This represented the state of affairs when they were almost grown up, and is a remarkable picture of court habits and manners in Germany in the early part of the eighteenth century.  The scene we have already described, in which the king attempted to strangle his son with the curtain cord, occurred when Frederick was in his nineteenth year, and was one of the acts which gave rise to his resolution to run away, the source of so many sorrows.

Poor Frederick’s lot had become too hard to bear.  He was bent on flight.  His mother was the daughter of George I. of England, and he hoped to find at the English court the happiness that failed him at home.  He informed his sister of his purpose, saying that he intended to put it into effect during a journey which his father was about to make, and in which opportunities for flight would arise.  Katte, he said, was in his interest; Keith would join him; he had made with them all the arrangements for his flight.  His sister endeavored to dissuade him, but in vain.  His father’s continued brutality, and particularly his use of the cane, had made the poor boy desperate.  He wrote to Lieutenant Katte,—­

“I am off, my dear Katte.  I have taken such precautions that I have nothing to fear.  I shall pass through Leipsic, where I shall assume the name of Marquis d’Ambreville.  I have already sent word to Keith, who will proceed direct to England.  Lose no time, for I calculate on finding you at Leipsic.  Adieu, be of good cheer.”

The king’s journey took place.  Frederick accompanied him, his mind full of his projected flight.  The king added to his resolution by ill-treatment during the journey, and taunted him as he had often done before, saying,—­

“If my father had treated me so, I would soon have run away; but you have no heart; you are a coward.”

This added to the prince’s resolution.  He wrote to Katte at Berlin, repeating to him his plans.  But now the chapter of accidents, which have spoiled so many well-laid plots, began.  In sending this letter he directed it “via Nuernberg,” but in his haste or agitation forgot to insert Berlin.  By ill luck there was a cousin of Katte’s, of the same name, at Erlangen, some twelve miles off.  The letter was delivered to and read by him.  He saw the importance of its contents, and, moved by an impulse of loyalty, sent it by express to the king at Frankfort.

Another accident came from Frederick’s friend Keith being appointed lieutenant, his place as page to the prince being taken by his brother, who was as stupid as the elder Keith was acute.  The royal party had halted for the night at a village named Steinfurth.  This the prince determined to make the scene of his escape, and bade his page to call him at four in the morning, and to have horses ready, as he proposed to make an early morning call upon some pretty girls at a neighboring hamlet.  He deemed the boy too stupid to trust with the truth.