
than I supposed, and assured me I had not been for-
gotten by the Court at Vienna.
He promised me every alleviation, and I gave him
my word I would no more attempt to escape while he
remained governor. My manner enforced conviction,
and he ordered my neck-collar to be taken off, my
window to be unclosed, my doors to be left open two
hours every day, a stove to be put in my dungeon, finer
linen for my shirts, and paper to amuse myself by
writing my thoughts. The sheets were to be numbered
when given, and then returned, by the town-major,
that I might not abuse this liberty.
Ink was not allowed me, I therefore pricked my
fingers, suffered the blood to trickle into a pot; by these
means I procured a substitute for ink, both to write
and draw.
OF BAR.ON TRENCR. 75
-
I now engraved my cups, and versified. I had
opportunity to display my abilities to awaken com-
passion. My emulation was increased by knowing
that my works were seen at Courts, that the Princess
Amelia and the Queen herself testified their satisfaction.
I had subjects to engrave from sent me; and the
wretch whom the King intended to bury alive, whose
name no man was to mention, never was more famous
than while he vented his groans in his dungeon. My
writings produced their effect, and really regained my
freedom. To my cultivation of the sciences and
presence of mind I am indebted for all; these all the
power of Frederic could not deprive me of. Yes! This
liberty I procured, though he answered all petitions in
my behalf—“He is a dangerous man: and so long as
I live he shall never see the light !” Yet have I seen
it during his life: after his death I have seen it with-
out revenging myself, otherwise than by proving my
virtue to a monarch who oppressed because he knew
me not, because he would not recall the hasty sentence
of anger, or own he might be mistaken. He died con-
vinced of my integrity, yet without affording me
retribution 1 Man is formed by misfortune; virtue is
active in adversity. It is indifferent to me that the
companions of my youth have their ears gratified,
delighted with the titles of Generall Field-Marshal!
I have learned to live without such additions; I am
known in my works.
I returned to my dungeon. Here, after my last
conference with the Landgrave, I waited my fate with
a mind more at ease than that of a prince in a palace.
The newspapers they brought me bespoke approaching
peace, on which my dependence was placed, and I passed
-º:
76 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
eighteen months calmly, and without further attempt
to escape.
The father of the Landgrave died; and Magdeburg
now lost its governor. The worthy Reichmann, how-
ever, testified for me all compassion and esteem; I had
books, and my time was employed. Imprisonment and
chains to me were become habitual, and freedom in hope
approached.
About this time I wrote the poems, “The Macedonian
FIero,” “The Dream Realised,” and some fables.
The best of my poems are now lost to me. The mind’s
sensibility when the body is imprisoned is strongly
roused, nor can all the aids of the library equal this
advantage. Perhaps I may recover some in Berlin; if
so, the world may learn what my thoughts then were.
When I was at liberty, I had none but such as I remem-
bered, and these I committed to writing. On my
first visit to the Landgrave of Hesse-Casscl I re-
ceived a volume of them written in my own blood;
but there were cight of these which I shall never
regain.
The death of Elizabeth, the deposing of Peter III.,
and the accession of Catherine II. produced peace. On
the receipt of this intelligence I tried to provide for
all contingencies. The worthy Captain K had
opened me a correspondence with Vienna : I was assured
of support; but was assured the administrators and
those who possessed my estates would throw every im-
pediment in the way of freedom. I tried to persuade
another officer to aid my Oscape, but in vain.
I therefore opened my old hole, and my friends as-
sisted me to disembarrass myself of sand. My money
melted away, but they provided me with tools,
*" ºr *. *
* * OF BARON TRENCE. 77
gunpowder, and a good sword. I had remained so long
quiet that my flooring was not examined.
My intent was to wait the peace; and should I con-
tinue in chains, then would I have my subterranean -
passage to the rampart ready for escape. For my
further security, an old lieutenant had purchased a
house in the suburbs, where I might lie concealed.
Gummern, in Saxony, is two miles from Magdeburg;
here a friend, with two good horses, was to wait a year,
to ride on the glacis of Klosterbergen on the first and
fifteenth of each month, and at a given signal to hasten
to my assistance.
* My passage had to be ready in case of emergency; I
removed the upper planking, broke up the two beds, cut
the boards into chips, and burnt them in my stove. By
this I obtained so much additional room as to proceed
half way with my mine. Linen again was brought me,
sand-bags made, and thus I successfully proceeded to
all but the last operation. Everything was so well
concealed that I had nothing to fear from inspection,
especially as the new come garrison could not know
what was the original length of the planks.
I must here relate a dreadful accident, which I can-
not remember without shuddering, and the terror of
which has often haunted my very dreams.
While mining under the rampart, as I was carrying
out the sand-bag, I struck my foot against a stone which
fell down and closed up the passage.
What was my horror to find myself buried alive!
After a short reflection, I began to work the sand away
from the side, that I might turn round. There were
some feet of empty space, into which I threw the sand
as I worked it away; but the small quantity of air soon
78 THE LIFE AND AdvinTUREs -
made it so foul that I a thousand times wished myself
dead, and made several attempts to strangle myself.
Thirst almost deprived me of my senses, but as often
as I put my mouth to the sand I inhaled fresh air. My
sufferings were incredible, and I imagine I passed
eight hours in this situation. My spirits fainted;
again I recovered and began to labour, but the earth
was as high as my chin, and I had no more space where
I might throw the sand. I made a more desperate
effort, drew my body into a ball, and turned round; I
now faced the stone; there being an opening at the top,
I respired fresher air. I rooted away the sand under
the stone, and let it sink so that I might creep over; at
length I once more arrived in my dungeon
The morning was advanced; I sat down so exhausted
that I supposed it was impossible I had strength to
conceal my hole. After half an hour's rest, my fortitude
returned : again I went to work, and scarcely had I
ended before my visitors approached.
They found me pale : I complained of headache, and
continued some days affected by the fatigue I had sus-
tained. After a time strength returned; but perhaps
of all my nights of horror this was the most horrible.
I repeatedly dreamt I was buried in the centre of the
earth; and now, though three and twenty years are
elapsed, my sleep is still haunted by this vision.
After this accident, when I worked in my cavity, I
hung a knife round my neck, that if I should be en-
closed I might shorten my miseries. Over the stone
that had fallen several others hung tottering, under
which I was obliged to creep. Nothing, however, could
deter me from trying to obtain my liberty.
When my passage was ready, I wrote letters to my
*
OF BARON TRENCK. 79
friends at Vienna, and also a memorial to my Sovereign.
When the militia left Magdeburg and the regulars re-
turned, I took leave of my friends who had behaved so
benevolently. Several weeks elapsed before they de-
parted and I learnt that General Reidt was appointed
ambassador from Vienna to Berlin.
I had seen the world; I knew this General was not
averse to a bribe : I wrote him a letter, conjuring him
to act with ardour in my behalf. I enclosed a draft for
six thousand florins on my effects at Vienna, and he re-
eeived four thousand from one of my relations. I have
to thank these ten thousand florins for my freedom,
which I obtained nine months after. My vouchers
show the six thousand florins were paid in April, 1763,
to the order of General Reidt. The other four thou-
sand I repaid, when at liberty, to my friend.
I received intelligence before the garrison departed
that no stipulation had been made on my behalf at the
peace of Hubertsberg. The Vienna plenipotentiaries,
after the articles were signed, mentioned my name to
Hertzberg, with but few assurances of every effort being
made to move Frederic, a promise on which I could
much better rely than on my protectors at Vienna, who
had left me in misfortune. I determined to wait three
months longer, and should I still find myself neglected,
to owe my escape to myself.
On the change of the garrison, the officers were more
difficult to gain than the former. The majors obeyed
their orders; their help was unnecessary; but still I
sighed for my old friends. I had only ammunition-
bread again for food. .
My time hung very heavy; everything was examined
en the change of the garrison. A stricter scrutiny
ar.
: 80 s THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
might occur, and my projects be discovered. This
had nearly been effected, as I shall here relate. I
had so tamed a mouse that it would eat from my
mouth ; in this small animal I discovered proofs of
intelligence.
This mouse had nearly been my ruin. I had diverted
myself with it one night; it had been nibbling at my
door and capering on a trencher. The sentinels hear-
ing our amusement, called the officers: they heard also,
and thought all was not right. At daybreak the town-
major, a smith, and mason entered; strict search was
begun; flooring, walls, chains, and my own person were
all scrutinised, but in vain. They asked what was the
noise they had heard; I mentioned the mouse, whistled,
and it came and jumped upon my shoulder. Orders
were given I should be deprived of its society; I en-
treated they would spare its life. The officer on guard
gave me his word he would present it to a lady, who
would treat it with tenderness.
He took it away and turned it loose in the guard-
room, but it was tame to me alone and sought a hiding-
place. It had fled to my prison door, and, at the hour
of visitation, ran into my dungeon, testifying its joy by
leaping between my legs. It is worthy of remark that
it had been taken away blindfold, that is to say,
wrapped in a handkerchief. The guard-room was a
hundred paces from the dungeon.
All were desirous of obtaining this mouse, but the
major carried it off for his lady; she put it into a cage,
where it pined, and in a few days died.
The loss of this companion made me quite melan-
choly, yet, on the last examination, I perceived it had
so eaten the bread by which I had concealed the crevices
*
of BARON TRENCE. ~ 81
* * &
I had made in cutting the floor, that the examiners
must be blind not to discover them. I was convinced
my faithful little friend had fallen a necessary victim
to its master's safety. This accident determined me
not to wait the three months.
I have related that horses were to be kept ready, on
the first and fifteenth, and I only suffered the first of
August to pass, because I would not injure Major
Pfuhl, who had treated me with more compassion than
his comrades, and whose day of visitation it was. On
the fifteenth I determined to fly. This resolution
formed, I waited in expectation of the day, when a new
and remarkable succession of accidents happened.
An alarm of fire had obliged the major to repair to
the town; he committed the keys to the lieutenant. The
latter, coming to visit me, asked—“Dear Trenck, have
you never, during seven years that you have been under
the guard of the militia, found a man like Schell?”
“Alas! sir,” answered I, “such friends are rare; the
will of many has been good; each knew I could make
his fortune, but none had courage enough for so
desperate an attempt Money I have distributed freely,
but have received little help.”
“How do you obtain money in this dungeon P”
“From a correspondent at Vienna, by whom I am still
supplied.” “If I can serve you, command me: I will
do it without asking any return.” So saying, I took
fifty ducats from between the panels, and gave them to
the lieutenant. At first he refused, but at length
accepted them with fear. He left me, promised to
return, pretended to shut the door, and kept his word.
He now said debt obliged him to desert; that this had
long been his determination, and that, desirous to assist
"82 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs
me at the same time if he could find the means, I had
only to show how this might be effected.
We continued two hours in conference: a plan was
formed, approved, and a certainty of success demon-
strated; especially when I told him I had two horses
waiting. We vowed eternal friendship; I gave him
fifty ducats, and his debts, not amounting to more than
two hundred rix-dollars, which he never could have
discharged out of his pay.
He was to prepare four keys to resemble those of my
dungeon; the latter were to be exchanged on the day
of flight, being kept in the guard-room while the major
was with General Walrabe. He was to give the
grenadiers on guard leave of absence, or send them into
the town on various pretences. The sentinels he was
to call from their duty, and those placed over me were
to be sent into my dungeon to take away my bed;
while encumbered with this, I was to spring out and
lock them in, after which we were to mount our horses,
which were kept ready, and ride to Gummern. Every-
thing was to be prepared within a week, when he was
to mount guard. We had scarcely formed our project
before the sentinels called the major was coming; he
accordingly barred the door, and the major passed to
General Walrabe.
No man was happier than myself; my hopes of escape
were triple; the mediation at Berlin, the mine I had
made, and my friend the lieutenant.
When most my mind ought to have been clear, I
seemed to have lost my understanding. I came to a
resolution which will appear extravagant and pitiable.
I was stupid enough, mad enough, to form the design
of casting myself, on the magnanimity of the Great
*/ OF BARON TEENCE. # 83
Frederic | Should this fail, I still thought my lieu-
tenant a saviour.
Having heated my imagination with this scheme, I
waited the visitation with anxiety. The major entered,
I bespoke him thus:
“I know, sir, the great Prince Ferdinand is again
in Magdeburg. Inform him that he may examine my
prison, double the sentinels, and give me his commands,
stating what hour will please him I should make my
appearance on the glacis of Klosterbergen. If I
prove myself capable of this, I then hope for the pro-
tection of Prince Ferdinand: and that he will relate
my proceeding to the King, who may be convinced of
my innocence.”
The major was astonished; the proposal he held to
be ridiculous, and the performance impossible. I
persisted; he returned with the sub-governor, Reich-
mann, the town-major, Riding, and the major of
inspection. The answer they delivered was, that the
Prince promised me his protection, the King’s favour,
and a release from my chains, should I prove my
assertion. I required they would appoint a time; they
ridiculed the thing as impossible, and said that it would
be sufficient could I prove the practicability of such a
scheme; but should I refuse, they would break up the
flooring, and place Sentinels in my dungeon, adding,
the governor would not admit of any breaking out.
After promises of good faith, I disencumbered my-
self of my chains, raised my flooring, gave them my
implements, and two keys, my friends had procured
me, to the doors of the subterranean gallery. This
gallery I desired them to sound with their sword hilts,
at the place through which I was to break, which
84 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
might be done in a few minutes. I described the road
I was to take through the gallery, informed them that
two of the doors had not been shut for six months, and
to the others they had the keys; adding, I had horses
waiting at the glacis, that would be now ready; the
stables for which were unknown to them. They went,
examined, returned, put questions, which I answered
with precision. They left me with seeming friend-
ship, came back, told me the Prince was astonished at
what he had heard, that he wished me all happiness,
and then took me, unfettered, to the guard-house.
The major came in the evening, treated us with
a supper, assured me everything would happen to
my wishes, and that l. ince Ferdimand had written to
Berlin.
The guard was reinforced next day. The whole
guard loaded with ball before my eyes, the drawbridges
were raised in open day, and precautions were taken as
if I intended to make attempts as desperate as those I
had made at Glatz.
I now saw workmen employed on my dungeon, and
carts bringing quarry-stones. The officers on guard
behaved with kindness, kept a good table, at which I
ate; but two sentinels, and an under-officer, never
quitted the guard-room. Conversation was cautious,
and this continued five or six days; at length, it was
the lieutenant's turn to mount guard; he appeared to
be as friendly as formerly, but conference was difficult;
he found an opportunity to express his astonishment at
my’ ill-timed discovery, told me the Prince knew
nothing of the affair, and that the report through the
garrison was, I had been surprised in making a new
attempt.
&
OF BARON TRENCE. 85.
*
My dungeon was completed in a week. The town-
major re-conducted me to it. My foot was chained to
the wall with links twice as strong as formerly; the
remainder of my irons were never after added.
The dungeon was paved with flag-stones. That part
of my money only was saved which I had concealed in
the panels of the door, and the chimney of my stove;
some thirty louis-d'ors, hidden about my clothes, were
taken from me.
While the Smith was riveting my chains, I ad-
dressed the sub-governor. “Is this the fulfilment of
the pledge of the Prince P Think not you deceive me,
I am acquainted with the false reports that have been
spread; the truth will soon come to light, and the un-
worthy be put to shame. Nay, I forewarn you that
Trenck shall not be much longer in your power; for
were you to build your dungeon of steel, it would be
insufficient to contain me.”
They smiled at me. Reichmann told me I might
soon obtain my freedom in a proper manner. My firm
reliance on my friend, the lieutenant, gave me a degree
of confidence that amazed them all.
It is necessary to explain this affair. When I ob-
tained my liberty, I visited Prince Ferdinand. He
informed me the majors had not made a true report.
Their story was, they had caught me at work, and, had
it not been for their diligence, I should have made my
escape. Prince Ferdinand heard the truth, and in-
formed the King, who only waited an opportunity to
restore me to liberty.
Once more I was immured. I waited in hope for
the day when my deliverer was to mount guard. What
again was my despair when I saw another lieutenant
*
# r .# & • ‘S.
86 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
I buoyed myself up with the hope that accident was
the occasion of this; but I remained three weeks, and
saw him no more. I heard at length that he had left
, the corps of grenadiers, and was no longer to mount
guard at the Star Fort. He has my forgiveness, and I
applaud myself for never having said anything by
which he might, be injured. He might have re-
pented his promise, he might have trusted another
friend with the enterprise, and have been himself
betrayed; but, be it as it may, his absence cut off all
hope.
I now repented my folly and vanity; I had brought
my misfortunes on myself. I had myself rendered my
dungeon impenetrable. Death would have followed
but for the dependence I placed in the court of
Vienna.
The officers remarked the loss of my fortitude and
thoughtfulness; the verses I wrote were desponding.
The only comfort they could give was—“Patience,
dear Trenck; your condition cannot be worse; the
Ring may not live for ever.” Were I sick, they told
me I might hope my sufferings would soon have an
end. If I recovered they pitied me, and lamented
their continuance. What man of my rank and expecta-
tions ever endured what I did, ever was treated as I
have been treated
OF BARON TRENCE, 87
f
CEIAPTER WI.
BEACE had been concluded nine months. I was for-
gotten. At last, when I supposed all hope lost, the
25th of December, and the day of freedom, came. At
the hour of parade, Count Schlieben, lieutenant of the
guards, brought orders for my release !
The sub-governor supposed me weaker in intellect
than I was, and would not too suddenly tell me these
tidings. He knew not the presence of mind, the
fortitude, which the dangers I had seen had made
habitual.
My doors for the LAST TIME resounded ! Several
people entered; their countenances were cheerful, and
the sub-governor at their head at length said, “This
time, my dear Trenck, I am the messenger of good
news. Prince Ferdinand has prevailed on the King to
let your irons be taken off.” Accordingly, to work
went the Smith. “You shall also,” continued he,
“have a better apartment.” “I am free, then,” said I.
“Speak! fear not I can moderate my transports.”
“Then you are free ” was the reply.
The sub-governor first embraced me, and after-
wards his attendants. w
He asked me what clothes I would wish. I an-
swered, the uniform of my regiment. The tailor took
my measure. Reichmann told him it must be made by
the morning. The man excused himself because it
was Christmas Eve. “So, then, this gentleman must
** *
e
& ºx * * *
f
88 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
remain in his dungeon because it is holiday with you.”
The tailor promised to be ready.
I was taken to the guard-room, congratulations were
universal, and the town-major administered the oath
customary to all state prisoners.
1st. That I should avenge myself on no man.
2nd. That I should neither enter the Prussian nor
Saxon states.
3rd. That I should never relate by speech or in
writing what had happened to me.
4th. Amd that, so long as the King lived, I should
neither serve in a civil nor military capacity.
Count Schlieben delivered me a letter from the im-
perial minister, General Reidt, to the following pur-
port:-That he rejoiced at having found an opportunity
of obtaining my liberty from the King, and that I
must obey the requisitions of Count Schlieben, whose
orders were to accompany me to Prague.
“Yes, dear Trenclº,” said Schlieben, “I am to con-
duct you through Dresden to Prague, with orders not
to suffer you to speak to any one on the road. I have
received three hundred ducats, to defray the expenses
of travelling. As all things cannot be prepared to-
day, the sub-governor has determined we shall depart
to-morrow night.”
I acquiesced, and Count Schlieben remained with
me; the others returned to town, and I dined with the
major and officers on guard, with General Walrabe in
his prison.
Once at liberty, I walked about the fortifications, to
collect the money I had concealed in my dungeon. To
every man on guard I gave a ducat, to the sentinels,
each three, and ten ducats to be divided among the
OF BARON TEENCE. * * 89
relief-guard. I sent the officer on guard a present
from Prague, and the remainder of my money I
bestowed on the widow of the worthy Gelfhardt. He
was no more, and she had entrusted the thousand
florins to a young soldier, who, spending them too
freely, was suspected, betrayed her, and she passed two
years in prison. Gelfhardt never received any punish-
ment; he was in the field. Had he left any children,
I should have provided for them. To the widow of
the man who hung himself before my prison door, in
the year 1756, I gave thirty ducats, lent me by
Schlieben.
The night was riotous, the guard made merry, and I
passed most of it in their company. I was visited by
all the generals of the garrison on Christmas morning,
for I was not allowed to enter the town. I dressed,
viewed myself in the glass, and found pleasure; but
the tumult of my passions, the congratulations I
received, and the vivacity round me, prevented my
remembering incidents minutely.
Yet how wonderful an alteration in the countenances
of those by whom I had been guarded ! I was treated
with friendship, attention, and flattery. And why?
Because these fetters had dropped off which I had
never justly borne.
Evening came, and with it Count Schlieben, a
waggon, and four post-horses. After an affecting fare-
well, we departed. I shed tears at leaving Magdeburg.
It seems strange that I lived here ten years, yet never
saw the town.
The duration of my imprisonment at Magdeburg
was nearly ten years, and with the term of my im-
prisonment at Glatz, the time is eleven years. Thus
ºf ... … *
90 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
was I robbed of time, my body weakened, my health
impaired, so that in my decline of life, a second time,
I suffer the gloom and chains of the dungeon at
Magdeburg.
The reader would now hope that my calamities were
at an end; yet, upon my honour, I would prefer the
suffering of the Star Fort to those I have since endured
in Austria, especially while Krugel and Zetto were
my referendaries and curators.
At this moment I am obliged to be guarded in my
expressions. I have put my enemies to shame; but the
hope of justice or reward is vain. No rewards are
bestowed on him who, with the consciousness of in-
tegrity, demands, and does not deplore. The facts I
shall relate will seem incredible, yet I have, in my own
hands, the vouchers of their veracity.
“If my right hand is guilty of writing untruths in
this book, may the executioner sever it from my body,
and, in the memory of posterity, may I live a villain!”
I will proceed with my history.
On the 2nd of January I arrived, with Count Schlie-
ben, at Prague; the same day he delivered me to the
governor, the Duke of Deuxponts. He received me
with kindness; we dined with him two days, and all
Prague were anxious to see a man who had surmounted
ten years of suffering so unheard of as mine. Here I
received three thousand florins, and paid General
Reidt his three hundred ducats, which he had advanced
Count Schlieben, for my journey, the repayment of
which he demanded in his letter, although he had
received ten thousand florins. The expense of return-
ing I also paid to Schlieben, made him a present,
and provided myself with some necessaries. After
- * - oE BARON TRENCK. 91
remaining a few days at Prague, a courier arrived from
Vienna, to whom I was obliged to pay forty florins,
with an order from government to bring me from
Prague to Vienna. My sword was demanded; Captain
Count Wela, and two inferior officers, entered the
carriage, which I was obliged to purchase, in company
with me, and brought me to Vienna. I took up a
thousand florins more, in Prague, to defray these ex-
penses, and was obliged, in Vienna, to pay the captain
fifty ducats for travelling charges back.
* I was brought back like a criminal, was sent as a
prisoner to the barracks, there kept in the chamber of
- Lieutenant Blonket, with orders that I should be
suffered to write to no one, speak to no one, without a
ticket from the counsellors Kempt or Huttner.
Thus I remained six weeks; at length, the colonel of
the regiment of Poniatowsky, the present field-marshal,
Count Alton, spoke to me. I related what I supposed
were the reasons of my being kept a prisoner in
Vienna; and to the exertions of this man am I indebted
that the intentions of my enemies were frustrated,
which were to have me imprisoned as insane in the
fortress of Glatz. Had they once removed me from
Vienna, I should certainly have pined away my life in
a madhouse. Yet I could never obtain justice against
these men. The Empress was persuaded that my brain
was affected, and that I uttered threats against the
Ring of Prussia. The election of a king of the
Romans was then in agitation, and the court was
apprehensive lest I should offend the Prussian envoy.
General Reidt had been obliged to promise Frederic
that I should not appear in Vienna, and that they
should hold a wary eye over me. The Empress-Queen
* > ** **
92 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
felt compassion for my supposed disease, and asked
if no assistance could be afforded me; to which they
answered, I had several times let blood, but that I still
was a dangerous man. They added, that I had
squandered four thousand florins in six days at Prague;
that it would be proper to appoint guardians to impede
such extravagancies.
Count Alton spoke of me and my hard destiny to the
Countess Parr, mistress of the ceremonies to the
Empress-Queen. The late Emperor entered the
chamber, and asked whether I ever had any lucid
intervals. “May it please your Majesty,” answered
Alton, “he has been seven weeks in my barracks, and
I never met a more reasonable man. There is mystery
in this affair, or he could not be treated as a madman.
That he is not so in anywise I pledge my honour.”
The next day the Emperor sent Count Thurn,
grand-master of the Archduke Leopold, to speak to me.
In him I found an enlightened philosopher, and a
lover of his country. To him I related how I had
twice been betrayed, twice sold at Vienna, during my
imprisonment; to him showed that my administrators
had acted in this vile manner that I might be im-
prisoned for life, and they remain in possession of my
effects. We conversed for two hours, during which
many things were said that prudence will not permit
me to repeat. I gained his confidence, and he con-
tinued my friend till death. He promised me protec-
tion, and procured me an audience of the Emperor.
I spoke with freedom ; the audience lasted an hour.
At length the Emperor retired into the next apartment.
I saw the tears drop from his eyes. I fell at his feet,
and wished for the presence of a Rubens or Apelles, to
OF BARON TRENCE. 93
preserve a scene so honourable to the memory of the
monarch, and paint the sensations of an innocent man,
imploring the protection of a compassionate prince.
The Emperor tore himself from me, and I departed
with sensations such as only those can know who,
themselves being virtuous, have met with wicked men.
I returned to the barracks with joy, and an order the
next day came for my release. I went with Count
Alton to the Countess Parr, and by her mediation I
obtained an audience with the Empress.
I cannot describe how much she pitied my sufferings
and admired my fortitude. She told me she was in-
formed of the artifices practised against me in Vienna;
she required me to forgive my enemies, and pass all
the accounts of my administrators. “Do not complain
of anything,” said she, “but act as I desire—I know
all—you shall be recompensed by me; you deserve
reward and repose, and these you shall enjoy.”
I must either sign whatever was given to sign, or be
sent to a madhouse. I received orders to accompany
M. Pistrich to Counsellor Ziegler; thither I went, and
the next day was obliged to sign, in their presence, the
following conditions:—
First—That I acknowledged the will of Trenck to
be valid.
Secondly—That I renounced all claim to the Sela-
vonian estates, relying alone on her Majesty's favour.
Thirdly—That I solemnly acquitted my accountants
and curators. And,
Lastly—That I would not continue in Vienna.
This I must sign, or languish in prison.
How did my blood boil while I signed This con-
fidence I had in myself assured me I could obtain
*.
94 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES *-
employment in any country of Europe, by the labours
of my mind, and the recital of all my woes. At that
time I had no children ; I little regretted what I had
lost, or the poor portion that remained.
I determined to avoid Austria eternally. My pride
would never suffer me, by insidious arts, to approach
the throne. I knew no such mode of soliciting for
justice, hence I was not a match for my enemies;
hence my misfortunes. Appeals to justice were repre-
sented as the splenetic effusions of a man nover to be
satisfied. My too sensitive heart was corroded by the
treatment I met at Vienna. I, who with so much
fortitude had suffered so much in the cause of Vienna,
I, on whom the eyes of Germany were fixed, to behold
what should be the reward of these sufferings, I was
again, in this country, kept a prisoner, and delivered
to those by whom I had been plundered as a man in-
same !
Before my intended departure to seek my fortune, I
fell ill, and sickness almost brought me to the grave.
The Empress, in her great clemency, sent one of her
physicians and a friar to my assistance, both of whom
I was obliged to pay.
At this time I refused a major's commission, for
which I was obliged to pay the fees. Being excluded
from actual service, to me the title was of little value;
my rank in the army had been equal ten years before in
other service. The following words, inserted in my com-
mission, are not unworthy of remark:—Her Majesty, in
consequence of my fidelity for her service, demonstrated
during a long imprisonment, my endowments and
virtues, had been graciously pleased to grant me, in the
Imperial service, the rank of major.”—The rank of
OF BARON TRENCEC. 95
major l—From this preamble who would not have ex-
pected either the rankof general, ortherestoration of my
great Sclavonian estates? I had been fifteen years a
captain of cavalry, and then was I made an invalid
major three-and-twenty years ago, and an invalid
major I still remain | Let all that has been related
be called to mind, the manner in which I had been pil-
laged and betrayed; let Vienna, Dantzic, and Mag-
deburg be remembered; and be this my promotion re-
membered also ! Tiet it be known that the commission
of major might be bought for a few thousand florins !
Thirty thousand florins only of the money I had been
robbed of would have purchased a colonel’s commission.
I should then have been a companion for generals.
During the thirty-six years that I have been in the
service of Austria, I never had any man of rank, any
great general, my enemy, except Count Grassalkowitz,
and he was only my enemy because he had conceived
a friendship for my estates.
My character was never calumniated, nor did any
worthy man ever speak of me but with respect. Who
were, who are, my enemies?—Jesuits, monks, unprin-
cipled advocates, wishing to become my curators,
referendaries, who died despicable, or now live in houses
of correction. Such as live, live in dread of a similar
end, for the Emperor Joseph is able to discover the
truth. Alas! the truth is discovered so late; age has
now nearly rendered me an invalid. Men with hearts
so base ought, indeed, to become the scavengers of
society, that, terrified by their example, succeeding
judges may not rack the heart of an honest man, seize
on the possessions of the orphan and the widow, and
expel virtue out of Austria,
Y.
** -- , , ” ~,
96 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
I attended the levée of Prince Kaunitz. Not per-
sonally known to him, he viewed in me a crawling
insect. Ithought somewhat more proudly; my actions
were upright, and so should my body be. I quitted
the apartment, and was congratulated by the mercenary
Swiss porter on my good fortune of having obtained
an audience
I applied to the field-marshal, from whom I received
this answer:-‘‘If you cannot purchase, my dear
Trenck, it will be impossible to admit you into service;
besides, you are too old to learn our manoeuvres.” I
was then thirty-seven. I briefly replied, “Your ex-
cellency mistakes my character. I did not come to
Vienna to serve as an invalid major. My curators
have taken good care I should have no money to pur-
chase; but had I millions, I would never obtain rank
in the army by that mode.” I quitted the room with
a shrug. The next day I addressed a memorial to the
Empress. I did not re-demand my Sclavonian estates,
I only petitioned.
First—That those who had carried off quintals of
silver and gold from the premises, and had rendered no
account to me or the treasury, should refund at least a
part.
Secondly—That they should be obliged to return
the thirty-six thousand florins taken from my inheri-
tance, and applied to a hospital.
Thirdly—That the thirty-six thousand florins might
be repaid, which Count Grassalkowitz had deducted
from the allodial estates, for three thousand six hun-
dred pandours who had fallen in the service of the
Empress; I not being bound to pay for the lives of
men who had died in defence of the Empress.
• ‘’ of BARON TRENGK. *
97
Fourthly—I required that fifteen thousand florins,
which had been deducted from my capital, and applied
to the Bohemian fortifications, should likewise be
restored, together with the fifteen thousand which had
been unduly paid to the regiment of Trenck.
Fifthly—I reclaimed the twelve thousand florins
which I had been robbed of at Dantzic by the treachery
of the Imperial Resident, Abramson; and public satis-
faction from the magistracy of Dantzic, who had de-
livered me up, so contrary to the laws of nations, to the
Prussian power.
I likewise claimed the interest of six per cent. for
Seventy-six thousand florins, detained by the Hun-
garian Chamber, which amounted to twenty thousand
florins; I having been allowed five per cent., and at
last four.
I insisted on the restoration of my Sclavonian estates,
and a proper allowance for improvements, which the
very sentence of the court had granted, and which
amounted to eighty thousand florins.
I petitioned for an arbitrator; I solicited justice
concerning rights, but received no answer to this and
a hundred other petitions !
I must here speak of transactions during my in-
prisonment. I had bought a house in Vienna in the
year 1750; the price was sixteen thousand florins, thir-
teen thousand of which I had paid by instalments.
The receipts were among my writings; these writings,
with my other effects, were taken from me at Dantzic,
in the year 1754; nor have I, to this hour, been able
to learn more than that my writings were sent to the
administrators of my affairs at Vienna. With re-
Spect to my houses and puoperty in Dantzic, in
D—14
3 -, *, * *
98 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES'
^:
* 3
what manner these were disposed of no one could or
would say.
After being released at Magdeburg, I inquired con-
cerning my house, but no longer found it mine. Those
who had got possession of my writings must have re-
stored the acquittances to the seller, consequently he
could re-demand the whole sum. My house was in
other hands, and I was brought in debtor six thousand
florins for interest and costs of suit. Thus were house,
and money gone ! Whom can I accuse?
Again, I had maintained, at my own expense Lieu-
tenant Schroeder, who had deserted from C la z, and
for whom I obtained a captain's commission in the
guard of Prince Esterhazy, at Eisenstadt. His mis-
conduct caused him to be cashiered. In my adminis-
trator's accounts I found the following :-
“To Captain Schroeder, for capital, interest, and
costs of suit, sixteen hundred florins.”
It was certain I was not a penny indebted to this
person; I had no redress, having been obliged to pass
and sign all their accounts.
I, four years afterwards, obtained information con-
cerning this affair: I met Schroeder, knew him, and
inquired whether he had received these sixteen hundred
florins. He answered in the affirmative. “No one
believed you would ever more see the light. I
knew you would serve me, and that you would relieve
my necessities. I went and spoke to Dr. Berger; he
agreed we should halve the sum, and his contrivance
was, I should make oath I had lent you a thousand
florins, without having received your note. The money
was paid me by M. Frauenberger, to whom I agreed
to send a present of Tokay, for Madam Huttner.”
* •º-
OF BARON TEENCK. 99.
This was the manner in which my curators took care
of my property Many instances I could produce,
but I am too much agitated by the recollection. I
must speak a word concerning who and what my
curators were.
The Court Counsellor, Kempf, was my administrator,
and Counsellor Huttner my referendary. The substi-
tute of Kempf was Frauenberger, who, being obliged
to act as a clerk at Prague during the war, appointed
one Krebs as a sub-substitute ; whether M. Krebs had
also a sub-substitute is more than I am able to
say.
Dr. Bertracker was fidei commiss-curator, though
there was no fidei commisswm existing. Dr. Berger,
as Fidei Commiss-Advocate, was superintendent, and
to them all salaries were to be paid.
Let us see what was the business this company had
to transact. I had seventy-six thousand florins in the
Hungarian Chamber, the interest of which was to be
yearly received, and added to the capital: this was
their employment, and was certainly so trifling that
any man would have performed it gratis. The war
made money scarce, and the discounting of bills with
my ducats was a profitable trade to my curators. Had
it been honestly employed, I should have found my
capital increased, after my imprisonment, full sixty
thousand florins. Instead of these I received three
thousand florins at Prague, and found my capital
diminished seven thousand florins.
Frauenberger and Berger died rich; and I must be
confined as a madman, lest this deputy should have
been proved a rogue. This is the clue to the acquittal
I was obliged to sign:—Madam K was a lady of the
v.
100 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs .
bedchamber at court; she could approach the throne:
her chamber employments, indeed, procured her the
keys of doors that to me were eternally locked.
Not satisfied with this, Kempf applied to the Em-
press, informed her they were acquitted, not recom-
pensed, and that Frauenberger required four thousand
florins for remuneration. The Empress laid an inter-
dict on the half of my income and pension. Thus was
I obliged to live in poverty; banished the Austrian
dominions, where my seventy-six thousand florins were
reduced to sixty-three, the interest of which I could
only receive; and that burthened by the above interdict,
the fidei commisswm, and administratorship.
The Empress during my sickness ordered that my
captain’s pay, during my ten years’ imprisonment,
should be given me, amounting to eight thousand
florins; which pay she also settled on me as a pension.
By this pension I never profited; for, during twenty-
three years, that and more was swallowed by journeys
to Vienna, chicanery of courtiers and agents, and costs
of suits. Of the eight thousand florins three were stolen;
the court physician must be paid thrice as much as
another, and what remained after my recovery was
sunk in the preparations I had made to seek my fortune
elsewhere. *
How far my captain’s pay was matter of right or
favour, let the world judge, being told I went in the
service of Vienna to the city of Dantzic. Neither did
this restitution of pay equal the sum I had sent the
Imperial Minister to obtain my freedom. I remained
nine months in my dungeon after the articles were
signed, unthought of ; and, when mentioned by the
Austrians, the King had twice rejected the proposal of
OF BARON TRENCE. 101
my being set free. The affair happened as follows, as
I received it from Prince Henry, Prince Ferdinand
of Brunswick, and the Minister, Count Hertzberg —
General Reidt had received my ten thousand florins
full six months, and seemed to remember me no more.
One gala day, on the 21st of December, the King
happened to be in good humour; and Her Majesty the
Queen, the Princess Amelia, and the present monarch,
said to the Imperial Minister, “This is a fit opportunity
for you to speakin behalf of Trenck.” He accordingly
waited his time, did speak, and the King replied,
“Yes.”
The joy of the whole company appeared so great that
Frederic the Great was offended !
Other circumstances which contributed to promote
this affair, the reader will collect from my history.
That there were persons in Vienna who desired to
detain me in prison is indubitable, from their proceed-
ings after my return. My friends in Berlin and my
money were my deliverers.
Walking round Vienna, having recovered from my
sickness, the broad expanse of heaven inspired a con-
sciousness of freedom and pleasure indescribable. I
heard the song of the lark. My heart palpitated, my
pulse quickened, for I recollected I was not in chains.
“Happen,” said I, “what may, my will and heart
are free.”
An incident happened which furthered my project of
getting away from Austria. Marshal Laudohn was
going to Aix-la-Chapelle to take the waters. He went
to take his leave of the Countess Parr; I was present :
the Empress entered the chamber, and the conversation
turning upon Laudohn’s journey, she said to me, “The
**.
102 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
baths are necessary to the re-establishment of your
health, Trenck.” I was ready, and followed him in
two days, where we remained about three months.
The mode of life at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa pleased
me, where men of all nations meet, and where princes
mingle with persons of all ranks. One day here pro-
cured me more pleasure than a whole life in Vienna.
I had scarcely remained a month before the Countess
Parr wrote to me that the Empress had provided for
me, and would make my fortune as soon as I returned
to Vienna. I tried to discover in what it consisted, but
in vain. The death of the Emperor Francis at Innsbruck
occasioned the return of General Laudohn, and I
followed him, on foot, to Vienna.
By means of the Countess Parr I obtained an audi-
ence. The Empress said to me, “I will prove to you,
Trenck, that I keep my word. I have insured your
fortune; I will give you a rich and prudent wife. I
replied, “Most gracious Sovereign, I cannot determine
to marry, and, if I could, my choice is already made at
Aix-la-Chapelle.”—“How ! are you married, then?”—
“Not yet, please your Majesty.”—“Are you promised?”
—“Yes.”—“Well, well, no matter for that ; I will take
care of that affair; I am determined on marrying you
to the rich widow of M-, and she approves my
choice. She is a good, kind woman, and has fifty
thousand florins a year. You are in want of such a
wife.”
I was thunderstruck. This bride was a canting
hypocrite of sixty-three, covetous, and a termagant. I
answered, “I must speak the truth to your Majesty; I
could not consent did she possess the treasures of the
whole earth. I have made my choice, which, as an
of BARON TRENCK. 103
* *
honest man, I must not break.” The Empress said,
“Your unhappiness is your own work. Act as you
think proper; Ihave done.” Here my audience ended.
I was not actually affianced at that time to my pre-
sent wiſe, but love had determined my choice.
Marshal Laudohn promoted the match. He was
acquainted with my heart gnd the warmth of my
passion, and perceived that I could not conquer the
desire of vengeance on men by whom I had been so
cruelly treated. He and Professor Gellert advised me to
take this mode of calming passions that often inspired
projects too vast, and that I should fly the company of
the great. This counsel was seconded by my own
wishes. I returned to Aix-la-Chapelle in December,
1766, and married the youngest daughter of the former
Burgomaster De Broe. He was dead; he had lived on
his own estate in Brussels, where my wife was born
and educated. My wife's mother was sister to the
Vice-Chancellor of Dusseldorf, Baron Robert, Lord of
Roland. My wife was with me in most parts of Europe.
She was then young, handsome, worthy, and virtuous,
has borne me eleven children, all of whom she has
nursed herself; eight of them are still living and have
been properly educated. Twenty-two years she has
borne a part of all my sufferings, and well deserves
reward.
During my abode in Vienna I made one effort more.
I sought an audience with the present Emperor Joseph,
related all that had happened to me, and remarked such
defects as I had observed in the regulations of the
country. He heard me, and commanded me to commit
my thoughts to writing. My memorial was graciously
received. I also gave a full account of what had
"y
f ya
104 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
t
happened to me in various countries, which prudence
has occasioned me to express more cautiously in these
pages. My memorial produced no effect, and Ihastened
back to Aix-la-Chapelle.
CEIAPTER, WII.
For some years I lived in peace; my house was the
rendezvous of the first people, who came to take the
waters. I began to be more known among the very first
and best people. I visited Professor Gellert at Leipzig,
and asked his advice concerning what branch of litera-
ture he thought it was probable I might succeed in.
He most approved my fables and tales, and blamed the
excessive freedom with which I spoke in political
writings. I neglected his advice, and many of the
ensuing calamities were the consequence.
I received orders to correspond with His Majesty’s
private secretary, Baron Roder; suffice it to say, my
attempts to serve my country were frustrated; I saw
defects too clearly, spoke my thoughts too frankly, and
wanted sufficient humility ever to obtain favour.
In the year 1767 I wrote “The Macedonian Hero,”
which became famous throughout all Germany. The
poem did me honour, but entailed new persecutions; yet
Inever could repent : Ihave had the honour of present-
ing it to five reigning princes, by none of whom it has
been burnt. The Empress alone was highly enraged.
I had spoken as Nathan did to David, and the Jesuits
now openly became my enemies.
The following trick was played me in 1768. Afriend
OF BARON TRENCE. 105.
in Brussels was commissioned to receive my pay, from
whom I learnt an interdict had been laid upon it by
the court called Hofkriegsrath, in Vienna, in which I
was condemned to pay seven hundred florins to one
Bussy, with fourteen years’ interest.
Bussy was a known swindler. I therefore journeyed,
post-haste, to Vienna. No hearing ; no satisfactory
account was to be obtained. The answer was, “Sen-
tence is passed, therefore all attempts are too late.”
I applied to the Emperor Joseph, pledged my head
to prove the falsification of this note; and entreated a
revision of the cause. My request was granted, and my
attorney, Weyhrauch, was an upright man. When he
requested a day of revision to be appointed, he was
threatened to be committed by the referendary, Zetto,
should he interfere and defend the affairs of Trenck.
He answered firmly, “His defence is my business: I
know my cause to be good.”
Eour months did I continue in Vienna before the
day was appointed to revise this cause. It now ap-
peared there were erasures and holes through the paper
in three places; all in court were convinced the claim
ought to be annulled, and the claimant punished.
Zetto ordered the parties to withdraw, and then so,
managed that the judges resolved that the case must
be laid before the court with formal and written
proofs.
This gave time for new knavery; I was obliged to
return to Aix-la-Chapelle, and four years elapsed be-
fore this affair was decided. Two priests, in the in-
terim, took false oaths that they had seen me receive
money. At length, however, I proved that the note
was dated a year after I had been imprisoned at
- --
106 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs
Magdeburg. Further, my attorney proved the writs of
the court had been falsified. Zetto, referendary, and
Bussy, were the forgers; but I happened to be too
active, and my attorney too honest, to lose this case.
I was obliged to make three very expensive journeys
from Aix-la-Chapelle to Vienna, lest judgment should
go by default. Sentence at last was pronounced. I
gained my cause, and the note was declared a forgery,
but the costs, amounting to three thousand five hun-
dred florins, I was obliged to pay, for Bussy could not:
nor was he punished, though driven from Vienna for
his villainous acts. Zetto, however, still continued for
eleven years my persecutor, till he was deprived of his
office, and condemned to the House of Correction.
My knowledge of the world increased at Aix-la-
Chapelle, where men of all characters met. In the
morning I conversed with a lord in opposition, in the
afternoon with an orator of the King’s party, and in
the evening with an honest man of no party. I sent
Hungarian wine into England, France, Holland, and
the Empire. This occasioned me to undertake long
journeys, and as my increased acquaintance gave me
opportunities of receiving foreigners with politeness
in my own house, I was also well received wherever I
went.
The income I should have had from Vienna was
engulfed by law-suits, attorneys, and the journeys I
undertook; having been thrice cited to appear, in
person, before the Hofkriegsrath. No hope remained.
I was described as a dangerous malcontent, who had
deserted his native land. I nevertheless remained an
honest man; one who could provide for his necessities
without the favour of courts; one whose acquaintance
* * * * .* *. * A **
*
©F BARON TRENCE. i07
was esteemed. In Vienna alone was I unsought, un-
employed, and obscure.
One day an accident happened which made me re-
nowned as a magician, as one who had power over fogs
and clouds.
I had a quarrel with the Palatine President, Baron
Blankart, concerning a hunting district. I wrote to
him that he should repair to the spot in dispute,
whither I would attend with sword and pistol, hoping
he would there give me satisfaction for the affront I
had received. Thither I went, with two huntsmen and
two friends, but instead of the baron I found two hun-
dred armed peasants assembled.
I sent one of my huntsmen to the army of the
enemy, informing them that, if they did not retreat,
I should fire. The day was fine, but a thick and im-
penetrable fog arose. My huntsman returned, with
intelligence that, having delivered his message just
as the fog came on, these heroes had all run away with
fright.
I advanced, fired my piece, as did my followers, and
marched to the mansion of my adversary, where my
hunting-horn was blown in triumph in his courtyard.
The runaway peasants fired, but the fog prevented
their taking aim.
I returned home, where many false reports had
preceded me. My wife expected I should be brought
home dead; however, not the least mischief had hap-
pened.
It soon was propagated through the country that I
had raised a fog to render myself invisable, and that
the truth of this could be justified by two hundred
witnesses. All the monks of Aix-la-Chapelle, Juliers,
* …”
108 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
and Cologne, preached concerning me, reviled me, and
warned the people to beware of the arch-magician and
Lutheran, Trenck.
On a future occasion, this belief I turned to merri-
ment. I went to hunt the wolf in the forests of
Montjoie, and invited the townsmen to the chase. To-
wards evening I, and some forty of my followers, re-
tired to rest in the charcoal huts, provided with wine
and brandy. “My lads,” said I, “it is necessary you
should discharge your pieces, and load them anew ; that
to-morrow no wolf may escape, and that none of you
excuse yourselves on your pieces missing fire.” The
guns were reloaded, and placed in a separate chamber.
While they were merry-making, my huntsman drew
the balls, and charged the pieces with powder, several
of which he loaded with double charges. Some of their
notched balls I put into my pocket.
In the morning away went I and my fellows to the
chase. Their conversation turned on my necromancy,
and the manner in which I could envelope myself in a
cloud, or make myself bullet-proof. “What is that
you are talking about P” said I.-‘‘Some of these un-
believing folks,” answered my huntsman, “affirm your
honour is unable toward off balls.”—“Well, then,” said
I, “fire away, and try.” My huntsman fired. I pre-
tended to parry with my hand, and called, “Let any
man that is so inclined fire, but only one at a time.”
Accordingly they began, and, pretending to twist and
turn about, I suffered them all to discharge their
pieces. My people had carefully noticed that no man
had reloaded his gun. Some of them received such
blows from the guns that were doubly charged that
they fell, terrified at the powers of magic. I advanced,
OF BARON TRENCE. 109
^*.
holding in my hand some of the marked balls. “Let
every one choose his own,” called I. All stood motion-
less, and many of them slunk home with their guns
on their shoulders; some remained, and our sport was
excellent.
On Sunday the monks of Aix-la-Chapelle again be-
gan to preach. My black art became the theme of the
whole country, and to this day many of the people
make oath that they fired upon me, and that, after
catching them, I returned the balls.
My invulnerable qualities were published throughout
Juliers, Aix-la-Chapelle, Maestricht, and Cologne, and
perhaps this belief saved my life; the priests having
propagated it from their pulpits, in a country which
swarms with highway robbers, and where, for a single
ducat, any man may hire an assassin.
It is no small surprise that I should have preserved
my life, in a town where there are twenty-three monas-
teries and churches, and where the monks are adored
as deities. The Catholic clergy had been enraged
against me by my poem of “The Macedonian Hero; ”
and in 1772 I published a newspaper at Aix-la-
Chapelle, and another work entitled, “The Friend of
Men,” in which I unmasked hypocrisy. A major of
the apostolic Maria. Theresa, writing thus in a town
swarming with friars, and in a tone so undaunted, was
unexampled.
At present, now that freedom of opinion is en-
couraged by the Emperor, many essayists encounter
bigotry and deceit with ridicule; or, wanting invention
themselves, publish extracts from writings of the age
of Luther. But I have the honour of having attacked
the pillars of the Romish hierarchy in days more
ar
110 THE LIFE ANî) ADVENTURES
dangerous. Imay boast of being the first German who
raised a fermentation on the Upper Rhine and in
Austria, so advantageous to truth, the progress of the
understanding, and the happiness of futurity.
My writings contain nothing inimical to the morality
taught by Christ. I attacked the sale of indulgences,
the avarice of Rome, the laziness, deceit, gluttony,
robbery, and blood-sucking of the monks of Aix-la-
Chapelle. The arch-priest, and nine of his coadjutors,
declared every Sunday that I was a freethinker, a
wizard, one whom every man, wishing well to God
and the Church, ought to assassinate. Father Zunder
declared me an outlaw, and a day was appointed on
which my writings were to be burnt before my house,
and its inhabitants massacred. My wife received
letters warning her to fly for safety, which warning
she obeyed. I and two of my huntsmen remained, pro-
vided with eighty-four loaded muskets. These I dis-
played before the window, that all might be convinced
that I would make a defence. The appointed day
came, and Father Zunder, with my writings in his
hand, appeared ready for the attack; the other monks
had incited the townspeople to a storm. Thus passed
the day and night in suspense. •
In the morning a fire broke out in the town. I
hastened, with my two huntsmen, well armed, to give
assistance; we dashed the water from our buckets, and
all obeyed my directions. Father Zunder and his stu-
dents were there likewise. I struck his anointed ear
with my leathern bucket, which no man thought proper
to notice. I passedundaunted through the crowd; the
people smiled, pulled off their hats, and wished me a
good-morning. The people of Aix-la-Chapelle were
... " OF BARON TRENCE, III
bigots, but too cowardly to murder a man who was
prepared for his own defence.
As I was riding to Maestricht, a ball whistled by my
ears, which, no doubt, was a messenger sent after me
by these persecuting priests.
When hunting near the convent of Schwartzenbruck,
three Dominicans lay in ambush behind a hedge. One
of their colleagues pointed out the place. I was on my
guard with my gun, drew near, and called out, “Shoot,
scoundrels' but do not kill me, for the devil stands
ready for you at your elbow.” One fired, and all ran:
The ball hit my hat. I fired and wounded one de-
sperately, whom the others carried off.
In 1774, journeying from Spa to Limbourg, I was
attacked by eight banditti. The weather was rainy,
and my musket was in its case; my sabre was en-
tangled in my belt, so that I was obliged to defend
myself as with a club. I sprang from the carriage,
and fought in defence of my life, striking down all
before me, while my faithful huntsman protected me
behind. I dispersed my assailants, hastened to my
carriage, and drove away. One of these fellows was
soon after hanged, and owned that the confessor of
the banditti had promised absolution could they but
despatch me, but that no man could shoot me, because
Lucifer had rendered me invulnerable. My agility,
fighting, too, for life, was superior to theirs, and they
buried two of their gang, whom with my heavy sabre
I had killed.
To such excess of cruelty may the violence of priests
be carried I attacked only gross abuses—the deceit
of the monks of Aix-la-Chapelle, Cologne, and Liége,
where they are worse than cannibals. I wished to
112 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
inculcate true Christian duties among my fellow-
citizens, and the attempt was sufficient to irritate the
selfish Church of Rome.
From my Empress I had nothing to hope. Her
confessor had painted me as a persecutor of the
blessed Mother Church. Nor was this all. Opinions
were propagated throughout Vienna that I was a
dangerous man to the community.
Hence I was always wronged in courts of judicature,
where there are ever to be found wicked men. They
thought they were serving the cause of God by in-
juring me. Yet they were unable to prevent my
writings from producing me much money, or from being
circulated through all Germany. The Aia;-la-Chapelle
Journal became so famous, that in the second year
I had four thousand subscribers, by each of whom I
gained a ducat. 3.
The postmasters, who gained considerably by circu-
lating newspapers, were envious, because the Aia:-la-
Chapelle Jowrmal destroyed several of the others, and
they therefore formed a combination.
Prince Charles of Sweden placed confidence in me
during his residence at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa, and
I accompanied him into Holland. When I took my
leave of him at Maestricht, he said to me, “When my
father dies, either my brother shall be King, or we
will lose our heads.” The King died, and Prince
Charles soon after said, in the postscript of one of his
letters, “What we spoke of at Maestricht will soon be
fully accomplished, and you may then come to Stock-
holm.”
On this, I inserted an article in my journal declaring
a revolution had taken place in Sweden, that the king
f
OF BARON TEEN CEC. 113
had made himself absolute. The other papers ex-
pressed their doubts, and I offered to wager a thousand
ducats on the truth of the article published in my
journal under the title of “Aix-la-Chapelle.” The
news of the revolution in Sweden was confirmed.
My journal foretold the Polish partition six weeks
sooner than any other; but how I obtained this news
must not be mentioned. I was active in the defence of
Queen Matilda of Denmark.
The French Ministry were offended at the following
pasquinade :-‘‘The three eagles have rent the Polish
bear, without losing a feather with which any man in
the Cabinet of Versailles can write. Since the death
of Mazarin, they write only with goose-quills.”
By desire of the King of Poland, I wrote a narrative
of the attempt made to assassinate him, and named the
nuncio who had given absolution to the conspirators in
the chapel of the Holy Virgin.
The house was now in flames. Rome insisted I
should recall my words. Her nuncio, at Cologne,
vented poison, daggers, and excommunication; the
Empress-Queen herself thought proper to interfere. I
obtained, for my justification, from Warsaw a copy of
the examination of the conspirators. This I threatened
to publish, and stood unmoved in the defence of
truth.
The Empress wrote to the Postmaster-General of the
Empire, and commanded him to lay an interdict on the
Aia-la-Chapelle Jowrmal. Informed of this, I ended
its publication with the year, but wrote an essay on
the partition of Poland, which also did but increase my
enemies.
The magistracy of Aix-la-Chapelle is elected from
** - * -ºr
* .
114 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
the people, and the Burghers’ court consists of an
ignorant rabble. I know no exceptions but Baron
Lamberte and De Witte; and this people assume titles
of dignity, for which they are amenable to the court at
Vienna. Knowing I should find little protection at
Vienna, they imagined they might drive me from their
town. I was a spy on their evil deeds, of whom they
would have rid themselves. I knew that the two
sheriffs, Kloss and Furth, and the recorder, Geyer, had
robbed the town-chamber of forty thousand dollars,
- and divided the spoil. To these I was a dangerous
man. For such reasons they sought a quarrel with me,
pretending I had committed a trespass by breaking
down a hedge, and cited me to appear at the town-
house.
The postmaster, Héinsberg, of Aix-la-Chapelle, al-
though he had two thousand three hundred rix-dollars
of mine in his possession, instituted false suits against
me, obtained verdicts against me, seized on a cargo
of wine at Cologne, and I incurred losses to the
amount of eighteen thousand florins, which devoured
the fortune of my wife, and by which she, with myself
and my children, were reduced to poverty.
The Gravenitz himself, in 1778, acknowledged how
much he had injured me, affirmed he had been de-
ceived, and promised he would try to obtain restitution.
Iforgave him, and he attempted to keep his promise; but
his power declined; the bribes he had received became
too public. He was dispossessed of his post, but, alas !
too late for me. Two other of my judges are at this
time obliged to sweep the streets of Vienna, where they
are condemned to the House of Correction. Had this
been their employment instead of being seated on the
OF BARON TRENCK. 115
“.
:
º
x, ºr * * *†, 3.
*: X^ * *.
seat of judgment twenty years ago, I might have been
more fortunate. It is a remarkable circumstance that
I should so continually have been despoiled by unjust
judges. Who would have had the temerity to affirm that
their evil deeds should bring them to attend on the city
scavenger? I indeed knew them but too well, and fear-
lessly spoke what I knew. It was my misfortune that I
was acquainted with their malpractices sooner than my
gracious Sovereign.
Let the scene close on my litigations at Aix-la-
Chapelle and Vienna. May God preserve every honest
man from the like . They have swallowed up my pro-
perty, and that of my wife. Enough
CHAPTER WIII.
FROM the year 1774 to 1777, I journeyed through
England and France. I was intimate with Dr. Frank-
lin, the American Minister, and with the Counts St.
Germain and de Vergennes, who made me proposals to
go to America; but I was prevented by my affection
for my wife and children. ---
My friend the Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, who had
been Governor of Magdeburg during my imprisonment,
offered me a commission among the troops going to
America, but I answered— &
“Gracious prince, my heart beats in the cause of
freedom only; I will never assist in enslaving men.
Were I at the head of your brave grenadiers, I should
revolt to the Americans.”
116 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
During 1775 I continued at Aix-la-Chapelle my
essays, entitled, “The Friend of Men.” My writings
had made some impression; the people began to read;
the monks were ridiculed, but my partisans increased,
and their leader got himself cudgelled.
They did not now mention my name publicly, but
catechised their penitents at confession. During this
year people came to me from Cologne, Bonn, and Dus-
seldorf, to speak with me privately. When I inquired
their business, they told me their clergy had informed
them I was propagating a new religion, in which every
man must sign himself to the devil, who then would
supply them with money. They were willing to be-
come converts to my faith, would Beelzebub but give
them money, and revenge them on their priests. “My
good friends,” answered I, “your teachers have de-
ceived you; I know of no devils but themselves. Were
it true that I was founding a new religion, the converts
to whom the devil would supply money, your priests,
would be the first of my apostles, and the most catho-
lic. I am an honest, moral man, as a Christian
ought to be. Go home, in God’s name, and do your
duty.”
I forgot to mention that the recorder of the sheriff's
court at Aix-la-Chapelle, who is called Baron Geyer,
had associated himself in 1778 with a Jew convert, and
that this noble company swindled a Dutch merchant
out of eighty thousand florins, by assuming the arms of
Elector Palatine, and producing forged receipts and
contracts. Geyer was taken in Amsterdam, and would
have been hanged, but, by the aid of a servant, he
escaped. He returned to Aix-la-Chapelle, where he
enjoys his office. Three years ago he robbed the town-
OF BATRON TEENCEC. 117
chamber. His wife was, at that time, generis communis,
and procured him friends at court. The assertions of
this gentleman found greater credit at Vienna than
those of the injured Trenck I Oh, shame! Oh,
World ! World!
My wine trade was so successful that I had corre-
spondents and stores in London, Paris, Brussels, Ham-
burg, and the Hague, and had gained forty thousand
florins. One unfortunate day destroyed all my hopes
in the success of this traffic.
In London I was defrauded of eighteen hundred
guineas by a swindler. The fault was my brother-in-
law’s, who parted with the wine before he had received
the money. When I had been wronged, and asked my
friends' assistance, I was only laughed at, as if they
were happy that an Englishman had the wit to cheat
a German.
Finding myself defrauded, I hastened to Sir John
Fielding. He told me he knew I had been swindled,
and that his friendship would make him active in my
behalf; that he also knew the houses where my
wine was deposited, and that a party of his runners
should gö with me, sufficiently strong for its recovery.
I was little aware that he had, at that time, two
hundred bottles of my best Tokay in his cellar.
His pretended kindness was a snare; he was in
partnership with robbers, only the stupid among
whom he hanged, and preserved the most adroit for the
promotion of trade.
He sent a constable and six of his runners with me,
commanding them to act under my orders. By good
fortune I had a violent headache, and sent my brother-
in-law, who spoke better English than I. Him they
118 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
brought to the house of a Jew, and told him, “Your
wine, sir, is here concealed.” Though it was broad
day, the door was locked, that he might be induced to
act illegally. The constable desired him to break the
door open, which he did; the Jews came running, and
asked—“What do you want, gentlemen?”—“I want
my wine,” answered my brother.—“Take what is your
own,” replied a Jew; “but beware of touching my
property. I have bought the wine.”
My brother attended the constable and runners into
a cellar, and found a great part of my wine. He wrote
to Sir John Fielding that he had found the wine, and
desired to know how to act. Fielding answered:
“It must be taken by the owner.” My brother
accordingly sent me the wine.
Next day came a constable with a warrant, saying,
“He wanted to speak with my brother, and that he
was to go to Sir John Fielding.” When he was in
the street, he told him — “Sir, you are my pri-
soner.”
I went to Sir John Fielding, and asked him what it
meant. This justice answered that my brother had
been accused of felony. The Jews and swindlers had
sworn the wine was a legal purchase. If I had not
been paid, or was ignorant of the English laws, that
was my fault. Six swindlers had sworn the wine was
paid for, which circumstance he had not known, or
he should not have granted me a warrant. My brother
had also broken open the doors, and forcibly taken
away wine which was not his own. They made oath
of this, and he was charged with burglary and
robbery. *
He desired me to give bail in a thousand guineas
OF BARON TRENCEC. 119
for my brother for his appearance in the Court of
King’s Bench; otherwise his trial would immediately
come on, and in a few days he would be hanged.
I hastened to a lawyer, who confirmed what had
been told me, advised me to give bail, and he would
then defend my cause. I applied to Lord Mansfield,
and received the same answer. I told my story to
all my friends, who laughed at me for attempting
to trade in London without understanding the laws.
My friend Lord Grosvenºr said, “Send more wine
to London, and we will pay you so well that you
will soon recover your loss.”
I went to my wine-merchants, who had a stock of
mine worth upwards of a thousand guineas. They gave
bail for my brother, and he was released.
Fielding, in the interim, sent his runners to my
house, took back the wine, and restored it to the
Jews. They threatened to prosecute me as a receiver
of stolen goods. I fled from London to Paris, where
I sold off my stock at half-price, honoured my bills,
and so ended my merchandise.
My brother returned to London in November, to
defend his cause in the Court of King’s Bench; but
the swindlers had disappeared, and the lawyer required
a hundred pounds to proceed. The conclusion was that
my brother returned with seventy pounds less in his
pocket, spent as travelling expenses, and the stock
in the hands of my wine-merchants was detained on
pretence of paying the bail. They brought me an
apothecary’s bill, and all was lost.
The Swedish General Sprengporten came to Aix-
la-Chapelle in 1776. He had planned and carried
into execution the revolution so favourable to the King,
~&r-
wº *r
120 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
but had left Sweden in discontent, and came to take
the waters with a rooted hypochondria.
He was the most dangerous man in Sweden, and
had told the King himself, after the revolution, in
the presence of his guards, “While Sprengporten can
hold a sword, the King has nothing to command”.
It was feared he would go to Russia, and Prince
Charles wrote to me in the name of the monarch,
desiring I would exert myself to persuade him to
return to Sweden. He was a man of pride, which
rendered him either a fool or a madman. He de-
spised everything that was not Swedish.
The Prussian Minister, Count Hertzberg, the same
year came to Aix-la-Chapelle. I enjoyed his society
for three months, and accompanied this great man.
To his liberality am I indebted that I can return
to my country with honour.
The time I had to spare was not spent in idleness;
Lattacked, in my weekly writings, those sharpers who
attend at Aix-la-Chapelle and Spa to plunder both
inhabitants and visitants, under the connivance of the
magistracy; nor are there wanting foreign noblemen
who become the associates of these pests of society.
The publication of such truths endangered my life
from the desperadoes, who, when detected, had nothing
more to lose. How powerful is an innocent life,
nothing can more fully prove than that I still exist,
in despite of all the attempts of wicked monks and
despicable sharpers.
Though my life was much disturbed, yet I do not
repent of my manner of acting; many a youth, many
a brave man, have I detained from the gaming-table,
and pointed out to them the most notorious sharpers.
* r * * # t w" * --
OF BARON TRENCE. 2 121
This was so injurious to Spa, that the Bishop of Liége
himself, who enjoys a tax on all their winnings, and
therefore protects such villains, offered me an annual
pension of five hundred guineas if I would not come to
Spa; or three per cent. on the winnings, would I but
associate myself with Colonel N t, and raise recruits
for the gaming-table. My answer may easily be
imagined; yet for this was I threatened to be excom-
municated by the Holy Catholic Church
I and my family passed sixteen summers in Spa.
My house became the rendezvous of the most respect-
able part of the company, and I was known to some of
the most respectable characters in Europe.
A contest arose between the town of Aix-la-Chapelle
and Baron Blankart, the master of the hounds to the
Elector Palatine: it originated in a dispute concerning
precedence between the before-mentioned wife of the
Recorder Geyer and the sister of the Burgomaster of
Aix-la-Chapelle, Kahr, who governed that town with
despotism. º
This quarrel was detrimental to the town and to
the Elector Palatine, but profitable to Kahr, whose
office it was to protect the rights of the town, and
those persons who defended the claims of the Elector;
the latter kept a faro bank, the plunder of which had
enriched the town; and the former Kahr, under pre-
tence of defending their cause, embezzled the money of
the people; so that both parties endeavoured with all
their power to prolong the litigation.
It vexed me to see their proceedings. Those who
suffered on each side were deceived; and I conceived
the project of exposing the truth. For this purpose I
journeyed to the court at Mannheim, related the facts
*
122 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs
to the Elector, produced a plan of accommodation, which
he approved, and obtained powerto act as arbitrator. The
Minister of the Elector, Bekkers, pretended to approve
my zeal, conducted me to an awberge, made me dine at
his house, and said a commission was made out for my
son, andforwarded to Aix-la-Chapelle—which was false;
the moment he quitted me he sent to Aix-la-Chapelle
to frustrate the attempt he pretended to applaud. He
was himself in league with the parties. In fine, this
silly interference brought me only trouble, expense, and
chagrin. I made five journeys to Mannheim, till I be-
came so dissatisfied that I determined to quit Aix-la-
Chapelle, and purchase an estate in Austria.
The Bavarian contest was at this time in agitation;
my own affairs brought me to Paris, and here I learned
intelligence of great consequence; this I communicated
to the Grand Duke of Florence, on my return to Vienna.
The Duke departed to join the army in Bohemia, and
I again wrote to him, and thought it my duty to send
a courier. The Duke showed my letter to the
Emperor; but I remained unnoticed.
I did not think myself safe in foreign countries
during the time of war, and purchased the lordship
of Zwerbach, with appurtenances, which, with the
expenses, cost me sixty thousand florins.)
To conclude this purchase, I was obliged to solicit
the referendary, Zetto, and his friend whom he had
appointed as my curator, for my new estate was like-
wise made a fidei commisswm, as my referendaries and
curators would not let me escape contribution. The
six thousand florins of which they emptied my purse
would have done my family much service.
In May, 1780, I went to Aix-la-Chapelle, where my
OF BARON TRENCE. 123
wife's mother died in July; and in September my wife,
myself, and family, all came to Vienna.
My wife solicited the mistress of the ceremonies to
obtain an audience. Her request was granted, and
she gained the favour of the Empress. Her kindness
was beyond expression: she introduced my wife to the
Archduchess, and commanded her mistress of the
ceremonies to present her everywhere. “You were
unwilling,” said she, “to accompany your husband into
my country, but I hope to convince you that you may
live happier in Austria than at Aix-la-Chapelle.”
She next day sent me her decree, assuring me of a
pension of four hundred florins.
My wife potitioned the Empress to grant me an
audience: her request was complied with : and the
Empress said to me: “This is the third time in which
I would have made your fortune, had you been so dis-
posed.” She desired to see my children, and spoke of
my writings. “How much good might you do,” said
she, “would you but write in the cause of religion l’”
We departed for Zworbach, where we lived con-
tentedly, but when we were preparing to return to
Vienna, and solicited the restitution of part of my lost
fortune, during this favour of the court, Theresa died,
and all my hopes were overcast.
I forgot to relate that the Archduchess, Maria
Anna, desired me to translate a religious work, written
infºrench by the Abbé Baudrand, into German. Ireplied
I would obey Her Majesty’s commands. I began my
work, took passages from Baudrand, but inserted more
of my own. The first volume was finished in six
weeks; the Empress thought it admirable. The
second soon followed, and I presented this myself.
124 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
She asked me if it equalled the first ; I answered, I
hoped it would be found more excellent. “No,” said
she; “I never in my life read a better book:” and added,
“she wondered how Icould write so well and so quickly.”
I promised another volume within a month. Before
the third was ready, Theresa died. She gave orders
on her death-bed to have the writings of Baron Trenck
read to her; and though her confessor well knew the
injustice that had been done me, yet in her last moments
he kept silence, though he had given me his sacred
promise to speak in my behalf.
After her death the censor commanded that I should
print what I have stated in the preface to that third
volume, and this was my only satisfaction.
For one-and-thirty years had I been soliciting my
rights, which I never could obtain, because the Empress
was deceived by wicked men, and believed me a
heretic. In the thirty-second, my wife had the good
fortune to convince her this was false; she had deter-
mined to make me restitution; just at this moment she
died.
The pension granted my wife by the Empress in
consequence of my misfortunes and our numerous
family, we only enjoyed nine months.
Of this she was deprived by the new monarch. He
perhaps knew nothing of the affair, as I never solicited.
Yet much has it grieved me. Perhaps I may find
relief when the sighs wrung from me shall reach the
heart of the father of his people in this my last writing.
At present, nothing for me remains but to live unknown
in Zwerbach.
The Emperor thought proper to collect the moneys
bestowed on hospitals into one fund. The system was
OF BARON TRENCE. 125
a wise one. My cousin Trenck had bequeathed thirty-
six thousand florins to a hospital for the poor of
Bavaria. This act he had no right to do, having de-
ducted the sum from the family estate. I petitioned
the Emperor that these thirty-six thousand florins
might be restored to me and my children, who were the
people whom Trenck had indeed made poor, nothing of
the property of his acquiring having been left to pay
this legacy, but, on the contrary, the money having
been exacted from mine.
In a few days it was determined I should be answered
in the same tone in which, for six-and-thirty years past,
all my petitions had been answered:—
“THE REQUEST OF THE PETITIONER CANNOT BE
GRANTED.”
Fortune persecuted me in my retreat. Within six
years two hailstorms swept away my crops; one year
was a misgrowth; there were seven floods; a rot
among my sheep: all possible calamities befell me and
my manor.
The estate had been ruined, the ponds were to drain,
three farms were to be put into proper condition, and
the whole newly stocked. This rendered me poor,
especially as my wife's fortune had been sunk in law-
suits at Aix-la-Chapelle and Cologne.
The miserable peasants had nothing, therefore could
not pay: I was obliged to advance them money. My
sons assisted me, and we laboured with our own hands:
my wife took care of eight children, without so much
as the help of a maid. We lived in poverty, obliged
to earn our daily bread.
The greatest of my misfortunes was my treatment in
the military court, when Zetto and Krugel were my
* *: * N. * **, *
126 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
referendaries. Zetto had clogged me with a curator,
and when the cow had no more milk to give, they began
to torture me with deputations, sequestrations, adminis-
trations, and executions. Nineteen times was I obliged
to attend in Vienna within two years, at my own ex-
pense. Every six years must I pay an attorney to
dispute and quarrel with the curator. I, in conclusion,
was obliged to pay. If any affair was to be expedited,
I, by a third hand, was obliged to send the referendary
some ducats. Did he give judgment, still that judg-
ment lay fourteen months inefficient, and, when it then
appeared, the copy was false, and so was sent to the
upper courts, the high referendary of which said I
“must be dislodged from Zwerbach.”
They obliged me at last to purchase my naturalisation.
I sent to Prussia for my pedigree; the attestation of
this was sent me by Count Hertzberg. Although the
family of Trenck had a hundred years been landholders
in Hungary, yet was my attorney obliged to solicit the
instrument called ritter-diploma, for which, under pain
of execution, I must pay two thousand florins.
By decree a Prussian nobleman is not noble in
Austria, where every lackey can purchase a diploma,
making him a knight of the Empire, for twelve hundred
wretched florins!—where such men as P and
Grassalkowitz have purchased the dignity of a
prince
Tortured by the courts, terrified by hailstorms, I
determined to publish my works, in eight volumes, and
this history of my life.
Fourteen months accomplished this purpose. My
labours found a favourable reception through all
Germany, procured me money, esteem, and honour. By
g-
*.
of BARON TRENGK. 127
#
my writings only will I seek the means of existence, and
by trying to obtain the approbation and the love of
Iſlen,
$: >}: * ; #: :
CHAPTER, TX.
ON the 22nd of August, 1786, the news arrived that
Frederic the Great had left this world !
:* :* :}; $: :}; $
The present monarch, the witness of my sufferings in
my native country, sent me a royal passport to Berlin.
The confiscation of my estates was annulled, and my
deceased brother, in Prussia, had left my children his
heirs.
$: $ $ $: $: $
I journey, with the Imperial permission, back to my
country, from which I have been two-and-forty years
expelled! I journey—not as a pardoned malefactor,
but as a man whose innocence has been established by
his actions, has been proved in his writings, and who is
journeying to receive his reward.
Here I shall once more encounter my old friends, my
relations, and those who have known me in the days of
my affliction. Here shall I appear, not as my country’s
Traitor, but as my country’s Martyr , ---
Possible, though little probable, are still future
storms. For these also I am prepared. Long had I
reason daily to curse the rising Sun, and, setting, to
behold it with horror. Death to me appears a great
benefit: a certain passage from agitation to peace, from
128 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
motion to rest. As for my children, they, jocund in
youth, delight in present existence. When I have ful-
filled the duties of a father, to live or die will then be
as I shall please.
Thou, O God my righteous Judge, didst ordain
that I should be an example of suffering to the world;
Thou madest me what I am, gavest me these strong
passions, these quick nerves, this thrilling of the blood,
when I behold injustice. Strong was my mind, that
deeply it might meditate on deep subjects; strong my
memory, that these meditations I might retain; strong
my body, that proudly it might support all it has
pleased Thee to inflict.
Should I continue to exist, should identity go with
me, and should I know what I was then, when I was
called Trenck; when that combination of particles
which Nature commanded should compose this body
shall be decomposed, scattered, or in other bodies
united; when I have no muscles to act, no brain to
think, no retina on which pictures can mechanically be
painted, my eyes wasted, and no tongue remaining to
pronounce the Creator's name, should I still behold a
Creator—then, oh then, will my spirit mount, and in-
dubitably associate with spirits of the just who ex-
pectant wait for their golden harps and glorious
crowns from the Most High God. For human
weaknesses, human failings, arising from our nature,
springing from our temperament, which the Creator has
ordained, shall be even thus, and not otherwise; for
these have I suffered enough on earth.
Such is my confession of faith; in this have I lived,
in this will I die. The duties of a man and of a
Christian I have fulfilled; nay, often have exceeded,
OF BARON TRENCK. 129
often have been too benevolent, too generous; perhaps
also too proud, too vain. I could not bend, although
liable to be broken.
That I have not served the world, in acts and em-
ployments where best I might, is perhaps my own
fault: the fault of my manner, which is now too radical
to be corrected in this, my sixtieth year. Yes, I
acknowledge my failing, acknowledge it unblushingly;
may, glory in the pride of a noble nature.
For myself, I ask nothing of those who have read
my history; to them do I commit my wife and children.
My eldest son is a lieutenant in the Tuscan regiment
of cavalry, under General Lasey, and does honour to
his father’s principles. The second serves his present
Prussian Majesty, as ensign in the Posadowsky
dragoons, with equal promise. The third is still a
child. My daughters will make worthy men happy,
for they have imbibed virtue and gentleness with their
mother's milk. Monarchs may hereafter remember
what I have suffered, what I have lost, and what is due
to my ashes.
Here do I declare—I will seek no other revenge
against my enemies than that of despising their evil
deeds. It is my wish, and shall be my endeavour, to
forget the past; and having committed no offence,
neither will I solicit monarchs for posts of honour;
as I have ever lived a free man, a free man will
I die,
I conclude this part of my history on the evening
preceding my journey to Berlin. God grant I may
encounter no new afflictions, to be inserted in the re-
mainder of this history.
This journey I prepared to undertake, but my ever-
E—14
130 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
envious fate threw me on the bed of sickness, inso-
much that small hope remained that I ever should
again behold the country of my forefathers. I seemed
following the Great Frederic to the mansions of the
dead; then should I never have concluded the history
of my life, or obtained the victory by which I am now
crowned.
A variety of obstacles being overcome, I found it
necessary to make a journey into Hungary, which was
one of the most pleasant of my whole life.
I have no words to express my ardent wishes for the
welfare of a nation where I met with so many proofs
of friendship. Wherever I appeared I was welcomed
with that love and enthusiasm which only await the
fathers of their country. The valour of my cousin
Trenck, who died ingloriously in the Spielberg,
the loss of my great Hungarian estates, the fame of
my writings, and the cruelty of my sufferings, had
gone before me. The officers of the army, the
nobles of the land, alike testified the warmth of their
esteem. .* -
Such is the reward of the upright; such too are the
proofs that this nation knows the just value of forti-
tude and virtue. Have I not reason to publish my
gratitude, and to recommend my children to those who,
when I am no more, shall dare uprightly to determine
concerning the rights which have unjustly been
snatched from me in Hungary P
Not a man in Hungary but will proclaim I have
been unjustly dealt by ; yet I have good reason to sus-
pect I never shall find redress. Sentence had been
already given; judges, more honest, cannot, without
difficulty, reverse old decrees; and the present pos-
ºf *k,
OF BARON TRENCK. 131
*~~
sessors of my estates are too powerful, too intimate
with the governors of the earth, for me to hope I shall
hereafter be more happy. God knows my heart; I
wish the present possessors may render services to the
state equal to those rendered by the family of the
Trencks.
There is little probability I shall ever behold my
noble friends in Hungary more. Here I bid them
adieu, promising them to pass the remainder of my life
so as still to merit the approbation of a people with
whose ashes I would most willingly have mingled my
own. May the God of heaven preserve every Hun-
garian from a fate similar to mine !
The Croats have ever been reckoned uncultivated;
yet, among this uncultivated people I found more sub-
scribers to my writings than among all the learned
men of Vienna; and in Hungary, more than in all the
Austrian dominions.
The Hungarians, the unlettered Croats, seek in-
formation. The people of Vienna ask their con-
fessors' permission to read instructive books. Various
subscribers, having read the first volume of my work,
brought it back, and re-demanded their money, because
some monk had told them it was a book dangerous
to be read. The judges of their courts have re-sold
them to the booksellers for a few pence, or given
them to those who had the care of their consciences
to burn.
In Vienna alone was my life described as a romance;
in Hungary I found the compassion of men, their
friendship, and effectual aid. Had my book been the
production of an Englishman, good wishes would not
have been his only reward.
132 TELE LIFE AND ADVENTURES •+
We German writers have interested critics to en-
counter if we would unmask injustice; and if a book
finds a rapid sale, dishonest printers issue spurious
editions, defrauding the author of his labours.
The encouragement of the learned produces able
teachers, and from their seminaries men of genius
occasionally come forth. The world is inundated
with books and pamphlets; the undiscerning reader
knows not which to select ; the more intelligent are
disgusted, or do not read at all, and thus a work of
merit becomes as little profitable to the author as to
the state.
I left Vienna on the 5th of January, and came to
Prague. Here I found nearly the same reception as in
Hungary; my writings were read. Citizens, noble-
men, and ladies treated me with like favour. May the
monarch know how to value men of generous feelings
and enlarged understandings'
I bade adieu to Prague, and continued my journey
to Berlin. In Bohemia, I took leave of my son, who
saw his father and his two brothers, destined for the
Prussian service, depart. He felt the weight of this
separation; I reminded him of his duty to the state
he served; I spoke of the fearful fate of his uncle and
father in Austria, and of the possessors of our vast
estates in Hungary. He shrank back—a look from
his father pierced him to the soul—tears stood in his
eyes—his youthful blood flowed quick, and the follow-
ing expression burst suddenly from his lips —“I call
God to witness that I will prove myself worthy of my
father's name; and that, while I live, his enemies shall
be mine !”
At Peterswald, on the road to Dresden, my carriage
ÖF BARON TRENCE. 133
broke down : my life was endangered; and my son
received a contusion in the arm. The erysipelas broke
out on him at Berlin, and I could not present him to
the King for a month after.
I had been but a short time at Berlin before the
well-known minister, Count Hertzberg, received me
with kindness. Every man to whom his private worth
is known will congratulate the state that has the
wisdom to bestow on him so high an office. His
scholastic and practical learning, his knowledge of
languages, his acquaintance with sciences, are indeed
wonderful. His zeal for his country is ardent, his love
of his king unprejudiced, his industry admirable, his
firmness that of a man. He is the most experienced
man in the Prussian states. The enemies of his
country may rely on his word. The artful he can en-
counter with art; those who menace, with fortitude;
and with wise foresight can avert the rising storm.
He seeks not splendour in Sumptuous and Ostentatious
retinue; but if he can only enrich the state, and
behold the poor happy, he is himself willing to remain
poor. His estate, Briess, near Berlin, is no Chante-
loup, but a model to those patriots who would study
economy. Here he, every Wednesday, enjoys recrea-
tion. The services he renders the kingdom cost
it only five thousand rix-dollars yearly ; he, therefore,
lives without ostentation, yet becoming his state, and
with splendour when splendour is necessary. He does
not plunder the public treasury that he may preserve
his own private property.
This man will live in the annals of Prussia: who
was employed under the Great Frederic; had so much
influence in the cabinets of Europe; and was a witness
*-* * ;3 * >
134 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
of the last actions, the last sensations, of his dying
king; yet, who never asked, nor ever received, the
least gratuity. This is the minister whose conversa-
tion I had the happiness to partake at Aix-la-Chapelle
and Spa, whose welfare is the wish of my heart, and
whose memory I shall ever revere.
I was received with distinction at his table, and
became acquainted with those whose science had
benefited the Prussian states; nor was anything more
flattering to my self-love than that men like these
should think me worthy their friendship.
Not many days after I was presented to the court by
the Prussian chamberlain, Prince Sacken, as it is not
customary at Berlin for a foreign subject to be pre-
sented by the minister of his own court. Though a
Prussian subject, I wore the Imperial uniform.
The King received me with condescension; all eyes
were directed towards me, each welcomed me to my
country. This moved me the more as it was remarked
by the foreign ministers, who asked who that Austrian
officer could be who was received with so much affec-
tion and such evident joy in Berlin. The gracious
monarch himself gave tokens of pleasure at beholding
me thus surrounded. Among the rest came the worthy
General Prittwitz, who said aloud—
“This is the gentleman who might have ruined me
to effect his own deliverance.”
Confused at so public a declaration, I desired him to
expound this riddle; and he added—
“I was obliged to be one of your guards on your
unfortunate journey from Dantzic to Magdeburg, in
1754, when I was a lieutenant. On the road I con-
tinued alone with you in an open carriage. This gave
* 3. * * As
•+.
*
OF BARON TRENCE. 135
you an opportunity to escape, but you forbore. I
afterwards saw the danger to which I had exposed
myself. Had you been less noble-minded, had such a
prisoner escaped through my negligence, I had certainly
been ruined. The King believed you alike dangerous
and deserving of punishment. I here acknowledge you
as my saviour, and am in gratitude your friend.” I
knew not that the generous man, who wished me so
well, was the present General Prittwitz. That he
should himself remind me of this incident does him the
greater honour.
Having been introduced at court, I thought it
necessary to observe ceremonies, and was presented by
the Imperial ambassador, Prince Reuss, to all foreign
ministers, and such families as are in the habit of
admitting such visits. I was received by the Prince
Royal, the reigning Queen, the Queen-Dowager, and
the royal family in their various places, with favour
never to be forgotten. His Royal Highness Prince
Henry invited me to a private audience, continued
long in conversation with me, promised me his future
protection, admitted me to his private concerts, and
sometimes made me sup at court.
A like reception I experienced in the palace of
Prince Ferdimand of Brunswick, where I frequently
dined and supped. His princess took delight in hear-
ing my narratives, and loaded me with favour.
Prince Ferdinand’s mode of educating children is
exemplary. The sons are instructed in the soldier's
duties, their bodies are inured to the inclemencies of
weather; they are taught to ride,' to swim, and are
steeled to all the fatigue of war. Their hearts are
formed for friendship, which they cannot fail to
• *
136 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
attain. Happy the nation in defence of which they
are to act
How ridiculous these their Royal Highnesses appear
who, though born to rule, are not deserving to be the
lackeys to the least of those whom they treat with con-
tempt; and yet who swell, strut, stride, and contem-
plate themselves as creatures essentially different by
nature, and of a superior rank in the scale of beings,
though, in reality, their minds are of the lowest, the
meanest class.
Happy the state whose prince is impressed with a
sense that the people are not his property, but he the
property of the people !. A prince beloved by his
people will ever render a nation more happy than he
whose only wish is to inspire fear.
The pleasure I received at Berlin was great indeed.
When I went to court, the citizens crowded to see me,
and when anyone among them said, “That is Trenck,”
the rest would cry, “Welcome once more to your
country,” while many would reach me their hands,
with the tears standing in their eyes. Frequent were
the scenes I experienced of this kind. No malefactor
would have been so received. It was the reward of
innocence; this reward was bestowed throughout the
Brussian territories.
Oh world, ill-judging world, deceived by show !
Dost thou not blindly follow the opinion of the prince,
be he severe, arbitrary, or just P Thy censure and thy
praise equally originate in common report. In Magde-
burg I lay, chained to the wall, ten years, sighing in
wretchedness, every calamity of hunger, cold, naked-
ness, and contempt. And wherefore ? Because the
Ring, deceived by slanderers, pronounced me worthy
OF BARON TRENCE. 137
of punishment. Because a wise King mistook me, and
treated me with barbarity. Because a prudent King
knew he had done wrong, yet would not have it so sup-
posed. So was his heart turned to stone; nay, opposed
by manly fortitude, was enraged to cruelty. Most
men were convinced I was an innocent sufferer;
“Yet did they all cry out the more, saying, let him be
crucified l’ My relations were ashamed to hear my
name. My sister was barbarously treated because
she assisted me in my misfortunes. No man durst
avow himself my friend, durst own I merited com-
passion; or, much less, that the infallible King had
erred. I was the most despised, forlorn man on earth;
and when thus put on the rack, had I there expired,
my epitaph would have been, “Here lies the traitor,
Trenck.”
Frederic is dead, and the scene is changed; another
monarch has ascended the throne, and the grub has
ohanged to a beautiful butterfly The witnesses to
all I have asserted are still living, loudly now pro-
claim the truth, and embrace me with heart-felt
affection.
Does the worth of a man depend upon his actions?
his reward or punishment upon his virtue P In arbi-
trary states, certainly not. They depend on the breath
of a king ! Frederic was the most penetrating prince
of his age, but the most obstimate also. A vice
dreadful to those whom he selected as victims, who
must be sacrificed to the promoting of his arbitrary
views.
How many perished, the sin offerings of Frederic's
obstinate self-will, whose orphan children now cry to
God for vengeance . The dead, alas ! cannot plead.
*, *. ** ** 4. >{ +. <
138 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES --
Trial began and ended with execution. The few words
—IT IS THE KING's COMMAND–were words of horror
to the poor condemned wretch denied to plead his
innocence 1 Yet what is the Ukase (Imperial order)
in Russia, Tel est notre bon plaisir (Such is our
pleasure) in France, or the Allergnadigste Hofresolu-
tion (The all-gracious sentence of the court), pro-
Inounced with the sweet tone of a Vienna matron P In
what do these differ from the arbitrary order of a
military despot?
Every prayer of man should be consecrated to man’s
general good; for him to obtain freedom and univer-
sal justice . Together should we cry with one voice,
and, if unable to shackle arbitrary power, still should
we endeavour to show how dangerous it is . The
priests of liberty should offer up their thanks to the
monarch who declares “the word of power” a nullity,
and “the sentence” of justice omnipotent.
Who can name the court in Europe where Louis,
Peter, or Frederic, each and all surnamed The Great,
have not been, and are not, imitated as models of per-
fection P Lettres-de-cachet, the knout, and cabinet-
orders, superseding all right, are become law
No reasoning, says the corporal to the poor grena-
dier, whom he canes —No reasoning ! exclaim judges;
the court has decided.—No reasoning, rash and perti-
nacious Trenck, will the prudent reader echo. Throw
thy pen in the fire, and expose not thyself to become
the martyr of a state inquisition.
My fate is, and must remain, critical and undecided.
I have six-and-thirty years been in the service of
Austria, unrewarded, and beholding the repeated and
generous efforts I made effectually to serve that
of BARON TRENCK. 139
-*
state, unnoticed. The Emperor Joseph supposes me
old, that the fruit is wasted, and that the husk only
remains. It is also supposed I should not be satisfied
with a little. To continue to oppress him who has
once been oppressed, and who possesses qualities that
may make injustice manifest, is the policy of states.
My journey to Berlin has given the slanderer further
opportunity of painting me as a suspicious character:
I smile at the ineffectual attempt.
I appeared in the Imperial uniform and belied such
insinuations. To this purpose it was written to court,
in November, when I went into Hungary, “The
motions of Trenck ought to be observed in Hungary.”
Ye poor malicious blood-suckers of the virtuous ! Ye
shall not be able to hurt a hair of my head. Ye cannot
injure the man who has sixty years lived in honour.
I will not, in my old age, bring upon myself the
reproach of inconstancy, treachery, or desire of re-
venge. I will betray no political secrets: I wish not
to injure those by whom I have been injured.—
Such acts I will never commit. I never yet de-
scended to the office of spy, nor will I die a rewarded
villain.
Yes, I appeared in Berlin among the upright and the
just. Instead of being its supposed enemy, I was de-
clared an honour to my country. I appeared in the
Imperial uniform and fulfilled the duties of my
station: and now must the Prussian Trenck return to
Austria, there to perform a father's duty.
Yet more of what happened in Berlin.
Some days after I had been presented to the King, I
entreated a private audience, and on the 12th of
February received the following letter:—
-ef
I40 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
“In answer to your letter of the 8th of this month, I
inform you that, if you will come to me to-morrow, at
five o’clock in the afternoon, I shall have the pleasure
to speak with you; meantime, I pray God to take
you into his holy keeping.
“FREDERIC WILLIAM.
“Berlin, Feb. 12, 1787.”
“P.S.—After signing the above, I find it more
convenient to appoint to-morrow, at nine in the
morning, about which time you will come into the
apartment named the Marmor Kammer (marble cham-
ber).”
The anxiety with which I expected this wished-for
interview may well be conceived. I found the Prussian
Titus alone, and he continued in conversation with me
more than an hour.
How kind was the manarch! How great How
nobly did he console me for the past! How entirely
did his assurance of favour overpower my whole soul |
He had read the history of my life. When prince of
Prussia, he had been an eyewitness, in Magdeburg, of
my martyrdom, and my attempts to escape. His
Majesty parted from me with tokens of esteem and
condescension.—My eyes bade adieu, but my heart
remained in the marble chamber, in company with a
prince capable of sensations so dignified; and my
wishes for his welfare are eternal.
I have since travelled through the greater part of
the Prussian states. Where is the country in which
the people are all satisfied? Many complained of hard
times, or industry unrewarded. My answer was:–
º f **
**
^* OF BARON TRENCEC. 141
“Friends, kneel with the rising sun, and thank the
God of heaven that you are Prussians. I have seen
and known much of this world, and I assure you, you
are among the happiest people of Europe. Causes of
complaint everywhere exist; but you have a king,
neither obstinate, ambitious, covetous, nor cruel: his
will is that his people should have cause of content,
and should he err by chance, his heart is not to blame
if the subject suffers.”
Prussia is neither wanting in able nor learned men.
The warmth of patriots glows in their veins. Every-
thing remains with equal stability, as under the reign
of Frederic; and should the thunder burst, the ready
conductors will render the shock ineffectual.
Hertzberg still labours in the cabinet, still thinks,
writes, and acts as he has done for years. The king is
desirous that justice shall be done to his subjects, and
will punish, perhaps, with more severity, whenever he
finds himself deceived, than from the goodness of his
disposition, might be supposed. The treasury is full,
the army continues the same, and there is little reason
to doubt but that industry, population, and wealth will
increase. None but the vile and the wicked would leave
the kingdom; while the oppressed and best subjects
of other states would fly from their native country,
certain of finding encouragement and security in
Prussia.
The personal qualities of Frederic William merit
description. He is tall and handsome, his mien is
majestic, and his accomplishments of mind and body
would procure him the love of men, were he not
a king. He is affable without deceit, friendly and
kind in conversation, and stately when stateliness is
142 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
necessary. He is bountiful, but not profuse; he knows
that without economy the Prussian power must sink,
He is not tormented by the spirit of conquest, he
wishes harm to no nation, yet he will, certainly not
suffer other nations to make encroachments, nor will
he be terrified by menaces.
The wise Frederic, when living, though himself
learned, and a lover of the sciences, never encouraged
them in his kingdom. Germany, under his reign,
might have forgotten her language: he preferred the
literature of France. Konigsberg, once the seminary
of the North, contains, at present, few professors, or
students; the former are fallen into disrepute, and are
ill paid; the latter repair to Leipsic and Gottingen.
We have every reason to suppose the present monarch,
though no studious man himself, will encourage the
academics of the literati, that men learned in juris-
prudence and the sciences may not be wanting: which
want is the more to be apprehended as the nobility
must, without exception, serve in the army, so that
learning has but few adherents, and these are deprived
of the means of improvement.
Frederic William is also too much the friend of men
to suffer them to pine in prisons. He abhors the bar-
barity with which the soldiers are beaten : his officers
will not be fettered hand and foot; slavish subordi-
nation will be banished, and the noble in heart will be
the noble of the land. May he, in his people, find
perfect content 1 May his people be ever worthy
of such a prince Long may he reign, and may
his ministers be ever enlightened and honourable
men |
He sent for me a second time, conversed much with
* *** a. * 3. *s
OF BARON TRENCE. 143
me, and confirmed those ideas which my first inter-
view had inspired.
On the 11th of March I presented my son at another
audience, whom I intended for the Prussian service.
The King bestowed a commission on him in the
Bosadowsky dragoons, at my request.
I saw him at the review at Velau, and his superior
officers formed great expectations from his zeal.
Time will discover whether he who is in the Austrian,
or this in the Prussian service, will first obtain the
rewards due to their father. Should they both re-
main unnoticed, I will bestow him on the Grand
Turk, rather than on European courts, whence equity
to me and mine is banished.
To Austria I owe no thanks: all that could be taken
from me was taken. I was a captain before I entered
those territories, and, after six-and-thirty years’
service, I find myself in the rank of invalid major.
The proof of all I have asserted, and of how little I
am indebted to this state is most incontestable, since
the history of my life is allowed by the royal censor
to be publicly sold in Vienna.
It is remarkable that one only of all the eight
officers, with whom I served, in the body guard, in
1745, is dead. Lieutenant-colonel Count Blumenthal
lives in Berlin; Pannewitz is commander of the
Enights of Malta: both gave me a friendly reception.
Wagnitz is lieutenant-general in the service of Hesse-
Cassel; he was my tent comrade, and was acquainted
with all that happened. Kalkreuter and Grethusen
live on their estates, and Jaschinsky is now alive at
Rönigsberg, but superannuated, and tortured by sick-
ness, and remorse. He, instead of punishment, has
144 THE LIFE AND ADVENTUREs .
forty years enjoyed a pension of a thousand rix-
dollars. I have seen my lands confiscated, of the in-
come of which I have been forty-two years deprived,
and never yet received retribution.
Time must decide; the king is generous, and I have
too much pride to become a beggar. The name of
Trenck shall be found in the history of the acts of
Frederic. A tyrant himself, he was the slave of his
passions; and even did not think an inquiry into my
innocence worth the trouble. To be ashamed of doing
right, because he has done wrong, or to persist in
error, that fools, and fools only, can think him infal-
lible, is a dreadful principle in a ruler.
Since I have been at Berlin, and was received
there with so many testimonies of friendship, the news-
papers of Germany have published various articles con-
cerning me, intending to contribute to my honour or
ease. They said my eldest daughter is appointed the
governess of the young Princess. This has been the
joke of some witty correspondent; for my eldest
daughter is but fifteen, and stands in need of a gover-
ness herself. Perhaps they may suppose me mean
enough to circulate falsehood.
I daily receive letters from all parts of Germany,
wherein the sensations of the feeling heart are evi-
dent. Among these letters was one which I received
from Bahrdt, Professor at Halle, dated April 10, 1787,
wherein he says, “Receive, noble German, the thanks
of one who, like you, has encountered difficulties; yet,
far inferior to those you have encountered. You,
with gigantic strength, have met a host of foes, and
conquered. The pests of men attacked me also. From
town to town, from land to land, I was pursued by
OF BARON TRENCK. 145
priestcraft and persecution; yet I acquired fame. I
fled for refuge and repose to the states of Frederic,
but found them not. I have eight years laboured
under affliction with perseverance, but have found no
reward. By industry have I made myself what I am;
by ministerial favour, never. Worn out and weak,
the history of your life, worthy sir, fell into my
hands, and poured balsam into my wounds. There I
saw sufferings immeasurably greater; there, indeed,
beheld fortitude most worthy of admiration. Com-
pared to you, of what could I complain? Receive,
noble German, my warmest thanks; while I live they
shall flow. And should you find a fortunate moment,
in the presence of your King, speak of me as one con-
signed to poverty; as one whose talents are buried in ,
oblivion. Say to him—‘Mighty King ! stretch forth
thy hand, and dry up his tears.” I know the noble-
ness of your mind, and doubt not your good
wishes.”
To the Professor's letter I returned the following
3.]]SWeI* :—
“I was affected, sir, by your letter. I never yet
was unmoved, when the pen was obedient to the dic-
tates of the heart. I feel for your situation; and if
my example can teach wisdom even to the wise, I
have cause to triumph. This is the sweetest of re-
wards. At Berlin I have received much honour, but
little more. Men are deaf to him who confides only
in his right. What have I gained? Shadowy
fame for myself, and the vapour of hope for my
heirs |
“Truth and Trenck, my good friend, flourish not
*
146 THE LIFE AND-ADVENTURES
in courts. You complain of priestcraft. He who
would disturb their covetousness, he who speaks
against the false opinions they scatter, considers not
priests, and their aim, which is to dazzle the stupid,
and stupefy the wise. Deprecate their wrath! avoid
their poisoned shafts, or they will infect thy peace :
will blast thy honour. And wherefore should we
incur this danger. To cure ignorance of error is im-
possible. Let us then silently steal to our graves, and
thus shall we escape the breath of envy. He who
should enjoy all even thought could grasp, should yet
have but little. Having acquired this knowledge, the
passions of the soul are lulled to apathy. I behold
error, and I laugh; do thou, my friend, laugh also.
If that can comfort us, men will do our memory
justice—when we are dead! Fame plants her laurels
over the grave, and there they flourish best.
“BARON TRENCE,
“Schangwlach, near Königsberg,
April 30th, 1787.”
“P.S.—I have spoken, worthy Professor, the feel-
ings of my heart, in answer to your kind panegyric.
You will but do me justice, when you believe I
think and act as I write. With respect to my
influence at court, it is as insignificant at Berlin as at
Vienna or at Constantinople.”
Among the various letters I have received, as it may
answer a good purpose, I hope the reader will not
think the insertion of the following improper.
In a letter from an unknown correspondent, who
**
OF BARON TRENCEC. 147
desired me to speak for this person at Berlin, eight
others were enclosed. They came from the above
person in distress, to this correspondent: and I was
requested to let them appear in the Berlin Journal.
I selected two of them, and here present them to the
world, as it can do no injury, while they describe an
unhappy victim of an extraordinary kind: and may
perhaps obtain him some relief. .*
Should this hope be verified, I am acquainted with
him who wishes to remain concealed, can introduce
him to the knowledge of such as might wish to inter-
fere in his behalf. Should they not, the reader will
still find them well written and affecting letters; such
as may inspire compassion. The following is the first
of those I selected.
TIETTER. I.
“ Newland, Feb. 12th, 1787.
“I thought I had so satisfactorily answered you by
my last, that you would have left me in peaceful pos-
session of my sorrows but your remarks, entreaties,
and remonstrances, succeed each other with such
rapidity, that I am induced to renew the contest.
Cowardice, I believe, you are convinced, is not a native
in my heart, and should I now yield, you might sup-
pose that age and the miseries I have suffered, had
weakened my powers of mind as well as body; and
that I ought to have been classed among the unhappy
multitudes whose sufferings have sunk them to
despondency. *…
“Baron Trenck, that man of many woes, once so
*...*
‘.
° 2 ºr .* * ,
148 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
despised, but who now is held in admiration, where
he was before so much the object of hatred; who now
speaks so loudly in his own defence, where, formerly,
the man who had but whispered his name would have
lived suspected; Baron Trenck you propose as an ex-
ample of salvation for me. You are wrong. Have
you considered how dissimilar our past lives have
been; how different, too, are our circumstances P. Or,
omitting these, have you considered to whom you
would have me appeal P
“In 1767, I became acquainted, in Vienna, with
this sufferer of fortitude, this agreeable companion.
We are taught that a noble aspect bespeaks a cor-
responding mind; this I believe him to possess.
But what expectations can I form from Baron
Trenck?
“I will briefly answer the questions you have put.
Baron Trenck was a man born to inherit great es-
tates; this and the fire of his youth, fanned by flatter-
ing hopes from his famous kinsman, rendered him too
haughty to his King; and this alone was the origin of
all his future sufferings. I, on the contrary, though
the son of a Silesian nobleman of property, did not
inherit so much as the pay of a common soldier; the
family having been robbed by the hand of power,
after being accused by wickedness under the mask
of virtue. You know my father's fate, the esteem in
which he was held by the Empress Theresa; and that
a pretended miracle was the occasion of his fall.
Suddenly was he plunged from the height to which
industry, talents, and virtue had raised him, to the
depth of poverty. At length, at the beginning of the
seven years' war, one of the King of Prussia's
OR BARON TRENCR. 149
*
subjects represented him to the Austrian court as a
dangerous correspondent of Marshal Schwerin’s. Then
at sixty years of age, my father was seized at Jagern-
dorf, and imprisoned in the fortress of Glatz, in Sty-
ria. He had an allowance just sufficient to keep him
alive in his dungeon; but, for the space of seven
years, never beheld the sun rise or set. I was a boy
when this happened, however, I was not heard. I
only received some pecuniary relief from the Empress,
with permission to shed my blood in her defence. In
this situation we first vowed eternal friendship; but
from this I soon was snatched by my father's enemies.
What the Empress had bestowed, her ministers tore
from me. I was seized at midnight, and was brought,
in company with two other officers, to the fortress of
Glatz. Here I remained immured six years. My
true name was concealed, and another given me.
“Peace being restored, Trenck, I, and my father
were released; but the mode of our release was very
different. The first obtained his freedom at the in-
tercession of Theresa, she, too, afforded him a provi-
sion. We, on the contrary, according to the amnesty,
stipulated in the treaty of peace, were led from our
dungeons as state prisoners, without inquiry concerning
the verity or falsehood of our crimes. Extreme
poverty, wretchedness, and misery, were our reward
for the sufferings we had endured.
“Not only was my health destroyed, but my jaw-
bone was lost, eaten away by the scurvy. I laid be-
fore Frederic the Great the proofs of the calamities I
had undergone, and the dismal state to which I was
reduced, by his foe, and for his sake; entreated bread
to preserve me and my father from starving, but his
•w. * * * x- *-
... * * **** °, “º: #
150 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
ear was deaf to my prayer, his heart insensible to my
sighs.
“Providence, however, raised me up a saviour,
Count Gellhorn was the man. After the taking of
Breslau, he had been also sent a state prisoner to
Glatz. During his imprisonment, he had heard the
report of my sufferings and my innocence. No sooner
did he learn I was released, than he became my bene-
factor, my friend, and restored me to the converse of
men, to which I had so long been dead.
“I defer the continuance of my narrative to the
next post. The remembrance of past woes inflict new
ones. I am eternally.”
LETTER, II.
*
“February 24, 1787.
“I)ear Friend,-After an interval of silence, re-
membering my promise, I again continue my story.
“My personal sufferings have not been less than
those of Trenck. His, I am acquainted with only
from the inaccurate relations I have heard: my own
I have felt. A colonel in the Prussian service, whose
name was Hallasch, was four years my companion; he
was insane, and believed himself the Christ that was
to appear at the millennium : he persecuted me with
his reveries, which I was obliged to listen to, and ap-
prove, or suffer violence from one stronger than my-
self.
“The society of men or books, everything that could
console or amuse, were forbidden me; and I considered
it as wonderful that I did not myself grow mad, in the
OF BARON TRENCE. 151
company of this madman. Four hard winters I existed
without feeling the feeble emaination of a winter's
sum, much less the warmth of fire. The madman felt
more pity than my keeper, and lent me his cloak to
cover my body, though the other denied me a truss of
straw, notwithstanding I had lost the use of my
hands and feet. The place where we were confined
was called a chamber; it rather resembled the temple
of Cloacima. The noxious damps and vapours so
poisoned my blood that an unskilful surgeon, who
tortured me during nine months, with insult as a
Prussian traitor, and state criminal, I lost the greatest
part of my jaw.
“Schottendorf was our governor and tyrant; a man
who repaid the friendship he found in the mansion of
my fathers—with cruelty. He was ripe for the sickle,
and Time cut him off. Tormentini and Galer were
his successors in office, by them we were carefully
watched, but we were treated with commiseration.
Their precautions rendered imprisonment less wretched.
Ever shall I hold their memory sacred. Yet, benevo-
lent as they were, their goodness was exceeded by
that of Rottensteiner, the head gaoler. He considered
his prisoners as his children; and he was their benefac-
tor. Of this I had experience, during two years after
the release of Hallasch.
“Here I but cursorily describe misery, at which the
monarch shall shudder, if the blood of a tyrant flow
not in his veins, Theresa could not wish these things.
But she was fallible, and not omniscient.
“From the above narrative, you will perceive how
opposite the effects must be which the histories of
Baron Trenck and of myself must produce.
~152 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
“Trenck left his dungeon shielded from contempt;
the day of freedom was the day of triumph. I, on the
contrary, was exposed to every calamity. The spirit
of Trenck again raised itself. I have laboured many a
night that I might neither beg nor perish the following
day: working for judges who neither knew law, nor
had powers of mind to behold the beauty of justice:
settling accounts that, item after item, did not prove
that the lord they were intended for, was an imbecile
dupe.
“Trenck remembers his calamities, but the remem-
brance is advantageous to himself and his family;
while with me, the past did but increase, did but
agonise, the present and the future. He was not like
me, obliged to crouch in presence of those vulgar, those
incapable minds, that do but consider the bent back as
the footstool of pride. Every man is too busy to act
in behalf of others; pity me therefore, but advise me
not to hope assistance, by petitioning princes at second
hand. I know your good wishes, and, for these, I have
mothing to return but barren thanks.-I am, &c.”
The reasons why I published the foregoing letters
are already stated, and will appear satisfactory to
the reader. Once more to affairs that concern
myself.
I met at Berlin many old friends of both sexes;
among others, an aged invalid came to see me, who
was at Glatz, in 1746, when I cut my way through the
guard. He was one of the sentinels before my door,
whom I had thrown down the stairs.
The hour of quitting Berlin, and continuing my
journey into Prussia, towards Königsberg, approached.
* * --- \ 3. * w”
OF BARON TRENCE. 153
*
On the eve of my departure, I had the happiness of
conversing with her Royal Highness the Princess
Amelia, sister of Frederic the Great. She protected
me in my hour of adversity; heaped benefits upon me.
and contributed to gain my deliverance. She received
me as a friend, as an aged patriot; and laid her com-
mands upon me to write to my wife, and request that
she would come to Berlin, in the month of June, with
her two eldest daughters. I received her promise
that the happiness of the latter should be her
care; nay, that she would remember my wife in her
At this moment, when about to depart, she asked me
if I had money sufficient for my journey: “Yes,
madam,” was my reply; “I want nothing, ask nothing;
but may you remember my children l’
The deep feeling with which I pronounced these
words moved the princess; she showed me how she
comprehended my meaning, and Said, “Return, my
friend, quickly : I shall be most happy to see
ou.”
y I left the room ; a kind of indecision came over
me. I was inclined to remain longer at Berlin. Had
I done so, my presence would have been of great
advantage to my children. Alas! under the
guidance of my evil genius, I began my jour-
mey. The purpose for which I came to Berlin was
frustrated: for after my departure, the Princess
Amelia died
Peace be to thy ashes, noble princess Thy will
was good, and be that sufficient. I shall not want
materials to write a commentary on the history
of Frederic, when, in company with thee, I shall
154 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
wander on the banks of Styx; there, the events
that happened on this earth may be written without
danger.
So proceed we with our story.
CHAPTER, X.
ON the 22nd of March I pursued my journey to
Königsberg, but remained two days at the court of
the Margrave of Brandenburg, where I was re-
ceived with kindness. The Margrave had bestowed
favours on me, during my imprisonment at Magde-
burg.
I departed thence through Soldin to Schildberg,
here to visit my relation Sidau, who had married the
daughter of my sister, which daughter my sister had
by her first husband, Waldow, of whom I have before
spoken. I found my kinsman a worthy man, and one
who made the daughter of an unfortunate sister happy.
I was received at his house with open arms; and, for
the first time after an interval of two-and-forty years,
beheld one of my own relations.
On my journey thither, I had the pleasure to meet
with Lieutenant-General Kowalsky. This gentleman
was a lieutenant in the garrison of Glatz, in 1745, and
was a witness of my leap from the wall of the
rampart. He had read my history, some of the prin-
cipal facts of which he was acquainted with. Should
anyone therefore doubt concerning those incidents,
º .” *
OF BARON TEEN CEC. I55
I may refer to him, whose testimony cannot be sus-
pected.
From Schildberg. I proceeded to Landsberg, on the
Warta. Here I found my brother-in-law, Colonel
Pape, commander of the Gotz dragoons, and the
second husband of my deceased sister: and here I
passed a joyous day. Everybody congratulated me on
my return into my country.
I found relations in almost every garrison. Never
did man receive more marks of esteem throughout a
kingdom. The knowledge of my calamities procured
me sweet consolation; and I were insensible indeed,
and ungrateful, did my heart remain unmoved on oc-
casions like these.
In Austria I never can expect a like reception; I
am there mistaken, and I feel little inclination to
labour at removing mistakes so rooted. Yet, even
there am I by the general voice, approved. Yes, I am
admired, but not known ; pitied but not supported;
honoured, but not rewarded.
When at Berlin, I discovered an error I had commit-
ted in the commencement of my life. At the time I wrote
I believed that the postmaster-general of Berlin, Mr.
Derschau, was my mother's brother, and the same per-
son who, in 1742, was grand counsellor at Glogau, and,
afterwards, president in East Friesland. I was
deceived; the Derschau who is my mother's brother,
is still living, and president at Aurich in East Fries-
land. The postmaster was the son of the old Derschau
who died a general, and who was only distantly related
to my mother. Noither is the younger Derschau, who
is the colonel of a regiment at Burg, the brother of my
mother, but only her first cousin; one of their sisters
156 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
married Lieut.-Colonel Ostau, whose son, the President
-Ostau, now lives on his own estate, at Lablack in
Frussia.
I was likewise deceived in having suspected a lieu-
tenant, named Mollinie, in the narrative I gave of my
flight from Glatz, of having acted as a spy upon me
at Braunau, and of having sent information to General
Fouquet. I am sorry. This honest man is still alive, a
captain in Brandenburg. He was affected at my sus-
picion, fully justified himself, and here I publicly
apologise. He then was, and again is become my
friend.
I have received a letter from one Lieutenant Bro-
dowsky. This gentleman is offended at finding his
mother’s name in my narrative, and demands I should
retract my words.
My readers will certainly allow the virtue of
Madame Brodowsky, at Elbing, is not impeached.
Although I have said I had the fortune to be beloved
by her, I have nowhere intimated that I asked, or that
she granted, improper favours.
By the desire of a person of distinction, I shall in-
sert an incident which I omitted in a former part.
This person was an eye-witness of the incident I am
about to relate, at Magdeburg, and reminded me of
the affair. It was my last attempt but one at
flight.
The circumstances were these :—
As I found myself unable to get rid of more
sand, after having again cut through the plank-
ing, and mined the foundation, I made a hole to-
wards the ditch, in which three sentinels were
stationed. This I executed one night, it being easy,
* * Åsº *-*.
*
s
OF BARON TRENCE. 157
~,
from the lightness of the sand, to perform the work in
two hours.
No sooner had I broken through, than I threw one
of my slippers beside the palisades, that it might be
supposed I had lost it when climbing over them. These
palisades, twelve feet in height, were situated in the
front of the principal fosse, and my sentinels stood
within. There was no sentry-box at the place where I
had broken through.
This done, I returned into my prison, made another
hole under the planking, where I could hide myself,
and stopped up the passage behind me, so that it was
not probable I could be seen or found.
When daylight came, the sentinel saw the hole
and gave the alarm, the slipper was found, and it was
concluded that Trenck had escaped over the palisades,
and was no longer in prison.
Immediately the sub-governor came from Magde-
burg, the guns were fired, the horse scoured the country,
and the subterranean passages were all visited : no
tidings came; no discovery was made, and the conclu-
sion was I had escaped. That I should fly without the
knowledge of the schtinels, was deemed impossible; the
officer, and all the guard, were put under arrest, and
everybody was surprised.
I, in the meantime, sat quiet in my hole, where I
heard their searches, and suppositions that I was
gone.
My heart bounded with joy, and I held escape to be
indubitable. They would not place sentinels over the
prison the following night, and I should then really
have left my place of concealment, and, most probably
have safely arrived in Saxony. My destiny, however,
3.4°
• * *
* <3 s - $4 a * ..ºf *z.
l:58 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES }
robbed me of all hope at the very moment when
I supposed the greatest of my difficulties were con-
quered.
Everything seemed to happen as I could wish. The
whole garrison came, and visited the casemates, and all
stood astonished at the miracle they beheld. In this
state things remained till four o’clock in the afternoon.
At length, an ensign of the militia came, a boy of about
fifteen or sixteen years of age, who had more wit than
any or all of them. He approached the hole, examined
the aperture next the fosse, thought it appeared small,
tried to enter it himself, found he could not, therefore
concluded it was impossible a man of my size could
have passed through, and accordingly called for a
light.
This was an accident I had not foreseen. Half stifled
in my hole, I had opened the canal under the planking.
No sooner had the youth procured a light, than he per-
ceived my shirt, examined nearer, felt about, and laid
hold of melby the arm. The fox was caught, and the laugh
was universal. My confusion may easily be imagined.
They all came round me, paid me their compliments, and
finding nothing better was to be dome, I laughed in
company with them, and, thus laughing, was led back
with an aching heart to be sorrowfully enchainca in my
dungeon.
I continued my journey, and arrived, on the
fourth of April, at Königsberg, where my brother
expected my arrival. We embraced as brothers
must, after the absence of two-and-forty years. Of
all the brothers and sisters I had left in this
city, he only remained. He lived a retired and
peaceable life on his own estates. He had no
of BARON TRENCK. ~. 159
children living. I continued a fortnight with him
and his wife.
Here, for the first time, I learned what had happened
to my relations, during their absence. The wrath of the
Great Frederic extended itself to all my family. My
second brother was an ensign in the regiment of cuiras-
siers at Kiow, in 1746, when I first incurred disgrace
from the King. Six years he served, fought at three
battles, but, because his name was Trenck, never was
promoted. Weary of expectation he quitted the army,
married, and lived on his estates at Meicken, where he
died about three years ago, and left two sons, who are
an honour to the family of the Trencks.
Fame spoke him a person capable of rendering the
state essential service, as a military man; but he was
my brother, and the King would never suffer his name
to be mentioned.
My youngest brother applied himself to the sciences;
it was proposed that he should receive some civil em-
ployment, as he was an intelligent and well-informed
man; but the King answered in the margin of the
petition,
“No Trenck is good for anything.”
Thus have all my family suffered, because of my un-
just condemnation. My last-mentioned brother chose
the life of a private man, and lived at his ease, in inde-
pendence, among the first people of the kingdom. The
hatred of the monarch extended itself to my sister, who
had married the son of General Waldow, and lived in
widowhood, from the year 1749, to her second mar-
riage. The misfortunes of this woman, in consequence
of the treachery of Weingarten, and the aid she sent to
160 TEIE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
me in my prison at Magdeburg, I have before related.
She was possessed of the fine estate of Hammer, near
Landsberg on the Warta. The Russain army changed
the whole face of the country, and laid it desert. She
fled to Custrin, where everything was destroyed during
the siege. The Prussian army also demolished the fine
forests.
After the war, the King assisted all the ruined
families of Brandenburg; she alone obtained nothing,
because she was my sister. She petitioned the King, who
replied she must seek for redress from her dear brother.
She died, in the flower of her age, a short time after
she had married her second husband, the present Colonel
Pape: her son, also, died last year. He was captainin
the regiment of the Gotz dragoons. Thus were all my
brothers and sisters punished because they were mine.
Could it be believed that the great Frederic would re-
venge himself on the children and the children’s
children P Was it not sufficient that he should wreak
his wrath on my head alone P Why has the name
of Trenck been hateful to him, to the very hour of his
death P
One Derschau, captain of horse, and brother of my
mother, addressed himself to the King, in 1753, alleging
he was my nearest relation and feudal heir, and peti-
tioned that he would bestow on him my confiscated es-
tates of Great Sharlack. The King demanded that the
necessary proofs should be sent from the chamber at
Königsberg. He was informed that I had two brothers
living, that Great Sharlack was an ancient family in-
heritance, and that it appertained to my brothers, and
not to Derschau. My brothers then announced them-
selves as the successors to this fief, and the King
of BARON TRENCK. 161
bestowed on them the estate of Great Sharlack conform-
able to the feudal laws. That it might be properly
divided, it was put up to auction, and bought by the
youngest of my brothers, who paid surplus to the other,
and to my sister. He likewise paid debts charged upon
it, according to the express orders of the court. The
persons who called themselves my creditors were
impostors, for I had no creditors; I was but nineteen
when my estates were confiscated, consequently was not
of age. By what right therefore, could such debts
be demanded or paid P. Let them explain this who
C&Il.
The same thing happened when an account was given
in to the Fiscus of the guardianship, although I ac-
knowledge my guardians were men of probity. One
of them was eight years in possession, and when he
gave it up to my brothers he did not account with
them for a single shilling. At present, therefore, the
affair stands thus:–Frederic William has taken off
the sentence of confiscation, and ordered me to be put
in possession of my estates, by a gracious rescript:
empowered by this I come and demand restitution;
my brother answers, “I have bought and paid for the
estate, am the legal possessor, have improved it so
much that Great Sharlack, at present, is worth three
or four times the sum it was at the time of confisca-
tion. Let the Fiscus pay me its actual value, and then
let them bestow it on whom they please. If the reign-
ing king gives what his predecessor sold to me, I ought
not thereby to be a loser.”
This is a problem which the people of Berlin must
resolve. My brother has no children, and, without
going to law, will bequeath Great Sharlack to mine,
F—14
ſ •º ** wº
* *
I62 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
when he shall happen to die. If he is forced in effect
to restore it without being reimbursed, the King in-
stead of granting a favour, has not done justice. I do
not request any restitution like this, since such resti-
tution would be made without asking it as a favour of
the King. If his Majesty takes off the confiscation
because he is convinced it was originally violent and
- unjust, then have I a right to demand the rents of two-
and-forty years. This I am to require from the
Fiscus, not from my brother. And should the Fiscus
only restore me the price for which it then sold, it
would commit a manifest injustice, since all estates in
the province of Prussia have, since 1746, tripled and
quadrupled their value. If the estates descend only to
my children after my death, I receive neither right
nor favour; for, in this case, I obtain nothing for my-
self, and shall remain deprived of the rents, which, as
the estate is at present farmed by my brother amount
to four thousand rix-dollars per annum. This estate
cannot be taken from him legally, since he enjoys it
by right of purchase. -*
Such is the present state of the business. How the
monarch shall think proper to decide, will be seen
hereafter. I have demanded of the Fiscus that it shall
make a fair valuation of Great Sharlack, reimburse my
brother, and restore it to me. My brother has other
estates. These he will dispose of by testament, accord-
ing to his good pleasure. Be these things as they may,
the purpose of my journey is accomplished.
Thou, great God, has preserved me amidst my trouble.
The purest gratitude penetrates my heart. Oh, that
thou wouldst shield man from arbitrary power, and
banish despotism from the earth !
3*.*.*. , -, * : 3. * ~ *, *; # *
of Baron TRENGK. 163
May this my narration be a lesson to the afflicted,
afford hope to the despairing, fortitude to the waver-
ing, and humanise the hearts of kings Joyfully do I
journey to the shores of death. My conscience is void
of reproach, posterity shall bless my memory, and only
the unfeeling, the wicked, the confessor of princes and 7
the pious impostor, shall vent their rage against my
writings. My mind is desirous of repose, and should
this be denied me, still I will not murmur. I now
wish to steal gently towards that last asylum, whither
if I had gone in my youth, it must have been with colours
flying. Grant, Almighty God, that the prayer I this
day make may be heard, and that such may be the
conclusion of my eventful life
* Y. ‘f- * A.
> a' 1- 3. “
164. THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
HISTORY OF
FRANCIS BAR ON TRIE N C K,
WRITTEN BY
FREDERICK BARON TRENCK,
AS A NECESSARY SUPPLEMENT TO HIS OWN HISTORY.
–0-º-e-
FRANCIS BARON TRENCE was born in 1714, in
Calabria, a province of Sicily. His father was then a
governor and lieutenant-colonel there, and died in
1743, at Leitschau, in Hungary, lord of the rich manors
of Prestowacz, Pleternitz, and Pakratz, in Sclavonia,
and other estates in Hungary. His christian name
was John; he was my father’s brother, and born in
Rönigsberg in Prussia.
The name of his mother was Kettler; she was born
in Courland. Trenck was a gentleman of ancient family;
and his grandfather, who was mine also, was of Prussia.
His father, who had served Austria to the age of sixty-
eight, a colonel, and bore those wounds to his grave
which attested his valour.
Francis Baron Trenck was his only son; he had at-
tained the rank of colonel during his father's life, and
served with distinction in the army of Maria. Theresa.
The history of his life, which he published in 1747,
when he was under corífinement at Vienna, is so full
of minute circumstances, and so poorly written, that
I shall make but little use of it. Here I shall relate
only what I have heard from his enemies themselves,
and what I have myself seen. His father, a bold and
OF BARON TRENCEC. 165
daring soldier, idolised his only son, and wholly
neglected his education, so that the passions of this son
were most unbridled. Endowed with extraordinary
talents, this ardent youth was early allowed to indulge
the impetuous fire of his constitution. Moderation
was utterly unknown to him, and good fortune most
remarkably favoured all his enterprises. These were
numerous, undertaken from no principle of virtue,
nor actuated by any motives of morality. The love of
money, and the desire of fame, were the passions of
his soul. To his warlike inclination was added the
insensibility of a heart natively wicked: and he found
himself an actor, on the great scene of life, at a time
when the earth was drenched with human gore, and
when the sword decided the fate of nations: hence this
chief of pandours, this scourge of the unprotected,
became an iron-hearted enemy, a ferocious foe of the
human race, a formidable enemy in private life, and a
perfidious friend.
Constitutionally sanguinary, addicted to pleasures,
sensual, and brave; he was unappeased when affronted,
prompt to act, in the moment of danger circumspect,
and, when under the dominion of anger, cruel even
to fury; irreconcilable, artful, fertile in invention,
and ever intent on great projects. When youth and
beauty inspired love, he then became supple, insinua-
ting, amiable, gentle, respectful; yet, ever excited by
pride, each conquest gave but new desires of adding
another slave over whom he might domineer; and,
whenever he encountered resistance, he then even
ceased to be avaricious. A prudent and intelligent
woman, turning this part of his character to advantage,
might have formed this man to virtue, probity, and the
166 THE LIFE AND AIDWENTURES
love of the human race : but, from his infancy, his will
had never suffered restraint, and he thought nothing
impossible. As a soldier, he was bold even to temerity;
capable of the most hazardous enterprise, and laughing
at the danger he provoked. His projects were the
more elevated because the acquirement of renown was
the intent of all his actions. In council he was
dangerous; everything must be conceded to his views.
To him the means by which his end was to be obtained
were indifferent.
The Croats at this time were undisciplined, prone to
rapine, thirsting for human blood, and only taught
obedience by violence; these had been the companions
of his infancy : these he undertook to subject, by servi-
tude and fear, to military subordination, and from
banditti to make them soldiers.
With respect to his exterior, Nature had been
prodigal of her favours. His height was six feet three
inches, and the symmetry of his limbs was exact ; his
form was upright, his countenance agreeable, yet
masculine, and his strength almost incredible. He
could sever the head from the body of the largest ox
with one stroke of his sabre, and was so adroit at this
Turkish practice, that he at length could behead men
in the manner boys do nettles. In the latter years of
his life, his aspect had become terrible; for, during the
Bavarian war, he had been scorched by the explosion of
a powder-barrel, and ever after his face remained
scarred and impregnated with black spots. In com-
pany he rendered himself exceedingly agreeable, spoke
seven languages fluently, was jocular, possessed wit,
and in serious conversation, understanding; had learned
music, sung with taste, and had a good voice, so that he
OF BARON TRENCEC. 167
*
might have been well paid as an actor, had that been
his fate. He could even, when so disposed, become
gentle and complaisant.
His look told the man of observation that he was
cunning and choleric; and his wrath was terrible. He
was ever suspicious, because he judged others by him-
self. Self-interest and avarice constituted his ruling
passion, and, whenever he had an opportunity of in-
creasing his wealth, he disregarded the duties of re-
ligion, the ties of honour, and human pity. In the
thirty-first year of his age, when he was possessed
of nearly two millions, he did not expend a florin per
day.
As he and his pandours always led the van, and as
he thence had an opportunity to ravage the enemy’s
country, at the head of troops addicted to rapine, we
must not wonder that Bavaria, Silesia, and Alsatia
were so plundered. He alone purchased the booty
from his troops at a low price, and this he sent by
water to his own estates. If any one of his officers had
made a rich capture, Trenck instantly became his
enemy. He was sent on every dangerous expedition
till he fell, and the colonel became his universal heir,
for Trenck appropriated all he could to himself. He
was reputed to be a man most expert in military science,
an excellent engineer, and to possess an exact eye in
estimating heights and distances. In all enterprises
he was first; inured to fatigue, his iron body could
support it without inconvenience. Nothing escaped
his vigilance, all was turned to account, and what
valour could not accomplish, cunning supplied. His
pride suffered him not to incur an obligation, and thus
he was unthankful; his actions all centred in self, and,
*w-
168 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
as he was remarkably fortunate in whatever he under-
took, he ascribed even that, which accident gave, to
foresight and genius.
Yet was he ever, as an officer, a most useful and
inestimable man to the state. His respect for his
sovereign, and his zeal in her service, were un-
bounded; whenever her glory was at stake, he devoted
himself her victim. This I assert to be truth: I knew
him well. Of little consequence is it to me, whether the
historians of Maria. Theresa have, or have not, mis-
represented his talents and the fame he deserved.
The life of Trenck I write for the following reasons.
He had the honour first to form, and command, regular
troops, raised in Sclavonia. The soldiers acquired
glory under their leader, and sustained the tottering
power of Austria : they made libations of their blood
in its defence, as did Trenck, in various battles. He
served like a brave warrior, with zeal, loyalty, and
effect. The vile persecutions of his enemies at Vienna,
with whom he refused to share the plunder he had
made, lost him honour, liberty, and not only the personal
property he had acquired, but likewise the family
patrimony in Hungary. He died like a malefactor,
illegally sentenced to imprisonment; and knaves have
affirmed, and fools have believed, and believe still, he
took the King of Prussia prisoner, and that he granted
him freedom in consequence of a bribe. So have the
loyal Hungarians been led to suppose that an Hungarian
had really been a traitor.
By my writings, I wish to prove to this noble nation
on the contrary, that Trenck, for his loyalty deserved
compassion, esteem, and honour in his country.
This I have already done in the former part of my
-- * ~ *, *, *
OF BARON TRENCE. 169
history. The dead Tronck can speak no more; but
it is the duty of the living ever to speak in defence of
right.
Trenck wrote his own history while he was confined
in the arsenal at Vienna; and, in the last two sheets he
openly related the manner in which he had been treated
by the council of war, of which Count Loewenwalde,
his greatest enemy, was president. The count, however,
found supporters too powerful, and these sheets were
torn from the book and publicly burnt at Vienna. De-
fence after this became impossible : he groaned under
the grip of his adversaries.
I have given a literal copy of these sheets in the first
part of this history; and I again repeat I am able to
prove the truth of what is there asserted, by the acts,
proceedings, and judicial registers which are in my
possession. He was confined in the Spielberg, because
much was to be dreaded from an injured man, whom
they knew capable of the most desperate enterprises.
He died defenceless, the sacrifice of iniquity and
unjust judges. He died, and his honour remained
unprotected. I am by duty his defender: although he
expired my personal enemy, the author of nearly all the
ills I have suffered. I came to the knowledge of his
persecutors too late for the unfortunate Trenck. And
who are those who have divided his spoils—who slew
him that they might fatten themselves? Your titles
have been paid for from the coffers of Trenck! Yet
neither can your cabals, your wealthy protectors, your
own riches, nor your credit at court, deprive me of the
right of vindicating his fame.
I have boldly written, have openly shown, that
Trenck was pillaged by you; that he served the house
24
—º,
170 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
of Austria as a worthy man, with zeal; not in court-
martials and committees of inquiry, but fighting for
his country, sharing the soldier's glory, falling the
victim of envy and power; falling by the hands of
those who are unworthy of judging merit. He take
the King of Prussia . They might as well say he took
the Emperor of Morocco.
Yes, he is dead. But should any man dare affirm
that the Hungarian or the Prussian Trenck were cap-
able of treason, that either of them merited punishment
for having betrayed their country, he will not have
long to seek before he will be informed that he has
done us both injustice. After this preface, I shall con-
tinue my narrative on the plan I proposed. Trenck,
the father, was a miser, yet a well-meaning man.
Trenck the son, was a youthful soldier, who stood in
need of money to indulge his pleasures. Many curious
pranks he played, when an ensign in I know not what
regiment of foot. He went to one of the collectors of
his father's rents, and demanded money; the collector
refused to give him any, and Trenck clove his skull
with his sabre. A prosecution was entered against
him, but, war breaking out in 1756, between the Rus-
sians and the Turks, he raised a squadron of hussars,
and went with it into the Russian service, contrary to
the will of his father.
In this war he distinguished himself highly, and ac-
quired the protection of Field-marshal Munich. He
was so successful as a leader against the Tartars, that
he became very famous in the army, and at the end of
the campaign, was appointed major.
It happened that flying parties of Turks approached
his regiment when on march, and Trenck seeing a
OF BARON TRENCE. 171
favourable moment for attacking them, went to Colonel
Rumin, desiring the regiment might be led to the
charge, and that they might profit by so fair an oppor-
tunity. The colonel answered, “I have no such orders.”
Trenck then demanded permission to charge the Turks
only with his own squadron; but this was refused.
He became furious, for he had never been acquainted
with contradiction or subordination, and cried aloud to
the soldiers, “If there be one brave man among you,
let him follow me.” About two hundred stepped from
the ranks; he put himself at their head, routed the
enemy, made a horrible carnage, and returned intoxi-
cated with joy, accompanied by prisoners, and loaded
with dissevered heads. Once more arrived in presence
of the regiment, he attacked the colonel, treated him
like the rankest coward, called him opprobrious names,
without the other daring to make the least resistance.
The adventure, however, became known; Trenck was
arrested, and ordered to be tried. His judges con-
demned him to be shot, and the day was appointed, but
the evening before execution, Field-marshal Munich
passed near the tent in which he was confined, Trenck
saw him, came forward, and said, “Certainly your ex-
cellency will not suffer a foreign cavalier to die an
ignominious death because he has chastised a cowardly
Russian if I must die, at least give me permission
to saddle my horse, and with my sabre in my hand, let
me fall surrounded by the enemy.”
The Tartars happened to be at this time harassing
the advanced posts; the Field-marshal shrugged his
shoulders, and was silent. Trenck, not discouraged,
added, “I will undertake to bring your excellency
three heads or lose my own. Will you, if I do, be
*A zº
*s. º .#
172. TEIE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
pleased to grant me my pardon?” The Field-marshal re-
plied, “Yes.” The horse of Trenck was brought : he
galloped to the enemy, and returned with four heads
knotted to the horse's mane, himself only slightly
wounded in the shoulder. Munich immediately ap-
pointed him major in another regiment. Various and
almost incredible were his feats: among others, a Tar-
tar ran him through the belly with his lance: Trenck
grasped the projecting end with his hands, exerted his
prodigious strength, broke the lance, set spurs to his
horse, and happily escaped. Of this wound, dreadful
as it was, he was soon cured. I myself have seen the
two scars, and can affirm the fact; I also learned this,
and many others in 1746, from officers who had served
in the same army.
During this campaign he behaved with great honour,
was wounded by an arrow in the leg, and gained the
affection of Field-marshal Munich, but excited the
envy of all the Russians. Towards the conclusion of
the war he had a new misfortune; his regiment was
incommoded on all sides by the enemy : he entreated
his colonel, for leave to attack them. The colonel was
once more a Russian, and he was refused. Trenck gave
him a blow, and called aloud to the soldiers to follow
him. They however being Russians, remained motion-
less, and he was put under arrest. The court-martial
sentenced him to death, and all hope of reprieve
seemed over. The general would have granted his
pardon, but as he was himself a foreigner, he was fear-
ful of offending the Russians. The day of execution
came, and he was led to the place of death, Munich so
contrived it that Field-marshal Löwenthal should pass
by, at this moment, in company with his lady. Trenck
\
**
* *: *
sº
OF BARON TRENCEC. 173
profited by the opportunity, spoke boldly, and prevailed.
A reprieve was requested, and the sentence was changed
into banishment and labour in Siberia.
Trenck protested against this sentence. The Field-
marshal wrote to Petersburg, and an order came that he
should be broken, and conducted out of the Russian ter-
ritories. This order was executed, and he returned into
Hungary to his father. At this period he espoused
the daughter of Field-marshal Baron Tillier, one
of the first families in Switzerland. The two brothers
of his wife each became lieutenant-general, one
of whom died honourably during the seven years'
War. The other was made commander-general in
Croatia, where he is still living, and is at the head of a
regiment of infantry that bears his name. Trenck did
not live long with his lady. She was pregnant, and he
took her to hunt with him in a marsh: she returned ill,
and died without leaving him an heir.
Having no opportunity to indulge his warlike in-
clination, because of the general peace, he conceived
the project of extirpating the Sclavonian banditti.
Trenck, to execute this enterprise, employed his own
pandours. The contest now commenced and activity
and courage were necessary to ensure success in such
a war. Trenck seemed born for this murderous trade.
Day and night he chased them like wild beasts, killing
now one, then another, and without distinction, treating
them with the utmost barbarity.
Two incidents will sufficiently paint the character
of this unaccountable man. He had impaled alive the
father of a Harum-Bashaw. One evening he was
going on patrol, along the banks of a brook, which
separated two provinces. On the opposite shore was
#’ 4 * ** *
174 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
the son of this impaled father, with his Croats. It
was moonlight, and the latter called aloud—“I
heard thy voice, Trenck! Thou hast impaled my fatherſ
If thou hast a heart in thy body, come hither over the
bridge, I will send away my followers; leave thy fire-
arms, come only with thy sabre, and we will then see who,
shall remain the victor.” The agreement was made—
and the Harum-Bashaw sent away his Croats, and laid:
down his musket. Trenck passed the wooden bridge,
both drew their sabres; but Trenck treacherously killed
his adversary with a pistol, that he had concealed,
after which he severed his head from his body, took it
with him, and stuck it upon a pole.
One day, when hunting, he heard music in a lone
house which belonged to one of his vassals. He was
thirsty, entered, and found the guests seated at table.
Eſe sat down and ate with them, not knowing this was
a rendezvous for the banditti. As he was seated oppo-
site the door, he saw two Harum-Bashaws enter. His
musket stood in a corner; he was struck with terror,
but one of them addressed him thus:– “Neither thee,
northy vassals, Tronck, have we ever injured, yet thou
dost pursue us with cruelty. Eat thy fill. When thou
hast satisfied thy hunger, we will then, sabre in thy
hand, see who has most justice on his side, and whether
thou art as courageous as men speak thee.”
EIereupon they sat down and began to eat and drink
and make merry. The situation of Tronck could not
be very pleasant. He recollected that besides these,
there might be more of their companions, without, ready
to fallupon him; he, therefore, privately drew his pistols,
held them under the table while he cocked them, pre-
sented each hand to the body of a Harum-Bashaw, fired
* * * *
$.” OF BARON TRENCE. 175
them both at the same instant, overset the table on the
guests, and escaped from the house. As he went he
had time to seize on one of their muskets, which was
standing at the door. One of the Croats was left
weltering in his blood; the other disengaged himself
from the table, and ran after Trenck, who suffered him
to approach, killed him with his own gun, struck off
his head and brought it home in triumph. By this
action the banditti were deprived of their two most
valorous chiefs.
War broke out about this time, in 1740, when all
the Hungarians took up arms in defence of their be-
loved queen. Trenck offered to raise a free corps of
pandours, and requested an amnesty for the banditti
who should join his troops. His request was granted,
he published the amnesty, and began to raise recruits;
he therefore enrolled his own vassals, formed a corps
of 500 men, went in search of the robbers, drove them
into a strait between the Save and Sarsaws, where they
capitulated, and 300 of them enrolled themselves with
his pandours. Most of these men were six feet in
height, determined, and experienced soldiers. To in-
dulge them on certain occasions in their thirst of pil-
lage were means which he successfully employed to
lead them where he pleased, and to render thern vic- -
torious. By means like these Trenck became at once
the terror of the enemies of Austria, and rendered
signal services to his Empress.
In 1741, while he was exercising his regiment, a
company fired upon Trenck, and killed his horse, and
his servant that stood by his side. He ran to the com-
pany, counted one, two, three, and beheaded the fourth.
He was continuing this, when a Harum-Bashaw left
^*
* : * T. .# r & º * +, + i + 4
_ – f' * t P
176 THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
the ranks, drew his sword, and called aloud, “It is I
who fired upon thee, defend thyself.” The soldiers
stood motionless spectators. Trenck attacked him and
hewed him down. He was proceeding to continue the
execution of the fourth man, but the whole regiment
presented their arms. The revolt became general, and
Trenck, still holding his drawn sabre, ran amidst them,
hacking about him on all sides. The excess of his rage
was terrific ; the soldiers all called “Hold !” each fell
on their knees, and promised obedience. After this
he addressed them in language suitable to their charac-
ter, and from that time they became invincible soldiers
whenever they were headed by himself. Tiet the situa-
tion of Trenck be considered; he was the chief of a
band of robbers who supposed they were authorised to
take whatever they pleased in an enemy's country, a
banditti that had so often defied the gallows, and had
never known military subordination. Let such men
be led to the field and opposed to regular troops. That
they are nover actuated by honour is evident: their
leader is obliged to excite their avidity by the hope of
plunder to engage them in action; for if they perceive
no personal advantage, the interest of the sovereign is
insufficient to make them act.
Trenck had need of a particular species of officers.
They must be daring, yet cautious. They are partisans,
and must be capable of Supporting fatigue, desirous of
daily seeking the enemy, and hazarding their lives. As
he was himself never absent at the time of action, he
soon became acquainted with those whom he called old
women, and sent them from his regiment. These
officers then repaired to Vienna, vented their com-
plaints, and were heard. His avarice prevented him
OF BARON TRENCE. 177
*
from making any division of his booty with those
gentlemen who constituted the military courts, thus
neglecting what was customary at Vienna : and in this
originated the prosecution to which he fell a victim.
Scarcely had he entered Austria with his troops before
he found an opportunity of reaping laurels. The
French army was defeated at Lintz. Trenck pursued
them, treated his prisoners with barbarity; and, never
granting quarter in battle, the very appearance of his
pandours inspired terror.
Trenck was a great warrior, and knew how to profit
by the slightest advantage. From this time he became
renowned, gained the confidence of Prince Charles, and
the esteem of the Field-marshal Count Kevenhuller,
who discovered the worth of the man. No partisan
had ever before obtained so much power as Trenck;
he everywhere pursued the enemy as far as Bavaria,
earrying fire and sword wherever he went. As it was’
known Trenck gave no quarter, the Bavarians and the
French flew at the sight of a red mantle. Pillage and
murder attended the pandours wherever they went, and
their colonel bought up all the booty they acquired.
Chamb, in particular, was a scene of a dreadful mas-
sacre. The city was set on fire and the people perished
in the flames; women and children who endeavoured
to fly, were obliged to pass over a bridge, where they
were first stripped, and afterwards thrown into the
water. This action was one of the accusations brought
against Trenck when he was prosecuted, but he alleged
his justification.
The banks of the Iser to this day reverberate groans
for the barbarities of Trenck. Deckendorf and Filtz-
hofen felt all his fury. In the first of these towns 600
4. $, * -
178 • THE LIFE AND AIDVENTURES
French prisoners capitulated, although his forces were
four miles distant ; but he formed a kind of straw
men, on which he put pandour caps and cloaks, and set
them up as sentimels; and the garrison, deceived by
this stratagem, signed the capitulation. The services
he rendered the army during the Bavarian war are
well known in the history of Maria. Theresa. The
good he has done has been passed over in silence, be-
cause he died under misfortunes, and did not leave his
historian a legacy. He was informed that either at
Deckendorf or Filtzhofen there was a barrel contain-
ing 20,000 florins, concealed at the house of an apothe-
cary. Impelled by the desire of booty, Trenck hastened
to the place, with a candle in his hand, searching every-
where, and, in his hurry, dropped a spark into a quantity
of gunpowder, by the explosion of which he was dread-
fully scorched. They carried him off, but the scars
and the gunpowder with which his skin was blackened
rendered his countenance terrific.
The present Field-marshal Laudohn was at that time
a lieutenant in his regiment, and happened to be at the
door when his colonel was burnt. Scarcely was Trenck
cured before his spies informed him that Laudohn had
plenty of money. Immediately he suspected that
Laudohn had found the barrel of florins, and from that
moment he persecuted him by all imaginable arts.
Wherever there was danger he sent him, at the head of
30 men, against 300, hoping to have him cut off, and
to make himself his heir. This was so often repeated
that Laudohn returned to Vienna, where, joining the
crowd of the enemies of Trenck, he became instru-
mental in his destruction. Yet it is certain that, in the
beginning, Trenck had shown a friendship for Laudohn,
OF BARON TEENCE. 179
had given him a commission, and that this great man
learned, under the command of Trenck, his military
principles. General Tillier was likewise formed in
this nursery of soldiers, where officers were taught
activity, stratagem, and enterprise. And who are
more capable of commanding a Hungarian army than
Tillier and Laudohn? I, one day said to Trenck, when
he was in Vienna, embarrassed by his prosecution, and
when he had published a defamatory writing against
all his accusers, excepting no man,—“You have always
told me that Laudohn was one of the most capable of
your officers, and that he is a worthy man. Wherefore
then do you class him among such wretches P” He
replied, “What I would you have me praise a man who
labours, at the head of my enemies, to rob me of honour,
property, and life l’” I have related this incident to
prove by the testimony of so honourable a man, that
Trenck was a great soldier, and a zealous patriot, and
that he never took the King of Prussia prisoner, as
has been falsely affirmed, and as is still believed by the
multitude. Had such a thing happened, Laudohn must .
have been present, and would have supported this
charge.
Bavaria was plundered by Trenck; barges were
loaded with gold, silver, and effects, which he sent to
his estates in Sclavonia; Prince Charles and Count
Revenlıuller countenanced his proceedings; but when
Eield-marshal Neuperg was at the head of the army,
he had other principles. He was connected with Baron
Tiebes, a counsellor of the Hofkriegsrath who was the
enemy of Trenck. Persecution was at that time insti-
tuted against him, and Trenck was imprisoned; but
he defended himself so powerfully that in a month he
* *} * * * *º-
º, & & * *
* } -4. xx º'
g - *
180 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
was set at liberty. Mentzel, meanwhile, had the com-
mand of the pandours; and this man appropriated to
himself the fame that Trenck had acquired by the
warriors he himself had formed. Mentzel never was
the equal of Trenck. Trenck now increased the number
of his Croats to 4,000, from whom, in 1743, a regiment
of Hungarian regulars was formed, but who still re-
tained the name of pandours. It was a regiment of
infantry. Trenck also had 600 hussars and 150
chasseurs, whom he equipped at his own expense. Yet,
when this corps was reduced, all was sold ſor the profit
of the imperial treasury, without bringing a shilling to
account.
With a corps so numerous, he undertook great enter-
prises. The enemy fled wherever he appeared. He
led the van, raised contributions which amounted to
several millions, delivered unto the Empress, in five
years, 7,000 prisoners, French and Bavarian, and more
than 3,000 Prussians. He never was defeated. He
gained confidence among his troops, and will remáin in
history the first man who rendered the savage Croats
efficient soldiers. This it was impossible to perform
among a bloodthirsty people without being guilty him-
self of cruel acts. The necessity of the excesses he
committed, when the army was in want of forage, was
so evident that he received permission of Prince Charles,
though for this he was afterwards prosecuted; while -
the plunders of Brenklau, Mentzel, and the whole army,
were never once questioned. That Trenck advanced
more than 100,000 florins to his regiment, I clearly
proved, in 1750. This proof came too late. He was
dead. The evidence I brought occasioned a quarter-
master, Frederici, to be imprisoned. He confessed the
* *
*g-
OF BARON TEENCRC. 181
embezzlement of this money, yet found so many friends
among the enemies of Trenck that he refunded nothing,
but was released in the year 1754, when I was thrown
into the dungeon of Magdeburg.
My cousin, who had lived like a miser, did not, at
his death, leave half of the property he had inherited
from his father, and which legally descended to me; it
was torn from me by violence.
In 1744 he obliged the French to retire beyond the
Rhine, seized on a fort near Phillipsburg, swam across
the river with 70 pandours, attacked the fortifications,
slew the Marquis de Crevecoeur, with his own hand,
manned the post, traversed the other arm of the Rhine,
surprised two Bavarian regiments of cavalry, and by
this daring manoeuvre, secured the passage of the Rhine
to the whole army, which, but for him, would not have
been effected. Wherever he came, he laid the country
under contribution, and, at this moment of triumph for
the Austrian arms, opened himself a passage to enter
the territories of France. In September, 1744, war
having broken out between Austria and Prussia, the
imperial army was obliged to return, abandon Alsatia,
and hasten to the succour of the Austrian states.
Trenck succeeded in covering its retreat. The history
of Maria. Theresa declares the damages he did the enemy,
during this campaign. He gave proof of his capacity
at Tabor and Budweis. With 300 men he attacked one of
these towns, which was defended by the two Prussian
regiments of Walrabe and Kreutz. He found the
water in the moats was deeper than his spies had de-
clared, and the scaling ladders too short : most of those
led to the attack were killed, or drowned in the water,
and the small number that crossed the moats were
t * * ..º. “. r- *&
* *-
I82 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
made prisoners. The garrison of Tabor, of Budweis,
and of the castle of Frauenburg, were, nevertheless,
induced to capitulate, and yield themselves prisoners,
although the main body under Trenck was more than
five miles distant. His corps did not come up till the
morrow, and it was ridiculous enough to see the pan-
dours dressed in the caps of the Prussian fusiliers and
pioneers, which they wore instead of their own, and
which they afterwards continued to wear.
The campaign to him was glorious, and the enemy's
want of light troops gave free scope to his enterprises,
highly to their prejudice. He never returned without
prisoners. He passed the Elbe near Pardubitz, took
the magazines, and was the cause of the great dearth
and desertion among the Prussians, and of that hasty
-retreat to which they were forced. The King was at
Colin with his head-quarters, where I was with him,
when Trenck attacked the town, which he must have
carried, had he not been wounded by a cannon-ball,
which shattered his foot. He was taken away, the
attack did not succeed, and his men, without him, re-
mained but so many ciphers.
In 1745, he went to Vienna, where his entrance
resembled a triumph. The Empress received him with
distinction. He appeared on crutches ; she, by her con-
descending speech, inflamed his zeal to extravagance.
Who would have supposed that the favourite of the
people would that year be abandoned to the power of
his enemies; who had not rendered, during their whole
lives, so much essential service to the state as Trenck
had done in a single day P He returned to his estate,
raised eight hundred recruits that he might aid in the
next campaign, and gather new laurels. He rejoined
S
OF BARON TEENCEC. 183.
the army. At the battle of Sorau he fell upon the
Prussian camp, and seized upon the tent of the King,
but he came too late to attack the rear, as had been
preconcerted. Frederic gave up his camp to be
plundered, for the Croats could not be drawn off to .
attack the army, and the King was prepared to receive
them, even if they should. In the meantime, the im-
perial army was defeated.
Eiere was a field for the enemies of Trenck to incite
the people against him. They accused him of having
made the King of Prussia a prisoner in his tent; that
he also pillaged the camp instead of attacking the rear
of the army. After having ended the campaign, he
returned to Vienna to defend himself. Here he found
twenty-three officers, whom he expelled his regiment,
most of them for cowardice or mean actions. They
were ready to bear false testimony. Counsellor Weber
and Gen. Loewenwalde, had sworn his downfall, which
they effected. Trenck despised their attacks. While
things remained thus, they instructed one of the Em-
press's attendants to profit by every opportunity to
deprive him of her confidence. It was affirmed,
Trenck is an atheist who never prayed to the holy
Virgin The officers, whom he had broken, whispered
it in coffee-houses, that Trenck had taken and set free
the King of Prussia | This raised the cry among the
fanatical mob of Vienna. Teased by their complaints,
and at the requisition of Trenck himself, the Empress
commanded that examination should be undertaken of
these accusations. Field-marshal Cordova was chosen
to preside over this inquiry. He spoke the truth, and
drew up a statement of the case; it was presented to
the Court, and which I shall here insert.
184 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
“The complaints brought against him did not
require a court-martial. Trenck had broken some
officers by his own authority; their demands ought to
be satisfied by the payment of 12,000 florins. The
remaining accusations were all the attempts of revenge
and calumny, and were insufficient to detain at Vienna,
entangled in law-suits, a man so necessary to the
army. Moreover, it would be prudent mot to inquire
into trifles, in consideration of his important ser-
vices.” ł
Trenck, dissatisfied by this sentence, and animated
by avarice and pride, refused to pay a single florin,
and returned to Sclavonia. His presence was neces-
sary at Vienna, to obtain other advantages against his
enemies. They gave the Empress to understand, that
being a man excessively dangerous, whenever he sup-
posed himself injured, Trenck had spread pernicious
views in Sclavonia, where all men were dependent on
him. He raised six hundred more men, with whom he
made a campaign in the Netherlands, and in October,
1746, returned to Vienna. After the peace of Dresden,
his regiment was incorporated among the regulars, and
served against France.
Scarcely had he arrived at Vienna, before an order
came from the Empress that he must remain under
arrest in his chamber. Here he rendered himself
guilty by the most imprudent action of his whole life.
He ordered his carriage and horses, despising the
imperial mandate, went to the theatre, when the
Empress was present. In one of the boxes he saw
Count Gossau, in company with a comrade of his own,
whom he had cashiered: these persons were among the
foremost of his accusers. Inflamed with the desire of
OF BARON TRENCRC. 185
*
revenge, he entered the box, seized Count Gossau, and
would have thrown him into the pit in the presence of
the Sovereign herself. Gossau drew his sword, and
tried to run him through, but the latter seizing it,
wounded himself in the hand. Everybody ran to save
Gossau, who was unable to defend himself. After
this exploit, the colonel of the pandours returned
foaming home.
Such an action rendered it impossible for Maria
Theresa to declare herself the protectress of a man so
rash. Sentinels were placed over him, and his enemies
profiting by his imprudence and passion, he was
ordered to be tried by a court-martial. General Loe-
wenwalde intrigued so successfully, that he procured
himself to be named, by the Hofkriegsrath, president
of the court-martial, and to be charged with the seques-
tration of the property of Trenck. In vain did the
latter protest against his judge. The very man, whom
the year before he had kicked out of the ante-chamber
of Prince Charles, received full power to denounce
him guilty. Then was it that public notice was given
that all those who would prefer complaints against
Colonel Baron Trenck should receive a ducat per day
while the council continued to sit. They soon
amounted to fifty-four, who, in a space of four months,
received 15,000 florins from the property of Trenck.
The judge himself purchased the depositions of false
witnesses; and Count Loewenwalde offered me one
thousand ducats, if I would betray the secrets of my
cousin, and promised me I should be put in possession
of my confiscated estates in Prussia, and have a com-
pany in a regiment.
That the indictment and the examinations of the
ke. *
186 THE LIFE AND’ADVENTUREs.
witnesses were falsified, has already been proved in the
revision of the cause ; but as the indictment did not con-
tain one article that could affect his life, they invented
the following stratagem. A courtesan, a mistress of
Baron Rippenda, who was a member of the court-
martial, was bribed, and made oath she was the
daughter of Count Schwerin, Field-marshal in the
Prussian service, and that she was in bed with the
Ying of Prussia, when Trenck surprised the camp at
Sorau, made her and the King prisoners, and restored
them their freedom. She even ventured to name Baron
Bilaire, aide-de-camp to Frederic, whom she affirmed
was then present. Hilaire, who afterwards married the
Baroness Tillier, and who consequently was brother-in-
law to Trenck, fortunately happened to be in Vienna.
He was confronted with this woman, and through her
falsehoods, the gentleman was obliged to remain in
prison, where they offered him bribes, which he refused
to accept ; and, to prevent his speaking, he continued
in prison some weeks, and was not released till this
shameful proceeding was made public.
Count Loewenwalde invented another artifice; he
drew up a false indictment; and, that he might be
prevented all means of justification, he chose a day to
put it in practice, when the Emperor and Prince
Charles were hunting at Holitzsch. Loewenwalde’s
court-martial had already signed a sentence of death,
and every preparation for the erection of a scaffold was
made. His intention was then to go to the Empress
and induce her to sign the sentence, under a pretence
that there was some imminent peril at hand, if a man
so dangerous to the state was not immediately put out
of the way, and that it would be necessary to execute
OF BARON TRENCEC. - 187
the sentence of death before the Emperor could return.
He well knew the Emperor was better acquainted with
Trenck, and had ever been his protector.
Had this succeeded, Trenck would have died like a
traitor; Miss Schwerin would have espoused the aide-
de-camp of Loewenwalde, with fifty thousand florins, .
taken from the funds of Trenck, and his property
would have been divided between his judges and his
accusers. As it happened, however, the valet-de-
chambre of Count Loewenwalde, who was an honest
man, and who h; d an intimacy with a former mistress
of Trenck, confided the whole secret to her. She
immediately flew to Colonel Baron Lopresti, who was
the sincere friend of my kinsman, and, being then
powerful at Court, was his deliverer. The Emperor
and Prince Charles were informed of what was in
agitation, but they thought proper to keep it secret.
The hunting at Holitzsch took place on the appointed
day. Count Loewenwalde made his appearance before
the Empress, and solicited her to sign the sentence.
She, however, had been pre-informed, the Emperor
having returned on the same day, and their abominable
project proved abortive. Miss Schwerin was im-
prisoned; Loewenwalde was deprived of his power, as
well as of the sequestration of the effects of Trenck; a
total revision of the proceedings of the court-martial,
and of the prosecution of my cousin, was ordered,
which was an event, that, till then, was unexampled at
Vienna.
Trenck was freed from his fetters, removed to the
arsenal, an officer guarded him, and he had every conve-
nience he could wish. He was also permitted the use
of a counsellor to defend his cause. I obtained by the
-*
~3: *
188 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
influence of the Emperor leave to visit him and to aid
him in all things. It was at this epoch that I arrived
at Vienna, and, at this very instant, when the revision
of the prosecution was commanded and determined on.
Count Loewenwalde, supposing me a needy, thoughtless
youth, endeavoured to bribe me, and prevail on me to
betray my kinsman. Prince Charles of Lorraine then
desired me seriously to represent to Trenck that his
avarice had been the cause of all these troubles, for he
had refused to pay the paltry sum of 12,000 florins, by
which he might have silenced all his accusers; but that,
as at present, affairs had become so serious, he ought
himself to secure his judges for the revision of the suit;
to spare no money, and then he might be certain of
every protection the prince could afford.
The respectable Field-marshal Konigseck, governor
of Vienna, was appointed president ; but, being an old
man, he was unable to preside at any one sitting of the
court. Count S was the vice-president, a subtle,
insatiable judge, who never thought he had money
enough. I took 3,000 ducats, which Baron Lopresti
gave me, to this most worthy counsellor. The two
counsellors, Komerkansquy and Zetto, each received
4,000 rix-dollars, with a promise of double the sum
if Trenck were acquitted; there was a formal contract
drawn up, which a certain noble lord secretly signed.
Trenck was defended by the advocate Gerhauer and by
Berger. They began with the self-created daughter of
Marshal Schwerin; and, to conceal the iniquitous pro-
ceedings of the late court-martial, it was thought proper
that she should appear insane, and return incoherent
answers to the questions put by the examiners. Trenck
insisted that a more severe inquiry should be instituted;
oF BARON TRENCK. 189
ań.
but they affirmed that she had been conducted out of
the Austrian territories.
Trenck was accused of having ordered a certain
pandour, named Paul Diack, to suffer the bastinado of
1,000 blows, and that he had died under the punish-
ment. This was sworn to by two officers, now great
men in the army, who said they were eye-witnesses of
the fact. When the revision of the suit began, Trenck
sent me into Sclavonia, where I found the dead Paul
Diack alive, and brought him to Vienna. He was
examined by the court, where it appeared that the two
officers, who had sworn they were present when he
expired, and had seen him buried, were at that time
160 miles from the regiment, and recruiting in
Sclavonia. Paul Diack had engaged in plots, and had
mutinied three times. Trenck had pardoned him, but
afterwards mutinying once more, with forty others, he
was condemned to death. At the place of execution he
called to his colonel: “Father, if I receive a thousand
blows, will you pardon me?” Trenck replied in the
affirmative. He received the punishment, was taken to
the hospital, and cured.
I brought fourteen more witnesses from Sclavonia,
who attested the falsity of other articles of accusation
which were not worthy of attention. The cause wore
a new aspect; and the wickedness of those who were
so desirous to have seen Trenck executed became
apparent.
One of the chief articles in the prosecution, which
for ever deprived him of favour from his virtuous and
apostolic mistress, and for which alone he was con-
demned to the Spielberg, was, that he had ravished
the daughter of a miller in Silesia. This was made
#
3. * º, * * * *;
~ * - ar ~ .
*.
I90 THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES
oath of, and he was not entirely cleared of the charge
in the revision, because his accusers had excluded all
means of justification. Two years after his death, I
discovered the truth of this affair. Mainstein accused
him of this crime that he might prevent his return to
the regiment; his motive was, because he, in conjunc-
tion with Frederici, had appropriated to their own pur-
poses 8,000 florins of regimental money.
This miller's daughter was the mistress of Mainstein,
before she had been seen by Trenck. Maria. Theresa,
however, would never forgive him; and, to satisfy the
honour of this damsel, he was condemned to pay 8,000
florins to her, and 15,000 to the chest of the invalids,
and to suffer perpetual imprisonment. Sixty-three
civil suits had I to defend, and all the appeals of his
accusers to terminate after his death. I gained them
all and his accusers were condemned in costs, also to
refund the so much per day which had been paid them
by General Loewenwalde; but they were all poor, and
I might seek the money where I could. In justice,
Toewenwalde ought to have reimbursed me. The total
of the sum they received was 15,000 florins.
Most of the other articles of accusation consisted in
Trenck’s having beheaded some mutinous pandours,
and broken his officers without a court-martial; that
he had bought of his soldiers, and melted down the
holy vessels of the church, chalices, and rosaries; had
bastinadoed some priests, had not heard mass every
Sunday, and had dragged malefactors from convents,
in which they had taken refuge. When the officers
were no longer protected by Loewenwalde, or Weber,
they decamped, but did not cease to labour to gain their
purpose, which they attained by the aid of the Court-
y rºt º'
** * * * 3 **. *
*
*
*
..sº
confessor. This monk found means to render Maria
Theresa insensible of pity towards a man who had been
so prodigal of his blood in her defence. Loewenwalde .
knew how to profit by the opportunity. Gerhauer dis-
covered the secret proceedings; and Loewenwalde, now
deeply interested in the ruin of Trenck, went to the
Empress, related the manner in which the judges had
been bribed, and threatened that should he, through the
protection of the Emperor and Prince Charles, be
declared innocent, he would publicly vindicate the
honour of the court-martial.
Had my cousin followed my advice and plan of
flight he would not have died in prison nor should I
have lain in the dungeon of Magdeburg. With respect
to individuals whom he robbed, innocent men whom he
massacred, and many other worthy people whom he
made miserable; with respect to his father, aged eighty-
four, and his virtuous wife, whom he treated with bar-
barity; with respect to myself, to the duties of con-
sanguinity and of man, he merited punishment, the
pursuit of the avenging arm of justice, and to be extir-
pated from all human Society.
THE END.
of BARON TRENCK. 191
*.
x31
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