After you have dismissed the French comedians, you will be entirely at leisure to pursue your love-intrigues .-- Farewell!" "Your majesty," cried the baron, amazed, "has your highness dismissed me ?" "Are you deaf, or have you some of the cotton in your ears which I presented to you at your recall from Copenhagen ?" replied the king.
[Footnote: Baron von Arnim was ambassador to Copenhagen until 1754, when he begged for his recall, stating that the damp climate was injurious to his health.

The king granted his request, and the baron returned to Berlin.

At the first audience with the king, Frederick handed Baron von Arnim a carefully-packed box, saying, "I do not wish the government to lose so valuable a servant; in this box you will find something that will keep you warm." Arnim could scarcely await his return home, to open the box; it contained nothing but cotton.

Some days afterward, however, the king increased Von Arnim's income a thousand dollars, and sent him ambassador to Dresden.

Von Arnim was afterward director of the Royal Theatre until dismissed in the above manner.] "Sire, I have heard all, but I cannot believe it." "Yes, yes," interrupted the king, "To believe is difficult; you, I presume, never belonged to the pious and believing.