The King frequently interposed to punish Mara for his harshness.  On one occasion he gave him a public caning and on another he sent him to a field regiment, noted for the rigid severity of its discipline, to be enrolled as a drummer for three months, accompanying the order with the mot, “His propensity for beating shall have the fullest exercise on the drum.”  A ludicrous sentence of the royal despot was that which consigned him to the tender mercies of the body-guard, with strict orders for his correction.  No particular mode of punishment was prescribed, so each soldier inflicted such chastisement as he considered most fitting.  They began by rigging him out in an old uniform and a large pair of whiskers, loading him with the heaviest firelock they could find, and forced him to go through the manual exercise for two hours, accompanying their drill with the usual discipline of the cane.  They then made him dance and sing for two hours longer, and ended this persecution by compelling the surgeon to take from him a large quantity of blood.  In a miserable condition they restored him to his disconsolate wife, who had been essaying all her arts to persuade the officer of the guard to mitigate the poor wretch’s punishment.

The King’s method of carrying on the opera was characteristic.  Performances were free, and commenced precisely at 6 p.m., when, prompt to the minute, the King appeared and took his seat just behind the conductor, where he could see the score, and notice every mistake, either instrumental or vocal.  A royal caning often repaid any unlucky artist who made a blunder, much to the gratification of the audience.  Such a patron as this, however generous, could not be considered highly desirable; and Mme. Mara, whose reputation had become world-wide, longed more and more to accept some of the brilliant offers which came to her from the great capitals of Europe.  But Frederick would not let his favorite prima donna go, and the royal passport was necessary for getting beyond the limits of the kingdom.  An example of Frederick’s method of dealing with his subjects and servants is found in the following incident:  The Grand Duke Paul of Russia was visiting Berlin, and on a gala night a grand performance of opera was to be given.  Mme. Mara had sent an excuse that she was sick, but a laconic notice from her royal patron insisted that she was to get well and sing her best.  So the prima donna took to her bed and grew worse and worse.  Two hours before the opera commenced, a carriage escorted by eight soldiers drew up in front of the house, and the captain of the guard, unceremoniously entering her room, intimated that she must go to the theatre dead or alive.

“You can not take me,” she said with tears of rage; “you see I am in bed.”

“That’s of little consequence,” was the imperturbable response; “we’ll take you bed and all.”